JP7453234B2 - mixed material golf club head - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This Agreement claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/779,335, filed December 13, 2018, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, it is a continuation in part of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/380,873, filed April 10, 2019, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure generally relates to golf club heads having mixed material construction.

Generally, there are many important physical parameters (i.e., volume, mass, etc.) that affect the overall performance of a golf club head. One of the most important physical parameters is the total mass of the golf club head. The total mass of a golf club head is the sum of the total structural mass and the total arbitrary mass. Structural mass generally refers to the mass of material required to provide the club head with the necessary structural resiliency to withstand repeated impacts. Structural mass is highly design dependent, providing the designer with relatively little control over a particular mass distribution. Conversely, any additional mass (beyond the minimum structural requirements for a golf club head) that may be added to a club head design for the sole purpose of customizing club performance and/or forgiveness. be. Alternatives to all-metal golf club heads have been developed in the art to provide a means to maximize any given weight to maximize club head moment of inertia (MOI) and bottom/back center of gravity (CG). design is required.

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to sports equipment and, more particularly, to golf club heads and related methods.
FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of a mixed material golf club head. 2 shows a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the front body of the golf club head of FIG. 1; 2 shows a rear view of the front body of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the front and rear bodies of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the weight pad and weights in the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the weight, fastener, and washer in the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an internal view of the rear body of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows another internal view of the rear body of the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart showing a method for manufacturing the golf club head of FIG. 1. FIG.

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

A golf club head is described herein that includes a mixed material rear body in combination with a metal front body. The golf club head includes a mixed material rear body including a strike face and a peripheral frame, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite elastic layer, a molded thermoplastic structural layer, a metal weight pad, and a metal secured within the metal weight pad. It consists of weight. The construction of the mixed material rear body provides a significant reduction in structural mass and allows for improved distribution of arbitrary mass, thus allowing for improved MOI and CG of the golf club head.

In the description and claims, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc., if any, are used to distinguish between similar elements; The terms are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or chronological order, and the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, e.g., the embodiments described herein. It is to be understood that the may operate in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising", "having", and any variations thereof are intended to cover exclusive inclusion, and a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus comprising a list of elements is , but are not necessarily limited to those elements, including, but not limited to, other elements not expressly described or inherent in such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus. There are cases.

The terms "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "top", "bottom", etc., in the specification and claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes only. and not necessarily to describe a permanent relative position. The terms so used refer to embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein, such as those illustrated or otherwise described herein. It should be understood that it is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances so that it can operate in other orientations than the one shown in FIG.

Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, the present disclosure, in its application, will be explained in more detail below. It should be understood that there is no limitation. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Various embodiments of golf heads having mixed material constructions are described herein. The mixed material structure includes a metal front body and a mixed material rear body. One embodiment of the club head includes a composite rear body with a metal weight pad. In these or other embodiments, the rear body of the club head may include a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite elastic layer, a molded thermoplastic structural layer, and a metal weight secured within a metal weight pad. In another embodiment, the rear body of the club head can include a composite crown and sole with metal weights secured within metal weight pads. In many embodiments, the golf club head can be a wood-type golf club head (i.e., driver, fairway wood, hybrid).

In some embodiments, the club head can include a driver. In these examples, the club head has a loft angle of 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, or less than about 10 degrees. be able to. Further, in these examples, the volume of the club head is greater than about 400 cc, greater than about 425 cc, greater than about 450 cc, greater than about 475 cc, greater than about 500 cc, greater than about 525 cc, greater than about 550 cc, and about It can be greater than 575 cc, greater than about 600 cc, greater than about 625 cc, greater than about 650 cc, greater than about 675 cc, or greater than about 700 cc. In some embodiments, the club head has a volume of about 400cc to 600cc, 425cc to 500cc, about 500cc to 600cc, about 500cc to 650cc, about 550cc to 700cc, about 600cc to 650cc, about 600cc to 700cc, or about 600cc. ~800cc.

In some embodiments, the club head can constitute a fairway wood. In these examples, the loft angle of the club head may be 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 these examples, 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, It can be greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be 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.

In embodiments where the club head includes a fairway wood, the volume of the club head is less than about 400 cc, less than about 375 cc, less than about 350 cc, less than about 325 cc, less than about 300 cc, less than about 275 cc, less than about 250 cc, less than about 225 cc, or Less than about 200cc. In these examples, the club head has a volume of about 150cc to 200cc, about 150cc to 250cc, about 150cc to 300cc, about 150cc to 350cc, about 150cc to 400cc, about 300cc to 400cc, about 325cc to 400cc, about 350cc to It can be 400cc, about 250cc to 400cc, about 250cc to 350cc, or about 275cc to 375cc.

In some embodiments, the club head can include a hybrid. In these examples, the loft angle of the 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, about 33 degrees. degree, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Further, in these examples, the loft angle of the 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, It can be greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, or greater than about 25 degrees.

In embodiments where the club head comprises a hybrid, the club head has a volume of less than about 200 cc, less than about 175 cc, less than about 150 cc, less than about 125 cc, less than about 100 cc, or less than about 75 cc. In some embodiments, the club head can have a volume of about 100 cc to 150 cc, about 75 cc to 150 cc, about 100 cc to 125 cc, or about 75 cc to 125 cc.

1-10 illustrate an embodiment of a golf club head 100 having a metal front body 104 and a rear body 108. FIG. The front body 104 and the rear body 108 are secured together to define a substantially closed/hollow interior volume. Similar to wood-style golf heads, golf club head 100 includes a crown 112 and a sole 116 and can be divided into a heel region 124 and a toe region 128.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a metal front body 104 and a composite back body 108, where the back body includes a woven fiber-reinforced thermoplastic elastic layer 148 and a molded thermoplastic structural layer 152. and a metal weight pad 156. The combination of woven fiber-reinforced thermoplastic elastic layer 148 and molded thermoplastic structural layer 152 allows for savings in structural mass compared to similar club heads made entirely of metal.

