KR102300831B1 - Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of a golf club head and a method of manufacturing a golf club head are generally described herein. In one embodiment, a golf club head may include a body portion having a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion and a front portion. The golf club head may include an interior cavity. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

GOLF CLUB HEADS AND METHODS TO MANUFACTURE GOLF CLUB HEADS

The present disclosure may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright holders do not object to facsimile copying by any person of this disclosure and related documents as indicated in the Patent and Trademark Office's patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights.

The present application is US Provisional Application No. 61/992,555, filed on May 13, 2014, US Provisional Application No. 62/010,836, filed on June 11, 2014, US Provisional Application No. 62/011,859, filed on June 13, 2014; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,770, filed on August 4, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,538, filed on August 25, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/118,403, filed on February 19, 2015 , and US Provisional Application No. 62/159,856, filed on May 11, 2015. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Application No. 14/589,277, filed on January 5, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part of, U.S. Non-Provisional Application, No. 14/513,073, filed on October 13, 2014, which It is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Application No. 14/498,603, filed on September 26, 2014, claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/041,538, filed on August 25, 2014. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 29/511,482, filed December 11, 2014, which is a divisional application of U.S. Application No. 29/501,006, filed August 29, 2014. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 29/514,256, filed on January 9, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 29/501,006, filed on August 29, 2014. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 29/515,013, filed on January 20, 2015, which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 29/501,006, filed on August 29, 2014. The disclosures of the referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to golf equipment, and more particularly to golf club heads and methods of making golf club heads.

A variety of materials (eg, steel-based materials, titanium-based materials, tungsten-based materials, etc.) may be used to manufacture the golf club head.

By using multiple materials to manufacture the golf club head, the location of the center of gravity (CG) and/or moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head can be optimized to create a specific trajectory and rotational speed of the golf ball.

In accordance with the present invention, a golf club head includes a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a face portion having a thickness of 1.5 millimeters (0.06 inches) or less extending between the front and rear surfaces. a body portion having a front portion having; an interior cavity extending between the top and sole portions and between the face portion and the rear portion; an elastomeric polymer material injection molded into the interior cavity to structurally support the face portion during impact with a golf ball; and an engagement portion coupled between the rear portion of the face portion and the elastomeric material.

1 illustrates a front view of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus, method, and product described herein.
FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
3 shows a top view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
4 shows a bottom view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
6 shows a right side view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
7 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view along line 8-8 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
9 shows a cross-sectional view along line 9-9 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 10 shows another rear view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
11 illustrates a top view of a weight portion associated with the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
12 illustrates a side view of a weight portion associated with the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
13 illustrates a side view of another weight portion associated with the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
14 illustrates a rear view of a body portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
17 illustrates one way in which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be manufactured.
18 illustrates another cross-sectional view along line 18-18 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 4 ;
19 illustrates a top view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the apparatus, method, and article described herein.
20 illustrates a cross-sectional view along line 20-20 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 shows a front view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 19 ;
22 illustrates a top view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the apparatus, method, and article described herein.
23 shows a cross-sectional view along line 23-23 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 shows a front view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 22 ;
25 illustrates a top view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the apparatus, method, and article described herein.
26 shows a cross-sectional view along line 26-26 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 25;
FIG. 27 depicts a cross-sectional view along line 26-26 of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 25 in accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.
28 shows a front view of a face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
Fig. 29 shows a rear view of the face portion of Fig. 28;
30 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary channel of the face portion of FIG. 28 .
31 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of FIG. 28;
32 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of FIG. 28;
33 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of FIG. 28;
34 illustrates a rear view of another exemplary face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
35 illustrates a rear view of another exemplary face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
36 illustrates a rear view of another exemplary face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
37 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of the example of FIG. 1 ;
38 illustrates another manner in which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be manufactured.
39 illustrates another way in which the exemplary golf club head described herein may be manufactured.
40 illustrates a rear view of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, method and article described herein.
Fig. 41 shows a rear view of the golf club head of Fig. 40;

For simplicity and clarity of description, the drawings illustrate a method of general structure, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Also, elements in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

In general, golf club heads and methods of making golf club heads are described herein. The manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 14 , golf club head 100 includes body portion 110 ( FIG. 14 ) and generally a first set of weight portions 120 (eg, weight portions 121 , 122 , 123 ). and 124 ) and a second set of weight portions 130 (eg, illustrated as weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ). It may contain parts. The body portion 110 may include a toe portion 140 , a heel portion 150 , a front portion 160 , a rear portion 170 , a top portion 180 , and a sole portion 190 . The body portion 110 may be made of a first material, while the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each be made of a second material. The first and second materials may be similar or different materials. For example, body portion 110 may include, in part or wholly, a steel-based material (eg, 17-4 PH stainless steel, Nitronic® 50 stainless steel, maraging steel, or other types of stainless steel), a titanium-based material, aluminum-based materials (eg, high strength aluminum alloys or composite aluminum alloys coated with high strength alloys), any combination thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials. The first and second sets of weight portions 120, 130 may each be partially or wholly fabricated from a high-density material, such as a tungsten-based material or other suitable type of material. Alternatively, the body portion 110 and/or the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each be partially or wholly fabricated from a non-metallic material (eg, composite, plastic, etc.). The manufacturing apparatus, method and product are not limited thereto.

Golf club head 100 is an iron-type golf club head (eg, 1-iron, 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron, etc.) or wedge-shaped golf club heads (e.g. pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, n-degree wedges like 44°, 48°, 52°, 56°, 60°, etc.) can be 1-10 may represent certain types of club heads, and the manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may include other types of club heads (eg, driver-type club heads, fairwaywood-type club heads, hybrid-type club heads, putter-type club heads, etc.). The manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Toe portion 140 and heel portion 150 may be on opposite ends of body portion 110 . The heel portion 150 has a hosel portion 155 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 100 at an opposite end of the shaft, forming a golf club. may include.

The front portion 160 may include a face portion 162 (eg, a striking face). The face portion 162 may include a front face 164 and a back face 166 . The front face 164 may include one or more grooves 168 extending between the toe portion 140 and the heel portion 150 . Although the drawings may show a specific number of grooves, the manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may include more or less grooves. Face portion 162 may be used to impact a golf ball (not shown). Face portion 162 may be an integral part of body portion 110 . Alternatively, face portion 162 may be formed by various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, bonding processes such as adhesives, welding processes such as laser welding, brazing processes, soldering processes, fusion processes, mechanical locking or joining methods, It may be a separate part or insert coupled to the body portion 110 via any combination thereof, or other suitable type of manufacturing method and/or process. The face portion 162 may be associated with a loft plane that defines a loft angle of the golf club head 100 . The loft angle may vary based on the type of golf club (eg, long irons, middle irons, short irons, wedges, etc.). In one example, the loft angle may be between 5 degrees and 75 degrees. In another example, the loft angle may be between 20 and 60 degrees. The manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

