KR20240000338U - Low drag clubhead with asymmetric aft portion - Google Patents

Abstract

Golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. In an example, the golf club head has a striking face; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face. The trailing slice of the golf club head includes a rearmost point, a toe side trailing slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, and a heel side trailing slice on the heel side of the rearmost point. The heel side aft slice has a volume larger than the volume of the toe side aft slice. The trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head behind the slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve.

Description

Low drag clubhead with asymmetric trailing edge {LOW DRAG CLUBHEAD WITH ASYMMETRIC AFT PORTION}

Related applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/544,033, entitled Low Drag Clubhead, filed December 7, 2021, and U.S. Application Serial No. 17/544,033, entitled Golf Club Head with Vortex Generators, filed April 22, 2022 No. 17/727,291, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, priority is claimed on the above applications.

During a game of golf, a golfer may often want to hit the golf ball farther. For example, with a driver, a golfer may want to hit the golf ball as far as possible. One factor in the distance a golf ball travels is the club head speed of the golf club as it is swung. When a golf club is swing by a golfer, the golf club experiences significant drag effects requiring greater force from the golfer to achieve higher swing speeds. Accordingly, reduced drag on the golf club head allows for higher club head speeds with the same amount of effort from the golfer.

Embodiments disclosed herein have been made with regard to these and other general considerations. Additionally, although relatively specific problems may be described, it should be understood that the examples should not be limited to solving specific problems identified in the background or elsewhere in the disclosure.

Examples of the present disclosure describe improved golf club heads with improved aerodynamic properties. In one aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head. The golf club head includes: the striking face defining the leading point of the golf club head; A sole connected to the lower side of the hitting face; It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face. The trailing slice of the golf club head includes a rearmost point, a toe side trailing slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, and a heel side trailing slice on the heel side of the rearmost point, wherein the heel side trailing slice has a volume greater than the volume of the toe side trailing slice. , the trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head behind the slice line and between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve. The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, which is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head. The offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch.

In the example, the volume of the heel-side trailing slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe-side trailing slice. In a further example, the volume of the heel-side aft slice is at least 10% greater than the volume of the toe-side slice. In another example, the heel-side posterior slice includes the heel-side most medial point; The aft slice on the toe side includes the innermost point on the toe side; The toe-side innermost point is positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point. In another example, the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. In another example, the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 5% of the height of the golf club head. In another example, the golf club head further includes a skirt having an asymmetric thickness about the rearmost point.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head, the golf club head comprising: a striking face defining a leading point of the golf club head; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face. The trailing slice of the golf club head includes a rearmost point, a heel-side innermost point, and a toe-side innermost point, with the toe-side innermost point positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point. The trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head behind the slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve. The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, where the slice depth is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head; The offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch.

In the example, the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. In another example, the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 5% of the height of the golf club head. In another example, the trailing slice includes a toe-side trailing slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, and a heel-side trailing slice on the heel side of the rearmost point, with the heel-side trailing slice having a volume greater than the volume of the toe-side trailing slice. In another example, the volume of the heel-side aft slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe-side slice. In a further example, the volume of the heel-side aft slice is at least 20% greater than the volume of the toe-side slice. In another example, the golf club head further includes a skirt having an asymmetric thickness about the rearmost point.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head, the golf club head comprising: a striking face defining a leading point of the golf club head; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face. The trailing slice of the golf club head is: the rearmost point; a toe-side aft slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, the toe-side aft slice comprising a toe-side most medial point; Includes the heel side of the most posterior point and the heel side aft slice on the heel side most medial point. The heel-side trailing slice has a larger volume than the toe-side trailing slice, and the toe-side innermost point is positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point. The trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head behind the slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve. The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, where the slice depth is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head; The offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch.

In the example, the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. In another example, the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 10% of the height of the golf club head. In another example, the volume of the heel-side aft slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe-side slice. In another example, the volume of the heel-side trailing slice is at least 20% greater than the volume of the toe-side slice. In another example, the sole of the toe-side trailing slice includes convex segments and the sole of the heel-side trailing slice is entirely convex.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. The golf club head is the striking face; brush; crown; and a plurality of vortex generators positioned on at least one of the aft half of the sole or the aft half of the crown.

In an example, the plurality of vortex generators are positioned along an arc defined by an offset distance from the outer perimeter of the crown, with the offset distance being between 0.2 inches and 1.2 inches. In another example, the plurality of vortex generators includes 12 to 22 vortex generators. In another example, the first subset of vortex generators has a first extension angle and the second subset of vortex generators has a second extension angle that is different from the first extension angle. In a further example, the first extension angle is a positive angle and the second extension angle is a negative extension angle. In another example, at least one of the vortex generators has a top surface; bottom surface; heel side surface; and a leading edge, wherein the leading edge is curved as it extends from the foremost point of the vortex generating portion to the top surface of the vortex generating portion. In another example, at least one of the vortex generators has a height of 0.05 to 0.09 inches.

In another example, a plurality of vortex generators are formed on the trailing vortex generator inlay. In another example, the crown is made from a first material and the trailing swirl generator inlay is made from a second material that is different from the first material.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. The golf club head is the striking face; brush; A crown, defining an aft recess in the aft half of the crown; and a trailing vortex generator inlay positioned in the trailing recess, wherein the trailing vortex generator inlay includes a base and a vortex generator protruding from the base.

In the example, the aft recess has depth; The base of the trailing vortex generator inlay has a thickness; Depth is substantially equal to thickness. In another example, the vortex generator is positioned along an arc defined by an offset distance from the outer perimeter of the crown, with the offset distance being between 0.2 inches and 1.2 inches. In another example, the vortex generator protrudes from an upper surface of the base and the trailing vortex generator inlay further includes at least one attachment extension that protrudes from a lower surface of the base. In a further example, the aft recess includes at least one receiving hole into which the at least one attachment extension is inserted. In another example, the crown is made from a first material and the trailing vortex generator inlay is made from a second material that is different from the first material. In another example, the crown further defines a front recess and the club head further includes a front inlay that includes an alignment indicator.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a method of manufacturing a golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. The method includes forming a crown of a golf club head from a first material by a first manufacturing process, the crown comprising a trailing recess; forming a trailing vortex generator inlay from a second material by a second manufacturing process, the trailing vortex generator inlay comprising a base and a top surface of the base; and inserting the aft vortex generator inlay into the aft recess.

