JP2023505274A - Golf club head with face reinforcement structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments of the lightweight golf clubs described herein include thin crowns, thin soles, mass efficient weight systems, and thin faceplates for swing speeds of less than 85 mph. maximizing performance gains (eg, ball distance, impact efficiency, and ball velocity) for individuals who are Further, to achieve a lightweight golf club head (having a thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system, and thin faceplate), the golf club head further includes: , a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge for controlling characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the golf club head. [Selection drawing] Fig. 8

Description

The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to golf club heads having one or more thickened regions.

(Data of related applications)
This application is made in accordance with U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/076,859, filed September 10, 2020, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/073,849, filed September 2, 2020, and 2019 No. 62/944,968, filed Dec. 6, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Golf can be played by a wide variety of individuals, generally categorized by age, gender, fitness, and flexibility. Because of this diverse group of individuals (or golfers), golf club manufacturers often produce golf clubs that cater to the full range of golfers, including slow, medium and fast swing speed golfers. will be designed. Therefore, individuals with slow and medium swing speeds are often best suited to their unique swing signatures because golf club manufacturers design golf clubs for all individuals. You may be using golf clubs that are not. In exchange, many golfers will sacrifice impact efficiency, resulting in ball flight far from being maximized. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a golf club head, and more particularly, a driver-type golf club head designed to provide maximum performance for low and medium swing speed golfers. exist.

1 illustrates an outboard heel and rear perspective view of a golf club head; FIG.

2 illustrates a view of the outer apex or crown of the golf club head of FIG. 1;

2 illustrates a view of the outer bottom or sole of the golf club head of FIG. 1;

2 illustrates an exterior front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in an address position; FIG.

5 illustrates a rear interior view of the faceplate with variable face thickness of FIG. 4 in the address position; FIG.

2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a weight assembly attached to the club head; FIG.

2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 without a weight assembly attached to the club head; FIG.

2 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a sole-to-faceplate bridge and a crown-to-faceplate bridge; FIG.

FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up view of the crown-faceplate bridge of FIG. 8;

2 illustrates a rear interior view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a sole-faceplate bridge; FIG.

11 illustrates a close-up view of the sole-faceplate bridge of FIG. 10; FIG.

Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, these drawings illustrate general modes of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques are included to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. may be omitted for this reason. Additionally, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numbers in different figures refer to the same elements.

Presented herein are golf clubs, particularly lightweight, wood-type golf clubs designed for golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph (eg, low and medium swing speeds). Generally, the lightweight golf clubs described herein have swing speeds of less than 85 mph with thin crowns, thin soles, mass efficient weight systems, and/or thin faceplates. Individually targeted performance gains (eg, ball flight, impact efficiency, and ball speed) may be maximized. Further, to achieve a lightweight golf club (having a thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system, and thin faceplate), the golf club head further: A crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge are provided for controlling characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head.

Construction of golf clubs specifically targeted to unique swing speed tiers (i.e. slow and medium swing speeds) caters to the full spectrum of golfers (i.e. slow, medium and high swing speeds) Rather than using golf clubs configured to play, these individuals can be enabled to use golf clubs that match their swing signatures. Thus, for durability purposes, this reduces the need to create a golf club head capable of withstanding the extreme load (and/or stress) conditions imparted from high swing speeds. This allows the golf club heads described herein to have a reduced club head mass-to-volume ratio, improved mass placement, and a thinner faceplate.

The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc. in the description and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements, if any. used and not necessarily to describe any particular sequential or chronological order. It should be understood that these terms, so used, may occur in any order other than the order in which the embodiments described herein, for example, are illustrated or otherwise described herein. are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances so as to allow operation with Furthermore, the terms "including" and "comprising", and any conjugations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, whereby processes, methods, systems, including lists of elements , articles, devices, or apparatus are not necessarily limited to those elements, but rather are not explicitly recited, or such processes, methods, systems, articles, devices, or apparatus are inherently Make it possible to include other elements that it does not have.

Terms such as "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "above" and "below" in the description and claims are When present, they are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that these terms, as so used, may be used when the embodiments of the apparatus, methods and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, illustrated herein or Other embodiments are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances to allow operation in orientations other than those described.

The golf club heads described herein can be driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type golf clubs, or hybrid-type club heads, as described below. In many embodiments, the golf club head can be a wood-type golf club head (i.e., a driver-type golf club head, a fairway wood-type golf club head, or a hybrid-type golf club head). be. Driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, and hybrid-type golf club heads can be characterized by loft angle, head volume, and/or head weight, as described above.

1. loft angle - driver

As used herein, the term "driver-type golf club head" can be defined by a loft angle.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the driver-type club head is less than about 16 degrees, less than about 15 degrees, less than about 14 degrees, less than about 13 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, less than about 11 degrees, less than about 10 degrees. , less than about 9 degrees, less than about 8 degrees, or less than about 7 degrees.

2. Loft Angle - Fairway Wood

As used herein, the term "fairway wood type golf club head" may be defined by one or more of loft angle or club head material.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the fairway wood type club head is less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Is possible. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head is greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 13 degrees, greater than about 14 degrees, greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 16 degrees. Greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the fairway wood type club head is between 12 degrees and 35 degrees, between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, between 20 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 12 degrees and 30 degrees. can be between degrees.

3. Material - fairway wood

The fairway wood type golf club head material can be constructed from any material that is used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, fairway wood type golf club head materials include: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloys. , steel alloys, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloys, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloys, steel alloys or any other known metallic or composite materials for making fairway wood type golf club heads; can be constructed from any one or a combination of In many embodiments, fairway wood type golf club heads are constructed from titanium alloys and/or composite materials.

4. Loft - Hybrid

As used herein, the term "hybrid-type golf club head" may be defined by one or more of loft angle or club head materials.

In many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid-type club head is less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees. , less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid-type club head is greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees. greater than about 21 degrees, greater than about 22 degrees, greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, or greater than about 25 degrees.

5. Material - Hybrid

The hybrid-type golf club head material can be constructed from any material that is used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, hybrid type golf club head materials include the following: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloys, any of steel alloys, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloys, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloys, steel alloys or any other known metal or composite material for making hybrid type golf club heads can be constructed from one or a combination of In many embodiments, hybrid-type golf club heads can be constructed from titanium alloys and/or composite materials.

Before any embodiment of this disclosure is discussed in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure may be set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings in that application: The details of construction and the arrangement of the components are not limited. This disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

In the following, a lightweight golf club having a mass conservative faceplate and a mass conservative body compared to golf club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour Describe the head. The body and faceplate together form a golf club head defining a hollow interior. The body has a crown, a sole, a toe, a heel, and a rear portion that define an inner cavity. The crown, sole, toe and heel of the body define openings configured to receive the faceplate.

As noted above, in many embodiments, the faceplates described herein can be designed according to specific swing speed layers. As a non-limiting example, a first demographic with swing speeds less than 85 miles per hour (mph) has a thinner face than a second demographic with swing speeds greater than 100 miles per hour (mph). A golf club with a plate (thus a less mass intensive faceplate) can be used. This allows the first user tier to ball faster (because of the increased face deflection caused by the thinning of the faceplate) compared to using a golf club head designed for the second user tier. It is now able to experience speed and increased ball flight, both while maintaining its durability. In this unique scenario, durability issues posed by faceplate thinning are not readily apparent (for the first user demographic) because of the low to medium impact speeds, but faceplate thickness thinning may result in an unrestrained increase in CT.

In many embodiments, the faceplate can have a variable thickness profile to correspondingly control or modify the CT across the faceplate (while maintaining a thin, lightweight faceplate). A variable thickness profile tunes the CT by allowing for thickening only in desired areas. By contrast, however, for golf club heads designed for swing speeds greater than 100 miles per hour, simply implementing a variable face thickness profile may not be sufficient to control CT accordingly. Accordingly, in order to further control, modify and/or reduce the characteristic temporal characteristics (CT) of the club head, a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge are internally and integrally formed within the club head. is formed in

The variable wall thickness of the faceplate can include a perimeter region, a toe region, a heel region, an upper transition region, a lower transition region, and a center region. The perimeter region can be substantially elliptical and circumscribes the toe region, heel region, upper transition region, lower transition region, and center region. A toe region extends from the boundaries of the outer perimeter, the upper transition region, and the lower transition region. A heel region extends from the boundaries of the outer periphery, the upper transition region, and the lower transition region. A central region extends from and borders the upper transition region and the lower transition region. In many embodiments, the variable wall thickness (VFT) of the faceplate is such that the outer perimeter is from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the faceplate, and from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the faceplate. The outermost regions may be defined as followed by the heel and toe portions, the upper and lower transition regions, and finally the central region.

In general, the portion of the golf club head that has the largest characteristic time measurement is typically (1) toward the geometric center of the faceplate, and (2) from the geometric center of the faceplate to the toe of the faceplate. (3) offset from the geometric center toward the top edge of the faceplate, or a combination thereof. These areas can potentially have characteristic time measurements that are at, near, or close to the CT threshold (ie, the USGA and R&A CT limits). Therefore, in one or more thin faceplate embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce the CT at the toe portion of the faceplate and increase the CT at the heel portion of the faceplate. In these circumstances, the toe region of the VFT can have a greater wall thickness than the heel region of the VFT. This creates a faceplate that is stiffer in the toe portion and more flexible in the heel portion. In part, this results in a more uniform CT across the faceplate.

As noted above, having a faceplate with a variable face thickness profile facilitates control (and/or reduction) of CT, but reduces the increased face deflection caused by a thin, lightweight faceplate. The reason is that simply implementing a VFT is not sufficient to control the CT accordingly. Accordingly, to further adjust CT without adding mass-intensive features, the golf club head can include crown-faceplate bridges and/or sole-faceplate bridges. The crown-faceplate bridge and/or the sole-faceplate bridge can be positioned in portions of the golf club head that are areas of less displacement and/or stress during golf ball impact. This allows strengthening/thickening certain portions of the transition region between the faceplate and the crown and/or certain portions of the transition region between the faceplate and the sole. resulting in localized and/or specialized stiffening to adjust the dynamic response characteristics (i.e., CT) of the golf club head with negligible effect on impact ball velocity. .

Golf club head composition and setup

Further, as described below, to achieve a lightweight golf club that satisfies a predetermined mass/volume ratio, the golf club head is compared to conventional club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Then you have a thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system and thin faceplate. The thinning of these structural features (i.e., thin crown, thin sole, mass efficient weight system, and thin faceplate) increases the flexibility of the golf club head, This correlates with an increase in CT. Therefore, in order to limit (or offset) the increase in CT and ensure that the club is USGA compliant, the golf club head also requires no increase in faceplate wall thickness (i.e., faceplate flexibility). (without limitation) a crown-faceplate bridge and/or a sole-faceplate bridge for controlling (or reducing) the characteristic time (CT) characteristics of the club head. The club head achieves these properties at swing speeds of less than 85 miles per hour.

In many embodiments, a golf club head includes a club head body (which may also be referred to as a "body"). The club head body includes a toe (or toe portion), a heel (or heel portion), a crown (or crown portion), a sole (or sole portion), a rear portion, and a faceplate configured to receive the faceplate. forming an opening. The faceplate can provide a surface adapted for impact with a golf ball. The rear portion is spaced rearwardly from the faceplate. The sole portion is defined as being between the faceplate and the rear portion and resting on the ground plane (or playing surface) at the address position. A crown (or crown portion) may be formed on the opposite side of the sole (or sole portion). A faceplate may be defined by the sole, crown, heel, and toe of a golf club head.

