KR102418201B1 - Golf club head and golf club head manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods of making golf club heads 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 front portion having front and rear surfaces. The body portion may be associated with a body portion volume. The golf club head may also include an interior cavity. The interior cavity may include an elastic polymer material. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

Golf club head and golf club head manufacturing method

The present invention may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright holders do not object to facsimile reproduction of this specification and related documents as disclosed in the Patent and Trademark Office's patent files or records, but reserves all other applicable copyrights.

This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/209,780, filed on August 25, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/275443, filed January 6, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62, filed January 8, 2016 /276,358, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/277,636, filed January 12, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/343,739, filed May 31, 2016. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 15/188,718, filed on June 21, 2016. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 15/043,106, filed on February 12, 2016. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 15/043,113, filed on February 12, 2016. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 14/852,312, filed September 11, 2015. These applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to golf equipment, and more particularly to golf club heads and methods of manufacturing 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 position 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 general, a golf club head and a method of manufacturing the golf club head are described. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings illustrate a general manner of construction, and descriptions and detailed descriptions of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Also, elements in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Yes, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to facilitate understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

1 is a front elevational view of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus, method, and product described herein;
Fig. 2 is a rear surface view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
3 is a plan view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
FIG. 5 is a left view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 ;
Fig. 6 is a right side view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
7 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 7-7;
8 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 8-8;
9 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 9-9;
10 is another rear surface view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
11 is a plan view of a weight associated with the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
Fig. 12 is a side view of a weight associated with the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
13 is a side view of another weight associated with the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
14 is a rear surface view of a body portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
15 is a cross-sectional view of a face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another face portion of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
17 is one method by which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be made.
18 is another cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 18-18;
19 is a front view of a face portion of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
Fig. 20 is a rear surface view of the face portion of Fig. 19;
Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary channel of the face portion of Fig. 19;
Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of Fig. 19;
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of Fig. 19;
Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary channel of the face portion of Fig. 19;
25 is a rear surface view of a face portion of another example of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
26 is a rear surface view of a face portion of another example of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
27 is a rear surface view of a face portion of another example of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 1;
Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 1;
29 is another method by which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be made.
30 is another method by which an exemplary golf club head described herein may be made.
31 is a rear surface view of a golf club head in accordance with embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein.
Fig. 32 is a rear surface view of the golf club head of Fig. 31;
33 is a front elevational view of a golf club head in accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus, method, and article described herein.
Fig. 34 is a rear surface view of the golf club head of the example of Fig. 33;
Fig. 35 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 33;
Fig. 36 is a rear surface view of the golf club head of the example of Fig. 33;
FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 33 along line 37-37 of FIG. 36;
Fig. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 33 along line 38-38 of Fig. 33;
Fig. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of Fig. 33 along line 39-39 of Fig. 36;
FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 33 along line 40-40 of FIG. 36;
FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 33 along line 41-41 of FIG. 36;
FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 33 along line 42-42 of FIG. 36;
43 is another method by which the exemplary golf club heads described herein may be made.
44 is another method by which the exemplary golf club heads described herein may be made.
45 is an illustration of binder curing.

In the example of FIGS. 1-14 , golf club head 100 includes body portion 110 ( FIG. 14 ) and generally a first set of weights 120 (eg, weights 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ). )) and a second set of weight portions 130 (eg, weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ). The body part 110 may include a toe part 140 , a heel part 150 , a front part 160 , a rear part 170 , an upper part 180 , and a sole part 190 . The body portion 110 may be made of a first material, while the first and second sets of weights 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 110 may be partially or wholly made of 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, an aluminum-based material (eg, eg, a high strength aluminum alloy or a composite aluminum alloy coated with a high strength alloy), any combination thereof and/or other suitable type of material. The first and second sets of weights 120 and 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. Optionally, the body portion 110 and/or the first and second sets of weights 120 , 130 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material (eg, composite, plastic, etc.). The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

The 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 an n-degree wedge such as a wedge-shaped golf club head (eg pitching wedge, lob wedge, sand wedge, 44°, 48°, 52°, 56°, 60°, etc.). Although Figures 1-10 may represent certain types of club heads, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include other types of club heads (e.g., driver type club heads, fairway wood type club heads, hybrid type club heads; putter-type clubheads, etc.). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The toe part 140 and the heel part 150 may be at both ends of the body part 110 . The heel portion 150 may include a golf club head 100 at opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club and a hosel portion 155 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown) at one end. can

The front portion 160 may include a face portion 162 (eg, a strike surface). The face portion 162 may include an anterior surface 164 and a posterior surface 166 . The front surface 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 devices, methods, and articles described herein may include more or less grooves. The face portion 162 may be used to hit a golf ball (not shown). The face portion 162 may be an integral part of the body portion 110 . Optionally, the face portion 162 may be formed using various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, a bonding process such as a binder, a welding process such as laser welding, a brazing process, a soldering process, a fusing process, a mechanical locking or joining method, any of these) It may be a separate part or insert connected to the body 110 through a combination of, 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 shape of the 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 devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the rear portion 170 generally includes a first set of external weight ports 1420 (eg, shown as weight ports 1421 , 1422 , 1423 and 1424 ) and a second set of external weight ports. a rear wall portion having one or more external weight ports along a perimeter of the rear portion 170 shown as a weight port 1430 (eg shown as 1431, 1432, 1433, 1434, 1435, 1436 and 1437) can 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 mm). 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 a toe portion 140 and/or upper portion 180 on the rear portion 170 . It may be placed in a weight port located on or adjacent thereto. For example, the weight portion 121 may be partially or entirely disposed on the weight port 1421 . In another example, weight 122 may be disposed in weight port 1422 located in a transition region (eg, top-to-toe transition region) between top 180 and toe portion 140 . Each weight portion of the second set 130 (eg, shown as weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ) is located at or adjacent to the toe portion 140 and/or sole portion 190 on the rear portion 170 . It may be placed in a weight port. For example, the weight portion 135 may be partially or wholly disposed on the weight port 1435 . In another example, the weight portion 136 may be disposed in a weight port 1436 located in a transition region (eg, sole-to-toe transition region) between the sole portion 190 and the toe portion 140 . . As will be described in detail below, the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 may each be used in a variety of manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, joining processes, welding processes, brazing processes, mechanical locking methods, any combination thereof). or other suitable manufacturing methods and/or processes) may be connected to the rear portion 170 of the body portion 110 .

Optionally, golf club head 100 comprises (i) first set of weights 120, (ii) second set of weights 130, or (iii) first and second sets of weights 120 , 130) may not include all of them. In particular, the rear portion 170 of the body portion 110 may not include a weight port at or adjacent to the upper portion 170 and/or the sole portion 190 . For example, the mass of the first set of weights 120 (eg, 3 g) and/or the mass of the second set of weights 130 (eg, 16.8 g) may be different from the body portion 110 instead of the separate weights. ) and may be integral. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The first and second sets of weights 120 and 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 weights 120 , 130 may contribute to the decorative design of the golf club head 100 . In the illustrated example as shown in FIG. 11 , each weight portion of the first and second sets 120 , 130 may have a cylindrical shape (eg, a circular cross-section). Optionally, 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, a cube shape) can In another example, the first set of weights 120 may include two or more weights having different shapes (eg, weights 121 may be in a first shape, while weights 122 may include It may be a second shape different from the first shape). Likewise, the second set of weights 130 may include two or more weights having different shapes (eg, weights 131 may be in the first shape, while weights 132 may be in the first shape). and may have a different second shape). While the above examples may describe parts by weight having a particular shape, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may have other suitable shapes (e.g., all or part of a sphere, a cube, a conical, a cylindrical, a pyramidal, a cuboid). , prism, frustum, or other suitable geometry). While the above examples and drawings may represent multiple parts by weight as a set of parts by weight, each set of the first and second sets of parts 120 and 130 may be a single part of a part by weight. In one example, the first set of parts by weight 120 may be a single part by weight instead of a series of four separate parts by weight. In another example, the second set of parts by weight 130 may be a single part by weight instead of a series of seven separate parts by weight. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

12 and 13, for example, the first and second sets of weights 120, 130 are each generally adapted to engage a correspondingly configured thread within the weight port and secure to the weight port of the rear portion 170. as shown by reference numerals 1210 and 1310 (generally shown as 1420 and 1430 in FIG. 14). For example, each of the weights of the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 may each be a screw. The first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 cannot be easily removed from the body 110 with or without a tool, respectively. Optionally, the first and second sets of weights 120, 130 are readily removable such that relatively heavy or light weights can replace one or more weights of the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130. (eg, with a tool). In another embodiment, the first and second sets of weights 120, 130 may each be secured to the weight ports of the rear portion 170 with an epoxy or binder such that the first and second sets of weights 120, 130, 130) may not be easily removable. In another example, the first and second sets of weights 120, 130 may be secured to weight ports of the rear portion 170 with epoxy and thread, respectively, such that the first and second sets of weights 120, 130, 130) cannot be easily removed. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As described above, the first and second sets of the weight parts 120 and 130 may have similar physical properties, but may have different physical properties. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11-13 , each weight portion of first set 120 and second set 130 may have a diameter 1110 of about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), although heights from each other can be different. 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). 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 mm), while the second height 1320 may be about 0.3 inches (7.62 mm). In another example, the first height 1220 may be about 0.16 inches (4.064 mm), while the second height 1320 may be about 0.4 inches (10.16 mm). Optionally, 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.

Referring again to FIG. 10 , for example, a golf club head 100 may be associated with a ground plane 1010 , a horizontal intermediate plane 1020 , and an upper plane 1030 . In particular, the ground plane 1010 is the sole 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 tangential to portion 190 . The top plane 1030 may be a tangential plane to the top 180 of the golf club head 100 when the golf club head 100 is in the address position. Ground and top planes 1010 and 1030 may each be substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal intermediate plane 1020 may be in the middle in the vertical direction between the ground plane 1010 and the upper plane 1030 .

To provide an optimal ambient weight for the golf club head 100 , the first set of weights 120 (eg, weights 121 , 122 , 123 , and 124 ) counter-balance the weight of the hosel 155 . can be configured to achieve For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , the first set of weight portions 120 (eg, weight portions 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ) may be located near the periphery of the body portion 110 , and the upper extends from the top 180 to the transition region 145 between the toe portion 140 and from the transition region 145 to the tow portion 140 . That is, the first set of weights 120 may be positioned on the golf club head 100 at a location generally opposite to the hosel 155 . According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first set of weight portions 120 may be located near the periphery of the body portion 110 , and may extend through the transition region 145 . According to another example, at least a portion of the first set of weight portions 120 may extend near the periphery of the body portion 110 and may extend along a portion of the upper portion 180 . According to another example, at least a portion of the first set of weight portions 120 may extend near the perimeter of the body portion 110 and may extend along a portion of the tow portion 140 . The first set of weights 120 may be above the horizontal midplane 1020 of the golf club head 100 . At least a portion of the first set of weights 120 may be near the toe portion 140 , such that the golf club head about a vertical axis of the golf club head 100 extends through the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 . It is possible to increase the moment of inertia of (100). Accordingly, the first set of weight portions 120 may be near the periphery of the body portion 110 and