In an example, the first material is a metallic material and the second material is a non-metallic material. In another example, the first manufacturing process is a casting process and the second manufacturing process is an injection molding process. In another example, forming a trailing vortex generator inlay includes forming at least one attachment extension; Forming the crown includes forming at least one receiving hole in the aft recess; Inserting the aft vortex generator inlay into the aft recess includes pushing at least one attachment extension through the at least one receiving aperture.

In one aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties, wherein the golf club head has a club head frontmost point and a club head rearmost point. The golf club head defines the striking face - the striking face defines the leading point -; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face, the sole having a most posterior point and a closed lift angle of less than about 35 degrees, wherein the closed rise angle is: (1) the club as measured along the ground plane from the most rearmost point of the sole; (2) a line from the toe-side perspective to the sole point of the projected silhouette of the golf club head, located one third of the front-to-back length from the most posterior point of the head, and (2) a plane intersects the sole point and is parallel to the ground plane. Sol, the angle between; and a crown connected to the top side of the striking face, the crown comprising a most posterior point and a closed down angle of less than about 35 degrees. The closed down angle is: (1) the projection of the golf club head from a toe-side perspective, located one-third of the front-to-back length from the rearmost point of the crown, as measured along the ground plane; a line to the crown point of the silhouette, and (2) the angle between the plane that intersects the crown point and is parallel to the ground plane; It is within 85% to 115% of the closed elevation angle of the sole.

In an example, the golf club head has a club head height of at least 2 inches and a club head length of greater than 4.0 inches. In another example, the golf club head further includes a skirt, wherein the most posterior point on the sole is the intersection of the lower border of the sole and the skirt, and the most posterior point on the crown is the intersection of the upper border of the crown and the skirt. In another example, the lower boundary is the skirt height above the ground plane, and the skirt height satisfies a head length to skirt height ratio between 3:1 and 8:1. In a further example, the skirt height is between 12 and 35 mm. In another example, the skirt has a skirt thickness satisfying a head length to skirt thickness ratio of 6:1 and 11:1.

In another example, the skirt thickness is 8 to 20 mm. In a further example, the closed rise angle is less than 30 degrees and the closed lower angle is less than 30 degrees. In another example, the closed rise angle is within 95% to 105% of the closed rise angle of the sole.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. The golf club head is defined by the striking face - the striking face defines the leading point of the golf club head -; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; A crown connected to the upper side of the striking face; It includes a hosel on a heel side of the golf club head, the hosel including a hosel opening configured to receive a golf club shaft defining a shaft axis. The hosel has a first tripping structure extending from the hosel opening in a direction toward the sole, the first tripping structure having a height or depth of 0.005 inches to 0.03 inches; and a second tripping structure extending from the hosel opening in a direction toward the sole, wherein the second tripping structure has a height or depth of between 0.005 inches and 0.03 inches, wherein the second tripping structure has a height or depth greater than or equal to the first tripping structure when measured about the shaft axis. It is located at an angular position of 70 to 170 degrees from the tripping structure. The golf club head further includes a skirt connected to and positioned between the crown and the sole, the skirt including a trailing skirt portion behind the golf club head, the trailing skirt portion being: a length of the head from the most forward point of the striking face. rearmost point; a lower boundary located at the intersection of the skirt and sole, where the lower boundary is the height of the skirt above the ground plane, and the skirt height satisfies a head length to skirt height ratio of 3:1 to 8:1; and a skirt thickness satisfying a head length to skirt thickness ratio of 5:1 and 14:1. In an example, the skirt thickness is between 8 and 20 mm. In another example, the skirt height is 12 to 35 mm.

In another aspect, the present technology relates to a metal-wood type golf club head with improved aerodynamic properties. The golf club head is the striking face; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; A crown connected to the upper side of the striking face; and a hosel on a heel side of the golf club head, the hosel including a hosel opening configured to receive a golf club shaft defining a shaft axis. The hosel has a toe-side tripping structure extending from the hosel opening in a direction toward the sole - the toe-side tripping structure having a height or depth of 0.005 inches to 0.03 inches, the toe-side tripping structure having a shaft angle of 0 to 80 degrees measured about the shaft axis. Positioned at an axial angular position, the 0 degree shaft axial angular position corresponds to the forward direction of the golf club head and is perpendicular to the plane defined by the striking face -; and a heel side tripping structure extending from the hosel opening in a direction toward the sole, wherein the heel side tripping structure has a height or depth of 0.005 inches to 0.03 inches, and the heel side tripping structure has a shaft axis angle of 260 to 340 degrees measured about the shaft axis. The position is set at an angular position.

In an example, the location of the toe side tripping structure and the location of the heel side tripping structure are substantially symmetrical about a line extending along a 350 degree shaft axis angle, and the 0 degree shaft axis angle position corresponds to the forward direction of the golf club head. Perpendicular to the plane defined by the striking face. In another example, the toe side tripping structure is positioned at a shaft axis angular position of 30 to 60 degrees and the heel side tripping structure is positioned at a shaft axis angular position of 280 to 310 degrees. In another example, the heel side tripping structure is positioned away from the toe side tripping structure by an angular position of less than 100 degrees as measured about the shaft axis. In another example, the golf club head further includes a second toe-side tripping structure and a third toe-side tripping structure, wherein the second toe-side tripping structure and the third toe-side tripping structure have a toe-side tripping structure as measured about the shaft axis. It is located within 30 degrees of the tripping structure.

In another example, the toe side tripping structure is either a ridge or a groove; The heel side tripping structure is either ridge or groove. In another example, the toe-side tripping structure has a length of at least 40 mm and the hosel is configured to cause tripping from laminar to turbulent flow around the hosel at the Reynolds number characteristics of the flow conditions experienced by the golfer. In another example, the hosel is adjustable and includes an adjustable component having a plurality of set positions, wherein at each set position, one of the tripping structure portions is aligned with the remaining tripping structure portion on the hosel. Preferably, include part of the tripping structure for each setting position.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a golf club head, wherein the golf club head comprises a striking face, the striking face defining the leading point of the golf club head; A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face; Comprising a crown connected to the top side of the striking face, the trailing slice of the golf club head has a central height (H _Centroid ) that is at least 95% of the height of the geometric center of the striking face above the ground plane and the height of the lowest point of the trailing slice ( H _Low ) is at least 40% of the height of the geometric center of the striking face above the ground plane, and the trailing slice is that portion of the golf club head to the rear of the slice line and between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve. The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, which is equal to 70% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head. The offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 0.5 inches.