As previously mentioned, the golf club head can be configured to reside at an "address position." Unless otherwise stated or stated, the golf club head is at the address position for all of the reference measurements, ratios and/or descriptive parameters. The address position is such that (1) the sole of the golf club head rests on the ground plane, said ground plane in contact with and parallel to the playing surface, and (2) the faceplate is: It can be referred to as being in a state where it can be substantially perpendicular to the ground plane.

A club head faceplate defines a geometric center. In some embodiments, the geometric center can be located at the geometric center point of the faceplate perimeter and at the midpoint of the face height. In the same or another example, the geometric center can be centered relative to the engineered impact zone, and the engineered impact zone can be defined by the area of the groove on the faceplate. As another approach, the geometric center of the faceplate can be located according to the regulations of golf governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center of the faceplate may be determined by the USGA's Procedure for Measuring Golf Club Head Flexibility, Section 6.1 (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008). (Available at http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head/) ("Flexible Procedure ”).

The club head further defines a loft surface tangent to the geometric center of the faceplate. Face height may be measured parallel to the loft plane between the top edge of the faceplate perimeter near the crown and the bottom edge of the faceplate perimeter near the sole. In these embodiments, the perimeter of the faceplate may be positioned along the outer edge of the faceplate where the curvature deviates from the bulge and/or undulation of the faceplate.

The geometric center of the faceplate further defines a coordinate system with an origin located at the geometric center of the faceplate, which coordinate system has an X' axis, a Y' axis, and a Z' axis. The X'-axis extends through the geometric center of the faceplate in the heel-to-toe direction of the club head. The Y'-axis extends perpendicular to the X'-axis in a crown-to-sole direction of the club head through the geometric center of the faceplate, and the Z'-axis is the geometric center of the faceplate. , in a direction from the front end (eg, faceplate) of the club head to the back, perpendicular to the X' and Y' axes.

The coordinate system defines an X'Y' plane extending through the X' and Y' axes. The X'Y' plane extends parallel to the hosel axis (not shown) and is positioned at an angle from the loft surface 164 corresponding to the loft angle of the club head. Additionally, the X'-axis may be positioned at an angle of 60 degrees to the hosel axis when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane. In these or other embodiments, the club head can be viewed from a front view (FIG. 4) when the faceplate is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane.

I. embodiment

Many of the golf club head embodiments described below (FIGS. 1-11) are driver-type golf clubs configured to increase performance for golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour (mph). A head 100 is illustrated. Further, as described below, the increased performance is due, at least in part, to crown-faceplate bridge 106 and/or sole-faceplate bridge 107, thinner crown 102, thinner sole 103, and variable thickness profile 111. , combined with a lightweight, flexible faceplate 105 and a mass efficient weight system 104 having a As discussed below, the combination of these features and attributes help prevent durability and CT problems while increasing club head performance for golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour.

Mass Properties of Golf Club Heads

Referring to FIGS. 1-11, body 101 and faceplate 105 of golf club head 100 are joined together to define a hollow interior cavity. Body 101 includes crown 102, sole 103, toe 108, heel 109 and rear portion 110 defining a hollow inner cavity. Crown 102 , sole 103 , toe 108 and heel 109 of the body define an opening configured to receive faceplate 105 . The faceplate 105 can provide a surface adapted for impact with a golf ball. Rear portion 110 is spaced rearwardly from faceplate 105 . Sole 103 is defined as being between faceplate 105 and rear portion 110 and resting on ground plane 120 (or playing surface) at the address position. Crown 102 may be formed on the opposite side of sole 103 .

By making a golf club head used (only) by golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour, the structural mass of many features of the club head (i.e., crown, sole, faceplate, etc.) It allows for a reduction (or thinner wall) than was traditionally required by golf club heads used by golfers at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour (conventional golf clubs). This creates a golf club head that is significantly more flexible than conventional golf clubs, which results in increased CT characteristics of the club head. Therefore, by implementing an integrally formed crown-to-faceplate bridge or sole-to-faceplate bridge, it is possible to create a club head with an inherently high CT without the need to add wall thickness (or mass) to the entire faceplate. Regions can be locally thickened. In a conventional club head, the primary option for reducing the CT characteristics of the club head is to thicken the entire face (rather than just the face perimeter). Accordingly, the crown-faceplate bridge and the sole-faceplate bridge assist in making a lightweight golf club head. In many embodiments, golf club head 100 weighs about 3 grams, about 4 grams, about 5 grams, about 6 grams, about 7 grams, about 8 grams, or about 9 grams more than conventional golf club heads. It is possible to be light.

driver type golf club head

To achieve a lightweight (but durable) golf club head 100, the total mass of the golf club head 100 can be between approximately 190 grams and 200 grams. In many embodiments, the combined mass of the golf club head 100 is between about 190 grams and 192 grams, between about 192 grams and 194 grams, between about 194 grams and 196 grams, between about 196 grams and 198 grams. , or between about 198 grams and 200 grams. In further embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head 100 is less than 200 grams, less than 199 grams, less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, less than 192 grams, Or it can be less than 191 grams. In other embodiments, the combined mass of the golf club head 100 is about 190 grams, about 191 grams, about 192 grams, about 193 grams, about 194 grams, about 195 grams, about 196 grams, about 197 grams, about 198 grams. , about 199 grams, or about 200 grams. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the total club head mass (ie, club head body coupled to the faceplate) is approximately 194 grams. For comparison purposes, a conventional golf club head designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour has a total club head mass of over 203 grams.

Making a lightweight golf club head 100 does not necessarily mean trading off (or reducing) the volume of the club head 100 . For example, the volume of golf club head 100 can be between about 444cc and about 460cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 is between about 444cc and about 448cc, between about 448cc and about 450cc, between about 450cc and about 452cc, between about 452cc and about 454cc, between about 454cc and about It can be between 456cc, between about 456cc and about 458cc, or between about 458cc and about 460cc. In other embodiments, the volume of the golf club head 100 is about 444cc, about 445cc, about 446cc, about 447cc, about 448cc, about 449cc, about 450cc, about 451cc, about 452cc, about 453cc, about 454cc, about 455cc, It can be about 456cc, about 457cc, about 458cc, about 459cc, or about 460cc. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, the total volume of club head 100 is 460cc.

によって特徴付けることができる。多くの実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッド１００の質量対体積比は、約０．４０から約０．４４の間であることが可能である。多くの実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッド１００の質量対体積比は、約０．４０よりも大きい、約０．４１よりも大きい、約０．４２よりも大きい、又は、約０．４３よりも大きい、ことが可能である。同じ又は他の実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッド１００の質量対体積比は、約０．４４未満、約０．４３未満、約０．４２未満、又は、約０．４１未満、であることが可能である。代替的実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッド１００の質量対体積比は、約０．４０、約０．４１、約０．４２、約０．４３、又は、約０．４４、であることが可能である。質量対体積比は、１グラムが１立方センチメートルと数学的に等価であるため、単位がない。 In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 has a mass-to-volume ratio defined as the ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head.

can be characterized by In many embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of golf club head 100 can be between about 0.40 and about 0.44. In many embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of golf club head 100 is greater than about 0.40, greater than about 0.41, greater than about 0.42, or greater than about 0.43. ,Is possible. In the same or other embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of golf club head 100 can be less than about 0.44, less than about 0.43, less than about 0.42, or less than about 0.41. is. In alternate embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of golf club head 100 can be about 0.40, about 0.41, about 0.42, about 0.43, or about 0.44. be. The mass-to-volume ratio is unitless because one gram is mathematically equivalent to one cubic centimeter.

By maintaining a golf club head 100 with a mass-to-volume ratio of less than 0.44, individuals with slower swing speeds can achieve the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. ), you can swing freely and naturally. The above ratios are achieved through various features that are described in more detail below.

fairway wood golf club head

To achieve a lightweight (but durable) golf club head, the total mass of the golf club head can be between approximately 180 grams and 198 grams. In many embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head is between about 180 grams and 182 grams, between about 182 grams and 184 grams, between about 184 grams and 186 grams, between about 186 grams and 188 grams, between about 188 grams and 190 grams, between about 190 grams and about 192 grams, between about 192 grams and about 194 grams, between about 194 grams and about 196 grams, or between about 196 grams and about 198 grams , can be In further embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head is less than 198 grams, less than 197 grams, less than 196 grams, less than 195 grams, less than 194 grams, less than 193 grams, less than 192 grams, less than 191 grams, less than 190 grams, 189 grams It can be less than grams, less than 188 grams, less than 187 grams, less than 186 grams, less than 185 grams, less than 184 grams, less than 183 grams, less than 182 grams, or less than 181 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head is about 180 grams, about 181 grams, about 182 grams, about 183 grams, about 184 grams, about 185 grams, about 186 grams, about 187 grams, about 188 grams, It can be about 189 grams, about 190 grams, about 191 grams, about 192 grams, about 193 grams, about 194 grams, about 195 grams, about 196 grams, about 197 grams, or about 198 grams. For comparison purposes, conventional fairway wood type golf club heads designed for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour have a total club head mass of between 200 and 208 grams.

Making a lighter weight golf club head does not necessarily mean trading off (or reducing) the volume of the club head. For example, the volume of the golf club head can be between about 165cc and about 180cc. In many embodiments, the volume of the golf club head can be between about 165cc and about 170cc, between about 170cc and about 175cc, or between about 175cc and about 180cc. In other embodiments, the volume of the golf club head is about It can be 177cc, about 178cc, about 179cc, or about 180cc.

によって特徴付けることができる。多くの実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッドの質量対体積比は、約１．０４から約１．０７の間であることが可能である。多くの実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッドの質量対体積比は、約１．０４よりも大きい、約１．０５よりも大きい、約１．０６よりも大きい、又は、約１．０７よりも大きい、ことが可能である。同じ又は他の実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッドの質量対体積比は、約１．０７未満、約１．０６未満、又は、約１．０５未満、であることが可能である。代替的実施形態において、ゴルフクラブヘッドの質量対体積比は、約１．０４、約１．０５、約１．０６、又は、約１．０７、であることが可能である。質量対体積比は、１グラムが１立方センチメートルと数学的に等価であるため、単位がない。 In many embodiments, the golf club head has a mass-to-volume ratio defined as the ratio between the mass of the golf club head and the volume of the golf club head.

can be characterized by In many embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of the golf club head can be between about 1.04 and about 1.07. In many embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of the golf club head is greater than about 1.04, greater than about 1.05, greater than about 1.06, or greater than about 1.07; Is possible. In the same or other embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of the golf club head can be less than about 1.07, less than about 1.06, or less than about 1.05. In alternate embodiments, the mass-to-volume ratio of the golf club head can be about 1.04, about 1.05, about 1.06, or about 1.07. The mass-to-volume ratio is unitless because one gram is mathematically equivalent to one cubic centimeter.

