JP2023068033A - multi-piece golf club head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-piece golf club head with strong and durable coupling between pieces of the golf club head, the multi-piece golf club head promoting an increase in discretionary mass.

SOLUTION: Disclosed herein is a driver-type golf club head that is made of at least one first material having a density between 0.9 g/cc and 3.5 g/cc, at least one second material having a density between 3.6 g/cc and 5.5 g/cc, and at least one third material having a density between 5.6 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. The first material has a first mass that is from 25% to 55% inclusive of the total mass of the golf club head. The second material has a second mass that is from 20% to 65% inclusive of the total mass of the golf club head. The third material has a third mass equal to the total mass of the golf club head minus the first mass of the first material and the second mass of the second material.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to golf club heads constructed from multiple sections that are adhesively bonded together.

Early in the history of golf, golf club heads were primarily made from a single material such as wood. Since then, golf club heads have progressed from primarily wood constructions to primarily metal constructions. Early golf club heads made of metal were made of alloy steel. Over time, golf club heads have been made from titanium alloys. Some, but not all, golf club head manufacturers have moved from using a single material to multiple materials and multiple piece constructions. The use of multiple parts and the use of multiple materials provides various manufacturing and performance advantages. The multiple pieces of a multi-piece golf club head can be joined in a variety of ways, such as adhesive bonding and welding.

In many cases, the bond strength between bonded pieces of a multi-piece golf club head affects the durability of the golf club head, which in turn affects the performance of the golf club head over time. Since the golf club head is used to impact the golf ball, weak bonds tend to accelerate bond degradation. Deterioration of the bond between the joined parts can lead to poor performance of the golf club head, at best through reduced stiffness and lack of proper load transfer, and at worst, complete failure of the golf club head. Typically, the striking surface of a driver-type golf club head encounters a golf ball thousands of times throughout its life cycle. Each impact exerts a force of 10,000-20,000 g on the striking face. g equals the force per unit mass due to gravity. Repeated strikes with such high force tend to cause deterioration of the bonds forming the golf club head. Therefore, a strong initial durable bond between the connecting pieces of a golf club head is desired.

Welding typically provides a stronger initial bond and can provide greater durability compared to other bonding techniques, so many conventional multi-piece golf club head pieces benefit from welding. Use materials such as metals that are compatible with each other. However, many of the metals used to form multi-piece golf club heads have greater mass than non-metallic materials. Accordingly, the mass available for distribution around such a golf club head (also known as discretionary mass) that can be utilized to enhance the performance of the golf club head may be limited. For this reason, it can be difficult to provide a multi-piece golf club head that has a strong and durable bond between the pieces of the golf club head to enhance discretionary mass gain.

The subject matter of the present application has been addressed in response to the state of the art and, in particular, to the shortcomings of golf club heads having multi-piece constructions that have not yet been fully resolved. Accordingly, the present subject matter has been made to provide a golf club head that overcomes at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional golf club heads.

A driver-type golf club head is disclosed herein. The driver-type golf club head includes a front portion including a striking surface, a rear portion opposite the front portion, a crown portion, a sole portion opposite the crown portion, a heel portion, and a heel portion opposite the heel portion. Includes toe. Driver-type golf club heads have volumes between 390 cubic centimeters (cc) and 600 cc. The total mass of a driver-type golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g. The driver-type golf club head comprises at least one first material having a density of 0.9 g/cc to 3.5 g/cc, at least one second material having a density of 3.6 g/cc to 5.5 g/cc. 2 and at least one third material having a density between 5.6 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. The at least one first material has a first mass that is no greater than 55% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head and no less than 25% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head. The at least one second material is no more than 65% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head and has a second mass of no less than 20% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head. The at least one third material is a total mass of the driver-type golf club head less a first mass of the at least one first material and a second mass of the at least one second material has a third mass equal to The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes examples of the present disclosure.

The described features, structures, advantages and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the subject matter of the present disclosure could be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation. to recognize In other examples, additional features and advantages may be recognized in particular embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present in any embodiment or implementation. Additionally, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the ensuing description and appended claims, or may be realized by practice of the subject matter presented hereinafter.

In order to make the advantages of the subject matter more readily comprehensible, the subject matter briefly described above will now be more particularly described with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With the understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, said subject matter will be described with further specificity and detail through the use of the drawings. Describe and explain.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevational view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is another schematic side elevational view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of a detail of the golf club head of FIG. 9A, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is another schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the body of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom view of the body of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the body of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 15 is another schematic exploded perspective view of the body of the golf club head of FIG. 1, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; 17 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of the golf club head of FIG. 16 taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 16, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of another golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view of yet another golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; 20 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 19, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 21 is a schematic front elevational view of a ring of the golf club head of FIG. 19, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 22 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 23 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 24 is a schematic perspective view of the face portion of FIG. 56, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 25 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 26 is a schematic front elevational view of a hitting plate of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 27 is a schematic bottom view of a hitting plate of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; 28A is a schematic bottom cross-sectional view of a heel portion of a hitting plate of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 28B is a schematic bottom cross-sectional view of a toe portion of a striking plate of a golf club head, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a polymer layer of a hitting plate of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom plan view of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line 30-30 in FIG. 9B, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of the front portion and crown portion of the golf club head of FIG. 30, taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; 32 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevational view of the forward and crown portions of the golf club head of FIG. 30, taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 30, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 33 is a schematic side elevational view of a first portion of a golf club head being laser ablated by a first laser in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 34 is a schematic side elevational view of a second portion of a golf club head being laser ablated by a second laser in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 35 is a schematic side elevational view of a first portion of a golf club head coupled to a second portion of the golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of an ablation pattern of peaks and valleys of an ablated surface of a portion of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 37 is a schematic side elevational view of a peak-and-valley ablation pattern of an ablated surface of a portion of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 38 is a schematic perspective view of a golf club head striking plate being laser ablated by a laser in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 39 is a schematic perspective view of a golf club head body being laser ablated by a laser in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 40 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a hitting plate and body of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a hitting plate and body of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 42 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a golf club head, according to one or more examples of this disclosure. FIG. 43 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a golf club head, according to one or more examples of this disclosure. FIG. 44 is a schematic side elevational view of a first portion of a golf club head coupled to a second portion of the golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 45 is a schematic top view of an ablation pattern of a portion of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure; FIG. 46 is a schematic top view of an ablation pattern of a portion of a golf club head, in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

Although the following describes example golf club heads in the context of driver-type golf club heads having multi-piece construction, the principles, methods, and designs described may be applied in whole or in part to fairway wood golf club heads, It may be applicable to utility golf club heads (also known as hybrid golf club heads), iron-type golf club heads. This is because such golf club heads can also be made to have multi-piece constructions.

In some examples disclosed herein, the golf club head has a striking face formed of non-metallic materials, such as fiber-reinforced polymeric materials. Failure of the adhesive bond formed between the body of the golf club head and the non-metallic striking plate can cause characteristic time (CT) creep. USGA regulations require that the CT of the golf club head be within regulated limits regardless of the number of impacts the golf club head makes on the golf ball. The CT of a conventional driver-type golf club head tends to rise after multiple impacts on the golf ball. An increase in CT due to impact with a golf ball is known as CT creep. In certain examples disclosed herein, the golf club head is configured such that the surface structure of the golf club head is optimized for a stronger adhesive bond between the body of the golf club head and the non-metallic striking plate. configured to reinforce the adhesive bond formed in the

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0302946 A1 (the '946 application), published Oct. 9, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, provides A "reference location" similar to the address location used is described. Address locations or reference locations may be found in United States Golf Association and R&A Rules Limited, "Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs," Revision 1.0.0, (November 21, 20 03) based on All parameters are specified with the club head at a reference position, unless otherwise specified.

Figures 3, 4, 5, and 9A are examples showing the golf club head 100 in an address or reference position. When the hosel axis 191 of the golf club head 100 is at a lie angle ? The striking face 145 of 100 is square with respect to the virtual target line 101 (see, eg, FIG. 7). As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 9A, positioning the golf club head 100 at an address or reference position may be used to determine the geometric center (e.g., center point) of the striking surface 145 when making various measurements. It helps to use a club head origin coordinate system 185 centered on the face 183). With the golf club head at the address or reference position, the USGA methodology is used to determine the various parameters described throughout this application, such as head height, club head center of gravity (CG) position, and moment of inertia (MOI). The parameters can be measured relative to the club head origin coordinate system 185 or relative to another reference or references.

For further details or clarity, it is recommended to refer to the measurement methods described in the '946 application and USGA procedures. It should be noted that the origins and axes associated with the club head origin coordinate system 185 used in this application are not necessarily aligned or oriented in the same manner as described in the '946 application or USGA procedures. good. Further details regarding locating the club head origin coordinate system 185 are provided below.

In some examples, the golf club heads described herein include driver-type golf club heads that measure at least 3,500 mm ² , preferably at least 3,800 mm ² , even more preferably at least 3,800 mm 2 . Striking with a total surface area of 900 mm ² (eg, in one example 3,500 mm ² to 5,000 mm ² , in various examples less than 5,000 mm ² , in another example 3,700 mm ² to 4,300 mm ² ) It can be identified, at least in part, as a golf club head having a face. In some examples, such as when the striking face is defined by a non-metallic material, the total surface area of the striking face is 4,300 mm ² or less and 3,300 mm ² or more. The total surface area of the striking face is the outermost area of the striking face, and in some examples can be the outermost area of the face insert. In certain examples, the total surface area of the striking face is from a substantially uniform bulge radius (i.e., the heel-toe radius of curvature of the face) and a substantially uniform roll radius (i.e., the crown-to-sole radius of curvature of the face). The surface area of the striking face bounded on the perimeter by all points where the face transitions into the body of the golf club head. In a particular example, the hitting surface of the golf club head disclosed herein is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0139208, filed Oct. 22, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. , U.S. Pat. No. 8,801,541, issued Aug. 12, 2014, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,012,039, issued Sep. 6, 2011. defined in the method. Further, in some examples, the striking surface comprises, for example, US patent application Ser. U.S. Patent No. 9,814,944, issued April 14; U.S. Patent No. 10,265,586, issued April 23, 2019; As described in 2019/0076705, it has uniform bulge radii and uniform roll radii, except for portions with higher lofted toes and lower lofted heels.

Further, in certain examples, a driver-type golf club head includes a center-of-gravity (CG) projection parallel to the horizontal (y-axis), which in one example is measured along the vertical axis (z-axis). a maximum of 3 mm above and below the central face of the striking face, preferably a maximum of 1 mm above and below said central face, in another example a maximum of 5 mm below the central face of the striking face, measured along the vertical axis (z-axis); Preferably a maximum of 4 mm below said central face. In some examples, the CG projection is on the toe side of the geometric center of the striking face. Further, in some examples, driver-type golf club heads have a relatively high moment of inertia about a vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis of the CG through the CG and parallel to the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185). (e.g., in certain implementations Izz > 400 kg-mm ² , preferably Izz > 450 kg-mm ² , more preferably Izz > 500 kg-mm ² but less than 590 kg-mm ² ), comparison about the horizontal axis high moment of inertia (e.g., the x-axis of the CG through the CG and parallel to the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185) (e.g., Ixx>250 kg-mm2, preferably Ixx>300 kg-mm in some examples) ² , or 320 kg·mm ² , more preferably Ixx>350 kg·mm ² , more preferably Ixx>375 kg·mm ² , more preferably Ixx>385 kg·mm ² , more preferably Ixx>400 kg·mm ² , more preferably is Ixx>415 kg.mm ² , more preferably Ixx>430 kg.mm ² , more preferably Ixx>450 kg.mm ² but not more than 590 kg.mm ² ), and preferably a ratio of Ixx/Izz>0.70 have Further details regarding inertia Izz and Ixx can be found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0139208, published May 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

According to particular examples, the sum of Ixx and Izz is 780 kg.mm ² , 800 kg.mm ² , 820 kg.mm ² , 825 kg.mm ² , 850 kg.mm ² , 860 kg.mm ² , 875 kg.mm ² , 900 kg. mm ² , 925 kg·mm ² , 950 kg·mm ² , 975 kg·mm ² , or greater than 1000 kg·mm ² but less than 1,100 kg·mm ² . For example, the sum of Ixx and Izz can be between 740 kg·mm ² and 1,100 kg·mm ² , eg, about 869 kg·mm ² . In some examples, Ixx is at least 65% of Izz, and even more preferably, in some examples, Ixx is at least 68% of Izz. In some examples, the golf club head mass can be 190 grams to 210 grams, preferably 195 grams to 205 grams, and even more preferably 203 grams or less. The mass of the golf club head includes the mass of the FCT system and the fasteners for tightening the FCT system, but does not include the shaft of the golf club head or the grip of the golf club head. The maximum distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the club head measured parallel to the y-axis is preferably between 112 mm and 127 mm, preferably between 115 mm and 127 mm, even more preferably between 119 mm and 127 mm.

Larger inertia values and lower CG projections (eg, 3 mm or less above the center face) can be achieved by including front and rear weights, as described in detail below. The front weight can be a single front weight or two or more front weights. The front weight can be positioned near an imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis, or the front weight can be positioned on the toe or heel side of an imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis, or an imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis of the golf club head. It can be offset with respect to both the toe and heel sides of the vertical plane. The front weight can be separately formed and screwed, welded, or bonded to the golf club head, or the front weight can be a thickened area of the golf club head, or In some cases, the forward weight may be molded or overmolded into the forward portion of the golf club head. For further discussion regarding various positions of forward and rear weights, see the description below and US Pat. ). A forward weight is forward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and a rear weight is rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head.

In some examples, the golf club heads described herein have a delta-1 value of 25 mm or less, preferably between 20 mm and 25 mm. Delta-1 for a driver-type golf club head is the distance along the y-axis of the head center face origin coordinate system 185 between the CG and XZ planes of the golf club head, said XZ plane being the head center face origin. It passes through the X and Z axes of coordinate system 185 and through hosel axis 191 . In certain examples, the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 335 kg- ^mm2 and a delta-1 of 25 mm or less, and the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 345 kg- ^mm2 and a delta-1 of 25 mm or less. , the golf club head has Ixx of at least 355 kg·mm ² and delta-1 is 25 mm or less, and the golf club head has Ixx of at least 365 kg·mm ² and delta-1 is 25 mm or less, or the golf club The head has an Ixx of at least 375 kg·mm ² and a delta-1 of 25 mm or less.

In some examples, the golf club heads described herein have delta-1 values between 20mm and 35mm. In particular examples, the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 335 kg-mm ² and a delta-1 of 22 mm to 32 mm, and the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 345 kg-mm ² and a delta-1 of 22 mm to 32 mm. and the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 355 kg·mm ² and a delta-1 of 22 mm to 32 mm; and the golf club head has an Ixx of at least 365 kg·mm ² and a delta-1 of 22 mm to 32 mm , the golf club head having an Ixx of at least 375 kg·mm ² and a delta-1 of 23 mm to 32 mm; a golf club head having an Ixx of at least 385 kg·mm and a delta-1 of 24 mm to 32 mm; The head has Ixx of at least 395 kg·mm ² and delta-1 is between 25 mm and 32 mm, or the golf club head has Ixx of at least 405 kg·mm ² and delta-1 is between 27 mm and 32 mm.

1 and 2, according to some examples, a golf club head 100 of the present disclosure includes a toe portion 114 and a heel portion 116 opposite toe portion 114. As shown in FIG. Further, golf club head 100 includes a forward portion 112 (eg, face portion) and a rear portion 118 opposite forward portion 112 . Golf club head 100 further includes a sole portion 117 in a lower region of golf club head 100 and a crown portion 119 in an upper region of golf club head 100 opposite sole portion 117 . Golf club head 100 also includes a skirt portion 121 that defines a transition region where golf club head 100 transitions between crown portion 119 and sole portion 117 . Thus, skirt portion 121 is positioned between crown portion 119 and sole portion 117 and extends around golf club head 100 . Referring to FIG. 9A, golf club head 100 is defined by forward portion 112, rearward portion 118, crown portion 119, sole portion 117, heel portion 116, toe portion 114, and skirt portion 121 together; It further includes a surrounding internal cavity 113 .

Striking surface 145 extends along forward portion 112 from sole portion 117 to crown portion 119 and from toe portion 114 to heel portion 116 . Further, the striking face 145 and at least a portion of the inner surface 166 of the front portion 112 opposite the striking face 145 are vertically planar. As further defined, the striking face 145 faces in a generally forward direction. In some examples, striking face 145 is co-molded with body 102 . In such an example, the minimum thickness of front portion 112 at striking face 145 is between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, and the maximum thickness of front portion 112 at striking face 145 is less than 3.7 mm. An inner surface 166 of forward portion 112 opposite striking face 145 is chemically unetched and, in some examples, has an alpha case thickness of 0.30 mm or less.

9B and 41 , in some examples, golf club head 100 includes a striking plate 143 that is not co-molded with body 102 . The striking plate 143 is formed separately from the body 102 and attached to the body 102 by bonding, welding, brazing, fastening, or the like. As shown, striking plate 143 defines a striking surface 145 of golf club head 100 . In these examples, body 102 includes a plate opening 149 in forward portion 112 of golf club head 100 and a plate opening recessed ledge 147 that extends continuously around plate opening 149 . The plate opening concave ledge 147 is non-planar or curved in some examples. The inner perimeter of plate opening concave ledge 147 defines a plate opening 149 . Plate opening recessed ledge 147 is adjacent along crown portion 119 of golf club head 100 and adjacent at least upper plate opening recessed ledge 147A extending in the heel-toe direction along sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 . and a lower plate opening recessed ledge 147B extending from heel to toe. Although not shown, the plate opening recessed ledge is further divided into toe and heel plate opening recessed ledges. Some characteristics of plate opening concave ledges can be found in US Pat. No. 9,278,267, issued March 8, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 9B, top plate opening recessed ledge 147A has a width (TPLW) and a thickness (TPLT). Width TPLW is defined as the distance from the inner circumference of ledge 147A defining plate opening 149 to the farthest extent of the bonding surface of ledge 147A away from said inner circumference. Thickness TPLT is defined as the thickness of the material defining the bonding surface of ledge 147A. In some examples, a recess 190 (eg, an inner recess) is formed in the inner surface of the body 102 such that, from the sole to the crown, the recess 190 is between the top plate opening recessed ledge 147A and the top of the golf club head 100. As in between, it has a depth extending from rear to front. In other words, recess 190 overlaps top plate opening recessed ledge 147A in the crown-to-sole direction. In particular, behind the recess 190 , the thickness of the crown is locally increased, allowing portions of the crown proximate to where the crown insert joins the club head to be thicker than at the recess 190 . This is done to stiffen the overall structure of the crown joint and reduce stresses in composite crown joints. Otherwise, the composite crown joint is prone to cracking in that area, which can lead to premature failure of the composite crown joint due to cracking and/or poor adhesion of the casting.

30-32, in some examples, the golf club head 100 further includes an internal mass pad 129 formed in the crown portion 119 adjacent the upper plate opening concave ledge 168. As shown in FIG. An internal mass pad 129 is also disposed between and offset (eg, spaced apart) from heel portion 116 and toe portion 114 of golf club head 100 . In some examples, a portion of recess 190 is formed in internal mass pad 129 . Internal mass pad 129 extends along only a portion of the length of top plate opening recessed ledge 168 . The length of the upper plate opening recessed ledge 168 extends in the heel-toe direction. Further, in some examples, top plate opening recessed ledge 168 is non-planar or curved. According to some examples, the crown portion thickness (WT) at the recess 190 is greater at the internal mass pad 129 (see, e.g., FIG. 31) than away from the internal mass pad 129 (see, e.g., FIG. 32). thick.

In certain examples, the width TPLW of top plate opening recessed ledge 147A is greater than 4.5 mm (e.g., greater than 5.0 mm in some examples and greater than 5.5 mm in other examples, but in some examples is less than 8.0 mm, preferably less than 7.0 mm). In some examples, the ratio of said width TPLW to the maximum height of striking plate 143 is between 0.08 and 0.15. In the same or different examples, the ratio of said width TPLW to the maximum height of plate opening 149 is between 0.07 and 0.15, such as 0.1, and in some examples the maximum height of plate opening 149 is The height is 50-60 mm, for example 53 mm.

According to some examples, the thickness TPLT of the top plate opening recessed ledge 147A is between a minimum value of 0.8 mm and a maximum value of 1.7 mm (eg, between 0.9 mm and 1.6 mm in some examples, 0.95 mm to 1.5 mm). As shown, the thickness TPLT is greater away from the inner circumference of ledge 147A than the inner circumference of ledge 147A. Thus, in some examples, thickness TPLT varies along width TPLW of ledge 147A. For example, as shown, thickness TPLT tapers or decreases in the crown-to-sole direction (eg, toward the center of plate opening 149). In some examples, the top ledge thickness TPLT of top plate opening recessed ledge 147A varies such that the maximum top ledge thickness TPLT is 30% to 60% greater than the minimum top ledge thickness TPLT. In a particular example, the ratio of TPLT thickness to striking plate thickness is between 0.2 and 1.2. According to a particular example, the ratio of width TPLW to thickness TPLT is between 2.6 and 10.

Lower plate opening recessed ledge 147B has a width (BPLW) and a thickness (BPLT). Width BPLW is defined as the distance from the inner perimeter of ledge 147B defining plate opening 149 to the furthest extent of the adhesive surface of ledge 147B away from the inner perimeter. Thickness BPLT is defined as the thickness of the material defining the bonding surface of ledge 147B.

In certain examples, the width BPLW of the lower plate opening concave ledge 147B is greater than 4.5 mm (e.g., greater than 5.0 mm in some examples and greater than 5.5 mm in other examples, but in some examples is less than 8.0 mm, preferably less than 7.0 mm). In some examples, the ratio of said width BPLW to the maximum height of striking plate 143 is between 0.08 and 0.15. In the same or different examples, the ratio of said width BPLW to the maximum height of plate opening 149 is between 0.07 and 0.15, such as 0.1; The height is 50-60 mm, for example 53 mm.

According to some examples, the thickness BPLT of the lower plate opening concave ledge 147B is between 0.8 mm and 1.7 mm (eg, between 0.9 mm and 1.6 mm in some examples, and 0.95 mm in other examples). ~1.5 mm). As shown, the thickness BPLT is greater away from the inner circumference of ledge 147B than the inner circumference of ledge 147B. Thus, in some examples, thickness BPLT varies along width BPLW of ledge 147B. For example, as shown, thickness BPLT tapers or decreases from the sole in the crown direction (eg, toward the center of plate opening 149). In some examples, the bottom ledge thickness BPLT of bottom plate opening concave ledge 147B varies such that the maximum bottom ledge thickness BPLT is 30% to 60% greater than the minimum bottom ledge thickness BPLT. In a particular example, the ratio of BPLT thickness to striking plate thickness is between 0.2 and 1.2. According to a particular example, the ratio of width BPLW to thickness BPLT is between 2.6 and 10.

As shown, striking plate 143 is attached to body 102 by securing striking plate 143 in seated engagement with at least upper plate opening recessed ledge 147A and lower plate opening recessed ledge 147B. It is attached. Thus, striking plate 143 covers or surrounds plate opening 149 when upper plate opening concave ledge 147A and lower plate opening concave ledge 147B are joined. Further, the upper plate opening concave ledge 147A and the striking plate 143 are crowned against the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 when the striking plate 143 seatably engages the upper plate opening concave ledge 147A. It is sized, shaped and positioned to abut portion 119 . A striking plate 143 abutting crown portion 119 defines the topline of golf club head 100 . Further, in some instances, the visible appearance of the striking plate 143 contrasts sufficiently with the appearance of the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 to visually emphasize the topline of the golf club head 100. . Since the striking plate 143 is formed separately from the body 102 , the striking plate 143 can be made of a material different from that of the body 102 . In one example, striking plate 143 is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material as described below.

In particular, the dimensions TPLW, TPLT, BPLW, and BPLT control the local stiffness of the club head and ensure sufficient bond area to bond the striking plate to body 102 . The modulus of elasticity of a striking plate formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material is significantly different from that of a body formed from a metallic material, and the stiffness or flexibility of these two is different, and care should be taken in designing to account for the difference in stiffness. On impact, the striking plate and body move at different velocities due to the different elastic moduli unless the . The dimensions of recess 190, TPLW, TPLT, BPLW, and BPLT all serve to control the speed and overall flexibility of face and body movement during impact. Furthermore, TPLW and BPLW contribute to ensuring sufficient bonding area and surface performance. Too little bonding area will not result in a successful adhesive bond, and too much bonding area will degrade surface performance. That is, the coefficient of restitution is not optimized and, in some instances, too much bonded area causes the face to delaminate from the club head due to differences in stiffness. Therefore, the dimensions of TPLW, TPLT, BPLW, and BPLT contribute to the overall performance of the club head and avoid bond or adhesive bond failure. In some examples, the bond area is between 850 mm ² and 1800 mm ² , preferably between 1300 mm ² and 1500 mm ² . In some examples, the ratio of bonding area to the inner surface area of the striking plate (the backside surface area of the striking plate) is between 21% and 45%. In some examples, the total bonded area of the striking plate is less than the total bonded area of the crown insert. In some examples, the ledge width TPLW and/or BPLW is less than the ledge width (front-to-back measured along the y-axis) of the anterior crown opening concave ledge 168A.