In an example, the center height is equal to at least 50% of the club head height of a golf club head. In another example, the center height is at least 28 mm. In another example, a golf club head has a club head height of at least 2 inches and a club head length of greater than 4.0 inches. In a further example, the central height (H _Centroid ) is less than 35 mm. In another example, the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice is at least 10 mm above the ground plane and less than 15 mm.

In another example, the second trailing slice of the golf club head has a central height (H _Centroid ) of at least 28 mm and the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the second trailing slice is greater than 6 mm above the ground plane, and the second trailing slice has a central height (H Centroid ) of at least 28 mm. The trailing slice is the portion of the golf club head posterior to the second slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the second perimeter slice curve. The second slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a second slice depth, the second slice depth being equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head; The second perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a second perimeter offset distance of 1.0 inches.

This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form a series of concepts that are further explained in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additional aspects, features and/or advantages of the examples will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

A non-limiting and non-exhaustive example is described with reference to the following drawings.
1 shows a front view of an exemplary golf club head including a plurality of tripping structures.
Figure 2 shows a front view of the hosel of the golf club head of Figure 1;
Figures 3A and 3B show top views of the hosel of the golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a toe side view of the golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a heel side view of the golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows an adjustable hosel including a tripping structure.
Figure 7 shows a top view of the hosel with tripping structure.
Figure 8 shows a top view of another hosel with a tripping structure.
9 shows an exemplary golf club head with improved drag characteristics.
10 shows dimensions of an example golf club head.
Figure 11 shows an example of a golf club head with improved drag characteristics.
12 shows a top view of an example golf club head and an example trailing slice.
13 shows a top view of an exemplary golf club head and another exemplary trailing slice.
Figure 14 shows a side view of an exemplary aft slice.
Figure 15 shows a top view of an exemplary golf club with a vortex generator.
16A shows exemplary extension angles for the vortex generator.
Figure 16B shows another example extension angle for the vortex generator.
Figure 17 shows a side view of an exemplary vortex generator.
Figure 18 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary vortex generator.
Figure 19 shows an example side view of a vortex generator attached to the body of an example golf club head.
Figure 20 shows a front view of a vortex generator attached to the body of an exemplary golf club head.
21 shows a top view of an exemplary golf club head with a vortex generator inlay.
FIG. 22 shows the example golf club head of FIG. 21 with the vortex inlay removed.
Figure 23 shows a side view of the golf club head of Figure 21 with a trailing vortex inlay.
Figure 24 shows a side view of the golf club head of Figure 23 with the trailing vortex inlay removed.
Figure 25 shows a side view of the interior of the golf club head of Figure 21;
Figure 26 shows a bottom view of the interior of the golf club head of Figure 21.
27A shows another example golf club head with vortex generator inlays and alignment protrusions.
Figure 27b shows an enlarged portion of the golf club of Figure 27a.
Figure 28 shows an example of a vortex generator inlay with attachment extensions.
FIG. 29 shows a top view of an example golf club head configured to receive the example vortex generator inlay of FIG. 28.
FIG. 30 shows an interior side view of the exemplary golf club head of FIG. 29 with the vortex generator inlay of FIG. 28 inserted into the golf club head.
31 shows another example golf club head with alignment inlays.
32 shows an example method for manufacturing a golf club head with one or more inlays.
Figure 33 shows a bottom view of a golf club head with an asymmetric trailing portion.
Figure 34 shows a rear view of the golf club head of Figure 33;
Figure 35 shows a heel side view of the golf club head of Figure 33;
Figure 36 shows a toe side view of the golf club head of Figure 33.
Figure 37 shows a top view of the golf club head of Figure 33 with an example trailing slice.
FIG. 38 shows a top view of the example aft slice shown in FIG. 37.
Figure 39 shows a rear view of an exemplary aft slice.
Figure 40 shows a toe side view of an example aft slice.
Figure 41 shows a heel side view of an example aft slice.
Figure 42 shows a rear view of an example aft slice divided into a toe side aft slice and a heel side aft slice.
Figure 43 shows a top view of a golf club head with a series of cross-sectional cut lines.
Figure 44 shows a plurality of cross-sections of a golf club head along the cross-sectional line of Figure 43;

Due to swing speed and golf club head geometry, many golf clubs or parts thereof operate in the Reynolds number region where the state of the viscous boundary layer is typically laminar unless forced into a turbulent state by a tripping structure. In steep bodies, such as the hosel of a golf club, the laminar boundary layer separates, creating a large wake with a relatively low pressure area. This low pressure acting on the rearward surface area creates drag that slows the club head at impact. In particular, the hosel of a golf club is often configured to have a circular (or nearly circular) cross-section. The Reynolds number of a subcritical (prior to natural transition) circular cylinder has a relatively high drag coefficient compared to one operating as a turbulent boundary layer. By forcing a transition to occur with a tripping structure, drag can be reduced with a resultant increase in club head speed. Due to the rotation of the golf club head, the location and dimensions of the tripping structure become important in creating the transition from laminar to turbulent flow.

In addition to the tripping structure in the hosel of the golf club head, the shape of the golf club head can also be changed to improve aerodynamic properties. For example, changing the geometry of the golf club head, such as the striking face, crown, and sole, changes the drag experienced by the golf club head while it is swinging. For example, what is commonly recognized as an improved aerodynamic shape for a golf club head is, for example, the crown and sole meeting a single point at the trailing edge of the golf club head to form a teardrop shape of the golf club head with a sharper trailing edge. It is done. However, this technology challenges traditional perceptions of the teardrop shape while lowering drag and improving the overall aerodynamic properties of the golf club head. For example, traditional teardrop shapes result in high closure angles of the crown and/or sole. This high angle of closure separates the turbulent flow across the crown and sole earlier or further forward, increasing the pressure drag experienced by the golf club head during the swing. This technology changes and reduces the closing angle of the crown and/or sole to move the separation of the turbulent flow further toward the trailing edge of the golf club. These reduced closure angles result in a golf club head that may appear less aerodynamic, but actually results in a golf club that experiences less pressure drag and has overall improved aerodynamic properties. Changes to the closing angle of the crown and/or sole can be achieved, for example, by raising the aft portion of the skirt further above the ground plane and/or increasing the thickness of the aft portion of the skirt.

1 shows a front view of an example golf club head 100 including a plurality of tripping structures 114. Figure 2 shows an enlarged front view of the hosel of the golf club head of Figure 1; Figures 1 and 2 are explained simultaneously. The golf club head 100 is a metal-wood type golf club head such as a driver or fairway metal. Golf club head 100 includes a striking face 102, crown 104, toe area 106, heel area 108, and sole 110. Crown 104 and sole 110 may be attached to striking face 102. For example, the crown 104 is attached to the upper side of the striking face 102 and the sole 110 is attached to the lower side of the striking face 102.