The hosel 155 may extend through the upper 180 , toe 140 and/or transition region 145 to counter-balance the weight of the hosel 155 and/or increase the moment of inertia of the golf club head 100 . . The location of the first set of weights 120 (ie, the location of the first set of external weight ports 1420 ) and the physical properties and materials of construction of the first set of weights 120 include weight, weight distribution, weight The center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity, and/or other static and/or dynamic properties of the golf club head 100 may be optimally determined. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The second set 130 of weights (eg, weights 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , and 137 ) may be configured to position the center of gravity of golf club head 100 in an optimal position and Optimize the moment of inertia of the golf club head about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity of the club head 100 . Referring to FIG. 10 , all or a substantial portion of the second set of weights 130 may be generally proximate to sole 190 , for example, weights 131 , 132 , 133 , The second set 130 of 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 may be near the perimeter of the body 110 and may extend from the sole 190 to the toe 140 . As shown in the example of FIG. 10 , the weight parts 131 , 132 , 133 , and 134 may be located near the periphery of the body part 110 , and lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 and the golf club head. Extends from sole 190 to toe 140 through transition region 147 between sole 190 and toe 140 to increase the moment of inertia about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity of 100 can be All or a portion of the weights 130 of the second set of weights 130 may be positioned closer to the sole 190 than to the horizontal intermediate plane 1020 to lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 . have. For example, the weight portions 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 and 136 may be closer to the sole portion 190 than the horizontal intermediate plane 1020 . The location of the second set of weights 130 (ie, the location of the second set of external weight ports 1430 ) and the physical properties and materials of construction of the second set of weights 130 are determined by the golf club head 100 . can be determined to optimally affect the weight, weight distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

7-9, eg, the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 are each spaced apart from the rear surface 166 of the face portion 162 (eg, not directly coupled to each other). can be placed. That is, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 , 130 and the rear surface 166 may be partially or wholly separated, respectively, by the interior cavity 700 of the body portion 110 . For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , each of the first and second sets of external weight ports 1420 , 1430 has an opening (eg, generally shown as 720 and 730 ) and a port wall (eg, generally 725 ). and 735). Port walls 725 and 735 may be an integral part of rear wall portion 1410 (eg, a section of rear wall portion 1410 ). Each opening 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 pot 1421 , and port wall 725 may be located at or proximate to an opposite end of weight pot 1421 . In a similar manner, opening 730 may be located at one end of weight pot 1435 and port wall 735 may be located at or proximate to an opposite end of weight pot 1435 . Port walls 725 and 735 may be separated from face portion 162 (eg, separated by interior cavity 700 ). The port wall 725 may have a distance 726 from the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 as shown in FIG. 9 . The port wall 735 can have a distance 736 from the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . When the first and second sets of weight ports 1420 and 1430 respectively receive a weight as described above, the distances 726 and 736 can be determined to optimize the position of the center of gravity of the golf club head 100. can According to one example, distance 736 may be greater than distance 726 such that the center of gravity of golf club head 100 is moved toward rear portion 170 . Consequently, the width 740 of the portion of the interior cavity 700 below the horizontal intermediate plane 1020 may be greater than the width 742 of the interior cavity 700 above the horizontal intermediate plane 1020 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As discussed herein, the center of gravity CG of the golf club head 100 is all or a substantial portion of the second set of weights 130 closer to the sole 190 than to the horizontal mid-plane 1020 . and a ground plane having first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 respectively spaced apart from the rear surface 166 than if the second set of weights 130 were directly connected to the rear surface 166 ( For example, it may be further spaced relatively downwards toward and relatively rearwardly from face portion 162 (indicated at 1010 in FIG. 10 ).

The location of the first and second sets of weight ports 1420 , 1430 and the physical properties and materials of construction of each weight portion of the first and second sets of weights 120 , 130 are determined by the weight of the golf club head 100 . , weight distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity, and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

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

The first and second sets of weight parts 120 , 130 may each be similar in mass (eg, both parts by weight of the first and second sets 120 , 130 are each approximately the same weight). . Optionally, the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130, respectively, may differ in mass individually or in the entire set. In particular, each weight portion of the first set 120 (eg, shown as 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) is of the second set 130 (shown as 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 ). It may have a mass that is relatively less than one of the parts by weight. For example, the second set of weights 130 may account for more than 50% of the total mass from the outer weights of the golf club head 100 . As a result, the golf club head 100 may be configured to have at least 50% of the total mass from the external weight disposed below the horizontal midplane 1020 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one embodiment, golf club head 100 may have a mass ranging from about 220 grams to about 330 grams, depending on the type of golf club (eg, lob wedges versus four irons). Body portion 110 has a mass ranging from about 200 grams to about 310 grams, with first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 each having a mass of about 20 grams (eg total mass from the external weight). can have Each part by weight of the first set 120 may have a mass of about 1 g (1.0 g), while each part by weight of the second set 130 may have a mass of about 2.4 g. The sum of the masses of the first set of weights 120 may be about 3 g, while the sum of the masses of the first set of weights 130 may be about 16.8 g. The total mass of the second set of weights 130 may be greater than five times the total mass of the first set of weights 120 (eg, the total mass of the second set of weights 130 is about 16.8 g, and the total mass of the first set of weight parts 120 is about 3 g). The golf club head 100 may have a total mass of 19.8 grams from the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130, respectively (eg, 3 grams from the first set of weights 120 and the second set of weights). 16.8 g from 130 parts by weight). Thus, the first set of weights 120 may account for about 15% of the total mass from the outer weight of the golf club head 100 , while the second set of weights 130 is derived from the outer weight. may account for about 85% of the total mass of The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

coupling the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 to the body portion 110 (eg, fixing the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 of the weight pot to the rear portion 170) By doing so, the positions of the center of gravity (CG) and the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head 100 may be optimized. In particular, as described herein, the first and second sets of weight portions 120 and 130, respectively, lower the position of the CG toward the sole portion 190 and may be spaced further rearward from the face portion 162 . have. Further, when the MOI is measured relative to a vertical axis extending through the CG (eg, perpendicular to the ground plane 1010 ), the MOI is also measured relative to the horizontal axis extending through the CG (eg, the toe of the golf club head 100 ) and may be higher when measured for (extending toward heels 150 and 160). As a result, the club head 100 can provide a relatively higher launch angle and a relatively lower spin rate than a golf club head without the first and second sets of weights 120 , 130 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Optionally, two or more parts by weight in the same set may have different masses. In one embodiment, 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 lower mass than the weight portion 135 of the second set 130 . As the golf club has relatively greater mass in the upper-and-toe transition region and/or sole-and-toe transition region, the greater weight is applied to the golf club to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) about the vertical axis through the CG. It may be distributed apart from the center of the center of gravity CG of the head 100 .

Although the drawings may depict the weight part as separate individual parts, each set of the first and second sets of weight parts 120 and 130 may each be made integral to the weight part. In one example, all parts by weight of the first set 120 (eg, illustrated as 121 , 122 , 123 and 124 ) may be combined into a single part by weight (eg, first parts by weight). In a similar manner, all parts by weight of the second set 130 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 137 may be combined into, eg, a single part (eg, second part) by weight. In the above example, the golf club head 100 may have only two parts by weight. Although the drawings may represent a specific number of parts by weight, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include more or fewer parts by weight. In one example, the first set of weight parts 120 may include two individual parts by weight instead of three individual parts by weight as shown in the figure. In another example, the second set of weights 130 may include 5 individual parts by weight instead of the 7 individual parts shown in the figures. Optionally, 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 and separate weights). can be manufactured to contain negative mass). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

7-9 , 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 upper portion 180 and the sole portion 190 . The interior cavity 700 can be associated with a cavity height 750 (Hc), and the body portion 110 can be associated with a body height 850 (H _B ). Cavity height 750 and body height 850 can vary between toe and heel portions 140 and 150, but cavity height 750 is at least 50% of body height 850 (H _C > 0.5 * H _B ). can For example, the cavity height 750 may vary between 70 and 85% of the body height 850 . If the cavity height 750 of the interior cavity 700 is greater than 50% of the body height 850, then the golf club head 100 has a face portion 162 greater than a golf club head having a cavity height less than 50% of the body height. When striking a golf ball through the golf club head 100 provides a consistent feel, sound and/or result. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the interior cavity 700 (ie, empty space) may not be filled. The body portion 100 with the inner cavity 700 may weigh about 100 grams less than the body portion 100 without the inner cavity 700 . Optionally, the interior cavity 700 is partially or wholly formed 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 types of materials that absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or reduce noise. For example, at least 50% of the interior cavity 700 is designed to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or reduce noise when the golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball through the face portion 162 . It can be filled with TPE material.

In another example, when golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball through face portion 162 , interior cavity 700 is partially or fully filled with a polymer material, such as an ethylene copolymer material, to absorb the impact and , can block vibration and/or reduce noise. In particular, at least 50% of the interior cavity 700 comprises an ethylene copolymer, which can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to create a variety of shapes, and/or an ethylene copolymer with high compression and low elasticity similar to thermoset polybutadiene rubber. high density ethylene copolymer ionomers capable of, fatty acid modified ethylene copolymer ionomers, highly amorphous ethylene copolymer ionomers, ionomers of ethylenic acid acrylate ternary copolymers, ethylene copolymers including magnesium ionomers, injection moldable ethylene copolymers can be filled with Yes, ethylene copolymers are E.I. of DuPont™ HPF AD1172, DuPont™ HPF AD1035, DuPont® HPF 1000 and DuPont™ HPF 2000 in ethylene copolymers associated with the DuPont™ high performance resin (HPF) series of materials manufactured by the Du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware. may contain one. The DuPont™ HPF family of ethylene copolymers are injection moldable, compatible with existing injection molding equipment and molds, and offer low compression and high resilience. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Referring to FIG. 15 , for example, the face portion 162 may include a first thickness 1510 (T ₁ ) and a second thickness 1520 (T ₂ ). 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 anterior surface 164 and the posterior surface 166 . The second thickness 1520 may be based on the groove 168 . In particular, the groove 168 may have a groove depth 1525 (D _groove ). The second thickness 1520 may be the maximum distance between the lower and rear surfaces 166 of the grooves 168 . The sum of the second thickness 1520 and the groove depth 1525 may be substantially equal to the first thickness (eg, T ₂ +D _groove =T ₁ ). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be smaller than the second thickness (eg, T ₂ <T ₁ ).

To further lower and/or move the CG of the golf club head 100 again, 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 mm) (eg, T ₁ =0.075 inches). With support of the rear wall portion 1410 for defining the interior cavity 700 and filling at least a portion of the interior cavity 700 with an elastomeric material, the face portion 162 provides the structural integrity, sound and quality of the golf club head 100 . /or can be relatively thinner without compromising feel (eg, T ₁ =0.075 inches). In one example, the first thickness 1510 may be less than or equal to 0.060 inches (1.524 mm) (eg, T1≤0.060 inches). In another example, the first thickness 1510 may be less than or equal to 0.040 inches (1.016 mm) (eg, T1≦0.040 inches). Based on the type of material used to form the face portion 162 and/or the body portion 110, the face portion 162 may have a first thickness 1510 that is less than or equal to 0.030 inches (0.762 mm) e.g., T1 ≤ 0.030 inches). ) may be thinner. The groove depth may be less than or equal to the second thickness 1520 (eg, D _groove ≥ T ₂ ). In one example, the groove depth 1525 may be about 0.020 inches (0.508 mm) (eg, D _groove =0.020 inches). Accordingly, the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) (eg, T2 = 0.010 inches). In another example, the groove depth 1525 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 mm) and the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (eg, D _groove =T2=0.015 inches). Optionally, the groove depth 1525 may be less than the second thickness 1520 (eg, D _groove <T2). Without the support of the elastomeric polymer material to fill the rear wall portion 1410 and the interior cavity 700 , the golf club head may not be able to withstand the multiple impacts a golf ball exerts on the face portion. In contrast to the golf club head 100 described herein, it has a relatively thin face, but does not have the support of the rear wall portion 1410 and the elastomeric material filling the interior cavity 700 (eg, cavity-back golf club head). A golf club head may produce an unpleasant sound (eg, squeak) and/or feel while striking a golf ball. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

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 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 mm), the second thickness 1520 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 mm), and the third thickness 1530 may be about 0.050 inches (1.27 mm). mm). Thus, the chamfer portion 1540 may receive some additional material when the face portion 162 is welded to the body portion 110 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the face portion 162 may include a reinforcement section generally designated 1605 below one or more grooves 168 . In one example, the face portion 162 may include a reinforcement section 1605 under each groove. Optionally, face portion 162 may include reinforcement section 1605 below some grooves (eg, every other groove) or only below one groove. The face part 162 may include a first thickness 1610 , a second thickness 1620 , a third thickness 1630 , and a chamfer part 1640 . The groove 168 may have a groove depth 1625 . The reinforcing section 168 may define a second thickness 1620 . The first and second thicknesses 1610 and 1620 may 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 mm) (eg, T1=T2=0.030 inches). The groove depth 1625 may be about 0.015 inches (0.381 mm) and the third thickness 1630 may be about 0.050 inches (1.27 mm). Groove 168 may 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 in this respect.

