KR20080111553A - Golf clubs prepared with basalt fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

Golf club products include a shaft member and a club head body member engaged with the shaft member. At least some portion of this club head product is made from a basalt material. As some more specific examples, the basalt material may be used in one or more of: one or more layers of the shaft member structure; the entire shaft structure; a grip member; a hosel member; one or more parts of the club head body member, including any of: a crown member, a sole plate or member, a body member, a ribbon member (forming a portion of the body member), a face member, a ball striking face member, a weight member, etc. ® KIPO & WIPO 2009

Description

Golf club made of basalt fibers {GOLF CLUBS PREPARED WITH BASALT FIBER}

Golf is played by a wide variety of players of different genders, significantly different ages and different skill levels. In the sports world, golf can be played together by a group of these diverse players in golf competitions, even competing directly with each other (eg using handicaped score calculations, different tee boxes, team formats, etc.) Somewhat unique in that they enjoy meetings or competitions. In recent years, these factors, at least in part, have accompanied the increased access to golf programs (eg, golf tournaments, golf news, golf history and / or other golf programs) on television and the emergence of famous golf superstars. Has, of course, increased the popularity of golf throughout the world. The number of people participating in the game and the number of golf courses have steadily increased in recent years.

Golfers of all skill levels are trying to improve their skills, lower their golf scores, and then reach a performance "level". Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have met this demand, and in recent years the industry has witnessed significant changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide variety of golf ball products are currently available, and some balls are designed to complement specific swing speeds and / or other player characteristics or preferences, such as some balls designed to fly farther and / or more straightly. Some balls are designed to provide higher or flatter ballistics, and some balls are designed to provide more rotation, control and / or feel (especially around the green) and the like. In addition, a number of swing aids and / or teaching aids are available on the market that ensure a lower hitting golf score.

Like the sole mechanism that moves the ball during play, golf clubs have also undergone much technical research and progress in recent years. For example, improvements in putter design, golf club head design, shafts and grips have been seen in the market in recent years. In addition, the characteristics of the various elements and / or golf clubs and / or golf balls better correspond to individual user swing characteristics or characteristics (eg, club fitting techniques, ball launch angle measurement techniques, ball turnover characteristics, etc.). Other technical advances have been made in the effort to make this work.

A typical golf club has three basic parts: grip, shaft and head. As shown by golf club 100 in FIG. 1, grip 101 is attached to the top of shaft 102 or to the periphery of shaft 102. The shaft 102 connects the grip 101 to the head 103. The shaft 102 is squeezed by the golfer and the head 103 is actually the part that hits the ball.

The golfer grips the grip 101 of the golf club 100. With the exception of putter grips, grip 101 is generally circular and generally has no distinct bumps, lumps or indentations. The grip may generally be made of any suitable material, such as polymer, rubber, or leather, and is designed to allow golfers to grip the club 100 more easily without making the grip 101 large enough to violate golf regulations. It may include holes, grooves, ridges, cord elements or textile materials. There are various sizes of grips to suit different hand sizes and grip styles. The material and design of the grip is generally a matter of personal preference.

The shaft 102 of the golf club 100 connects between the grip 101 and the head 103 and, similar to the grip, is basically circular in cross section. Shaft 102 is a straight or generally tapered tubular member that is, but is not limited to, typically 1/2 inch (12 mm) in diameter near the grip and generally 18 to 48 inches (48 to 122) in length. cm), typically 35 to 45 inches (89 to 115 cm).

The most modern golf club shafts are typically made of steel or fiber reinforced resin composites using fibers such as glass fibers and carbon to graphite fibers. Carbon fiber composites are lighter than steel, but tend to be more expensive. Some shafts use two or more types of materials, such as graphite composite shafts with steel tips.

2 shows a typical head 103 of a golf club. A typical head 103 has several parts: the hosel 104 where the head 103 is connected to the shaft 102, the face 105 that actually hits the ball, the sole 106 that is closest to the ground, the face ( It has a back side (not shown in FIG. 2) and an upper side 109 on the side opposite 105. The side portion 110 extends between both the rear end portion and the front end side of the club head 103 between the upper surface portion 109 and the sole 106. The face 105 may be formed to include individual face plates, for example formed of metal, which are attached to the structure formed by the rest of the club head.

The head 103 of the golf club is where all the energy of the swing is transferred to the golf ball. There are a variety of golf club heads of different types, including, for example, wood, irons, wood hybrid clubs, iron hybrid clubs and putters.

The wood or driver has the largest head of the golf club. Some of these larger clubs are designed such that the ball travels more than 300 yards in a distance, such as one swing. Large heads of drivers or other woods and materials from which they are made (for example, steel, titanium, aluminum and copper alloys), glass fiber reinforced resin composites or carbon fiber reinforced resin composites are balanced to provide stability and light weight do. The head shape of the driver or wood, including the wood-type hybrid club head, causes the weight in the head to move to a position that improves stability. In addition, the driver or wood head shape allows the head to slide over the grass and ground rather than being stuck in the grass.

Irons are designed for more variety of shots than wood. The wood or driver is optimal for very long shots, but the iron is used for shots ranging from less than 300 yards up to 40 yards or less. Relatively recent developments in perimeter weighting and cavity back design have made irons more "acceptable" and easier for the average golfer to strike.