By maintaining a golf club head with a mass-to-volume ratio of less than 1.07, individuals with slow swing speeds sacrifice the forgiveness (MOI) typically associated with larger volume club heads. You can swing freely and naturally. The above ratios are achieved through various features that are described in more detail below. A similar mass-to-volume ratio can also be achieved with a hybrid type golf club head.

golf club head crown

As noted above, by producing a golf club head that is used only by golfers whose swing speeds are merely below 85 miles per hour, many features of the club head (i.e., crown, sole, faceplate, etc.) are structurally compromised. Reducing mass beyond that traditionally imposed (for durability purposes) by golf club heads (traditional golf clubs) configured to be used by golfers with swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour (or thinner). Thinning the crown of the golf club head provides a lower and deeper center of gravity, helping to launch the golf ball into the air more quickly at impact. However, this allows the construction of golf club heads with thinner crown-face transition regions than conventional golf clubs, which can result in increased CT characteristics of the club head. be. Thus, by locally implementing an integrally formed crown-faceplate bridge that fuses in a tangential manner with some of the club head's perimeter areas, a negligible increase in club head mass is achieved. and the CT can be reduced while maintaining a thin crown.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 has a crown 102 with a relatively smaller wall thickness (than standard clubs that must remain durable for impacts exceeding 100 mph) to provide a Specific head mass and volume goals can be achieved. As defined above, crown 102 of golf club 100 is the top surface of the club head and the portion of the club that is visible from the address position when an individual or golfer (not shown) is looking down. . The crown 102 has three distinct lengths (ie, a front portion 125, a middle portion 126, and a rear portion 127) measured in the front-to-back direction from the rear of the golf club head 110 to the faceplate 105. ) can be segmented (or divided) into

The anterior portion 125 of the crown 102 is proximal to the faceplate 105 and may be defined as the anterior ⅙ (and/or having a length of ⅙) of the crown length. can. The posterior portion 127 of the crown 102 is proximal to the posterior portion 110 of the golf club head 100 and, as a portion of the posterior 2/6 (and/or having a length of 2/6) of the crown length, stipulated. The intermediate portion 126 of the crown 102 is between the anterior portion 125 and the posterior portion 127 and is defined as the mid-3/6 (and/or having a length of 3/6) portion of the crown length. ing.

In this or other embodiments, the wall thickness of crown 102 varies from near the front portion 125 of crown 102 to near the rear end 110 of crown 102 and/or from near the heel portion of crown 102 to the toe of crown 102 . The variation can be toward a portion or in any direction along the crown 102 of the golf club head. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, in many embodiments, the wall thickness of the crown 102 extends from near the front end to the rear end of the golf club head 100, measured from the inner crown surface 128 to the outer crown surface 129. can decrease towards

For example, in many embodiments, the wall thickness of front portion 125 of crown 102 can be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of front portion 125 of crown 102 is less than about 0.031 inch, less than about 0.030 inch, less than about 0.029 inch, less than about 0.028 inch, about 0.027 inch. less than about 0.026 inch, less than about 0.025 inch, less than about 0.024 inch, less than about 0.023 inch, less than about 0.022 inch, less than about 0.021 inch, or about 0.020 can be less than an inch. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of front portion 125 of crown 102 is about 0.019 inch, about 0.020 inch, about 0.021 inch, about 0.022 inch, about 0.023 inch, about 0.023 inch, and about 0.023 inch. 0.024 inch, about 0.025 inch, about 0.026 inch, about 0.027 inch, about 0.028 inch, about 0.029 inch, about 0.030 inch, or about 0.031 inch is possible.

In the same or an alternative embodiment, the wall thicknesses of the middle portion 126 and the rear portion 127 of the crown 102 can be the same or substantially equivalent. For example, in many embodiments, the wall thickness of the middle portion 126 and rear portion 127 of crown 102 can be between 0.014 inches and 0.020 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the middle portion 126 and rear portion 127 of crown 102 is less than about 0.020 inch, less than about 0.019 inch, less than about 0.018 inch, less than about 0.017 inch, about It can be less than 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the middle portion 126 and rear portion 127 of the crown 102 is about 0.014 inch, about 0.015 inch, 0.016 inch, 0.017 inch, 0.018 inch, 0.018 inch, 019 inches or 0.020 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the middle portion 126 of the crown can be the transition region from the thickest front portion 125 to the thinnest rear portion 127 of the crown.

Stated another way, in many embodiments, approximately 85% of crown 102 may have a wall thickness of approximately 0.017 inches, and the reamed portion of crown 102 may have a wall thickness of approximately 0.031 inches. can have For comparison purposes, a conventional golf club head that remains durable to swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour has an average wall thickness of 0.031 inches across most of the crown.

golf club head sole

As noted above, by constructing a golf club head configured for use by golfers with swing speeds below 85 miles per hour, many features of the club head (i.e., crown, sole, faceplate, etc.) Allows structural mass to be reduced (or thinner) than was traditionally imposed by golf club heads used by golfers with swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour (traditional golf clubs) become. Reducing the thickness of the sole of the golf club head allows the faceplate to deform and flex more than conventional clubheads that remain durable in excess of 100 miles per hour (i.e., face More plate deflection results in higher ball velocities). However, this allows the production of golf club heads with thinner sole-face transition regions than conventional golf clubs, which can result in increased CT characteristics of the club head. be. Therefore, by locally implementing an integrally formed sole-faceplate bridge that merges in a tangential manner with several perimeter areas of the club head, the club head mass is negligibly increased. and CT can be reduced (or controlled) while maintaining a thin sole.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 has a sole 103 with a relatively smaller wall thickness (than standard clubs that must remain durable for impacts exceeding 100 mph) to provide a Specific head mass and volume goals can be achieved. As defined above, the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 lies between the faceplate 105 and the rear portion 110 and rests on the ground plane 120 (or playing surface) at the address position. The sole 103 has three distinct lengths (ie, a front sole portion 130, a midsole portion 131, and a rear sole portion) measured in the front-to-back direction from the faceplate of the golf club head to the rear. 132).

A front sole portion 130 of the sole 103 is proximal to the faceplate 105 and can be the front ⅓ (and/or having a length of ⅓) portion of the sole length. is. The rear sole portion 132 of the sole 103 is proximal to the rear portion 110 of the golf club head and is the rear ⅓ (and/or has a length of ⅓) of the sole length: stipulated. The mid-sole portion 131 of the sole is defined as the middle ⅓ (and/or having a length of ⅓) of the sole length between the front sole portion 130 and the rear sole portion 132. It is

In this or other embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103 measured from the medial sole surface 133 to the lateral sole surface 134 may vary from near the front portion of the sole to near the rear end of the sole and/or can vary from near the heel portion of the golf club head to near the toe portion of the sole, or in any direction along the sole of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the thickness of the sole 103 can decrease from near the front end to the rear end 110 of the golf club head 100 .

For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of sole 103 can be between 0.019 inches and 0.031 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 is less than about 0.031 inch, less than about 0.030 inch, less than about 0.029 inch, less than about 0.028 inch, about 0.027 inch. less than about 0.026 inch, less than about 0.025 inch, less than about 0.024 inch, less than about 0.023 inch, less than about 0.022 inch, less than about 0.021 inch, or about 0.020 can be less than an inch. In other embodiments, the thickness of the front portion 130 of the sole 103 is about 0.019 inch, about 0.020 inch, about 0.021 inch, about 0.022 inch, about 0.023 inch, about 0.023 inch. 0.024 inch, about 0.025 inch, about 0.026 inch, about 0.027 inch, about 0.028 inch, about 0.029 inch, about 0.030 inch, or about 0.031 inch is possible.

In the same or an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the medial portion 131 and the rear portion 132 of the sole 103 can be the same or substantially equivalent. For example, in many embodiments, the thickness of the medial portion 131 and rear portion 132 of sole 103 can be between 0.014 inches and 0.022 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the intermediate portion 131 and rear portion 132 of sole 103 is less than about 0.022 inches, less than about 0.021 inches, less than about 0.020 inches, less than about 0.019 inches, about It can be less than 0.018 inches, less than about 0.017 inches, less than about 0.016 inches, or less than about 0.015 inches. In other embodiments, the thickness of the medial portion 131 and rear portion 132 of sole 103 is about 0.014 inches, about 0.015 inches, about 0.016 inches, about 0.017 inches, about 0.018 inches. , about 0.019 inches, about 0.020 inches, about 0.021 inches, or about 0.022 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the intermediate portion 131 of the sole can be the transition region from the thickest front portion 130 to the thinnest rear portion 132 .

Stated another way, in many embodiments, the entire sole 103 can have a wall thickness of less than about 0.030 inches. In alternate embodiments, about 97% of the sole can have a wall thickness of less than about 0.028 inches. For comparison purposes, a conventional golf club head that maintains durability to swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour has an average sole wall thickness of 0.030 inches across most of the sole.

Faceplate features

Partial control of CT across faceplate 105 (while maintaining a thin faceplate, thin crown 102, and thin sole 103), as illustrated by FIGS. To that end, the faceplate 105 can have a variable thickness profile 111, which can tune the CT by allowing for thickening only in desired areas. In the illustrated embodiment, variable wall thickness profile 111 of faceplate 105 includes perimeter region 112, toe region 113, heel region 114, upper transition region 115, lower transition region 116, and center region 117. be able to. The wall thickness of the faceplate 105 is about 5% to 7% thinner than conventional golf club heads that must sustain swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. However, simply implementing a variable face thickness profile to control CT may not be sufficient because of the greater flex/deflection characteristics caused by the thin faceplate and lightweight club head. Accordingly, crown-to-faceplate bridges and sole-to-faceplate bridges are integrally formed in club heads to control, modify, and/or reduce the characteristic temporal characteristics (CT) of club heads.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 is visible in the XY' plane and in a direction perpendicular to the faceplate 105, as illustrated by FIGS. Golf club head 100 extends in a heel-toe direction through geometric center 121 of faceplate 105 when golf club head 100 is viewed in the XY' plane and in a direction generally perpendicular to faceplate 105. and a Y'-axis 123 extending through the geometric center 121 in the top-to-bottom (or crown-to-sole) direction.

The X'-axis 122 horizontally divides the golf club head 100 into upper and lower regions. The upper region of the golf club head is bounded by the X'-axis 122, the crown 102, and the maximum heel-toe width of the club head 100. FIG. The lower region of the golf club head is bounded by the X'-axis 122 of the golf club head 100, the sole 103, and the maximum heel-toe width. A Y'-axis 123 vertically separates the club head into left and right regions. The left region may be bounded by the Y'-axis 123 and the toe end 108 of the golf club head 100. The right region may be bounded by the Y'-axis 123 and the heel 109 of the golf club head 100. Additionally, the X'-axis 122 and Y'-axis 123 are perpendicular to each other and form four faceplate quadrant regions.

The four faceplate quadrant regions are center-high toe quadrant 135, center-low toe quadrant 136, center-heel quadrant 137, and center-low heel when golf club head 100 is resting on ground plane 120 at address. Quadrant 138 can be defined as . A center-to-high toe quadrant 135 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper left faceplate region. A center-low toe quadrant 136 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the lower left faceplate region. A center-to-heel quadrant 137 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the upper right faceplate region. A center-to-low heel quadrant 138 extends from the geometric center 121 and spans the lower right faceplate region.

