JPH09253248A - Iron head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily lower or raise the center of gravity of a toe in an iron head without changing external appearance and feel. SOLUTION: A head body 1 is constituted of a basic material portion 12 and a striking surface forming portion 13. Weight members 6, each of which is tapered inwardly toward the outside, are formed by powder sintering. Specific gravity of the members 6 is in the range of 10g/cm<3> to 22g/cm<3> . A plurality of fitting recesses are formed on the body 1 and the weight member 6 is fitted into each recess by hitting it. Specific gravity of the member 6 is set to a larger value than that of the portion 12. Specific gravity of the portion 13 is made smaller than that of the portion 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an iron head for a golf club.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an iron head of a golf club,
It has been conventionally practiced to design the center of gravity toward the toe in order to improve the so-called “returnability of the head”, and to design the center of gravity of the head to be low in order to make it easier to hit the ball. As an iron head having such a design, for example, lost wax casting, cutting, and die casting to form a high specific gravity member,
It has been known that the high specific gravity member is embedded in the head main body by press fitting, cast molding, or the like.

[0003]

By the way, golf players have a wide variety of swings, and a large number of types in which the weight and the center of gravity of the iron head are different so as to correspond to the swing of each individual are required. For this purpose, it is most rational and advantageous to form small high specific gravity members and change the number and arrangement of the members.

However, in the conventional iron head as described above, in order to make many small high specific gravity members, there are many process disadvantages as described below. That is, in the case of lost wax casting, first, a wax model of all members is manufactured by injection molding, attached to a tree made of wax, then sprinkled with a slurry having a plurality of layers, and then baked to flow out the wax model. Since a complicated process of forming a mold and then pouring molten metal is taken, the number of processes is very large and it is not suitable for molding a large number of small specific gravity members for adjusting the weight of the head and the position of the center of gravity. Further, when the high specific gravity member is press-fitted, the surface of the member is preferably smooth, but with the lost wax, it may be rough due to the surface texture of the mold. Furthermore, the quality of the product is affected by the flow of molten metal.

Further, when a high specific gravity member is formed by cutting, it takes a long time for processing and the processing cost is high, which is not suitable for producing a large number of small specific gravity members.
In particular, when the shape of the high specific gravity member is complicated, the cutting process is difficult, and it is irrational to cut the high specific gravity member so as to conform to the free aspect of the iron head.

Further, in the case of die casting, it takes a long time to cool, so that it is not suitable for producing a large number of small specific gravity members. Furthermore, a material having a high melting point or a material that is easily oxidized causes a molding cost and complicates the process, which is difficult.

Further, it is advantageous to use a metal having a high specific gravity of 10 g / cm ³ or more in order to move the position of the center of gravity in a limited volume such as an iron head. It was unsuitable for producing a high specific gravity member in terms of molding time and cost.

Therefore, the present invention provides an iron head which can easily achieve a tow center of gravity or a low center of gravity while maintaining the appearance and feel of a conventional head, and which can be mass-produced at low cost. The purpose is to do.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an iron head according to the present invention has a specific gravity formed by powder sintering of at least a toe part of a head body.
The weight member of g / cm ³ or more and 22 g / cm ³ or less is embedded.

In the iron head according to the present invention, a weight member formed by powder sintering and having a specific gravity of 10 g / cm ³ or more and 22 g / cm ³ or less is embedded in at least the bottom of the head body. .

It is preferable that the weight member is formed in a taper shape that gradually shrinks from the inner end to the outer end. Also,
It is desirable that a plurality of fitting recessed recesses be provided in the head main body, and that the weight member be fitted into each of the fitting recessed recesses by striking.

It is also preferable that a plurality of fitting recessed recesses are provided in the head main body, and a weight member is press-fitted into each of the fitting recessed recesses. It is also preferable to provide a plurality of fitting recessed recesses in the head main body and fit the weight member into each of the fitting recessed recesses by shrink fitting.

Further, the head main body is composed of a basic material portion and a ball striking face forming portion, the specific gravity of the weight member is set to be larger than that of the basic material portion, and the specific gravity of the ball striking face forming portion is set. Is preferably set to be smaller than the specific gravity of the basic material portion.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail based on the embodiments.

1, 2, and 3 show an embodiment of an iron head according to the present invention, in which 1 is a head body, 2 is a neck, 3 is a toe, 4 is a heel, and 5 is a heel. The bottom, G, is the center of gravity of this head.

The head body 1 of this iron head H
Is composed of a basic material part 12 and a ball striking face forming part 13. The basic material portion 12 is made of the same metal as that of a conventional general iron head made of a single metal, and examples thereof include soft iron and stainless steel.