Referring to FIG. 31, a layer of adhesive 144 adhesively bonds striking plate 143 to body 102 . Forward portion 112 includes sidewalls 146 that define the depth of plate opening recessed ledge 147 and define the radial perimeter of plate opening recessed ledge 147 away from the center of plate opening 149 . Sidewall 146 is angled (eg, acute, obtuse, or perpendicular) to plate opening recessed ledge 147 . In some examples, the angle between sidewall 146 and plate opening concave ledge 147 is between 70° and 120°. In certain examples, the angle between sidewall 146 and plate opening recessed ledge 147 is greater than 90°. Body 102 further includes a transition portion between plate opening recessed ledge 147 and side wall 146 . The transition portion, in some examples, defines a radiused surface that interconnects surfaces of plate opening concave ledge 147 and sidewall 146 . A layer of adhesive 144 is interposed between plate opening recessed ledge 147 and striking plate 143 and between sidewall 146 and striking plate 143 . The thickness (LT) of the layer of adhesive 144 between the plate opening concave ledge 147 and the striking plate 143 is, in some examples, the thickness (LT) of the layer of adhesive 144 between the sidewall 146 and the striking plate 143 ( ST). According to one particular example, the thickness (LT) of the layer of adhesive 144 between the plate opening concave ledge 147 and the striking plate 143 is between 0.25 mm and 0.45 mm, and between the sidewall 146 and the striking plate 143. The thickness (ST) of the layer of adhesive 144 between 143 is 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm.

In some examples, the striking plate has a maximum face plate height of 55 mm or less, preferably 55 mm or less, 40 mm or more, and even more preferably 49 mm to 54 mm, as measured along the z-axis through the origin of the club head. can have In some examples, a striking plate formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material has a front surface of 4,180 mm ² or less, preferably 3,200 mm ² to 4,180 mm ² , more preferably 3,500 mm ² to 4,180 mm ² . can have an area. According to a particular example, striking face 145 has a first bulge radius of at least 300 mm and a first roll radius of at least 250 mm. Generally, a bulge radius greater than 300 mm improves the CT creep rate, and club heads with bulge radii greater than or equal to 300 mm and roll radii within 30-50 mm of the bulge radii perform well.

The golf club head 100 includes a body 102, a crown insert 108 (or crown panel) attached to the body 102 at the top of the golf club head 100, and a sole insert 110 (or crown panel) attached to the body 102 at the bottom of the golf club head 100. sole panel) (see, eg, FIGS. 10 and 11). Thus, body 102 effectively provides a frame to which one or more inserts, panels, or plates are attached. Body 102 includes a cast cup 104 and a ring 106 (eg, rear ring). Ring 106 is joined to casting cup 104 at toe joint 112A and heel joint 112B. Cast cup 104 defines at least a portion of forward portion 112 of golf club head 100 . Ring 106 defines at least a portion of a rear portion 118 of golf club head 100 . Additionally, casting cup 104 defines portions of crown portion 119 , heel portion 116 , toe portion 114 , and skirt portion 121 . Similarly, ring 106 defines portions of heel portion 116 , toe portion 114 and skirt portion 121 .

The cast cup 104 (or simply cup) is cup-shaped. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the cast cup 104 including the striking face 145 is bounded by the striking face 145 at one end and has four sides (e.g., crown portion 119, sole portion 117, toe portion 114). , and heel portion 116 ), extend substantially laterally from the striking face 145 and open at opposite ends of the striking face 145 . The casting cup 104 thus resembles a cup or cup-like unit when coupled with the striking surface 145 .

Ring 106 is not circumferentially closed or does not form a continuous annular or circular shape. Alternatively, ring 106 is circumferentially open and defines a substantially semi-circular shape. Thus, as defined herein, ring 106 has a ring-like semi-circular shape and forms a circumferentially closed or annular shape with casting cup 104 when joined to casting cup 104 . It is called a ring because it forms.

Casting cup 104 is formed separately from ring 106 , which is then joined to casting cup 104 . Thus, body 102 has at least a two-piece construction, with casting cup 104 defining one piece of body 102 and ring 106 defining another piece of body 102 . Seams are thus defined at the toe joint 112A and heel joint 112B, respectively, where the casting cup 104 and ring 106 adjoin. The casting cup 104 and ring 106 are separately formed using any of a variety of manufacturing techniques. In one example, casting cup 104 and ring 106 are formed using a casting process. Because casting cup 104 and ring 106 are formed separately, casting cup 104 and ring 106 may be formed of different materials. For example, casting cup 104 can be formed from a first material and ring 106 can be formed from a second material that is different than the first material.

14 and 15, casting cup 104 includes a toe ring engaging surface 150A and a heel ring engaging surface 150B. Similarly, ring 106 includes a toe cup-engaging surface 152A and a heel cup-engaging surface 152B. Toe joint 112A abuts and secures toe ring engaging surface 150A of casting cup 104 and toe cup engaging surface 152A of ring 106, and heel ring engaging surface 150B of casting cup 104. , and the heel cup engaging surface 152B of the ring 106 abutting and securing each other. The mating surfaces can be secured together by any suitable securing technique such as welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, or the like.

Complementary mating elements may be incorporated or bonded to the mating surfaces to help strengthen and stiffen the toe joint 112A and heel joint 112B. In the illustrated example, the casting cup 104 includes a toe projection 154A projecting from the toe ring engaging surface 150A and a heel projection 154B projecting from the heel ring engaging surface 150B. In contrast, in the illustrated example, ring 106 includes a toe receptacle 156A formed in toe cup engaging surface 152A and a heel receptacle 156B formed in heel cup engaging surface 152B. Toe projection 154A mates with (e.g., is received within) toe receptacle 156A and heel projection 154B mates with (e.g., received within) heel receptacle 156B when the mating surfaces abut one another to form a joint. , received internally). In the illustrated example, toe projection 154A and heel projection 154B form part of casting cup 104, and toe and heel receptacles 156B form part of ring 106, although in other examples mating elements Toe projection 154 A and heel projection 154 B form part of ring 106 , and toe and heel receptacles 156 B form part of cast cup 104 . Further, various types of complementary mating elements such as tabs and notches can be used in addition or alternative to the projections and receptacles.

In some examples, the toe joint 112A and the heel joint 112B are positioned a sufficient distance from the striking surface 145 to avoid potential damage from hard impacts that the golf club head 100 receives when striking a golf ball. be done. For example, the toe joint 112A and the heel joint 112B are each at least 20 mm and at least 30 mm behind the center face 183 of the striking surface 145 as measured along the y-axis (front-back direction) of the club head origin coordinate system 185. , at least 40 mm, at least 50 mm, at least 60 mm, and/or between 20 mm and 70 mm. Referring to FIG. 14, according to a particular example, a first distance D1 from striking face 145 to heel ring engaging surface 150B is less than a second distance from striking face 145 to toe ring engaging surface 150A. Less than D2. In other words, in some examples, casting cup 104 extends a shorter distance rearward from striking face 145 at heel portion 116 than at toe portion 114 .

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, body 102 includes crown opening 162 and sole opening 164 . Crown opening 162 is located in crown portion 119 of golf club head 100 and provides access to interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 from the top of golf club head 100 when open. In contrast, sole opening 164 is located in sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 and provides access to interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 from a lower portion of golf club head 100 when opened. Corresponding sections of crown opening 162 and sole opening 164 are defined by casting cup 104 and ring 106 . More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 10-15, a forward section 162A of crown opening 162 and a forward section 164A of sole opening 164 are defined by cast cup 104, and a rearward section 162B of crown opening 162 and sole opening 162 are defined by molded cup 104. A rear section 164B of opening 164 is defined by ring 106 . Thus, when casting cup 104 and ring 106 are joined together, front section 162A and rear section 162B together define crown opening 162, and front section 164A and rear section 164B together define sole opening 164. .

The casting cup 104 further includes a forward crown opening concave ledge 168A and a forward sole opening concave ledge 170A. Ring 106 includes a posterior crown opening concave ledge 168B and a posterior sole opening concave ledge 170B. Forward sole opening concave ledge 170 A and rear sole opening concave ledge 170 B form sole opening concave ledge 170 of golf club head 100 . Further, in some examples, sole opening concave ledge 170 is non-planar or curved. The ledge is offset inwardly toward the internal cavity 113 from the outer surface of the body 102 surrounding the ledge by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 . In some examples, the offset of the ledge from the outer surface of body 102 is approximately equal to the corresponding thicknesses of crown insert 108 and sole insert 110, such that each insert, when attached to the ledge, is approximately equal to the thickness of body 102. coplanar with the corresponding peripheral outer surface of the . However, in some examples, the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 need not be flush with (e.g., relative to) the peripheral outer surface of the body 102 when seatably engaging corresponding ledges. can be protruding or recessed). In some examples, the thickness of sole insert 110 is greater than the thickness of crown insert 108 . Further, the sole insert 110 is constructed of a first stack of layers each formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material. The crown insert 108 is constructed of a second stack of layers each formed of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. In some examples, the number of layers in the first stack is greater than the number of layers in the second stack.

When casting cup 104 and ring 106 are joined, forward crown opening concave ledge 168A and rearward crown opening concave ledge 168B together define crown opening concave ledge 168 of body 102 and forward sole opening concave ledge 170A. and rear sole opening concave ledge 170B together define sole opening concave ledge 170 of body 102 . The inner circumference of the anterior crown opening concave ledge 168A defines the anterior section 162A of the crown opening 162, and the inner circumference of the posterior crown opening concave ledge 168B defines the posterior section 162B of the crown opening 162. Similarly, the inner circumference of the forward sole opening concave ledge 170A defines the perimeter of the forward section 164A of the sole opening 164, and the inner circumference of the rear sole opening concave ledge 170B defines the rear section 164B of the sole opening 164. Define the perimeter. Thus, the inner circumference of crown opening concave ledge 168 defines the circumference of crown opening 162 and the inner circumference of sole opening concave ledge 170 defines the circumference of sole opening 164 .

31, the thickness of the body 102 at the crown portion 119 decreases from the forward extent 132 of the crown opening concave ledge 168 in the posterior-to-forward direction, and from the forward extent 132 of the crown opening concave ledge 168 from the front. decrease in the backward direction. This provides a localized thickness increase in the anterior region 132 to help strengthen and stiffen the bond between the body 102 and crown insert 108 .

Crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed separately from each other and separately from body 102 . Accordingly, crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are attached to body 102 as shown in FIGS. In some examples, the crown insert 108 is seated and adhered to the crown opening recessed ledge 168 with an adhesive or the like, and the sole insert 110 is seated and adhered to the sole opening recessed ledge 170 with an adhesive or the like. . In this manner, the crown insert 108 surrounds or covers the crown opening 162 and at least partially defines the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100, and the sole insert 110 surrounds or covers the sole opening 164 and the golf club. At least partially defines a sole portion 117 of the head 100 .

Crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 can have any of a variety of shapes. 4, in one example, the crown insert 108 is positioned such that the position (PCH) corresponding to the peak crown height of the golf club head 100 is rearward of the hosel 120 of the golf club head 100 and in front of the hosel 120 of the golf club head 100. It is molded so as to be behind the hosel shaft 191 . The peak crown height is the maximum crown height of the golf club head, which is the crown height at a given position along the golf club head above the ground 181 when the golf club head is at the address position on the ground. It is the distance to the highest point of the crown portion. In some examples, the crown height of the golf club head 100 increases in the front-to-back direction away from the striking face 145 and then decreases. In certain examples, the portion or outer surface of the crown portion that defines the peak crown height is formed from at least one first material. According to some examples, the first crown height is defined at the face-to-crown transition region in the forward crown region where the club face joins the crown portion of the club head, and the second crown height is , from the crown to the skirt, wherein the crown portion connects to the skirt of the golf club head near the rear end of the golf club head, and the maximum crown height is rearward of the first crown height and forward of the second crown height. and the maximum crown height is greater than either the first crown height or the second crown height. In some examples, the maximum crown height occurs in the toe direction of the geometric center of the striking face. According to a particular example, the maximum crown height is formed by a non-metallic composite crown insert.

Referring to FIG. 3, the peak skirt height (shown in relation to position (PSH)) is the maximum skirt height of the golf club head, and the skirt height at a given position along the golf club head is It is the distance from the ground when the golf club head is at address on the ground to the topmost point of the rearmost skirt portion of the golf club head.

According to some examples, the ratio of the peak skirt height of skirt portion 121 to the peak crown height of crown portion 119 is between about 0.45 and 0.59, preferably between 0.49 and 0.55; In one example, the skirt height is about 34 mm and the peak crown height is about 65 mm, resulting in a ratio of peak skirt height to peak crown height of about 0.52. The peak skirt height is typically 28mm to 38mm, preferably 31mm to 36mm. The peak crown height is typically 60mm to 70mm, preferably 62mm to 67mm. It is desirable to limit the difference between the peak crown height and the peak skirt height to 40 mm or less, preferably 27 mm to 35 mm. The peak skirt height is preferably equal to or greater than the Z-up value of the golf club head, ie, the vertical distance along the z-axis from the ground 181 to the center of gravity. Preferably, the peak crown height is twice (2x) the Z-up value of the golf club head. A higher peak skirt height can help improve aerodynamics and air flow attachment, especially at higher swing speeds. Similarly, if the difference between the peak crown height and the peak skirt height is too large, the flow is more likely to separate prematurely from the golf club head, i.e., turbulence is more likely.

The variety of constructions and materials of the golf club head 100 allows the golf club head 100 to have a desired center of gravity (CG) location and peak crown height location. In one example, the y-axis coordinate of the location of peak crown height (PCH) on the y-axis of club head origin coordinate system 185 is between about 26 mm and about 42 mm. In the same or different example, the distance from the ground 181 parallel to the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 of the location of peak crown height (PCH) when the golf club head 100 is at the address position is 60 mm to 70 mm, preferably 62 mm to 67 mm. According to some examples, the y-axis coordinate of the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is between 25mm and 50mm, preferably between 32mm and 38mm, more preferably between 36.5mm and 36mm. 5 mm to 42 mm, and the x-axis coordinate of the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is -10 mm to 10 mm, preferably -6 mm to 6 mm, more preferably -7 mm. ~7 mm and the z-axis coordinate of the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is less than 2 mm, for example -10 mm to 2 mm, preferably -7 mm to - 2 mm.

Additionally, the variety of constructions and materials of the golf club head 100 allows the golf club head 100 to have desirable mass distribution characteristics. 3, 5 and 6, golf club head 100 includes a rear mass and a front mass. The back mass of the golf club head 100 is 35 mm in height (HRB) parallel to the crown-to-sole direction (parallel to the z-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185) and 35 mm in the front-to-back direction (golf club head origin coordinate system 185 and a width (WRB) greater than the maximum width of the golf club head 100 in the toe-to-heel direction (parallel to the x-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185). Defined as the mass of the golf club head 100 within the virtual back box 133 . As shown, when the golf club head 100 is at an address position on the ground 181, the rear side of the virtual rear box 133 is coextensive with the rearmost end of the golf club head 100 and the rear side of the virtual rear box 133. The underside is coextensive with ground 181 . The forward mass of the golf club head 100 is 20 mm in height parallel to the crown-to-sole direction (HFB), 35 mm in depth in the front-to-back direction (DFB), and greater than the maximum width of the golf club head 100 in the toe-to-heel direction. defined as the mass of the golf club head 100 within a virtual front box 135 having a width (WFB) of . As shown, when the golf club head 100 is at address on the ground 181 , the front side of the virtual front box 135 is coextensive with the frontmost edge of the golf club head 100 and below the virtual front box 135 . The sides are coextensive with the ground 181 .

According to some examples, the first vector distance (V1) from the rear center of mass (RMCG) to the CG of a driver-type golf club head is between 49 mm and 64 mm (eg, 55.7 mm), and the front A second vector distance (V2) from the center of gravity of mass (FMCG) to the CG of a driver-type golf club head is between 22 mm and 34 mm (eg, 29.0 mm) and the CG of the rear mass (RMCG) to the front mass. The third vector distance (V3) to the CG (FMCG) of is between 75 mm and 82 mm (eg, 79.75 mm). In a specific example, V1 is 56.3 mm or less. In some examples, V2 is 23.7 mm or greater, preferably 25 mm or greater, or even more preferably 27 mm or greater. Some additional values of V1 and V2 for Zup and CGy values for various example golf club heads 100 are shown in Table 1 below. As defined herein, Zup is along a vertical axis (e.g., parallel to the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185) when the golf club head 100 is at its proper address position on the ground surface 181. a) the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 with respect to the ground 181; CGy are the coordinates of the center of gravity of golf club head 100 on the y-axis of club head origin coordinate system 185 .

Crown insert 108 has a crown insert outer surface that defines the outward facing or outer surface of crown portion 119 . Similarly, sole insert 110 has a sole insert outer surface that defines an outwardly facing or outer surface of sole portion 117 . As defined herein, the crown insert outer surface and the sole insert outer surface are combined from multiple crown inserts and multiple sole inserts, respectively, when multiple crown inserts or multiple sole inserts are used. Including outer surface. In one example, the total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert is less than the total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert. According to one example, the total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert is at least 9,482 mm ² . In one example, the total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert is at least 8,750 mm ² and the sole insert has a maximum width parallel to the heel-to-toe direction of at least 80 mm to 120 mm. The total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert can be between 5,300 mm ² and 11,000 mm ² , preferably between 9,200 mm ² and 10,300 mm ² , preferably between 5,300 mm ² and 7,000 mm ² . The total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert can be between 4,300 mm ² and 10,200 mm ² , preferably between 7,700 mm ² and 9,900 mm ² , preferably between 4,300 mm ² and 6,600 mm ² .

Preferably, the total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert is greater than the total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert when at least a portion of the sole is made of composite material. the ratio of the total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert formed of the composite material to the total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert formed of the composite material, in some examples, can be at least 2:1; In other examples, it can be from 0.95 to 1.5, more preferably from 1.03 to 1.4, even more preferably from 1.05 to 1.3. In this case, the composite typically has a density of about 1 g/cc to about 2 g/cc, preferably about 1.3 g/cc to about 1.7 g/cc.

In some embodiments, the total exposed composite surface area in square centimeters multiplied by CGy in centimeters and the resulting product divided by the volume in cubic centimeters is 1.22 to 2.1, preferably 1.22 to 2.1. It can be from 24 to 1.65, even more preferably from 1.49 to 2.1, even more preferably from 1.7 to 2.1.

Further, in some examples, the total mass of crown insert 108 is less than the total mass of sole insert 110 . According to some examples in which crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material and body 102 is formed from a metallic material, the total exposed surface area of body 102 is the sum of crown insert 108 and sole insert 110. The ratio to the exposed surface area (eg surface area of the outwardly facing surface) is between 0.95 and 1.25 (eg 1.08). In some examples, the crown insert 108, whether single-piece or split into multiple pieces, has a mass of 9 grams, and the sole insert 110 is single-piece or multi-piece. Whether divided or not, it has a mass of 13 grams. Further, in a particular example, crown insert 108 is approximately 0.65 mm thick and sole insert 110 is approximately 1.0 mm thick. However, in certain examples, the minimum thickness of crown portion 119 is less than 0.6 mm. According to some examples, the area weight of crown portion 119 of golf club head 100 is less than 0.35 g/cm ² over more than 50% of the total surface area of crown portion 119 and/or crown portion 119 is formed of a non-metallic material having a density between about 1 g/cm ³ and about 2 g/cm ³ . These and other properties of crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0121994, published April 23, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. can be done. In certain examples, the area weight of sole portion 117 is less than about 0.35 g/cm ² over more than about 50% of the total surface area of sole portion 117 . In certain examples, the areal weight of crown insert 108 is less than the areal weight of sole insert 110 . In a particular example, at least 50% of crown portion 119 has a variable thickness that varies by at least 25% along at least 50% of crown portion 119 .

Casting cup 104 of body 102 also includes a hosel 120 that defines a hosel axis 191 that extends coaxially through a bore 193 of hosel 120 (see, eg, FIG. 14). Hosel 120 is configured to be attached to the shaft of a golf club. In some examples, hosel 120 facilitates including a flight control technology (FCT) system 123 between hosel 120 and shaft to control the position of golf club head 100 relative to the shaft.

FCT system 123 may include fasteners 125 accessible through lower openings 195 formed in the sole region of casting cup 104 . A further example of FCT system 123 is shown in connection with golf club head 400 in FIGS. The illustrated example has a hosel 420 and a lower opening 495 that facilitates attachment of the FCT system 123 to the body 102 . FCT system 123 includes a plurality of moving parts that fit within and extend from hosel 120 . The fastener 125 facilitates adjustability of the FCT system 123 system by loosening the fastener 125 and tightening the fastener 125 to maintain an adjustable position of the golf club head relative to the shaft. Lower opening 195 is open to bore 193 of hosel 120 . To facilitate increased discretionary mass, interior portion 127 of hosel 120 (ie, the portion of hosel 120 that is within interior cavity 113 ) includes a lateral opening 189 that opens to interior cavity 113 . Due to the lateral opening 189 , the inner portion 127 of the hosel 120 only partially surrounds the FCT component extending through the bore 193 of the hosel 120 . In some examples, the height of the lateral opening 189 in the direction parallel to the hosel axis 191 is between 10 mm and 15 mm, and the width of the lateral opening 189 in the direction perpendicular to the hosel axis 191 is at least 1 radian. and/or the projected area of the lateral opening 189 is at least 75 mm ² .

Referring to FIG. 15, in some examples, casting cup 104 includes striking surface 145 . In other words, in these examples, the striking face 145 is co-molded (eg, co-molded) with the entirety of the rest of the casting cup 104 . Thus, in these examples, striking face 145 is formed of the same material as the rest of casting cup 104 . However, in other examples, similar to those associated with the golf club head of FIGS. . According to certain examples, the portion of the golf club head 100 that defines the striking surface 145 or the striking plate that defines the striking surface 145 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. 060; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,997,820; 6,800,038; and 6,824,475. Includes a similar variable thickness feature.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary back surface of one or more face portions 600 of golf club heads disclosed herein. In FIG. 21, the back surface is depicted from the back with the hosel/heel on the left and the toe on the right. Figures 22 and 23 show another exemplary surface portion 700 having a variable thickness profile, and Figure 24 shows yet another exemplary surface portion 800 having a variable thickness profile. The variable thickness profile of face portion 700 is formed by conical projections, which in some examples can have a geometric center in the toe direction of the geometric center of the striking face. The face portions disclosed herein can be formed as a result of the casting process and any post casting adjustments to the face portions. Therefore, the face portion can have a wide variety of novel thickness profiles. For example, in one example, the thickness of the forward portion at the striking face varies by at least 25% along the striking face. By casting the face to the desired desired geometry, rather than forming the face plate from a flat rolled metal sheet in the conventional process, the face can be made in a variety of geometries, with different grain directions. ) and chemical impurity content, which can provide advantages in golf performance and manufacturing.

In conventional processes, face plates are formed from flat metal sheets of uniform thickness. Such metal sheets are usually rolled along one axis to achieve a particular uniform thickness throughout the sheet. This rolling process can impart grain directions to the sheet that result in different material properties in the direction of the rolling axis relative to the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction. This variation in material properties may be undesirable and can instead be avoided by fabricating face portions using the disclosed casting method.

Furthermore, since conventional face plates are made from flat sheets of uniform thickness, the thickness of the entire sheet should be at least as large as the maximum thickness of the desired final face plate, which is: This means increased material costs as much of the starting sheet material is removed and wasted. In contrast, in the disclosed casting method, the face portion is initially formed much closer to the final shape and mass, and much less material must be removed and wasted. This can save time and money.

Additionally, the conventional process requires bending the nascent flat metal sheet with a special process to impart the desired bulge and roll curvature to the face plate. No such bending process is required when using the disclosed casting method.

The unique thickness profile shown in FIGS. 22-25 uses casting methods such as those disclosed in US Pat. No. 10,874,915, issued Dec. 29, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. This thickness profile is achieved by using a uniform thickness metal sheet as the starting material, mounting the sheet on a lathe or similar machine, and turning the sheet to create a variable thickness profile across the back of the face plate. It is a thickness profile that has heretofore been unattainable with conventional processes such as fabricating. In such a turning process, the imparted thickness profile should be symmetrical about the central turning axis, so that the thickness profile is concentric circular ring-shaped with a uniform thickness at any radius from the center point. Limited to configuration. In contrast, the disclosed casting method does not have such limitations and can produce more complex surface geometries.