Optionally, the face portion 162 may vary in thickness between the upper portion 180 and the sole portion 190 . In one example, face portion 162 is relatively thicker at or proximate to upper portion 180 than at or proximate to sole 190 . The thickness may taper from the upper portion 180 toward the sole portion 190). In another example, the face portion 162 may be relatively thick at or adjacent to the sole 190 than at or at the top 180 (eg, the thickness of the face portion 162 may be greater than the sole 190 ). may taper toward the top 180). In another example, face portion 162 may be relatively thicker between top 180 and sole 190 than at or near top 180 and sole 190 (eg, of face portion 162 ). thickness may have a bell-shaped profile). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Unlike other golf club head designs, the position of the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 along the perimeter of the golf club head 100 and the interior cavity 700 of the body portion 110 is such that the golf ball A relatively high ball launch angle and a relatively low rotational speed may cause movement away from the face portion 162 . As a result, the golf ball can travel further (ie, with a greater total distance including carry and roll distances).

As described herein, interior cavity 700 may be partially or completely filled with an elastomeric polymer material to provide structural support to face portion 162 . In particular, the elastomeric material may also provide vibration and/or noise damping to the body portion 110 when the face portion 162 strikes the golf ball. Optionally, the elastomeric material may provide only vibration and/or noise damping to the body portion 110 when the face portion 162 strikes the golf ball. In one embodiment, the body portion 110 (eg, an iron-type golf club head) of the golf club head 100 has a body volume of between about 2.0 cubic inches (32.77 cubic centimeters) and about 4.2 cubic inches (68.83 cubic centimeters). (Vb) can have. The volume of elastomeric material filling an interior cavity Ve, such as interior cavity 700, may be between 0.5 and 1.7 cubic inches (8.19 and 27.86 cubic centimeters, respectively). The ratio of the volume of the elastic polymer material Ve to the volume volume Vb can be expressed as:

where Ve is the volume of elastomeric material in cubic inches, and

Vb is the body volume in cubic inches.

In another example, the ratio of the elastic polymer material volume Ve to the body volume Vb may be from about 0.2 to about 0.4. In another example, the ratio of the elastomeric material volume Ve to the body volume Vb may be from about 0.25 to about 0.35. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

For example, the thickness of the face portion may be from about 0.025 inches (0.635 mm) to about 0.075 inches (1.905 mm), based on the amount of elastomeric material filling the interior cavity. In another example, the thickness Tf of the face portion may be from about 0.02 inches (0.508 mm) to about 0.09 inches (2.286 mm). The thickness Tf of the face portion may depend on the amount of elastic polymer material in the interior cavity Ve, such as the interior cavity 700 . The ratio of the thickness Tf of the face portion to the volume Ve of the elastic polymer material can be expressed as:

where: Tf is the thickness of the face in inches,

Ve is the volume of the elastic polymer material in cubic inches.

In one example, the ratio of the thickness (Tf) of the face portion to the volume (Ve) of the elastic polymer material may be 0.02 to 0.09. In another example, the ratio of the thickness (Tf) of the face portion to the volume (Ve) of the elastic polymer material may be 0.04 to 0.14. The thickness Tf of the face portion may be the same as T1 and/or T2 described above. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The thickness Tf of the face portion may depend on the volume of the elastic polymer material in the interior cavity Ve, such as the interior cavity 700 and the body volume Vb. The volume Ve of the elastic polymer material can be expressed as:

where: Ve is the volume of the elastic polymer material in cubic inches,

Vb is the body volume in cubic inches, and

Tf is the thickness of the face portion in inches.

As described herein, for example, the body volume Vb can be between about 2.0 cubic inches (32.77 cubic centimeters) and about 4.2 cubic inches (68.83 cubic centimeters). In one embodiment, the thickness of the face portion Tf may be about 0.03 inches (0.762 mm). In another example, the thickness of the face portion Tf may be about 0.06 inches (1.524 mm). In another example, the thickness of the face portion Tf may be about 0.075 inches (1.905 millimeters). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Further, the volume of the elastic polymer material Ve when the inner cavity is completely filled with the elastic polymer material may be similar to the volume of the inner cavity Vc. Thus, when the inner cavity is completely filled with the elastic polymer material, the volume of the elastic polymer material Ve in any of the formulas provided herein can be replaced by the volume of the inner cavity Vc. Thus, the above expression expressed in terms of the volume of the internal cavity (Vc) can be expressed as:

where Vc is the volume of the interior cavity in cubic units,

Vb is the body volume in cubic units, and

Tf is the thickness of the face portion in inches.

17 also illustrates one way in which the exemplary golf club heads described herein may be manufactured. In the example of FIG. 178 , process 1700 may begin by providing two or more parts by weight, shown generally as first and second sets of parts 120 and 130 , respectively (block 1710 ). The first and second sets of weights 120 , 130 may be made of a first material, such as a tungsten-based material. In one example, a weight portion of each of the first and second sets 120 and 130 may be a tungsten-alloy screw.

Process 1700 may 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 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 embodiment, the body 110 may be made of 17-4 PH stainless steel using a casting process. In another example, body portion 110 may be formed of another suitable type of stainless steel (eg, Nitronic 50 stainless steel manufactured by AK Steel Corporation of West Chester, Ohio) using a forging process. can be manufactured with By using Nitronic 50 stainless steel to fabricate the body portion 110, the golf club head 100 may be relatively stronger and/or more corrosion-resistant than golf club heads made from other types of steel. Each weight port of body 110 may include an opening and a port wall. For example, the weight port 1421 may include opposing openings 720 and the port wall 725 . In a similar manner, the weight port 1835 may include an opening 730 and a port wall 735 on opposite ends. The interior cavity 700 may separate the port wall 735 of the weight pot 1435 and the rear surface 166 of the face portion 162 .

Process 1700 may couple each of the first and second sets of weights 120 and 130 to one of two or more external weight ports (block 1730). In one embodiment, the process 1700 may be fixed by inserting the weight part 121 into the external weight port 1421 and the weight part 135 into the external weight part 1435 . Process 1700 includes various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, epoxy, welding) for securing first and second sets of weights 120 and 130, respectively, to external weight ports, such as weights 1415 and 1435, respectively. , soldering, mechanical lock(s), any combination thereof, etc.) may be used.

Process 1700 may partially or fully fill interior cavity 700 with an elastomeric polymer material (eg, Sorbothane® material) or a polymer material (eg, an ethylene polymer material, such as DuPont™ HPF family materials) (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 be responsive to golf club head 100 striking a golf ball to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or reduce noise. Additionally or alternatively, the interior cavity 700 may be filled with a thermoplastic elastomeric material and/or a thermoplastic polyurethane material. For example, as shown in FIG. 18 , golf club head 100 includes one or more weight ports (eg, shown as 1431 in FIG. 14 ) having a first opening 1830 and a second opening 1835 . can do. The second opening 1835 may be used to access the interior cavity 700 . In one embodiment, the process 1700 ( FIG. 17 ) comprises injecting an elastomeric material into the interior cavity 700 from a first opening 1830 through a second opening 1835 and into the interior cavity 700 . 700 may be filled with an elastic polymer material. The first and second openings 1830 , 1835 may be the same or different in size and/or shape. While the above embodiments may describe and depict certain weight ports having a second opening, other weight ports 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 as merely an example of one method of manufacturing the golf club head 100 . 17 , these operations may be performed in different time sequences. Yes, it can be done sequentially, in parallel or concurrently. In one example, blocks 1710 , 1720 , 1730 , and/or 1740 may be performed in parallel or concurrently. Also, FIG. 17 shows a specific number of blocks, and a process may not perform one or more blocks. In one embodiment, the interior cavity 700 cannot be filled (ie, block 1740 may not be performed). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

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

As shown in Figures 19-21. Face portion 1900 may include an anterior surface 1910 and a posterior surface 2010 . The front surface 1910 may include one or more grooves, generally designated 1920, extending longitudinally across the front surface 1910 (extending between the toe portion 140 and the heel portion 150 of FIG. 1 ). can Anterior surface 1910 may be used to impact a golf ball (not shown).

The posterior surface 2010 may include one or more channels, shown generally 2020. Channel 2020 may extend longitudinally across posterior surface 2010 . Channels 2020 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other. The channel 2020 may engage the elastomeric material used to fill the interior cavity 700 , and may act as a mechanical locking mechanism between the face portion 1900 and the elastomeric material. In particular, channel 2100 may include an opening 2110 , a lower section 2120 , and two sidewalls, shown generally 2130 and 2132 . The lower section 2120 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the posterior surface 2010 . The two sidewalls 2130 and 2132 may be converging sidewalls (ie, the two sidewalls 2130 and 2132 may not be parallel to each other). Lower section 2120 and sidewalls 2130 and 2132 may form two undercut portions, shown generally 2140 and 2142 . That is, the width 2115 at the opening 2110 may be less than the width 2125 of the lower section 2120 . The cross-section of channel 2100 may be symmetrical about axis 2150 . 21 depicts a flat or substantially flat sidewall, both sidewalls 2130 and 2132 may be curved (eg, convex relative to each other).

Instead of flat or substantially flat sidewalls as shown in FIG. 21 , the channel may include other types of sidewalls. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 , channel 2200 may include an opening 2210 , a lower section 2220 , and two sidewalls shown generally 2230 and 2232 . The two sidewalls 2230 and 2232 may be stepped sidewalls. Lower section 2220 and sidewalls 2230 and 2232 may form two undercut portions, shown generally 2240 and 2222 . That is, the width 2215 at the opening 2210 may be less than the width 2225 of the lower section 2220 . Channel 2200 may be symmetrical about axis 2250 .

Instead of symmetry as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 , the channel may be asymmetric. As another example, as shown in FIG. 23 , channel 2300 may include an opening 2310 , a lower section 2320 , and two sidewalls shown generally 2330 and 2332 . Lower section 2320 may be parallel or substantially parallel to posterior surface 2010 . Lower section 2320 and sidewall 2330 may form an undercut portion 2340 .

Referring to FIG. 24 , for example, channel 2400 may include an opening 2410 , a lower section 2420 , and two sidewalls shown generally 2430 and 2432 . The lower section 2420 may not be parallel or substantially non-parallel to the posterior surface 2010 . The two sidewalls 2430 and 2432 may be parallel or substantially parallel to each other, although one sidewall may be longer than the other. Lower section 2420 and sidewall 2432 may form an undercut portion 2440 .

In the example shown in FIG. 25 , face portion 2500 may include a posterior surface 2510 having one or more channels, the channels extending laterally across posterior surface 2510 (eg, FIG. 1 ). extending between the top 180 and the sole 190 of the ) and shown generally at 2520. In another example shown in FIG. 26 , face portion 2600 may include a posterior surface 2610 having one or more channels, the channels shown generally as 2620 and extending at an angle across posterior surface 2610 . do.

