JPH0615017A - Golf club head - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a golf club showing an elastic behavior within the range of the compressive deformation capable of being generated by the collision of a face member with a ball, having the rigidity almost synchronizing to the deformation of the ball and having abrasion resistance and durability allowing the face member to sufficiently withstand long-term use. CONSTITUTION:A face member 13 having an elastomer layer 11 composed of rubber or a rubbery elastomer and the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 covering the surface of the elastomer layer 11 is provided to the recessed part 10a formed to the face part of a head main body 10. The peripheral edge part of the fiber layer 12a of a fiber reinforced resin layer 12 is incorporated in the opening edge of the recessed part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a golf club head, and more particularly to a face structure capable of extending the flight distance of a ball.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to increase the initial velocity of a ball when hitting a ball and increase the flight distance of the ball, it is important to maximize the coefficient of restitution between the ball and the club head. It is desirable that the ball is deformed in synchronization with the deformation of the ball. Considering the tuning condition of the deformation, generally, when the collision phenomenon of a ball is regarded as a vibration phenomenon, the contact time Δt _b and Δt _c of the ball and the club head due to the collision correspond to 1/2 cycle of the vibration. It can be represented by 1.

[0003]

[Equation 1]

Here, m _b and m _c are masses of the ball and the club head, and k _b and k _c are rigidity of the ball and the club face portion. Therefore, in order to synchronize the deformations of the ball and the head face portion, the contact times of the two are equal, that is, the relationship of the following equation (tuning condition) is established between the rigidity of the ball and the rigidity of the club head. Will be needed.

[0005]

## EQU2 ## m _b / k _b = m _c / k _c

Therefore, now, m _b = 46 g, m _c = 200 g
When, in order to satisfy the condition of Equation 2 is, k _c = 4.3 k _b
Must.

In recent years, a golf club in which the face portion of the head is formed of a thick (t = 30 mm) ABS resin face insert has been proposed as a golf club intended to satisfy the above-mentioned tuning condition. However, when actually performing a test hit test using such a golf club, it is the actual situation that the theoretical ball initial velocity cannot be obtained.

The reason is considered as follows. (a) A dynamic vibration exciter is used to obtain the rigidity k _b of the ball, and a value within the range of 0.1 to 0.2 mm is adopted as the amount of compression deformation δ _b of the dynamic vibration exciter. Figure 1
As shown in, the compression deformation amount δ _b of the ball when hit is 5.0
Since the ball has a rigidity of up to 6.0 mm and the rigidity of the ball has a non-linearity, the rigidity at the time of actual hitting is considered to be 3 to 5 times different from the value measured and calculated using the dynamic vibration exciter. (b) Since ABS resin has a greater non-linearity of rigidity than rubber or metal, it is presumed that a large amount of energy loss occurs in the ABS resin face insert portion at the time of collision with a ball.

In order to make the above failures successful,
The face portion of the head must be made of a material that satisfies the following conditions. (1) It should be almost in tune with the ball within the range of compressive deformation caused by the collision with the ball, that is, it should have a rigidity that almost satisfies the condition of Equation 2. (2) Behave elastically within the range of compressive deformation that can occur due to collision with a ball.

In this case, rubber or its equivalent is conceivable as the material satisfying the above condition (2). For example, the face insert of the head is formed by a rubber layer having a plate thickness T of 6.6 mm. In the case of directly colliding with the ball, the Young's modulus E of the rubber material must be at least 7 × 10 ⁷ to 15 × 10 ⁷ N / m ² in order to satisfy the above condition (1). On the other hand, since the actual Young's modulus E of the rubber material is about 0.5 × 10 ⁷ N / m ² , the above condition (1), that is, the condition of Formula 2 is not satisfied. Also, when the ball is configured to directly collide with the rubber layer,
Since the rubber layer surface has low wear resistance, the face insert is likely to be deformed due to wear.