14 , the rear portion 170 generally includes a first set of external weight ports 1420 (eg, shown as weight ports 1421 , 1422 , 1423 , 1424 ) and a second set of weight ports 1421 , 1422 , 1423 , and 1424 . One or more external weights along the perimeter of the rear portion 170 , shown as an external weight port 1430 (eg, shown as weight ports 1431 , 1432 , 1433 , 1434 , 1435 , 1436 , 1437 ) and a rear wall portion 1410 having a port. Each external weight port may be associated with a port diameter. In one example, the port diameter may be about 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters). Any two adjacent outer weight ports of the first set of outer weight ports 1420 may be separated by less than a port diameter. In a similar manner, any two adjacent outer weight ports of the second set of outer weight ports 1430 may be separated by less than a port diameter. The first and second external weight ports 1420 and 1430 may be external weight ports configured to receive one or more weight portions. In particular, each weight portion of the first set 120 (eg, shown as weight portions 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) is separated from the back portion 170 to the toe portion 140 and/or the top portion ( 180. For example, the weight portion 121 may be partially or wholly disposed on weight port 1421. In another example, weight portion 122 ) may be disposed in a weight port 1422 located in a transition region (eg, top-and-toe transition region) between top portion 180 and toe portion 140. Each weight portion (eg, shown as weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ) is attached to the toe portion 140 and/or the sole portion 190 at the rear portion 170 . or at a weight port located nearby.For example, weight port 135 may be partially or wholly located at weight port 1435. In another example, weight portion 136 may be a sole It may be disposed in a weight port 1436 located in a transition region (eg, a sole-and-toe transition region) between portion 190 and toe portion 140. As will be described in detail below, the first and the second set of weight portions 120 , 130 may each contain a variety of manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, bonding processes, welding processes, brazing processes, mechanical locking methods, any combination thereof or other suitable manufacturing methods and and/or process) to the rear portion 170 of the body portion 110 .

Alternatively, golf club head 100 may include (i) a first set of weight portions 120, (ii) a second set of weight portions 130, or (iii) first and second sets of weight portions. (120, 130) may not be included. In particular, the rear portion 170 of the body portion 110 may not include a weight port at or near the top portion 170 and/or the sole portion 190 . For example, the mass (eg, 3 grams) of the first set of weight portions 120 and/or the mass (eg, 16.8 grams) of the weight portion 130 of the second set are separate weight portions. Instead of (s) it may be the body portion 110 and integral portion(s). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each have similar or different physical properties (eg, color, shape, size, density, mass, volume, etc.). As a result, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each contribute to the decorative design of the golf club head 100 . In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 11 , each weight portion of the first set 120 and the second set 130 may be cylindrical (eg, circular in cross-section). Alternatively, each weight portion of the first set 120 may have a first shape (eg, cylindrical), while each weight portion of the second set 130 may have a second shape (eg, cylindrical). For example, it may have a cube shape). In another example, the first set of weight portions 120 may include two or more weight portions having different shapes (eg, weight portion 121 may be a first shape while weight portion 122 ). ) may be a second shape different from the first shape). Likewise, the second set of weight portions 130 may also include two or more weight portions having different shapes (eg, weight portion 131 may be in a first shape, while weight portion 132 ). ) may be a second shape different from the first shape). While the above examples may describe a weight portion having a particular shape, the manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may have other suitable shapes (e.g., all or part of a sphere, a cube, a cone, a cylinder, a pyramid, a cubic shape) shape, prism, frustum, or other suitable geometric shape). While the above examples and figures may represent multiple weight portions as sets of weight portions, each set of first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each be a single piece of weight portion. In one example, the first set of weight portions 120 may be a single piece of weight portion instead of a series of four separate weight portions. In another example, the second set of weight portions 130 may be a single piece of weight portion instead of a series of seven individual weight portions. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

For example, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 , first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may engage with correspondingly configured threads within weight ports, respectively (shown generally as 1420 and 1430 in FIG. 14 ). ) may include threads, shown generally 1210 and 1310, to be secured to the weight port of the rear portion 170 . For example, each weight portion of the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each be a screw. The first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 cannot be easily removed from the body portion 110 with or without tools, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each be configured such that a relatively heavy or light weight portion may respectively replace one or more of the weight portions of the first and second sets 120 , 130 , respectively. It can be easily removed (eg, with a tool). In another example, the first and second sets of weight portions 120, 130 are each secured to the weight ports of the rear portion 170 with epoxy or adhesive such that the first and second sets of weight portions 120, 130 are Each may not be easily removed. In another example, first and second sets of weight portions 120, 130 are secured to weight ports of rear portion 170 using epoxy and thread, respectively, to first and second sets of weight portions 120, 130) each may not be easily removable. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

As described above, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each have some physical properties similar but different physical properties. 11-13, for example, each weight portion of first set 120 and second set 130 may each have a diameter 1110 of about 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters). However, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each have different heights. In particular, each weight portion of the first set 120 may be associated with a first height 1220 ( FIG. 12 ), and each weight portion of the second set 130 may be associated with a second height 1320 ( FIG. 13 ). ) may be related to The first height 1220 may be relatively shorter than the second height 1320 . In one example, the first height 1220 may be about 0.125 inches (3.175 millimeters), while the second height 1320 may be about 0.3 inches (7.62 millimeters). In another example, the first height 1220 may be about 0.16 inches (4.064 millimeters), while the second height 1320 may be about 0.4 inches (10.16 millimeters). Alternatively, the first height 1220 may be equal to or greater than the second height 1320 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

To provide optimal ambient weighting for the golf club head 100 , the first set of weight portions 120 (eg, weight portions 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) are coupled to the hosel 155 . ) can be configured to counter-balance the weight of The second set of weight portions 130 (eg, weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ) are configured to optimally position the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 . can be 7-9 , for example, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each be spaced apart from the rear face 166 of the face portion 162 (eg, directly coupled to each other). not) can be located. That is, each of the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 and the rear face 166 may be partially or wholly separated by the interior cavity 700 of the body portion 110 . As shown in FIG. 14 , for example, each of the outer weight ports of the first and second sets of outer weight ports 1420 , 1430 includes an opening (eg, generally shown as 720 and 730 ) and a port. walls (eg generally shown as 725 and 735). Port walls 725 and 735 can be an integral part of rear wall portion 1410 (eg, a section of rear wall portion 1410 ). Each of the openings 720 , 730 may be configured to receive a weight portion, such as weight portion 121 , 135 . Opening 720 may be located at one end of weight port 1421 , and port wall 725 may be located at or near an opposite end of weight port 1421 . In a similar manner, opening 730 may be located at one end of weight port 1435 , and port wall 735 may be located at or near an opposite end of weight port 1435 . Port walls 725 and 735 are separated from face portion 162 (eg, separated by interior cavity 700 ). As a result, the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 can go relatively farther rearward from the face portion 162 , and is relatively lower toward the reference plane (eg, FIG. 10 to 1010 ), the second set of weight portions 130 are spaced apart from the rear face 166 than if the second set of weight portions 130 were directly coupled to the rear face 166 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Although the drawings may depict a weight port having a particular cross-sectional shape, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include weight ports having other suitable cross-sectional shapes. In one example, the weight ports of the first and/or second set of weight ports 1420 , 1430 may have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. In another example, the weight ports of the first and/or second set of weight ports 1420 , 1430 may have a V-shaped cross-sectional shape. The one or more weight ports associated with the first set of weight portions 120 may have a different cross-sectional shape than the one or more weight ports associated with the second set of weight portions 130 . For example, weight port 1421 may have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, while weight port 1435 may have a V-shaped cross-sectional shape. Also, the two or more weight ports associated with the first set of weight portions 120 may have different cross-sectional shapes. In a similar manner, the two or more weight ports associated with the second set of weight portions 130 may have different cross-sectional shapes. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Referring again to FIG. 10 , for example, golf club head 100 may be associated with a reference plane 1010 , a horizontal central plane 1020 , and a top plane 1030 . In particular, the reference plane 1010 is the soul of the golf club head 100 when the golf club head 100 is in an address position (eg, when the golf club head 100 is aligned to strike a golf ball). It may be a tangential plane to portion 190 . The top plane 1030 may be a tangential plane to the top portion 180 of the golf club head 100 when the golf club head 100 is in the address position. The reference and top planes 1010 and 1030 may each be substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal central plane 1020 may be midway in the vertical direction between the reference plane 1010 and the top plane 1030 .