Golf club head 100 also includes hosel 112. Hosel 112 is used to attach a shaft (not shown) to golf club head 100. The hosel 112 may be formed as at least part of the crown 104 and the heel portion 108. Hosel 112 may also include a ferrule or component of a replaceable shaft system.

Hosel 112 also includes a plurality of tripping structures 114. In the example shown, tripping structure 114 is formed as an elongated ridge extending from the top of the hosel toward the sole. This particular pattern has three substantially parallel ridges on both the heel and toe sides of the hosel. The height of the ridge (e.g., the distance the ridge protrudes from the surface of the hosel) may be between 0.005 and 0.03 inches. In some examples, the height of the ridges is between 0.009 inches and 0.015 inches.

The length L1 of the tripping structure 114 may be 30 to 70 mm. In some examples, the length L2 of tripping structure 114 may be greater than 40 mm. The length of the tripping structure 114 also includes two components: a first length component extending through the ferrule and any additional hosel components (e.g., adjustable shaft components, rings, sleeves, etc.) and the club head. It may be considered a second length component that extends across the body of the club head 100, such as the heel region 108 of 100. The second length component is indicated as L2 in FIG. 2 and represents the length of the tripping structure 114 across the body of the club head 100. The second length component (L2) may be between 15 and 35 mm, between 20 and 30 mm and/or at least 20 mm. In some examples, heel side tripping structure and toe side tripping structure 114 may have the same length. In another example, the heel side tripping structure 114 may have a longer length than the toe side tripping structure 114. In another example, the toe side tripping structure 114 may have a longer length than the heel side tripping structure 114.

Figures 3A and 3B show top views of the hosel of the golf club head of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a toe side view of the golf club head of Figure 1, and Figure 5 shows a heel side view of the golf club head of Figure 1. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, golf club head 100 includes a rearmost point 116 (e.g., trailing edge) and a most forward point 118 (e.g., leading edge). . Figures 3A and 3B, Figures 4 and 5 are explained simultaneously.

FIG. 3A shows a view below the shaft axis (e.g., the axis formed by the shaft to be connected to the hosel) of golf club head 100 and shows the angular position of the tripping structure relative to the shaft axis. 3A, the three toe side tripping structures 114 are individually labeled as first toe side tripping structure 114A, second toe side tripping structure 114B, and third toe side tripping structure 114C. . The three heel side tripping structures are also individually labeled as first heel side tripping structure 114D, second heel side tripping structure 114E, and third heel side tripping structure 114F.

The location or location of the tripping structure 114 accounts for the rotational movement of the club head during the swing of the golf club head. For example, during the downswing of a golf club, the heel side tripping structure (114D-F) is more exposed to the air flow, while at impact and during follow through, the toe side tripping structure (114A-C) is more exposed to the air flow. exposed a lot. Due to the toe side tripping structures 114A-C being positioned further toward the striking face 102, the toe side tripping structures 114A-C also provide a tripping effect during the downswing of the golf club head 100.

The location or location of each tripping structure 114 may be described as an angular position about the shaft axis. The angular position may be described relative to the toe-to-heel axis 120 or the front-to-back axis 122. The front-back axis 122 is an axis extending from the front of the golf club head 100 to the back of the golf club head, and the toe-heel axis 120 is an axis extending from the toe of the golf club head 100 to the heel and is the front-back axis. It is substantially orthogonal to (122). For example, front-to-back axis 122 may be perpendicular to the plane defined by striking face 102. In the example used herein, front-to-back axis 122 has a 0 degree position pointing forward of golf club head 100. For example, a 0 degree shaft axis angular position may correspond to the forward direction of golf club head 100 and be perpendicular to the plane defined by striking face 102. The origin of the front-to-back axis 122 and toe-to-heel axis 120 may be located at the center of the hosel (e.g., shaft axis).

The tripping structure 114 on the toe side of the front-back axis 122 is referred to as the toe-side tripping structure 114, and the tripping structure 114 on the heel side of the front-back axis 122 is referred to as the heel side tripping structure. It is referred to as structure 114. When measured from the front-to-back axis 122, the first toe side tripping structure 114A is located at 30 degrees about the shaft axis, as indicated by angle α1, when measured clockwise. The second toe-side tripping structure 114B is offset about the shaft axis by 15 degrees from the first toe-side tripping structure 114A. The third toe side tripping structure 114C is offset by 15 degrees from the third toe side tripping structure 114C. In other words, the second toe-side tripping structure 114B is positioned at 45 degrees around the shaft axis, as indicated by angle α2, and the third toe-side tripping structure 114C is positioned at 45 degrees around the shaft axis, as indicated by angle α3. It is located at 60 degrees around the axis.

Note that the toe side tripping structures 114A-C are positioned toward the front of the golf club head 100 from the toe-heel axis 120. In other words, the toe side tripping structure is located between 0 and 90 degrees around the shaft axis as measured from front-to-back axis 122. By positioning the toe side tripping structures 114A-C toward the front of the golf club head 100, the toe side tripping structures 114A-C are positioned so that when the golf club rotates from the open position to the closed position, the toe side tripping structures 114A-C are positioned toward the front of the golf club head 100. Can provide more of a tripping effect for the swing.

Additionally, as measured from the anterior-posterior axis 122, the first heel side tripping structure 114D is located at -60 degrees about the shaft axis, as indicated by angle β1. The second heel side tripping structure 114E is offset by 15 degrees about the shaft axis from the first heel side tripping structure 114D. The third heel side tripping structure 114F is offset by 15 degrees about the shaft axis from the second heel side tripping structure 114E. In other words, the second heel side tripping structure 114E is positioned at -75 degrees about the shaft axis as indicated by angle β2, and the third heel side tripping structure 114F is positioned at -75 degrees about the shaft axis as indicated by angle β3. It is located at -90 degrees from the circumference. In some examples, the heel side tripping structure may be more easily measured from the toe-to-heel axis 120. For example, the third heel side tripping structure 114F is aligned or parallel to the heel-toe axis 120.

The first toe-side tripping structure 114A may be referred to as the front-most toe-side tripping structure 114A, and the first heel-side tripping structure 114A may be referred to as the front-most heel-side tripping structure 114D. In the example shown, the frontmost toe side tripping structure 114A and the frontmost heel side tripping structure 114D are positioned 90 degrees apart from each other.