As noted above, the variable thickness 111 of the faceplate 105 can include an outer perimeter region 112, a toe region 113, a heel region 114, an upper transition region 115, a lower transition region 116, and a central region 117. . Perimeter region 112 can be substantially elliptical and circumscribes toe region 113 , heel region 114 , upper transition region 115 , lower transition region 116 and center region 117 . Toe region 113 may be bounded by perimeter edge 112 , upper transition region 115 , and lower transition region 116 . Heel region 114 may be bounded by perimeter edge 112 , upper transition region 115 , and lower transition region 116 . Central region 117 is bounded by upper transition region 115 and lower transition region 116 . In many embodiments, the VFT is from the heel end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or faceplate) and/or from the toe end of the golf club head to the center of the striking surface (or faceplate). , with the outer edge 112 being the outermost region, followed by the heel 114 and toe 113 portions, the upper transition region 115 and lower transition region 116 and finally the central region 117 .

In many embodiments, perimeter edge 112 can define the outermost regions of faceplate 105, including toe region 113, heel region 114, upper transition region 115, lower transition region 116, and center region 117; circumscribes the

In many embodiments, the toe region 113 of variable face thickness 111 can extend only across center-low toe quadrant 136 and center-high toe quadrant 135, center-low heel quadrant 138 and center-high heel quadrant 137. It cannot spread inward. In the same or an alternative embodiment, toe region 113 can have a constant wall thickness. In other embodiments, toe region 113 can have a variable thickness. Toe region 113 has a surface area on the back surface of faceplate 105 . As illustrated in FIG. 8, the surface area of toe region 113 is greater than the surface area of heel region 114 .

Further, in many of the thin hitting face (or faceplate 105) embodiments, reducing the CT at the toe portion 113 of the faceplate and increasing the CT at the heel portion 114 of the faceplate 115 is desirable. desirable. For illustrative purposes, toe portion 113 of variable face thickness 111 may have a greater thickness than heel portion 114 of variable face thickness 111 . This makes the faceplate 105 stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (and produces a more uniform CT response across the faceplate 105). ).

In many embodiments, the wall thickness of toe portion 113 of VFT 111 can be between about 0.081 inches and about 0.087 inches. In many embodiments, the thickness of the toe portion 113 of the variable face thickness 111 is between about 0.081 inch and about 0.082 inch, between about 0.082 inch and about 0.083 inch, about 0.082 inch and about 0.083 inch. It can be between 0.084 inches and about 0.085 inches, or between about 0.086 inches and about 0.087 inches. In alternate embodiments, the wall thickness of the toe portion 113 of the VFT 111 is about 0.081 inch, about 0.082 inch, about 0.083 inch, about 0.084 inch, about 0.085 inch, about 0.086 inch. inches, or approximately 0.087 inches.

Heel region 114 of variable face thickness 111 can only extend throughout both center-low heel quadrant 138 and center-high heel quadrant 137, and extends into center-low toe quadrant 136 and center-high toe quadrant 135. It is not possible. In many embodiments, heel region 114 can have a constant wall thickness. In other embodiments, heel region 114 can have a variable wall thickness 111 . Heel region 114 has a surface area on the back surface of faceplate 105 . As illustrated in FIG. 8, the surface area of heel region 114 is less than the surface area of toe region 113 .

As previously stated, variable face thickness toe portion 113 is larger than heel portion 114 in order to reduce the CT at the toe portion of the faceplate and increase the CT at the heel portion of the faceplate. It is possible to have a wall thickness. This makes the faceplate 105 stiffer in the toe portion 113 and more flexible in the heel portion 114 (and produces a more uniform CT response across the faceplate 105). ).

In many embodiments, the wall thickness of the VFT heel portion 114 can be between about 0.075 inches and about 0.080 inches. In many embodiments, the heel portion 114 wall thickness of the variable face wall thickness 111 is between about 0.075 inch and about 0.076 inch, between about 0.076 inch and about 0.077 inch, about 0.076 inch and about 0.077 inch. It can be between 0.077 inches and about 0.078 inches, between about 0.078 inches and about 0.079 inches, or between about 0.079 inches and about 0.080 inches. In alternative embodiments, the wall thickness of heel portion 114 of VFT 111 is about 0.075 inches, about 0.076 inches, about 0.077 inches, about 0.078 inches, about 0.079 inches, or about 0.079 inches. .080 inches.

As further illustrated by FIG. 5, the majority of the upper transition region 115 is aligned with at least one of the faceplate x-axis 122 (i.e., the upper region), the toe portion, the heel portion, and/or the top perimeter. Boundary. In many embodiments, upper transition region 115 abuts or contacts the heel portion, toe portion, and top of the faceplate and extends inwardly toward central region 117 . The upper transition region 115 has a transition thickness that varies at least in the direction from the toe and heel portions toward the central region. In many embodiments, the thickness of the upper transition region is greater than the thickness of the heel and/or toe portions.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, a majority of the lower transition region 116 is bounded by at least one of the faceplate x-axis 122 (i.e., the lower region), the toe portion, the heel portion, and/or the bottom perimeter. It is possible to contact In many embodiments, the lower transition region 116 abuts or contacts the heel, toe and bottom portions of the faceplate and extends inwardly toward the central region. Lower transition region 116 has a transition thickness that varies at least in a direction from the toe and/or heel portions toward the central region. In many embodiments, the thickness of the lower transition region 116 is greater than the thickness of the heel and/or toe portions.

In the illustrated embodiment, central region 117 of variable wall thickness profile 111 has an elliptical (or elliptical) shape. The shape of the central region defines a major axis extending generally in a heel-toe direction and a minor axis extending generally in a top-to-bottom direction. The major and minor axes intersect at the center of the central region. The major axis extends along the length of the central region and the minor axis extends along the maximum width of the central region. In this particular embodiment, the long axis of the central region extends parallel (and/or at no angle) to x-axis 122 .

In the illustrated embodiment, central region 117 has a wall thickness of 0.133 inches. In other embodiments, the wall thickness of the central region can vary from 0.070 inches to 0.25 inches. For example, in some embodiments, the wall thickness of the central region is 0.07 inch to 0.1 inch, 0.09 inch to 0.1 inch, 0.095 inch to 0.105 inch, 0 0.1 inch to 0.12 inch, 0.105 inch to 0.115 inch, 0.11 inch to 0.12 inch, 0.115 inch to 0.125 inch, 0.12 inch to 0.12 inch Up to 13", 0.125" to 0.135", 0.13" to 0.14", 0.135" to 0.145", 0.14" to 0.15", 0.14" to 0.14" 145" to 0.155", 0.15" to 0.17", 0.16" to 0.18", 0.17" to 0.2", 0.19" to 0.22 It can be up to inches or from 0.21 inches to 0.25 inches. In many embodiments, central region 350 may comprise less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 15%, less than 20%, less than 25%, or less than 30% of the total surface area of faceplate 320 . For example, the central region can constitute 2-10%, 5-10%, 2-15%, 5-15%, or 5-20% of the total surface area of the faceplate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the center of the central region can be offset from the geometric center of the faceplate toward the toe. In alternate embodiments, the center of the central region can be located at the geometric center of the faceplate.

The central region has a first side or toe side and a second side or heel side. A first side and a second side of the central region are separated by a short axis. The first side is positioned between the short axis and the toe portion and the second side is positioned between the short axis and the heel portion. The length of the first side, measured along the longitudinal axis, is equivalent (or substantially similar) to the length of the second side.

In many embodiments, the combined length of the first side and the second side is greater than about 0.75 inches, greater than about 0.80 inches, greater than about 0.85 inches, about 0 It can be greater than .90 inches, greater than about 0.95 inches, or greater than about 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the combined length of the first side and the second side is about 0.89 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, or 1 inch. .4 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central region 117 also has a top side length measured from the center to the top of the central region along the minor axis and a length measured from the center to the bottom of the central region along the minor axis. and a bottom side length. In this embodiment, the top side length and the bottom side length are equivalent (or substantially similar) in length.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top side length and bottom side length are approximately 0.25 inches. In other embodiments, the top side length and/or the bottom side length can be between 0.05 inch and 1.0 inch. For example, in some embodiments, the top side length and/or the bottom side length is between 0.05 inch and 0.25 inch, between 0.15 inch and 0.35 inch, 0.25 inch to 0.45 inch, 0.35 inch to 0.55 inch, 0.45 inch to 0.65 inch, 0.55 inch to 0.75 inch, 0.65 inch to 0 It can be between 0.85 inches or between 0.75 inches and 0.1 inches.

The total mass of faceplate 105 can be between approximately 60 grams and 66 grams. In many embodiments, the faceplate has a mass of between about 60 grams and about 61 grams, between about 61 grams and about 62 grams, between about 62 grams and about 63 grams, between about 63 grams and about 64 grams. between about 64 grams and about 65 grams, or between about 65 grams and about 66 grams. In further embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate can be less than 66 grams, less than 65 grams, less than 64 grams, less than 63 grams, less than 62 grams, or less than 61 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass of the faceplate can be about 60 grams, about 61 grams, about 62 grams, about 63 grams, about 64 grams, about 65 grams, or about 66 grams. . In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the total mass of faceplate 105 is 62.8 grams. For comparison, the total mass of a conventional faceplate that remains durable for swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour is approximately 66.3 grams. In many embodiments, the faceplate 105 is about 3 grams, about 4 grams, about 5 grams, about 6 grams, about 7 grams, about 8 grams, or about 9 grams lighter than conventional faceplates. is possible.

golf club head weight system

In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club head 100 further forms a mass efficient adjustable weight system 104 designed for swing speeds below 85 miles per hour. In particular, the mass efficient adjustable weight system 104 described below has only a central weight position 140 and a heel weight position 141 and no toe weight positions (not shown). The reason is that golfers with swing speeds below 85 mph typically suffer from a tendency to miss to the right, and therefore the introduction of a heel-bias weight position is both unnecessary and due to the structure of the golf club head 100. This is to increase the mass of The weight system below provides about 8 to 10 yards of slice shot compensation.

1, 3, 6 and 7, the golf club head defines a single slot 142 proximal the rear end 110 of the golf club 100. As shown in FIG. In many embodiments, a single slot 142 can be used as a geometric receiving structure for weight assembly 143. FIG. A single slot 142 may be defined by an inner slot surface 144 that is substantially perpendicular to sole 103 . A slot interior surface 144 may be defined by a slot length 145 . Single slot 142 is further defined by a slot bottom surface 146 that is perpendicular to slot interior surface 144 and substantially parallel to sole 103 . Slot 142 is further defined by a top surface 147 that is perpendicular to slot interior surface 144 and substantially parallel to sole 103 . In many embodiments, slot bottom surface 146 does not extend as far toward the rear of the golf club head as slot top surface 147 does. The slot further includes at least two sidewalls 148, 149 at the heel-facing end and central portion of the golf club head. Slot interior surface 144, bottom surface 146, top surface 147, and two side walls 148, 149 define a channel that opens to the rear and bottom of the golf club head such that slot 142 accommodates the weight assembly. At least a portion of the outer and lower surfaces of the weight assembly are exposed when 143 is received.

In the illustrated embodiment, the slot interior surface 144 defines two windows, namely a center window (which may also be referred to as center weight location 140) and a heel side window (which may also be referred to as heel weight location 141). Each of these windows contains a weight assembly attachment point within a single slot 142. In many embodiments, the center window 140 and heel side window 141 include threaded fasteners 150. is threaded to receive the

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can further comprise a shroud 151 , which can extend across the slot 142 , a portion of the sole 103 of the golf club head 100 . is. Shroud 151 may include a portion or all of bottom surface 146 .