The specific gravity of the ball striking face forming portion 13 is set smaller than that of the basic material portion 12. An example of the material of the ball striking face forming portion 13 is an aluminum alloy, but any other metal having a lower specific gravity (than the basic material portion 12) may be used.

Then, the weight member 6 having a specific gravity of 10 g / cm ³ or more and 22 g / cm ³ or less formed by powder sintering is embedded in the toe portion 3 and the bottom portion 5 of the head main body 1. Specifically, a plurality of fitting recessed portions 7 are formed in the head body 1.
... are provided, and the weight member 6 is provided in each of the fitting concave recesses 7.
Insert by hitting.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the weight member 6 is formed in a truncated cone shape whose diameter gradually decreases from the inner end 6a to the outer end 6b. That is, the weight member 6 is
It is formed in a tapered shape that gradually shrinks from the inner end 6a to the outer end 6b. Further, the specific gravity of the weight member 6 depends on the basic material portion 12
It is set larger than the specific gravity of.

The fitting recessed portion 7 is formed as a truncated cone shape having a diameter that gradually decreases from the inner end to the outer end, which has an inner dimension substantially the same as the outer dimension of the weight member 6.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, the weight member 6 is formed by filling powder metal (not shown) into the hollow chamber 11 from the injection port 10 of the molds 8 and 9 and heating and pressing. (Hereinafter, this forming method may be referred to as a powder sintering method).

As described above, since the weight member 6 is formed by the powder sintering method, it has excellent surface smoothness and dimensional accuracy. Therefore, the weight member 6 can be easily fitted into the fitting concave portion 7 from the side of the inner end 6a having a large diameter by hitting.
In addition, once fitted, the weight member 6 does not come off even if it receives a large impact due to the impact during a shot.

In other words, the weight member 6 is applied to a portion such as an iron head which is repeatedly subjected to a large impact.
Even if it is buried, it can exhibit sufficient durability. In addition, it is possible to achieve high density and has excellent mechanical strength, and it is possible to secure sufficient durability as an iron head.

The weight member 6 has a specific gravity of 10 g / cm.
Any material may be used as long as it is a sintered metal of ³ or more and 22 g / cm ³ or less, and examples thereof include tungsten, tantalum, lead, molybdenum, gold, silver, platinum, hafnium, and alloys thereof.

The weight of the weight member 6 is set so that the specific gravity of the ball striking face forming portion 13 is set smaller than that of the basic material portion 12.
By reducing the weight increase due to…, this Iron Head H
This is to keep the total weight and total volume of the same as those of the conventional general iron head.

According to this iron head,
By embedding the weight members 6 having a high specific gravity in the toe portion 3 and the bottom portion 5, it is possible to achieve a tow center of gravity and a low center of gravity. Therefore, the so-called "easy return of the head" is improved by making the center of gravity of the toe, and the "easiness of hitting the ball" is improved by making the center of gravity low.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the time required for manufacturing the weight members 6 ... (Sintered metal) and the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and the weight members 6 can be mass-produced at low cost. Further, since the weight members 6 ... Are common parts (having the same shape and the same size), it is only necessary to change the position and the number of the weight members 6 embedded in the head main body 1 when manufacturing this iron head. You can freely adjust the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of hitting the ball."

Therefore, many types of iron heads having different "easiness of returning the head" and "easiness of hitting the ball" can be mass-produced at low cost. Moreover, it is possible to easily manufacture the iron club having the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of raising the hit ball" which are most suitable for the swing of each golfer.

The specific gravity of the weight member 6 is 10 g / cm ³
If it is less than the range, it is difficult to change the position of the center of gravity, and it is not possible to improve the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of raising the hit ball". In addition, making the specific gravity of the weight member 6 larger than 22 g / cm ³
Virtually impossible.

In the above-described embodiment, the weight members 6 ... Are embedded in both the toe portion 3 and the bottom portion 5 of the head main body portion 1.
At least the toe portion 3 may be provided with the weight members 6 ... Of course, it is also free to embed the weight members 6 ... Only in the toe portion 3. In that case, the toe part 3 of the head body 1
It is only necessary to provide the fitting recessed concave portions 7 ...

Further, in the case of mainly lowering the center of gravity, at least the bottom member 5 may be provided with the weight members 6 ...
Of course, it is also free to embed the weight members 6 ... Only in the bottom portion 5. In that case, the fitting recessed recesses 7 ... May be provided only on the bottom 5 of the head body 1.