The putter is designed to strike the golf ball at a face substantially perpendicular to the intended path of the ball by a relatively smooth swing that causes the ball to roll along the ground until it stops or enters the hole. The putter head may be of a wide range of shapes, such as blocks, blades, short shapes, long shapes, thick shapes, thin shapes, and optionally may have various lines of patterns or smooth faces on the face.

The “number” or name associated with the club relates to the angle at which face 105 is tilted from the vertical line towards the back when the club is held in the normal position facing the ball. Higher numbers for clubs indicate a greater degree of inclination from the vertical line and generally result in higher and shorter shots compared to lower numbers of clubs.

Tilting is important to bring the golf ball through the atmosphere to the desired trajectory and to add rotation. Typically, the greater the inclination, the greater the rotation. Fast rotation provides aerodynamic lift, allowing the rotating ball to go higher and farther compared to a ball with no rotation at all. In addition, the rotating ball is less affected by micro gusts, resulting in a more predictable shot. In addition, the groove in face 105 helps to provide rotation.

The groove on the face of the golf head provides the golf ball with some "bite" or friction as the golf ball slides on the face, helping the golf ball rotate faster. In addition, if the turf is caught between the ball and the club at the time of the strike, the turf's water is squeezed out by the force generated by the average swing. Similar to the tread of a car tire, the groove on the club face provides some space for the water to face so that the ball does not slip through the club face without rotation.

Ideally, the sole of the golf club helps to minimize the distortion of the coarse swing. Wood and wood hybrid clubs have relatively wide flat soles with rounded edges to help the head slide on the grass surface without getting stuck in the grass. Irons, on the other hand, tend to be hit to create a divot in the turf, so the soles of iron golf clubs (including iron-type hybrid clubs) flatten the turf without distortion or unexpected tugging that interferes with the golfer's shot. Are typically designed to mow.

It is known to use fiber reinforced resin composites in the construction of golf club shafts. Such reinforcing fibers include carbon fibers, polyamide fibers, glass fibers, boron fibers, alumina fibers, aramid fibers, tyranno ( ^TM) fibers and amorphous fibers. Fiber reinforced resin composites can be used in layered structures, molded structures, and combinations thereof. Examples of various uses of fibers in the construction of golf club shafts include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,157,181, US Pat. No. 6,354,957, US Pat. No. 6,572,490 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0107182. . Each of these documents is incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Carbon fiber composite materials are also known to be used in golf club heads, including, for example, used as part of a crown or body of a wooded club head structure. Examples of patent documents exemplifying such carbon composites constituting a club head structure include US Pat. No. 6,491,592 and US Pat. No. 6,739,982. In addition, these patent documents are referred to, and the whole content is integrated in this specification.

Carbon fibers are particularly preferred because of their superior strength and modulus or stiffness and are used in golf club heads and golf club shaft structures. However, carbon fiber is expensive and can be ridiculously expensive. Glass fiber is an inexpensive alternative to carbon fiber, but has poorer physical properties than carbon fiber. Therefore, a cheap substitute for carbon fiber is needed.

The invention relates to golf clubs such as putters, irons (including wedges of all types), hybrid clubs (both iron hybrid and wood hybrid clubs), fairway woods, drivers, and the like, having heads and shafts. It is about. One aspect of the present invention is the use of basalt materials, particularly basalt fibers, in the design of composite golf club shafts and heads. Basalt fibers are superior to glass fibers and are close to the performance of carbon fiber materials, but much cheaper.

Golf clubs and golf club heads in accordance with at least some exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise (a) a club shaft member at least partially composed of basalt material and / or (b) a club head composed at least partially of basalt material It may include a body member. Optionally, if desired, the club shaft member and / or club head body member may be multi-part construction, and one or more of these multiple parts may be formed of basalt material without departing from the present invention.

Further aspects of the present invention are directed to methods of making and / or using golf club shafts and / or golf club heads comprising basalt material forming at least a portion of the club shaft and / or club head structure.

Another aspect of the invention is superior to a wide variety of applications, in particular to golf club shafts, as well as other products such as fishing rods, ski poles, knitting needles, croquette mallets, rackets, bats, billiards, tools, tool handles, and the like. For a lightweight, optionally tapered, tubular structure that provides performance.

Detailed description of the invention as well as the embodiments described below will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a typical golf club with grips, shafts and heads.

2 shows a typical golf club head.

3 shows a putter-type golf club.

4 shows an iron golf club head.

5 shows a wood type golf club head.

6-6C illustrate various shapes of elongated tubular structures for various potential products according to the present invention.

I. General Description of Aspects of the Invention

The following description and the annexed drawings disclose the shapes of the golf club shaft and golf club head associated with the present invention (eg, wood, iron, hybrid, putter, etc.). Various examples of the use of basalt material in a golf club head and shaft structure in connection with aspects of the present invention are described. However, the invention is not limited to any particular design for the golf club shaft or head.