The angular position of the tripping structure 114 described above is for a specific example, and some modifications to the angular position may be implemented to achieve the tripping effect described herein. For example, toe side tripping structure 114 may be within 0 to 80 degrees, 10 to 80 degrees, 10 to 70 degrees, and/or 30 to 70 degrees about the shaft axis as measured from front-to-back axis 122. can be located Heel side tripping structure 114 is positioned at -30 to -90, -50 to -90, -60 to -90, and/or -40 to -110 degrees around the shaft axis as measured from front-to-back axis 122. can be located

The toe-side tripping structure 114 and/or the heel-side tripping structure 114 may be spaced apart from each other by an angular amount of 5 to 25 degrees and/or 10 to 20 degrees. In some examples, such as that shown in Figure 3A, toe side tripping structures 114A-C and/or heel side tripping structures 114D-F may be evenly spaced from each other.

One or more of the toe side tripping structures 114A-C may be positioned symmetrically about a radial line at a shaft axis angle of 350 degrees (i.e., -10 degrees) from one or more of the heel side tripping structures 114D-F. You can. For example, the location of the toe-side tripping structure and the location of the heel-side tripping structure may be substantially symmetrical about a line extending along a 350-degree shaft axis angle. This symmetry can improve the overall aerodynamic properties of hosel 112. For example, the toe-side tripping structure is positioned at a shaft axis angular position of 0 to 80 degrees measured about the shaft axis, and the heel-side tripping structure is positioned at a shaft axis angular position of 260 to 340 degrees measured around the shaft axis. It can be positioned symmetrically around . The toe side tripping structure is located at a shaft axis angular position of 30 to 60 degrees and the heel side tripping structure is located at a shaft axis angular position of 280 to 310 degrees.

The height, length and location of the tripping structure 114 described herein can trigger a transition from laminar to turbulent flow around the hosel at the Reynolds number and swing speed typically associated with the swing of a golf club head. For example, the tripping structure 114 may provide the Reynolds number characteristics of the flow conditions experienced by the golfer (e.g. , less than 30,000) can be configured to cause tripping from laminar flow to turbulent flow around the hosel. Additionally, the dimensions and location of the tripping structure 114 are important to cause the transition from laminar to turbulent flow at the appropriate location. For example, if tripping occurs too early, the flow completely separates and does not reattach, or if there is a very strong favorable gradient, the flow will re-stratify and become separated - both of which can actually increase drag. This dimension and location of the tripping structure 114 prevents this adverse phenomenon even when the golf club head rotates during the golf swing.

The tripping structure 114 shown in FIGS. 1-5 is a ridge that projects outwardly from the hosel, but in other examples, the tripping structure 114 may take a different form. For example, tripping structure 114 may be formed as a groove rather than a ridge. The depth of the groove may be the same as the height of the ridge described herein. The grooves may also have a similar length and location as the ridges. In some examples, grooves and ridges may be used, and the height may be considered to be the amplitude measured from the peak of the ridge to the trough of the groove.

Tripping structures 114 may also be formed from tooling marks having an appropriate roughness to transition the positioned boundary layer to a similar position and orientation as the ridges described above. Additional patterns, such as three-dimensional sine waves that are approximately axisymmetric about the shaft or hosel axis, may also be used. The sine wave may be a function of both position along the shaft or hosel axis and circumferential position around the hosel. A three-dimensional pattern of interconnecting ridges, such as a hexagonal pattern, may also be used as the tripping structure 114. Dimples or pimples (eg, the opposite of dimples) may also be used as tripping structures 114 in some examples.

6 shows a partial perspective view of a golf club head 200 with an adjustable hosel 212 that includes a tripping structure 214. As in other examples described above, golf club head 200 has a striking face 202 and a hosel 212 extends from crown 204. The adjustable or configurable hosel 212 may be part of a shaft connection system, and/or the configurable hosel 212 may be configured to adjust the shape of the golf club head 200, such as the loft and/or lie characteristics of the golf club head 200. Can be adjusted to change characteristics.

The exemplary configurable hosel 212 shown in FIG. 6 is similar to the SUREFIT® hosel system from Acushnet Company of Fairhaven, MA. The configurable hosel 212 includes a fixed portion 230 attached to the club head 200 near the crown 204 and two configurable or adjustable components, a rotatable ring 232 and a rotatable sleeve ( 234). The fixed portion 230, rotatable ring 232, and rotatable sleeve 234 each include a series of tangs and notches. Once the configurable hosel 212 is tightened together, the tangs fit into the notches. By rotating ring 232 and sleeve 234, a number of different configuration states for configurable hosel 212 may be achieved. In the example shown, ring 232 includes four different configurations, as indicated by the letter markings A-D, with each configuration including a different tang on ring 232. Sleeve 234 similarly has four different configurations, as indicated by number markings 1-4, with each configuration comprising a different tang on sleeve 234. The configuration state of the configurable hosel 212 corresponds to the setting of the ring 232 and sleeve 234 in alignment with the alignment reference indicator on the fastening portion 230 . A ferrule 236 may also be included. Additional details regarding a similar configurable hosel system can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,403,067, entitled “Interchangeable Shaft System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Configurable hosel 212 also includes tripping structure 214. Tripping structure 214 may be divided into separate pieces or portions corresponding to the number of different components of configurable hosel 212. In the example shown, there are four components of the adjustable hosel 212: fixed portion 230, rotatable ring 232, rotatable sleeve 234, and ferrule 236. Tripping structure 214 extends across each of the four components. To allow adjustment of the adjustable hosel 212, each tripping structure is separated into four pieces corresponding to four different components of the adjustable hosel 212. For example, each tripping structure 214 includes a first piece on the ferrule 236, a second piece on the sleeve 234, a third piece on the ring 232, and a fourth piece on the securing portion 230. You can have it. Each piece of tripping structure 214 may be separated from one another, such as by cutting, or a piece of tripping structure 214 may be formed separately as part of a respective component, such as ring 232 and sleeve 234. You can. Accordingly, as the adjustable components of hosel 212 (e.g., ring 232 and sleeve 234) are rotated, corresponding pieces of tripping structure 214 move with each adjustable component. For example, as ring 232 is rotated, a piece of tripping structure 214 positioned on ring 232 moves with ring 232.