Therefore, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 4-13629.
In No. 2, a golf club characterized in that a face body having an elastic body layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body and a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the surface of the elastic body layer is provided on the face portion of the head main body. Suggested a head. According to such a golf club head structure, the face body behaves elastically within the range of compressive deformation that can occur due to collision with the ball,
Moreover, since the ball has a rigidity that is substantially in tune with the deformation of the ball, the flight distance of the ball is increased, and the face body has abrasion resistance sufficient to withstand long-term use.

However, in the golf club head in which the face member having the above-mentioned structure is provided in the concave portion formed in the face portion of the head body, damage such as peeling of the fiber reinforced resin layer may occur at the peripheral portion of the face member. , Was a cause of lowering the durability of the face body.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention that the face body behaves elastically within the range of the compressive deformation that can be caused by the collision with the ball, and the face body has a rigidity that is substantially in synchronization with the deformation of the ball. An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head having wear resistance and durability that can sufficiently withstand long-term use.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an elastic body layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body in a recess formed in a face portion of a head body, and a surface of the elastic body layer. A golf club head provided with a face body having a fiber-reinforced resin layer covering the golf club head, wherein the peripheral edge portion of the fiber layer of the fiber-reinforced resin layer enters inside the opening edge of the recess. To do.

In the golf club having the above-mentioned structure, the elastic layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body elastically behaves within the range of compressive deformation which can be caused by collision with the ball, and therefore satisfies the condition (2). . Further, since the fiber-reinforced resin layer covers the surface of the elastic body layer, the elastic body layer is compressed and deformed in a wider range than when it directly collides with the ball, and as a result, the Young's modulus of the elastic body layer is increased. E is 0.5 × 1
Even if it is about ⁷ N / m ² , the condition of the above (1), that is, the condition of Formula 2 can be almost satisfied. Therefore, the coefficient of restitution with the ball is increased, and the flight distance of the ball can be extended. Moreover, since the surface of the elastic body layer is covered with the fiber reinforced resin layer, the wear resistance of the face body is improved. Further, since the peripheral edge of the fiber layer of the fiber-reinforced resin layer is inserted inside the opening edge of the recess provided in the face portion of the head body, the peripheral edge of the fiber-reinforced resin layer is less likely to peel off, and The durability is improved.

In the golf club head having the above structure,
Preferably, the face body is provided in the recess by integral molding with the head body.

More preferably, a push ring for pushing the peripheral edge of the fiber layer of the fiber reinforced resin layer into the inside of the opening edge of the recess is fitted inside the opening edge of the recess to be integrally molded with the face body.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a face body having an elastic body layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body in a recess formed in the face portion of the head body, and a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the surface of the elastic body layer. In the provided golf club head,
Provided is a golf club head, wherein a pressing ring that covers a peripheral edge portion of a fiber layer of a fiber reinforced resin layer is fitted inside an opening edge of a recess.

In the golf club having the above-mentioned structure, the elastic layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body elastically behaves within the range of compressive deformation that can be caused by collision with the ball, and therefore satisfies the condition (2). . Further, since the fiber-reinforced resin layer covers the surface of the elastic body layer, the elastic body layer is compressed and deformed in a wider range than when it directly collides with the ball, and as a result, the Young's modulus of the elastic body layer is increased. E is 0.5 × 1
Even if it is about ⁷ N / m ² , the condition of the above (1), that is, the condition of Formula 2 can be almost satisfied. Therefore, the coefficient of restitution with the ball is increased, and the flight distance of the ball can be extended. Moreover, since the surface of the elastic body layer is covered with the fiber reinforced resin layer, the wear resistance of the face body is improved. Further, since the peripheral portion of the fiber layer of the fiber-reinforced resin layer is covered by the metal ring fitted inside the opening edge of the recess provided in the face portion of the head body, the peripheral portion of the fiber-reinforced resin layer is peeled off. It becomes difficult to do so, and the durability of the face body is improved.