The weight portions 120 and 130 of the first and second sets may each have a similar mass (eg, both weight portions of the first and second sets 120 and 130, respectively, have approximately the same weight). . Alternatively, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each have different masses, either individually or as a whole set. In particular, each of the weight portions of the first set 120 (eg, shown as 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) is a weight portion of the second set 130 (eg, 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , shown as 136 and 137) may have a relatively less mass than any of the weight portions. For example, the second set of weight portions 130 may account for more than 50% of the total mass from the outer weight portion of the golf club head 100 . Consequently, the golf club head 100 may be configured to have at least 50% of the total mass from the outer weight portion disposed below the horizontal midplane 1020 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

In one example, golf club head 100 may have a mass ranging from about 220 grams to about 330 grams based on the type of golf club (eg, 4-iron to lobe wedge). Body portion 110 may have a mass ranging from about 200 grams to about 310 grams, and first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 each have a mass of about 20 grams (eg, external total mass from the weight part). Each weight portion of the first set 120 may have a mass of about 1 gram (1.0 g), while each weight portion of the second set 130 may have a mass of about 2.4 grams. The sum of the masses of the weight portions 120 of the first set may be about 3 grams, while the sum of the masses of the weight portions 130 of the first set may be about 16.8 grams. The total mass of the second set of weight portions 130 may be greater than five times the total mass of the first set of weight portions 120 (eg, about 16.8 grams of weight portions 130 of the second set). ) versus the total mass of the first set of weight portions 120 of about 3 grams). The golf club head 100 may have a total mass of 19.8 grams each from the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 (eg, 3 grams from the first set of weight portions 120 ). and 16.8 grams from the second set of weight portions 130). Thus, the weight portion 120 of the first set may account for about 15% of the total mass from the outer weight portion of the golf club head 100 , while the weight portion 130 of the second set may account for the golf club head 100 . ) can account for about 85% of the total mass. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

By coupling first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 to body portion 110 , respectively (eg, first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 ) on rear portion 170 . By fixing to the weight port), the position of the center of gravity (CG) and the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head 100 can be optimized. In particular, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may lower the position of the CG towards the sole portion 190 and rearward further away from the face portion 162 , respectively. Also, the MOI may be higher when measured around a vertical axis extending through the CG (eg, perpendicular to the reference plane 1010 ). The MOI may also be higher when measured about a horizontal axis extending through the CG (eg, extending toward toe and heel portions 150 and 160 of golf club head 100 , respectively). As a result, the club head 100 may provide a relatively higher launch angle and a relatively lower spin rate than a golf club head without the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 . have. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Alternatively, two or more weight portions in the same set may have different masses. In one example, the weight portion 121 of the first set 120 may have a relatively smaller mass than the weight portion 122 of the first set 120 . In another example, the weight portion 131 of the second set 130 may have a relatively smaller mass than the weight portion 135 of the second set 130 . Due to the relatively greater mass in the top-and-toe transition region and/or the sole-and-toe transition region, more weight is dissipated from the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 and the vertical axis through the CG It is possible to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) for

Although the figures may show the weight portions as separate discrete portions, each set of first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 may each be a single piece of weight portion. In one example, all weight portions of first set 120 (eg, shown as 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) may be combined into a single piece of weight portion (eg, first weight portion). have. In a similar manner, all weight portions of second set 130 (eg, 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ) may also be combined into a single piece of weight portion. In this example, the golf club head 100 may have only two weight portions. Although the drawings may depict a specific number of weight portions, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include more or fewer weight portions. In one example, the first set of weight portions 120 may include two separate weight portions instead of three separate weight portions as shown in the figure. In another example, the second set of weight portions 130 may include five individual weight portions instead of the seven individual weight portions shown in the figures. Alternatively, as noted above, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may not include any discrete weight portions (eg, body portion 110 is an integral part of body portion 110 ( s) can be manufactured to include the mass of the individual weight part). The manufacturing apparatus, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Referring again to FIGS. 7-9 , for example, the body portion 110 may be a hollow body including an interior cavity 700 extending between the front portion 160 and the rear portion 170 . Also, the inner cavity 700 may extend between the top portion 180 and the sole portion 190 . The inner cavity 700 may be associated with a cavity height 750 (HC), and the body portion 110 may be associated with a body height 850 (HB). While cavity height 750 and body height 850 may vary between toe portion 140 and heel portion 150 , cavity height 750 may be at least 50% of body height 850 (HC > 0.5 * HB). For example, the cavity height 750 may vary between 70-85% of the body height 850 . If the cavity height 750 of the inner cavity 700 is greater than 50% of the body height 850, then the golf club head 100 is configured such that the golf club head 100 has a cavity height of less than 50% of the body height. Strike a golf ball through the face portion 162 rather than the head may produce a relatively more consistent feel, sound and/or result. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

In one example, the interior cavity 700 may not be filled (ie, empty space). The body portion 100 with the inner cavity 700 may weigh less than about 100 grams than the body portion 100 without the inner cavity 700 . Alternatively, interior cavity 700 may be partially or wholly composed of an elastomeric or elastomeric material (eg, a viscoelastic urethane polymeric material such as Sorbothane® material manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., Kent, Ohio), a thermoplastic elastomeric material. (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane material (TPU), and/or other suitable type of material that absorbs shock, isolates vibration, and/or attenuates noise. For example, when golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball through face portion 162, at least 50% of interior cavity 700 is filled with TPE material to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and and/or attenuate noise. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Returning to FIG. 15 , for example, the face portion 162 may include a first thickness 1510 ( T1 ) and a second thickness 1520 ( T2 ). The first thickness 1510 may be the thickness of the section of the face portion 162 adjacent the groove 168 , and the second thickness 1520 may be the thickness of the section of the face portion 162 below the groove 168 . have. For example, the first thickness 1510 may be the maximum distance between the front face 164 and the back face 166 . The second thickness 1520 may be based on the groove 168 . In particular, the groove 168 may have a groove depth 1525 (Dgroove). The second thickness 1520 may be the maximum distance between the bottom of the groove 168 and the back face 166 . The sum of the second thickness 1520 and the groove depth 1525 may be substantially equal to the first thickness 1510 (eg, T2 + Dgroove = T1 ). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be less than the first thickness 1510 (eg, T2 < T1 ).