The use of casting methods allows the disclosed club heads to be manufactured in greater numbers, faster and more efficiently. For example, 50 or more heads can be cast simultaneously on a single casting tree, but using conventional cutting methods using a lathe to create new face thickness profiles on the face plate one at a time. takes much longer and requires more raw materials.

In FIG. 22, the back or inner surface of face portion 600 includes an asymmetric variable thickness profile, showing just one example of the wide variety of variable thickness profiles possible with the disclosed casting method. The center 602 of the face can have a central thickness, and the thickness of the face can gradually increase radially outward from the center across the inner blend region 603 to a maximum thickness ring 604, which can be circular. can. The surface thickness can gradually decrease radially outward from a maximum thickness ring 604 across the inner blend region 606 to a second ring 608 that can be non-circular, eg, elliptical. The thickness of the face extends radially outward from the second ring 608 across the outer blend region 609 to heel and toe regions 610 of constant thickness (e.g., the minimum thickness of the face portion) and/or the face It may taper off to a radial perimeter region 612 that defines the extent of the surface portion 600 transitioning to the remainder of the golf club head 100 .

Second ring 608 may itself have a variable thickness profile, with the thickness of second ring 608 varying as a function of circumferential position about center 602 . Similarly, the variable blend region 606 can have a thickness profile that varies as a function of circumferential position about the center 602, increasing the thickness from the maximum thickness ring 604 to the variable and thinner thickness of the second ring 608. Bring on the transition. For example, the variable blend region 606 up to the second ring 608 consists of eight sectors labeled AH in FIG. , bottom region E, bottom-heel region F, heel region G, and top-heel region H. These eight regions can have different angular widths as shown, or can each have the same angular width (eg, one-eighth of 360 degrees). Each of the eight regions can have its own thickness variance, each ranging from a common maximum thickness adjacent ring 604 to a different minimum thickness at second ring 608 . For example, the second ring may be thicker in regions A and E, thinner in regions C and G, and of intermediate thickness in regions B, D, F, and H. In this example, the thicknesses of regions B, D, F, and H are radially (thinning radially outward) and circumferentially (from regions A and E to regions C and G). thinning toward) can change.

An example face portion 600 can have the following thicknesses. 3.1 mm at center 602, 3.3 mm at ring 604, second ring 608 from 2.8 mm in area A, 2.2 mm in area C, 2.4 mm in area E, 2.0 mm in area G, and can vary up to 1.8 mm in the heel and toe regions 610 .

According to one example, ring 604 can be about 8 mm from center 602 and ring 608 can be about 19 mm from center 602 . The thickness of face portion 600 at center 602 can be between 2.8 mm and 3.0 mm. The thickness of face portion 600 along ring 604 can be between 2.9 mm and 3.1 mm. The thickness of the face portion 600 along the ring 608 near region A can be between 2.35 mm and 2.55 mm, and the thickness of the face portion 600 along the ring 608 near region C is between 2.3 mm and 2.5 mm. , the surface portion 600 along the ring 608 near region E can be between 2.1 mm and 2.3 mm, and the surface portion 600 along the ring 608 near region G can be between 2.6 mm and 2.8 mm. . The thickness of face portion 600 about 35 mm away from center 602 can be between 1.7 mm and 1.9 mm.

According to yet another example, the thickness of face portion 600 at center 602 is between 2.95 mm and 3.35 mm, and at a location approximately 9 mm away from center 602 is between 3.3 mm and 3.65 mm. 2.95 mm to 3.36 mm at a distance of about 16 mm from the center 602 and 2.03 mm to 2.27 mm at a distance of about 28 mm from the center 602 . The thickness of face portion 600 more than 28 mm away from center 602 can be 1.8 mm to 1.95 mm on the toe side of face portion 600 and 1.83 mm to 1.98 mm on the heel side of face portion 600. can be

23 and 24 show the back surface of another exemplary face portion 700 that includes an asymmetric variable thickness profile. The center 702 of the face can have a central thickness, and the thickness of the face can gradually increase radially outward from the center across the inner blend region 703 to a maximum thickness ring 704, which can be circular. can. The face thickness can gradually decrease radially outward across the variable blend region 705 from a maximum thickness ring 704 to an outer region 706 consisting of a plurality of wedge-shaped sectors AH of varying thickness. . As best illustrated in FIG. 24, sectors A, C, E, and G can be relatively thick, while sectors B, D, F, and H can be relatively thin. can. An outer blend region 708 surrounding outer region 706 transitions in thickness from a variable sector to a peripheral ring 710 having a relatively small but constant thickness. Outer region 706 can also include blend regions between each of sectors AH that gradually transition in thickness from one sector to an adjacent sector.

An example face portion 700 can have the following thicknesses: 3.9 mm at center 702, 4.05 mm at ring 704, 3.6 mm at region A, 3.2 mm at region B, and 3.25 mm at region C. , 2.05 mm in region D, 3.35 mm in region E, 2.05 mm in region F, 3.00 mm in region G, 2.65 mm in region H, and 1.9 mm in perimeter ring 710 .

FIG. 25 shows the underside of another exemplary face portion 800 that includes an asymmetrical variable thickness profile with a target thickness offset toward the heel (left side). The center 802 of the face has a center thickness and towards the toe/top/bottom the thickness gradually increases across the inner blend region 803 to the inner ring 804 which is thicker than the center 802 . The thickness then decreases radially outward across the second blend region 805 to a second ring 806 having a lesser thickness than the inner ring 804 . The thickness then decreases radially outward across the third blend region 807 to a third ring 808 having a lesser thickness than the second ring 806 . The thickness then decreases radially outward across the fourth blend region 810 to a fourth ring 811 having a lesser thickness than the third ring 808 . A toe end region 812 traverses an outer blend region 813 and merges with a perimeter 814 having a relatively thin thickness.

On the heel side, the thickness is offset by a set amount (eg, 0.15 mm) and is slightly thicker than the corresponding area on the toe side. A thickened region 820 (dashed line) provides a transition where the total thickness increases to a thicker offset region 822 (dashed line) on the heel side. In offset region 822, ring 823 is thicker than heel side ring 806 by a set amount (eg, 0.15 mm), and ring 825 is thicker than ring 808 by the same set amount. Blend regions 824 and 826 gradually decrease in thickness radially outward and are thicker than corresponding blend regions 807 and 810, respectively, on the toe side. In thickened region 820, inner ring 804 gradually increases in thickness toward the heel.

An example face portion 800 can have the following thicknesses: 3.8 mm at center 802, 4.0 mm at inner ring 804, up to 4.15 mm thick across thickened region 820, at second ring 806. 3.5 mm, 3.65 mm for ring 823, 2.45 mm for third ring 808, 2.55 mm for ring 825, 2.0 mm for fourth ring 811, and 1.8 mm for surrounding ring 814.

The target offset thickness profile shown in FIG. 25 can help provide the desired CT profile across the plane. Thickening the heel side may prevent CT spikes from occurring on the heel side of the face, eg, thereby avoiding a mismatched CT profile across the face. Such an offset thickness profile can similarly be applied to the toe side of the face or both the toe and heel sides of the face to avoid CT spikes on both the heel and toe sides of the face. In other embodiments, the offset thickness profile can be applied to the upper side of the plane and/or toward the lower side of the plane.

In some examples, the casting cup 104 further includes a slot 171 located in the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100, as shown in FIGS. Slot 171 is open to the exterior of golf club head 100 and extends longitudinally from heel portion 116 to toe portion 114 . More specifically, slot 171 is a longitudinally elongated shape that is substantially parallel to, but offset from, striking face 145 . Generally, slot 171 is a groove or channel formed in molded cup 104 of sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 . In some embodiments, slots 171 are through slots or slots that open from the outside of golf club head 100 into internal cavity 113 . However, in other implementations, slot 171 is closed on the internal cavity side or internal side of slot 171 rather than a through slot. For example, slot 171 may be formed by a portion of the sidewall of sole portion 117 of body 102 that protrudes into interior cavity 113 and has a concave outer surface having any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as a substantially U-shape, V-shape, or the like. can be defined.

In some examples, the slot 171 is offset from the striking surface 145 by an offset distance, which is a first vertical plane through the center of the striking surface 145 and an x-axis co-located with the center of the striking surface 145 . The minimum distance between the slots in coordinates, such as from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, such as from about 5 mm to about 35 mm, such as from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, such as from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 15 mm. be.

Although not shown, casting cup 104 and/or ring 106 may include a rearward slot in a configuration similar to slot 171, but oriented in a front-to-back direction rather than a heel-to-toe direction. Casting cup 104 includes a rear slot, but in some examples does not include slot 171 and in other examples includes both a rear slot and slot 171 . In one example, the rear slot is located rearward of slot 171 . The rear slot can function as a weight track in some implementations. Additionally, the back track can be offset from the striking surface 145 by an offset distance, the offset distance being a first vertical plane through the center of the striking surface 145 and the back track in the same x-axis coordinate as the center of the striking surface 145. is between about 5 mm and about 50 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 40 mm, such as between about 5 mm and about 30 mm, or between about 10 mm and about 30 mm.

In certain embodiments, the slot 171 and, if present, the rearward slot have a particular slot width, which is measured as the horizontal distance between the first slot wall and the second slot wall. . For slot 171 and the posterior slot, the slot width can be from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 10 mm to about 18 mm, or from about 12 mm to about 16 mm. According to some embodiments, the depth of slot 171 (i.e., the vertical distance between the lower slot wall and the imaginary plane containing the area of sole portion 117 adjacent the opposing slot wall of slot 171) is: It can be from about 6 mm to about 20 mm, such as from about 8 mm to about 18 mm, or such as from about 10 mm to about 16 mm.

In addition, slot 171 and, if present, the rearward slot have a particular slot length, which can be measured as the horizontal distance between a slot endwall and another slot endwall. For both slot 171 and the posterior slot, their length can be from about 30 mm to about 120 mm, such as from about 50 mm to about 100 mm, or such as from about 60 mm to about 90 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of slot 171 can be expressed as a percentage of the total length of striking face 145 . For example, the slot 171 can be about 30% to about 100% of the length of the striking face 145, such as about 50% to about 90% of the length of the striking face 145, or such as about 60%. can be to about 80% mm.

In some examples, slots 171 have properties that improve and/or increase the coefficient of restitution (COR) across striking surface 145 . With respect to COR properties, the slots 171 can take various forms such as channels or through slots. The COR of the golf club head 100 is a measure of energy loss or retention between the golf club head 100 and the golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the golf club head 100 . Desirably, the golf club head 100 has a high COR to facilitate efficient transfer of energy from the golf club head 100 to the ball during impact with the ball. Accordingly, the COR characteristics of the golf club head 100 facilitate increasing the COR of the golf club head 100 . In general, slots 171 increase the COR of golf club head 100 by increasing or improving flexibility around striking face 145 . Some examples of the golf club heads disclosed herein have a COR of at least 0.8 for at least 25% of the striking surface in the central region, as defined below.

Further details regarding slot 171 as a COR characteristic of golf club head 100 are described in US Pat. Nos. 13/338, 197, 13/469,031, and 13/828,675, and U.S. patent applications filed March 15, 2013 13/839,727; U.S. Patent No. 8,235,844 filed June 1, 2010; U.S. Patent No. 8,241,143 filed December 13, 2011; See US Pat. No. 8,241,144, filed Dec. 14, 2011.

Slot 171 may be any of the various flexible boundary structures (FBS) described in U.S. Pat. can be Additionally or alternatively, golf club head 100 may include one or more other FBSs at any of a variety of other locations on golf club head 100 . Slot 171 may consist of several segments that may be curved sections or a combination of curved and straight segments. Additionally, slot 171 may be machined or cast into golf club head 100 . Although shown in sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 , slot 171 may alternatively or additionally be incorporated into crown portion 119 of golf club head 100 .

In some examples, slot 171 is filled with a filler material. However, in other examples, slots 171 are not filled with filler material, leaving empty space open within slots 171 . In some implementations, the filler material can be formed from non-metals such as thermoplastics, thermosets, and the like. If slot 171 is a through slot, slot 171 may be filled with a material to prevent dirt and other debris from entering the slot and possibly interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 . The filler material can be any relatively low modulus material including polyurethanes, elastomeric rubbers, polymers, various rubbers, foams, and fillers. The filler material counteracts the flexibility of the golf club head 100 and should not substantially prevent deformation of the golf club head 100 during use.

According to one embodiment, the filler material is initially a viscous material that is injected or inserted into slot 171 . Examples of materials suitable for use as fillers disposed in slots, channels, or other flexible boundary structures include, but are not limited to, viscoelastic elastomers; vinyl copolymers with or without inorganic fillers; sulfuric acid; Polyvinyl acetate with or without mineral filler such as barium; Acrylic; Polyester; Polyurethane; Polyether; Polyamide; Polybutadiene; Epoxy and graphite composites; Natural and synthetic rubbers; Piezoelectric ceramics; Thermosetting and thermoplastic rubbers; Foamed polymers; Ionomers; is mentioned. Metallized polyesters and acrylics can contain aluminum as the metal. Commercially available materials include 3M Scotchweld ^™ (eg, DP-105 ^™ ) and Scotchdamp ^™ , Sorbothane, Inc.; of Sorbothane ^™ , Soundcoat Company Inc.; DYAD ^™ and GP ^™ of Dynamat Control of North America, Inc.; Dynamat ^™ from Pole ^Star Maritime Group, LLC; NoViFlex ^™ Sylomer ^™ from The Dow Chemical Company; Legatolex ^™ from Kuraray Co.; , Ltd. Resilient polymeric materials such as Hybrar ^™ from Co., Inc. may be mentioned. In some embodiments, the solid filler material can be press fit or adhesively bonded to the slots, channels, or other flexible bounding structures. In other embodiments, a filler material can be poured, injected or inserted into the slot or channel and cured in place to form a fully cured or resilient outer surface. In still other embodiments, the filler material is disposed within the slot or channel and is a resilient cap or other structure formed of metal, metal alloy, metal composite, hard plastic, resilient elastomer, or other suitable material. It can be sealed in place.

4, 8, 9A, and 14, in some examples, the golf club head 100 further includes a weight 173 attached to the casting cup 104. As shown in FIG. Casting cup 104 includes a threaded port 175 that receives and retains weight 173 . Threads 175 are open to the exterior and interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 and, in certain examples, include internal threads. In another example, threaded port 175 is closed to internal cavity 113 . Weight 173 includes external threads that threadably engage internal threads of threaded port 175 to retain weight 173 within threaded port 175 . When threaded port 175 opens into internal cavity 113 , weight 173 is threaded to prevent access to internal cavity 113 when threadably attached to casting cup 104 within threaded port 175 . It effectively closes the ridged port 175 . As shown, when threaded port 175 is open to interior cavity 113, a portion of weight 173 is disposed outside interior cavity 113 and another portion is disposed within interior cavity 113. be. In contrast, in other instances, such as when threaded port 175 is closed to internal cavity 113 , weight 173 is wholly disposed outside internal cavity 113 . Although not shown, in one example, the threaded port 175 is open to the interior cavity 113 and closed to the exterior of the golf club head 100 (e.g., the threaded port 175 is open to the exterior). facing inwards instead of in). In such an example, the entire weight 173 is located inside the internal cavity 113 . As defined herein, a weight 173 is considered internal to an internal cavity 113 if any portion of the weight 173 is internal to or within the internal cavity 113 and the weight Weights 173 are alternatively or additionally considered external to internal cavity 113 if any portion of 173 is external to internal cavity 113 .

In some examples, the threaded port 175 , and thus the weight 173 , are located in the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100 as shown. Further, according to a particular example, threaded port 175 and weight 173 are positioned closer to heel portion 116 than toe portion 114 . In one example, threaded port 175 and weight are located closer to heel portion 116 than slot 171 . Weight 173, in some examples, has a mass of about 3 g to about 23 g (eg, 6 g).

9A, 11 and 14, the casting cup 104 further includes a mass pad 186 attached to or co-molded with the remainder of the casting cup 104. As shown in FIG. Mass pad 186 has a greater thickness than the rest of casting cup 104 . In the illustrated example, mass pad 186 is positioned proximate sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 and, by extension, the sole region of cast cup 104 . Further, in certain examples, a portion of mass pad 186 is positioned proximate heel portion 116 of golf club head 100 and, by extension, the heel region of cast cup 104 . As defined herein, the mass pad 186 is considered a sole mass pad when disposed on the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100 and a mass pad when disposed on the heel portion 116 of the golf club head 100. 186 is considered a heel mass pad. It will be appreciated that when mass pad 186 is disposed on both sole portion 117 and heel portion 116, mass pad 186 is considered a sole mass pad and a heel mass pad.

11 and 14, in some examples, the casting cup 104 further includes internal ribs 187 that are co-molded with other portions of the casting cup 104. As shown in FIG. Internal ribs 187 can be at any of a variety of locations within casting cup 104 . In the illustrated example, the internal ribs 187 are located (eg, molded) in the sole region of the casting cup 104 closer to the toe region of the casting cup 104 than to the heel region of the casting cup 104 . The internal ribs 187 help promote stiffening and desirable acoustic properties of the golf club head 100 .

11, 14 and 15, ring 106 includes a cantilevered portion 161 and toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B extending from cantilevered portion 161. As shown in FIG. Toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B are on opposite sides of golf club head 100 beginning at cantilever portion 161 and ending at a corresponding one of toe cup engaging surface 152A and heel cup engaging surface 152B. Cantilevered portion 161 defines at least a portion of rearward portion 118 of golf club head 100 and also defines the rearmost end of golf club head 100 . Further, in the illustrated example, cantilever portion 161 extends from crown portion 119 to sole portion 117 . As such, cantilever portion 161 defines a portion of sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 , such as defining an outwardly facing surface of sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 in some examples.

In some examples, cantilevered portion 161 is near ground 181 when golf club head 100 is at the address position. According to particular examples, the ratio of peak crown height to vertical distance from the peak crown height to the lowest surface of cantilevered portion 161 of ring 106 is at least 6.0, at least 5.0, at least 4.0, or more preferably at least 3.0. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the vertical distance from the peak skirt height of the skirt portion to the lowest surface of the cantilevered portion 161 of the ring 106 when the golf club head 100 is at address is between 20 mm and 30 mm or more.

Toe arm portion 163 A and heel arm portion 163 B define the toe side of skirt portion 121 and the heel side of skirt portion 121 , respectively, and a portion of toe portion 114 and heel portion 116 , respectively, of golf club head 100 . Cantilevered portion 161 extends downwardly away from toe arm portion 163 A and heel arm portion 163 B, and toe arm portion 163 A and heel arm portion 163 B extend forwardly away from cantilevered portion 161 . Thus, when golf club head 100 is at the address position, cantilever portion 161 is closer to ground 181 than toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B. In other words, referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 9A, at any position along cantilever portion 161, the bottommost position of ring 106 above ground 181 in the vertical direction when golf club head 100 is at address. Higher surface height (HR) is less than anywhere along toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B.

In some examples, the lowest surface height HR of toe arm portion 163A at toe portion 114 of golf club head 100 is less than the lowest surface height HR of heel arm portion 163B at heel portion 116 of golf club head 100. different. More specifically, in one example, the lowest surface height HR of toe arm portion 163A at toe portion 114 of golf club head 100 is the lowest surface height HR of heel arm portion 163B at heel portion 116 of golf club head 100. greater than HR.

According to a particular example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 9A, the width (WR) of ring 106 measured in the vertical direction when golf club head 100 is at address is (eg, along the length of ring 106). In one example, width WR increases from a minimum width to a maximum width in a front-to-back direction. In other words, in the particular example, the width WR of ring 106 varies from front to rear. In some examples, the maximum width WR of ring 106 is at the rearmost end of golf club head 100 . In one example, the maximum width WR of ring 106 is at least 20 mm. According to a particular example, the width WR of ring 106 at toe portion 114 is less than the width WR of ring 106 at heel portion 116, as shown in FIG. According to some further examples, the thickness of ring 106 can vary from front to back along ring 106 .

2-4, 6, 8, 9A, and 11-15, in some examples, the golf club head 100 is attached to a cantilevered portion 161 of the ring 106, such as at the rearmost end of the golf club head 100. Further includes a mass element 159 . Mass element 159 can be selectively removable from cantilever portion 161 (eg, interchangeable with mass elements of different weights) or permanently attached thereto. According to one example, mass element 159 and weight 173 are interchangeably coupleable to cantilever portion 161 of casting cup 104 and ring 106 . Accordingly, in some examples, the flight control technology components, mass elements 159 and weights 173 of golf club head 100 are adjustable relative to golf club head 100 . In certain examples, flight control technology components, mass elements 159, and weights 173 of golf club head 100 are configured to be adjustable via a single or the same tool.

In one example, mass element 159 includes external threads. Golf club head 100 may further include a mass receptacle 157 attached to cantilever portion 161 of ring 106 . Mass receptacle 157 may include a threaded aperture with internal threads that threadably engages mass element 159 to secure mass element 159 to cantilever portion 161 . In some examples, mass receptacle 157 is welded to cantilever portion 161 and in other examples is glued to cantilever portion 161 . In a particular example, mass receptacle 157 is co-molded with cantilever portion 161 . The cantilevered portion 161 also includes a mass pad 155 (see, eg, FIGS. 9A, 12, and 15) or a portion of the cantilevered portion 161 to locally increase the thickness and thus the mass. Mass receptacle 157 may be formed in mass pad 155 of cantilever portion 161 . In some examples, mass element 159 has a mass of about 15 g to about 35 g (eg, 24 g).

The perimeter shape of one or both of mass element 159 and weight 173 in the illustrated example is circular. Accordingly, the orientation of one or both of mass element 159 and weight 173 can be rotated in any of a variety of orientations between 0° and 360° about the central axis of mass element 159 and weight 173, respectively. However, in other examples, the perimeter shape of at least one or both of mass element 159 and weight 173 is non-circular, such as oval, triangular, trapezoidal, square, or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, weight 273 has a perimeter shape that is trapezoidal or rectangular. In certain examples, mass elements 159 and/or weights 173 having a non-circular perimeter shape may have various arbitrary angles between 0° and at least 90° about the central axis of mass elements 159 and weights 173, respectively. It is rotatable in orientations, and in other implementations is rotatable in any of a variety of orientations between 0° and at least 180°.

The versatility of the construction and materials of the golf club head 100 allows flexibility in the location of the weight 173 (e.g., first weight or front weight) relative to the location of the mass element 159 (e.g., second weight or rear weight). enable In some examples, the relative positions of weights 173 and mass elements 159 can be similar to those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/752,397 filed Jan. 24, 2020. . Referring to FIG. 9A, according to one example, the z-axis coordinate of the first weight CG (FWCG) on the z-axis of club head origin coordinate system 185 is between −30 mm and −10 mm (eg, −21 mm). , the y-axis coordinate of the first weight CG (FWCG) on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is 10 mm to 30 mm (for example, 23 mm), and the y-axis coordinate of the first weight on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 The x-axis coordinate of the 1 weight CG (FWCG) is between 15 mm and 35 mm (eg, 22 mm). According to the same or a different example, the z-axis coordinates of the second weight CG (SWCG) on the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 are between −30 mm and 10 mm (eg, −11 mm), and the club head origin The y-axis coordinate of the second weight CG (SWCG) on the y-axis of the coordinate system 185 is between 90 mm and 120 mm (eg, 110 mm), and the second weight CG (SWCG) on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185. The x-axis coordinate of CG (SWCG) is -20 mm to 10 mm (eg -7 mm).

In the particular example, sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 includes inertia-generating features 177 that extend longitudinally. The length direction is perpendicular or oblique to the striking face 145 . According to some examples, the inertial generating feature 177 is an inertial generating feature disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. It contains the same features and offers the same benefits. In the illustrated example, sole insert 110 forms at least a portion of inertia generating feature 177 . More specifically, in some examples, sole insert 110 forms all or most of inertia-generating feature 177 . In the particular example, cantilevered portion 161 of ring 106 also forms a portion (eg, the rearmost portion) of inertia-generating feature 177 . Inertia-generating features 177 increase the inertia of golf club head 100 and help lower the center of gravity (CG) of golf club head 100 .

Inertia-generating feature 177 includes a raised or raised platform that extends from a position behind hosel 120 to a position proximate rear portion 118 of golf club head 100 . Inertia-generating feature 177 includes a substantially flat or planar surface that rises above (ie, protrudes depending on the orientation of golf club head 100 ) the peripheral outer surface of sole portion 117 . In particular examples, at least a portion of inertia generating feature 177 is raised above the peripheral outer surface of sole portion 117 by at least 1.5 mm, at least 1.8 mm, at least 2.1 mm, or at least 3.0 mm. . Inertia generating feature 177 also has a width that is less than the overall width of sole portion 117 (eg, less than half the overall width). In view of the foregoing, inertia generating feature 177 has a complex curved geometry with multiple points of inflection. Thus, sole insert 110 defining inertia generating feature 177 has a complex curved surface with multiple inflection points.