The structural weight savings achieved by using elastic layer 148 and structural layer 152 may reduce the overall weight of club head 100 (which may provide faster club head speed and/or longer strike distance) or It may be used to either increase the amount of any mass available for placement on the golf club head 100. In one embodiment, additional optional mass obtained from the use of composite elastic layer 148 and composite structural layer 152 may be reintroduced to club head 100 in the form of metal weight pad 156. The combination of the lightweight composite rear body 108 and metal weight pad 156 allows the clubhead 100 to allocate most of the clubhead's mass to positions that maximize MOI and CG, resulting in more forgiveness and longer shots. Connect.

I. Front Body Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the front body 104 of the club head 100 includes a strike surface 120 for striking a golf ball. Forward body 104 includes a perimeter frame 136 extending rearwardly from a perimeter 140 of strike face 120 to give fore body 104 a cup-like appearance. Perimeter frame 136 has an inner surface 170 and an outer surface 172. Additionally, the peripheral frame 136 can include a flange 174 to provide a mounting surface connecting the front body 104 and the rear body 108. When the front body 104 is assembled with the rear body 108, the outer surface 172 of the front body 104 forms a portion of the crown 112 and a portion of the sole 116 of the club head 100. The front body 104 further includes a hosel 144 for receiving a golf club shaft or shaft adapter in the heel region 124 of the golf club head 100.

In some embodiments, strike surface 120 and perimeter frame 136 may be integrally formed. In other embodiments, strike surface 120 and perimeter frame 136 may be formed separately and joined together. In one embodiment, the strike face 120 is forged and the surrounding frame 136 is cast, and then the strike face 120 and the surrounding frame 136 are welded, brazed, plasma welded, low power laser welded, forged, or otherwise suitable. bonded using a unique bonding technique.

In many embodiments, the front body 104 is made from a metallic material to withstand repeated impact stresses from hitting a golf ball. In some embodiments, the front body 104 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, steel alloys (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloys (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloys, or composite materials. In some embodiments, the strike surface 120 of the golf club head 100 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, steel alloys (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium It can include alloys (eg, Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloys, amorphous metal alloys, or composite materials.

Front body 104 includes mass. In some embodiments where the strike surface 120 and the perimeter frame 136 are separate, the mass of the front body 104 is the sum of the mass of the strike surface 120 and the mass of the perimeter frame 136. Depending on the material from which the front body 104 is made, the mass of the front body 104 can range from 40 grams to 140 grams. In most embodiments, the mass of the front body 104 does not exceed 140 grams. In some embodiments, the front body 104 has a mass of 40-50 grams, 50-60 grams, 60-70 grams, 70-80 grams, 80-90 grams, 90-100 grams, 100-110 grams, It can range from 110 to 120 grams, 120 to 130 grams, or 130 to 140 grams.

a. Strike Surface Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, the front body 104 of the golf club head 100 includes a strike surface 120 that is positioned to strike a golf ball. Strike plane 120 includes a center point 160, a loft plane 164, and a neutral plane 168. The center point 160 is equidistant from the crown 112 and sole 116 of the club head 100 and is equidistant from the edge of the surface closest to the toe region 128 and the edge of the strike surface 120 closest to the heel region 124. Loft surface 164 is tangent to center point 160 of strike surface 120 of club head 100 . Loft plane 164 intersects ground plane 180.

The strike surface 120 of the club head 100 includes a thickness measured as the distance between the strike surface 120 and the inner surface 170 of the front body 104. The thickness of the strike surface 120 varies at different locations defining a variable surface thickness (VFT) or variable thickness profile 196. Variable thickness profile 196 has a central region 192 and a peripheral region 188. In many embodiments, the central region 192 of the variable thickness profile 196 includes an oval, oval, oval, or oval-like shape. Central region 192 is generally oblong and extends from a portion of strike surface 120 proximate sole 116 and heel region 124 to a portion of strike surface 120 proximate to toe region 128 and crown 112.

Referring to FIG. 6, the central region 192 is positioned such that the center point 160 of the strike surface 120 is located within the central region 192 or extends over or near the center point 160 of the strike surface 120. Central region 192 includes the maximum thickness of strike surface 120. In many embodiments, the thickness of central region 192 is substantially constant. Peripheral region 188 is disposed around perimeter 140 of strike surface 120 and comprises a minimum thickness of strike surface 120 . In many embodiments, the thickness of peripheral region 188 is substantially constant. The thickness of the strike surface 120 in the central region 192 is greater than the thickness of the strike surface 120 in the peripheral region 188. Transition region 190 is located between central region 192 and peripheral region 188. Transition region 190 includes a varying thickness that forms a transition between central region 192 and peripheral region 188.

Additionally, strike surface 120 generally includes a major axis 184 extending in a direction from heel 124 to toe 128 . Major axis 184 intersects center point 160 and forms an angle β with the ground plane. In many embodiments, major axis 184 reflects the oval shape of central region 192.

The main axis 184 forms an approximately 20 degree angle with the ground plane 180. For example, the angle formed between the main axis 184 of the central region 192 and the ground plane 180 can vary from 0 degrees to 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle formed between the main axis 184 of the central region 192 and the ground plane 180 varies from 2 to 20, 2 to 30, 5 to 40, 10 to 50, or 15 to 60 degrees. It is possible. In other embodiments, the main axis 184 is 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, relative to the ground plane 180. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, An angle of 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, or 60 degrees may be formed. Placing the central region 192 at an angle further allows the elongated portion of the oval to extend toward the toe portion above the strike surface 120 such that a high CT value exists and, as a result, ball speed increases. Improve.