Generally, in connection with at least some illustrative aspects of the present invention, basalt material is used in place of metal to reduce weight in the entire club shaft or head structure (e.g., basalt fibers of a resin matrix may Typically lighter, but the resulting basalt fiber reinforced composite material is still strong). For example, this "reduced" weight in the golf club head structure may be moved to various desired positions, such as the back side and the bottom side of the club head structure, for example, to better hit the golf ball with improved accuracy and longer distance. It can improve the performance of the club or help the club "hit" (lower and deeper center of gravity helps the golfer to float the ball and helps to keep the club head from twisting). Increase the moment of inertia)], can be moved to the tip of the club head structure (provides a club head structure that corrects deflected fade and / or hooks), can be moved to the rear end of the club head structure (deflected draw and / Or provide a club head structure to correct the slice), near the club head, and the like.

In general, basalt materials can be used at a wide variety of locations in golf structures (eg, as basalt fiber reinforced composite materials). For example, in connection with at least some examples of the present invention, basalt fibers are used to form at least a portion of the club head body (eg, often in engagement with steel, aluminum, magnesium, or titanium alloys used as face members). The basalt material may be used, for example, as a skirt member or at least a portion of one or more of the crown member, the sole member and / or the skirt to ribbon portion of the club head. In many instances, the entire back portion of the club head (eg, its “aft body” behind the face member) is made of basalt material (eg, such as steel, aluminum, magnesium to titanium metal or alloy material). Attached to metal). The club head may also have a basalt material faceplate member (eg, as a ball striking face, as a framing member that maintains a separate ball striking face, etc.). In a particular aspect of the present invention, basalt material may be used in wood or hybrid golf club structures, such as in driver, fairway wood, and / or wood hybrid club head structures.

Alternatively, if desired, the entire club head may consist of a basalt material, such as a basalt fiber reinforced resin composite, wherein conventional fiber reinforced material manufacturing techniques known in the art and used in the art [eg, compression molding, resin transfer Molding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), prepreg lay up, etc.]. If necessary, a metal cover or ball striking plate may cover the face or fill the opening provided in the face.

Various examples of the manufacture of golf clubs and other structures are described below, including structures according to the invention and the results obtained using such structures. However, those skilled in the art will clearly recognize that the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples or the results obtained thereby.

II. Detailed Description of Exemplary Golf Club Heads and Other Structures According to the Present Invention

A. Basalt-Basalt Fiber Reinforced Resin

In general, basalt is a hard, dense, dark colored igneous rock consisting primarily of plagioclase, feldspar, and persimmon, and often has a glassy appearance. Basalt has been used primarily as a broken rock in construction, industry and highway construction. In addition, basalt can be made of fine, ultrafine and ultrafine fibers. Techniques for making or spinning basalt into fibers are known in the art.

Basalt fibers are superior to many other fibers in thermal stability, heat and sound barrier properties, vibration resistance and durability. Basalt fiber products can, for example, provide very low thermal conductivity and can withstand operating temperatures in excess of 816 ° C. In addition, products made from basalt fibers do not react toxicly with air or water, are non-combustible, explosion-proof, and have a long service life. When in contact with other chemicals, the basalt fibers do not cause chemical reactions that could compromise the general structural integrity of the composition from which the health, environment or basalt fibers are constructed. Basalt is alkaline and acid resistant at the same time.

In addition, basalt fibers provide good tensile strength to the article. For example, a basalt reinforcing rod made of a unidirectional composite of basalt fibers, used to replace steel rebars, may have a tensile strength of 1200 MPa.

The basalt may be in the form of continuous or discontinuous fibers, particles, flakes, whiskers, filaments, ribbons and rods. The basalt fibers may, for example, generally have a diameter of about 9 μm to 23 μm. Discontinuous or chopped basalt fibers may, for example, generally have a length of 1 cm to 5 cm.

In addition, basalt materials may be, for example, sheets, mats, felts, grids, meshes, weaves prepared from continuous or discontinuous fibers, particles, flakes, whiskers, filaments, ribbons, rods and combinations thereof. (woven) member, braid member, grating connection member, textile or a mixture thereof.

The present invention will be generally described with regard to the use of "basalt material", which includes basalt fibers; Basalt fiber reinforced materials (such as polymers, metals, composites, and the like); Reference is made to any suitable form of basalt, including but not limited to flakes, mats, felts, grids, meshes, woven members, braid members, grating connecting members, textiles or mixtures thereof and the like.

In certain aspects of the invention, the basalt material is combined with a suitable polymer matrix to form the basalt reinforced polymer composite. As a more specific example, basalt is used in the form of fibers to incorporate basalt fibers into a suitable polymer matrix to produce basalt fiber reinforced products.

Without departing from the present invention, any desired polymeric matrix or base material may be used and may be reinforced with basalt materials, including basalt fibers. For example, the polymer matrix may be selected from thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins, phenol to urea formaldehyde resins, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, vinyl ester resins and the like; Thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene resins, polyether ether ketone resins, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resins, nylon resins and the like. Other examples include, but are not limited to, polyphenylene sulfides, polysulfones, polyethylene terephthalates and polycarbonate resins.

Prior to mixing with the polymer matrix, the basalt fibers may be treated or coated with chemical sizing or treated to relieve surface energy, such as to be more compatible with the polymer matrix. Sizing treatment may include, for example, coating with epoxy to phenolic resins, treatment with acid, atmospheric plasma, corona discharge, or the like.