To lower and/or move the CG of the golf club head 100 back, the weight from the front portion 160 of the golf club head 100 may be removed by using a relatively thinner face portion 162 . . For example, the first thickness 1510 may be about 0.075 inches (1.905 millimeters) (eg, T1 = 0.075 inches). By supporting the rear wall portion 1410 to define the interior cavity 700 and filling at least a portion of the interior cavity 700 with an elastic polymer material, the face portion 162 provides the structural integrity of the golf club head 100, sound and/or be relatively thinner without compromising feel (eg, T1 < 0.075 inches). In one example, the first thickness 1510 may be less than or equal to 0.060 inches (1.524 millimeters) (eg, T1 < 0.060 inches). In another example, the first thickness 1510 may be less than or equal to 0.040 inches (1.016 millimeters) (eg, T1 < 0.040 inches). Based on the type of material(s) used to form the face portion 162 and/or the body portion 110 , the face portion 162 may be thinner and the first thickness 1510 may be 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters). ) or less (eg, T1 ≤ 0.030 inches). Groove depth 1525 may be greater than or equal to second thickness 1520 (eg, Dgroove≧T2). In one example, the groove depth 1525 may be about 0.020 inches (0.508 millimeters) (eg, Dgroove = 0.020 inches). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.010 inches (0.254 millimeters) (eg, T2 = 0.010 inches). In another example, the groove depth 1525 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters) and the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (eg, Dgroove = T2 = 0.015 inches). Alternatively, the groove depth 1525 may be less than the second thickness 1520 (eg, Dgroove < T2). Without the support of the rear wall portion 1410 and the elastomeric polymer material to fill the interior cavity 700 , the golf club head may not be able to withstand multiple impacts by a golf ball on the face portion. In contrast to the golf club head 100 described herein, a golf club head (e.g., a golf club head having a relatively thin face portion but no elastomeric material to fill the interior cavity 700 and support of the rear wall portion 1410) The cavity-back golf club head) may produce an unpleasant sound (eg, a tinny sound) and/or feel during impact by a golf ball. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Based on the manufacturing process and method used to form the golf club head 100 , the face portion 162 may include additional material at or near the perimeter of the face portion 162 . Accordingly, the face portion 162 may also include a third thickness 1530 and a chamfer portion 1540 . The third thickness 1530 may be greater than the first thickness 1510 or the second thickness 1520 (eg, T3>T1>T2). In particular, the face portion 162 may be coupled to the body portion 110 by a welding process. For example, the first thickness 1510 may be about 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters), the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters), and the third thickness 1530 may be about 0.050 inches. (1.27 millimeters). Accordingly, the chamfered portion 1540 may receive some additional material when the face portion 162 is welded to the body portion 110 .

As shown in FIG. 16 , for example, face portion 162 may include a stiffening section, shown generally at 1605 , below one or more grooves 168 . In one example, face portion 162 may include a reinforcement section 1605 below each groove. Alternatively, face portion 162 may include reinforcement section 1605 below some groove (eg, every other groove) or only below one groove. The face portion 162 may include a first thickness 1610 , a second thickness 1620 , a third thickness 1630 , and a chamfer portion 1640 . Groove 168 may have a groove depth 1625 . Reinforcing section 168 can define a second thickness 1620 . The first and second thicknesses 1610 and 1620 may each be substantially equal to each other (eg, T1 = T2). In one example, the first and second thicknesses 1610 and 1620 may each be about 0.030 inches (0.762 millimeters) (eg, T1 = T2 = 0.030 inches). The groove depth 1625 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 millimeters) and the third thickness 1630 may be about 0.050 inches (1.27 millimeters). Groove 168 may also have a groove width. The width of the reinforcement section 1605 may be greater than or equal to the groove width. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Alternatively, the face portion 162 may vary in thickness at and/or between the top portion 180 and the sole portion 190 . In one example, face portion 162 may be relatively thicker at or near top portion 180 than at or near sole portion 190 (eg, the thickness of face portion 162 may be may taper from the top portion 180 towards the sole portion 190). In another example, the face portion 162 may be relatively thicker at or near the sole portion 190 than at or near the top portion 180 (eg, the thickness of the face portion 162 may be may taper from the sole portion 190 towards the top portion 180). In another example, face portion 162 may be relatively thicker (eg, between top portion 180 and sole portion 190 ) than at or near top portion 180 and sole portion 190 . For example, the thickness of the face portion 162 may have a bell-shaped profile). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Unlike other golf club head designs, the golf club is controlled by the internal cavity 700 of the body portion 110 and the position of each of the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 along the perimeter of the golf club head 100 . The ball travels away from the face portion 162 at a relatively high ball launch angle and relatively low rotational speed. As a result, the golf ball can travel further (ie, greater total distance including carry and roll distances).

17 illustrates one manner in which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be manufactured. In the example of FIG. 17 , process 1700 may begin with providing two or more weight portions, shown generally as first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 , respectively (block 1710 ). The first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 may each be made of a first material, such as a tungsten-based material. In one example, the weight portion of each of the first and second sets 120 and 130 may be a tungsten-alloy screw.

Process 1700 can provide a body portion 110 having a face portion 162 having two or more outer weight ports, shown generally 1420 and 1430 , an inner cavity 700 and a rear portion 170 . (Block 1720). The body portion 110 may be made of a second material different from the first material. The body portion 110 may be manufactured using an investment casting process, a billet forging process, a stamping process, a computer numerical control (CNC) machining process, a die casting process, any combination thereof, or other suitable manufacturing process. In one example, body portion 110 may be made of 17-4 PH stainless steel using a casting process. In another example, body portion 110 may be made of another suitable type of stainless steel (eg, Nitronic® 50 stainless steel manufactured by AK Steel Corporation, West Chester, Ohio) using a forging process. By manufacturing the body portion 110 using Nitronic® 50 stainless steel, the golf club head 100 may be relatively strong and/or more corrosion resistant than golf club heads made from other types of steel. Each weight port of body portion 110 may include an opening and a port wall. For example, weight port 1421 may include opening 720 and port wall 725 , opening 720 and port wall 725 on opposite ends of each other. The interior cavity 700 may separate the port wall 725 of the weight port 1421 and the back face 166 of the face portion 162 . In a similar manner, weight port 1835 may include opening 730 and port wall 735 , opening 730 and port wall 735 on opposite ends of each other. The interior cavity 700 may separate the port wall 735 of the weight port 1435 and the rear face 166 of the face portion 162 .

Process 1700 may couple each of the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 to one of two or more external weight ports (block 1730 ). In one example, process 1700 can insert and secure weight portion 121 in outer weight port 1421 and weight portion 135 in outer weight portion 1435 . Process 1700 may secure first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130 to external weight ports, such as weight ports 1421 and 1435, respectively, using various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, eg, epoxy, welding, soldering, mechanical locking(s), any combination thereof, etc.).