The oval or oval or egg-shaped shape, together with the angle of the central region 192 of the variable thickness profile 196, allows thicker regions of the strike surface 120 to be placed in regions with inherently higher CT, allowing the strike Allowing thinner regions of the surface 120 to be placed in regions with inherently low CT, thus the area of the surface with inherently high CT is reduced and the area of the surface with inherently low CT decreases. increases, resulting in a normalized CT across the strike plane 120. In many embodiments, the variable thickness profile 196 provides a characteristic time range of less than 115 microseconds (μs), less than 110 μs, less than 105 μs, less than 100 μs, less than 95 μs, less than 90 μs, or less than 85 μs. Further, in many embodiments, variable thickness profile 40 provides an average characteristic time of greater than 230 μs, greater than 235 μs, or greater than 240 μs. For example, in many embodiments, the average CT of face plate 20 can be between 230 μs and 240 μs, between 235 μs and 240 μs, or between 240 μs and 245 μs.

Additionally, because the angled VFT is designed to position the thicker portion of the strike surface 120 in the required area, the strike surface 120 is designed to provide a strike surface 120 that does not have the variable thickness profile 196 described herein. Compared to the surface, it can undergo weight reduction. Any excess weight can be reintroduced into other areas of the club head to manipulate the club head's center of gravity location, increase the club head's moment of inertia, and further improve club head performance. In the illustrated embodiment, the club head 100 with the variable thickness profile 196, as described herein, has a weight of 2.1 grams compared to a similar club head lacking the variable thickness profile 196. Save weight.

b. Hosel The front body 104 of the golf club head 100 includes a hosel 144. Hosel 144 includes a hosel axis 176 that extends along the center of the bore of hosel 144 . 3 and 6, in this example, the hosel coupling mechanism of the golf club head 100 includes a hosel 144 and a shaft sleeve (not shown), where the shaft sleeve is attached to the end of a golf shaft (not shown). can be combined with The shaft sleeve can be coupled to the hosel 144 in multiple configurations, thereby allowing the golf shaft to be secured to the hosel 144 at multiple angles relative to the hosel axis 176. However, other examples are possible in which the shaft can be non-adjustably fixed to the hosel 144. In the illustrated embodiment, hosel axis 176 is at an angle α relative to ground plane 12 relative to a front view of golf club head 10 (FIG. 1). Although the illustrated angle α is about 60 degrees, in other configurations the angle α is about 40 to 80 degrees (e.g., about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 55 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 65 degrees). degree, about 70 degrees, about 75 degrees, or about 80 degrees).

Additionally, hosel axis 176 and main axis 184 form an angle Θ. In many embodiments, the angle Θ formed between hosel axis 176 and main axis 184 can range from 60 to 140 degrees. In most embodiments, the minimum angle Θ formed between hosel axis 176 and main axis 184 is approximately 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle Θ formed between hosel axis 176 and main axis 184 is 60-70 degrees, 70-80 degrees, 80-90 degrees, 90-100 degrees, 100-110 degrees, 110 degrees. ~120 degrees, 120 degrees to 130 degrees, or 130 to 140 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle Θ formed between hosel axis 176 and main axis 184 may range from 80 degrees to 90 degrees.

c. Peripheral Frame The front body 104 of the golf club head 100 includes a peripheral frame 136 that extends rearwardly from the entire perimeter 140 of the strike face 120 . Perimeter frame 136 further includes a flange 174 that operates to connect front body 104 and rear body 108.

Flange 174 provides a surface for achieving a lap joint to which rear body 108 can be attached. The flange 174 extends rearwardly from the entire perimeter frame 136 to form a stepped structure downwardly from the outer surface 172 of the perimeter frame 136. In many embodiments, the flange 174 of the front body 104 is attached to the rear body by epoxy, gluing, welding, bonding, laser assisted metal-to-plastic welding, brazing, or any other suitable attachment method. This allows them to overlap and join to the front body 104. The lap joint style flange 174 further allows the front body 104 and rear body 108 to fit securely together without the use of any mechanical fasteners.

Additionally, the peripheral frame 136 includes an outer surface 172 and an inner surface 170 that may provide additional aerodynamic features to enhance the overall speed of the golf club head. The peripheral frame 136 of the front body 104 of the golf club head 100 may include additional aerodynamic features, such as turbulence wings 200. Turbulent airfoils 200 can be used to reduce club head drag and increase club 100 speed. These turbulent airfoils 200 are described in U.S. Patent No. No. 9,555,294, incorporated by reference in its entirety.

II. Rear Body Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8-13, the rear body 108 of the club head 100 includes a crown member 204, a sole member 208, and a weight pad 212. Crown member 204 and sole member 208 are coupled together to form a portion of crown 112 and sole 116 of golf club head 100. When front body 104 and rear body 108 are joined, outer surface 172 of front body 104, crown member 204, and sole member 208 form the entire crown 112 and sole 116 of golf club head 100. The sole member 208 of the rear body 108 can further include a composite elastic layer 152, a composite structural layer 156, and a metal weight pad 212.