The present invention will be generally described with respect to resins, but any suitable polymer matrix can be used. The basalt fibers may be mixed with the resin to form, for example, basalt fiber reinforced resin composites. In general, the reinforcement composition in the resin matrix may be in the range of 5 wt% to 70 wt% reinforcement or about 2 vol% to 50 vol% reinforcement. Generally more preferred reinforcement compositions in resin matrices are the performance of the reinforcement according to the application, for example flakes prepared from continuous or discontinuous fibers, particles, flakes, whiskers, filaments, ribbons, rods and combinations thereof, 30 wt% to 50 wt% reinforcement or from about 13 vol% to 27, depending on the shape of the basalt material, including mat, felt, grid, mesh, woven member, braid member, grating connection member, textile, or mixtures thereof It may be in the range of reinforcements of vol%.

Properties unit basalt E-Glass Low cost carbon High modulus carbon density g / cm ³ 2.75 2.6 1.8 1.9 The tensile strength MPa 4840 3450 2890 2750 Modulus GPa 89 77 230 390

The basalt fiber reinforced resin composite may then be formed from the head of the golf club, the shaft of the golf club, or a tubular member. The basalt fiber reinforced composite may form all or part of the shaft, head and / or other members, as known in the art for the use of other fiber reinforced resin composites, such as carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced composites.

In view of the foregoing description of basalt materials, more specific examples of golf club structures and other structures according to the present invention comprising such composites are described below.

B. Example Head Structure

Golf club heads according to at least some illustrative aspects of the invention may include a club head body member, at least partially composed of basalt material. Generally, in connection with at least some examples of the present invention, at least a portion of the golf club head may be made of basalt material. For example, the head may be formed in whole or in part from basalt material. One or more of the hosel, face, sole, back, crown, top, and sides of the club head are formed in whole or in part of basalt material, including a framework for holding the ball striking face and / or ball striking face. Can be. Such heads can be any, including, for example, conventional methods known in the art and used in the art to form a club head or a portion of a club head from conventional fiber reinforced composites (such as carbon fiber reinforced materials). It may be configured in a suitable manner. As some more specific examples, if necessary, the club head may include one or more of a crown member, a skirt member, a ribbon member, a trailing body member, a face cup to another face member, a hosel member, a sole plate member, a ball striking member, or the like. It may be formed of a basalt material (eg, basalt fiber reinforced material). The parts of the head form one or more of these parts as a monolithic, monolithic configuration, thereby forming a number of separate parts and joining using, for example, adhesives, cement, mechanical connections, melting techniques, or the like. Can be prepared.

1. Putter Structure

An exemplary aspect of the present invention relates to a putter structure comprising at least partly one or more portions of basalt material.

3 illustrates an example of a portion of a putter structure 300 that may be made of basalt material in connection with at least some examples of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the head member 302 includes a face member 304 facing the golf ball (or other ball) when the club head is used. The body member 302 in this illustrated example is essentially rectangular in shape, such that the rear member 306 is positioned opposite the face 304. Of course, a wide variety of body sizes 302 and / or other putter head designs can be used without departing from the invention, including, for example, mallet putter heads, bladed putter heads, and the like. .

Basalt material may be used for some or all of the head. For example, basalt material may be used for face member 304, rear member 306, and / or shaft mounting member (hozel member) 312. The body member 302 may be made of basalt material, and a face plate, such as a ball striking face part made of metal or polymer, may be attached to the face member 304.

If necessary, in connection with at least some examples of the invention, the club head 302 may comprise a weighted area, eg located at the back and / or towards the rear and tip areas of the club head 302. can do. This type of weighted area can help to increase the moment of inertia of the club head, thus reducing the twist of the club head during the swing. Of course, the weighted region can be, for example, by attaching one or more individual weight elements to the club head structure (eg, at the weight receiving portion), thereby integrally forming the weighted region into the rest of the club head structure, thereby leading to lead tape or other weighted components. By applying an adhesive material, it may be provided in any desired manner without departing from the scope of the invention, such as by plasma spraying. The weighted area may also be provided in one or both of the inner or outer structure of the club head without departing from the present invention.

While having a conventional design, it is known in the art and includes, for example, steel, titanium, aluminum, nickel, tungsten, magnesium, graphite, polymers or composites or combinations thereof (including alloys of the various metals described above). Any desired type of shaft member 310 can be used in the putter structure 300 without departing from the present invention, including the shaft member 310 made of conventional materials used. Alternatively, if desired, one or both of the hosel to other shaft mounting member 312 and / or shaft member 310 may be made, at least in part, of basalt material.

Grip element 314 may be located on shaft 310 to provide a golfer with a non-slip surface to hold golf club shaft 310. The grip element can be attached to the shaft member 310 in any desired manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art (eg, via adhesives to cement, mechanical connections, etc.).