The number and/or location of tripping structures 214 may be based on the number of different settings available from the adjustable components of hosel 212. In the example shown, ring 232 and sleeve 234 each have four possible configurations (e.g., configurations A-D and configurations 1-4). Accordingly, four tripping structures 214 may be incorporated into hosel 212. Each of the four set positions on ring 232 and sleeve 234 are offset by 90 degrees (e.g., 360 degrees divided by 4). Accordingly, the four tripping structures 214 are also offset from each other by 90 degrees. As a result, in any set combination of rings 232 and sleeves 234, each piece of tripping structure 214 is aligned with another piece of tripping structure 214 to form a full-length tripping structure 214. do. With an offset of 90 degrees, tripping structure 214 can be positioned at the angular positions described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5. The pieces of tripping structure 214 on the adjustable component of hosel 212 may also be manufactured such that all pieces have the same size and shape (e.g., same thickness, length, width, cross-section, etc.), which also Allows consistent formation of the overall tripping structure 214 in arbitrary configurations of adjustable components.

As another example, if the adjustable component has only three settings, three tripping structures 214 may be included and offset by 120 degrees, whereas if the adjustable component has five settings, five tripping structures 214 may be included and offset by 120 degrees. Tripping structure 214 may be integrated and offset by 72 degrees. The number of tripping structures 214 can be equal to the number of configurations, and the offset angle of the tripping structures 214 can be based on the offset angles of different configurations of the adjustable components. In some examples, multiple tripping structures 214 may be included each in a different configuration (such as tangs of ring 232). In this example, the number of tripping structures 214 may be equal to a multiple of the set number. For example, for an adjustable component with four settings, 4, 8, 12, or 16 tripping structures 214 may be included on the hosel 212.

7 shows a golf club head 300 with a hosel 312 with a tripping structure 314 in partial top view. As in other examples described above, hosel 312 extends from crown 304. However, in this example, only two tripping structures 314 are included on the hosel. The two tripping structures 314 are offset from each other by approximately 90 degrees. All of the tripping structures 314 are also integrated into the front half of the hosel 312. For example, both tripping structures 314 are located on the striking face side of hosel 312 rather than on the rear side of hosel 312. As previously discussed, by incorporating tripping structure 314 on the front side of the hosel, tripping structure 314 causes a tripping effect at more points during the golf swing due to rotation of the golf club head.

8 shows another partial top view of a golf club head 400 having a hosel 412 with tripping structure 414. As in other examples described above, hosel 412 extends from crown 404. In this example, four tripping structures 414 are integrated on hosel 412. The four tripping structures 414 are offset from each other by 90 degrees. Two of the tripping structures 414 are included in the front half of the hosel 412 and two of the tripping structures 414 are included in the rear half of the hosel 412. The four tripping structures 414 and their locations may be suitable for a golf club head that includes an adjustable hosel component with four settings, such as golf club head 200 described above with reference to FIG. 6 .

Tests of prototype golf club heads also demonstrated improvements resulting from the incorporation of the above tripping structures. For example, tests were conducted using a control club (i.e., a club without a hosel tripping feature) and a test golf club head with a tripping feature added to the hosel of the control club. Tests were performed by applying the same force to the golf club through the robotic swing system under substantially the same aerodynamic conditions (e.g., location, air temperature, etc.). Test results showed that the average swing speed of the control club was 105.21-105.59 miles per hour (mph), and the average swing speed of the test club was 106.07 mph. Therefore, when applying the same force, an increase in swing speed of 0.48-0.86 mph was observed based on the case including the hosel tripping structure. For testing purposes, the tripping structure of the test club had a configuration similar to that shown in Figures 1-5 and the tripping structure had a height of 0.012 inches. Additional tests using the same tripping structure configuration as shown in Figures 6 to 8 also showed an increase in swing speed.

9 shows an example golf club head 500 with improved drag characteristics. The representation of golf club head 500 shown in Figure 9 is a projected silhouette of the golf club from a toe-side perspective. The golf club head 500 shown here is set at an address position that replicates the way the golf club head 500 interacts with a golf ball. The address position as defined by the present invention sets the golf club head 500 in an orientation with a lie angle of 60 degrees, similar to the requirements of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Once the lie angle is set to 60 degrees, the face angle of the golf club head 500 is set to square, which is defined as having a face angle of 0 degrees.

Like the golf club head described above, golf club head 500 includes a striking face 502, crown 504, sole 510, and hosel 512. Golf club head 500 also has a frontmost point 518 and a rearmost point 516. The frontmost point 518 may also be referred to as the leading edge, and the club head rearmost point 516 may also be referred to as the trailing edge.

Golf club head 500 also includes a skirt 520 or “boat tail” portion connecting crown 504 and sole 510. Skirt 520 may be defined as the portion of club head 500 between crown 504 and sole 510 and has a plane that has an angle substantially different from the plane formed by crown 504 or sole. define. For example, skirt 520 may define a plane that is within 80 to 120% of the loft angle of golf club head 500. The angle of the plane formed by the skirt 520 may be referred to as the skirt angle. In another example, skirt 520 defines a plane within 20 degrees orthogonal to the ground plane defined by the ground.

The dimensions of golf club head 500 result in golf club head 500 experiencing lower drag during the swing of golf club head 500. The dimensions of golf club head 500 include front-to-back length (L _FB ), one-half of the front-to-back length (L _FB1/2 ), and one-third of the front-to-back length (L _FB1/3 ). do. The front-to-back length (L _FB ) is the length between the club head most rear point 518 and the club head most rear point 516 as measured along the ground plane. The anterior-posterior length (L _FB ) may also be referred to as head length. Golf club head 500 also has a club head height measured from the lowest point on the sole to the highest point on the crown in a direction perpendicular to the ground plane.

The closed down angle (Φ) and closed up angle (θ) are also defined by the golf club head 500. The closing down angle Φ indicates how steeply the crown 504 closes toward the rear of the golf club head 500. The closing rise angle θ indicates how steeply the sole 510 closes toward the rear of the golf club head 500.

The closed down angle Φ is defined by (1) a line from a point on the crown 504 of the projected silhouette of the golf club from a toe-side perspective to the most posterior point 516 of the crown 504 and (2) intersecting the crown point. and is defined as the angle between the planes parallel to the ground plane. The rearmost point 516 of crown 504 may be the intersection of the upper border of crown 504 and skirt 520. The closed angle of descent (Φ) can be measured from various points on the golf club head 500. For example, the half-point closed down angle Φ _1/2 is from a point on the crown 504 midway between the most forward point 518 and the most posterior point 516 of the club head 500 (e.g. , from a point located one-half the front-to-back length (L _FB1/2 ) from the rearmost point 516 as measured along the ground plane. The third point closed down angle Φ _1/3 is the crown 504 located at 1/3 of the front-to-back length (L _FB1/3 ) from the most posterior point 516 of the golf club as measured along the ground plane. ) can be measured from a point on the In the example shown, the rearmost point 516 of the golf club may be the rearmost point 516 of the crown 504.