Optionally, the face portion may include a combination of channels extending in different directions (eg, extending longitudinally, laterally and/or diagonally) across the rear surface of the face portion. Referring to FIG. 27 , for another example, the face portion 2700 may include a rear surface 2710 having one or more channels extending in different directions across the rear surface 2710 . In particular, face portion 2700 includes a plurality of channels 2720 extending longitudinally across posterior surface 2710 , a plurality of channels 2730 extending laterally across posterior surface 2710 and posterior surface It may include a plurality of channels 2740 extending obliquely across 2710 .

For example, referring to FIG. 28 , the golf club head 100 may include a face portion 162 , an engagement portion 2810 , and an elastomeric polymer material 2820 . The coupling portion 2810 provides connection, attachment, and/or bonding of the elastomeric material 2820 to the face portion 162 . Coupling portion 2810 may include a binder, a combination of binders, a coupling structure or coupling device, a combination of coupling structures and/or coupling devices, and/or a combination of one or more binders, one or more coupling structures, and/or one or more attachment devices. can For example, the golf club head 100 includes a binder to alleviate delamination and/or improve adhesion between the face portion 162 and the elastomeric polymer material used to fill the interior cavity 700 of the golf club head 100 . It can be done (eg, Fig. 7). In one example, bonding portion 2810 is a low viscosity organic solvent based solution and/or dispersion of polymer and other reactive materials such as MEGUM™, ROBOND™ and/or THIXON™ materials manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company, Auburn Hills, Michigan. It may be a chemical. In another example, the joint 2810 may be a LOCTITE® material manufactured by Henkel Corporation of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The coupling portion 2810 may be applied to the back surface 166 to bond the elastomeric material 2820 to the pay portion 162 (eg, extending between the back surface 166 and the elastic polymer material 2820 ). have. For example, when interior cavity 700 is filled with elastomeric material 2820 via an injection-molding process, coupling 2810 may be applied. The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

29 illustrates one manner in which the internal cavity 700 of the golf club head 100 or any of the golf club heads described herein is partially or wholly filled with an elastomeric or elastomeric material. Process 2900 may begin by heating golf club head 100 to a specified temperature (block 2910). In one example, 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 be heated to a specified temperature (block 2920). The elastomeric material may be a non-foaming and injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. Accordingly, the elastomeric polymer material may reach a liquid or flow state before being heated and injected into the interior cavity 700 . The temperature to which the elastomeric material can be heated depends 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 2930). The elastomeric material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 from one or more weight ports described herein (eg, one or more weight ports in each of the first and second sets of weight ports 1420 and 1430 shown in FIG. 14 ). can One or more other weight ports may allow air within the interior cavity 700 displaced by the elastomeric material to be evacuated from the interior 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 can be injected into the interior cavity 700 from one or more lower positioned weight ports, while the one or more upper positioned weight ports. The port may act as an air vent. The mold (ie, golf club head 100 ) may be cooled passively (eg, at room temperature) or actively such that the elastomeric polymer material reaches a solid state and adheres to the rear surface 166 of the face portion 162 . . The elastic polymer material may be attached directly to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . Optionally, the elastomeric polymer material may be applied to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 with the aid of one or more structures on the back surface 166 and/or a binder described herein (eg, the coupling portion 2810 shown in FIG. 28 ). ) may be included. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As noted above, the elastomeric polymer material may be heated to a liquid state (ie, non-foaming) in the interior cavity 700 and solidified after injection molding. An elastomeric polymer material having a low modulus of elasticity may provide vibration and noise damping for the face portion 162 when the face portion 162 impacts a golf ball. Yes, elastomeric materials that foam when heated can provide vibration and noise damping. However, such foamable elastomeric polymeric 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 material when absorbing the impact of a golf ball. In one embodiment, the elastomeric polymer material injection molded in the interior cavity 700 may have a relatively high modulus of elasticity to provide structural support to the face portion 162 , and may also be elastically deflected to the face portion when striking a golf ball. Absorbs the impact force experienced by (162). Thus, a non-foamed and injection moldable elastomeric material having a relatively high modulus of elasticity can 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-foaming and injection moldable elastic polymer material may be a structural support portion for the face portion 162 . The devices, methods and products are not limited thereto.

30 illustrates one manner in which the binder described herein may be applied to a golf club head prior to partially and completely injecting the elastomeric polymer into the interior cavity 700 . In the example of FIG. 30 , process 3000 may begin with injecting a binder onto the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 (block 3010 ). The binder may be injected onto the back surface 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 weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . The binder may be injected into the back surface 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 surface 166 . The binder may then be injected onto the back surface 166 from the outlet of the device. Additionally, the instrument may be moved, rotated, and/or pivoted within the interior cavity 700 to inject a binder onto the region of the rear surface 166 surrounding the instrument. For example, the outlet of the injection device may move in a circular pattern inside the weight port to inject the binder in a corresponding circular pattern on the back surface surface 166 . Each of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 may be used to inject binder into the back surface 166 . However, it may not be necessary to use all of the first weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . Yes, using all adjacent weight ports may be sufficient to inject binder onto the entire back surface 166 . In another example, the weight ports 1421 , 1422 1431 , 1433 and 1436 can be used to inject binder into the back surface 166 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

Process 3000 includes dispensing binder onto back surface 166 and then spreading the binder onto back surface 166 such that a generally uniform coating of binder is provided on back surface 166 (block ( 3020)) may be included. According to one embodiment, the binder will be spread on the rear surface 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 The air may be injected onto the rear surface 166 in the interior cavity 700 by inserting an air nozzle into one or more of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 . According to one embodiment, a predetermined amount of air is dispensed from the back surface 166 to evenly spray the binder to spread the binder over the back surface for a temporally uniform coating or uniform coating of the binder on the back surface 166, according to one embodiment. The air nozzle may be moved, rotated and/or pivoted at a distance. The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

Exemplary process 3000 is provided and described with respect to other figures merely as an example of one method of manufacturing golf club head 100 . Although a specific order of operations is shown in FIG. 30 , these operations may be performed in other time sequences. In addition, two or more operations illustrated in FIG. 30 may be sequentially performed in parallel or simultaneously. Process 3000 may include a single action and may uniformly or substantially uniformly implant back surface 166 with binder. In one embodiment, the binder may be injected onto the back surface 166 by being converted to particulates or droplets (ie, atomized) and sprayed onto the back surface 166 . Accordingly, the back surface 166 may be uniformly or nearly uniformly coated with the binder. A substantially uniform coating of the back surface 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 bonding of the elastomeric or elastomeric material to the back surface 166 with the binder described herein. Yes, spraying the binder on the back surface 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 surface 166 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

As described herein, any two or more parts by weight may constitute a single part by weight. 31 and 32 , the golf club head 3100 generally comprises a first set of weights 3120 (eg, shown as weights 3121 , 3122 , 3123 and 3124 ) and a second set of weights 3120 . A weight part 3130 may be included. The body portion 3110 may include a toe portion 140 , a heel portion 3150 , a front portion (not shown), a rear portion 3170 , an upper portion 3180 , and a sole portion 3190 . The front portion is substantially similar to the front portion 160 of the golf club head 100 . Accordingly, details of the front portion of golf club head 3100 are not provided.

The body portion 3110 may be made from a first material, while the first set of weights 3120 and second weights 3130 may be made from a second material. The first and second materials may be similar or different materials. For example, body portion 3110 may be partially or entirely made of 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, an aluminum-based material (eg, eg, a high strength aluminum alloy or a composite aluminum alloy coated with a high strength alloy), any combination thereof and/or other suitable type of material. The first set of weights 3120 and second weights 3130 may be partially or wholly made of a high-density material, such as a tungsten-based material or other suitable type of material. Optionally, body portion 3110 and/or first set of weights 3120 and second set of weights 3130 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material (eg, composite, plastic, etc.) . The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

The golf club head 3100 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 (eg, pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, nth wedges such as 44°, 48°, 52°, 56°, 60°, etc.). 31 and 32 may illustrate certain types of club heads, the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may include different types of club heads (eg, driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type club heads, hybrid club heads; putter-type clubheads, etc.). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect. The toe portion 3140 and the heel portion 3150 may be on opposite ends of the body portion 3110 . The heel portion 3150 may include a golf club head 3100 at an opposite end to form a golf club and a hosel portion 3155 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) having a grip (not shown) at one end. have.

The rear portion 3170 is generally illustrated with a first set of external weight ports 3220 (eg, illustrated as weight ports 3221 , 3222 , 3223 and 3224 ) and a rear portion 3170 , illustrated as a second weight port 3230 . ) may include a back back wall 3210 having one or more external weight ports along the perimeter of the . An outer weight port of each of the weight ports 3220 of the first set may be associated with a port diameter. In one example, the port diameter may be about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm). Any two adjacent outer weight ports of the first set of outer weight ports 3220 may be separated by less than a port diameter. The first set of weight ports 3220 and the second weight port 3230 may be external weight ports configured to receive one or more weight portions.

Each first set of weights (shown as weights 3120 , 3122 , 3123 and 3124 ) includes a first set of weight ports (eg, weight ports 3221 , 3222 ) located at and adjacent to toe portion 3140 . , 3223 and 3224 ) and/or on the top 3180 on the rear portion 3170 . For example, the weight portion 3121 may be partially or wholly disposed within the weight port 3221 . In another example, weight portion 3122 may be disposed in weight port 3222 located in a transition region (eg, top-and-toe transition region) between top 3180 and toe portion 3140 . The configuration of the first set of weight ports 3220 and the first set of weights 3220 is similar for the large water golf club head 100 . Accordingly, a detailed description of the configuration of the first set of weight ports 3220 and the first set of weight portions 3220 is not provided.

The second weight port 3230 is connected to or adjacent to the sole 3190 through a transition region between the toe 3140 and the sole 3190 from the toe 3140 or a position adjacent to the toe 3140. It may be a recess extending into position. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 31 , the second weight port 3230 may resemble an L-shaped recess. The second weight port 3130 may have a shape similar to that of the second weight port 3230 , and may be configured to be disposed on the second weight port 3230 .

The second weight portion 3130 may be partially or entirely disposed within the weight port 3230 . The second weight portion 3130 may have any shape, such as an oval, a rectangle, a triangle, or any geometric or non-geometric shape. However, the portion of the second weight portion 3130 inserted into the second weight port 3230 may have a shape similar to that of the weight port 3230 . As detailed herein, any parts by weight described herein, including parts by weight 3120 and second parts by weight 3130, may be manufactured in a variety of manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, bonding processes, welding processes, may be connected to the rear portion 3170 of the body portion 3110 by a brazing process, mechanical locking method, any combination thereof, or other suitable manufacturing method and/or process).