As noted above, basalt materials, including basalt fiber reinforced materials, are used in any type of putter structure, including one or more of the various portions of the example putters shown, for example, in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0052178. Which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

2, exemplary iron type golf club structure

The type of golf club that can reduce the weight of basalt material and other advantageous properties is not limited to putter alone. Such materials may also be used, for example, in iron type golf club structures. Referring to FIG. 4, a golf club 400 associated with at least some examples of the present invention is shown. This exemplary golf club 400 includes a shaft member 410 and a golf club head member 402. The golf club head member 402 of FIG. 4 may be any iron or hybrid golf club head, including, for example, irons 0-10, pitching wedges, lobe wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, iron hybrid clubs, and the like. Can be represented.

The shaft member 410 of the golf club 400 is a variety of materials, such as one or more of steel, titanium, graphite or composite materials as well as combinations thereof, including materials commonly known in the art and used in the art. It may be made of a material. As another example, if necessary, the shaft member 410 may be made, at least in part, of basalt material. In addition, shaft member 410 may be attached to club head 402 in any desired manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art (eg, hosel element 412). Through the adhesive or cement, through the threads or other mechanical connections, etc. (where the hosel element itself, at least in part, may be made of basalt material).

A grip element (not shown in FIG. 4, but similar to the grip shown in FIG. 3) may be positioned on the shaft member to provide a golfer with an anti-slip surface that grips the chart member 410. The grip element can be attached to the shaft member 410 in any desired manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art (eg, through adhesives to cement, mechanical connections, etc.). .

As shown in FIG. 4, the golf club head 402 includes a rear end 408 and a front end 404. The rear end 408 is attached to or extends from the hosel 412 that connects the shaft member 410 to the golf club head 402 (eg, as a monolithic or integrated monolithic configuration). Golf club head 402 also includes an upper surface 414 and a sole 416. A striking face 418 is provided between the top surface 414 and the sole 416 and between the front end 404 and the rear end 408. The striking face 418 provides a contact area for engaging the golf ball and directing the golf ball in the intended direction. The striking face 418 is a groove 420 (eg, generally horizontal groove 420 extending across the face 418 in the illustrated example) for removing water and grass from the striking face 418 during the ball's striking. )]. Of course, any number of grooves and desired groove patterns may be provided without departing from the present invention (if necessary, there may be no groove patterns at all).

Golf club head 402 is known in the art and known in the art, such as steel, titanium, aluminum, nickel, tungsten, magnesium, graphite, polymers to composites or combinations thereof (including alloys of the various metals described above). It can be composed of a wide variety of different materials, including the materials used. Advantageously, in connection with at least some examples of the invention, at least a portion of the club head structure (eg, its main body portion) is formed of basalt material. Club head 402 may also be comprised of any number of independent parts and / or in any construction technique including, for example, casting, forging and / or other methods known in the art and used in the art. .

Strike face 418 is, for example, manufactured in a single component configuration; Welding, brazing or brazing to club head 402; Bonding to club head 402 using cement or an adhesive or the like; Coated or filled with club head 402; And may be formed from individual face plates that are attached to the club head 402 as known in the art in any desired manner. Also, the faceplate may be made of the same or different materials as compared to the materials used for other portions of the club head 402. In at least some examples of the invention, the face member 418 and / or the framing member to which the face plate 418 is attached (eg, forming at least a portion of the club head body 402) may comprise a basalt fiber reinforced material. The same may be formed of basalt material.

The use of basalt material for at least some portions of the golf club head 402 or other portions of the golf club structure (such as the hosel 412 or the shaft member 410) allows club designers and manufacturers to selectively place and weight This can help club design by repositioning the center so that it has a better impact on the ball's flight. For example, the placement of the center of gravity of the club head 402 away from the striking face 418 and towards the back of the golf club head 404 may better meet the play characteristics, style, and preferences of many golfers.

If desired, with respect to at least some examples of the invention, the weighted area is, for example, near the club head, at a low rearward position, in the club leading area 404, in the club trailing area 408, It may be provided at one or more locations of the entire club head structure, such as along the club sole 416. This type of weight distribution can be helpful in increasing the club head's moment of inertia and / or modifying the ball's flight, for example in the various ways described above and in the manner known in the art. Of course, the weighted region may be, for example, by attaching one or more individual weight elements to some portion of the club head structure (eg, in the weight receiving portion), thereby integrally forming the weighted region into the remainder of the club head structure, such as by lead tape or the like. The backside "bridge member" as used in commercially available SLINGSHOT® iron products available from Nike Incorporated of Oregon Beaverton by adding other weighted adhesive materials and by plasma spraying By providing one or more parts by weight on the bridge member, and so on without departing from the invention in any desired manner. The weighted area may also be provided in one or both of the inner or outer structure of the club head without departing from the present invention.

And, as noted above, basalt materials comprising basalt fiber reinforced materials may be used in any preferred iron golf club structure, including cavity back clubs, peripheral weight clubs, muscle back clubs, bladed clubs and the like. Can be. As some more specific and non-limiting examples, the basalt material may be used as one or more portions of the club head structure illustrated in, for example, US Pat. No. 6,918,840, US Pat. No. 6,981,924, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0137024. Can be. Each of these documents is incorporated by reference in their entirety.