1-3 and 5, in some examples, golf club head 100 includes through aperture 172 in toe portion 114 of body 102 . Through aperture 172 extends completely through the wall of body 102 such that internal cavity 113 is accessible through aperture 172 . Apertures 172 may be used to insert stiffeners into internal cavity 113 against the inner surface of forward portion 112 to help set the CT of striking face 145 . Further details of the reinforcement, the insertion process, and the effect of the reinforcement on the CT of the striking face 145 are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0201754, published July 4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. can be found in the specification. As shown, the through aperture 172 is not disposed on the forward portion 112 (eg, striking face 145). Accordingly, in some examples, the striking face 145 does not have a through aperture open to the interior cavity 113 or hollow interior region of the golf club head 100 . Further, in some examples, materials having a Shore D value greater than 10, greater than 5, or greater than 1 may be added to the striking face 145 at toe and/or heel locations of the geometric center of the striking face 145. It does not contact the inner surface 166 of the front portion 112 which is opposite and opens into the hollow interior region. In yet another example, no material, regardless of hardness, contacts the inner surface 166 of the forward portion 112 that is opposite the striking face 145 and opens into the hollow interior region.

The CT characteristics of the golf club heads disclosed herein can be defined as CT values within the central region of the striking face 145 . The central region is a 40mm x 20mm rectangular region centered at the center of the striking face and extending in the heel to toe direction. In some examples, the center of striking surface 145 can be the geometric center of striking surface 145 . Within the central region, striking face 145 has a characteristic time (CT) of 257 microseconds or less. In some examples, at least 60% of the striking surfaces in the central region have a CT of at least 235 microseconds. According to some examples, at least 35% of the striking surfaces in the central region have a CT of at least 240 microseconds.

The CT of the striking face 145 at the geometric center of the striking face has an initial CT value. The initial CT value is the CT value of striking surface 145 prior to impact with a standard golf ball. As used herein, a standard golf ball impact is a standard golf ball impact when the golf ball is traveling at a speed of 52 meters per second. According to some examples, the initial CT value is at least 244 microseconds. In a particular example, the driver-type golf club heads disclosed herein, including golf club head 100, after 500 impacts of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of striking surface 145, the center Constructed such that the CT of the striking face at any point within the region is less than 256 microseconds, and the CT at the geometric center of the striking face differs from the initial CT value (e.g., is greater) within 5 microseconds be done.

In particular examples, the driver-type golf club heads disclosed herein, including golf club head 100, hit 1,000, 1,500 times of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face. , 2,000, 2,500, or 3,000 impacts, the CT of the striking face at any point in the central region is less than 256 microseconds. According to some examples, after 2000 impacts of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face, the CT of the striking face 145 at any point within the central region is between the initial CT value and 7 micrometers. seconds or within 9 microseconds. Further, in certain examples, after 2000 impacts of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face, the CT of the striking face 145 at the geometric center of the striking face is greater than or equal to 249 microseconds; 10 microseconds or less different from the initial CT value. According to some examples, after 3000 impacts of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face, the CT of the striking face 145 at any point within the central region is between the initial CT value and 9 Different within microseconds or 13 microseconds. In certain examples, such as those in which striking face 145 is formed from a metallic material, the inward-facing progression of striking face 145 is approximately 1.5 mm after 500 impacts of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face. , less than 0.01 inch.

16 and 17, according to another example of a golf club head disclosed herein, golf club head 200 is shown. Golf club head 200 includes features similar to those of golf club head 100, and like reference numbers (eg, like numbers but in the 200s) refer to like features. For example, similar to golf club head 100 , golf club head 200 includes a toe portion 214 and a heel portion 216 opposite said toe portion 214 . Additionally, golf club head 200 includes a forward portion 212 and a rearward portion 218 opposite said forward portion 212 . Golf club head 200 further includes a sole portion 217 in a lower region of golf club head 200 and a crown portion 219 in an upper region of golf club head 200 opposite sole portion 217 . Golf club head 200 includes a skirt portion 221 that defines a transition region where golf club head 200 transitions between crown portion 219 and sole portion 217 . Golf club head 200 is formed by forward portion 212 , rear portion 218 , crown portion 219 , sole portion 217 , heel portion 216 , toe portion 214 and skirt portion 221 together define and enclose an internal cavity 213 . Including further. Further, forward portion 212 includes a striking surface 245 extending along forward portion 212 from sole portion 217 to crown portion 219 and from toe portion 214 to heel portion 216 . Additionally, the golf club head 200 further includes a body 202 , a crown insert 208 attached to the body 202 at the top of the golf club head 200 , and a sole insert 210 attached to the body 202 at the bottom of the golf club head 200 . Body 202 includes cast cup 204 and ring 206 . Ring 206 is joined to casting cup 204 at toe joint 212A and heel joint 212B. Cast cup 204 of body 202 also includes slot 271 in sole portion 217 of golf club head 200 . Additionally, golf club head 200 further includes mass element 259 and mass receptacle 257 attached to ring 206 of body 202 and weight 273 attached to cast cup 204 . Thus, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 200 has some similarities with golf club head 100 .

However, unlike golf club head 100 , hitting face 245 of golf club head 200 is not co-molded with cast cup 204 . Striking face 245 is formed separately from casting cup 204 and forms part of striking plate 243 that is attached to casting cup 204 by, for example, bonding, welding, brazing, fastening, or the like. The striking plate 243 thus defines a striking surface 245 . Casting cup 204 includes a plate opening 249 in forward portion 212 of golf club head 200 and a plate opening recessed ledge 247 extending continuously around plate opening 249 . The inner perimeter of plate opening concave ledge 247 defines a plate opening 249 . Striking plate 243 is attached to casting cup 204 by seatingly engaging plate opening recessed ledge 247 to secure striking plate 243 . When thus joined with plate opening recessed ledge 247 , striking plate 243 covers or surrounds plate opening 249 . Further, plate opening concave ledge 247 and striking plate 243 are positioned in the crown portion of golf club head 200 such that striking plate 243 abuts crown portion 219 when seatably engaged with plate opening concave ledge 247 . 219 in size, shape, and arrangement. A striking plate 243 abutting crown portion 219 defines the topline of golf club head 200 . Further, in some instances, the visible appearance of the striking plate 243 contrasts sufficiently with the appearance of the crown portion 219 of the golf club head 200 to visually emphasize the topline of the golf club head 200. . Because the striking plate 243 is formed separately from the casting cup 204 , the striking plate 143 can be formed from a material different from the material of the casting cup 204 . In one example, striking plate 143 is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material. In yet another example, striking plate 243 is formed of a metallic material such as titanium alloys (eg, Ti6-4, Ti9-1-1, and ZA1300).

Further, unlike golf club head 100 , cast cup 204 includes weight tracks 279 in sole portion 217 of golf club head 200 . A weight track 279 extends longitudinally along the sole portion 217 from the heel to the toe. As shown, in instances where casting cup 204 also includes slot 271, weight track 279 is substantially parallel to slot 271 and is offset from slot 271 in a front-to-back direction. Weight track 279 includes at least one ledge that extends longitudinally along the length of weight track 279 . In the illustrated example, the weight track 279 includes a forward ledge 297A and a rearward ledge 297B that are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction. A weight 273 disposed within weight track 279 is selectively clampable to one or more ledges of weight track 279 to releasably secure weight 273 to weight track 279 . In the illustrated example, weight 273 is selectively clampable to both forward ledge 297A and rearward ledge 297B. When the weight track 279 is unclamped from the one or more ledges, the weight 273 is slidable along the one or more ledges, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIG. When modified and reclamped to one or more ledges, it adjusts the mass distribution, center of gravity (CG), and other performance characteristics of the golf club head 200 .

According to one example, weight 273 includes a washer 273A, a nut 273B, and a securing bolt 273C that interconnects washer 273A and nut 273B to clamp down ledges 297A, 297B of weight track 279. Washer 273A has an unthreaded aperture and nut 273B has a threaded aperture. Fixing bolt 273C is threaded and threadably engages a threaded opening in nut 273B through an unthreaded opening in washer 273A. The threadable engagement between fixing bolt 273C and nut 273B narrows the gap between washer 273A and nut 273B (thereby clamping one or more ledges between washer 273A and nut 273B). ) or widen to facilitate unclamping of one or more ledges from between washer 273A and nut 273B. Fixing bolt 273C may be rotatable with respect to both washer 273A and nut 273B, or may form an integral monolithic structure and be co-rotatable with one of washer 273A and nut 273B.

To reduce the weight of golf club head 200 and the depth of weight track 279, fixing bolt 273C is short. For example, the length of the fixing bolt 273C when the weight 273 is clamped to the ledges 297A, 297B exceeds the nut 273B (or the washer 273A if the positions of the nut 273B and washer 273A are reversed) by 3 mm or less. Extend. In some examples, the overall length of fixing bolt 273C is 15% or less greater than the combined thickness of washer 273A, nut 273B, and one of ledges 297A, 297B.

As shown, washer 273A has a non-circular perimeter shape such as trapezoidal or rectangular. Similarly, the perimeter shape of nut 273B can be non-circular, such as trapezoidal or rectangular. Alternatively, as shown, the outer circumference of nut 273B is circular and the outer circumference of washer 273A is non-circular.

Referring to FIG. 18, according to another example golf club head disclosed herein, golf club head 300 is shown. Golf club head 300 includes features similar to those of golf club head 100 and golf club head 200, and like reference numbers (eg, like numbers but in the 300s) refer to like features. For example, similar to golf club head 100 and golf club head 200, a body 302, a crown insert 308 attached to body 302 at the top of golf club head 300, and a sole attached to body 302 at the bottom of golf club head 300. Includes insert 310 . Body 302 includes cast cup 304 and ring 306 . Ring 306 is joined to casting cup 304 at a toe joint and a heel joint. Cast cup 304 of body 302 also includes slot 371 in the sole portion of golf club head 300 . Additionally, golf club head 300 further includes mass element 359 and mass receptacle 357 attached to body ring 306 and weight 373 attached to casting cup 304 by fasteners 379 . Further, similar to golf club head 200 , golf club head 300 includes a striking plate 343 that defines striking face 145 and is formed separately from and attached to cast cup 304 . In some examples, striking plate 343 is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer and includes base 347 and cover 349 applied over base 347 . In some examples, base 347 is thicker than cover 349, base 347 is formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer, and cover 349 is formed of a fiber-free polymer. In a particular example, cover 349 is formed of polyurethane. The cover 349 also includes grooves 351 or scorelines formed in the fiber-free polymer. The surface roughness of the portion of cover 349 that defines striking face 345 is greater than the surface roughness of body 302 . Thus, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 300 has some similarities with golf club head 100 and golf club head 200 .

However, unlike the illustrated examples of cast cup 104 of golf club head 100 and cast cup 204 of golf club head 200, cast cup 304 has a multi-piece construction. More specifically, casting cup 304 includes upper cup piece 304A and lower cup piece 304B. Upper cup piece 304A is formed separately from lower cup piece 304B. Accordingly, upper cup piece 304 A and lower cup piece 304 B are joined or attached together to form casting cup 304 . Since the upper cup piece 304A and the lower cup piece 304B are formed separately, the upper cup piece 304A can be formed of a different material than the material of the lower cup piece 304B. The cast cup 304 includes a hosel 320 with a portion of the hosel 320 formed in the upper cup piece 304A and another portion of the hosel 320 formed in the lower cup piece 304B.

According to some examples, upper cup piece 304A is formed of a material that is different than the material of lower cup piece 304B. For example, upper cup piece 304A can be formed of a material having a lower density than the material of lower cup piece 304B. In one example, upper cup piece 304A is formed from a titanium alloy and lower cup piece 304B is formed from a steel alloy. According to another example, the upper cup piece 304A is formed from an aluminum alloy and the lower cup piece 304B is formed from a steel alloy or a tungsten alloy such as 10-17 density tungsten. Such a configuration increases the mass of the cast cup 304 and helps lower the center of gravity (CG) of the cast cup 304 and the golf club head 300 as compared to the integral cast cup 104 of the golf club head 100 . In an alternative configuration, upper cup piece 304A is formed from an aluminum alloy and lower cup piece 304B is formed from a titanium alloy, according to some examples. These latter configurations help reduce the overall mass of casting cup 304 . According to some examples, upper cup piece 304A and lower cup piece 304B are manufactured using different manufacturing techniques. For example, the upper cup piece 304A can be formed by stamping, forging, and/or metal injection molding (MIM), and the lower cup piece 304B can be formed by stamping, forging, and/or metal injection molding (MIM). It can be formed by one or various combinations. Various examples of material and mass property combinations for upper cup piece 304A and lower cup piece 304B are shown in Table 2 below.

As shown, casting cup 304 includes port 375 that receives and retains weight 373 . Port 375 is configured to retain weight 373 in a fixed position on the sole portion of golf club head 300 . However, in other examples, port 375 could be replaced with a weight track, similar to weight track 279 of golf club head 200, and weight 373 could be selectively adjustable to vary the weight along the weight track. can be moved to any position. In this manner, the weight track and one or more corresponding ledges of the weight track can form part of one piece of the multi-piece casting cup.

Although casting cup 304 is shown to have a two-piece construction, in other examples, casting cup 304 has a three-piece construction or is made up of more than three pieces. According to one example, the cast cup 304 has a crown-toe piece, a crown-heel piece, and a sole piece. In certain implementations, the crown-toe piece and the crown-heel piece are formed from a titanium alloy and the sole piece is formed from a steel alloy. The titanium alloy of the crown-toe piece may be the same as or different from the titanium alloy of the crown-heel piece.

19 and 20, according to another example of a golf club head disclosed herein, golf club head 400 is shown. Golf club head 400 includes features similar to those of golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300, and like reference numbers (e.g., like numbers but in the 400s) indicate like refers to the characteristics of For example, similar to golf club head 100 , golf club head 200 , and golf club head 300 , golf club head 400 includes a body 402 , a crown insert 408 attached to body 402 at the top of golf club head 400 , and a golf club head 400 . It includes a sole insert 410 attached to the body 402 at the bottom of the head 400 . Body 402 includes cast cup 404 and ring 406 . Ring 406 is joined to casting cup 404 at toe joint 412A and heel joint 412B. Further, similar to golf club head 200 and golf club head 300 , golf club head 400 defines a striking face 445 and includes a striking plate 443 formed separately from and attached to cast cup 404 . Thus, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 400 has some similarities with golf club head 100 , golf club head 200 , and golf club head 300 .

Additionally, golf club head 400 further includes weight 473 attached to casting cup 404 by fasteners 479 . As shown, casting cup 404 includes port 475 that receives and retains weight 473 . Port 475 is configured to hold weight 473 in a fixed position on the sole portion of golf club head 400 . However, in other examples, port 475 could be replaced with a weight track similar to weight track 279 of golf club head 200, and weight 473 could be selectively adjustable to provide a variety of options along the weight track. position can be moved. In this manner, the weight track and one or more corresponding ledges of the weight track can form part of casting cup 404 .

Also, similar to golf club head 100 , golf club head 200 , and golf club head 300 , golf club head 400 further includes mass element 459 and mass receptacle 457 . Unlike some examples of golf club head receptacles described above, mass receptacle 457 of golf club head 400 forms an integral monolithic structure with cantilever portion 461 of ring 406 . Accordingly, in a particular example, mass receptacle 457 is co-cast with ring 406 . Mass receptacle 457 includes an opening or recess configured to nestly receive mass element 459 . Mass element 459 may be formed of a material such as tungsten that is different (eg, denser) than the material of ring 406 . Mass element 459 is bonded to ring 406 by an adhesive to secure mass element 459 within mass receptacle 457 . In some examples, mass element 459 includes prongs 463 that engage corresponding apertures in mass receptacle 457 when coupled to ring 406 . Engagement between prongs 463 and corresponding apertures in mass receptacle 457 serves to strengthen and secure the bond between mass element 459 and ring 406 .

Referring to FIG. 21, ring 406 includes a toe arm portion 463 A that defines the toe side of skirt portion 421 of golf club head 400 and a heel arm portion 463 B that defines the heel side of skirt portion 421 . Further, toe arm portion 463A and heel arm portion 463B define portions of toe portion 414 and heel portion 416, respectively, of golf club head 400 (see, eg, FIGS. 19 and 20). Cantilevered portion 461 extends downwardly from toe arm portion 463 A and heel arm portion 463 B, while toe arm portion 463 A and heel arm portion 463 B extend forwardly from cantilevered portion 461 . Thus, cantilever portion 461 is closer to ground 181 than toe arm portion 463A and heel arm portion 463B when golf club head 400 is at the address position. In FIG. 21, ring 406 is shown in a position corresponding to the position of ring 406 when golf club head 400 is at an address position relative to ground 181 .

In some examples, height HR of the lowest surface of toe arm portion 463A at toe portion 414 of golf club head 400 (and in some examples its entirety) is greater than the height HR of the heel arm portion at heel portion 416 of golf club head 400. different from the height HR of the lowest surface (and in some instances its entirety) of 463B. More specifically, in one example, height HR of the bottommost surface of toe arm portion 463A at toe portion 414 of golf club head 400 is the lowest height HR of heel arm portion 463B at heel portion 416 of golf club head 100. Greater than surface height HR.

According to a particular example, width WR of toe arm portion 463 A of ring 406 at toe portion 414 is less than width WR of heel arm portion 463 B of ring 406 at heel portion 416 . According to some further examples, the thickness (TR) of ring 406 may vary along ring 406 in the anterior-to-posterior direction. For example, in some examples, the thickness TR of ring 406 varies from a minimum thickness to a maximum thickness in the front-to-back direction. In the particular example, thickness TR of toe arm portion 463 A of ring 406 at toe portion 414 is less than thickness TR of heel arm portion 463 B of ring 406 at heel portion 416 .

The golf club heads disclosed herein, including golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300, each have a volumetric displacement equal to 390 cubic centimeters (cm ³ or cc) to about 600 cm. It has a volume of ³ . In more specific examples, the volume of each of the golf club heads disclosed herein is from about 350 cm ³ to about 500 cm 3 or from about 420 ^{cm 3 to} about 500 cm ³ . The total mass of each of the golf club heads disclosed herein is from about 145g to about 245g in some examples, and from 185g to 210g in other examples.

The golf club head disclosed herein has a multi-piece construction. For example, with respect to golf club head 100, cast cup 104, ring 106, crown insert 108, and sole insert 110 each include one piece of multi-piece construction. Because each piece of the multi-piece construction is separately formed and attached to each other, each piece can be formed of a different material than at least one of the other pieces. Such a multi-material construction allows for flexibility in the material composition of the golf club head and thus in the mass composition and distribution.

The following characteristics of golf club heads disclosed herein are described with respect to golf club head 100 . However, the characteristics described with respect to golf club head 100 also apply to golf club head 200, golf club head 300, and golf club head 400 unless otherwise noted. The golf club head 100 comprises at least one first material having a density between 0.9 g/cc and 3.5 g/cc and at least one second material having a density between 3.6 g/cc and 5.5 g/cc. and at least one third material having a density between 5.6 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. In a first example, cast cup 104 is formed from a third material, ring 106 is formed from a second material, and crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a first material. In this first example, according to one example, the cast cup 104 is formed from a steel alloy, the ring 106 is formed from a titanium alloy, and the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material. In a second example, cast cup 104 is formed from second and third materials, ring 106 is formed from the first or second material, and crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from the first material. be. In this second example, according to one example, the cast cup 104 is formed from steel and titanium alloys, the ring 106 is formed from titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, or plastic, and the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are fiber reinforced. Made of polymer material.

According to some examples, the at least one first material is 55% or less of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and 25% or more of the total mass of the golf club head 100 (eg, 50g-110g) of the first material. has a mass of In certain examples, the first mass of the at least one first material is 45% or less of the total mass of golf club head 100 and 30% or more of the total mass of golf club head 100 . The first mass of the at least one first material can be greater than the second mass of the at least one second material. Alternatively or additionally, the first mass of the at least one first material may be within 10 g of the second mass of the at least one second material.

In some examples, the at least one second material comprises a second mass of 65% or less of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and 20% or more of the total mass of the golf club head 100 (eg, 40g to 130g). have According to certain examples, the second mass of the at least one second material is 50% or less of the total mass of golf club head 100 . In certain examples, the second mass of the at least one second material is less than twice the first mass of the at least one first material. In some examples, the second mass of the at least one second material is 0.9 to 1.8 times the first mass of the at least one first material. In one example, the second mass of the at least one second material is less than 0.9 times or less than 1.8 times the first mass of the at least one first material.

The at least one third material has a third mass equal to the total mass of the golf club head 100 minus the first mass of the at least one first material and the second mass of the at least one second material have In one example, the third mass of the at least one third material is no less than 5% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and no more than 50% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 (eg, 10-100 g). be. According to another example, the third mass of the at least one third material is no less than 10% of the total mass of golf club head 100 and no greater than 20% of the total mass of golf club head 100 .

According to one example, the cast cup 104 of the body 102 of the golf club head 100 is formed from at least one first material, the at least one first material having a weight between 4.0 g/cc and 8.0 g/cc. A first metal material having a density. In this example, ring 106 of body 102 of golf club head 100 is formed of a material having a density between 0.5 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. According to particular implementations, the first metal material of casting cup 104 is a titanium alloy and/or a steel alloy, and the material of ring 106 is an aluminum alloy and/or a magnesium alloy. In some implementations, the first metallic material of casting cup 104 is a titanium alloy and/or steel alloy, and the material of ring 106 is a non-metallic material such as a plastic or polymeric material. Accordingly, in some examples, ring 106 is formed from any of a variety of materials such as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, and fiber-reinforced polymer materials.

Ring 106, in some examples, is formed of one of 6000 series, 7000 series, or 8000 series aluminum and is anodized to have a specific color that is the same as or different from casting cup 104. can be done. According to some examples, ring 106 can be anodized to have any of a range of colors including blue, red, orange, green, purple, and the like. A contrasting color between the ring 105 and the casting cup 104 can aid alignment or suit user preferences. In one example, ring 106 is formed of 7075 aluminum. According to some examples, ring 106 is formed of a fiber reinforced polycarbonate material. Ring 106 can be made of plastic with a non-conductive vacuum metallization coating and can also have any of a variety of colors. Thus, in particular examples, the ring 106 is made of titanium alloys, steel alloys, boron-infused steel alloys, copper alloys, beryllium alloys, composite materials, hard plastics, elastic elastomeric materials, carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics with short or long fibers. Made of material. Ring 106 may be formed by injection molding, casting, physical vapor deposition, or CNC milling techniques.

As described herein, the rings (e.g., ring 106) of any of the club heads disclosed herein can include a variety of different materials and features and can be formed from different materials. can have different properties than a separately formed casting cup (eg, casting cup 104) that is later joined to the ring. Additionally or alternatively to other materials described herein, the ring can include metallic materials, polymeric materials, and/or composite materials, and can include various external coatings.

In some embodiments, the ring comprises anodized aluminum, such as 6000, 7000, and 8000 series aluminum. In one particular example, the ring comprises 7075 grade aluminum. Anodized aluminum can be colored such as red, green, blue, gray, white, orange, purple, pink, fuchsia, black, clear, yellow, gold, silver, or metallic colors. In some embodiments, the ring can have a color that contrasts with the primary color of other portions of the club head (eg, crown insert, sole insert, cup, rear weight, etc.).

In some embodiments, the ring is made of metal, metal alloy (eg, Ti alloy, steel, boron-infused steel, aluminum, copper, beryllium), composite material (eg, carbon fiber reinforced polymer with short or long fibers). , rigid plastics, elastic elastomers, other polymeric materials, and/or any other suitable material. The selection of material for the ring can also be combined with any of a variety of forming methods such as casting, injection molding, sintering, machining, milling, forging, extrusion, stamping, rolling, or any combination thereof.

A plastic ring (fibre-reinforced polycarbonate ring) can provide both mass reductions. For example, about 5 grams compared to an aluminum ring, cost savings, and the process used to form the ring allows greater design flexibility (eg, injection molded thermoplastic). Similar to aluminum rings in abuse testing, such as slamming the club head onto a concrete cart path (extreme abuse) or rocking it in a bag where other metal clubs can repeatedly impact (normal abuse) performance.