In many embodiments, the slot length 145 of the slot interior surface can vary between 2.0 inches and 4.0 inches. For example, slot length 145 can be greater than 2.0 inches, greater than 2.5 inches, greater than 3.0 inches, or greater than 3.5 inches. The slot length of the slot interior surface 144 is greater than or equal to 2.0 inches.

Additionally, the slot 144 can have an asymmetric shape, with the cross-sectional shape of the slot varying non-uniformly in the heel-toe direction. This asymmetrical shape helps secure weight assembly 143 within the channel defined by slot 144 . Because of the asymmetric shape of slot 144, weight assembly 143 cannot slide across the channel. Rather, the weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed at one of two separate locations 140,141.

Further, slot 144 can have a height 152 measured from slot top surface 147 to slot bottom surface 146 , where slot height 152 is channel height 152 . In most embodiments, slot 144 can have a variable height that is not consistent in the heel-toe direction. The uneven height of the slot 144 is essential to the safety of the weight assembly within the slot 144 because the variable height 152 of the channel allows only two weight positions to move the weight assembly to the heel. This is to allow alignment with one of the side windows 141 or the central window 140 . Because of the uneven height 152 of slot 144, weight assembly 143 cannot slide laterally across the channel. Rather, the weight assembly 143 must be removed and placed at one of two separate locations 140,141. This provides the golfer with an endless selection of possible locations and prevents them from confounding golf ball shot shape and flight decisions.

Variable height 152 of slot 144 may range between 0.2 inches and 0.6 inches. Variable height 152 of slot 144 may be 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, or 0.6 inches.

In some embodiments, golf club head 100 may include a shroud 151 that allows a portion of sole 103 of golf club head 100 to extend across slot 144 . The shroud 151 functions to increase the aerodynamics of the channel and aid in proper insertion of the weight member 153 within the slot 144 . The shroud 151 can have any desired geometry that covers a unique portion of the slot 144 or the entire slot 144 . In some embodiments, the shroud 151 is 5%-10% of the slots, 10%-15% of the slots, 15%-20% of the slots, 20%-25% of the slots, 25%-30% of the slots. %, 30%-35% of slots, 35%-40% of slots, 40%-45% of slots, 45%-50% of slots, 50%-55% of slots, 55%-60% of slots, 60%-65% of slots, 65%-70% of slots, 70%-75% of slots, 75%-80% of slots, 80%-85% of slots, 85%-90% of slots, It is possible to cover 90% to 95% or 95% to 100% of the slots. Less coverage provided by the shroud over the slot directly correlates to a lighter club head and vice versa.

1, 6 and 7, weight assembly 143 attaches weight member 153 having fastener 150 (i.e., weight assembly) to threaded heel side window 141 or threaded center window 140. It is attached to the golf club head 100 by being attached in a threaded manner to one of them.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the variable weight assembly (also referred to as weight assembly 143) includes a single weight member 153 and a single mechanical fastener (or fastener 150). It has Weight member 153 is configured to be positioned within slot 144 of golf club head 100 . The weight member 153 has an outer surface, an inner surface, sidewalls extending between the outer surface and the inner surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a window extending through the weight member from the outer surface to the inner surface. , is equipped with The window further comprises window threads on the interior portion of said window. Fastener 150 is retained within weight member 153 when weight assembly 143 is removed from slot 144 by means of window threads in the weight member window. The lower surface of the weight member further has a recess configured to receive the slot bottom surface formed by the extension of the sole. The extension of the sole is provided with a shroud. The shroud provides additional stability to the weight assembly when the weight assembly is threadedly mounted in the slot.

The mass of the slot structure 144 is very small compared to the total mass of the golf club head 100 because of the limited size of the slot structure. The mass of slot structure 144 may be less than 10.0% of the total mass of golf club head 100 .

In many embodiments, the mass of weight member 153 ranges between 12 grams and 18 grams. In some embodiments, the weight member 153 has a mass between 12g and 13g, between 13g and 14g, between 14g and 15g, between 15.0g and 16.0g, between 16.0g and 17.0g, or between 17.0g and 18.0g. 0 g. The mass of weight assembly 143 can be 12g, 13g, 14g, 15g, 16g, 17g, or 18g. In many embodiments, the mass of weight assembly 143 (weight member 153 and fastener 150) ranges between 12 grams and 20 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the backweight assembly ranges from 12g to 14g, 14g to 16g, 16g to 18g, or 18.0g to 20.0g. The mass of the weight assembly can be 12g, 13g, 14g, 15g, 16g, 17g, 18g, 19g, or 20g.

Greater than 43 mm due to the mass of the adjustable weight system 104, as well as the efficient placement of the weight system resulting from having only a central and heel weight position and no toe weight position; A lighter weight golf club head 100 can be achieved while still achieving a deep club head center of gravity position 1 . A deep club head center of gravity 163 may be measured parallel to the ground plane 120 from the geometric center 121 of the faceplate 105 to the club head center of gravity 163 . In many embodiments, the club head center of gravity 163 is greater than 44 mm, greater than 45 mm, greater than 46 mm, greater than 47 mm, greater than 48 mm, greater than 49 mm, or greater than 50 mm. is possible. Having a lightweight golf club head 100 while maintaining a deep club head center of gravity location 163 beneficially reduces the impact of a high MOI golf club head while maintaining high ball flight during the course of golf ball flight. production is assisted.

In many embodiments, the club head 100 is greater than about 2250 g-cm, greater than about 2500 g-cm, greater than about 2750 g-cm, greater than about 3000 g-cm, greater than about 3250 g-cm. , about greater than about 5000 g-cm2 greater than about 5250 g-cm2 greater than about 5500 g-cm2 greater than about 5750 g-cm2 greater than about 6000 g-cm2 greater than about 6250 g-cm2 greater than about 6500 g-cm2 cm2, greater than about 6750 g-cm2, or greater than about 7000 g-cm2, having a crown-sole moment of inertia Ixx.

In many embodiments, the club head 100 is greater than about 4500 g-cm, greater than about 4750 g-cm, greater than about 5000 g-cm, greater than about 5250 g-cm, greater than about 5500 g-cm. , greater than about 5750 g-cm2, greater than about 6000 g-cm2, greater than about 6250 g-cm2, greater than about 6500 g-cm2, greater than about 6750 g-cm2, or greater than about 7000 g-cm2 , with a heel-toe moment of inertia Iyy.

In many embodiments, the club head 100 is greater than about 7000 g-cm, greater than about 7250 g-cm, greater than about 7500 g-cm, greater than about 7750 g-cm, greater than 8000 g-cm; greater than 8500 g-cm2 greater than 8750 g-cm2 greater than 9000 g-cm2 greater than 9250 g-cm2 greater than 9500 g-cm2 greater than 9750 g-cm2 greater than 10000 g-cm2 greater than 10250 g - greater than 10500 g-cm2, greater than 10750 g-cm2, greater than 11000 g-cm2, greater than 11250 g-cm2, greater than 11500 g-cm2, greater than 11750 g-cm2, or total moment of inertia (i.e., crown-sole moment of inertia Ixx and heel-toe moment of inertia Iyy).

crown-faceplate bridge

Many of the aforementioned features of the golf club head can be designed into the golf club head 100 as it implements the crown-faceplate bridge 106 . The crown-to-faceplate bridge 106 is positioned within the low stress and/or low displacement regions of the club head 100 to provide unique crown portion 102 movement without affecting club head 100 performance (ie, ball speed). and the faceplate 105 portion can be locally reinforced. By locally strengthening the crown and faceplate portions through the crown-faceplate bridge 106, areas of high CT characteristics (increasing the overall face thickness) with negligible impact on impact ball velocity can be reduced). In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 can mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening/enlarging a specific portion of the transition region 118. FIG.

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 extends from the crown inner surface 128 to the inner posterior surface of the faceplate 105 . As illustrated by FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 resides only in the front portion 125 of the crown. Stated another way, crown-faceplate bridge 106 does not reside in intermediate portion 126 or posterior portion 127 of crown 102 , but only in the anterior portion of crown 102 .

With continued reference to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region extending between the sole and the crown. Continuous transition region 118 includes crown transition region 154 and sole transition region 155 . Crown transition region 154 can extend from heel to toe, fully or partially, and extends between faceplate 105 and crown 102 . In many embodiments, the continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds the striking face and is disposed between the striking face and the crown. Continuous transition region 118 includes at least one crown-faceplate bridge 106 . The continuous transition region is curved and does not have any sharp angles or cusps. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of crown transition region 154 is between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches. The portion of crown-faceplate bridge 106 that lies within transition region 118 has a constant or variable radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of transition region 118 .

The club head 100 may further include at least one crown-faceplate bridge 106 positioned fully inwardly within the hollow body and near the striking face 105 . A crown-faceplate bridge 106 is located near or against the hitting face 105 and in a location between the heel 109 and the toe 108, and is positioned near the region with the highest CT for striking. Provides stiffness to face 105 . In many embodiments, the striking face 105 has a maximum distance between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest toe end of the crown 102 and between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest heel end of the sole 103 . Experience CT characteristics. Thus, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be positioned based on the golf club head structure to reduce CT characteristics only in areas of need. The crown-faceplate bridge 106 can mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening/enlarging (or thickening) the inherent portion of the transition region.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have heel and toe planes that are parallel to the midplane 156 . For example, the heel-side plane may be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 , and the toe-side plane may be located toward the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 . can be positioned in a direction away from the In many embodiments, the heel-side plane can be located at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the mid-plane in the direction toward the heel, and the toe-side plane can be located at the mid-plane in the direction toward the toe. can be positioned at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the For example, the heel planes are 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches from mid-plane 156 . inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. can. By way of example, the toe plane may be 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches from the mid-plane. inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inch, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. can. In further embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be bounded by the heel and toe planes and completely between the heel and toe planes, but not in the middle plane. 156.

Crown-faceplate bridge 106 is integral with inner continuous transition region 118 , crown 102 and/or sole 103 . The crown-faceplate bridge 106 does not have weld beads, adhesives, or any other known joining method.

The crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be used to locally thicken specific areas of the club head 100 . A club head with a crown-faceplate bridge 106 can eliminate mass from other portions of the club head 100, allowing for an optimized mass-to-volume ratio (described above) for slow swing speeds. . A reduction in mass-to-volume ratio can lead to improvements in ball speed, flight trajectory, and distance.

In many embodiments, the mass of crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 reduces the likelihood that the golf club head will have a CT value outside the designed threshold while ensuring that the above mass/volume relationship is met. to improve club head characteristics. In alternative embodiments, the mass of crown-faceplate bridge 106 is between about 0.5 grams and about 1 gram, between about 1 gram and about 2 grams, or between about 2 grams and about 3 grams, can be In other embodiments, the mass of the crown-faceplate bridge can be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

8 and 9, the golf club head 100 intersects the mid-plane 156 (of the golf club head) and beyond the mid-plane 156 toward the heel and/or toe of the golf club head. It includes at least one crown-faceplate bridge 106 extending in a direction. Mid-plane 156 divides the heel-toe width of the golf club head into two equal portions. Crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be defined by at least a length, width, and thickness. Crown-to-faceplate bridge length is measured in the heel-toe direction, perpendicular to midplane 156 . The crown-faceplate bridge width is measured in the anterior-posterior direction, parallel to the midplane. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a heel-toe center 157 that divides its length into two equal parts. In the same or another embodiment, the crown-faceplate bridge has an anterior-posterior center dividing its width into two equal parts. Stated another way, at least one heel end 158 and/or toe end 159 of the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is partially distal to the midplane intersection and/or separated from the line of intersection. In an alternative embodiment, the entire crown-faceplate bridge 106 can be positioned between the midplane 156 and the heel or toe end, but does not intersect the midplane.