In this design, rear body 108 may include a mixture of molded thermoplastic material (eg, injection molded thermoplastic material) and fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite material. As used herein, molded thermoplastic materials are those that rely on the polymer itself to provide structure and stiffness to the final component. Molded thermoplastic materials are those that are easily adapted to molding techniques such as injection molding, whereby the material is free-flowing when heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polymer. Molded thermoplastic materials mixed with filler materials are referred to as filled thermoplastic (FT) materials. The filled thermoplastic material is free-flowing when in the heated/molten state. To promote flow properties, the filler generally includes discrete particles having a largest dimension of less than about 25 mm, or more typically less than about 12 mm. For example, the filler material can include discrete particles having a maximum dimension of 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, or 10 mm. Filler materials useful in the present design can include, for example, glass beads or discontinuous reinforcing fibers formed from carbon, glass, or aramid polymers.

In contrast to molded and filled thermoplastic materials, fiber reinforced composite (FRC) materials generally include one or more layers of unidirectional or multidirectional fiber cloth extending across a larger portion of the polymer. include. Unlike the reinforcing fibers that may be used in FT materials, the maximum dimensions of the fibers used in FRC may be substantially larger/longer than those used in FT materials, and as a continuous fabric separate from the polymer. may be of sufficient size and characteristics so that it can be provided. When formed from thermoplastic polymers, the included continuous fibers are generally not flowable, even though the polymer is free-flowing when melted.

FRC materials are generally formed by arranging fibers in a desired configuration and then impregnating the fibrous material with a sufficient amount of polymeric material to provide stiffness. In this way, the FT material can have a resin content of greater than about 45% by volume, or more preferably greater than about 55% by volume, whereas the FRC material desirably has a resin content of about 45% by volume. or more preferably less than about 35% by volume. FRC materials traditionally use two-part thermoset epoxies as the polymer matrix, but thermoplastic polymers can also be used as the matrix. In many cases, FRC materials are pre-prepared before final manufacturing, and such intermediate materials are often referred to as prepregs. If a thermosetting polymer is used, the prepreg is partially cured in intermediate form, and final curing occurs when the prepreg is formed into the final shape. If a thermoplastic polymer is used, the prepreg may include a cooled thermoplastic matrix, which may subsequently be heated and formed into the final shape. This technique allows complex, lightweight shapes, such as the rear body 108, to be created without sacrificing strength.

a. Crown Member Rear body 108 includes a crown member 204 . 4 and 9, crown member 204 includes an outer surface 206 such that when rear body 108 and front body 104 are joined, outer surface 206 of crown member 204 and outer surface 172 of perimeter frame 136 are joined. , forming the entire crown 112 of the golf club head 100. The outer surface 206 of the crown member 204 has a generally curved shape that is concave with respect to the ground plane 180. The generally curved shape of the crown member 204 allows the rear body 208 to be seamlessly joined to the front body 104 as the crown member is positioned completely over the flange 174 of the front body 104 .

In many embodiments, the crown member 204 is comprised of woven carbon fiber and is not a composite ply or any layer of unidirectional composite plies. In one embodiment, the crown member 204 may be substantially formed from a formed fiber-reinforced composite material that includes a woven glass or carbon fiber reinforcement layer embedded within a polymer matrix. In such embodiments, the polymer matrix is preferably a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or a polyamide such as PA6 or PA66. In other embodiments, the crown member 204 is instead comprised of glass beads or discontinuous glass, carbon, embedded throughout a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polyamide. , or may be formed from a filled thermoplastic material containing an aramid polymer fiber filler. In yet other embodiments, the crown member 204 can have a mixed material construction that includes both a filled thermoplastic material and a molded fiber reinforced composite material.

b. Sole Member Rear body 108 includes a sole member 208 . 4 and 9, sole member 208 includes a structural layer 156 and an elastic layer 152 to provide a lightweight yet strong sole 116 of golf club head 100. Referring to FIGS. Referring to the ground plane 180, a resilient layer 152 is disposed against the ground plane, and a structural layer 156 is disposed on top of the resilient layer 152 within the golf club head 100.

In one embodiment, sole member 208 has a mixed material construction that includes both a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite elastic layer 152 and a molded thermoplastic structural layer 156. In a preferred embodiment, the molded thermoplastic structural layer 156 is comprised of glass beads or non-woven materials embedded throughout a thermoplastic material such as, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or polyamides such as PA6 or PA66. It may be formed from filled thermoplastic materials containing continuous glass, carbon, or aramid polymer fiber fillers. The elastic layer 152 is then a woven glass, carbon fiber, or aramid polymer embedded in a thermoplastic polymer matrix including, for example, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), or a polyamide such as PA6 or PA66. A fiber reinforcement layer may be included. In one particular embodiment, crown member 202 and elastic layer 152 may each include a woven carbon fiber fabric embedded in polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and structural layer 156 may include filled polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). PPS) polymers.

Structural layer 156 can generally include a front portion 236 and a peripheral portion 240 that define an outer perimeter of sole member 208 . In assembled club head 100, forward portion 236 is coupled to metal front body 104 and peripheral portion 240 is coupled to crown member 204. Structural layer 156 defines a plurality of apertures 244 extending through the thickness of structural layer 156 and located within the periphery. Further, structural layer 156 can include one or more structural members 248 extending from front portion 236 to between at least two of plurality of apertures 244. Additionally, structural layer 156 can be configured to include metal weight pads 212 and metal weights 220, as described below.

Resilient layer 152 may be coupled to structural layer 156 such that it directly abuts or overlaps at least a portion of anterior portion 236, peripheral portion 240, and plurality of structural members 248. By doing so, the elastic layer 152 can completely cover each of the plurality of openings 244 when viewed from the outside of the club head 100. Similarly, one or more structural members 248 can serve as selective reinforcement for the inner portion of elastic layer 244, similar to reinforcing ribs or gussets.