3. Exemplary Wood Golf Club Structure

Aspects of the present invention are not limited to use with putters, irons and / or hybrid iron type golf clubs and golf club heads. 5 illustrates an example of a golf club 500 in connection with at least some examples of the present invention. Obviously, the entire golf club structure 500 of this example is received in the golf club head 502, the hosel region 512, the hosel region 512 and / or inserted into the hosel region 512 and / or the hosel region A shaft member 510 penetrating the grip member and a grip or handle member (not shown) attached to the shaft member 510. Optionally, the hosel region 512 can be removed if necessary, and the shaft member 510 can be inserted directly into the head member 502 and / or otherwise attached to the head member 502 (eg, Through an opening provided in the upper surface portion of the club head 502, optionally in the lower surface portion). Optionally, the hosel member may be positioned inside the club head structure 502, if desired.

The shaft member 510 is housed in the club head 502 or the club head 502 without departing from the invention in any suitable or preferred manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art. And / or may be attached to club head 502. As a more specific example, the shaft member 510 extends into the club head body 502, and / or through, for example, adhesive, cement, welding, soldering, mechanical connections (such as threads, retaining elements, or the like). It may be in engagement with the club head 502 or directly with the club head structure 502 via the hosel member 512, such as through a shaft receiving sleeve or element extending within the club head. In addition, the shaft member 510 may be a graphite matrix material, a composite material, a steel material (including stainless steel), an aluminum material, a titanium material, a magnesium material, another metal to metal alloy material, a polymer material, a combination of various materials, and the like. It may be made of any suitable or preferred material, including conventional materials known in the art and used in the art. If necessary, one or both of the shaft member 510 and the hosel member 512 (but only if the hosel member is present) may be made of basalt material.

The grip or handle member (not shown) can be, for example, using an adhesive to cement; Through welding, soldering, adhesives or the like; Through mechanical connections (such as threads, retaining elements, etc.); And / or attached to the shaft member 510 in any suitable or preferred manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art, such as in any other preferred manner, or with the shaft member 510. Engage and / or extend from shaft member 510. As another example, if desired, the grip or handle member may be integrally formed with the shaft member 510 in a unitary, unitary configuration. In addition, any desired grip or handle member material, including rubber materials, leather materials, rubber to other materials including embedded cords to other fiber materials, polymeric materials, metal materials and the like, may be used without departing from the present invention. Can be used. The grip or handle member may also be, at least in part, made of basalt material.

Club head 500 may be used in the present invention in any suitable or preferred manner and / or in any suitable or preferred material, including conventional and / or conventional materials known in the art and used in the art. It can be configured without departing. For example, in the example structure shown in FIG. 5, club head 502 includes a sole member 507, a face member 508, at least one body member 509, and a crown member 511. Body member (s) 509 extend from near the periphery of one side of face member 508 to its other side and form at least a portion of a material band or material ribbon (eg, forming at least a portion of the middle periphery of golf club head body 502). (Optionally generally U-shaped bands or ribbons) (e.g., the entire club head structure 502 is at least partially internal cavity chamber (e.g., shaft member 510 is inserted and / or fixed). To form]}. Any individual portion of the club head structure 502 described above may be comprised of multiple individual parts without departing from the present invention, and / or two or more such individual parts may be integrally formed, for example, in a unitary, single piece configuration. May be formed together (eg, the sole and / or crown member may form at least some portions, such as a club head body and / or face member). Alternatively, if desired, the entire club head structure 502 may consist of a single, part configuration (optionally recessed) or the face member 508 may be attached to one or more part club head “aft” bodies or the like. have.

The various individual parts that make up the club head structure 502 are interlocked in any suitable or desired manner, including conventional manners known in the art and used in the art, if made of multiple parts. Can be maintained. For example, various portions of club head structure 502 may be formed by bonding, cement, welding, soldering or other joining or melting techniques; By mechanical connections (such as threads, screws, nuts, bolts or other connections); And similar together, which may be combined and / or fixed together (directly or indirectly through an intermediate member). If desired, side edges of various portions of the club head structure 502 (eg, edges at which the sole member 507, face member 508, body member 509 and / or crown member 511 contact and engage with each other). ] May comprise one or more raised ribs, tabs, ledges or other engagement elements that fit into or onto the corresponding groove, slot, surface, ledge or opening at or on the facing side edge to which it is joined. Cement, adhesives, mechanical connections, or the like may be used in combination with raised ribs / grooves or other connection structures described above to further assist the various portions of club head structure 502 to be secured relative to one another.

In at least some examples of the invention, at least some of the various portions of the club structure 500 (eg, sole 507, face plate 508, body member 509, crown 511, hosel 512). , At least some portion of the shaft 510, etc., may be made of basalt material, such as the various materials described above. If desired, two or more of these portions may be integrally formed as a unitary construction (eg, if desired, separate faceplates with which the sole 507, body member 509 and / or crown 511 engage with them). Can be integrally formed with the member as a single piece. In addition, any desired material, including, for example, aluminum, nickel, titanium, steel, polymer, glass, ceramic, rubber, and / or combinations thereof, does not depart from the present invention for various parts of the club head body 502. Can be used. When at least some portions of the club head structure 502 are formed of basalt material, the cell wall thickness can be made somewhat larger than the cell members of many conventional club heads, such as metallic cell walls, if desired.