It is preferable that the weight member 6 is not only fitted into the fitting concave portion 7 of the head body 1 by hitting, but also by press fitting or shrink fitting.

Next, (a) and (b) of FIG. 6 show another weight member 6, and (a) is formed as a truncated pyramid,
(B) is formed as a frustum with a star-shaped cross section. In order to embed these weight members 6 in the head main body portion 1, the fitting concave recess portion 7 is gradually reduced in diameter from the inner end having the inner dimension substantially the same as the outer dimension of the weight member 6 to the outer end. It may be a square truncated pyramid or a star-shaped truncated cone.

1 (a) to 6 (b), in order to facilitate understanding, the weight member 6, the fitting recessed portion 7 and the hollow chamber 11 of the die 9 are visually tapered. Although it is drawn so that it can be seen as a shape, in reality, the inner end face and the outer end face have a slight taper shape in which the difference in the diameter dimension, the length of one side, etc. is about several hundredths of a millimeter.

Further, since the weight member 6 is formed by the above-mentioned powder sintering method, various shapes and sizes other than the shapes shown in FIGS. Can be formed easily and in large quantities.

[0036]

Example Next, a prototype head was prepared. In particular,
As shown in Table 1 below, Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
I created an iron head.

[0037]

[Table 1]

In the first and second embodiments, the weight member has a specific gravity of 1
It was formed from a tungsten alloy (sintered metal) of 8.4 g / cm ³ . The dimensions and shape of the weight member are such that the inner end surface has a diameter of 5.00 mm, the outer end surface has a diameter of 4.95 mm, and the height is
It was a truncated cone of 5.00 mm (see Fig. 4). The basic material of the head body is made of stainless steel, and the ball striking face forming portion is made of aluminum alloy.

In Examples 3 and 4, the weight member was made to have a specific gravity.
It was formed of 14.0 g / cm ³ of tantalum alloy (sintered metal). The weight members are sized and shaped so that the inner end face is a square with a side length of 5.00 mm, and the outer end face is a side length of 4.95 mm.
Square and a truncated pyramid with a height of 5.00 mm (Fig. 6)
(See (a)). The basic material of the head body is made of soft iron and the ball striking face forming part is made of aluminum alloy.

In the fifth and sixth embodiments, the weight member has a specific gravity
It was made of a lead alloy (sintered metal) of 11.3 g / cm ³ . The size and shape of the weight member is a star shape whose inner end surface is inscribed in a circle with a diameter of 5.00 mm, and whose outer end surface is inscribed in a circle with a diameter of 4.95 mm, and a truncated pyramid with a height of 5.00 mm. (Fig. 6
(B)). The basic material of the head body is made of stainless steel, and the ball striking face forming portion is made of aluminum alloy.

In the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments, the ball striking face forming portion is formed of an aluminum alloy having a low specific gravity because the weight increase due to the weight member having a high specific gravity is reduced. This is to maintain the same total weight and total volume as the conventional iron head. That is, Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are
It was formed so as to have the same total weight and the same total volume as the iron head made of only a single basic material.

Next, the above-mentioned Examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The center of gravity position of the iron head was measured. As a comparative example, the center of gravity of an iron head made of only a single basic material was also measured.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance M from the shaft axis L of the iron head H to the center of gravity G (the length of the perpendicular line drawn from the center of gravity G to the shaft axis L) is shown in FIG. As shown, the height N (center of gravity G) of the center of gravity G from the ground E when the iron head H is grounded at the loft angle θ.
And the length of the vertical line drawn from the ground to the ground E) were measured. The measurement results are shown in Tables 2 and 3 below.

[0044]

[Table 2]

[0045]

[Table 3]

From Table 2 and Table 3 above, in Example 1, the distance M from the shaft center to the center of gravity is the same as in the comparative example, and the height N of the center of gravity from the ground is 2.1 mm. From the smaller size, it can be seen that the center of gravity is low.

In Example 2, the distance M from the shaft center to the center of gravity is increased by 4.5 mm and the height N of the center of gravity from the ground is decreased by 0.1 mm, as compared with the comparative example. It can be seen that the tow center of gravity has been established.

In Example 3, the distance M from the shaft center to the center of gravity is 0.2 mm larger and the height N of the center of gravity from the ground is smaller than the comparative example by 1.9 mm. From this, it can be seen that the center of gravity is low.

In Example 4, the distance M from the shaft center to the center of gravity is 3.9 mm larger and the center of gravity height N from the ground is 0.1 mm larger than in the comparative example. From this, it can be seen that the tow center of gravity has been established.