Process 1700 may partially or fully fill interior cavity 700 with an elastomeric polymer material (eg, Sorbothane® material) (block 1740 ). In one example, at least 50% of the interior cavity 700 may be filled with an elastomeric polymer material. As noted above, the elastomeric polymer material may absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or dampen noise in response to golf club head 100 hitting a golf ball. Additionally or alternatively, the interior cavity 700 may be filled with a thermoplastic elastomeric material and/or a thermoplastic polyurethane material. As shown in FIG. 18 , for example, golf club head 100 may have one or more weight ports having a first opening 1830 and a second opening 1835 (eg, shown as 1431 in FIG. 14 ). may include. The second opening 1835 may be used to access the interior cavity 700 . In one example, process 1700 ( FIG. 17 ) converts inner cavity 700 into an elastomeric material by injecting the elastomeric material into the inner cavity 700 from a first opening 1830 through a second opening 1835 . can be filled The first and second openings 1830 and 1835 may each be the same or different in size and/or shape. While the above embodiments may describe and show a particular weight port having a second opening, any other weight port of golf club head 100 may include a second opening (eg, weight port 720 ). )). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Referring again to FIG. 17 , an exemplary process 1700 is provided and described in connection with another figure merely as an example of one method of manufacturing the golf club head 100 . Although a specific sequence of operations is shown in FIG. 17 , these operations may be performed in other time sequences. For example, two or more operations shown in FIG. 17 may be performed sequentially, together, or simultaneously. In one example, blocks 1710 , 1720 , 1730 , and/or 1740 may be performed concurrently or together. 17 shows a specific number of blocks, a process may not perform more than one block. In one example, the interior cavity 700 may not be filled (ie, block 1740 may not be performed). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Although the above examples may describe an iron-shaped or wedge-shaped golf club head, the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may be applied to other types of golf club heads. 19-21 , for example, a golf club head 1900 may include a body portion 1910 and a cavity wall portion 1920 . Golf club head 1900 may have a club head volume of at least 300 cubic centimeters (cm3 or cc). In one example, the golf club head 1900 may be about 460 cc. Alternatively, golf club head 1900 may have a club head volume of 300 cc or less. For example, golf club head 1900 may have a club head volume between 100 cc and 200 cc. The club head volume of golf club head 1900 may be determined using a weighted water displacement method (ie, Archimedes principle). For example, the club head of the golf club head 100 using procedures defined by a golf standards body and/or governing body such as the American Golf Association (USGA) and/or the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A). volume can be measured. 19-21 may illustrate certain types of club heads (eg, fairway wood type club heads), the devices, methods, and articles described herein may show other types of club heads (eg, driver type clubs). head, hybrid type club head, iron type club head, putter type club head, etc.). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The body portion 1910 includes a toe portion 1940, a heel portion 1950, a front portion 1960, a rear portion 1970, a top portion 1980 (eg, a crown portion), and a bottom portion 1990 (eg, For example, a soul part). Body portion 1910 may be a hollow body made, in part or wholly, of an aluminum-based material, a magnesium-based material, a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. In another example, body portion 1910 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material, such as a ceramic material, a composite material, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. The front portion 1960 can include a face portion 1962 (eg, a striking face). Face portion 1962 can include an anterior face 1964 and a posterior face 1966 . The front face 1964 may include a plurality of grooves, shown generally at 2110 in FIG. 21 .

The cavity wall portion 1920 may define a first interior cavity 2010 and a second interior cavity 2020 within the body portion 1910 . For example, cavity wall portion 1920 may be made, in part or wholly, from an aluminum-based material, a steel-based material, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. In another example, cavity wall portion 1920 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material, such as a ceramic material, a composite material, any other suitable material, or any combination thereof. The first inner cavity 2010 may be associated with a first volume, and the second inner cavity 2020 may be associated with a second volume. In one example, the first volume may be smaller than the second volume. Also, the first volume may be less than or equal to 50% of the second volume.

As shown in FIG. 20 , for example, cavity wall portion 1920 may extend from rear face 1966 of face portion 1962 . In one example, the cavity wall portion 1920 may extend from the rear face 1966 by only 1 inch. In another example, the cavity wall portion 1920 may extend from the rear face 1966 only by 2 inches. The cavity wall portion 1920 may be a single curved wall section. In particular, the cavity wall portion 1920 has a convex arc profile (e.g., with respect to the rear face 1966) to form a domed structure having an elliptical base (e.g., FIG. 21) or a circular base on the rear face 1966. for example, type C). In another example, cavity wall portion 1920 may form a conical or cylindrical structure with body portion 1910 . Alternatively, the cavity wall portion 1920 may be a concave arc profile with respect to the rear face 1966 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The first inner cavity 2010 is partially or wholly composed of an elastomeric or elastomeric material (eg, a viscoelastic urethane polymeric material such as Sorbothane® material manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., Kent, Ohio), a thermoplastic elastomeric material (TPE). ), a thermoplastic polyurethane material (TPU), and/or other suitable type of material that absorbs shock, isolates vibration, dampens noise, and/or provides structural support. The elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the first interior cavity 2010 via an injection molding process through a port on the face portion 1962 . For example, at least 50% of the first interior cavity 2010 is capable of absorbing shock, isolating vibration, damping noise, and absorbing shock when the golf club head 1900 strikes a golf ball through the face portion 1962. and/or filled with TPE material to provide structural support. By supporting the cavity wall portion 1920 to define the first interior cavity 2010 and filling at least a portion of the first interior cavity 2010 with an elastomeric polymer material, the face portion 1962 is the It can be relatively thin without compromising structural integrity, sound and/or feel. In one example, the face portion 1962 can have a thickness of 0.075 inches or less (eg, the distance between the front face 1964 and the back face 1966 ). In another example, face portion 1962 can have a thickness of 0.060 inches or less. In another example, face portion 1962 can have a thickness of 0.050 inches or less. Also, face portion 1962 may have a thickness of 0.030 inches or less. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Cavity wall portion 1920 may include multiple sections. For example, turning to FIGS. 22-24 , a golf club head 2200 may include a body portion 2210 and a cavity wall portion 2220 . The body portion 2210 includes a toe portion 2240, a heel portion 2250, a front portion 2260, a back portion 2270, a top portion 2280 (eg, a crown portion), and a bottom portion 2290 (eg, a crown portion). For example, a soul part) may be included. The front portion 2260 can include a face portion 2262 (eg, a striking surface) having a front face 2264 and a back face 2266 . Cavity wall portion 2220 may extend from rear face 2266 to form first inner cavity 2310 and second inner cavity 2320 within body portion 2210 . Cavity wall portion 2220 may include two or more wall sections shown generally at 2330 , 2340 , and 2350 in FIG. 23 . The cavity wall portion 2220 may form a truncated pyramidal structure with a rectangular base (eg, FIG. 24 ) or a square base on the back face 2266 . Alternatively, the cavity wall portion 2220 may form a cubic structure (ie, having a rectangular base) or a cubic structure (ie, having a square base) on the rear face 2266 . In another example, cavity wall portion 2220 may form a square-based, pyramidal structure on back face 2266 . In another example, cavity wall portion 2220 may form a triangular-based, pyramidal, or triangular prismatic structure on posterior face 2266 . Similar to first inner cavity 2010 ( FIGS. 19-21 ), first inner cavity 2310 may be partially or wholly filled with an elastomeric or elastomeric material (eg, TPE material, TPU material, etc.). have. The elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the first interior cavity 2310 via an injection molding process through a port on the face portion 2262 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

25 and 26 , for example, a golf club head 2500 may include a body portion 2510 and a cavity wall portion 2520 . Body portion 2510 includes toe portion 2540 , heel portion 2550 , front portion 2560 , back portion 2570 , top portion 2580 (eg, crown portion) and bottom portion 2590 (eg, For example, a soul part). The front portion 2560 can include a face portion 2562 (eg, a striking surface) having a front face 2564 and a rear face 2566 . Face portion 2562 may be associated with a loft plane 2605 defining a loft angle of golf club head 2500 .