In some embodiments, crown-faceplate bridge 106 is aligned such that the heel-toe center is coplanar with club head midplane 156 . In other embodiments, crown-faceplate bridge 106 is offset from mid-plane 156 . In some of these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane by between 0.5 inch and 1.0 inch. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge center is offset from mid-plane 156 by 0.5 inch, 0.6 inch, 0.7 inch, 0.8 inch, 0.9 inch, or 1.0 inch. Is possible. In other embodiments, the reinforced area center is offset from the mid-plane by between 1.0 inch and 2.0 inch. For example, the center of reinforcement may be 1.0 inch, 1.1 inch, 1.2 inch, 1.3 inch, 1.4 inch, 1.5 inch, 1.6 inch, 1.7 inch, It can be offset by 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, or 2.0 inches.

The crown-faceplate bridge length does not extend completely from the heel end to the toe end of the golf club head. The crown-faceplate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length of the transition region where the crown-faceplate bridge resides. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge length can be between 0.75 inch and 1 inch, between 1 inch and 1.25 inch, between 1.25 inch and 1.50 inch, 1.50 inch and 1.5 inch. Between 75 inches, Between 1.75 inches and 2 inches, Between 2 inches and 2.25 inches, Between 2.25 inches and 2.5 inches, Between 2.5 inches and 2.75 inches, 2 .75" to 3", 3" to 3.25", 3.25" to 3.5", 3.5" to 3.75", or 3.75" to It can be between 4 inches. In alternate embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge lengths are 0.75 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.50 inches, 1.75 inches, 2.0 inches, 2.25 inches, It can be 2.5 inches, 3.0 inches, 3.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 3.75 inches, or 4.0 inches. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge length can be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from heel to toe.

As noted above, crown-faceplate bridge 106 resides at least partially within transition region 118 . In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends across the full anterior-posterior width of the transition region. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends across only a portion of the anterior-posterior width of the transition region. In some of these and other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width extends beyond the transition region and onto either the crown or the sole. The crown-faceplate bridge width can be between 50% and 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the crown-faceplate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge width can be greater than the transition region width. In these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width can be up to 150% of the crown-faceplate bridge width.

The crown-to-faceplate bridge width does not extend completely from the faceplate 105 of the golf club head to the rear. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width can be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the crown-faceplate bridge width may be between 0.40 inch and 0.50 inch, between 0.50 inch and 0.6 inch, between 0.6 inch and 0.7 inch, or 0.4 inch and 0.5 inch. It can be between 7 inches and 0.80 inches. In some embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge width is about 0.40 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.50 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.60 inches, about 0.65 inches. , about 0.70 inches, about 0.75 inches, or about 0.80 inches.

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is integrally formed with at least the portion of the club head that the crown-faceplate bridge 106 contacts (i.e., has weld beads, adhesive, etc.). not). Stated another way, the crown-faceplate bridge 106, the transition region, and the portion of the crown to which the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is bonded comprise the same material or combination of materials.

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from the top surface. In other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has one of the following shapes: oval, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square, or another polygon. can have In many embodiments, crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel along its length. In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is substantially parallel with respect to its width.

The crown-faceplate bridge 106 can have a variable or constant wall thickness across its width and/or length. In some of these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a constant non-tapered wall thickness throughout both its width and length. In other embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 has a constant wall thickness over only one of its width or length and a variable ( or tapered).

In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 106 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge wall thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center and the center of the reinforced region has a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the crown-faceplate bridge wall thickness decreases in all directions, either linearly or curvilinearly away from the center (both in width and length). The taper rate varies in one direction versus another based on the crown-faceplate bridge dimensions so that the crown-faceplate bridge wall thickness is equal to the entire crown-faceplate bridge. be the same at the edges of The wall thickness tapers in a direction away from the center toward the front, back, heel and toe ends, either linearly, curvilinearly, or in a stepped fashion towards the edges. It is possible that The front, rear, heel end 158 and toe end 159 edges of the crown-faceplate bridge are tapered so that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding club head. In other words, the wall thickness of the crown-faceplate bridge is increased to the wall thickness of the surrounding golf club head and beyond to prevent the presence of a substantial lip or step that differentiates the reinforced area from the surrounding club head. It is reduced at the periphery.

In some embodiments, the anterior-posterior cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is different than the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In other of these embodiments, the anterior-posterior cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the crown-faceplate bridge. In some embodiments, the reinforced region has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape.

sole-faceplate bridge

Many of the aforementioned features of golf club head 100 can be designed into golf club head 100 because it implements at least one sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 . The sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 is positioned within the low stress and/or low displacement regions of the club head to provide unique sole portion 103 and face alignment without affecting club head performance (i.e., ball speed). Plate portions can be locally reinforced. By locally strengthening the sole and faceplate portions through the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107, areas of high CT characteristics (increasing the overall face thickness) with negligible effect on impact ball velocity can be reduced). In many embodiments, the crown-faceplate bridge 107 can mimic a gusset-like structure in strengthening/enlarging a unique portion of the club head.

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 extends from the medial surface 133 of the sole to the medial posterior surface of the faceplate 105 . As illustrated by FIGS. 10 and 11, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 exists only in the front portion of the sole 103. As shown in FIG. Stated another way, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 does not reside in the medial portion 131 or the posterior portion 132 of the sole 103 , it resides only in the anterior portion 130 of the sole 103 .

As noted above, golf club head 100 further includes a continuous transition region 118 extending between sole 103 and crown 102 . Continuous transition region 118 includes crown transition region 154 and sole transition region 155 . Sole transition region 155 can extend fully or partially from heel to toe and extends between faceplate 105 and sole 103 . In many embodiments, continuous transition region 118 completely surrounds striking face 105 and is disposed between striking face 105 and sole 103 . Continuous transition region 118 includes at least one sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 . Continuous transition region 118 is curved and does not have any sharp angles or cusps. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of continuous transition region 118 is between 0.15 inches and 0.80 inches. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of the continuous transition region 118 is about 0.15 inch, 0.16 inch, 0.17 inch, 0.18 inch, 0.19 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.21 inch. inch, 0.22 inch, 0.23 inch, 0.24 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.26 inch, 0.27 inch, 0.28 inch, 0.29 inch, 0.30 inch, 0.31 inch, 0.32 inch, 0.33 inch, 0.34 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.36 inch, 0.37 inch, 0.38 inch, 0.39 inch, 0.40 inch, 0.41 inch inch, 0.42 inch, 0.43 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.45 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.47 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.49 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.51 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.53 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.61 inch inch, 0.62 inch, 0.63 inch, 0.64 inch, 0.65 inch, 0.66 inch, 0.67 inch, 0.68 inch, 0.69 inch, 0.70 inch, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches be. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of sole transition region 155 is between 0.30 inches and 0.80 inches. In many embodiments, the radius of curvature of sole transition region 155 is about 0.30 inch, 0.31 inch, 0.32 inch, 0.33 inch, 0.34 inch, 0.35 inch, 0.36 inch. , 0.37", 0.38", 0.39", 0.40", 0.41", 0.42", 0.43", 0.44", 0.45", 0.46" , 0.47", 0.48", 0.49", 0.50", 0.51", 0.52", 0.53", 0.54", 0.55", 0.56" , 0.57", 0.58", 0.59", 0.60", 0.61", 0.62", 0.63", 0.64", 0.65", 0.66" , 0.67", 0.68", 0.69", 0.70", 0.71", 0.72", 0.73", 0.74", 0.75", 0.76" , 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, or 0.80 inches. The portion of sole-faceplate bridge 107 that lies within continuous transition region 118 has a constant or variable radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of transition region 118 .

Club head 100 may further include at least one sole-faceplate bridge 107 positioned inwardly within the hollow body and near hitting face 105 . The sole-faceplate bridge 107 is located near or against the hitting face 105 at a location between the heel and toe, near the region with the highest CT. provide rigidity to the In many embodiments, the striking face 105 has a maximum distance between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest toe end of the sole 103 and between the mid-plane 156 and the nearest heel end of the sole 103 . Experience CT characteristics. Therefore, the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 is positioned based on the golf club head structure to reduce CT characteristics only in areas where it is necessary.

In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can have heel and toe planes that are parallel to the midplane 156 . For example, the heel-side plane may be positioned toward the heel of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 , and the toe-side plane may be located toward the toe of the golf club head 100 and away from the mid-plane 156 . can be positioned in a direction away from the In many embodiments, the heel-side plane can be located at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the mid-plane in the direction toward the heel, and the toe-side plane can be located at the mid-plane in the direction toward the toe. can be positioned at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the For example, the heel plane and/or toe plane may be 0.55 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.57 inch, 0.58 inch, 0.59 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.6 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.60 inch, 0.5 inch from mid-plane 156 . 61", 0.62", 0.63", 0.64", 0.65", 0.66", 0.67", 0.68", 0.69", 0.70", 0.67" 71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches or 0.80 inches, can be positioned at a distance of In a further embodiment, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 can be bounded by the heel and toe planes and lie between the heel and toe planes, but with the intermediate plane 156 in between. extend through.

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is integrally formed with at least the portion of the club head that the sole-faceplate bridge 107 contacts (i.e., has weld beads, adhesive, etc.). not). Stated another way, the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107, the transition region, and the portion of the sole to which the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 is coupled comprise the same material or combination of materials.

The sole-faceplate bridge 107 can be used to locally thicken the club head. A club head with sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 eliminates mass from other portions of club head 100, allowing for an optimized mass-to-volume ratio for slow swing speeds. A reduction in mass-to-volume ratio can lead to improvements in ball speed, flight trajectory, and distance.

In many embodiments, the mass of sole-faceplate bridge 107 can be 3 grams or less. Minimizing the weight of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 reduces the likelihood that the golf club head will have a CT value outside the designed threshold while ensuring that the above mass/volume relationship is met. to improve club head characteristics. In alternative embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 has a mass between about 0.5 grams and about 1 gram, between about 1 gram and about 2 grams, or between about 2 grams and about 3 grams, can be In other embodiments, the mass of the sole-faceplate bridge can be about 0.5 grams, about 1 gram, about 2 grams, or about 3 grams.

10 and 11, the golf club head 100 intersects the intermediate plane 156 and extends beyond the intermediate plane 156 in a direction toward the heel and/or toe of the golf club head. At least one sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 is provided. The sole-faceplate bridge 107 can be defined by at least a length, width and thickness. The sole-faceplate bridge length is measured in the heel-toe direction, perpendicular to midplane 156 . The sole-to-faceplate bridge width is measured in the front-to-back direction, parallel to the mid-plane. In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a heel-toe center that divides its length into two equal parts. In the same or another embodiment, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a front-back center dividing its width into two equal parts. Stated another way, at least one end of the sole-faceplate bridge is partially distal to the mid-plane 156 intersection. In an alternative embodiment, the entire sole-faceplate bridge can be positioned between the mid-plane and the heel or toe end, but does not intersect the mid-plane.