The second weight portion 3130 may be configured to position the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 in an optimal position and optimize the moment of inertia of the golf club head with respect to a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity of the golf club. All or a substantial portion of the second weight portion 3130 may be generally near the sole portion 3190 . For example, the second weight portion 3130 may be located near the periphery of the body portion 3110 , and may extend from the sole portion 3190 to the toe portion 3140 . As shown in FIG. 32 , the second weight portion 3130 is located near the periphery of the body portion 3110 , partially or substantially along the sole portion 3190 to lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 3100 . can be extended to A portion of the second weight portion 3130 is located near the periphery of the body portion 3110, and is a sole portion to lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 3100 and increase the moment of inertia about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity. It may extend from the sole 3190 to the toe 3140 through a transition region 3147 between the 3190 and the toe 3140 . In order to lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 3100, all or part of the second weight portion 3130 may be located closer to the sole portion 3190 than the horizontal intermediate surface 3260 of the golf club head 3100. . The location of the second weight portion 3130 (eg, the location of the weight port 3230) and the physical properties and materials of construction of the weight portions of the second weight port may include the weight, weight distribution, center of gravity, and weight distribution of the golf club head 3100, It may be determined to optimally affect the moment of inertia properties, structural integrity and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

The weight portions of the first set of weight portions 3120 may have similar or different physical properties (eg, color, shape, size, density, mass, volume, etc.). In the example shown in FIG. 32 , each of the weight portions of the first set of weight portions 3120 may have a cylindrical shape (eg, a circular cross-section). Optionally, each of the weight portions of the first set of weight portions 3120 may have a different shape. While the above examples may describe parts by weight having a particular shape, the devices, methods and articles described herein may have other suitable shapes (e.g., spheres, cubes, cones, cylinders, pyramids, cuboids, prisms, in whole or in part). , frustum, or other suitable geometry). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In the example of FIGS. 33-42 , golf club head 3300 includes a body portion 3310 and generally a first set of weights 3320 (eg, shown as weights 3321 and 3322 ) and a second set of weights. may include two or more parts by weight, shown as parts by weight 3330 (eg, shown as 3331 , 3332 , 3333 , 3334 and 3335 ). The body part 3310 may include a toe part 3340 , a heel part 3350 , a front part 3360 , a rear part 3370 , an upper part 3380 , and a sole part 3390 . The heel portion 3350 may include a hosel portion 3355 configured to receive a shaft (not shown) with a grip (not shown) at one end and a golf club head 3300 at opposite ends of the shaft to form a golf club. can

The body portion 3310 may be made of a first material, while the first and second sets of weights 3320 and 3330 may each be made of a second material. The first and second materials may be similar or different materials. The materials from which golf club head 3300, weight 3320, and/or weight 3330 are made may be similar in many respects to golf club heads and weights such as golf club head 100 described herein. have. Accordingly, the constituent materials of the golf club head 3300 , the weight portion 3320 , and/or the weight portion 3330 are not described in detail herein. The devices, methods and articles are not limited thereto.

Golf club head 3300 is an iron-type golf club head (eg, 1-iron, 2-iron, 3-iron, 4-iron, 5-iron, 6-iron, iron, 8-iron, 9-iron, etc.) ) or wedge-shaped golf club heads (eg, pitching wedges, lob wedges, sand wedges, nth wedges such as 44°48°, 52°, 56°, 60°, etc.). 33-42 may depict 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, hybrid club heads). , putter-type club head, etc.). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The front portion 3360 may include a face portion 3362 (eg, striking surface). The face portion 3362 may include an anterior surface 3364 and a posterior surface 3366 (see FIG. 37 ). The front surface 3364 may include one or more grooves 3368 extending between the toe portion 3340 and the heel portion 3350 . Although the drawings may show a specific number of grooves, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include more or fewer grooves. Face portion 3362 may be used to impact a golf ball (not shown). Optionally, the face portion 3362 may be formed using various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, a bonding process such as gluing, a welding process such as laser welding, a brazing process, a soldering process, a fusion process, a mechanical locking or joining method, any of these) It may be a separate part or insert coupled to the body portion 3310 via a combination or other suitable type of manufacturing method and/or process). Face portion 3362 may be associated with a loft plane that defines a loft angle of golf club head 3300 . The loft angle may vary depending on the type of golf club (eg, long irons, mid 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 devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As shown in FIG. 36 , the rear surface 3370 can include a rear wall portion 3510 having one or more external weight ports along the perimeter of the rear surface 3370 , which is generally a first set of An external weight port 3520 (eg, shown as weight ports 3521 and 3522) and a second set of external weight ports 3530 (eg, shown as weight ports 3531, 3532, 3533, 3534, and 3535) are shown. Each outer weight port may be defined by an opening in the rear wall portion 3510 . 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 mm). The weight ports of the first set of external weight ports 3520 may be separated smaller than any port diameter or port diameter of two adjacent weight ports of the first set of external weight ports 3520 . In a similar manner, adjacent outer weight ports of the second set of outer weight ports 3530 may be separated smaller than any port diameter or port diameter of any of the two adjacent weight ports of the second set of outer weight ports 3530 . . The first and second external weight port ports 3520 and 3530 may each be external weight ports configured to receive one or more weight parts. In particular, each weight portion (eg, shown as weights 3321 , 3322 ) of the first set of weights 3320 is at or adjacent to the toe portion 3340 and/or the top 3380 on the rear portion 3370 . It may be disposed in a positioned weight port. For example, the weight portion 3321 may be partially or entirely disposed on the weight port 3521 . In another embodiment, weight 3322 may be disposed in weight port 3522 located in a transition region between top 3380 and bottom 3370 (eg, top-and-toe transition region). Each weight of the second set of weights 3330 (eg, shown as weights 3331 , 3332 , 3333 , 3334 and 3335 ) is at or proximate to the toe 3340 and/or sole on the back 3370 . It may be placed in a positioned weight port. For example, the weight portion 3333 may be partially or entirely disposed within the weight port 3533 . In another example, the weight portion 3335 may be disposed in a weight port 3535 located in a transition region (eg, sole-and-toe transition region) between the sole portion 3390 and the toe portion 3340 . In another example, any of the weight parts of the first set of weights 3320 and the second set of weights 3330 are selected from among the first set of weight ports 3520 and the second set of weight ports 3530 . It can be placed in any weight pot. As detailed herein, the first and second sets of weight parts 3320, 3330 may be used in various manufacturing methods and/or processes (eg, joining processes, welding processes, brazing processes, mechanical locking methods, their any combination or other suitable manufacturing methods and/or processes).

Optionally, golf club head 3300 comprises (i) first set of weights 3320, (ii) second set of weights 3330, or (iii) first set of weights 3320 and It may not include both parts by weight of the second set. In particular, the rear portion 3370 of the body portion 3310 may not include a weight port at or near the upper portion 3370 and/or the sole portion 3390 . For example, the mass (eg, 3 g) of the first set of weights 3320 and/or the mass (eg, 16.8 g) of the second set of weights 3330 may be different from the body portion 3310 instead of separate weights. ) can be integrated with The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 may have similar or different physical properties (eg, color, shape, size, density, mass, volume, etc.). As a result, the first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 may contribute to the decorative design of the golf club head 3300 . The physical properties of the first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 may be similar to many of the weights described herein, such as the weights shown in the example of FIG. 11 . Also, the apparatus and/or method by which the first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 are coupled to the golf club head 3300 are in many respects described herein as weights shown in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13 . It may be similar to most parts by weight described in Accordingly, a detailed description of the physical properties of the first and second sets of weights 3320, 3330 and the apparatus by which the first and second sets of weights 3320, 3330 are coupled to the golf club head 3300 and/or or the method is not described in detail herein. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As shown in FIG. 34 , golf club head 3300 may be associated with a ground plane 4110 , a horizontal central plane 4120 , and a top surface 4130 . In particular, the ground plane 4110 is substantially parallel to the ground when the golf club head 3300 is in an address position (eg, when the golf club head 3300 is aligned to strike a golf ball), and the golf club It forms a tangent to the sole 3390 of the head 3300 . The top plane 4130 may be a tangential plane to the top 3380 of the golf club head 3300 when the golf club head 3300 is in the address position. Ground and upper planes 4110 and 4130 may each be substantially parallel to each other. The horizontal intermediate plane 4120 may be positioned at half the vertical distance between the ground plane 4110 and the upper plane 4130, respectively.

To provide an optimal diametrical weight for the golf club head 3300, the first set of weights 3320 (eg, weights 3321 and 3322) counterbalance the weight of the hosel 3355 and/or the golf club may be configured to increase the moment of inertia of the golf club head 3300 about a vertical axis of the golf club head 3300 extending through the center of gravity of the head 3300 . For example, as shown in FIG. 34 , a first set of weights 3320 (eg, weights 3321 and 3322) can be located near the periphery of the body 3310 and includes an upper portion 3380 and a toe portion ( It may extend to the transition region 3345 between 3340 . In another example, the first set of weights 3320 (eg, weights 3321 and 3322 ) may be located near the periphery of the body portion 3310 and may extend adjacent to the tow portion 3340 . The location of the first set of weights 3320 (i.e., the location of the first set of weight ports 3520) and the physical properties and materials of construction of the first set of weights 3320 are of the golf club head 3300. may be determined to affect weight, weight distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity, and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

A second set of weights 3330 (eg, weights 3331 , 3332 , 3333 , 3334 and 3335 ) optimally positions the center of gravity of golf club head 3300 and/or golf club head 3300 . Optimize the moment of inertia of the golf club head about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity. Referring again to FIG. 34 , all or a substantial portion of the second set of weight portions 3330 may be proximate the sole portion 3390 . Yes, a second set of midpoint portions 3330 (eg, weight portions 3331 , 3332 , 3333 , 3334 and 3335 ) are positioned between the toe portion 3340 and the heel portion 3350 to lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 . It may extend to or near the sole portion 3390 of the . Weights 3334 and 3335 are placed in transition region 3347 between sole 3390 and toe 3340 to increase the moment of inertia of golf club head 3300 about a vertical axis extending through the center of gravity or It may be located near and/or closer to the toe portion 3340 than the heel portion 3350 . Some of the weight portions of the second set of weight portions 3330 may be located in the tow portion. To lower the center of gravity of the golf club head 3300 , all or a portion of the second set of weights 3330 may be positioned closer to the sole 3390 than the horizontal midplane 4120 . The location of the second set of weights 3330 (ie, the location of the second set of weight ports 3530 ) and the physical properties and materials of construction of the weights of the second set of weights 3330 are determined by the golf club head 3300 . ) can be determined to optimally affect the weight, weight distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 37 , for example, the first and second sets of weight portions 3320 , 3330 may be disposed spaced apart (eg, not directly coupled to each other) from the rear surface 3366 of the face portion 3362 . have. That is, the first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 and rear surface 3366 , respectively, may be partially or wholly separated by an interior cavity 3800 of the body 3300 . Yes, each outer weight port of the first and second sets of outer weight ports 3320, 3330 has an opening (e.g., generally shown as 3820 and 3830) and a port wall (e.g., generally shown as 3820 and 3835). may include

The port walls 3825 , 3835 can be an integral part of the rear wall portion 3510 (eg, a section of the rear wall portion 3510 ). Each of the openings 3820 and 3830 may be configured to receive a weight such as weights 3321 and 3335 . The opening 3830 may be located at one end of the weight pot 3521 , and the port wall 3825 may be located at or proximate to an opposite end of the weight port 3521 . In a similar manner, the opening 3830 can be located at one end of the weight 3535 , and the port wall 3835 can be at or proximate the opposite end of the weight 3535 . Port walls 3825 , 3835 may be separated from face portion 3362 (eg, separated by interior cavity 3800 ). Each port wall of the first set of weight ports 3520 , such as port wall 3825 , may have a distance 3826 from the back surface 3366 of the face portion 3362 as shown in FIG. 37 . Each port wall of the second set of weight ports 3530 , such as port wall 3835 , may have a distance 3836 from the back surface 3366 of the face portion 3362 . The distances 3826 and 3836 are such that the first and second sets of weight ports 3520 and 3530 each receive a weight as described herein to optimize the position of the center of gravity of the golf club head 3300. can be decided. According to one example, distance 3836 can be greater than distance 3826 such that the center of gravity of golf club head 3300 can be moved toward rear portion 3370 and/or lowered toward sole portion 3390 . . According to one example, distance 3836 may have a value between about 1.5 times and about 4 times greater than distance 3826 . That is, the distance 3836 may be about 1.5 to about 4 times the distance 3826 . Consequently, the width 3840 of the portion of the interior cavity 3800 below the horizontal midplane 4120 (eg, as shown in FIG. 38 ) is the width 3842 of the interior cavity 3800 above the horizontal midplane 4120 . can be larger The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As discussed herein, the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 3300 may be relatively farther away from the face portion 3362 , including the width of a portion of the interior cavity 3800 ( 3840) may be relatively lower towards the ground plane (eg, shown as 4110 in FIG. 34) compared to a golf club that does not have the width 3842 of the interior cavity 3800 as described herein. ), all or a substantial portion of the second set of weights 3330 is closer to the sole 3390 than the horizontal midplane 4120, and the first and second sets of weights 3320 and 3330 are respectively The second set of weights 3330 are spaced apart from the rear surface 3366 than if they were directly connected to the rear surface 3366 .