In some embodiments, the ring can comprise a polymeric material (eg, plastic) with a non-conductive vacuum metallization (NCVM) coating. For example, in some embodiments, the ring has a primer layer with an average thickness of about 5-11 micrometers (μm), or about 8.5 μm, and a primer layer with an average thickness of about 5-11 μm, or about 8.5 μm. an undercoating layer on the layer, an NCVM layer on the undercoating layer having an average thickness of about 1.1-3.5 μm or about 2.5 μm, and an NCVM layer having an average thickness of about 25-35 μm or about 29 μm A color coating layer on the layer and a top coating (UV protective coat) outer layer on the color coating layer having an average thickness of about 20-35 μm or about 26 μm. Generally, in the NCVM coated portion or ring, the NCVM layer is the thinnest and the color coating layer and top coating layer are the thickest, typically about 8-15 times thicker than the NCVM layer. Generally, all layers combined have a total average thickness of about 60-90 μm, or about 75 μm. The layers and NCVM coatings described can be applied to other parts besides the ring, such as the crown, sole, front cup, removable weights, etc., and can be applied prior to assembly.

In some embodiments, the ring can include a physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating or film layer. In some embodiments, the ring can include a layer of paint or other outer colored layer. Traditionally, painting a golf club head is done entirely by hand, requiring masking of various components to prevent unwanted spraying of surfaces. However, hand painting can cause large variations from club to club. Forming the ring separately allows access to the rear portion of the milling face to remove unwanted alpha case, allowing machining on different face patterns as well as masking different components. eliminate the need to The ring can be painted separately before assembly. Alternatively, in the case of anodized aluminum, paint may not be required, eliminating a step in the process and allowing the ring to be easily bonded or attached to the cup, which may be fully finished. Similarly, if the ring is coated using PVD or NCVM, this coating can be applied to the ring prior to assembly, again eliminating several steps. This also allows the attachment of various colored rings for the end user to choose from, providing alignment or aesthetic benefits to the user. Red, green, blue, grey, white, orange, purple, pink, fuchsia, black, clear, yellow, whether the ring is an NCVM-coated ring or a PVD-coated ring, as described above. , gold, silver, or metallic colors.

The following characteristics of golf club heads disclosed herein are described with respect to golf club head 100 . However, the characteristics described with respect to golf club head 100 also apply to golf club head 200, golf club head 300, and golf club head 400 unless otherwise noted. The golf club head 100 comprises at least one first material having a density between 0.9 g/cc and 3.5 g/cc and at least one second material having a density between 3.6 g/cc and 5.5 g/cc. and at least one third material having a density between 5.6 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. In a first example, cast cup 104 is formed from a second material and ring 106, crown insert 108, and sole insert 110 are formed from a first material. In this first example, according to one example, the cast cup 104 is formed from a titanium alloy, the ring 106 is formed from an aluminum alloy, and the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material. In this first example, according to another example, the cast cup 104 is formed from a titanium alloy, the ring 106 is formed from plastic, and the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material. According to a second example, cast cup 104 is formed from a second material, ring 106 is formed from a second material, and crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a first material. In this second example, according to one example, the cast cup 104 and ring 106 are formed from a titanium alloy, and the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material.

In some examples, the at least one first material is a fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising continuous fibers embedded in a polymer matrix (eg, epoxy or resin), which in some examples is a thermoset polymer. Continuous fibers are considered continuous because each fiber is continuous across the length, width, or diagonal of the section formed by the fiber-reinforced polymeric material. Continuous fibers can be long fibers having a length of at least 3 millimeters, 10 millimeters or even 50 millimeters. In other embodiments, shorter fibers having a length of 0.5 to 2.0 millimeters can be used. The inclusion of fibrous reinforcement increases tensile strength, but reduces elongation and can lead to rupture, so it must be carefully balanced to maintain sufficient elongation. Thus, one embodiment includes 35-55% long fiber reinforcement, while yet another embodiment includes 40-50% long fiber reinforcement. Continuous fiber and fiber reinforced polymeric materials are generally described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0184662, published Jun. 30, 2016, now Oct. 18, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. It can be the same or similar to that described at paragraph 295 of US Pat. No. 9,468,816 issued to Japan. In some examples, crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are formed of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. Accordingly, in some examples, each continuous fiber of fiber-reinforced polymer material does not extend from crown portion 119 to sole portion 117 of golf club head 100 . Alternatively or additionally, in certain examples, each continuous fiber of fiber-reinforced polymer material does not extend from crown portion 119 to forward portion 112 of golf club head 100 . In one example, crown insert 108 is formed of a material having a density between 0.5 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. In one example, sole insert 110 is formed of a material having a density between 0.5 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc.

In a particular example, the first material is a fiber-reinforced polymeric material described in US Patent Application Serial No. 17/006,561, filed Aug. 28, 2020. Composite materials useful for forming club head components include a fiber portion and a resin portion. Generally, the resin portion acts as a "matrix" in which the fibers are embedded in a defined manner. In composite materials for club heads, the fibrous portion is configured as a plurality of fibrous layers or plies impregnated with a resin component. The fibers in each layer have their own orientation, which is typically different and precisely controlled from layer to layer. The typical number of layers in the striking face is large, for example 40 or more. However, in the case of the sole or crown, the number of layers can be significantly reduced, for example to 3 or more, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more layers, examples of which are described below. In the manufacture of composite materials, multiple layers (each comprising a respective oriented fiber impregnated with uncured or partially cured resin; each such layer is referred to as a "prepreg" layer) are "layed up". ” method. After forming the prepreg layup, the resin is cured to a rigid state. If interested, the specific strength can be calculated by dividing the tensile strength by the density of the material. This is also known as the strength-to-weight ratio or strength/weight ratio.

Tests involving certain club head configurations have shown that composite sections formed of relatively low fiber areal weight (FAW) prepreg layers improve performance in several areas such as impact resistance, durability, and overall club performance. has been found to provide superior attributes in FAW is the weight of the fiber portion of a given amount of prepreg in g/ ^m2 . FAW values of less than 100 g/m ² , more desirably less than 70 g/m ² are particularly effective. As previously mentioned, a particularly suitable fibrous material for use in forming the prepreg layers is carbon fiber. More than one fibrous material can be used. However, in other embodiments, prepreg layers with FAW values less than 70 g/m ² and greater than 100 g/m ² can be used. In general, cost is the major prohibitive factor for prepreg layers with FAW values below 70 g/m ² .

In certain embodiments, multiple low FAW prepreg layers can be stacked and still have a relatively uniform distribution of fibers across the thickness of the stacked layers. In contrast, at equivalent resin content (R/C, in percent) levels, layers overlaid with higher FAW prepreg materials exhibit higher densities than layers overlaid with low FAW materials, especially at the interface of adjacent layers. , tend to have regions that are significantly more resin-rich. Resin-rich areas tend to reduce the effectiveness of the fiber reinforcement, especially since the forces resulting from golf ball impact are usually transverse to the fiber orientation of the fiber reinforcement. The prepreg layers used to form the panel desirably comprise carbon fiber impregnated with a suitable resin such as epoxy.

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of a striking plate 943 that can replace any one of the striking plates disclosed herein. In some examples, striking plate 943 is formed of composite materials and can be referred to as a composite striking plate. The non-metallic or composite material of striking plate 943 comprises a fiber reinforced polymer comprising fibers embedded in resin. The percentage composition of resin in the fiber reinforced polymer is 38%-44%. Further details regarding the construction and manufacturing process of the composite striking plate 943 are provided in US Pat. No. 7,871,340 and US Published Patent Application No. 2011/0275451, incorporated herein by reference. Nos. 2012/0083361 and 2012/0199882. The composite striking plate 943 is attached to an insert support structure, such as those disclosed herein, located in the front opening of the golf club head.

In some examples, the striking plate 943 can be machined from composite plaque. In one example, the composite plaque is about 90 mm to about 130 mm, or about 100 mm to about 120 mm, preferably about 110 mm ± 1.0 mm in length and about 50 mm to about 90 mm, or about 6 mm to about 80 mm in width, preferably It can be substantially rectangular with a plaque size and dimension of about 70 mm±1.0 mm. A striking plate 943 is then machined from the plaque to form the desired surface profile. For example, the face profile length 912 can be from about 80 mm to about 120 mm, or from about 90 mm to about 110 mm, preferably about 102 mm. Face profile width 911 can be from about 40 mm to about 65 mm or from about 45 mm to about 60 mm, preferably about 53 mm. The height 913 of the preferred striking area 953 on the striking surface defined by the striking plate 943 and centered on the geometric center of the striking surface is from about 25 mm to about 50 mm, from about 30 mm to about 40 mm, or from about 17 mm to about 45 mm. , for example, preferably about 34 mm. The length 914 of the preferred striking area 953 can be from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, from about 28 mm to about 65 mm, or from about 45 mm to about 65 mm, preferably from about 55.5 mm to or 56 mm. In particular examples, the preferred striking area 953 of the striking surface defined by striking plate 943 has an area of 500 mm ² to 1,800 mm ² . Alternatively, striking plate 943 can be shaped to provide the desired surface dimensions and profile.

Additional features can be machined or molded into the surface of striking plate 943 to create the desired surface profile. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, a notch 920 can be machined or molded into the rear side of the heel portion of striking plate 943 . In some examples, a notch 920 at the rear of the striking plate 943 allows the golf club head to utilize flight control technology (FCT) in the hosel. Notch 920 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the hosel within striking plate 943 . Alternatively or additionally, notch 920 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the club head body within striking plate 943 . By housing at least a portion of the hosel and/or at least a portion of the club body within striking plate 943 , a reduction in the center face y-axis position (CFY) may be provided, resulting in a preferred striking of striking plate 943 . Region 953 is brought closer to the plane passing through the location of the center point of the hosel. Striking plate 943 can be configured to provide a CFY of about 18 mm or less and about 9 mm or more, preferably about 11.0 mm to about 16.0 mm, more preferably about 15.5 mm or less and about 11.5 mm or more. can. Striking plate 943 is configured to provide a face progression of no more than about 21 mm and no less than about 12 mm, preferably no more than about 19.5 mm and no less than about 13 mm, more preferably no more than about 18 mm and no less than about 14.5 mm. can do. In some embodiments, the difference between CFY and planar progression is at least 3 mm and no greater than 12 mm.

In another example, back side bumps 4230 A, 4230 B, 4230 C, 4230 D can be machined or molded into the back side of striking plate 943 . Backside bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D can be configured to provide coupling gaps. The bonding gap is the hollow space between the club head body and striking plate 943 that is filled with adhesive during manufacture. Backside bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D protrude to separate faces from the club head body when striking plate 943 is bonded to the club head body during manufacturing. In some instances, too large or too small a bond gap may result in durability issues for the club head, the striking plate 943, or both. Additionally, if the bond gap is too large, too much adhesive may be used during manufacturing, adding unnecessary additional mass to the club head. Backside bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D may protrude about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably about 0.25 mm. In some embodiments, the back side bump is configured to provide a minimum bond gap, such as a minimum bond gap of approximately 0.25 mm, and a maximum bond gap of approximately 0.45 mm.

Additionally, one or more of the edges of the striking plate 943 can be machined or shaped with chamfers. In one example, striking plate 943 includes a chamfer substantially around the inner peripheral edge of striking plate 943, eg, a chamfer of about 0.5 mm to about 1.1 mm, preferably 0.8 mm.

27 is a bottom perspective view of striking plate 943. FIG. Striking plate 943 has a heel portion 941 and a toe portion 942 . Notch 920 is machined or molded into heel portion 941 . In this example, striking plate 943 has a variable thickness, such as peak thickness 947 within preferred impact area 953 . Peak thickness 947 is about 2 mm to about 7.5 mm, about 4.3 mm to 5.15 mm, about 4.0 mm to about 5.15 or 5.5 mm, or about 3.8 mm to about 4.8 mm, preferably 4 mm. .1 mm±0.1 mm, 4.25 mm±0.1 mm, or 4.5 mm±0.1 mm. A peak thickness 947 can be located at the geometric center of the striking surface defined by the striking plate 943 . In some examples, the minimum thickness of striking plate 943 is between 3.0 mm and 4.0 mm.

Further, in certain instances, the preferred impact area 953 is off-center or offset with respect to the geometric center of the striking face and is thicker in the toe direction of the geometric center of the striking face. can do. In some examples, the thickness of the striking plate 943 within the preferred impact area 953 is variable (eg, about 3.5 mm to about 5.0 mm), and the thickness of the striking plate 943 outside the preferred impact area 953 is constant. (eg, about 3.5 mm to 4.2 mm), less than within the preferred impact area 953 . In some examples, striking plate 943 has a thickness of 3.5 mm to 6.0 mm.

Striking plate 943 has a toe edge area and a heel edge area outside of preferred impact area 953 such that the preferred impact area is between the toe and heel edge areas. The toe edge region is closer to the toe portion than the heel edge region. The heel edge region is closer to the heel portion than the toe edge region. The thickness of the toe edge region is less than the maximum thickness. The thickness of striking plate 943 transitions from a maximum thickness in the preferred impact area 953 to a toe edge area thickness of 3.85 mm to 4.5 mm in the toe edge area.

In some embodiments, striking plate 943 is fabricated from multiple layers of composite material. Exemplary composite materials and methods for manufacturing striking plate 943 are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/452,370 (published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0199882), which is incorporated by reference. . In some embodiments, the inner and outer surfaces of the composite surface can include scrim layers, such as to reinforce the striking plate 943 with glass fibers that make up the scrim weave. A plurality of quasi-isotropic panels (Q) can also be included, each Q-panel using multiple layers of unidirectional composite panels that are offset from each other. In an exemplary four-layer Q-panel, the unidirectional composite panels are oriented at 90°, −45°, 0°, and 45° to provide structural stability in each direction. It can also contain clusters of unidirectional strips (C), each C using multiple unidirectional composite strips. In an exemplary 4-strip C, four 27 mm strips are oriented at 0°, 125°, 90° and 55°. C can be provided to increase the thickness of the striking plate 943 in localized areas such as the mid-plane of the preferred impact area. Some Q's and C's can have more or fewer layers (e.g., 3 instead of 4) to fine-tune thickness, mass, local thickness, etc., and striking plate 943 Other properties of the striking plate 943 can be provided, such as to increase or decrease the COR of.

In some embodiments, a striking surface, such as the striking plate 243 of some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein, is manufactured from multiple layers of composite materials. Exemplary composite materials and methods for making same are described in US Patent Application No. 13/452,370 (published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0199882), which is incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the inner and outer surfaces of the composite surface can include scrim layers, such as to reinforce the striking surface with glass fibers that make up the scrim weave. A plurality of quasi-isotropic panels (Q) can also be included, each Q-panel using multiple layers of unidirectional composite panels that are offset from each other. In an exemplary four-layer Q-panel, the unidirectional composite panels are oriented at 90°, −45°, 0°, and 45° to provide structural stability in each direction. It can also contain clusters of unidirectional strips (C), each C using multiple unidirectional composite strips. In an exemplary 4-strip C, four 27 mm strips are oriented at 0°, 125°, 90° and 55°. C can be provided to increase the thickness of the striking face or other composite features in localized areas such as the central face of the preferred impact area. Some Q's and C's can have more or fewer layers (e.g., 3 instead of 4) to fine-tune thickness, mass, local thickness, etc. Other properties of the striking surface can be provided, such as to increase or decrease COR.

Additional composite materials and additional methods for making the same are described in US Pat. Nos. 8,163,119 and 10,046,212, incorporated by reference. For example, the usual number of layers for a striking plate is high, eg, 50 layers or more. However, improvements have been made in the art so that the number of layers can be reduced to 30-50 layers.

Table 3 below provides examples of possible layups for one or more composite sections of the golf club head disclosed herein. These layups represent possible unidirectional plies unless described as woven plies. The structure shown is for a quasi-isotropic layup. The monolayer has a thickness of about 0.065 mm to about 0.080 mm for a standard FAW of 70 gsm with a resin content of about 36% to about 40%. The thickness of each layer can be changed by adjusting either the FAW or the resin content, and thus the thickness of the overall layup can be changed by adjusting these parameters.

Area weight (AW) is calculated by multiplying density by thickness. For said layer made of composite material, the density is about 1.5 g/cm ³ and for titanium, the density is about 4.5 g/cm ³ .

Generally, a composite surface plate or composite surface insert can have a peak thickness of about 3.8 mm to 5.15 mm. Generally, composite face plates are formed from multiple composite layers. The typical number of layers in a composite striking face is high, eg 40 layers or more, preferably 30-75 layers, more preferably 50-70 layers, even more preferably 55-65 layers.

In one example, a first composite face insert may have a peak thickness of 4.1 mm and an edge thickness of 3.65 mm, including 12 Q's and 2 C's, resulting in a mass of 24.7 g become. In another example, a second compound face insert may have a peak thickness of 4.25 mm and an edge thickness of 3.8 mm, containing 12 Q's and 2 C's, resulting in a mass of 25 .6g. Additional thickness and mass is provided by including additional layers above one or more of Q or C, such as by using two 4-layer Qs instead of two 3-layer Qs. In yet another example, a third compound surface insert containing 12 Q's and 3 C's may have a peak thickness of 4.5 mm and an edge thickness of 3.9 mm, resulting in a mass of 26.2 g. Additional different combinations of Q and C can be provided for multifaceted inserts 110 having a mass of about 20g to about 30g, or about 15g to about 35g. In some examples, a striking plate, such as striking plate 943, has a total mass of 22-28 grams.

28A is a cross-sectional view of heel portion 41 of striking plate 943. FIG. Heel portion 941 may include notch 920 . In embodiments having a chamfer on the inner edge of striking plate 943 , no chamfer 950 is provided above notch 920 . Notch 920 can have a notch edge thickness 944 that is less than edge thickness 945 of face insert 110 (see, eg, FIG. 28B). For example, notch edge thickness 944 can be between 1.5 mm and 2.1 mm, preferably 1.8 mm.

28B is a cross-sectional view of the toe portion 942 of the striking plate 943. FIG. Toe portion 942 includes a chamfer 951 on the inner edge of striking plate 943 . In some embodiments, edge thickness 945 is between about 3.35 mm and about 4.2 mm, preferably 3.65 mm±0.1 mm, 3.8 mm±0.1 mm, or 3.9 mm±0.1 mm. be able to.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of polymer layer 900 of striking plate 943 . A polymer layer 900 may be provided on the outer surface of the striking plate 943 to provide better performance of the striking plate 943, such as in wet conditions. Exemplary polymer layers are described in US patent application Ser. No. 13/330,486 (patented as US Pat. No. 8,979,669), which is incorporated by reference. Polymer layer 900 can include polyurethane and/or other polymeric materials. The polymer layer can have a maximum polymer thickness 960 of about 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, or about 0.3 mm to about 0.5 mm, preferably 0.40 mm±0.05 mm. The polymer layer can have a minimum polymer thickness 970 of about 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, preferably 0.09 mm±0.02 mm. The polymer layers may consist of alternating maximum thickness 960 and minimum thickness 970 to create a scoreline on striking plate 943 . Additionally, in some embodiments, teeth and/or another texture may be provided in the thicker regions of the polymer layer 900 between the scorelines.

In some examples, crown inserts, such as crown insert 108, and sole inserts, such as sole insert 110, are formed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials. In one example, the crown insert is formed from layers of unidirectional tape, woven fabric, and composite layers.

Referring to FIG. 4 , golf club head 100 has an imaginary plane 169 passing through center face 183 of striking surface 145 and parallel to striking surface 145 and a face-back direction 165 of golf club head 100 perpendicular to imaginary plane 169 . It has a face-back dimension (FBD) defined as the distance between the rearmost points. As defined herein, the central face 183 is located at 0% of the face-back dimension (FBD) and the rearmost point is located at 100% of the face-back dimension (FBD). In this definition, the golf club head 100 includes a face section extending in the face-back direction 165 from 0% of the face-back dimension (FBD) to 25% of the face-back dimension (FBD) and a face-back dimension (FBD) in the face-back direction 165. FBD), and a back section extending in the face-back direction 165 from 75% to 100% of the face-back dimension (FBD). According to some examples, at least 95 weight percent of the middle section is formed of material having a density between 0.9 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. In certain examples, at least 95 weight percent of the middle section is formed of material having a density between 0.9 g/cc and 2.0 g/cc. In some examples, at least 95 weight percent of the middle section and at least 95 weight percent of the back section, excluding the attached weights and housings for the attached weights, are between 0.9 g/cc and 2.0 g/cc. It is formed of a material having a density of cc. According to various examples, no more than 20% by weight of the middle section and no more than 20% by weight of the back section are formed of material having a density between 4.0 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc.

In some examples, golf club head 100 includes one or more of the following materials: carbon steel, stainless steel (eg, 17-4PH stainless steel), alloy steel, Fe—Mn—Al alloy, nickel-based. Ferroalloys, cast irons, superalloy steels, aluminum alloys (including but not limited to 3000 series alloys, 5000 series alloys, 6000 series alloys such as 6061-T6, and 7000 series alloys such as 7075), magnesium alloys , copper alloys, titanium alloys (including but not limited to 6-4 titanium, 3-2.5, 6-4, SP700, 15-3-3-3, 10-2-3, Ti 9-1-1 , ZA1300, or other alpha/near alpha, alpha-beta, and beta/near beta titanium alloys), or mixtures thereof.

In one example, the titanium alloy when forming part of the golf club heads disclosed herein, such as when forming part of the striking plate, is a 9-1-1 titanium alloy. aluminum (eg, 8.5-9.5% Al), vanadium (eg, 0.9-1.3% V), and molybdenum (eg, 0.8-1.1% Mo), Titanium alloys, optionally with other minor alloying elements and impurities, are collectively referred to herein as "9-1-1Ti", which are formed from conventional 6-4Ti and other titanium alloys. For planes, it has little alpha case and can eliminate or at least reduce the need for HF acid etching. Additionally, 9-1-1 Ti can have minimum mechanical properties of 820 MPa yield strength, 958 MPa tensile strength, and 10.2% elongation. These minimum properties are significantly superior to typical cast titanium alloys such as 6-4Ti, which can have minimum mechanical properties of 812 MPa yield strength, 936 MPa tensile strength, and ~6% elongation. can be In a particular example, the titanium alloy is 8-1-1Ti.

In another example, when forming part of the golf club heads disclosed herein, such as when forming part of the striking plate, the titanium alloy comprises 6.5 wt% to 10 wt% Al; 0.5% to 3.25% Mo, 1.0% to 3.0% Cr, 0.25% to 1.75% V, and/or 0.25% by weight % to 1% by weight Fe with the balance Ti (one example is sometimes referred to as "1300" or "ZA1300" titanium alloy). The alpha beta titanium alloy or ZA1300 titanium alloy has a first ultimate tensile strength of at least 1,000 MPa in some examples, and at least 1,100 MPa in other examples. The ultimate tensile strength of the material forming the body 102 other than the striking face 145 can be at least 10% less than the first ultimate tensile strength. In another representative example, the alloy comprises 6.75 wt% to 9.75 wt% Al, 0.75 wt% to 3.25 wt% or 2.75 wt% Mo, 1.0 wt% ˜3.0 wt % Cr, 0.25 wt % to 1.75 wt % V, and/or 0.25 wt % to 1 wt % Fe, balance Ti. In yet another representative example, the alloy comprises 7 wt% to 9 wt% Al, 1.75 wt% to 3.25 wt% Mo, 1.25 wt% to 2.75 wt% Cr, It may contain 0.5 wt% to 1.5 wt% V and/or 0.25 wt% to 0.75 wt% Fe with the balance Ti. In a further representative example, the alloy comprises 7.5 wt% to 8.5 wt% Al, 2.0 wt% to 3.0 wt% Mo, 1.5 wt% to 2.5 wt% Cr, 0.75 wt% to 1.25 wt% V, and/or 0.375 wt% to 0.625 wt% Fe, the balance comprising Ti. In another representative example, the alloy comprises 8 wt% Al, 2.5 wt% Mo, 2 wt% Cr, 1 wt% V, and/or 0.5 wt% Fe. with the balance comprising Ti (such titanium alloys may have the formula Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe). As used herein, "Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe" means a titanium alloy containing the referenced elements in any of the aforementioned ratios. Certain examples may also include trace amounts of K, Mn, and/or Zr, and/or various impurities.

Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe can have minimum mechanical properties of 1150 MPa yield strength, 1180 MPa ultimate tensile strength, and 8% elongation. These minimum properties can be significantly superior to other cast titanium alloys, including 6-4Ti and 9-1-1Ti, which can have the minimum mechanical properties described above. In some examples, the Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe has a tensile strength of about 1180 MPa to about 1460 MPa, a yield strength of about 1150 MPa to about 1415 MPa, and an elongation of about 8% to about 12%. modulus of about 110 GPa, density of about 4.45 g/cm ³ , hardness of about 43 on the Rockwell C scale (43 HRC). In a particular example, a Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy can have a tensile strength of about 1320 MPa, a yield strength of about 1284 MPa, and an elongation of about 10%. Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy has a higher ultimate tensile strength compared to other materials, especially when used for casting golf club head bodies, so that the same thickness can reduce deflection. become smaller. In some implementations, providing less deflection for the same thickness benefits higher swing speed golfers as the face of the golf club head maintains its original shape over time.