The cavity wall portion 2520 may be a single flat wall section. In particular, the cavity wall portion 2520 is formed between the toe portion 2540 and the heel portion 2550 and a top portion ( It may extend between 2580 and the bottom portion 2590 . The cavity wall portion 2520 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the loft plane 2605 . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 27 , cavity wall portion 2720 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to reference plane 2730 . Similar to first inner cavity 2010 ( FIGS. 19-21 ) and first inner cavity 2310 ( FIGS. 22-24 ), first inner cavity 2610 is partially or wholly made of an elastomeric or elastomeric material. can be filled with The elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the first interior cavity 2610 via an injection molding process through ports on the face portion 2562 and/or the bottom portion 2590 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Alternatively, cavity wall portion 2520 includes bottom portion 2590 and a top-and-front transition region (ie, top portion 2580) such that cavity wall portion 2520 and loft plane 2630 cannot be parallel to each other. and the transition region between the anterior portion 2570). In another example, cavity wall portion 2520 includes top portion 2580 and a bottom-and-front transition region (ie, bottom portion 2590) such that cavity wall portion 2520 and loft plane 2630 cannot be parallel to each other. ) and the transition region between the anterior portion 2570). 25-27 may show that the cavity wall portions 2520 , 2720 are flat or substantially flat, however, the cavity wall portions 2520 and/or 2720 may be concave or convex with respect to the face portion 2562 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Although the above embodiment may describe a cavity wall portion dividing the interior cavity of the hollow body portion to form two separate interior cavities with one interior cavity partially or wholly filled with an elastic polymer material, the The apparatus, method and article may include two or more cavity wall portions dividing the interior cavity of the hollow body portion to form three or more separate interior cavities having at least two interior cavities partially or wholly filled with an elastomeric material. can In one embodiment, one inner cavity may be partially or fully filled with TPE material, while the other inner cavity may be partially or fully filled with TPU material. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

1-14 , the face portion 162 is a non-reactive polymer material used to fill the interior cavity 700 and to improve adhesion and/or mitigate delamination between the face portion 162 . - may include a smooth back surface (eg FIG. 7 ). Various methods and/or processes, such as an abrasive blasting process (eg, a bead blasting process, a sand blasting process, another suitable blasting process, or any combination thereof) and/or a milling (machining) process. This back face 166 can be used to form a non-smooth surface. For example, the back side 166 may have a surface roughness (Ra) in the range of 0.5 to 250 μin (0.012 to 6.3 μm). The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

28-30 , for example, face portion 2800 may include an anterior face 2810 and a posterior face 2910 . The front face 2810 is the one shown generally at 2820 that extends longitudinally across the front face 2810 (eg, extending between the toe portion 140 and the heel portion 150 of FIG. 1 ). It may include more than one groove. The front face 2810 may be used to impact a golf ball (not shown).

Back side 2910 may also include one or more channels, shown generally at 2920 . Channel 2920 may extend longitudinally across back face 2910 . Channels 2920 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The channel 2920 may engage the elastomeric material used to fill the interior cavity 700 , and may act as a mechanical locking mechanism between the face portion 2800 and the elastomeric material. In particular, channel 3000 may include an opening 3010 , shown generally at 3030 and 3032 , a bottom section 3020 and two sidewalls. The bottom section 3020 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the back face 2910 . The two sidewalls 3030 and 3032 may be converging sidewalls (ie, the two sidewalls 3030 and 3032 may not be parallel to each other). Bottom section 3020 and sidewalls 3030 and 3032 may form two undercut portions, shown generally 3040 and 3042 . That is, the width 3015 at the opening 3010 may be less than the width 3025 of the bottom section 3020 . The cross-section of the channel 3000 may be symmetrical about the axis 3050 . On the other hand, FIG. 30 may show a flat or substantially flat sidewall, and the two sidewalls 3030 and 3032 may be curved (eg, convex relative to each other).

Instead of flat or substantially flat sidewalls as shown in FIG. 30 , the channel may include other types of sidewalls. As shown in FIG. 31 , for example, channel 3100 may include an opening 3110 , shown generally at 3130 and 3132 , a bottom section 3120 and two sidewalls. The bottom section 3120 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the back face 2910 . The two sidewalls 3130 and 3132 may be stepped sidewalls. Bottom section 3120 and sidewalls 3130 and 3132 may form two undercut portions, shown generally at 3140 and 3142 . That is, the width 3115 at the opening 3110 may be less than the width 3125 of the bottom section 3120 . The cross-section of the channel 3100 may be symmetrical about the axis 3150 .

Instead of being symmetric as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 , the channel may be asymmetric. As shown in FIG. 32 , as another example, channel 3200 may include an opening 3210 , shown generally 3230 and 3232 , a bottom section 3220 , and two sidewalls. The bottom section 3220 can be parallel or substantially parallel to the back face 2910 . Bottom section 3220 and sidewall 3230 may form an undercut portion 3240 .

Referring to FIG. 33 , for example, channel 3300 may include an opening 3310 , shown generally 3330 and 3332 , a bottom section 3320 , and two sidewalls. The bottom section 3320 may not be parallel or substantially non-parallel to the back face 2910 . The two sidewalls 3330 and 3332 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other, although one sidewall may be longer than the other. Bottom section 3320 and sidewall 3332 may form an undercut portion 3340 .

In the example shown in FIG. 34 , face portion 3400 generally extends laterally across back face 3410 (eg, extending between top portion 180 and sole portion 190 of FIG. 1 ). may include a back face 3410 having one or more channels shown as 3420 . In another example shown in FIG. 35 , face portion 3500 can include a back face 3510 having one or more channels, shown generally 3520 , extending diagonally across the back face 3510 . Alternatively, the face portion may include a combination of channels (eg, extending longitudinally, laterally and/or diagonally) that extend in different directions across the rear face of the face portion. 36 , as another example, face portion 3600 has a posterior face 3610 having one or more channels, shown generally 3620 , 3630 , and 3640 , extending in different directions across posterior face 3610 . may include In particular, face portion 3600 includes a plurality of channels 3620 extending longitudinally across posterior face 3610 , a plurality of channels 3630 extending laterally across posterior face 3610 and posterior face It may include a plurality of channels 3640 extending diagonally across 3610 .

Additionally or alternatively, the golf club head 100 improves adhesion and/or prevents delamination between the face portion 162 and the elastomeric polymer material used to fill the interior cavity 700 of the golf club head 100 . A binder may be included to relieve relief (eg, FIG. 7 ). Referring to FIG. 37 , for example, a golf club head 100 may include a face portion 162 , an engagement portion 3710 , and an elastomeric polymer material 3720 . In one example, binding moiety 3710 is a low viscosity, organic, solvent based solution and/or polymer and other reactive material, such as MEGUM™, ROBOND™ and/or THIXON™ materials manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company of Auburn Hills, Michigan. It may be a dispersion of a chemical substance. In another example, coupling portion 3710 may be a LOCTITE® material manufactured by Henkel Corporation of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. A coupling portion 3710 is applied to the back side 166 to bond the elastomeric material 3720 to the face portion 162 (eg, extending between the back side 166 and the elastomeric material 3720 ). can For example, when the interior cavity 700 is filled with the elastomeric polymer material 3720 via an injection molding process, the engagement portion 3710 may be applied. The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

38 illustrates one manner in which the interior cavity 700 of a golf club head 100 or any golf club head described herein is partially or wholly filled with an elastomeric or elastomeric material. Process 3800 may begin with heating golf club head 100 to a specified temperature (block 3810). In one embodiment, the golf club head 100 may be heated to a temperature in the range of 150° C. to 250° C., which may depend on factors such as the vaporization temperature of the elastomeric material injected into the interior cavity 700 . The elastomeric polymer material may then be heated to a specified temperature (block 3820). The elastic polymer material may be a non-foamable and injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. Thus, the elastomeric polymer material may be heated to reach a liquid or flow state before being injected into the interior cavity 700 . The temperature to which the elastomeric material can be heated may depend on the type of elastomeric material used to partially or completely fill the interior cavity 700 . The heated elastomeric material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 to partially or completely fill the interior cavity 700 (block 3830). The elastomeric polymer material is transferred from one or more weight ports described herein (eg, one or more weight ports of each of the first and second sets of weight ports 1420 and 1430 shown in FIG. 14 ) to the interior cavity 700 . can be injected. One or more other weight ports may allow air inside the inner cavity 700 displaced by the elastomeric material to be expelled from the inner cavity 700 . In one embodiment, the golf club head 100 may be oriented horizontally as shown in FIG. 14 during the injection molding process. An elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 from the weight ports 1431 , 1432 . Weight ports 1421 , 1422 , and/or 1423 may serve as air ports for evacuating displaced air from interior cavity 700 . Thus, regardless of the orientation of the golf club head 100 during the injection molding process, the elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 from one or more lower positioned weight ports, while one or more upper positioned weight ports. The port may function as an air outlet. The mold (ie, golf club head 100 ) is cooled passively (eg, at room temperature) or actively cooled such that the elastomeric polymer material reaches a solid state and adheres to the back face 166 of the face portion 162 . can be The elastomeric polymer material may be attached directly to the back face 166 of the face portion 162 . Alternatively, the elastomeric polymer material may be applied to the back of the face portion 162 using one or more structures on the back side 166 and/or a binder described herein (eg, the bonding portion 3710 shown in FIG. 37 ). It can be attached to the surface. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