For both the crown member 204 and sole member 208 polymer constructions, any filled thermoplastic or fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material is preferably suitable for typical use while providing weight savings benefits to the design. One or more engineering polymers should be incorporated that have sufficiently high material strength and/or strength/weight ratio properties to withstand. Specifically, the material of the golf club head 100 efficiently withstands the stresses imparted during impact between the strike surface 120 and the golf ball while not contributing substantially to the total weight of the golf club head 100. This is very important. Generally, preferred polymers can be characterized by a tensile strength at yield greater than about 60 MPa (neat), and when filled, greater than about 110 MPa, or more preferably greater than about 180 MPa, and even more preferably about 220 MPa. can have a tensile strength at yield exceeding . In some embodiments, suitable filled thermoplastic polymers may have a tensile strength at yield of about 60 MPa to about 350 MPa. In some embodiments, these polymers may have a concentration of about 1.15 to about 2.02, either filled or unfilled, preferably above about 210°C, or more preferably It may have a melting point above about 250°C.

c. Weight Pads Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9-11, in many embodiments, the structural layer 156 can include weight pads 212. Weight pad 212 includes a cavity 216 adapted to receive a metal weight 220. In some embodiments, the weight pad 212 is generally positioned toward the rearmost point on the club head 100 and is therefore integrated and/or directly coupled to the rear portion 132 of the structural layer 156. Good too. In some embodiments, a hole or opening 252 can be provided in the elastic layer 152 through which a portion of the weight pad 212 can extend. In some embodiments, opening 250 is spaced from front body 104 a minimum distance of at least 25 mm, or at least 30 mm, or at least 35 mm (i.e., as measured along the outer surface of the club head). As shown in FIG. 9, when assembled, the outer surface of the weight pad 212 can lie flush with the outer surface of the immediately adjacent sole member 208 and/or elastic layer 152. In this manner, a portion of the weight pad 212 may form a portion of the outer sole 116 of the golf club head 100. Additionally, in some embodiments, the inner surface of weight pad 212 may be exposed to the interior of the club head. Weight pad 212 functions to provide a dense rearward mass to improve the overall MOI of the golf club head. Weight pads 212 and weights 220 provide areas for placing a high concentration of optional mass as substantial weight savings are achieved by forming a composite rear body 108.

Weight pad 212 may include any desired shape to place as much mass as possible toward the circumference of rear portion 132 of golf club head 100. The shape of the weight pad 212 can be any of the following shapes: circular, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal, curved, spade-shaped, or any other polygon or shape having at least one curved surface. It can be one. In one embodiment, weight pad 212 can be generally trapezoidal in shape. In another embodiment, weight pad 212 can be generally rectangular in shape. Furthermore, in another embodiment, weight pad 212 can have a generally circular shape. Furthermore, in another embodiment, weight pad 212 can be generally triangular in shape.

In most embodiments, weight pad 212 may be made from a metallic material to provide a dense rear portion to improve the overall MOI of golf club head 100. In some embodiments, the weight pad 212 is made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, steel alloys (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloys (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloys, or composite materials. In one embodiment, weight pad 212 can be made from stainless steel. Weight pad 212 may be forged or cast before being secured within sole member 208 of rear body 108.

Weight pad 212 can be secured within opening 250 of elastic layer 152 by one or more techniques operable to provide a robust structural bond. Due to differences in material type/material surface energy, as well as the relatively high ratio of component mass to contact surface area, traditional adhesives alone cannot withstand the forces experienced during golf club impact on the ball. This can be difficult. Accordingly, it may be desirable to integrate at least a portion of the weight pad into the structural layer 156 and/or the elastic layer 152 by encapsulating at least a portion of the weight pad. In doing so, the material strength of the encapsulating layer can act to provide a more durable bond than using surface adhesives alone. 9 and 13, examples of suitable encapsulations include structural tape 261 extending over the edge 252 of weight pad 212, direct encapsulation of at least a portion of weight pad 212 by structural layer 156, or of elastic layer 152. Can include encapsulation of a portion of the weight pad between adjacent plies. These techniques may be used in place of, or in addition to, the use of chemical adhesives provided between the weight pad and sole member 208.

In one configuration, weight pad 212 can be attached to sole member 208 without the use of mechanical fasteners. In one embodiment, the weight pad 212 is cast and the structural layer 156 may then be molded around at least the edges 252 of the weight pad 212, for example, by insert injection molding or co-molding techniques. As discussed above, the filled thermoplastic structure of structural layer 156 is capable of forming complex geometries to accommodate weight pads 212 through its ability to extend around edges in a structurally stable manner. Particularly suitable for Depending on the geometry of the weight pad, such bonding techniques may be more difficult with tape or FRC due to its more uniform profile.

A cavity 216 in weight pad 212 extends inwardly from weight pad 212 . In the illustrated embodiment, cavity 216 includes a circular shape. In other embodiments, cavity 216 can include any shape. For example, the shape of cavity 216 can include a circle, ellipse, triangle, rectangle, octagon, or any other polygon or shape having at least one curved surface. Cavity 216 provides a recess for securing metal weight 220 therein. Metal weight 220 further adds optional weight to golf club head 100, thus further improving the MOI and CG of golf club head 100. Additionally, cavity 216 and metal weight 220 allow for changes to the overall weight of golf club head 100 by removably attaching different metal weights of different densities.

Cavity 212 includes a depth measured from a bottom 224 of cavity 212 to the contour of sole member 208 in a direction generally perpendicular to bottom 224 . In many embodiments, the depth of cavity 212 is between 0.10 inch and 0.50 inch. In some embodiments, the depth of the cavity 212 is less than 0.50 inch, less than 0.45 inch, less than 0.40 inch, less than 0.35 inch, less than 0.30 inch, less than 0.25 inch, Less than 0.20 inch, or less than 0.15 inch.