The location of the first and second sets of weight ports 3520, 3530 and the physical properties and materials of construction of each weight portion of the first and second sets of weights 3320, 3330 include the weight of the golf club head 3300; It may be determined to optimally affect weight distribution, center of gravity, moment of inertia properties, structural integrity and/or other static and/or dynamic properties. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Although the drawings may depict a weight port having a specific cross-sectional shape, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include weight ports having other suitable cross-sectional shapes. The weight ports of the first and/or second set of weight ports 3520 , 3530 may have a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of any of the weight ports described herein. Accordingly, a detailed description of the cross-sectional shapes of the weight ports 3520 and 3530 will be omitted. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The first and second sets of weight parts 3320 and 3330 may each have similar masses (eg, all weight parts of the first and second sets 3320 and 3330, respectively, are approximately equal). Optionally, each of the first and second sets of weight parts 3320 and 3330 may have different masses individually or as a whole set. In particular, each of the parts by weight of the first set 3320 (e.g., shown as 3321 and 3322) is equal to each of the parts by weight of the second set 3330 (e.g., shown as 3331, 3332, 3333, 3334 and 3335). may be less than the mass. For example, the second set of weights 3330 may account for more than 50% of the total mass from the outer weights of the golf club head 3300 . Consequently, the golf club head 3300 may be configured to have at least 50% of the total mass from the external weight disposed below the horizontal midplane. In one example, the total mass from the outer weights may be greater below the horizontal intermediate surface 4120 than the total mass from the outer weights above the horizontal intermediate surface 4120 . The devices, methods, and articles herein are not limited thereto.

In one example, golf club head 3300 may have a mass in the range of about 220 grams to about 330 grams based on the type of golf club (eg, 4-iron to lobe wedge). Body portion 3310 may have a mass ranging from about 200 grams to about 310 grams, with first and second sets of weights 3320 and 3330, respectively, having a mass of about 20 grams (eg, from an external weight). total mass). Each part by weight of the first set 3320 may have a mass of about 1 gram (1.0 g), while each part by weight of the second set 3330 may have a mass of about 2.4 grams. The sum of the masses of the first set of weights 3320 may be about 3 grams, while the sum of the masses of the first set of weights 3330 may be about 16.8 grams. The total mass of the second set of weight parts 3330 may be greater than five times the total mass of the first set of weight parts 3320 (eg, the total mass of the second set of weight parts 3330 is about 16.8 grams, and the total mass of the first set of parts by weight 3320 is about 3 grams). The golf club head 3300 may each have a total mass of 19.8 grams from the first and second sets of weights 3320 and 3330 (eg, a total mass of 3 grams from the first set of weights 3320 ). mass and a total mass of 16.8 grams from the second set of weight parts 3330). Thus, the first set of weights 3320 can account for about 15% of the total mass from the outer weight of the golf club head 3300, while the second set of weights 3330 is 3300) may account for about 85% of the total mass from the outside. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

By coupling the first and second sets of masses 3320 and 3330 to the body 3310 respectively (eg, the first and second sets of masses 3320 and 3330 are connected to the weight port of the rear 3370 ). fixed to), the position of the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head 3300 and the moment of inertia (MOI) may be optimized. In particular, the first and second sets of weights 3320 , 3330 can lower the position of the CG toward the sole 3390 and move further back from the face 3362 . The MOI also has a vertical axis (eg, perpendicular to the ground plane 4110 ) that extends through the CG. The MOI may also be higher when measured around a horizontal axis that extends through the CG (eg, extending towards the toe and heel portions 3350 and 3360 of the golf club head 3300 ). As a result, the club head 3300 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 weights 3320 , 3330 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Optionally, two or more parts by weight in the same set may have different masses. In one example, the weight portion 3321 of the first set 3320 may have a relatively smaller mass than the weight portion 3322 of the first set 3320 . In another example, the weight portion 3331 of the second set 3330 may be disposed on the weight portion 3335 of the second set 3330 . With a relatively greater mass in the upper-and-toe transition region and/or sole-and-toe transition region, more weight through the CG to the golf club head ( 3300) may be distributed apart from the center of gravity.

Although the figures may represent parts by weight as separate discrete parts, each of the first and second sets of parts 3320 and 3330 may be parts by weight of a single part. In one example, all parts by weight of first set 3320 (eg, shown as 3321 and 3322) may be combined into a single part by weight (eg, first parts by weight). In a similar manner, all parts by weight of the weight parts (eg, 3331, 3332, 3333, 3334, and 3335) of the second set 3330 are parts by weight of a single part (eg, the second parts by weight) in a manner similar to FIG. 32 . ) can be combined into Although the drawings may represent a specific number of parts by weight, the devices, methods, and articles described herein may include more or fewer parts by weight. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The body portion 3310 may be a hollow body including an interior cavity 3800 extending between the front portion 3360 and the rear portion 3370 . Also, the interior cavity 3800 may extend between the top 3380 and the sole 3390 . The interior cavity 3800 can be associated with a cavity height 3850 (Hc), and the body portion 3310 can be associated with a body height 3950 (H _B ). Cavity height 3850 and body height 3950 may vary between toe and heel portions 3340, 3350 and top and sole portions 3370, 3390, but cavity height 3850 may be less than or equal to 50% of body height 3950. (Hc>0.5*H _B ). For example, the cavity height 3850 may vary between 70% and 85% of the body height 3950 . If the cavity height 3850 of the interior cavity 3800 is greater than 50% of the body height 3950, then the golf club head 3300 indicates that the golf club head 3300 has a cavity height less than 50% of the body height. It provides a relatively more consistent feel, sound and/or result when striking the golf ball through face portion 3362 than the golf club head. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

The interior cavity 3800 can be associated with a cavity width 3840 (Wc), and the body portion 3310 can be associated with a body width 3990 (W _B ). The cavity width 3840 and the body width 3990 may vary between the upper and lower 330 dhk and the sole 3390 and between the toe 3340 and the heel 3350 . Cavity width 3840 may be at least 50% of body width 3990 in an area on body portion 3310 between upper and sole portions 3370 and 3390 and between toe and heel portions 3340 and 3350 . (Wc > 0.5 * W _B ). According to yet another example, the cavity width 3840 can vary between about 40% and 60% of the body width 3990 in a particular area between the top and soles 3380 , 3390 . According to another example, the cavity width 3840 may vary between about 30% and 70% of the body width 3990 in a particular area between the top and soles 3380 , 3390 . According to yet another example, the cavity width 3840 may vary between about 20% and 80% of the body width 3990 in a particular area between the top and soles 3380 , 3390 . For example, the cavity width 3840 can vary between about 20%-80% of the body width 3990 at or below the horizontal midplane 4120 . The cavity width 3890 of the interior cavity 3800 can vary from about 20% or more to about 80% or less of the body width 3990 in the horizontal midplane 4120 , and a substantial fraction of the mass of the golf club head 3300 . The silver can be lowered and moved backwards compared to a golf club head having a cavity width of less than about 20% of the body width. In addition, the golf club head 3300 has a relatively consistent feel, sound, and sound when the golf club head 3300 impacts the golf ball through the face portion 3362 than a golf club head having a cavity width less than about 20% of the body width. and/or produce results. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

CG of golf club head 3300, providing an interior cavity 3800 having a cavity width 3840 that can vary between about 20-80% of body width 3990 at or below a horizontal midplane 4120 To lower and/or move the CG of the golf club head 3300 further back relative to the face portion 3360, the rear portion 3370 is positioned between a position near the horizontal midplane and a position at or near the upper portion 3380. It may have a recessed portion 3410 that may be extended. The recessed portion 3410 may be formed by the upper wall 3412 and the ledge 3414 of the rear portion 3370 . A top wall 3412 of the rear portion 3370 may extend from a location at or near the horizontal mid-plane 4120 to a location at or near the top 3380 . A ledge 3414 may extend from an upper wall 3412 of the rear portion 3370 to a lower wall 3416 of the rear portion 3370 . A lower wall 3416 of the rear portion 3370 may extend from a location at or near the horizontal mid-plane 4120 to a location at or near the lower portion 3380 . Ledge portion 3414 may extend away from top wall 3412 to face portion 3360 . Accordingly, the ledge 3414 facilitates the transition from the upper wall 3412 to the lower wall 3416 such that the width of the body portion 3310 is horizontal compared to the width of the body portion 3310 above the horizontal intermediate plane. substantially increased at or near the midplane. The ledge portion 3414 may have a ledge portion width 3418 (shown in FIG. 39 ) that is greater than the upper body width 3420 of the body portion 3310 . In one example, the ledge width 3418 includes a plane 3413 that generally defines the top wall 3412 of the rear portion 3370 and a plane that generally defines the lower wall 3416 of the rear portion 3370 ( 3417) and the width of the surface on the rear portion 3370 extending between them. The upper body width 3420 may be defined as the width of the body portion 3310 at or above the horizontal intermediate plane 4120 . In one example, the ledge width 3418 is between about 0.5 and 1.0 times the upper body width 3420 . According to another example, the ledge width 3418 may be wider than the upper body width 3420 by about 1.5 times. According to another example, the ledge width 3418 can be about 3.0 times wider than the upper body width 3420 .

Accordingly, golf clubs according to embodiments described herein may have a ledge width 3418 that is greater than or equal to about 0.5 times greater and less than or equal to about 3.0 times greater than the upper body width 3420 .

Accordingly, the body width 3990 at or near the horizontal midplane 4120 may be between about 20% and 80% of the body width 3990 near or below the horizontal midplane 4120 , the cavity width 3840 . ) may be substantially greater than the upper body width 3420 that may provide. The recessed portion 3410 also allows the golf club head 3300 to have a greater mass below the horizontal intermediate plane 4120 than the generally horizontal plane 4120 . In other words, the mass removed from the golf club head 3300 to define the recessed portion 3410 may be moved to the rear or rear portion of the body portion 3310 around and below the horizontal midplane 4120 .

To generally maintain cavity width 3840 , which may be between about 20% and 80% of body width 3990 , cavity width 3840 is greater than sole 3390 near top 3380 or above horizontal mid-plane 4120 . ) near or below the horizontal mid-plane 4120 . According to one example, the cavity width 3840 is the change in body width 3990 in a specific region of the body portion 3310 between the upper portion 3380 and the sole portion 3390 and between the toe portion 3340 and the heel portion 3350 . can generally vary depending on For example, as shown in FIG. 40 , the cavity width 3840 may vary generally with the body width 3990 in a particular region of the body portion 3310 between the upper portion 3380 and the sole 3390 . The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

In one example, the interior cavity 3800 may be unfilled (ie, empty space). Body portion 3300 having interior cavity 3800 may weigh less than about 100 grams less than body portion 3300 without interior cavity 3800 . Optionally, interior cavity 3800 may be partially or fully formed of an elastomeric or elastomeric material (eg, a 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 vibrations and/or dampens noise. For example, when the golf club head 3300 strikes a golf ball through the face portion 3362, at least 50% of the interior cavity 3800 is filled with a TPE material to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and and/or reduce noise.