In the golf club head having the above structure,
Preferably, the face body is provided in the recess by integrally molding the head body and the pressing ring.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same constituent members are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these figures, the club head has a hollow main body 1 made of metal such as stainless steel or light alloy, or fiber-reinforced resin, or fiber-reinforced metal.
And an elastic body made of a thermosetting rubber such as butadiene or a thermosetting rubber-like elastic body having substantially the same mechanical properties as that of the thermosetting rubber formed in the face portion of the head body 10. Face body 1 having layer 11 and fiber-reinforced resin layer 12 covering the surface of the elastic layer 11
3 is integrally formed with the head body 10 so as to fill the recess 10a. The fiber-reinforced resin layer 12 is made by reinforcing a thermosetting resin 12b such as epoxy with a fiber layer 12a. The fiber layer 12a is made of carbon fiber.
A long fiber such as glass fiber, aramid fiber, or metal fiber may be used alone or in an appropriate composite, for example, one formed by weaving into a cloth shape or arranging in length and width. As shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a has entered the inside of the opening edge of the recess 10a.

FIG. 4 shows a method of manufacturing the face body 13 having such a structure. As shown in Figure (a),
An elastic material 14 is accommodated in the recess 10a of the head body 10, and a fiber reinforced resin prepreg sheet 15 is placed on the surface of the elastic material 14. The size of this prepreg sheet 15 is the recess 1
It is larger than the size of the opening of 0a. The peripheral portion of the prepreg sheet 15 is pushed into the inside of the opening edge of the recess 10a by the pushing ring 16 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the push ring 16 is pulled out from the recess 10a, and the groove formed when the push ring 16 is removed is filled with resin. Then, the elastic material 14 and the prepreg sheet 15 are integrally molded with the head body 10 by applying pressure and heat in a mold (not shown) to form a face body 13 having an elastic body layer 11 and a fiber reinforced resin layer 12. Become. The surface of the solidified face body 13 is then polished and round-finished so as to form a surface continuous with the face portion of the head body 10.

In the golf club head having the above structure, the elastic body layer 1 made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body is used.
1 has elastic behavior within the range of compressive deformation that can occur due to collision with the ball, and has linear rigidity, so
The condition (2) is satisfied. In addition, since the fiber-reinforced resin layer 12 covers the surface of the elastic body layer 11, the elastic body layer 11 is compressed and deformed in a wider range as compared with the case of directly colliding with the ball, and as a result, the elastic body layer is formed. Young's modulus E of 11
Is about 0.5 × 10 ⁷ N / m ² , the condition of the above (1), that is, the condition of Formula 2 can be satisfied. Therefore, the coefficient of restitution with the ball is increased, and the flight distance of the ball can be extended. Moreover, the elastic layer 1
Since 1 collides with the ball through the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 covering the surface thereof, the wear resistance of the face body 13 is improved. Furthermore, since the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 is inserted inside the opening edge of the recess 10a, the fiber layer 12a is less likely to peel off from the surface of the elastic layer 11.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the pressing ring 17 for pressing the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 into the recess 10a of the head body 10 inside the opening edge of the recess 10a is fitted inside the opening edge of the recess 10a. It is formed integrally with the face body 13. As the material of the push ring 17, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or brass can be used, but it is also possible to use gold, platinum, silver or the like to enhance the decorative effect.

FIG. 6 shows a method of manufacturing the face body 13 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the elastic material 14 is accommodated in the recess 10a of the head body 10,
A prepreg sheet 15 of fiber reinforced resin is placed on the surface. The size of this prepreg sheet 15 is the recess 10a.
Larger than the size of the opening. The peripheral portion of the prepreg sheet 15 is pushed into the inside of the opening edge of the recess 10a by the pushing ring 17, as shown in FIG.
After that, the elastic material 14 and the prepreg sheet 15 are integrally formed with the head body 10 and the pressing ring 17 by applying pressure and heating in a mold (not shown) while leaving the pressing ring 17 in the recess 10a. Face body 13 having body layer 11 and fiber reinforced resin layer 12
Becomes The surface of the solidified face body 13 is then polished and round-finished so as to form a surface continuous with the face portion of the head body 10.