As noted above, the elastomeric polymer material may be heated and solidified to a liquid state (ie, non-foaming) after being injection molded in the inner cavity 700 . An elastomeric polymer material having a low modulus of elasticity may provide vibration and noise to the face portion 162 when the face portion 162 impacts the golf ball. For example, an elastic polymer material that foams when heated can provide vibration and noise damping. However, such foamable elastomeric polymer materials may not have sufficient stiffness to provide structural support to the relatively thin face portion due to excessive deflection and/or compression of the elastomeric polymer material when absorbing the impact of a golf ball. In one embodiment, the elastomeric polymer material injection molded in the interior cavity 700 has a relatively high modulus of elasticity to provide structural support to the face portion 162 and also to the face portion 162 when striking a golf ball. It can be elastically deflected to absorb the impact force it experiences. Accordingly, a non-foamable and injection moldable elastomeric polymer material having a relatively high modulus of elasticity may partially or fully fill the interior cavity 700 to provide structural support and reinforcement to the face portion 162 in addition to providing vibration and noise damping. can be used to provide That is, the non-foamable and injection moldable elastomeric polymer material may be a structural support portion for the face portion 162 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

39 illustrates one way in which the binder described herein may be applied to a golf club head prior to partially or fully injecting the elastomeric polymer into the interior cavity 700 . In the example of FIG. 39 , the process 3900 may begin with injecting a binder on the back side 166 of the face portion 162 (block 3910 ). The binder may be injected onto the back face 166 before or after heating the golf club head as described above, depending on the nature of the binder. The binder may be injected through one or more of the first set of weigh ports 1420 and/or the second set of weigh ports 1430 . The binder may be injected on the back face 166 through some or all of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 . For example, an injection device, such as a nozzle or needle, may be inserted into each weight port until the tip or outlet of the device is near the back face 166 . The binder may then be injected onto the back face 166 from the outlet of the instrument. Additionally, the instrument may be moved, rotated, and/or pivoted within the interior cavity 700 to inject the binder onto the region of the rear face 166 surrounding the instrument. For example, the outlet of the injection device may be moved in a circular pattern inside the weight port to inject binder in a corresponding circular pattern on the back face 166 . Each of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 may be used to inject a binder onto the back face 166 . However, it may not be necessary to use all of the first set of weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . For example, using every other weight port in one of the adjacent weight ports may be sufficient to inject binder on the entire rear face 166 . In another example, the weight ports 1421 , 1422 , 1431 , 1433 and 1436 can be used to inject binder on the back side 166 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

The process 3900 also includes dispensing the binder onto the back side 166 after dispensing the binder on the back side 166 such that a generally uniform coating of the binder is provided on the back side 166 (block 3920 ). ) may be included. According to one embodiment, the binder diffuses on the rear face 166 by injecting air into the interior cavity 700 through one or more of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 . can be Air may be injected into the interior cavity 700 and the back face 166 by inserting an air nozzle into one or more of the first set of weighing ports 1420 and the second set of weighing ports 1430 . According to one embodiment, the air nozzle is moved, rotated and/or swiveled at a distance from the rear face 166 to uniformly blow air onto the binder, thereby uniformly coating or turning the binder onto the back face 166. A binder may be diffused onto the back side 166 to provide a substantially uniform coating. The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

Process 3900 may include a single step of impregnating backside 166 with a binder and coating uniformly or substantially uniformly. In one embodiment, the binder may be injected onto the back face 166 by being converted to particulates or droplets (ie, atomized) and sprayed onto the back face 166 . Accordingly, the back face 166 may be coated with a binder uniformly or substantially uniformly in one step. A substantially uniform coating of the back face 166 with a binder may be defined as a coating having some non-uniformity due to the injection process or manufacturing process. However, this slight non-uniformity may not affect the bonding of the filler material to the back face 166 with the binder as described herein. For example, spraying the binder on the back side 166 may result in an overlapping area of the binder having a coating thickness that is slightly greater than other areas of the binder on the back side 166 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

As described herein, any two or more weight portions may consist of a single weight portion. In the example of FIGS. 40 and 41 , golf club head 4000 is shown with body portion 4010 and generally a first set of weight portions 4020 (eg, weight portions 4021 , 4022 , 4023 and 4024 ). ) and two or more weight portions shown as second weight portion 4030 . Accordingly, the total number of first weight portions of the first set of weight portions exceeds the total number of second weight portions of the second set of weight portions. The body portion 4010 may include a toe portion 4040 , a heel portion 4050 , a front portion (not shown), a back portion 4070 , a top portion 4080 , and a sole portion 4090 . The front portion may be similar to the front portion 160 of the golf club head 100 in many respects. Accordingly, details of the front portion of golf club head 4000 are not provided.

The body portion 4010 may be made from a first material, while the first set of weight portions 4020 and second weight portion 4030 may be made from a second material. The first and second materials may be similar or different materials. For example, body portion 4010 may include, in part or wholly, a steel-based material (eg, 17-4 PH stainless steel, Nitronic® 50 stainless steel, maraging steel, or other types of stainless steel), a titanium-based material, aluminum-based materials (eg, high strength aluminum alloys or composite aluminum alloys coated with high strength alloys), any combination thereof, and/or other suitable types of materials. The first set of weight portions 4020 and second weight portions 4030 may be partially or wholly fabricated from a high-density material, such as a tungsten-based material or other suitable type of material. Alternatively, the body portion 4010 and/or the first set of weight portions 4020 and second weight portions 4030 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material (eg, composite, plastic, etc.). have. The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

Golf club head 4000 is an iron-type golf club head (eg, 1-iron, 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-irons, etc.) or wedge-shaped golf club heads (eg pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, n-degree wedges like 44°, 48°, 52°, 56°, 60°, etc.) can be 40 and 41 may illustrate certain types of club heads, the devices, methods, and articles described herein can be used for other types of club heads (eg, driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type club heads, hybrids). -type clubheads, putter-type clubheads, etc.). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Toe portion 4040 and heel portion 4050 may be on opposite ends of body portion 4010 . The heel portion 4050 includes a hosel portion 4055 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 4000 at an opposite end of the shaft to form a golf club. ) may be included.