In some embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is aligned such that heel-toe center 160 is coplanar with club head mid-plane 156 . In other embodiments, sole-faceplate bridge 107 is offset from mid-plane 156 . In some of these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge center is offset from mid-plane 156 by between 0.5 inches and 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge center is offset from the mid-plane by between 1.0 inches and 2.0 inches.

The sole-faceplate bridge length does not extend all the way from heel to toe. The sole-to-faceplate bridge length extends along a portion of the heel-toe length of the transition region where the sole-to-faceplate bridge resides. In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge length can be between 0.75 inches and 4 inches. For example, the sole-to-faceplate bridge length can be between 0.75 inch and 1 inch, between 1 inch and 1.25 inch, between 1.25 inch and 1.50 inch, 1.50 inch and 1.5 inch. Between 75 inches, Between 1.75 inches and 2 inches, Between 2 inches and 2.25 inches, Between 2.25 inches and 2.5 inches, Between 2.5 inches and 2.75 inches, 2 .75" to 3", 3" to 3.25", 3.25" to 3.5", 3.5" to 3.75", or 3.75" to It can be between 4 inches. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge length can be between 15% and 85% of the length of the transition region from heel to toe.

As noted above, sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 resides at least partially within transition region 118 . In some embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge width extends the full front-to-back width of the transition region. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width extends across only a portion of the anterior-posterior width of the transition region. In some of these and other embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge width extends beyond transition region 118 and onto sole 103 . The sole-faceplate bridge width can be between 50% and 100% of the transition region width. In some embodiments where the sole-faceplate bridge extends beyond the transition region, the sole-faceplate bridge width can be greater than the transition region width. In these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge width can be up to 150% of the sole-faceplate bridge width.

The sole-faceplate bridge width does not extend completely from the faceplate 105 of the golf club head 100 to the rear. In many embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge width can be between 0.40 inches and 0.80 inches. For example, the sole-to-faceplate bridge width may be between about 0.40 inch and about 0.50 inch, between about 0.50 inch and about 0.6 inch, between about 0.6 inch and about 0.7 inch. between, or between about 0.7 inch and about 0.80 inch. In other embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge width is about 0.40 inches, about 0.45 inches, about 0.50 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.60 inches, about 0.65 inches, It can be about 0.70 inches, about 0.75 inches, or about 0.80 inches.

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed with at least the portion of the club head that the sole-faceplate bridge contacts. The sole-faceplate bridge, the transition region, and the portion of the sole where the sole-faceplate bridge resides comprise the same material or combination of materials.

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a generally protruding rectangular shape when viewed from the top surface. In other embodiments, the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 has one of the following shapes: oval, circular, trapezoidal, rounded rectangle, square, rounded square, or another polygon. can have In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is substantially parallel along its length. In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is substantially parallel with respect to its width.

The sole-faceplate bridge 107 can have a variable or constant thickness across its width and/or length. In some of these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a constant non-tapered wall thickness throughout both its width and length. In other embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 has a constant wall thickness over only one of its width or length and a variable ( or tapered).

In many embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge 107 is thickest at its center. In these embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge thickness tapers circumferentially (or radially) from the center and the center of the reinforced area has a rounded or pointed peak. In other words, the sole-to-faceplate bridge 107 wall thickness decreases in all directions, either linearly or curvilinearly away from the center (both in width and length). The taper rate varies in one direction versus another based on the sole-faceplate bridge dimension so that the sole-faceplate bridge thickness is equal to the entire sole-faceplate bridge. be the same at the edges of The wall thickness tapers in a direction away from the center towards the front, back, heel and toe ends towards the edges in a straight, curvilinear or stepped fashion. there is The edges of the front, back, heel end 161 and toe end 162 of the sole-faceplate bridge are tapered so that they transition substantially seamlessly with the surrounding golf club head. In other words, the thickness of the sole-faceplate bridge 107 should match the thickness of the surrounding golf club head to prevent the presence of a substantial lip or step that differentiates the sole-faceplate bridge from the surrounding club head. , decreasing at its edges.

In some embodiments, the fore-to-back cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge is different than the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-to-faceplate bridge. In other of these embodiments, the fore-to-back cross-sectional shape of the sole-faceplate bridge is similar to the heel-toe cross-sectional shape of the sole-to-faceplate bridge. In some embodiments, the sole-faceplate bridge has a slightly curved cross-sectional shape.

Example 1

To analyze the effectiveness of the golf club head embodiments of FIGS. 1-11 to obtain quantifiable information regarding ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate characteristics, a two-club player test experiment was conducted. gone. Specifically, the embodiments of Figures 1-11 were benchmark tested against a control club that remained durable at swing speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

The two-club player test procedure was performed on 22 golfers, each golfer hitting a total of 20 shots. Each player hit 5 shots with the experimental club head, followed by 5 shots with the control club, repeated for a total of 20 shots. Ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate characteristics were recorded and logged after each swing.

The tested golf club head (or experimental club) of FIGS. It was a driver type golf club head. The control club was a driver-type golf club head with a loft angle of approximately 10.5 degrees, a swing weight of D3.0, a head weight of 201 grams, and a volume of 460 cc.

Typically, assuming everything is equal (i.e. same swing speed, etc.), reducing the mass of the club head results in a reduction in ball speed because the moving body (i.e. golf This is because the momentum of the ball) is the product of the mass of the golf club head and the velocity of the golf club head. Thus, increasing the mass of the club head that impacts the golf ball typically results in higher ball velocities. However, this was not the case. Specifically, the experimental club, while weighing 8.1 grams less than the control club, produced a 0.5% higher ball speed while achieving a similar launch angle. Therefore, it was concluded that the increased deflection of the golf club head caused by thinning many of the structural elements of the club head described above typically results in higher weight golf clubs. It is possible to outperform and/or meet an associated performance gain. This is particularly important because the increased distance can compensate for strokes lost due to increased player variability.

Example 2

Analyzing the effectiveness of the golf club head embodiments described herein, CT, ball velocity loss, by implementing one or more of a crown-faceplate bridge or sole-faceplate bridge, and added mass to the club head, FEA experiments were performed to obtain quantifiable information about the change. Specifically, the positioning of the crown-faceplate bridge and/or the sole-faceplate bridge illustrated by FIGS. The effectiveness of each feature was individually (and jointly) determined relative to the change in added structural mass to the club head. The control club was the golf club head of FIGS. A golf club head that also does not have a faceplate bridge.

The FEA experiment was a virtual study conducted to simulate an actual USGA CT test. In a virtual FEA experiment, a steel hammer is impacted at three specified velocities specified by the USGA test protocol. Plot the rigid body acceleration and rigid body velocity of the hammer during impact. Data from all three impacts are then collected and plotted on a new curve and the Y-axis intercept is the calculated CT value.

The only difference between the golf club head tested and the control club is the addition of either a crown-to-faceplate bridge or a sole-to-faceplate bridge, or both. A first simulated golf club head included only a sole-faceplate bridge weighing about 1 gram and had no crown-faceplate bridge. This first simulated golf club head reduced CT by 2.7 microseconds and ball speed by about 0.3 miles per hour compared to the control club. A second simulated golf club head included only a sole-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams and had no crown-faceplate bridge. This second simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.5 microseconds and ball speed by about 0.5 miles per hour compared to the control club. A third simulated golf club head included only a crown-faceplate bridge weighing approximately 2 grams and had no sole-faceplate bridge. This third simulated golf club head reduced CT by 12.3 microseconds and ball speed by about 0.33 miles per hour compared to the control club. A fourth simulated golf club head included both a sole-faceplate bridge weighing about 1 gram and a crown-faceplate bridge weighing about 1 gram. This fourth simulated golf club head reduced CT by 6.6 microseconds and ball speed by approximately 0.51 miles per hour compared to the control club. These results maintain a lightweight club head with minimal added mass to the club head without increasing the perimeter wall thickness of the faceplate (crown-faceplate bridge and/or sole-faceplate The effectiveness of controlling CT across the faceplate (using bridges) is illustrated.

Clause 1. A hollow golf club head comprising a crown, a sole, a hitting face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear portion, wherein said crown, said sole, said hitting face and said rear portion are combined. forming an internal cavity, the striking face opposite the rear portion and proximate the crown and the sole, the sole being above the ground plane when the club head is at address. wherein the toe end is opposite the heel end, the sole is opposite the crown, and the striking face further comprises a geometric center point and the geometric center point. an intermediate plane extending through a point in a direction from the hitting face to the rear of the golf club head, wherein the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane, and the golf club head Further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region, wherein the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown, and the sole transition region is between the striking face and the sole. wherein the crown transition region has a first transition region thickness, the sole transition region has a second transition region thickness, and the golf club head further comprises a crown-face a plate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region; wherein the crown-faceplate bridge has a first reinforced area thickness, the sole-faceplate bridge has a second reinforced area thickness, and the first reinforced area thickness is , wherein the thickness of the second reinforcement region is greater than the thickness of the crown transition region and the thickness of the second reinforcement region is greater than the thickness of the sole transition region.

Clause 2. Said crown-faceplate bridge further has a first reinforced zone width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforced zone length measured in an anterior-posterior direction, and said sole - the faceplate bridge further has a second reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a second reinforced zone length measured in the front-to-back direction, said first reinforced zone; 2. The hollow golf club of Clause 1, wherein width varies along said first reinforced region length and said second reinforced region width varies along said second reinforced region length. head.

Clause 3 The length of the first reinforced area varies along the width of the first reinforced area, and the length of the second reinforced area varies along the width of the second reinforced area. The hollow golf club head of Clause 2, wherein the hollow golf club head is

Clause 4. Further comprising a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane, wherein the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane, and the heel-side plane extends from the heel end of the golf club head. and the toe-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club and is spaced from the mid-plane , the heel plane is positioned at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the midplane, and the toe plane is positioned at a distance of 0.75 inch to 0.80 inch from the midplane; wherein the first reinforced area width and the second reinforced area width are bounded by the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane; The hollow golf club head of Clause 2 that is in between.

Clause 5. The hollow of Clause 1, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region. golf club head.

Clause 6. A first point of intersection of said intermediate plane defined by its intersection with said crown-faceplate bridge and a second point of intersection of said intermediate plane defined by its intersection with said sole-faceplate bridge; wherein the crown-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection point and extends beyond the first intersection point in both the heel and toe directions, and the sole-face The hollow golf club head of clause 1, wherein a plate bridge contacts said second intersection point and extends beyond said second intersection point in both the heel direction and the toe direction.

Clause 7. The mass of said club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of said club head is approximately 460 cc, such that the club head mass-to-volume ratio is between 0.40 and 0.44. The hollow golf club head of Clause 6, wherein:

Clause 8. The hollow golf club head of Clause 7, wherein the center of gravity of said club head is greater than 43 mm measured from said geometric center point of said hitting face and parallel to said ground plane.