The closed rise angle θ is (1) a line from a point on the sole 510 of the projected silhouette of the golf club from a toe side perspective to the rearmost point 517 on the sole 510 and (2) intersecting the sole point. and is defined as the angle between the planes parallel to the ground plane. The rearmost point 517 of the sole 510 may be the intersection of the lower boundary of the sole 510 and the skirt 520. The closed rise angle θ can be measured at various points on the golf club head 500. For example, the half-point closure rise angle θ _1/2 is from a point on the sole 510 midway between the most forward point 518 and the most rearward point 516 of the club head 500 (e.g. , from a point located one-half the front-to-back length (L _FB1/2 ) from the rearmost point 516 as measured along the ground plane. The third point closed elevation angle (θ _1/3 ) is the sole 510 located at 1/3 of the front-to-back length (L _FB1/3 ) from the rearmost point 516 of the golf club as measured along the ground plane. ) can be measured from a point on the

The height and thickness of the skirt 520 also affects the aerodynamics of the golf club head. The height of the skirt can be expressed as the height (H _RS ) of the rearmost point of the sole 510 above or away from the ground plane. The rearmost point of the sole 510 represents the lowest point of the skirt 520. The height of the skirt 520 can also be expressed as the height (H _RC ) of the rearmost point 516 of the crown 504 off the ground plane. The thickness (T _Rear ) of the rear portion of the skirt 520 shown in the projection may be defined by the distance between the rearmost point 516 of the crown 504 and the rearmost point 517 of the sole 510. . For example, the thickness T _Rear may be the shortest distance between the rearmost point 516 of the crown 504 and the rearmost point 517 of the sole 510 as measured in projection.

As previously discussed, configuring these dimensions of golf club head 500 can improve aerodynamic properties by reducing the pressure drag experienced by golf club head 500 during a swing. For example, by raising the aft portion of the skirt 520 or boat tail and/or increasing the thickness of the aft portion of the skirt 520, the closing angle of the crown 504 and sole can be reduced and controlled. By reducing the angle of closure, the separation of air turbulence over crown 504 and/or sole 510 can be moved further rearward in golf club head 500. Delaying turbulence separation (eg, moving turbulence separation further rearward) results in lower pressure drag acting on the golf club head 500 during the golf club swing. Additional reductions in pressure drag can be achieved by bringing the closure rise angle (θ) closer to the closure descent angle (Φ).

As some examples, the height (H _RS ) of the rearmost point of sole 510 away from the ground plane may be between 12 mm and 35 mm. The height (H _RC ) of the rearmost point 516 of the crown 504 away from the ground plane may be between 28 and 45 mm. The thickness (T _Rear ) of the skirt 520 may be 8 to 20 mm. The aerodynamic benefits of this technology can be achieved using various combinations of H _RS and T _Rear . For example, as skirt 520 is raised higher off the ground, skirt 520 may not need to be thick enough to achieve a shallower closure angle of crown 504 and sole 510. The thickness of the skirt 520 can also be adjusted based on the height of the skirt 520 to better match the closed rise angle θ of the sole 510 with the closed lowered angle Φ of the crown 504. . This height range typically results in a raised and/or thickened skirt 520 compared to other drivers, which may have H _RS values of approximately 9 mm, H _RC values of approximately 22 mm, and T _Rear values of approximately 16 mm. indicates.

Additionally, as will be appreciated, the closed rise angle θ and closed drop angle Φ of the sole 510 depend on the height of the golf club head 500 as well as the club length or front-to-back length (L _FB ). . The height of the golf club head 500 for a driver may be greater than 2 inches (50.8 mm), but may be lower for other types of metal woods, such as fairway metal. In some examples, the height of golf club head 500 may be between 2 inches (50.8 mm) and 2.8 inches (71.12 mm). For a driver, the front-to-back length (L _FB ) may be 4.13 inches (105 mm) to 4.72 inches (120 mm) or 4 inches (101.6 mm) to 5 inches (127 mm). In some examples, the anterior-posterior length (L _FB ) may be less than 4.5 inches (114.3 mm).

Because some of the above dimensions may change as the type of metal wood changes (e.g., from driver to fairway metal or another type of metal wood), the above dimensions may be adjusted to accommodate the improved aerodynamic characteristics described herein. It may be better expressed as a ratio that helps maintain the closed angle pattern of crown 504 and sole 510 that provides. For example, (1) front-to-back length (L _FB ) (e.g., head length) and (2) height of the rearmost point of sole 510 (H _RS ) away from the ground plane (e.g. , skirt height) can be used. This ratio may be referred to as the head length to skirt height ratio. The head length to skirt height ratio may be from 3:1 to 8.5:1, 3.4:1 to 5.8:1, or less than 6:1. The value of the head length to skirt height ratio may be based on the skirt thickness (T _Rear ). For example, the smaller the skirt thickness (T _Rear ), the larger the head length to skirt height ratio can be. For example, when the skirt thickness (T _Rear ) is 10 to 14 mm, the head length to skirt height ratio may be 3.46:1 to 5.7:1. When the skirt thickness (T _Rear ) is 16 to 18 mm, the head length to skirt height ratio may be 4.3:1 to 8.5:1.

The ratio between head length and skirt thickness (T _Rear ) may also be used, and this ratio may be referred to as the head length to skirt thickness ratio. The head length to skirt thickness ratio may be 6:1 to 11:1, 6.5:1 to 8.5:1, or less than 9:1. The head length to skirt thickness ratio may also vary depending on skirt height, similar to the way the head length to skirt height ratio depends on skirt thickness, as described above.

The closure angle of descent (Φ) and the angle of closure (θ) of the sole may be within a range of degrees and the angles may be based on each other to more closely match the angle of closure (Φ) to the angle of closure (θ). there is. The half-point closure angle of descent (Φ _1/2 ) may be between 15 and 30 degrees, less than 30 degrees, or less than 20 degrees. The third point closure angle of descent (Φ _1/3 ) may be between 20 and 35 degrees, less than 35 degrees, less than 30 degrees, or less than 25 degrees. For example, the half-point closure elevation angle θ _1/2 may be between 15 and 30 degrees, less than 30 degrees, or less than 20 degrees. The third point closure elevation angle (θ _1/3 ) may be between 10 and 35 degrees, less than 35 degrees, or less than 20 degrees. As the closing down angle Φ and closing up angle θ become shallower, golf club head 500 may result in a smaller pressure drag effect.