The rear face 4070 is generally shown as a first set of weight ports 4120 (eg, shown as weight ports 4121 , 4122 , 4123 , 4124 ) and a second weight port 4130 , the rear may include a rear wall portion 4110 having one or more weight ports along the perimeter of face 4070 . The total number of first weight ports of the first set of weight ports exceeds the total number of second weight ports of the second set of weight ports. Each weight port of the first set of weight ports 4120 may be associated with a port diameter. In one example, the port diameter may be about 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters). Any two adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports 4120 may be separated by less than a port diameter. The first set of weight ports 4120 and second weight ports 4130 may be weight ports configured to receive one or more weight portions. Each weight portion of the first set of weight portions 4020 (eg, shown as weight portions 4021 , 4022 , 4023 , and 4024 ) has a toe portion 4040 and/or a top portion on the back portion 4070 . The weight ports (eg, shown as weight ports 4121 , 4122 , 4123 , and 4124 ) of a first set of weight ports 4120 located at or adjacent 4080 may be disposed. For example, weight portion 4021 may be partially or wholly disposed within weight port 4121 . In another example, weight portion 4022 may be disposed at weight port 4122 located in a transition region (eg, top-and-toe transition region) between top portion 4080 and toe portion 4040 . have.

The second weight port 4130 is a transition between the toe portion 4040 or the sole portion 4090 from a location proximate to the toe portion 4040 or toe portion 4040 to a location proximate to the sole portion or sole portion 4090 . It may be a recess extending through the region. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 40 , the second weight port 4130 may be similar to an L-shaped recess. The second weight portion 4030 may have a shape similar to that of the second weight port 4130 , and may be configured to be disposed on the second weight port 4130 . The second weight portion 4030 may be partially or entirely disposed within the weight port 4130 . The second weight portion 4030 may have any shape, such as oval, rectangular, triangular or any geometric or non-geometric shape. The second weight port 4130 may have a similar shape to the second weight portion 4030 . However, the portion of the second weight portion 4030 inserted into the second weight port 4130 may have a shape similar to that of the weight port 4130 . As detailed herein, any of the weight portions described herein, including weight portion 4020 and second weight portion 4030 , may be fabricated in a variety of manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, bonding process, welding process, brazing process, mechanical locking method, any combination thereof, or other suitable type of manufacturing method and/or process) may be coupled to the rear portion 4070 of the body portion 4010 .

The weight portions of the first set of weight portions 4020 may have similar or different physical properties (eg, color, shape, size, density, mass, volume, etc.). In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 41 , each weight portion of the first set of weight portions 4020 may have a cylindrical shape (eg, a circular cross-section). Alternatively, each of the weight portions of the first set of weight portions 4020 may have a different shape. While the above embodiments may describe a weight portion having a particular shape, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may have other suitable shapes (e.g., all or part of a sphere, cube, cone, cylinder, pyramid, cuboid) , prism, frustum, or other suitable geometric shape). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be embodied in various embodiments, and the foregoing description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings and the drawings themselves disclose at least one embodiment and may disclose alternative embodiments. Also, the terms “and” and “or” may have both conjunctive and disjunctive meanings.

As the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g. new rules are adopted or old rules become may be deleted or amended by the Agency), golf equipment associated with the devices, methods, and products described herein may or may not comply with the rules of golf at any particular time. 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 described herein are not limited thereto.

Although certain exemplary devices, methods, and articles have been described herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Rather, this disclosure includes all devices, methods, and articles literally or under the teachings of their equivalents included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

As a golf club head,
A body portion having a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a front portion having a face portion having a thickness extending between the front and rear surfaces, the thickness being less than or equal to 1.5 mm (0.06 inches) - ;
an inner cavity extending between the top and the sole portion and between the face and the rear portion, the inner cavity being at least partially filled with an elastomeric material;
a first set of weight portions comprising at least one first weight portion positioned in a rear portion above a horizontal central plane of the body portion;
a second set of weight portions comprising at least one second weight portion positioned in a rear portion below the horizontal central plane;
the total number of first weight portions of the first set of weight portions exceeds the total number of second weight portions of the second set of weight portions;
and a mass of the at least one first weight portion is less than a mass of the at least one second weight portion. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the first set of weights includes at least two first weights and the second set of weights includes at least two second weights. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein each first weight portion of the first set of weight portions has a different shape than each second weight portion of the second set of weight portions. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity is completely filled with an elastomeric material. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the face portion comprises a uniform thickness from or proximate to the top portion to the sole portion or proximate to the sole portion. The port of claim 1 , further comprising a first set of ports comprising at least one first port and a second set of ports comprising at least one second port located in the rear portion, the first set of ports at least one first port of the at least one first weight portion of the first set of weight portions is configured to receive at least one first weight portion of the second set weight portion or at least one second weight portion of the second set of weight portions; and the one second port is configured to receive at least one first weight portion of the first set of weight portions or at least one second weight portion of the second set of weight portions. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two first ports positioned in the rear portion above the horizontal central plane, each port of the at least two first ports configured to receive a first weight portion of a first set of weight portions. ; and
a second port located in a rear portion below the horizontal central plane, the second port being configured to receive at least one second weight portion of a second set of weight portions;
Further comprising, a golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein each first weight portion of the first set of weight portions and each second weight portion of the second set of weight portions are located closer to the toe portion than the heel portion. As a golf club head,
A body portion having a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a front portion having a face portion having a thickness extending between the front and rear surfaces, the thickness being less than or equal to 1.5 mm (0.06 inches) - ;
an inner cavity extending between the top and the sole portion and between the face and the rear portion, the inner cavity being at least partially filled with an elastomeric material;
a first set of ports comprising at least two first ports positioned in a rear portion above a horizontal central plane of the body portion, each first port of the first set of ports having a first port diameter and an adjacent first port separated less than the first port diameter from - ; and
a second set of ports comprising at least one second port positioned in a rear portion below the horizontal central plane;
and the total number of first weight ports of the first set of weight ports exceeds the total number of second weight ports of the second set of weight ports. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising two or more first weight portions and at least one second weight portion, each first port of the first set of ports receiving a first weight portion of the two or more weight portions. wherein each port of the second set of ports is configured to receive at least one second weight portion. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising two or more first weight portions and at least one second weight portion, wherein each first port of the first set of ports is a first weight portion of the two or more first weight portions. wherein each second port of the second set of ports is configured to receive at least one second weight portion, wherein the total mass of the two or more first weight portions is that of the at least one second weight portion. Less than the total mass, golf club head. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the interior cavity is completely filled with an elastomeric material. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the face portion comprises a uniform thickness from or proximate to the top portion to the sole portion or proximate to the sole portion. 10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the second set of ports comprises two or more second ports. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising two or more weight portions, wherein each first port of the first set of ports is configured to receive a weight portion of the two or more weight portions; and the at least one second port is configured to receive the weight portions of the two or more weight portions. As a golf club head,
a plurality of weight parts;
a body portion having a front portion having a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion, and a face portion;
an inner cavity extending between the top and the sole portion and between the face and the rear portion, the inner cavity being at least partially filled with an elastomeric material;
a first set of ports comprising at least two first ports positioned in a rear portion above a horizontal central plane of the body portion, each first port of the first set of ports having a first port diameter and an adjacent first port separated less than the first port diameter from - ; and
a second set of ports comprising at least one second port positioned in a rear portion below the horizontal central plane;
each first port of the first set of ports is configured to receive a weight portion of a plurality of weight portions, each second port of the second set of ports is configured to receive a weight portion of a plurality of weight portions;
wherein the total number of first weight ports of the first set of weight ports exceeds the total number of second weight ports of the second set of weight ports. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the total mass of weight portions received in the first set of ports is less than the total mass of weight portions received in the second set of ports. 17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the face portion has a thickness extending between the front and rear faces, the thickness being less than or equal to 1.5 mm (0.06 inches). 17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the second set of ports comprises two or more second ports. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein each first port of the first set of ports and each second port of the second set of ports are located closer to the toe portion than the heel portion.

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