In another example, the interior cavity 3800 is configured to absorb shock, isolate vibration, and/or damp noise when the golf club head 3300 strikes the golf ball through the face portion of the golf ball. may be partially or wholly filled with a polymeric material such as an ethylene copolymer material. In particular, at least 50% of the interior cavity 3800 comprises a high density ethylene copolymer ionomer, a fatty acid modified ethylene copolymer ionomer, a highly amorphous ethylene copolymer ionomer, an ionomer of an ethylene acid acrylate ternary copolymer, an ethylene magnesium ionomer. Polymers, injection moldable ethylene copolymers that can be used in conventional injection molding equipment to make a variety of shapes, ethylene copolymers that can be used in conventional extrusion equipment to make a variety of shapes, and/or high temperature similar to thermoset polybutadiene rubber It can be filled with an ethylene copolymer with compression and low elasticity. For example, ethylene copolymers are E.I. Any ethylene copolymer related to DuPont™ high performance resin (HPF) family of materials manufactured by Du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Delaware. (e.g., DuPont™ HPF AD1172, DuPont™ HPF AD1035, DuPont® HPF 1000 and DuPont™ HPF 2000). may include The DuPont™ HPF family of ethylene copolymers are injection moldable, compatible with existing injection molding equipment and molds, and offer low compression and high resilience. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

As described herein, the cavity width 3840 can vary between about 20%-80% of the body width 3990 at or below the horizontal midplane 4120 . According to one example, at least 50% of the elastomeric or elastomeric material filling or partially filling the interior cavity 3800 may be located below the horizontal midplane 4120 of the golf club head 3300 . Accordingly, the center of gravity of the golf club head 3300 can be lowered and moved further back compared to a golf club head that is partially or wholly filled with an elastomeric or elastomeric material and has a cavity width that is less than about 20% of the body width. Further, when the golf club head 3300 strikes the golf ball through the face portion 3362, as compared to a golf club head having a cavity width of less than 20% of the body width, which is partially or completely filled with an elastomeric material. , golf club head 3300 may produce a relatively more consistent feel, sound and/or result. The thickness of the face portion 3362 may vary between the sole portion and the toe portion 3340 and the heel portion, as shown in the example of FIGS. 15 and 16 and discussed in detail herein. Accordingly, a detailed description of the thickness change of the face portion 3362 is not provided. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Unlike other golf club head designs, the interior cavity 3800 of the body portion 3310 and the location of the first and second sets of weights 3320, 3330 along the perimeter of the golf club head 3300 are relatively important to the golf ball. The high ball launch angle and relatively low rotational speed travel away from the face portion 3362 . As a result, the golf ball can travel further (ie, with a greater total distance including carry and roll distances).

The golf club head 3300 may be manufactured by any of the methods described herein and shown in FIG. 17 . Accordingly, a detailed description of the manufacturing method of the golf club head 3300 is not provided.

37 and 41 , golf club head 3300 may include one or more weight ports (eg, shown as weight ports 3521 and 3531 ) that may be open to cavity 3800 . The weight port 3931 can include a first opening 3930 and a second opening 3935 . The second opening 3935 may be used to access the interior cavity 3800 . In one example, process 1700 (FIG. 17) replaces internal cavity 3800 with elastomeric material by injecting the elastomeric material from the first opening 3930 into the interior cavity 3800 through the second opening 3935. can be filled with The first and second openings 3930 and 3935 may each be the same or different in size and/or shape. The weight port 3521 may include a first opening 4030 and a second opening 4035 . The second opening 4035 may be used to access the interior cavity 3800 . In one example, process 1700 ( FIG. 17 ) can fill interior cavity 3800 with an elastomeric material by injecting an elastomeric material from the weight port 3531 into the interior cavity 3800 . As the elastomeric material fills the interior cavity 3800 , the air inside the interior cavity 3800 displaced by the elastomeric polymer material passes through the weight port 3521 through the second opening 4035 and then through the first opening 4030 . ) from the inner cavity. After the cavity is partially or fully filled with the elastic polymer material, the weight ports 3531 and 3521 can be closed by inserting and securing the weight as detailed herein. Optionally, an elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the interior cavity 3800 from the weight port 3521 . Accordingly, the weight port 3531 may function as an outlet port for air displaced within the interior cavity 3800 . Although the above example describes and shows a particular weight port having a second opening, other weight ports of golf club head 4200 may include a second opening (eg, weight port 3532 ). The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

43 shows that the interior cavity 700 or any golf club head of a golf club head 100 described herein is partially or wholly elastomeric material or an elastomeric material (eg, the elastomeric material of FIG. 1 , such as a TPE material). ), which can be filled with The process 4300 may begin with bonding a binder to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 of the golf club head 100 (block 4310). The binder may have an initial bond state, which may be a temporary bond state, and a final bond state, which may be a permanent bond state. The initial and final bond states may be activated when the binder is exposed to heat, radiation and/or other chemical compounds. For example, as detailed herein, the binder may be an epoxy having an initial cure state and a final cure state activated by the epoxy heated to different temperatures for a period of time by conduction, convention, or radiation. In another example, the binder may be a binding material that is activated to an initial and final bound state by exposure to different doses and/or durations of ultraviolet radiation, respectively. In another example, the binder may be a binding material that is activated to an initial and final bound state by exposure to different compounds or different amounts of the same compound, respectively. According to process 4300, the binder may be bonded to the back surface of the face portion by being activated to an initial bonding state. An elastomeric polymer material is injected into the interior cavity 700 of the golf club head 100 (block 4320). Process 4300 then includes bonding the elastomeric polymer material to a binder (block 4330). Bonding the elastomeric material to the binder activates the binder to its final bond state to permanently bond the elastomeric material to the binder and permanently bond the binder to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . Exemplary process 4300 is provided and described with respect to other figures as merely an example of one method of manufacturing golf club head 100 . Although a specific order of operations is shown in FIG. 43 , these operations may be performed in other time sequences. In addition, two or more operations illustrated in FIG. 43 may be performed sequentially, in parallel, or simultaneously.

FIG. 44 shows that the golf club head 100 or the interior cavity 700 of a golf club head described herein is partially or wholly made of an elastomeric material or an elastomeric material (eg, the elastomeric material of FIG. 28 such as a TPE material). One way it can be filled is shown. The process 4400 may begin with applying a binder (eg, the engagement portion 2810 of FIG. 28 ) to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 of the golf club head 100 (block 4410 ). The binder may be any type of binder and/or other suitable material. In one example, the binder may be an epoxy. Prior to applying the binder, the golf club head 100 may be cleaned to remove oils, other chemicals, debris or other unintended material from the golf club head 100 (not shown). A binder may be applied onto the back surface 166 as described herein depending on the nature of the binder. The binder may be applied to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 via one or more of the first set of weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . For example, the binder may be in liquid form and injected onto the back surface 166 through some or all of the first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 . An injection device (not shown), such as a nozzle or needle, may be inserted into each weight port until the tip or exit of the injection device is around the rear surface 166 . The binder may then be injected into the back surface 166 from the outlet of the injection instrument. Additionally, the injection device may be moved, rotated, and/or pivoted within the interior cavity 700 , such that the binder may be injected onto the region of the rear surface 166 surrounding the injection device. For example, the outlet of the injection device may be moved in a circular pattern within the weight port to inject the binder in a corresponding circular pattern on the back surface surface 166 . The first set of weight ports 1420 and the second set of weight ports 1430 may be used to inject binder into the back surface 166 . However, it may not be necessary to use both the first set of weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . For example, using all adjacent weight ports may be sufficient to inject binder onto the entire back surface 166 . In another example, the weight ports 1421 , 1422 1431 , 1433 and 1436 can be used to inject binder into the back surface 166 . The devices, methods, and articles are not limited in this respect.

Process 4400 will generally include dispensing or superimposing the binder on the back surface 166 (not shown) after dispensing the binder onto the back surface 166 such that a uniform coating of binder is provided on the back surface. can According to one example, the binder diffuses into the rear surface 166 by injecting air into the interior cavity 700 through one or more of the first set of weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . can be Air may be injected into the interior cavity 700 and the rear surface 166 by inserting an air nozzle into one or more of the first set of weight ports 1420 and/or the second set of weight ports 1430 . According to one example, the air nozzle may be moved, rotated, and/or pivoted a distance from the rear surface 166 so as to uniformly or substantially uniformly coat the binder on the rear surface 166 ( 166), the binder is blown evenly to spread the binder over the phase. In one example, the golf club head 100 may be pivoted back and forth in one or several directions, such that the binder spreads along a portion or substantially the entire area on the rear surface 166 of the face portion 162 . In one example, the golf club head 100 can be vibrated in a generally horizontal orientation with the rear surface 166 of the face portion 162 such that the binder forms a uniform coating or a substantially uniform coating on the rear surface. It can be diffused or superimposed on (166). The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

Exemplary process 4400 is provided simply and is described in conjunction with other figures as one example of a method of manufacturing golf club head 100 . While a specific order of operations is shown in FIG. 44 , these operations may be performed at other time sequences. Also, two or more actions illustrated in FIG. 44 may be performed sequentially, in parallel, or simultaneously. Process 4400 may include a single act of implantation (not shown) and coating the back surface 166 uniformly or substantially uniformly with a binder. In one example, the binder may be injected onto the back surface 166 by being converted to particulates or droplets (ie, atomized) and sprayed onto the back surface 166 . Accordingly, the back surface 166 may be uniformly or nearly uniformly coated with the binder. A substantially uniform coating of binder on the back surface 166 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 bonding of the elastomeric material or the elastomeric material to the back surface 166 with the binder described herein. For example, spraying the binder on the back surface 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 surface 166 . The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

In one example shown in FIG. 45 , the binder may be an epoxy with different cure states based on the temperature and time to which the epoxy may be exposed. The binder may have an uncured state, an initial cured state and a final cured state. In one embodiment, the uncured state may be a liquid state, the initial cured state may be a gel or semi-solid/semi-liquid state, and the final cured state may be a solid state. When the binder is heated to a temperature between the initial cured state temperature Tempi and the final cured state temperature Tempf for a period of time, the binder may be converted from an uncured state to an initial cured state. Accordingly, the initial curing temperature range may be defined as a temperature greater than or equal to the initial curing temperature state temperature Tempi and less than or equal to the final curing state temperature Tempf. When the binder can be heated above the final cured state temperature for a certain period of time, the binder may transition from the initial cured state to the final cured state. Accordingly, the temperature range of the final cured state may be defined as a temperature equal to or higher than the final cured state temperature Tempf. As shown in FIG. 45 , the initial curing state temperature Tempi and the final curing temperature state temperature Tempf may vary depending on the amount of time the binder may be heated. In particular, the transition from the uncured state to the initial cured state and the transition from the initial cured state to the final cured state can be dictated by specific temperature and time profiles based on the properties of the binder. At temperatures below the initial curing temperature, the binder may be in an uncured state (ie, a liquid state). In an initial cured state, the binder may form an initial bond with an object without obtaining complete cross-linking or forming a permanent bond, and may become flexible for manipulation (eg, moving, spreading, overlapping, etc.). In other words, the binder can be manipulated to form an initial bond with the object and not to form a permanent bond. In the final cured state, bonding of the binder (eg, cross-linking to a binder comprising epoxy) may be complete or established permanently.