Additionally, cavity 212 includes an opening 228 in bottom 224 . Aperture 228 extends inwardly from bottom 224 of cavity 212 toward crown 112 of golf club head 100 . In some embodiments, aperture 228 can include threading that mates with threading on fastener 230 to secure metal weight 220 within cavity 216. In other embodiments, aperture 228 may be unthreaded for use with self-tapping or self-drilling fasteners.

Metal weight 220 is configured to be placed with cavity 216 of weight pad 212. In the illustrated embodiment, weight 220 is circular in shape to correspond to the shape of cavity 212. In other embodiments, the weights 220 may have any geometric shape that corresponds to the shape of the cavity 212 (e.g., circular, oval, triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, octagonal, or any other shape having at least one curved surface). polygonal shape or shape).

Metal weight 220 further includes an aperture 232 extending completely through weight 220. Aperture 232 is substantially the same size as aperture 228 in cavity 212 , and aperture 232 in weight 220 is aligned with aperture 228 in cavity 212 when the weight is placed within cavity 212 . In most embodiments, aperture 232 lacks threading to allow fastener 230 to pass through weight 220 and be secured to aperture 228 in weight pad 212 by threading. Additionally, in some embodiments, washer 214 may be placed within cavity 212 before metal weight 220 is placed within cavity 212.

d. Assembly FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a method 300 for manufacturing a golf club head 100 having integrally bonded elastic layer 152, structural layer 156, and metal weight pad 220 of sole member 208. Method 300 includes thermoforming a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material into an outer shell portion of club head 100 in step 310 . The thermoforming process includes, for example, preheating the thermoplastic prepreg to a forming temperature at least above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer, forming the prepreg into the shape of the shell part, and then trimming the formed part to size. can be included.

Once the composite shell portion is in the proper shape, the filled polymeric support structure can be injection molded into direct contact with the shell at step 320. Such a process is commonly referred to as insert molding. In this process, the shell is placed directly into a heated mold with a gated cavity exposed in a portion of the shell. The molten polymer is forced into the cavity and then mixes directly with the molten polymer of the heated composite shell or locally bonds with the softened shell. As the mold cools, the composite shell and support structure polymers harden together in a fused relationship. The bond is strengthened when the shell portion polymer and the support structure polymer are compatible, and is further strengthened when the two components contain a common thermoplastic component. Although insert molding is the preferred technique for forming the structure, other molding techniques such as compression molding can also be used.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 14, once the sole member 208 has been formed by steps 310 and 320, the FRC crown member 204 may be joined to the sole member 208 to substantially complete the structure of the rear body 108 (steps 310 and 320). 330). In a preferred embodiment, crown member 204 may be formed from a thermoplastic FRC material that is formed using similar thermoforming techniques as described with respect to step 310. By forming the crown member 204 from a thermoplastic composite material, the crown member 204 can be joined to the sole member 208 using local welding techniques. Such welding techniques may include, for example, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, or potentially electric resistance welding if the polymer is electrically conductive. Alternatively, if crown member 204 is formed using a thermosetting polymer, crown member 204 may be formed using, for example, adhesives or mechanical attachment techniques (such as studs, screws, posts, mechanical interference engagement, etc.). and may be coupled to sole member 208.

The rear body 108, including the secured crown member 204 and sole member 208, may then be adhesively bonded to the metal front body 104 in step 340. Although adhesives bond easily to most metals, the process of bonding to polymers requires the addition of one or more adhesion promoters or surface treatments to strengthen the bond between the adhesive and the polymer of the rear body 108. may require use.

III. Benefits Utilizing a mixed material aft body construction significantly reduces structural weight while providing a robust means to reintroduce any mass without sacrificing design flexibility Can be done. Although such designs may be formed entirely from filled thermoplastics such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), as mentioned above, the use of fiber-reinforced composites may be stronger and lighter over a continuous exterior surface. Provide structure. Conversely, all-FRC designs cannot easily incorporate weight-accepting structures and therefore cannot easily utilize any increased mass.

Metal weight pads are more beneficial than mixed material golf club heads because metal weight pads allow for distribution and interchangeability of metal weights while providing durability and a fixed location for securing metal weights. be. Compared to golf club heads that do not have metal weight pads, metal weight pads reliably withstand the torque imparted to the weight pads when weights are attached. Additionally, metal weight pads allow manufacturers to replace metal weights, adjust manufacturing tolerances (i.e., change the desired swing weight for the entire club head from 206 grams to 209 grams), or adjust customer specifications ( That is, it allows golfers to make their club heads heavier (from 206 grams to 209 grams).

Substitution of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reconstruction and does not constitute a repair. Additionally, advantages, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, no effect, advantage, solution, or element or group of elements that brings about or makes any effect, advantage, or solution appear more prominent in any of these claims or in any of the claims. It should not be construed as an essential, necessary, or essential feature or element of any claim.

Because the rules for golf may change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be adopted or old rules may be changed from time to time), golf standards organizations such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) and (as may be excluded or modified by a governing body), the golf equipment associated with the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are or will not be compliant with the Rules of Golf at any particular time. There may be cases where you have not. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The above examples may be described in connection with the wood-type golf clubs, devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein. Alternatively, the devices, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to other types of sports equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing poles, ski poles, and the like.

Further, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein may not be applicable if the embodiments and/or limitations are (1) not explicitly recited in a claim, and (2) under the doctrine of equivalents. If the expressive elements and/or limitations of the article are or could be equivalent, they shall not be contributed to the public under the doctrine of equivalents.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are described in the following sections.