Clause 9. Said rear portion of said golf club head further comprises a single slot, said single slot defining a slot inner surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface and two slot side walls. a slot channel wherein said slot inner surface, said slot bottom surface, said slot top surface and said two slot sidewalls cooperatively open to an exterior rear portion of said golf club head and said sole. wherein the slot interior surface further has only a central weight location and a heel weight location and no toe weight locations, and wherein the central weight location and the heel weight location are weight assembly attachment points and wherein said golf club head further comprises a moveable weight assembly, said weight assembly removably attached to only one of said center weight position and said heel weight position. Hollow golf club head.

Clause 10. A hollow golf club head comprising a crown, a sole, a hitting face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear portion, wherein said crown, said sole, said hitting face and said rear portion are combined. forming an internal cavity, the striking face opposite the rear portion and proximate the crown and the sole, the sole being above the ground plane when the club head is at address. wherein the toe end is opposite the heel end, the sole is opposite the crown, and the striking face further comprises a geometric center point and the geometric center point. an intermediate plane extending through a point in a direction from the hitting face to the rear portion of the golf club head, wherein the mass of the hitting face is less than 63 grams, and wherein the intermediate plane is aligned with the ground plane. and the golf club head further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region, the crown transition region formed between the striking face and the crown, and the sole transition region A region is formed between the striking face and the sole, the crown transition region having a first transition region thickness and the sole transition region having a second transition region thickness. and the golf club head further comprising a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region, and the sole-face A plate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region, the crown-faceplate bridge having a first reinforced region thickness, and the sole-faceplate bridge having a second reinforced region thickness. wherein said first reinforcement region thickness is greater than said crown transition region thickness and said second reinforcement region thickness is greater than said sole transition region thickness.

Clause 11. said crown-faceplate bridge further having a first reinforced zone width measured in a heel-toe direction and a first reinforced zone length measured in an anterior-posterior direction; - the faceplate bridge further has a second reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a second reinforced zone length measured in the front-to-back direction, said first reinforced zone; 11. The hollow golf club of Clause 10, wherein width varies along said first reinforced region length and said second reinforced region width varies along said second reinforced region length. head.

Clause 12 said first reinforced region length varies along said first reinforced region width and said second reinforced region length varies along said second reinforced region width 11. The hollow golf club head of clause 11.

Clause 13. Further comprising a heel-side plane and a toe-side plane, wherein the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the mid-plane, and the heel-side plane extends from the heel end of the golf club head. and the toe-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club and is spaced from the mid-plane , the heel plane is positioned at a distance of 0.55 inch to 0.80 inch from the midplane, and the toe plane is positioned at a distance of 0.75 inch to 0.80 inch from the midplane; wherein the first reinforced area width and the second reinforced area width are bounded by the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane; The hollow golf club head of Clause 11 that is in between.

Clause 14. The hollow of Clause 10, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region. golf club head.

Clause 15. A first point of intersection of said intermediate plane defined by its intersection with said crown-faceplate bridge; and a second point of intersection of said intermediate plane defined by its intersection with said sole-faceplate bridge; wherein the crown-faceplate bridge contacts the first intersection point and extends beyond the first intersection point in both the heel and toe directions, and the sole-face 11. The hollow golf club head of clause 10, wherein a plate bridge contacts said second intersection point and extends beyond said second intersection point in both said heel direction and said toe direction.

Clause 16. The mass of said club head is approximately 194 grams and the volume of said club head is approximately 460 cc, such that the club head mass-to-volume ratio is between 0.40 and 0.44. the hollow golf club head of Clause 15

Clause 17. The hollow golf club head of Clause 16, wherein the center of gravity of said club head is greater than 43 mm measured from said geometric center point of said hitting face and parallel to said ground plane.

Clause 18. Said rear portion of said golf club head further comprises a single slot, said single slot defining a slot inner surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface and two slot side walls. a slot channel wherein said slot inner surface, said slot bottom surface, said slot top surface and said two slot sidewalls cooperatively open to an exterior rear portion of said golf club head and said sole. wherein the slot interior surface further has only a central weight location and a heel weight location and no toe weight locations, and wherein the central weight location and the heel weight location are weight assembly attachment points and wherein said golf club head further comprises a moveable weight assembly, said weight assembly removably attached to only one of said center weight position and said heel weight position. Hollow golf club head.

Clause 19. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, wherein the faceplate has a mass of between about 61 grams and 62 grams.

Clause 20. The hollow golf club head of Clause 10, wherein said mass of said faceplate is 62.8 grams.

Claims (20)

A hollow golf club head,
comprising a crown, a sole, a hitting face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear portion, wherein the crown, the sole, the hitting face and the rear portion combine to form an internal cavity;
said striking face opposite said rear portion and proximate said crown and said sole;
the sole rests on a ground plane when the club head is at address;
said toe end opposite said heel end and said sole opposite said crown;
the hitting face further having a geometric center point and an intermediate plane extending through the geometric center point in a direction from the hitting face to the rear portion of the golf club head;
the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane;
the golf club head further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region;
wherein the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown;
the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole;
said crown transition region having a first transition region thickness;
the sole transition region having a second transition region thickness;
The golf club head further comprises a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region, and the sole-faceplate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region, and
the crown-faceplate bridge having a first reinforced area thickness and the sole-faceplate bridge having a second reinforced area thickness;
the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness;
the thickness of the second reinforcement region is greater than the thickness of the sole transition region;
Hollow golf club head. the crown-faceplate bridge further having a first reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a first reinforced zone length measured in the anterior-posterior direction;
the sole-faceplate bridge further having a second reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a second reinforced zone length measured in the anterior-to-posterior direction;
the first reinforced region width varies along the first reinforced region length;
said second reinforced region width varies along said second reinforced region length;
2. The hollow golf club head of claim 1. the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width;
the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width;
3. The hollow golf club head of claim 2. further comprising a heel side plane and a toe side plane,
the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane;
The heel-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head and is spaced from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane is located in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club. positioned and spaced apart from the intermediate plane;
the heel plane is positioned a distance of 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane;
the toe plane is positioned a distance of 0.75 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane;
the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region width bounded by the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane; there is
3. The hollow golf club head of claim 2. wherein the crown-to-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-to-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region;
2. The hollow golf club head of claim 1. a first intersection defined by intersection of the mid-plane with the crown-faceplate bridge; and a second intersection of the mid-plane defined by intersection with the sole-faceplate bridge. equipped with
said crown-faceplate bridge contacting said first intersection point and extending beyond said first intersection point in both the heel and toe directions;
the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions;
2. The hollow golf club head of claim 1. a club head mass of about 194 grams and a club head volume of about 460 cc, such that the club head mass-to-volume ratio is between 0.40 and 0.44 ,
7. The hollow golf club head of claim 6. the center of gravity of the club head, measured from the geometric center point of the hitting face and parallel to the ground plane, is greater than 43 mm;
8. The hollow golf club head of claim 7. said rear portion of said golf club head further comprising a single slot;
the single slot defines a slot interior surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface, and two slot sidewalls;
The slot interior surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot sidewalls cooperate to form a slot channel that opens to the exterior rear portion of the golf club head and the sole. cage,
said slot interior surface further having only center weight locations and heel weight locations and no toe weight locations;
said central weight position and said heel weight position having weight assembly attachment points;
said golf club head further comprising a moveable weight assembly, said weight assembly removably attached to only one of said center weight position and said heel weight position;
9. The hollow golf club head of claim 8. A hollow golf club head,
comprising a crown, a sole, a hitting face, a toe end, a heel end and a rear portion, wherein the crown, the sole, the hitting face and the rear portion combine to form an internal cavity;
said striking face opposite said rear portion and proximate said crown and said sole;
the sole rests on a ground plane when the club head is at address;
said toe end opposite said heel end and said sole opposite said crown;
the hitting face further having a geometric center point and an intermediate plane extending through the geometric center point in a direction from the hitting face to the rear portion of the golf club head;
the hitting face has a mass of less than 63 grams;
the intermediate plane is perpendicular to the ground plane;
the golf club head further comprising a crown transition region and a sole transition region;
wherein the crown transition region is formed between the striking face and the crown;
the sole transition region is formed between the striking face and the sole;
said crown transition region having a first transition region thickness;
the sole transition region having a second transition region thickness;
The golf club head further comprises a crown-faceplate bridge and a sole-faceplate bridge, wherein the crown-faceplate bridge is positioned entirely within the crown transition region, and the sole-faceplate bridge is positioned within the sole transition region, and
the crown-faceplate bridge having a first reinforced area thickness and the sole-faceplate bridge having a second reinforced area thickness;
the first reinforcement region thickness is greater than the crown transition region thickness;
the thickness of the second reinforcement region is greater than the thickness of the sole transition region;
Hollow golf club head. the crown-faceplate bridge further having a first reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a first reinforced zone length measured in the anterior-posterior direction;
the sole-faceplate bridge further having a second reinforced zone width measured in the heel-toe direction and a second reinforced zone length measured in the anterior-to-posterior direction;
the first reinforced region width varies along the first reinforced region length;
said second reinforced region width varies along said second reinforced region length;
11. The hollow golf club head of claim 10. the first reinforced region length varies along the first reinforced region width;
the second reinforced region length varies along the second reinforced region width;
12. The hollow golf club head of claim 11. further comprising a heel side plane and a toe side plane,
the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane are parallel to the intermediate plane;
The heel-side plane is positioned in a direction toward the heel end of the golf club head and is spaced from the mid-plane, and the toe-side plane is located in a direction toward the toe end of the golf club. positioned and spaced apart from the intermediate plane;
the heel plane is positioned a distance of 0.55 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane;
the toe plane is positioned a distance of 0.75 inches to 0.80 inches from the midplane;
the first reinforced region width and the second reinforced region width bounded by the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane and between the heel-side plane and the toe-side plane; there is
12. The hollow golf club head of claim 11. wherein the crown-to-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the crown transition region and the sole-to-faceplate bridge is integrally formed within the sole transition region;
11. The hollow golf club head of claim 10. a first intersection defined by intersection of the mid-plane with the crown-faceplate bridge; and a second intersection of the mid-plane defined by intersection with the sole-faceplate bridge. equipped with
said crown-faceplate bridge contacting said first intersection point and extending beyond said first intersection point in both the heel and toe directions;
the sole-faceplate bridge contacts the second intersection and extends beyond the second intersection in both the heel and toe directions;
11. The hollow golf club head of claim 10. a club head mass of about 194 grams and a club head volume of about 460 cc, such that the club head mass-to-volume ratio is between 0.40 and 0.44 16. The hollow golf club head of claim 15. the center of gravity of the club head, measured from the geometric center point of the hitting face and parallel to the ground plane, is greater than 43 mm;
17. The hollow golf club head of claim 16. said rear portion of said golf club head further comprising a single slot;
the single slot defines a slot interior surface, a slot bottom surface, a slot top surface, and two slot sidewalls;
The slot interior surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot sidewalls cooperate to form a slot channel that opens to the exterior rear portion of the golf club head and the sole. cage,
said slot interior surface further having only center weight locations and heel weight locations and no toe weight locations;
said central weight position and said heel weight position having weight assembly attachment points;
the golf club head further comprising a moveable weight assembly;
the weight assembly is removably mounted in only one of the center weight position and the heel weight position;
18. The hollow golf club head of claim 17. the mass of the faceplate is between about 61 grams and 62 grams;
11. The hollow golf club head of claim 10. the mass of the faceplate is 62.8 grams;
11. The hollow golf club head of claim 10.

Images