In Example 5, the distance M from the shaft center of the shaft to the center of gravity is reduced by 0.1 mm and the height N of the center of gravity from the ground is reduced by 1.7 mm as compared with the comparative example. From this, it can be seen that the center of gravity is low.

In Example 6, the distance M from the shaft center of the shaft to the center of gravity is 3.6 mm larger than that of the comparative example, and the height N of the center of gravity from the ground is the same. You can see that it has been made.

[0052]

The present invention has the following remarkable effects by the above-mentioned structure.

According to the iron head of claim 1,
It is possible to achieve a significant tow center of gravity so that the so-called "head returnability" is improved. Further, the center of gravity can be lowered, and so-called "easiness of hitting a ball" can be improved. In addition, it can be manufactured at low cost in a short time, and mass production becomes possible.

According to the iron head of claim 2,
It is possible to achieve a sufficiently low center of gravity so that the so-called "easiness of hitting a ball" is improved. Further, the center of gravity of the tow can be achieved, and so-called "easy return of the head" can be improved. In addition, it can be manufactured at low cost in a short time, and mass production becomes possible.

According to the iron head of claim 3,
The same effects as those of the first or second aspect are achieved, and the weight member 6 does not fall off even if a large impact due to the impact at the time of shot is received, and sufficient durability and safety can be secured.

According to the iron head of claim 4,
It can be manufactured in a shorter time and easily. Also,
Many types of iron heads having different "easiness of returning the head" and "easiness of hitting the ball" can be manufactured in large quantity and at low cost. Moreover, it is possible to easily manufacture the iron club having the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of raising the hit ball" which are most suitable for the swing of each golfer.

According to the iron head of claim 5,
It can be manufactured in a shorter time and easily. Also,
Many types of iron heads having different "easiness of returning the head" and "easiness of hitting the ball" can be manufactured in large quantity and at low cost. Moreover, it is possible to easily manufacture the iron club having the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of raising the hit ball" which are most suitable for the swing of each golfer.

According to the iron head of claim 6,
The weight member 6 can be manufactured more easily, and the weight member 6 becomes more difficult to come off even if the weight member 6 receives an impact due to an impact during a shot. In addition, many types of iron heads having different "easiness of returning the head" and "easiness of raising the hit ball" can be manufactured in large quantities and at low cost. Moreover, it is possible to easily manufacture the iron club having the "easiness of returning the head" and the "easiness of raising the hit ball" which are most suitable for the swing of each golfer.

According to the iron head of claim 7,
By maintaining the same total weight and similar total volume as a conventional general iron head, it is possible to improve "returnability of the head" and "easiness of hitting ball" without impairing the appearance and feeling. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a front view.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a weight member.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a die for forming a weight member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another weight member.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a centroid position measuring method.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a centroid position measuring method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Head Main Body Section 3 Toe Section 5 Bottom Section 6 Weight Member 6a Inner End 6b Outer End 7 Fitting Concave Depth 12 Basic Material Section 13 Hitting Surface Forming Section

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. At least a toe portion 3 of the head body portion 1.
An iron head in which a weight member 6 having a specific gravity of 10 g / cm ³ or more and 22 g / cm ³ or less formed by powder sintering is embedded. 2. The head body 1 has at least a bottom portion 5,
The specific gravity formed by powder sintering is 10g / cm ³ or more and 22
An iron head in which weight members 6 having a weight of not more than g / cm ³ are embedded. 3. The weight member 6 comprises an inner end 6a to an outer end 6a.
The taper shape which is gradually reduced to b.
Or the iron head according to 2. 4. A plurality of fitting recessed recesses 7 ... In the head body 1.
4. The iron head according to claim 1, wherein the weight members 6 are fitted into the respective fitting recessed recesses 7 by hitting. 5. A plurality of fitting recessed portions 7 in the head body 1 ...
5. The iron head according to claim 1, wherein the weight members 6 are fitted by press-fitting into the respective fitting recessed recesses 7. 6. A plurality of fitting concave recesses 7 ... In the head body 1.
4. The iron head according to claim 1, wherein the weight members 6 are fitted into the respective fitting recessed recesses 7 by shrink fitting. 7. The head body 1 is composed of a basic material part 12 and a ball striking face forming part 13, the specific gravity of the weight member 6 is set to be larger than the specific gravity of the basic material part 12, and The specific gravity of the ball striking face forming portion 13 is the basic material portion.
Claims 1, 2, which are set smaller than the specific gravity of 12.
The iron head according to 3, 4, 5 or 6.