According to the structure of the second embodiment, the peripheral edge of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 is reinforced by the pushing ring 17, so that the peripheral edge of the face body 13 is less likely to be damaged. Further, the presence of the pressing ring 17 when shot at the peripheral edge of the face body 13 improves the directionality of the ball flight.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components as those of the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, the concave portion 10a of the head body 10 has a curved surface shape that gradually becomes shallower from the sweet spot of the face portion toward the peripheral edge, and the backup wall portion 10b forming the concave portion 10a is curved. There is. Also in this embodiment, the metal pressing ring 17 for pressing the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 of the face body 13 into the inside of the opening edge of the recess 10a is fitted inside the opening edge of the recess 10a. It is formed integrally with the face body 13.

In this embodiment, the pushing ring 17 has the same effect as that of the second embodiment, and the elastic deformation is less likely to occur in the vicinity of the peripheral portion of the elastic body layer 11 due to the decrease in the thickness, so that the elastic body The effect of preventing peeling of the layer 11 is enhanced.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, a pressing ring 19 covering the front surface of the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 is fitted inside the opening edge of the recess 10a, and the face body 13 is integrated with the head body 10 and the pressing ring 19. It is formed by molding. In the fourth embodiment as well, the impact of the fiber reinforced resin layer 12 on the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a can be mitigated by the pressing ring, and peeling of the peripheral edge of the fiber layer 12a can be prevented.

In each of the above embodiments, the elastic layer 11
Has a hardness corresponding to a rubber hardness of 30 to 100, and its maximum thickness is preferably 3 to 12 mm. Also,
The fiber-reinforced resin layer 12 preferably has a maximum thickness of 0.2 to 8 mm.

Although the embodiments shown in the drawings have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,
Within the scope of the invention described in the claims, various changes can be made to the material and shape of each component. For example, the head body is not limited to the hollow structure shown in the figure, and the elastic material of the elastic layer and the resin material of the fiber reinforced resin layer may be thermoplastic. further,
Although the head of the illustrated embodiment has the outer shape of a so-called wood club head, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to an iron head type head.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the face body behaves elastically within the range of compressive deformation that can be caused by the collision with the ball, and is substantially synchronized with the deformation of the ball. Since the golf club head has rigidity, the flight distance of the ball can be extended, and a golf club head having excellent wear resistance and durability of the face body can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the force applied to a ball when hitting a ball and the amount of compressive deformation of the ball.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the club head showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the club head shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the face body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional side view of a club head showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of the face body in the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view of a club head showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view of a club head showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Head Body 10a Recess 11 Elastic Body Layer 12 Fiber Reinforced Resin Layer 12a Fiber Layer 12b Resin 13 Face Body 16, 17, 18 Push Ring 19 Pressing Ring

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A golf club provided with a face body having an elastic body layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body and a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the surface of the elastic body layer in a recess formed in the face section of the head body. A golf club head, characterized in that, in the head, a peripheral portion of the fiber layer of the fiber reinforced resin layer is inserted inside an opening edge of the recess. 2. The face body is provided in the recess by integral molding with the head body.
The described golf club head. 3. A pushing ring for pushing the peripheral edge of the fiber layer of the fiber reinforced resin layer into the inside of the opening edge of the recess is fitted into the inside of the opening edge of the recess and is integrally formed with the face body. The golf club head according to claim 2. 4. A golf club provided with a face body having an elastic layer made of rubber or a rubber-like elastic body and a fiber reinforced resin layer covering the surface of the elastic layer in a recess formed in the face section of the head body. In the head, a pressing ring that covers the front surface of the peripheral edge portion of the fiber layer of the fiber reinforced resin layer is fitted inside the opening edge of the recess. 5. The golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the face body is provided in the recess by integrally molding the head body and the pressing ring.