In a more particular example, golf club head 100 is formed of a non-metallic material having a density of less than about 2 g/cm 3 , such as between about 1 g/cm ³ and about 2 g/cm ^{3 .} Non-metallic materials may include polymers such as fiber reinforced polymeric materials. Polymers can be either thermoset or thermoplastic, and can be amorphous, crystalline, and/or semi-crystalline in structure. Polymers can also be formed from engineering plastics, such as crystalline or semi-crystalline engineering plastics or amorphous engineering plastics. Potential engineering plastic candidates include polyphenylene sulfide ether (PPS), polyetherlipid (PEI), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene plastic (ABS), polyoxymethylene plastic (POM), nylon 6 , nylon 6-6, nylon 12, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or Mixtures thereof are included. Organic fibers such as glass fibers, carbon fibers and metal fibers can be added to engineering plastics to increase their structural strength. The reinforcing fibers can be continuous long fibers or short fibers. One of the advantages of PSU is that it is relatively stiff and has relatively low damping, producing a better sounding or more metallic sounding golf club compared to other polymers that can be over damped. . Additionally, PSUs require less post-processing in that they do not require finishing or painting to achieve the final finished golf club head.

One exemplary material from which any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, may be formed is a PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) matrix or A thermoplastic continuous carbon fiber composite laminate material containing long aligned carbon fibers in the base. A commercially available example of a fiber reinforced polymer that can form the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking surface is TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 manufactured by Lanxess®. TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 is a high-strength, lightweight material arranged in sheets with multiple continuous carbon fiber reinforced layers in a fiber-embedded PPS thermoplastic matrix or polymer. The material may have a fiber volume of 54%, but may have other fiber volumes (such as 42%-57%). According to one example, the weight of the material is 200 g/m ² . Another commercially available example of a fiber reinforced polymer from which the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking surface is formed is TEPEX® DYNALITE 208. This material also has a carbon fiber volume range of 42-57% (such as 45% volume in one example) and a weight of 200 g/m ² . DYNALITE 208 differs from DYNALITE 207 in that it has a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) matrix or base rather than a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix.

As an example, the fibers of each sheet of TEPEX® DYNALITE 207 sheet (or other fiber reinforced polymer material such as DYNALITE 208) are oriented in the same direction and the sheets are oriented in different directions. The sheet is placed in a two-piece (male/female) matched die, heated above the melt temperature, and the die closed to shape. This process is sometimes referred to as thermoforming and is particularly suitable for forming the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking face. After the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking surface are formed (separately in some implementations) by a thermoforming process, each is cooled and removed from the matched die. In some implementations, the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking surface have a uniform thickness, which ensures ease of use and manufacturability of thermoforming processes. However, in other implementations, the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking surface may include additional layers in selected areas to enhance durability, acoustic properties, or other properties of each insert, for example. In addition, it can have variable thickness to strengthen selected localized areas of the insert.

In some examples, any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, are formed by processes other than thermoforming, such as injection molding or thermoforming. It can be formed by curing. In the heat curing process, any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, are pre-treated with a resin and hardener formulation that is activated upon heating. It can be formed from "prepreg" layers of woven fabric or unidirectional composite fiber fabric (eg, carbon fiber composite fabric) impregnated with a carbon fiber composite fabric. The prepreg layers are placed in a mold suitable for a thermosetting process, such as a bladder mold or compression mold, and laminated/oriented with the carbon or other fibers oriented in different directions. Each layer is heated to activate a chemical reaction to form crown insert 126 and/or sole insert. Each insert is cooled and removed from its respective mold.

Carbon fiber reinforced materials for any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, manufactured by a thermoset manufacturing process, are available from California Grafil, Inc. of Sacramento; which is known as "34-700" fiber, available from Toyo Denki Co., Ltd., which has a tensile modulus of 234 Gpa (34 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4500 Mpa (650 Ksi). Grafil, Inc. Another suitable fiber, also available from Epson, Inc., is carbon fiber known as "TR50S" fiber, which has a tensile modulus of 240 Gpa (35 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4900 Mpa (710 Ksi). Exemplary epoxy resins for the prepreg layers used to form the thermoset crown and sole inserts include Newport 301 and 350, available from Newport Adhesives & Composites, Inc. of Irvine, Calif.; available from In one example, the prepreg sheet has an areal weight of about 20 g/m ² to about 200 g/m ² , preferably about 70 g/m ² , and contains 34-700 fibers impregnated with an epoxy resin (eg, Newport 301). It has an isotropic fiber reinforcement and a resin content (R/C) of about 40%. For convenience of reference, the fiber composition of a prepreg sheet may be identified in abbreviated form by identifying its fiber areal weight, fiber type, eg, 70FAW34-700. The abbreviation can further specify the resin system and resin content (eg, 70FAW34-700/301, R/C40%).

In some examples, the polymers used to manufacture the golf club head 100 include, but are not limited to, synthetic and natural rubbers, thermoset polymers such as thermoset polyurethanes or thermoset polyureas, and thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoset polyurethanes, thermoset polyureas, and the like. Thermoplastic polymers, including thermoplastic elastomers such as plastic polyurea, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, unimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers, unimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid/carboxylate terpolymers, bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers , bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid/carboxylate terpolymers, polyamides (PA), polyketones (PK), copolyamides, polyesters, copolyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyolefins, halogens polyolefins [e.g., chlorinated polyethylene (CPE)], halogenated polyalkylene compounds, polyalkenamers, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, diallyl phthalate polymers, polyimides, polyvinyl chlorides, polyamide-ionomers, polyurethane ionomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyarylates, poly Acrylates, polyphenylene ethers, impact-modified polyphenylene ethers, polystyrene, impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitrile, styrene-maleic acid Styrene block copolymers, styrenic terpolymers, including anhydride (S/MA) polymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) functionalized styrenic block copolymers and terpolymers including, hydroxylated, functionalized styrenic copolymers, cellulosic polymers, liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) , ethylene-propylene copolymers, propylene elastomers (such as those described in US Pat. No. 6,525,157 (Kim et al.), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurea , and polysiloxanes, and any and all combinations thereof.

Among these, polyamides (PA), polyphthalimides (PPA), polyketones (PK), copolyamides, polyesters, copolyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polyphenylene oxides, diallyl phthalate polymers, Polyarylates, polyacrylates, polyphenylene ethers, and impact-modified polyphenylene ethers are preferred. A particularly preferred polymer for use in the golf club heads of the present invention is a family of so-called high performance engineering thermoplastics known for their toughness and stability at elevated temperatures. These polymers include polysulfones, polyethelipides, and polyamideimides. Among these, the most preferred is polysulfone.

Aromatic polysulfones are a family of polymers produced from the condensation polymerization of 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone with itself or one or more dihydric phenols. Aromatic polysulfones include thermoplastics, sometimes referred to as polyethersulfones, and the general structure of their repeating units is a diarylsulfone structure, which can be represented as -arylene- _SO2 -arylene-. have. These units can be linked together by carbon-carbon bonds, carbon-oxygen-carbon bonds, carbon-sulfur-carbon bonds, or through short alkylene bonds to form thermally stable thermoplastic polymers. . Polymers in this family are fully amorphous, exhibit high glass transition temperatures, provide high strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, and are useful in demanding engineering applications. The polymer also has good ductility and toughness and is sufficiently amorphous that it is transparent in its native state. Further important properties include resistance to hydrolysis by hot water/steam and excellent resistance to acids and bases. Because polysulfone is completely thermoplastic, it can be manufactured by most standard methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming. They also have a wide range of high temperature engineering applications.

Three commercially important polysulfones are a) polysulfone (PSU); b) polyethersulfone (PES, also called PESU); and c) polyphenylenesulfone (PPSU).

Particularly important and preferred aromatic polysulfones are those composed of repeating units of the structure —C ₆ H ₄ SO ₂ —C ₆ H ₄ —O—, where C ₆ H ₄ is m- or p- represents a phenylene structure. The polymer chain may also be -C ₆ H ₄ -, C ₆ H ₄ -O-, -C ₆ H ₄ -(lower-alkylene)-C _{6 H 4 -O-, -C 6 H 4 -O} -C ₆ H ₄ —O—, —C ₆ H ₄ —SC ₆ H ₄ —O—, and other thermally stable, substantially aromatic difunctional groups known in the engineering thermoplastics art. Repeat units can also be included. Also included are so-called modified polysulfones in which individual aromatic rings are further substituted with one or more substituents, including:

or

or

wherein each R is independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, or a combination thereof. Halogen atoms include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms. Hydrocarbon groups include, for example, C1-C20 alkyl groups, C2-C20 alkenyl groups, C3-C20 cycloalkyl groups, C3-C20 cycloalkenyl groups, and C6-C20 aromatic hydrocarbon groups. These hydrocarbon groups can be partially substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or partially substituted with one or more polar groups other than one or more halogen atoms. Specific examples of C1-C20 alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl, and dodecyl groups. Specific examples of C2-C20 alkenyl groups include propenyl, isopropepyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, pentenyl, and hexenyl groups. Specific examples of C3-C20 cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl groups. Specific examples of C3-C20 cycloalkenyl groups include cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl groups. Specific examples of aromatic hydrocarbon groups include phenyl groups, naphthyl groups, or combinations thereof.

Individual preferred polymers include (a) produced by the condensation polymerization of bisphenol A and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenylsulfone in the presence of a base, as follows:

and is abbreviated as PSF and sold under the tradenames Udel®, Ultrason® S, Eviva®, RTP PSU, (b) the presence of a base produced by the condensation polymerization of 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone, below:

and (c) produced from 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone in the presence of a base. ,the below described:

, abbreviated PPSF and sometimes referred to as "polyethersulfone", under the trade names Ultrason® E, LNP ^™ , Veradel® PESU, Sumikaexce, and VICTREX ® resins, and any combination thereof.

In some examples, any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, are made of a fibrous material (e.g., graphite or turbostratic). from composite materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymeric materials, formed of composites comprising multiple layers of carbon fibers, including graphite-like carbon fibers, or hybrid structures in which both graphitic and turbostratic portions are present) can be formed. Some examples of these composite materials that can be used and their manufacturing procedures are described in US patent application Ser. No. 10/442,348 (now US Pat. 10/831,496 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,974), 11/642,310, 11/825,138, 11/998,436, 11/895,195, 11/823,638, 12/004,386, 12,004,387 No. 11/960,609, 11/960,610, and 12/156,947. The composite material can be made according to at least the methods described in US patent application Ser. No. 11/825,138, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, short or long fiber reinforced blends of the polymers described above can be used. An exemplary blend includes a Nylon 6/6 polyamide blend with 30% carbon fiber loading and commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP285. This material has a tensile strength of 35000 psi (241 MPa) as measured by ASTM D638; a tensile elongation of 2.0-3.0% as measured by ASTM D638; ) tensile modulus of 50000 psi (345 MPa) as measured by ASTM D790; and a flexural modulus of 2.60 x 106 psi (17927 MPa) as measured by ASTM D790.

Other materials include a polyphthalamide (PPA) compound that is 40% filled with carbon fiber and is commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP4087UP. 1.4% tensile elongation measured by ISO 527; tensile modulus of 41500 MPa measured by ISO 527; flexural strength of 580 MPa measured by ISO 178; It has a flexural modulus of 34500 MPa as measured by ISO178.

Still other materials include a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) blend that is 30% filled with carbon fiber and is commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP1385UP. 1.3% tensile elongation measured by ISO 527; tensile modulus of 28500 MPa measured by ISO 527; flexural strength of 385 MPa measured by ISO 178; It has a flexural modulus of 23,000 MPa as measured by ISO178.

A particularly preferred material includes a polysulfone (PSU) formulation with 20% carbon fiber loading and commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP983. 2% tensile elongation measured by ISO 527; tensile modulus of 11032 MPa measured by ISO 527; flexural strength of 186 MPa measured by ISO 178; It has a measured flexural modulus of 9653 MPa.

A preferred material also includes a polysulfone (PSU) compound that is 30% filled with carbon fiber and is commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP985. 1.2% tensile elongation measured by ISO 527; tensile modulus of 20685 MPa measured by ISO 527; flexural strength of 193 MPa measured by ISO 178; It has a flexural modulus of 12411 MPa as measured by ISO178.

A more preferred material is a polysulfone (PSU) compound filled with 40% carbon fiber and commercially available from RTP Company under the trade name RTP987. 1% tensile elongation measured by ISO 527; tensile modulus of 24132 MPa measured by ISO 527; flexural strength of 241 MPa measured by ISO 178; It has a measured flexural modulus of 19306 MPa.

Any one or more of the striking surfaces, such as sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking plate 243, may have a complex three-dimensional shape that generally corresponds to the desired shape and curvature of golf club head 100. It can have shape and curvature. It is understood that other types of club heads, such as fairway wood-type club heads, hybrid club heads, and iron-type club heads, can be manufactured using one or more of the principles, methods, and materials described herein. understood.

33, 34, and 42, according to some examples, a method 550 of manufacturing a golf club head of the present disclosure, such as golf club head 100, comprises (block 552) the first partial ablation surface 522 being the first Laser ablating a first portion surface 520 of the first portion 502 of the golf club head as formed in the portion 502 . The method 550 also includes (block 554 ) laser ablating the second portion surface 524 of the second portion 504 of the golf club head 100 such that a second portion ablation surface 526 is formed in the second portion 504 . . The method 550 further includes (block 556) bonding the first partial ablation surface 522 and the second partial ablation surface 526 together. Generally, the method 550 serves to produce bonding surfaces (ie, mating surfaces) of a golf club head with features that promote strong and reliable bonding between the bonding surfaces. More specifically, the features formed by laser ablating the bonding surfaces of the golf club head promote pattern uniformity and increased surface energy of the bonding surfaces, which enhances bonding between the bonding surfaces. and help improve the overall reliability and performance of the golf club head. In addition, laser ablation of the bonding surfaces can reproduce surface properties across parts and batches of parts. As defined herein, each of the first partial ablation surface 522 and/or the second partial ablation surface 526 may be a single continuous surface or a plurality of spaced (e.g., intermittent) surfaces. can be.

Conventional processes for bonding golf club head surfaces together, such as non-laser ablation surface treatments, may not provide sufficient pattern uniformity and surface energy to produce a strong and reliable bond. be. For example, chemical ablation and media blast ablation processes cannot achieve the pattern uniformity and surface energy of the bonding surface achievable by laser ablation of the present disclosure. Bonding surfaces ablated by chemical or media blasting ablation processes have an irregular and inconsistent pattern of peaks and valleys, resulting in low bond strength and non-uniformity across the bond between the bonding surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 33 , first portion laser 506 is configured to generate first portion laser beam 508 and direct first portion laser beam 508 to first portion surface 520 of first portion 502 . The first partial laser beam 508 impacts the first partial surface 520 and sublimates a portion of the first partial surface 520 to a desired depth. More specifically, the energy of the first partial laser beam 508 is sufficient to change a portion of the first partial surface 520 directly from the solid state to the gaseous state. In some examples, the desired depth is 5 microns to 100 microns, 20 microns to 50 microns, or about 30 microns. Gas sublimated from the first partial surface 520 can be sucked off, such as by a vacuum pump (not shown).

The depth of the portion of the first partial surface 520 that is sublimated (eg, removed) depends on the material of the first partial surface 520 and the properties of the first partial laser beam 508 . Characteristics of the first partial laser beam 508 include the intensity (eg, optical power per unit area), pulse frequency, and duration of impact of the first partial laser beam 508 on the first partial surface 520 . After first partial surface 520 is removed, first partial ablation surface 522 is exposed. Thus, generally speaking, first partial laser beam 508 removes the top surface of first portion 502 such that a new surface of first portion 502 is exposed. First partial ablation surface 522 (eg, fresh or exposed surface) is relatively free of contaminants (eg, oxides, moisture, etc.) present on first partial surface 520 .

Similarly, second portion laser 510 is configured to generate second portion laser beam 512 and direct second portion laser beam 512 toward second portion surface 524 of second portion 504, as shown in FIG. be done. The second partial laser beam 512 impacts the second partial surface 524 and sublimates a portion of the second partial surface 524 to a desired depth. More specifically, the energy of the second partial laser beam 512 is sufficient to change a portion of the second partial surface 524 directly from the solid state to the gaseous state. Gas sublimated from the second partial surface 524 can be sucked off, such as by a vacuum pump (not shown). The depth of the sublimated portion of the second partial surface 524 depends on the material of the second partial surface 524 and the properties of the second partial laser beam 512 . Similar to the first partial laser beam 508, the characteristics of the second partial laser beam 512 include the intensity (eg, optical power per unit area) of the impact of the second partial laser beam 512 on the second partial surface 524, the pulse frequency, and duration. Generally, first partial laser beam 508 and second partial laser beam 512 are highly focused beams of laser radiation. After second partial surface 524 is removed, second partial ablation surface 526 is exposed. Thus, generally speaking, second partial laser beam 512 removes the top surface of second portion 504 such that a new surface of second portion 504 is exposed. Second partial ablation surface 526 is relatively free of contaminants present on second partial surface 524 .

In a particular example of method 550 , first partial laser beam 508 travels along first partial surface 520 at a first partial velocity to form first partial ablation surface 522 on first portion 502 . Similarly, in some examples, second portion laser beam 510 travels along second portion surface 524 at a second portion velocity to form second portion ablation surface 526 on second portion 504 . In this way, a laser beam with a relatively small footprint can be used to create an ablation surface with a relatively large surface area. Further, in various examples, the laser beam can be split using optics into separate sub-beams to travel along and form separate portions of the ablation surface. Also, according to some examples, multiple laser beams generated from multiple lasers can be used to form the ablation surface in a single portion. The speed at which the laser beam travels along the corresponding part depends on the type of material of the part. For example, if the material in a given portion sublimes faster than the material in another portion, the laser beam may need to travel along the given portion at a faster speed compared to the other portions. . In contrast, if the material in a given portion sublimates slower than the material in the other portion, then the laser beam of a given portion should travel at a slower speed along the given portion compared to the other portions. There is

The sublimation rate, and thus the speed of movement of the laser beam along the part, depends on the type of laser that produces the laser beam and the properties of the produced laser beam. Different types of lasers produce different types of laser beams. For example, a carbon dioxide laser produces a different laser beam than that produced by a fiber laser. Similarly, Nd-YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers produce laser beams that are different from those produced by carbon dioxide lasers and fiber lasers, respectively. Further, in some examples, the laser can be selectively controlled to adjust the properties of the produced laser. For example, the laser can be selectively controlled to adjust either or both the intensity or pulse frequency of the generated laser. In general, the higher the intensity of the laser beam or the pulse frequency of the laser beam, the higher the sublimation rate.

After the first portion 502 is laser ablated to form a first partial ablation surface 522 and the second portion 504 is laser ablated to form a second partial ablation surface 526, the first partial ablation surface 522 and the second partial ablation surface 526 are formed. Surfaces 526 are bonded together. Referring to FIG. 35, first partial ablation surface 522 and second partial ablation surface 526 face each other and are bonded together along bond line 528 to form a bonded joint. Bond line 528 is defined as a structure, including but not limited to material, between first partial ablation surface 522 and second partial ablation surface 526 . Thus, in certain examples, first partial ablation surface 522 and second partial ablation surface 526 are directly bonded to each other along bond line 528 . In other words, other than the material of bond line 528, no other intervening layer is interposed between first partial ablation surface 522 and second partial ablation surface 526 in such an example. In some examples, bond line 528 includes adhesive 530 when first partial ablation surface 522 and second partial ablation surface 526 are adhesively bonded. Adhesive 530 can be any of a variety of adhesives known in the art such as glues, epoxies, resins, and the like. Additionally, adhesive 530 has a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness, or an average thickness, along bond line 528 .

In some examples, the type of first partial laser 506 , the speed of travel of first partial laser beam 508 (i.e., first partial speed), and/or the characteristics of first partial laser beam 508 may be Depends on material type. Similarly, in some examples, the type of second partial laser 510, the speed of travel of second partial laser beam 512 (i.e., the second partial speed), and/or the characteristics of second partial laser beam 512 may be Depends on the type of material of portion 504 .

According to a particular example, the first portion 502 is formed of a first material and the second portion is formed of a second material, the first material being different than the second material. In one example, first portion 502 is formed from a first type of metallic material and second portion 504 is formed from a second type of metallic material. In another example, first portion 502 is formed of a first type of non-metallic material and second portion 504 is formed of a second type of non-metallic material. In yet another example, first portion 502 is formed from a non-metallic material and second portion 504 is formed from a metallic material. In the above example, at least one of the type of the first partial laser 506, the speed of travel of the first partial laser beam 508, or the characteristics of the first partial laser beam 508 determines the type of the second partial laser 510, the second portion The moving speed of the laser beam 512 or the characteristics of the second partial laser beam 512 are different, respectively. According to some examples, the type of first partial laser 506 is different from the type of second partial laser 510 (eg, first partial laser 506 is different and separate from second partial laser 510). In some examples, the first partial speed is different than the second partial speed. In one example, the intensity of first partial laser beam 508 is different than second partial laser beam 512 . Additionally or alternatively, according to a particular example, the pulse frequency of the first partial laser beam 508 differs from the pulse frequency of the second partial laser beam 512 .

According to some examples, the first material is a fiber reinforced polymer material and the second material is a metallic material. In one example, the fiber reinforced polymeric material is at least one of a glass fiber reinforced polymeric material or a carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material, such as those described above, and the metal material is a titanium alloy, such as a cast titanium material. In these examples, at least one of the following: the first partial laser 506 is a carbon dioxide laser and the second partial laser 510 is a fiber laser; the first partial speed is slower than the second partial speed; the intensity of the first partial laser beam 508 is lower than the intensity of the second partial laser beam 512; or the pulse frequency of the first partial laser beam 508 is lower than the pulse frequency of the second partial laser beam 512; When the first part speed is slower than the second part speed, in some examples the first part speed is between 600 mm/s and 800 mm/s (eg, 700 mm/s) and the second part speed is between 600 mm/s and 800 mm/s (eg, 700 mm/s). If the intensity of the first partial laser beam 508 is less than the intensity of the second partial laser beam 512, then in a particular example the intensity of the first partial laser beam 508 is between 40 Watts and 60 Watts and the intensity of the second partial laser beam 512 is The intensity is 40-60 Watts. If the pulse frequency of the first partial laser beam 508 is lower than the pulse frequency of the second partial laser beam 512, then in some examples the pulse frequency of the first partial laser beam 508 is between 40 kHz and 60 kHz and the second partial laser beam 512 has a pulse frequency of 40 kHz to 60 kHz.

If either the first material of the first portion 502 or the second material of the second portion 504 is a fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprising a plurality of reinforcing fibers embedded in a resin or epoxy matrix, the corresponding first Partial surface 520 or second partial surface 524 is completely defined by a resin or epoxy matrix of fiber reinforced polymeric material. Thus, the first partial laser beam 508 or the second partial laser beam 512 impact and ablate only the resin or epoxy matrix without ablating the reinforcing fibers embedded therein. Further, in some examples, first portion 502 or second portion 504 are formed of layers of carbon fiber reinforced polymer material sandwiched between opposing outer layers of glass fiber reinforced polymer material. In such instances, the corresponding laser beam impacts and ablates only the resin or epoxy matrix of the glass fiber reinforced polymer material.

As shown previously, the ability to precisely control the energy, pulse frequency, and directivity of the laser has enabled laser ablation of surfaces to provide a novel approach with high peak-to-valley uniformity and high surface energy. A (eg, relatively uncontaminated) surface can be provided. In general, each pulse of the laser beam sublimates and removes a localized portion of the surface being ablated. The removed portion of the surface defines a valley (eg, depression or depression) having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the laser beam and a depth corresponding to the intensity and frequency of the laser beam. As the laser beam moves relative to the surface being ablated, each pulse of the laser beam contacts a different portion of the surface, resulting in different spaced valleys corresponding to the ablated portion. The non-removed portions of the surface define the peaks between the diagonals of the valleys, as the surface portions between the removed portions are not removed. In this way, a pattern of peaks and valleys is formed on the surface as the laser beam moves over the surface.

Referring to FIG. 33, sublimation of the first partial surface 520 results in a first partial ablation surface 522 having a first partial ablation pattern of peaks and valleys. Similarly, referring to FIG. 34, sublimation of second partial surface 524 results in second partial ablation surface 526 having a second partial ablation pattern of peaks and valleys. Examples of valley peak ablation patterns that may be represented by first and second partial ablation patterns are shown in FIGS.