The use of basalt material for at least some portion of the golf club head 502 or other portion of the golf club structure (such as the hosel 512 or the shaft member 510) allows the club designer and manufacturer to selectively place the weight. It can also help club design by shifting the center of gravity to better influence the ball's flight. For example, the placement of the center of gravity of the club head 502 away from the striking face 508 and towards the back and bottom of the golf club head 502 may better meet the play characteristics, style, and preferences of many golfers. .

If desired, with respect to at least some examples of the invention, the weighted area may be along the club sole 507, such as in the club leading area, in the club trailing area, at a low rearward position, for example near the club head. Can be provided at one or more locations of the entire club head structure 502, such as along the club body member 509. This type of weight distribution can be helpful in increasing the club head's moment of inertia and / or modifying the ball's flight, for example in the various ways described above and in the manner known in the art. Of course, the weighted areas can be formed by integrally forming the weighted areas into the rest of the club head structure, such as by attaching one or more individual weight elements to some portion of the club head structure (eg, to the weight receiving portion), thereby providing a lead tape. To other weighted adhesive materials, by plasma spraying, by providing movable and / or removable weights, and the like, without departing from the present invention in any desired manner. The weighted area may also be provided in one or both of the inner or outer structure of the club head without departing from the present invention.

The dimensions and / or other characteristics of the wooded golf club head structure according to an example for the present invention may vary considerably without departing from the present invention. In addition, any desired type of wooded golf club head structure may be provided, such as drivers, fairway woods, wooded hybrid clubs, chipping clubs, and the like. Also, for example, if the club is designed with 2nd wood, 3rd wood, 4th wood, 5th wood, 7th wood, 9th wood, 11th wood, etc., any desired loft angle, head weight, lie angle (lie) angles, etc., to suit the user's preferences and / or swing characteristics; It can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as to provide the desired firing angle, flying distance and / or other characteristics for the club. In addition, various different shaft characteristics (such as stiffness, flex point, kick point, etc.) can be used to further change and control the feel and characteristics of the club and club head.

As noted above, basalt materials, including basalt fiber reinforced materials, can be used in any desired wooded golf club structure, including drivers, fairway woods, wooded hybrid clubs, chipping clubs, and the like. As a more specific and non-limiting example, the basalt material is, for example, club heads disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,406,381, US Pat. No. 6,739,983, US Pat. No. 6,758,763, US Pat. It can be used similarly to the use of carbon fiber materials as one or more parts of the structure. Each of these patent documents is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

C. Exemplary Shaft or Other Elongated Tubular Structure

Another illustrative aspect of the present invention relates to a golf club shaft member (or other tubular member, which is optionally a tapered tubular member). Such members can be constructed without departing from the invention in any suitable manner, including, for example, using prior art fiber reinforced resins and composite manufacturing techniques. For example, the shaft may be provided as a solid or hollow elongated tube, at least in part comprising basalt material.

In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 6, the golf club shaft 600 may be configured as an elongated tubular member 602, optionally with an interlocking grip element 604. As shown in FIG. 6A, the elongate tubular member 602 may have a core layer 606 and at least a first layer 608 around the core layer 606. At least one of the core layer 606 and the first layer 608 in this example structure contains a basalt material. As a more specific example, the first layer 608 in this structure 602 contains a basalt material.

As shown in FIG. 6B, several layers of material may be used to form the elongated tubular member 602. The elongate tube 602 is a second layer around the core layer 610, the first layer 612 around at least a portion of the core layer 610, the core layer 610 or at least a portion of the first layer 612. Layer 614 may be provided. At least one of the core layer 610, the first layer 612, and the second layer 614 of this example structure contains basalt fibers.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 6C, elongated tubular member 602 may be a single solid elongated tube containing basalt fibers. Alternatively, if desired, the tubular member 602 of FIG. 6C can be a hollow tubular composed of basalt fiber containing material.

The basalt material may be provided in any suitable or preferred form. For example, the basalt material may be formed into fibers, meshes, sheets, webs, fabrics, weaves, textiles, tapes, rovings, prepregs, and the like, and subsequently curled, similar to those shown in FIGS. 6-6C. To form a tapered tubular structure, solid or hollow. Alternatively, the layer of basalt material may be applied by coating the core or previous layer (eg, steel, aluminum, titanium or other metal containing material tube) with the basalt material.

Each layer can be the same or different without departing from the invention. For example, the amount of basalt material used, the type of resin used or the type of layer structure used (e.g., fiber, mesh, lamination, web, fabric, woven, textile, tape, roving, prepreg and the like) It may be the same or different in each layer. In addition, different materials may be used in different layers (eg, one or more metal layers having one or more basalt material layers, etc.). The layer may have a length of the entire length or a portion of the tubular structure.

The fibers can be located in a single direction or in multiple directions. In general, in the single direction, the fibers are aligned at an angle along or along the length of the tube, although other arrangements are possible without departing from the invention.

The shaft covers, for example, an outer cover containing at least one of titanium, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, copper, zinc, chrome, brass, bronze, magnesium, tin, gold, silver, alloys thereof or metallic matrix composites. It may further comprise a layer. Such outer coatings are known in the art.