(Item 1)
A golf club head comprising a metal front body including a strike surface and a peripheral frame extending rearwardly from a periphery of the strike surface, the strike surface having a center point, a the metal front body having a loft plane tangent to a center point and an intermediate plane extending through the center point from heel to toe and perpendicular to the loft plane;
a rear body coupled to the metal front body, the rear body and the front body forming a substantially hollow structure having a cavity therebetween;
Equipped with
The rear body includes a crown member and a sole member,
the sole member is connected to the crown member,
The sole member is
the structural layer is formed from a filled thermoplastic material and includes a plurality of apertures extending along the thickness of the structural layer;
an elastic layer coupled to an outer surface of the structural layer, the elastic layer extending across each of the plurality of apertures, the elastic layer being formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material and defining an aperture; , the elastic layer;
a metal weight pad extending at least partially along the opening of the elastic layer and bonded to the structural layer, the metal weight pad including an opening for attaching a metal weight; pad and
including;
the structural layer and the elastic layer each include a common thermoplastic resin element;
the structural layer is bonded directly to the elastic layer without an intermediate adhesive;
golf club head.

(Item 2)
the metal front body further includes a flange recessed inwardly from an outer surface of the peripheral frame;
the structural layer of the sole member is adhesively bonded to the flange;
The golf club head of item 1, wherein the outer surface of the elastic layer of the sole member is coplanar with the outer surface of the peripheral frame.

(Item 3)
the metal front body further includes an extension wall connecting the perimeter frame to the flange;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a structural member extending from the weight pad toward the metal front body;
3. The golf club head of item 2, wherein the structural member is operative to transfer dynamic loads between the weight pad and the extension wall during impact between the strike surface and a golf ball.

(Item 4)
A head center of gravity located at a head CG depth from the loft plane and measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, and measured in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate plane at the head CG height from the intermediate plane. 4. The golf club head of any one of items 1-3, wherein the head CG depth is greater than 1.7 inches.

(Item 5)
The metal front body further includes a strike face insert and a receiving frame;
5. The golf club head of any one of items 1-4, wherein the receiving frame has a greater density than the strike surface insert.

(Item 6)
6. The golf club head of any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the front body has a mass of no more than 140g and the golf club head has a total mass of no more than 210g.

(Item 7)
a mechanical fastener secures the metal weight within the opening of the metal weight pad;
the opening of the metal weight pad of the structural layer includes a threading;
7. The golf club head according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the metal weight does not include thread cutting.

(Item 8)
A golf club head according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the metal weight has a mass in the range of 5 grams to 30 grams.

(Item 9)
A golf club head,
a metal front body including a strike surface and a peripheral frame extending rearwardly from a periphery of the strike surface, the strike surface having a center point and a loft surface along the strike surface and tangent to the center point; and an intermediate plane extending through the center point from heel to toe and perpendicular to the loft plane;
a rear body coupled to the metal front body, the rear body and the front body forming a substantially hollow structure having a cavity therebetween;
The rear body includes a crown member and a sole member,
the sole member is connected to the crown member,
The sole member is
a structural layer formed from a filled thermoplastic material and bonded to the crown member, the structural layer including a plurality of apertures extending along the thickness of the structural layer;
an elastic layer bonded to an outer surface of the structural layer without an intermediate adhesive, the elastic layer abutting the metal front body and extending across each of the plurality of openings;
including;
the structural layer is formed from a first material comprising a first plurality of fibers disposed within a first thermoplastic polymer;
the elastic layer is formed from a second material comprising a second plurality of fibers disposed within a second thermoplastic polymer;
the amount of the first thermoplastic polymer in the first material in volume is greater than the amount of the second thermoplastic polymer in the second material in volume;
The structural layer and the elastic layer each contain a common thermoplastic resin component,
the structural layer is bonded directly to the elastic layer without an intermediate adhesive;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a metal weight pad;
the metal weight pad includes an opening for attaching a metal weight;
golf club head.

(Item 10)
the metal front body further includes a flange recessed inwardly from an outer surface of the peripheral frame;
the structural layer of the sole member is adhesively bonded to the flange;
10. The golf club head of item 9, wherein the outer surface of the elastic layer of the sole member is coplanar with the outer surface of the peripheral frame.

(Item 11)
the metal front body further includes an extension wall connecting the peripheral frame to the joining flange;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a structural member extending from the weight pad toward the metal front body;
11. The golf club of item 9 or 10, wherein the structural member is operative to transfer dynamic loads between the weight pad and the extension wall during impact between the strike surface and the golf ball. head.

(Item 12)
12. The golf club head of any one of items 9-11, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer is bonded directly to the second thermoplastic polymer.

(Item 13)
the first plurality of fibers includes a plurality of discontinuous fibers,
13. The golf club head of any one of items 9-12, wherein each of the first plurality of fibers has a largest dimension of less than 0.43 inches.

(Item 14)
14. The golf club head of any one of items 9-13, wherein the second plurality of fibers comprises a plurality of continuous fibers interwoven as a fabric.

(Item 15)
15. The golf club head of any one of items 9-14, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer is the same as the second thermoplastic polymer.

(Item 16)
16. The golf club head according to any one of items 9 to 15, wherein the front body has a mass of no more than 140g and the golf club head has a total mass of no more than 210g.

(Item 17)
A head center of gravity located at a head CG depth from the loft plane and measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, and measured in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate plane at the head CG height from the intermediate plane. 17. The golf club head of any one of items 9-16, wherein the head CG depth is greater than 1.7 inches.

(Item 18)
The metal front body further includes a strike face insert and a receiving frame;
18. The golf club head of any one of items 9-17, wherein the receiving frame has a greater density than the strike surface insert.