Ablation pattern 540 includes multiple peaks 542 separated by multiple valleys 544 . Generally, the laser beam is moved and pulsed so that the valleys are positioned relative to each other to form the desired pattern. The valley pattern can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Further, the spacing between valleys can be uniform or non-uniform. In one example, such as shown in FIGS. 36, 45, and 46, the ablation pattern 540 is symmetrical and the spacing between valleys of the ablation pattern 540 is uniform. As shown in FIG. 36, in one example of a symmetrical pattern, the valleys of the ablation pattern 540 are evenly spaced and closely spaced from each other. This means that each valley is continuous with at least one adjacent valley and at least one adjacent peak of the pattern of peaks and valleys. In the illustrated example of FIG. 36, some valleys of the peak and valley ablation pattern 540 are bordered by four adjacent valleys and four adjacent peaks. Similarly, in the illustrated example of FIG. 36, some peaks of the peak-and-valley ablation pattern 540 are bordered by four adjacent peaks and four adjacent valleys.

In some examples, each of the valleys 544 is separated from an adjacent one of the valleys 544 by a valley distance Dvv across one of the peaks 542 and along the length L (or width) of the portion. . Valley distance Dvv is defined as the distance between one center point of valley 544 and one adjacent center point of valley 544 . Additionally, each of the valleys 544 has a valley depth dv measured from an imaginary boundary 546 that is approximately coplanar with the surface before being laser ablated. 45 and 46, each of valleys 544 has a major dimension D1 (eg, maximum dimension) and a minor dimension D2 (eg, minimum dimension). Long dimension D1 is less than or equal to short dimension D2. For example, referring to FIG. 45, if each of the valleys 544 were substantially circular, the major dimension D1 would be equal to the minor dimension D2. In other examples, however, as shown in FIG. 46, each of the valleys 544 has a non-circular shape (eg, elliptical) with a major dimension D1 greater than a minor dimension D2. In some examples, such as when the laser beam ablated surface is flat, the resulting ablation pattern includes valleys 544 that are circular. However, according to a particular example, if the surface ablated by the laser beam is curved or curvilinear, the resulting ablation pattern valleys 544 have an elliptical shape due to the curvature of the surface.

In some examples, at least one major dimension D1 of the valley 544 is between 40 microns and 80 microns, and the minor dimension D2 is equal to or only up to 10% or 20% larger than the major dimension D1, i.e., between 10 and 20 microns. Only micrometers can vary. Additionally or alternatively, the valley distance Dvv between two valleys 544 may be between 80% and 200% (preferably at least 120%) of the major dimension D1 of either one of the two valleys 544 . As defined herein, with respect to valley 544, a first valley is adjacent to a second valley if the second valley is adjacent to the first valley at the closest point. Further, in some instances, such as when the spacing between valleys is uniform, a given valley can be considered adjacent to multiple valleys. The center point of valley 544 is defined as the location of maximum depth of valley 544 , which is typically half the long dimension inward from the circumference of valley 544 . The perimeter (eg, perimeter) of the valley 544 has a variation in the valley depth dv of the valley 544 relative to the non-ablated surface of no more than 5 micrometers, preferably 0-2 micrometers relative to the non-ablated surface. Defined as the transition region.

According to one example, the uniformity of the peak and valley ablation patterns herein can be defined as the variation in the size of the valleys of the ablation pattern. As mentioned above, the substantially uncontrolled ablation patterns formed by some ablation processes, such as the media blast ablation process, contain valleys of widely different sizes, shapes and spacings. The ability to precisely control the energy, pulse frequency, and directivity of the laser results in an ablation pattern in which all valleys of the pattern have a uniform size. The uniformity of the size of valleys in an ablation pattern formed by a laser beam is the difference in size (% ). The difference (%) related to valley size is equal to the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the size of one valley in the pattern to the size of any other valley in the pattern. The smaller the difference (%) from the valley size of the ablation pattern, the higher the uniformity of the ablation pattern. In some examples, the difference (%) between the size of one valley of the predetermined pattern and any other size of the predetermined pattern is 20% or less. In other words, one valley size is within 20% of any other valley size or all other valley sizes. In another example, the difference (%) between the size of one valley in the given pattern and the size of any other valley in the given pattern is 10% or less.

The size of the valley can be expressed as cross-sectional area, major dimension D1, minor dimension D2, depth dv, or any other characteristic of valley size. In particular examples, one valley major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 is within 20% of any other one or all other corresponding major dimensions D1 or minor dimensions D2 of the valley. According to one example, one valley's major dimension D1 is within 20% of any other one or all other major dimensions D1 of the valley, and one valley's minor dimension D2 is within 20% of any other valley's major dimension D1. Within 20% of one or all other minor dimensions D2. In a particular example, one valley major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 is within 10% of any other one or all other corresponding major dimensions D1 or minor dimensions D2 of the valley. According to one example, one valley's major dimension D1 is within 10% of any other one or all other major dimensions D1 of the valley, and one valley's minor dimension D2 is within 10% of any other valley's major dimension D1. Within 10% of one or all other minor dimensions D2. Although the above examples refer to major dimension D1 and minor dimension D2 of the valley, other characteristics of valley size, such as cross-sectional area and depth, can be interchanged for major dimension D1 and minor dimension D2. .

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, peak-to-valley ablation pattern uniformity herein can be defined as the variation in distance between adjacent valleys of the ablation pattern. The ability to precisely control laser energy, pulse frequency, and directivity results in an ablation pattern in which all valleys of the pattern are evenly spaced from each other. The uniformity of the distance between valleys in the ablation pattern formed by the laser beam is the distance between two adjacent valleys in the ablation pattern relative to any other two adjacent valleys in the ablation pattern (e.g. , the difference (%) to the distance between all adjacent troughs). Valley Distance Difference (%) is the ratio (percentage) of the distance between two adjacent valleys in the pattern to the distance between any other two adjacent valleys in the pattern. ). The smaller the distance difference (%) between valleys of the ablation pattern, the more uniform the ablation pattern. In some examples, the difference (%) in the distance between two adjacent valleys of a given pattern and the distance between any other two adjacent valleys of a given pattern is 20%. It is below. In other words, the distance between two adjacent valleys is no more than 20% of the distance between any other two adjacent valleys. In another example, the difference (%) in the distance between two adjacent valleys of the given pattern and the distance between any other two adjacent valleys of the given pattern is 10% or less. is.

Corresponding to the uniformity of peaks and valleys in the ablation pattern on the ablated surface of the part disclosed herein, laser ablating the surface of the part of the golf club head also uses other types of ablation processes. It promotes having a higher surface energy compared to surfaces treated as such. As noted above, the higher surface energy of the surfaces to be bonded allows for a stronger and more reliable bond between the surfaces. The surface energy of a surface is inversely proportional to the water contact angle of the surface. In other words, the smaller the water contact angle of a surface, the higher the surface energy of that surface. The water contact angle is defined as the angle that a water droplet on a surface makes with the surface (through the water). The lower the water contact angle, the higher the wettability of the surface and the higher the adhesion of the adhesive and the surface bonding capacity of the adhesive. Therefore, the smaller the water contact angle, the better the bond and the stronger the bond. In some examples, water contact angles can be measured by using a goniometer or other measuring device. Table 4 below shows the water contact angles of various post-laser ablation surfaces of several example golf club heads prior to forming a bonded joint.

In Table 4, crown-to-hosel surface is the portion of anterior ledge ablation surface 179A of body 102 that is closer to crown portion 119 than to sole portion 117 and closer to hosel 120 than toe portion 114; The portion of front ledge ablation surface 179A of body 102 that is closer to crown portion 119 than portion 117 and toe portion 114 than hosel 120; the sole-hosel surface is closer to sole portion 117 and toe portion than crown portion 119; the portion of the anterior ledge ablation surface 179A of the body 102 that is closer to the hosel 120 than 114; It is part of the partial ablation surface 179A. Referring to Table 4, in some examples, second portion ablation surface 526 of golf club head 100 or optional laser ablation surface has a water contact angle of 2° to 25° or 5° to 18°. According to more specific examples, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is less than 50°, less than 45°, less than 40°, less than 35°, less than 30°, less than 25°, or less than 20°. be. In some examples, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is greater than 0° and less than 30° or greater than 0° and less than 25°. In a particular example, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is between 1° and 18°.

38 , 40 and 41 , in some examples, first portion 502 is striking plate 143 of golf club head 100 and second portion 504 is body 102 of golf club head 100 . In certain examples, striking plate 143 can be formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material, and body 102 can be made of cast titanium material, uncast titanium material, aluminum material, steel material, tungsten material, plastic material, and/or other materials. can be formed from a variety of materials, such as In a particular example, striking plate 143 is formed of multiple superimposed layers of fiber reinforced polymer material. In one example, striking plate 143 is formed of 35-70 superimposed layers of fiber reinforced polymer material, each having continuous fibers at an angle, and has a thickness of 3.5 mm to 6.0 mm. The angle of the fibers of the plies varies from ply to ply. Alternatively, the striking plate 143 can be made of a metallic material such as a titanium alloy and the body 102 can be made of the same metallic material or various metallic materials such as various titanium alloys. Also, the body 102 may be formed of a plurality of separately formed and subsequently attached pieces, each piece being formed of a different material, as indicated above.

When the first portion 502 is the striking plate 143 of the golf club head 100, the first portion surface 520 includes the inner surface 166, or back surface, of the striking plate 143 opposite the striking surface 145 of the striking plate 143. . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 38, the first partial laser 506 produces a first partial laser beam 508, at least partially on the inner surface 166, within and along the designated first partial bond region 548. , directs first partial laser beam 508 to impact inner surface 166, forming striking plate inner ablation surface 179C. Accordingly, only a portion (eg, the outer peripheral portion) of the entire inner surface 166 of striking plate 143 is laser ablated, and the remainder of inner surface 166 is not ablated. First partial ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, striking plate internal ablation surface 179C. In some examples, the first partial surface 520 also includes the peripheral edge surface 167 of the striking plate 145, and the first partial laser 506 produces the first partial laser beam 508 and directs the first partial laser beam 508. , impacting peripheral edge surface 167 (eg, its entirety) such that striking plate edge ablation surface 179D is formed. Accordingly, the first partial ablation surface 522 can further include the striking plate edge ablation surface 179D and the designated first partial bond area 548 can further include the peripheral edge surface 167 . In certain examples, striking plate inner ablation surface 179C and striking plate edge ablation surface 179D have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of peripheral edge surface 167 with respect to inner surface 166 , when laser ablating peripheral edge surface 167 compared to laser ablating inner surface 166 , the impact on first partial laser 506 is greater than when laser ablating inner surface 166 . The orientation of plate 143 is adjusted.

When second portion 504 is body 102 , second portion surface 524 includes plate opening recessed ledge 147 of body 102 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 39, the second laser 510 produces a second partial laser beam 512 and directs the second partial laser beam 512 within and along the designated second partial coupling region; Plate opening concave ledge 147 is impacted to form anterior ledge ablation surface 179A. Second partial ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, anterior ledge ablation surface 179A. In some examples, the second portion surface 524 also includes sidewalls 146 extending around the plate opening recessed ledge 147 and the second portion laser 510 produces a second portion laser beam 512 and a second portion laser beam 512 . Beam 512 is directed to impact sidewall 146 (eg, in its entirety) such that front sidewall ablation surface 179B is formed. Accordingly, the second partial ablation surface 526 can further include the front sidewall ablation surface 179B, and the designated second partial bond area can further include the sidewall 146. FIG. In a particular example, front ledge ablation surface 179A and front sidewall ablation surface 179B have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of the sidewall 146 to the plate opening recessed ledge 147 , the second partial laser 510 may be used when laser ablating the sidewall 146 compared to laser ablating the plate opening recessed ledge 147 . The orientation of body 102 relative to is adjusted.

In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, such as the golf club head 300 of FIG. 18, the second partial ablation surface 526 consists of two sub-components (e.g., upper cup piece 304A and lower cup piece 304A) formed of different materials. piece 304B). Thus, when second partial ablation surface 526 is laser ablated, the various materials defining second partial ablation surface 526 can be laser ablated in a single continuous process. A first of the various materials can define a first surface area of the second partial ablation surface 526 and a second of the various materials defines a second surface area of the second partial ablation surface. can be defined. In some examples, the first surface area and the second surface area can be different. According to a particular example, the first surface area is greater than the second surface area, and the first material defining the first surface area is less dense than the second material defining the second surface area. Both upper cup piece 304A and lower cup piece 304B include front ledges and sidewalls (similar to plate opening recessed ledge 147 and sidewalls 146) that can be laser ablated to define second partial ablation surface 526. .

10-13 , in some examples, first portion 502 is one of crown insert 108 or sole insert 110 and second portion 504 is body 102 . In certain examples, crown insert 108 and/or sole insert 110 can be formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material, and body 102 can be made of cast titanium material, uncast titanium material, aluminum material, steel material, tungsten material, plastic material. material, and/or other materials. Alternatively, crown insert 108 and/or sole insert 110 can be formed of a metallic material such as a titanium alloy and body 102 can be formed of the same metallic material or a different metallic material such as a different titanium alloy.

When first portion 502 is crown insert 108 , first portion surface 520 includes inner surface 108 A of crown insert 108 . Accordingly, the first partial laser 506 produces a first partial laser beam 508 which is directed at least partially on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 within and along the designated first partial bonding region. Beam 508 is directed to impact inner surface 108A of crown insert 108 to form crown insert ablation surface 108B. First partial ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, crown insert ablation surface 108B. Therefore, only a portion (eg, a peripheral portion) of the entire inner surface of crown insert 108 is laser ablated, and the remainder of the inner surface of crown insert 108 is not ablated. In some examples, the bonding area on inner surface 108A of crown insert 108 is between 2000 mm ² and 2500 mm ² , eg, at least 2,248 mm ² . Further, in certain examples, the total surface area of the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is between 7000 mm ² and 12,000 mm ² or between 9,000 mm ² and 11,000 mm ² (eg, minimum surface area between 7000 mm ² and 9,000 mm ² ). , for example between 9,379 mm ² and 10,366 mm ² (eg, about 9,873 mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 108A that is occupied by bonding regions on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% or less, 10%, 15% or less. %, 20%, or 25% or more. According to particular examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 108A that is occupied by bonding regions on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is between 20% and 25% (eg, 22%), between 20% and 27%, or 22% to 25%.

In some examples, the bonding area on inner surface 110A of sole insert 110 is between 1,800 mm ² and 2,200 mm ² , such as at least 2,076 mm ² . Further, in certain examples, the total surface area of inner surface 110A of sole insert 110 is between 7000 mm ² and 12,000 mm ² or between 9,000 mm ² and 11,000 mm ² (eg, minimum surface area between 7000 mm ² and 9,000 mm ² ). , for example between 8,182 mm ² and 9,043 mm ² (eg, about 8,613 mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of inner surface 110A that is occupied by bonding regions on inner surface 110A of sole insert 110 is 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% or less, 10%, 15%, or less. %, 20%, or 25% or more. According to particular examples, the percentage of the total surface area of inner surface 110A that is occupied by bonding areas on inner surface 110A of sole insert 110 is between 20% and 27%, between 22% and 25%, or between 21% and 26%; For example, 24%.

In some examples, the bonding area on the inner surface of striking plate 143 is between 1,770 mm ² and 2,170 mm ² , such as at least 1,976 mm ² . Further, in certain examples, the total surface area of the inner surface of striking plate 143 is less than 7,000 mm ² , such as between 1,500 mm ² and 7,000 mm ² , between 3,200 mm ² and 4,700 mm ² , or between 3,572 mm 2 and 3,572 mm ² . 3,949 mm ² (eg, about 3,761 mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface of striking plate 143 that is occupied by the bonding area of the inner surface of striking plate 143 is 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70% or less, 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45% or more. According to a particular example, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface of the striking plate 143 occupied by the bonding area of the inner surface of the striking plate 143 is between 47% and 58%, eg, 52%.

In some examples, first portion surface 520 also includes a peripheral edge surface of crown insert 108, and first portion laser 506 produces first portion laser beam 508 to form crown insert edge ablation surface 108C. , to impact the peripheral edge surface of crown insert 108 (eg, its entirety). Accordingly, the first partial ablation surface 522 can further include the crown insert edge ablation surface 108 C, and the designated first partial bond area 548 can further include the peripheral edge surface of the crown insert 108 . In certain examples, crown insert ablation surface 108B and crown insert edge ablation surface 108C can have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of the peripheral edge surface with respect to the inner surface 108A, when laser ablating the peripheral edge surface of the crown insert 108 compared to laser ablating the inner surface 108A, the first portion laser 506 has The orientation of the crown insert 108 is adjusted.

When first portion 502 is crown insert 108 , second portion surface 524 includes top plate opening recessed ledge 168 . Accordingly, the second partial laser 510 produces a second partial laser beam 512, at least partially above the top plate opening recessed ledge 168, within and along the designated second partial bonding area. Beam 512 is directed to impact upper plate opening concave ledge 168 to form upper ledge ablation surface 141A. Second partial ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, upper ledge ablation surface 141A. In some examples, the second portion surface 520 also includes an upper concave ledge sidewall that circumferentially surrounds and defines a depth of the upper plate opening concave ledge 168, and the second portion laser 510 is the second portion laser 510. Generate a laser beam 512 and direct a second partial laser beam 512 to impact the upper concave ledge sidewall (eg, its entirety) such that upper sidewall ablation surface 141B is formed. Accordingly, second partial ablation surface 526 can further include upper sidewall ablation surface 141B, and the designated second partial bond area can further include upper concave ledge sidewalls. In certain examples, upper ledge ablation surface 141A and upper sidewall ablation surface 141B can have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of the top recessed ledge sidewalls relative to the top plate opening recessed ledge 168, when laser ablating the top recessed ledge sidewalls compared to laser ablating the top plate opening recessed ledge 168: The orientation of the body 102 with respect to the second partial laser 510 is adjusted.

In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, second partial ablation surface 526 is defined by ablation surfaces of two sub-components (eg, upper cup 104 and ring 106) formed of different materials. Thus, when second partial ablation surface 526 is laser ablated, the various materials defining second partial ablation surface 526 can be laser ablated in a single continuous process.

When first portion 502 is sole insert 110 , first portion surface 520 includes inner surface 110 A of sole insert 110 . Accordingly, the first portion laser 506 produces a first portion laser beam 508, and at least a portion of the inner surface 110A of the sole insert 110 within and along the designated first portion bond region 548. Laser beam 508 is directed to impact inner surface 110A of sole insert 110 to form sole insert ablation surface 110B. First partial ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, sole insert ablation surface 110B. Thus, only a portion of the entire inner surface of sole insert 110 (eg, the outer peripheral portion) is laser ablated, and the remaining portion of the inner surface of sole insert 110 is not ablated. In some examples, first portion surface 520 also includes a peripheral edge surface of sole insert 110, and first portion laser 506 produces first portion laser beam 508 to form sole insert edge ablation surface 110C. so as to impact the peripheral edge surface (eg, its entirety) of sole insert 110 . Accordingly, first partial ablation surface 522 can further include sole insert edge ablation surface 110 C, and designated first partial bond area 548 can further include the peripheral edge surface of sole insert 110 . In certain examples, sole insert ablation surface 110B and sole insert edge ablation surface 110C can have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of the peripheral edge surface with respect to the inner surface 110A, when laser ablating the peripheral edge surface of the sole insert 110 compared to laser ablating the inner surface 110A, the first portion laser 506 may The orientation of the sole insert 110 is adjusted.

Further, when first portion 502 is sole insert 110 , second portion surface 524 includes sole opening concave ledge 170 . Accordingly, the second partial laser 510 produces a second partial laser beam 512 that extends at least partially on the sole opening concave ledge 170 into and along the designated second partial bonding area. 512 to impact sole opening concave ledge 170 to form lower ledge ablation surface 142A. Second partial ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, lower ledge ablation surface 142A. In some examples, the second portion surface 524 also includes a lower concave ledge sidewall that circumferentially surrounds and defines the depth of the sole opening concave ledge 170, and the second portion laser 510 is the second portion laser 510. A laser beam 512 is generated and directed to impact a lower concave ledge sidewall (eg, in its entirety) such that a lower sidewall ablation surface 142B is formed. Accordingly, the second partial ablation surface 526 can further include the lower sidewall ablation surface 142B, and the designated second partial bond area can further include the lower concave ledge sidewall. In certain examples, lower ledge ablation surface 142A and lower sidewall ablation surface 142B can have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, due to the angle of the lower concave ledge sidewalls relative to the sole opening concave ledge 170, when laser ablating the lower concave ledge sidewalls compared to laser ablating the sole opening concave ledge 170, a second The orientation of body 102 with respect to partial laser 510 is adjusted.

As disclosed above, in some examples, the orientation of the portion being laser ablated can be adjusted relative to the laser ablating the portion. In one example, the part is held stationary and the laser orientation or laser beam directivity is changed with respect to the part, as indicated by the dashed directional arrows in FIG. The orientation of the laser may be changed by adjusting the directivity of the laser beam produced by the laser, such as by moving the laser, such as via a numerically controlled robot, or by using electronically controllable optical components. can be done.

According to another example, in FIG. 39, the laser is held stationary (or the directivity of the laser beam is kept constant) and the portion is oriented or A part is moved relative to the laser beam. The orientation of the portion can be adjusted by fixing the portion to an adjustable platform, which can be translated or rotated to translate or rotate the portion with respect to the laser beam.

In some examples, the methods disclosed herein can be performed manually, while in other examples the methods are automated. As used herein, "automated" means operated, at least in part, by an automated device, such as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine. In some examples, the process of controlling the laser and/or controlling the orientation/position of the portion relative to the laser beam, including directivity and/or properties of the laser beam, is automated. For example, the electronic controller can control lasers and part adjustment components (eg, motors, cylinders, gears, rails, etc.) that hold and adjust the orientation/position of the part.

Because the golf club head 100 has both the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 attached to the body 102, in some examples, the method 550 may be performed such that more than one first portion 502 is a second portion. A golf club head coupled to 504 can be manufactured. In other words, in at least one example, golf club head 100 includes at least two first portions 502 coupled to second portions 504 . Further, since the golf club head 100 also includes a striking plate 148 attached to the body 102 , in certain examples, the method 550 is performed to couple at least three first portions 502 to second portions 504 . A golf club head can be manufactured.

As previously mentioned, the body 102 of the golf club head 100 includes multiple pieces that are attached together to form a multi-piece construction. For example, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, body 102 of golf club head 100 includes cast cup 104 and ring 106 . Thus, in some examples, method 550 may be performed to manufacture a golf club head body that includes first portion 502 and second portion 504 . In a particular example, first portion 502 is ring 106 and second portion 504 is casting cup 104 . As disclosed above, ring 106 and casting cup 104 may be formed of different materials. For example, ring 106 may be formed of a metal or plastic material that is relatively less dense than the material of cast cup 104, which may be formed of a cast titanium material.

Where first portion 502 is ring 106 and second portion 504 is casting cup 104, first portion surface 520 includes toe cup engaging surface 152A and heel cup engaging surface 152B. Accordingly, the first partial laser 506 produces a first partial laser beam 508, at least partially on the toe cup-engaging surface 152A and the heel-side cup engaging surface 152B, within the designated first partial bonding area and within the designated first partial bonding area. The first portion laser beam 508 is directed therealong to impact the toe cup-engaging surface 152A and the heel cup-engaging surface 152B, resulting in the toe cup-engaging ablation surface 148C and the heel cup-engaging surface 148C. 148D respectively. First partial ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, toe cup-engaging ablation surface 148C and heel cup-engaging surface 148D. In certain examples, the toe side cup-engaging ablation surface 148C and the heel side cup-engaging ablation surface 148D can have the same ablation pattern.

Correspondingly, when first portion 502 is ring 106 and second portion 504 is casting cup 104, second portion surface 524 includes toe ring engaging surface 150A and heel ring engaging surface 150B. including. Accordingly, the second partial laser 510 produces a second partial laser beam 512, at least partially on the toe ring-engaging surface 150A and the heel-side ring engaging surface 150B, within the designated second partial bond region, and on at least a portion of the beam. The second partial laser beam 512 is directed therealong to impact the toe ring-engaging surface 150A and the heel-side ring engaging surface 150B to form a toe-side ring-engaging ablation surface 148A and a heel-side ring-engaging surface 148A. 148B respectively. First partial ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, toe-side ring-engaging ablation surface 148A and heel-side ring-engaging surface 148B. In certain examples, toe-side ring-engaging ablation surface 148A and heel-side ring-engaging ablation surface 148B can have the same ablation pattern.

After ring 106 is coupled to casting cup 104 , ring 106 and casting cup 104 can together define second portion 504 to which first portion 502 is coupled according to method 550 . In other words, second portion 504 can have a multi-piece construction. Indeed, referring to FIG. 18, the casting cup can have a multi-piece construction, one piece of the casting cup being the first portion 502 and another piece of the casting cup being the second portion 504; Multiple portions (eg, formed of the same or different materials) of the casting cup have ablation surfaces that are bonded together after method 550 .

Dashed leader lines are used herein to indicate features of previous states. For example, the surface referenced by the dashed leader indicates the surface before being changed to the surface referenced by the solid leader. This method helps to understand the interrelationship between surfaces before and after ablation.