III. conclusion

Golf club heads and shafts associated with examples for the present invention may be integrated into a set such as, for example, a set comprising one or more of wood, iron, hybrid golf clubs, and / or putters. As a more specific example, aspects of the present invention include a driver and / or two or more fairway woods, hybrid clubs, zero irons, one iron, two irons, three irons, four irons, five irons, six Club sets with increasing numbers of wood and / or iron golf clubs, such as: irons seven, irons seven, eight irons, nine irons, ten irons, pitching wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, sand edges, putters, etc. It can be used to provide. With at least some examples of the invention, golfers, club designers, and / or club mechanics can select and / or modify the location of the center of gravity for each golf club to suit the player's unique needs, skills, or style of play. have.

As is already apparent from the foregoing description, the present invention can be used to include a basalt material having a wide variety of potential properties in a golf club structure at a wide variety of different locations (eg, head, striking face, hosel, shaft). , As part of a grip, etc.). The basalt material can be used on the outside, inside, outside and inside of the club head, and the basalt material is visible, partially visible, filled, partially filled, hidden, partially It may be hidden form.

In addition, aspects of the present invention include the use of basalt in a variety of other articles that require high tensile strength and should not be brittle. Examples include articles such as fishing rods, ski poles, knitting needles, croquettes, rackets, baseball bats, billiards, tool handles, and the like.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specific examples, including presently preferred forms of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will clearly appreciate that there are numerous variations and substitutions to the above systems and methods. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims (49)

A golf club comprising a shaft member and a head member, wherein at least one of the shaft member and the head member comprises a basalt material. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the basalt material comprises at least basalt fibers. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the basalt material comprises at least one of a grid, a mesh, a woven member, a braid member, or a grid connecting member. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the basalt material is present in a resin matrix. The golf club of claim 4, wherein the resin comprises a thermosetting resin. The golf club of claim 5, wherein the thermosetting resin is at least one selected from an epoxy resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, a polyester resin, and a vinyl ester resin. The golf club of claim 4, wherein the resin comprises a thermoplastic resin. The golf club according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic resin is at least one selected from polypropylene resin, polyether ether ketone resin, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin and nylon resin. The golf club of claim 4, wherein the volume ratio of resin to basalt is 1: 1 or less. A golf club shaft comprising an elongated tubular member, wherein the elongated tubular member comprises basalt material. The golf club shaft of claim 10, wherein the elongated tubular member comprises a core and a first layer surrounding at least a portion of the core, wherein at least one of the core and the first layer comprises basalt material. The golf club shaft of claim 11, wherein the first layer comprises basalt material. The method of claim 10, wherein the elongate tubular member includes a core, a first layer surrounding at least a portion of the core, and a second layer surrounding at least a portion of the core, the first layer, or both the core and the first layer, Wherein at least one of the core, the first layer, and the second layer comprises a basalt material. A golf club head comprising a club head body member, wherein the club head body member comprises basalt material. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the basalt material forms a major portion of the club head body member. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the club head body member forms a putter head structure. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the club head body member forms an iron golf club head structure. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the club head body member forms a wood golf club head structure. The golf club head of claim 14, further comprising a ball striking face that engages with the club head body member. 20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the ball striking face is integrally formed with the basalt material of the club head body member. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the club head body member comprises at least a first body member comprising basalt material and a second body member engaged with the first body member. A club head body member at least partially composed of basalt material; And Shaft member engaged with club head body member It is to include a golf club. The golf club of claim 22, further comprising a ball striking face integrally formed with the club head body member. The golf club of claim 22, further comprising a grip member for engaging the shaft member. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the basalt material forms a major portion of the club head body member. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the club head body member forms a putter head structure. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the club head body member forms an iron golf club structure. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the club head body member forms a wood golf club head structure. The golf club of claim 22, further comprising a ball striking face comprising a metal face member engaged with the club head body member. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the club head body member comprises at least a first body member comprising basalt material and a second body member engaged with the first body member. Forming the club head body member at least partially from basalt material; And Providing a ball striking face on the club head body member. Golf club head forming method comprising a. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the club head body member is formed as a putter head structure. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the club head body member is formed as an iron golf club head structure. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the club head body member is formed such that a major portion of the club head body member is made of basalt material. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the club head body member is formed as a wood golf club head structure. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the ball striking face is provided as a metal face member engaged with a club head body member. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the ball striking face is integrally formed with a club head body member. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the club head body member is formed to include at least a first body member comprising basalt material and a second body member engaged with the first body member. Forming the club head body member at least partially from basalt material; And Engaging the club head body member with the shaft member Golf club forming method comprising a. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the club head body member is formed to include a ball striking face integrally formed with the club head body member. The method of claim 39, wherein the club head body member is formed as a putter head structure. 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the club head body member is formed as an iron golf club structure. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the club head body member is formed as a wood golf club head structure. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising engaging a ball striking face with the club head body member. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the club head body member is formed to include at least a first body member comprising basalt material and a second body member engaged with the first body member. Forming the shaft member at least partially from basalt material; And Engaging the shaft member and the club head body member. Golf club forming method comprising a. The method of claim 46, wherein the shaft comprises an elongated tube formed of at least two layers, and at least one of the at least two layers comprises basalt material. The method of claim 46, wherein the shaft is formed of a hollow tube. The method of claim 46, wherein the shaft is formed of a solid tube.

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