(Item 19)
a mechanical fastener secures the metal weight within the opening of the metal weight pad;
the opening of the metal weight pad of the structural layer includes a threading;
19. The golf club head according to any one of items 9 to 18, wherein the metal weight does not include thread cutting.

(Item 20)
20. The golf club head of any one of items 9-19, wherein the metal weight has a mass in the range of 5 grams to 30 grams.

Claims (20)

A golf club head comprising a metal front body including a strike surface and a peripheral frame extending rearwardly from a periphery of the strike surface, the strike surface having a center point, a the metal front body having a loft plane tangent to a center point and an intermediate plane extending through the center point from heel to toe and perpendicular to the loft plane;
a rear body coupled to the metal front body, the rear body and the metal front body forming a substantially hollow structure having a cavity therebetween;
Equipped with
The rear body includes a crown member and a sole member,
the sole member is connected to the crown member,
The sole member is
a structural layer formed from a filled thermoplastic material, the structural layer comprising a plurality of apertures extending along the thickness of the structural layer;
an elastic layer coupled to an outer surface of the structural layer, the elastic layer extending across each of the plurality of apertures, the elastic layer being formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite material and defining an aperture; , the elastic layer;
a metal weight pad extending at least partially along the opening of the elastic layer and bonded to the structural layer, the metal weight pad including an opening for attaching a metal weight; pad and
including;
the structural layer and the elastic layer each include a common thermoplastic resin element;
the metal weight pad is fixed inside the opening of the elastic layer by encapsulating at least a portion of the metal weight pad;
The structural layer is bonded directly to the elastic layer without an intermediate adhesive. the metal front body further includes a flange recessed inwardly from an outer surface of the peripheral frame;
the structural layer of the sole member is adhesively bonded to the flange;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the elastic layer of the sole member is coplanar with the outer surface of the peripheral frame. the metal front body further includes an extension wall connecting the perimeter frame to the flange;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a structural member extending from the metal weight pad toward the metal front body;
3. The golf club of claim 2, wherein the structural member is operative to transfer dynamic loads between the metal weight pad and the extension wall during impact between the strike surface and a golf ball. head. A head center of gravity located at a head CG depth from the loft plane and measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, and measured in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate plane at the head CG height from the intermediate plane. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the head CG depth is greater than 1.7 inches. The metal front body further includes a strike face insert and a receiving frame;
The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the receiving frame is denser than the strike surface insert. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the metal front body has a mass of no more than 140g and the golf club head has a total mass of no more than 210g. a mechanical fastener secures the metal weight within the opening of the metal weight pad;
the opening of the metal weight pad of the structural layer includes a threading;
The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the metal weight does not include threading. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the metal weight has a mass in the range of 5 grams to 30 grams. A golf club head,
a metal front body including a strike surface and a peripheral frame extending rearwardly from a periphery of the strike surface, the strike surface having a center point and a loft surface along the strike surface and tangent to the center point; and an intermediate plane extending through the center point from heel to toe and perpendicular to the loft plane;
a rear body coupled to the metal front body, the rear body and the metal front body forming a substantially hollow structure having a cavity therebetween;
The rear body includes a crown member and a sole member,
the sole member is connected to the crown member,
The sole member is
a structural layer formed from a filled thermoplastic material and bonded to the crown member, the structural layer including a plurality of apertures extending along the thickness of the structural layer;
an elastic layer bonded to an outer surface of the structural layer without an intermediate adhesive, the elastic layer abutting the metal front body and extending across each of the plurality of openings to define an opening; , the elastic layer;
including;
the structural layer is formed from a first material comprising a first plurality of fibers disposed within a first thermoplastic polymer;
the elastic layer is formed from a second material comprising a second plurality of fibers disposed within a second thermoplastic polymer;
the amount of the first thermoplastic polymer in the first material in volume is greater than the amount of the second thermoplastic polymer in the second material in volume;
The structural layer and the elastic layer each contain a common thermoplastic resin component,
the structural layer is bonded directly to the elastic layer without an intermediate adhesive;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a metal weight pad;
the metal weight pad is fixed inside the opening of the elastic layer by encapsulating at least a portion of the metal weight pad;
The metal weight pad includes an opening for attaching a metal weight to a golf club head. the metal front body further includes a flange recessed inwardly from an outer surface of the peripheral frame;
the structural layer of the sole member is adhesively bonded to the flange;
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the elastic layer of the sole member is coplanar with the outer surface of the peripheral frame. the metal front body further includes an extension wall connecting the peripheral frame to the joining flange;
the structural layer of the sole member includes a structural member extending from the metal weight pad toward the metal front body;
11. The golf club of claim 10, wherein the structural member is operative to transfer dynamic loads between the metal weight pad and the extension wall during impact between the strike surface and a golf ball. head. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer is bonded directly to the second thermoplastic polymer. the first plurality of fibers includes a plurality of discontinuous fibers,
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein each of the first plurality of fibers has a maximum dimension of less than 0.43 inches. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the second plurality of fibers comprises a plurality of continuous fibers interwoven as a fabric. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the first thermoplastic polymer is the same as the second thermoplastic polymer. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the metal front body has a mass of no more than 140g and the golf club head has a total mass of no more than 210g. A head center of gravity located at a head CG depth from the loft plane and measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane, and measured in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate plane at the head CG height from the intermediate plane. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the head CG depth is greater than 1.7 inches. The metal front body further includes a strike face insert and a receiving frame;
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the receiving frame is denser than the strike surface insert. a mechanical fastener secures the metal weight within the opening of the metal weight pad;
the opening of the metal weight pad of the structural layer includes a threading;
10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the metal weight does not include threading. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the metal weight has a mass in the range of 5 grams to 30 grams.

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