In some examples, laser ablating first portion surface 520 or laser ablating second portion surface 524 may be used to remove alpha case from the corresponding one of first portion 502 or second portion 504. is executed. In such examples, the corresponding one of first portion 502 or second portion 504 may have a layer of alphacase on first portion surface 520 or second portion surface 524, respectively, during manufacture (eg, casting) of the corresponding portion. (see, eg, US Pat. No. 10,780,327, issued Sep. 22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference). A corresponding one of first partial surface 520 or second partial surface 524 is ablated to a depth sufficient to remove the layer of alphacase from the corresponding portion. By using the laser ablation method disclosed herein, alphacase can be produced with greater precision, efficiency, and less waste material than conventional methods such as chemical etching, computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines, or abrasion techniques. can be removed.

43 and 44, alternatively only one of the two surfaces forming bond line 528 is laser ablated. According to one example, method 560 of manufacturing a golf club head of the present disclosure, such as golf club head 100 , includes (block 562 ) golf club head 100 such that second portion ablation surface 526 is formed on second portion 504 . laser ablating the second portion surface 524 of the second portion 504 of the . The method 560 further includes (block 564) bonding the first portion surface 520 of the first portion 502 and the second portion ablation surface 526 of the second portion 504 of the golf club head 100 together. In other words, instead of second portion ablation surface 526 being coupled to first portion ablation surface of first portion 502 , second portion ablation surface 526 of second portion 504 is ablated of first portion 502 . non-contact surface (ie, first partial surface 520).

In a particular example, second portion 504 of method 560 is formed of a titanium alloy, such as a cast alloy, and first portion 502 of method 560 is formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer material. For example, first portion 502 can be striking plate 143 , second portion 504 can be body 102 , and second portion ablation surface 526 can define plate opening concave ledge 147 in body 102 . can be done. However, unlike the striking plate 143 shown in FIG. 38, the inner surface 166 of the striking plate 143 used in method 560 is not laser ablated. Alternatively, the inner surface 166 of the striking plate 143 is untreated or treated using a different type of surface treatment such as media blasting or chemical etching. According to another example, the first portion 502 can be one of the crown insert 108 or the sole insert 110, the second portion 504 can be the body 102, and the second portion ablation surface. 526 can define one of a top plate opening concave ledge or a sole opening concave ledge.

According to some examples, the method 560 includes golf club head 100 similar to golf club head 100, except that striking plate 143, crown insert 108, and/or sole insert 110 do not have laser ablated surfaces. Used to manufacture heads. Alternatively, in some examples, only the body 102, which may be formed of a cast titanium alloy, includes laser ablated surfaces. According to one example, body 102 includes upper ledge ablation surface 141A, lower ledge ablation surface 142A, and anterior ledge ablation surface 179A, but crown insert 108 does not include crown insert ablation surface 108B, and sole insert 110 does not include crown insert ablation surface 108B. , does not include sole insert ablation surface 110B, and striking plate 143 does not include striking plate internal ablation surface 179C.

Each bonding joint of golf club head 100 is defined by two bonding surfaces (eg, mating surfaces). Since a bonded joint has two bonded surfaces that are equal and opposite, the surface area of each bonded joint (i.e., the bonded area of each bonded joint) is equal to one of the two bonded surfaces. defined as the surface area of only In other words, as defined herein, the bonding area of each bonded joint does not include the surface area of both bonding surfaces of the bonded joint. Accordingly, as used herein, the bonding area of the bonding joint defined between the two surfaces of the golf club head disclosed herein is covered or in direct contact with the adhesive between the two surfaces. is the surface area of any one (and only one) of the two surfaces of the coupling joint that has Given this definition, the bond area is equal to the surface area of one of the two surfaces of the adhesive (eg, adhesive 530) that define the bonded joint.

In some examples, at least one of the two bonding surfaces of at least one bonding joint of golf club head 100 is a laser ablated surface. Accordingly, the bond area of the bond joint defined by the laser ablated surfaces can be the surface area of the laser ablated surfaces. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the surface area of the ablated surface equals the bond area of the bond joint defined by the laser ablated surface. Further, the bond area of the bond joint defined by the non-ablated surface (e.g., first partial surface 520 in FIG. 44) and the ablated surface is the portion of the non-ablated surface that is bonded to the ablated surface. or the portion of the non-ablated surface covered by or in direct contact with adhesive 530 . Thus, the non-ablated surface can be larger than the surface area of the portion of the non-ablated surface that is bonded to the ablated surface of the bonded joint.

As defined herein, the surface area of a laser-ablated surface is the area of the portion of the surface covered by the pattern of peaks and valleys formed by the laser beam. Thus, the surface area of the laser ablated surface can be calculated as the product of the length times the width of the portion of the surface containing the peak and valley pattern, or the total surface area of the peaks and valleys of the peak and valley pattern. can be calculated by Further, since in some instances the bonding surfaces of a bonded joint have contours, to provide a more convenient way of calculating the area of the bonded surfaces, as defined herein: The surface area of a surface is the projected surface area, which is the surface area of the surface projected onto an imaginary plane substantially facing the surface.

Generally, the total bonded area of golf club head 100 is greater than conventional golf club heads. Additionally, a high percentage, such as 50% to 100%, of the total bonded area of the golf club head 100 is defined by laser ablated surfaces. According to one example, the second partial ablation surface 526 of golf club head 100 has a surface area between 800 mm ² and 2,880 mm ² . In this or other examples, second portion ablation surface 526 of golf club head 100 has a surface area of at least 1,560 mm ² , at least 1,770 mm ² , at least 2,062 mm ² , or at least 2,600 mm ² . As previously defined, the first partial ablation surface 520 or the first partial ablation surface 522 of the golf club head 100 defines the side of the bonding joint opposite the second partial ablation surface 526 and thus has a corresponding surface area. be able to. Referring to Table 5 below, some features of the bonding surfaces of the bonding joints of some example golf club heads disclosed herein may be the same as or different from the examples in Table 4. area and bonding area (mm ² ) are shown.

In some examples, forward sole opening concave ledge 170A (e.g., cup lower ledge ablation surface area of Table 5) defines a bonding area of approximately 1,054 mm ² , and forward crown opening concave ledge 168A (e.g., table 5). The cup top ledge ablation surface area of Table 5) defines a combined area of approximately 1,910 mm ² , and the areas of the toe-side ring-engaging surface 150A and heel-side ring-engaging surface 150B (e.g., the ring-engaging ablation surface area of Table 5) ) or heel cup-engaging surface 152A and heel-side cup engaging surface 152B (e.g., the cup-engaging ablation surface area of Table 5) are approximately 98 mm ² , with plate opening recessed ledge 147 and side wall 146 (e.g., front The front ledge ablation surface area and front sidewall ablation surface area) define a bond area of approximately 2,240 mm ² and the total bond area defined by the casting cup 104 is 5,300 mm ² . According to the same or an alternative example, posterior crown opening concave ledge 168B (e.g., ring top ledge ablation surface area of Table 5) defines a bonding area of approximately 928 mm ² and posterior sole opening concave ledge 170B (e.g., The ring lower ledge ablation surface area in Table 5) defines a bond area of approximately 1,222 mm ² and the total bond area defined by ring 106 is 2,250 mm ² .

In view of the foregoing, in some examples, the golf club head 100 includes one component or piece (e.g., ring 106) that is coupled to three other components or pieces of the golf club head 100 such that the golf club head The total bonded area between these four components or pieces of 100 is between 1,950 mm ² and 2,500 mm ² , or more preferably between 2,100 mm ² and 2,400 mm ² . According to some examples, the golf club head 100 includes one component or piece (eg, the cast cup 104) that is coupled to three other components or pieces of the golf club head 100, and the golf club head 100 The total bonding area between these four components or pieces is between 2,250 mm ² and 3,400 mm ² , or more preferably between 2,900 mm ² and 3,200 mm ² . Further, according to some examples, golf club head 100 includes one component or piece (eg, cast cup 104) coupled to four other components or pieces of golf club head 100, and golf club head 100 The total bonding area between these five components or pieces of is between 4,750 mm ² and 6,200 mm ² , or more preferably between 4,900 mm ² and 5,500 mm ² . In a particular example, the golf club head includes one component or piece (eg, upper cup piece 304A) that is coupled to five other components or pieces of golf club head 100, and these six components or pieces of golf club head 100 are The total bonded area between two components or pieces is between 5,500 mm ² and 7,000 mm ² , or more preferably between 5,700 mm ² and 6,300 mm ² .

The golf club head of the present disclosure has a high bond area between multiple pieces of the golf club head relative to the volume of the golf club head. In other words, for a given size of golf club head, the bonding area is significantly greater than conventional golf club heads. According to some examples, the volume of a golf club head, such as the golf club head 100 disclosed herein, is between 450cc and 600cc, more preferably between 450cc and 470cc. Further, in certain examples, the bond volume ratio, i.e., the ratio of the total bond area of the plurality of bond joints of the golf club head to the volume of the golf club head, is at least 3.75 mm ² /cc and at most 15.5 mm ² /cc. cc (eg, at least 9.1 mm ² /cc and up to 14.0 mm ² /cc). In some examples, the bonded volume ratio of at least some of the golf club head examples disclosed herein is at least 7.9 mm ² /cc and up to 13.7 mm ² /cc (e.g., at least 8.1 mm ² /cc and up to 12.2 mm ² /cc). Further, in some examples, the bonded volume ratio of at least some of the golf club head examples disclosed herein is at least 3.75 mm ² /cc and up to 7.5 mm ² /cc (eg, at least 4.5 mm 2 /cc). 8 mm ² /cc and up to 7.1 mm ² /cc).

According to some alternatives, the bond volume ratio, i.e., the ratio of the total bond area of the plurality of bond joints of the golf club head to the volume of the golf club head, is at least 10 mm ² /cc and up to 18.8. (eg, at least 10 mm ² /cc and up to 15.5 mm ² /cc or at least 11.6 mm ² /cc and up to 17.7 mm ² /cc). In some examples, the bonded volume ratio of at least some of the golf club head examples disclosed herein is at least 10.5 mm ² /cc and up to 15.3 mm ² /cc, and at least 11.6 mm ² /cc up to 18.8 mm ² /cc, or at least 12.1 mm ² /cc up to 17.5 mm ² /cc.

The golf club head disclosed herein is formed of multiple pieces that are adhesively bonded together. Accordingly, in some examples, the golf club heads disclosed herein include multiple pieces that are joined together via an adhesive such that the portions or pieces of the golf club head are not welded together.

The bond area of a bond joint is determined by the width (W _BA ) and length (L _BA ) of the bond joint (see, eg, FIG. 15). The width W _BA can be variable along the length L _BA of the coupling joint. Generally, the length L _BA of the bond area of the bond joint is greater than the width W _BA of the bond area of the bond joint. The bond joint can be continuous such that the bond area length L _BA of the bond joint is continuous. However, in some examples, the bond joints are non-continuous or intermittent such that the bond area length L _BA of the bond joint is the sum of the bond joint spacing lengths. Width W _BA and length L _BA of the bond areas of only two bond joints (eg, bond areas associated with forward crown opening recessed ledge 168A and aft crown opening recessed ledge 168B) are shown in FIG. Although not labeled, each bond region of the bond joint of golf club head 100 has a corresponding width W _BA and length L _BA similar to that shown in FIG. It is recognized that 100 other features are shown and not labeled for ease of other labeling. Further, with respect to the length L _BA defined herein, the length L _BA of the bond area of the bond joint is the maximum length of the bond area. Thus, the bond region may have two lengths, such as a maximum length (eg, along the perimeter of the bond region as shown in FIG. 15) and a minimum length (eg, along the inner perimeter of the bond region). The length L _BA of the binding regions is defined herein to be the longest or largest length of the binding regions when they can be considered to have different lengths.

According to some examples, the bond region of at least one bond joint of golf club head 100 has a continuous length L _BA of between 174 mm and 405 mm, eg, at least 250 mm. For example, the total bond area defined by anterior crown opening concave ledge 168A and posterior crown opening concave ledge 168B has a continuous length L _BA of at least 268 mm, at least 300 mm, at least 316 mm, at least 353 mm, or at least 370 mm. As another example, the total bonded area defined by forward sole opening concave ledge 170A and rear sole opening concave ledge 170B has a continuous length L _BA of at least 281 mm, at least 314 mm, at least 331 mm, at least 350 mm, or at least 367 mm. have. According to yet another example, the bonding area defined by plate opening recessed ledge 147 has a continuous length L _BA of at least 174 mm, at least 194 mm, at least 205 mm, at least 250 mm, or at least 262 mm. According to some examples, the combined length of the plurality of coupling joints is at least 723 mm and at most 1,094 mm, such as 852 mm to 953 mm.

In some examples, the length-to-area ratio of the bond defined by the anterior crown opening concave ledge 168A and the posterior crown opening concave ledge 168B equal to the ratio of the length L _BA to the bond area of the bond joint is 0. .13 to 0.16, for example about 0.15. Further, in some examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by forward sole opening concave ledge 170A and rear sole opening concave ledge 168B is between 0.13 and 0.16, such as about 0.15. be.

Further, in some examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by forward sole opening concave ledge 170A and rear sole opening concave ledge 168B is between 0.13 and 0.16, such as about 0.15. be.

Further, in some examples, the bond length to area ratio defined by the plate opening concave ledge 147 is between 0.10 and 0.13, eg, about 0.11.

Although not specifically shown, the golf club head 100 of the present disclosure may include other features that enhance the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100. For example, the golf club head 100 is, in some implementations, described in US Pat. Nos. 6,773,360; 7,166,040, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 7,452,285; 7,628,707; 7,186,190; 7,591,738; 7,963,861; 7,621,823; 7,448,963; 7,568,985; 7,578,753 No. 7,717,804; No. 7,717,805; No. 7,530,904; No. 7,540,811; 7,407,447; 7,632,194; 7,846,041; 7,419,441; 7,713,142 7,744,484; 7,223,180; 7,410,425; and 7,410,426, by Including movable weight features similar to those described in detail.

In certain implementations, for example, the golf club head 100 is designed according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,775,905 and 8,444,505, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/898,313 filed May 20, 2013; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/047,880 filed October 7, 2013; filed September 18, 2012 U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/702,667, filed March 15, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. , 918; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/789,838, filed July 1, 2015; U.S. patent application Ser. Similar to those described in more detail in patent application Ser. No. 62/065,552 filed Oct. 17; Includes slidable weight features.

According to some embodiments, the golf club head 100 is similar to that described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0123040A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Includes aerodynamic shape features.

In certain implementations, golf club head 100 includes a removable shaft similar to that described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,431, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Contains features.

Further, in accordance with some implementations, the golf club head 100 is designed according to US Pat. Nos. 8,025,587; 8,235,831, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0312437A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0258818A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0122601A1; Adjustable loft/lie features similar to those described in more detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0071264A1; and US Patent Application No. 13/686,677. include.

Further, in some implementations, the golf club head 100 is described in US Pat. No. 8,337,319; US Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0152000A1, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 2011/0312437, 2012/0122601A1; and U.S. Patent Application No. 13/686,677. Contains features.

In some implementations, the golf club head 100 is described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 11/998,435; 11/642,310; 11/825,138; 11/823,638; 12/004,386; 12/004,387; 11/960,609 US Pat. No. 11/960,610; and US Pat. No. 7,267,620.

According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf club head, such as golf club head 100, includes one or more of the following steps: (1) forming a body having a sole opening; and injection molding a thermoplastic composite head component over the sole insert to create a sole insert unit and joining the sole insert unit to the body; (2) forming a body having a crown opening; forming a composite laminate crown insert, injection molding a thermoplastic composite head component onto said crown insert to create a crown insert unit, and joining said crown insert unit to said body; (3) said body; (4) forming a weight track capable of supporting one or more slidable weights; (4) forming the sole insert and/or the sole insert and/or the (5) having continuous fibers selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, and any combination thereof, and made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide, polypropylene, thermal Sole insert and/or from continuous fiber composite material having a thermoplastic matrix consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurea, polyamideamide (PAI), polyetheramide (PEI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and any combination thereof (6) forming both the sole insert and the weight track from a thermoplastic composite material with a compatible matrix; (7) forming the sole insert from a thermoset material and heat Coating the sole insert with an activated adhesive and forming a weight track from a thermoplastic material that can be injection molded onto the sole insert after the coating process; (8) titanium, one or more titanium alloys, aluminum. , one or more aluminum alloys, steel, one or more steel alloys, polymers, plastics, and any combination thereof; (9) said body having a crown opening; forming a body, forming said crown insert from a composite laminate material, and joining said crown insert to said body such that said crown insert overlies a crown opening; (10) to reinforce a golf club head; one or more ribs for adjusting the acoustic properties of the golf club head; one or more weight ports for receiving fixed weights in the sole portion of the golf club head; (11) forming the sole insert and crown insert from a continuous carbon fiber composite material; (12) suitable for thermosetting. (13) polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamides, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, and a thermoplastic carbon fiber material crown opening having a matrix selected from the group consisting of plastic polyurea, polyamidoamide (PAI), polyetheramide (PEI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and any combination thereof; (13) forming a frame having a crown opening and forming a crown insert from a thermoplastic composite; and join the crown insert to the body so that the crown insert overlies the crown opening.

Throughout this specification, the terms "an embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar terms may be used to refer to at least one implementation of the present disclosure when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment It means to be included in the form. The phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar terms throughout this specification may, but do not always, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, use of the term "implementation" means an implementation that has the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Implementations may be associated with one or more embodiments when there is no such correlation.

In the foregoing description, certain terms such as "upper", "lower", "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "upper", "lower" are used. may be These terms are used, where applicable, for clarity of explanation when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, for an object, simply flipping the object can make the "top" surface become the "bottom" surface. Nevertheless, this object is still the same object. Further, the terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including, but not limited to," unless otherwise specified. . The enumerated list of items is not meant to be mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive of some or all of the items unless otherwise specified. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also mean "one or more," unless stated otherwise. Further, the term "plurality" may be defined as "at least two." In some embodiments, the term "about" can be defined to mean within +/-5% of a given value.

Further, examples herein of one element being "coupled" to another element can include direct and indirect couplings. A direct bond can be defined as one element being bonded to and in some degree of contact with another element. An indirect bond can be defined as a bond between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other and have one or more additional elements between the bonded elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another can include direct securing and indirect securing. Moreover, as used herein, "adjacent" does not necessarily imply contact. For example, an element can be adjacent to another element without being in contact with the other element.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one," when used with a list of items, indicates that one or more different combinations of the items in the list can be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. An item can be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, "at least one" means that any combination of items or any number of items from the list can be used, but not all items in the list are required. For example, "at least one of item A, item B, and item C" means item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; obtain. In some cases, "at least one of item A, item B, and item C" includes, but is not limited to, two of item A, one of item B, and 10 of item C; 4 of item B and 7 of item C; or any other suitable combination.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels and imply ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements for the items to which they refer. It is not intended to impose. Further, for example, reference to a “second” item may be used to refer to, for example, the “first”, ie lower numbered item, and/or, for example, the “third”, ie higher numbered item. neither requires nor excludes the existence of

As used herein, any system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is “configured” to perform a specified function is in fact capable of performing the specified function after further modification. can perform the specified functions without any modification. In other words, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured” to perform a particular function is not specifically selected, made, or implemented for the purpose of performing the particular function. , used, programmed and/or designed. As used herein, "configured" means a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enables the performance of a specified function without further modification. Denote existing characteristics of a structure, article, element, component, or hardware. For purposes of this disclosure, any system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as “configured” to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively It is said to be "adapted" and/or "operable" to perform a function.

The subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims (20)

A driver type golf club head,
a forward portion including a striking surface;
a rear portion opposite the front portion;
crown part and
a sole portion opposite to the crown portion;
a heel part;
comprising said heel portion and an opposite toe portion;
the volume of the driver-type golf club head is between 390 cubic centimeters (cc) and 600 cc;
the total mass of the driver-type golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g;
The driver-type golf club head comprises: at least one first material having a density of 0.9 g/cc to 3.5 g/cc; formed from a second material and at least one third material having a density between 5.6 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc;
the at least one first material has a first mass that is no greater than 55% and no less than 25% of a total mass of the driver-type golf club head;
the at least one second material has a second mass that is no greater than 65% and no less than 20% of a total mass of the driver-type golf club head;
The at least one third material is a total mass of the driver-type golf club head less a first mass of the at least one first material and a second mass of the at least one second material A driver-type golf club head having a third mass equal to . 2. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the third mass of the at least one third material is no less than 5% and no more than 50% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head. 2. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the third mass of the at least one third material is no less than 10% and no greater than 20% of the total mass of the driver-type golf club head. The driver-type golf club head has a body including a cast cup and a ring joined to the cast cup via a joint,
said cast cup defines said forward portion of said driver-type golf club head and is formed from at least said at least one second material;
said at least one second material comprises at least a first metallic material having a density between 4.0 g/cc and 8.0 g/cc;
The driver-type golf of claim 1, wherein the ring defines the rear portion of the driver-type golf club head and is formed of a material having a density of 0.5 g/cc to 4.0 g/cc. club head. said first metallic material of said casting cup comprising at least one of a titanium alloy and a steel alloy;
5. The driver-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein the ring material includes at least one of an aluminum alloy and a magnesium alloy. said first metallic material of said casting cup comprising at least one of a titanium alloy and a steel alloy;
5. The driver-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein the ring material comprises a non-metallic material. said at least one first material is a fiber reinforced polymeric material comprising continuous fibers;
The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein each of said continuous fibers has a length of at least 50 millimeters. 8. The driver-type golf club head of claim 7, wherein each of said continuous fibers of said fiber-reinforced polymer material does not extend from said crown portion to said sole portion of said driver-type golf club head. 8. The driver-type golf club head of claim 7, wherein each of said continuous fibers of said fiber reinforced polymer material does not extend from said crown portion to said forward portion. said at least one first material comprises a fiber reinforced polymeric material;
3. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the fiber reinforced polymeric material comprises a thermoset polymer. The driver-type golf club head has a body including a cast cup and a ring joined to the cast cup via a joint,
the body includes a crown opening;
said casting cup including a forward crown opening recessed ledge defining a forward section of said crown opening;
2. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the ring includes a rearward crown opening recessed ledge defining a rearward section of the crown opening. the body includes a sole opening;
the cast cup includes a forward sole opening concave ledge defining a forward section of the sole opening;
said ring including a posterior sole opening concave ledge defining a posterior section of said sole opening;
the driver-type golf club head further comprising a crown insert and a sole insert;
the crown insert defines the crown portion;
the crown insert surrounds the crown opening;
said crown insert being formed from a material having a density between 0.5 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc;
the sole insert defines the sole portion;
the sole insert surrounds the sole opening;
the sole insert is formed from a material having a density between 0.5 g/cc and 4.0 g/cc;
the thickness of the sole insert is greater than the thickness of the crown insert,
wherein the crown insert includes a crown insert outer surface defining an outwardly facing surface of the crown portion of the driver-type golf club head;
wherein the sole insert includes a sole insert outer surface defining an outwardly facing surface of the sole portion of the driver-type golf club head;
the total surface area of the sole insert outer surface is smaller than the total surface area of the crown insert outer surface;
12. The driver-type golf club head of claim 11, wherein the total mass of the crown insert is less than the total mass of the sole insert. wherein the sole insert comprises a first laminate;
said crown insert comprising a second laminate;
13. The driver-type golf club head of claim 12, wherein the number of layers of said first laminate is greater than the number of layers of said second laminate. a body in which the driver-type golf club head includes a cast cup and a ring joined to the cast cup via a joint;
a striking plate defining the striking surface;
the cast cup defines the forward portion of the driver-type golf club head;
the casting cup includes a plate opening;
2. The driver-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the striking plate is joined to the cast cup and surrounds the plate opening of the cast cup. 15. The driver-type golf club head of claim 14, wherein the striking plate is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material. 15. The driver-type golf club head according to claim 14, wherein the striking plate is formed from a metallic material. said casting cup further comprising a plate opening recessed ledge defining said plate opening;
15. The driver-type golf club head of claim 14, wherein the striking plate is in seating engagement with the plate opening recessed ledge of the cast cup. 18. The driver-type golf club head of claim 17, wherein the striking plate is adhesively bonded to the plate opening recessed ledge. the cast cup defines a portion of the crown portion, the sole portion, the heel portion, and the toe portion of the driver-type golf club head;
15. The driver-type golf club head of claim 14, wherein the striking plate abuts the crown portion of the driver-type golf club head and defines a topline of the driver-type golf club head. 20. The striking plate of claim 19, wherein the striking plate visually contrasts with the crown portion of the driver-type golf club head to visually emphasize the topline of the driver-type golf club head. Driver type golf club head.

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