The binder may be in a liquid state. When in an uncured state, the binder may be applied to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . The golf club head 100 and/or the binder is then above the initial cure state temperature Tempi and above the final cure state temperature Tempf to change the binder from the uncured state to the initial cure state temperature range (ie, the initial cure state temperature range). ) may be heated to the first temperature Temp1 or less (block 4420). Accordingly, the binder may form an initial bond with the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . After bonding the binder to the back surface 166, the golf club head may be cooled for a period of time at ambient temperature or room temperature (not shown). Accordingly, the binder may be in an initial cured state such that it may adhere to the back surface 166 during injection molding of the elastomeric material within the interior cavity 700 and bond to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 . can be Ambient or room temperature can be defined as the room temperature in the range between 5°C (41°F) and 40°C (104°F). The first temperature Temp1 and the period during which the golf club head and/or the binder are heated to the first temperature may depend on the curing or bonding properties of the binder. The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

After the binder is bonded to the back surface 166 of the face portion 162 , the golf club head 100 may be heated (ie, the golf club head 100 ) prior to receiving an elastomeric polymer material (not shown). Preheat). The golf club head 100 is heated so that when the elastomeric material is injected into the golf club head 100, the elastomeric polymer material remains in a flowing liquid form by contact with the golf club head without being cooled by contact with the golf club head so as to remain in the inner cavity 700 . can be filled The temperature at which the golf club head is heated and may be referred to herein as the third temperature may be similar to the temperature of the elastomeric material when injected into the interior cavity 700 . However, the temperature at which the golf club head is heated may be less than or equal to the final curing temperature (Tempf) of the binder. Accordingly, the binder may not transition from an initial cured state to a final cured state during the injection molding process. Further, the preheat temperature of the golf club head 100 may be determined such that excessive cooling of the golf club head 100 may not be required after injection molding of the elastomeric material into the interior cavity 700 . Prior to injection into the interior cavity 700 , the elastomeric polymer material may also be heated to a liquid state (not shown). 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 . Further, the temperature to which the elastomeric material is heated may be determined such that shrinkage of the elastomeric material is reduced during the injection molding process. However, as described herein, the elastomeric polymer material may be heated to a temperature lower than the final curing temperature (Tempf) of the binder. The devices, methods and articles are not limited in this respect.

As described herein, cavity 700 may be partially or fully filled with an elastomeric material by injecting an elastomeric material into the cavity 700 (block 4430). The rate of injection of the elastomeric material is determined by It can be determined that 700 fills slowly to provide better filling while allowing air to escape from interior cavity 700 and rapidly cool the injected elastomeric material. For example, the elastic polymer material may be a non-foaming and injection moldable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. The elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 from one or more weight ports described herein (eg, one or more weight ports of the first and second sets of weight ports 1420 and 1430 respectively shown in FIG. 14 ). can The one or more other weight ports may allow air within the interior cavity 700 displaced by the elastomeric material to be evacuated from the interior cavity 700 . In one example, golf club head 100 may be oriented horizontally during the injection molding process as shown in FIG. 14 . An elastomeric polymer material may be injected into the interior cavity 700 from the weight ports 1431 , 1432 . The weight ports 1421 , 1422 , and/or 1423 may act as air ports for evacuating displaced air from the 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 the one or more upper positioned weight ports may It functions as an air vent.

According to one example, any of the golf club head 100 or weight port that can be used as an air port for evacuating displaced air can be connected to a vacuum source (not shown) during the injection molding process. Accordingly, the air within the interior cavity 700 and the air displaced by the elastic polymer material may be removed from the interior cavity 700 by the vacuum source. Accordingly, the likelihood of having air pockets trapped within the interior cavity 700 and/or the likelihood of non-uniformly filling the interior cavity 700 with the interior polymer material may be reduced. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

After the elastomeric material has been injected into the cavity 700 , the golf club head 100 is

The elastomeric material may be heated to a second temperature Temp2 (eg, a final cured state temperature range) that is greater than or equal to the final cure temperature temperature capable of activating the binder to bond the elastomeric material to the binder (block 4440). The second temperature Temp2 and the time the golf club head 100 is heated to the second temperature Temp2 are shown in FIG. 45 to form a permanent bond between the golf club head 100 and the binder and between the elastomeric material and the binder. As shown in Fig. 1, it can depend on the properties of the binder. The golf club head 100 may then be cooled to ambient temperature or room temperature (not shown). According to one example, the characteristic time (CT) of the golf club head may be measured (not shown) after manufacturing the golf club head as discussed herein. CT measurements may determine whether a golf club head complies with CT rules established by one or more golf associations.

The heating and cooling processes described herein may be performed by conduction convention and/or radiation. For example, all heating and cooling processes may be performed by using a heating or cooling system that uses a conveyor belt that moves the golf club head 100 through a heating or cooling environment for a period of time discussed herein. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

An elastomeric material with a lower modulus, such as a foamed elastomeric material, can provide vibration and noise damping to the face 162 when the face 162 strikes a golf ball. An elastic polymer material having a high modulus of elasticity may provide structural support to the face portion 162 in addition to providing vibration and noise damping. Thus, since the elastomeric material may provide structural support to the thin face portion 162 , the thin face portion 162 may be provided when the interior cavity 700 is filled with a non-foamed elastomeric polymer material. In one example, the elastomeric polymer material that is injection molded within the interior cavity 700 has a relatively high elasticity that elastically provides structural support to the face portion 162 and elastic deflection to absorb the impact force received when the golf ball is struck. can have coefficients. Accordingly, a non-foamable and injection moldable elastomeric 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-foaming and injection moldable elastomeric material may be a structural support for the face portion 162 . The devices, methods and products are not limited in this respect.

While the above examples have been described with respect to iron-based or wedge-shaped golf club heads, the apparatus, methods, and articles described herein may be applied to other types of golf club heads.

The terms "and" and "or" can mean both conjunctions and logicals. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure indicates otherwise. The term “coupled” and any variations thereof refers to directly or indirectly linking two or more elements chemically, mechanically and/or otherwise. The phrase "removably linked" is defined such that two elements "removably linked" can be separated from each other without breaking or destroying the usefulness of either element.

The term "substantially", when used to describe a characteristic, parameter, property, or value of an element, refers to a deviation or difference that does not reduce the characteristic, parameter, characteristic, or value that the element may be intended to provide. can indicate Any deviation or variation in the characteristics, parameters, characteristics or values of an element may be based on tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations, and other factors. The term "proximate" is synonymous with terms such as "adjacent", "close", "immediately", "close", "neighbor", etc., and such terms will be used interchangeably as they appear in this disclosure. can

The apparatus, methods, and products described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the above description of such implementations 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.

As the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be introduced by golf standards bodies and/or bodies such as the American Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancientgolf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.) may be removed or altered.), golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and articles described herein may be unsuitable for complying with the rules of golf at certain times. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised and/or marketed as suitable or inappropriate golf equipment. The devices, methods, and articles described herein are not limited in this respect.

Although certain exemplary devices, methods, and articles have been described herein, the scope of coverage herein is not limited thereto. To the contrary, this specification embraces all devices, methods, and articles entirely included within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or according to the teachings of their equivalents.

Claims (20)

In the golf club head,
The golf club head includes a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion comprising a plurality of weight portions, a front portion having a face portion having a face portion thickness extending between the front surface and the rear surface, and a body portion having an interior cavity; , the body portion is associated with a body portion volume; and
and an elastomeric polymer material within the interior cavity, the elastomeric material being associated with a volume of the elastomeric polymer material;
a coupling portion coupled to the rear surface of the face portion, wherein the elastic polymer material is coupled to the coupling portion; and
The elastomeric material volume is related to the body volume by the formula 0.2≤V _e /V _b ≤0.5, where V _e is the elastomeric material volume in in ³ and V _b is the body body in in ³ units. enemy,
The golf club head, characterized in that the weight portion is located in the rear portion below the horizontal intermediate plane of the body portion than above the horizontal intermediate plane. delete 2. The engaging portion of claim 1, wherein the engaging portion has a first cured state associated with a first temperature range and a second cured state associated with a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, wherein the engaging portion contacts the rear surface of the face portion to and wherein said elastomeric material is coupled to the rear surface of said face portion in a first cured state and wherein said elastomeric material contacts said engagement portion and engages said engagement portion in a second cured state. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the face portion thickness is between 0.02 inches (0.508 mm) and 0.09 inches (2.286 mm). 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of a thermoplastic elastomeric material or a thermoplastic polyurethane material. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity is related to the volume of the interior cavity, the volume of the interior cavity is related to the volume of the body by the equation 0.2 ≤ V _c /V _b ≤ 0.5, wherein V _c is in units of in ³ A golf club head, characterized in that the internal cavity volume, V _b is the body volume in in ³ units. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said interior cavity includes a cavity height that is at least 50% of a body height of said body portion and extends between an upper portion and a sole portion. In the golf club head,
The golf club head includes a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion comprising a plurality of weight portions, a front portion having a face portion having a face portion thickness extending between the front surface and the rear surface, and a body portion having an interior cavity; ;
and an elastomeric polymer material within the interior cavity, the elastomeric material being associated with a volume of the elastomeric polymer material;
a coupling portion coupled to the rear surface of the face portion, wherein the elastic polymer material is coupled to the coupling portion; and
wherein the face thickness is related to the elastomeric material volume by the formula 0.01≤T _f /V _e ≤0.2, T _f is the face thickness in inches, V _e is the elastomeric material volume in in ³ ,
The golf club head, characterized in that the weight portion is located in the rear portion below the horizontal intermediate plane of the body portion than above the horizontal intermediate plane. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the face portion thickness is between 0.02 inches (0.508 mm) and 0.09 inches (2.286 mm). delete 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the engaging portion has a first cured state associated with a first temperature range and a second cured state associated with a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, wherein the engaging portion is in contact with the rear surface of the face portion to wherein the elastomeric material is coupled to the rear surface of the face portion in a first cured state and wherein the elastomeric material is in contact with the engagement portion and is coupled to the engagement portion in a second cured state. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the elastomeric material comprises at least one of a thermoplastic elastomeric material or a thermoplastic polyurethane material. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the internal cavity is related to the internal cavity volume, the face portion thickness is related to the internal cavity volume by the expression 0.01 ≤ T _f /V _c ≤ 0.2, and T _f is the face part in inches. A golf club head, characterized in that thickness, and V _c is the inner communal in ³ units. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the interior cavity includes a cavity height extending between the top and the sole, the cavity height being at least 50% of the body height of the body portion. In the golf club head,
The golf club head includes a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a rear portion comprising a plurality of weight portions, a front portion having a face portion having a face portion thickness extending between the front surface and the rear surface, and a body portion having an interior cavity do; and
and an elastomeric polymer material within the interior cavity;
The elastomeric material volume associated with the elastomeric material, the body portion volume associated with the body portion and the face portion thickness relate to the formula V _e = a * V _b + b + c * T _f , where V _e is in ³ elastomeric material volume in units, V _b is body volume in in ³ , T _f is face thickness in inches, a

0.48, b

-0.38, and 0≤c≤10;
The weight portion golf club head, characterized in that closer to the toe portion than the heel portion. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the face portion thickness is between 0.02 inches (0.508 mm) and 0.09 inches (2.286 mm). delete 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the engaging portion has a first cured state associated with a first temperature range and a second cured state associated with a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, and wherein the engaging portion is in contact with the back surface to provide a first cured state associated with the first temperature range. wherein in a cured state it is coupled to the rear surface of the face portion, and wherein the elastomeric polymer material is in contact with the engagement portion and is coupled to the engagement portion in a second cured state. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the interior cavity is related to the interior cavity volume, and wherein the interior cavity volume, body volume and face thickness are related to the formula V _c = aV _b + b + cT _f , where V _c is in A golf club head, characterized in that a = 0.48, b = -0.38 and 0≤c≤10, wherein the internal cavity volume in ³ units, V _b is the body volume in in ³ units, T _f is the face thickness in inches, and . 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the interior cavity includes a cavity height extending between the top and the sole, the cavity height being at least 50% of the body height of the body portion.

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