Additionally, as the closing down angle Φ and the closing up angle θ are more closely matched, the golf club head 500 may also be subject to a smaller pressure drag effect. For example, in some examples, each of the closing angle of descent (Φ) and the angle of closure (θ) may be within 85% to 115% of each other. In another example, each closed descent angle (Φ) and closure rise angle (θ) may be within 95% to 105% of each other. For example, the half-point closure descent angle (Φ _1/2 ) may be within 85% to 115%, or within 95% to 105% of the half-point closure elevation angle (θ _1/2 ). Similarly, the third point closure angle of descent (Φ _1/3 ) may be within 85% to 115% or 95% to 105% of the third point closure angle of elevation (θ _1/3 ).

Additionally or alternatively, there may be no tangent to the aft half of crown 504 in the projected silhouette greater than 45 degrees, 40 degrees or 30 degrees. In other words, any tangent that can be made to the trailing half of crown 504 in the projected silhouette may have an angle to the ground plane that is less than 45 degrees, 40 degrees, or 30 degrees. Similarly, there may be no tangent to the trailing half of sole 510 in the projected silhouette greater than 45 degrees, 40 degrees or 30 degrees. In other words, any tangent that can be made to the trailing half of sole 510 in the projected silhouette may have an angle to the ground plane that is less than 45 degrees, 40 degrees, or 30 degrees.

The table provided in FIG. 10 includes a list of dimensions for ten exemplary golf club heads with dimensions based on the present technology to vary the closing angle of the sole and crown of each golf club. As can be seen from the data in the table, many example clubs meet the relationships and characteristics above.

Figure 11 shows an example of a golf club head with improved drag characteristics. The example golf clubs 600a-i of Figure 11 each have different combinations of skirt thickness and skirt height. In Figure 11, the skirt thickness is labeled T and the skirt height is labeled H. The skirt thickness (T) of FIG. 11 may be the same or substantially the same as the thickness (T _Rear ) of the rear portion of the skirt described above in FIG. 9. The skirt height (H) may be the same dimension as the height (H _RS ) of the rearmost point of the sole 510 away from the ground plane, as described above in FIG. 9 .

The golf club 600a has a skirt thickness of T _a and a skirt height of H _a . The golf club 600b has a skirt thickness of T _b and a skirt height of H _b . The golf club 600c has a skirt thickness of T _c and a skirt height of H _c . The golf club 600d has a skirt thickness of T _d and a skirt height of H _d . The golf club 600e has a skirt thickness of T _e and a skirt height of H _e . The golf club (600f) has a skirt thickness of T _f and a skirt height of H _f . A golf club (600 g) has a skirt thickness of T _g and a skirt height of H _g . The golf club (600h) has a skirt thickness of T _h and a skirt height of H _h . The golf club 600i has a skirt thickness of T _i and a skirt height of H _i .

As can be seen in the first row of golf club heads 600a-c, increasing the skirt height results in a shallower closed down angle of the crown. However, as the skirt thickness decreases, the closing rise angle of the sole becomes significantly steeper. It can be seen that as the thickness of the skirt becomes increasingly thicker from golf club head 600a to golf club head 600c, the closed rising angle of the sole becomes shallower and approaches the closed lowering angle of the crown.

Similar results can be seen in the second row containing exemplary golf club heads 600d-f. The skirt height T of the golf club heads 600d-f is smaller than the skirt height T of the golf club heads 600a-c in the first row. A lower skirt height (T) of the golf club head (600d-f) - especially as skirt thickness increases - results in a steeper closed down angle of the crown, but also a shallower closed rise angle of the crown.

In the last row containing exemplary golf club heads 600g-i, the skirt height H is generally lower than the height of each golf club head 600a-f in the first and second rows. By lowering the skirt height even further, the closed rising angle of the sole is further reduced, but the closing falling angle begins to increase more rapidly. As the skirt thickness (T) increases, the closed rise angle of the sole decreases further to a point where it is shallower than the closed fall angle of the crown.

Testing of the prototype golf club head also showed improvements due to the incorporation of aerodynamic shaping that modifies the skirt height and thickness along with the closure angle. For example, tests were conducted using a control club (i.e., a more traditional low skirt height club) and a test golf club head with a raised skirt. Tests were performed by applying the same force to the golf club through the robotic swing system under substantially the same aerodynamic conditions (e.g., location, air temperature, etc.). In testing, raising the skirt by 0.25 inches increased club head speed by 0.44 mph, and raising the skirt by 0.5 inch increased club head speed by 0.57 to 0.91 mph. A golf club head incorporating both the raised skirt and tripping structures described above resulted in an even greater combined increase in swing speed.

12 shows a top view of an example golf club head 700 and an example trailing slice 760. Exemplary golf club head 700 may be similar or identical to the golf club head described above. For example, golf club head 700 includes a crown 704 and a striking face 702.

Raising the skirt and/or thickening the skirt also generally raises the trailing edge of the club head 700 to improve the aerodynamic properties of the golf club. To identify characteristics of the trailing portion of club head 700, trailing slice 760 of golf club head 700 may be considered. Trailing slice 760 is the portion of golf club head 700 behind slice line 750 and is between the outer perimeter of golf club head 700 and offset perimeter slice curve 752. Slice line 750 runs in the heel-toe direction (e.g., parallel to the heel-toe axis) and is located at slice depth D from the most forward point of the golf club head. Offset perimeter slice curve 752 is offset from the outer perimeter of golf club head 700 by a perimeter offset distance (P). Offset perimeter slice curve 752 follows the outline or contour of the outer perimeter at the offset location. For example, the trailing portion of the golf club head 700 relative to the slice line 750 may be identified. A peripheral portion offset by a perimeter-offset distance (P) from the outer perimeter of the trailing portion is extracted or identified to form or define trailing slice 760. Trailing slice 760 may be computationally formed or extracted by creating a three-dimensional scan of the golf club head or other computer modeling of the golf club head. In the example shown in Figure 12, the slice depth D1 is 60% of the front-to-back length of the club head 700 measured from the most forward point of the golf club head, and the perimeter offset distance P1 is 1.0 inches.

Trailing slice 760 also has a trailing depth (A) measured from the most posterior point of trailing slice 760 to the most forward point of trailing slice 760 (e.g., slice line 750). The aft depth (A) of the aft slice 760 is equal to the difference between the front-to-back length of the club head 700 and the slice depth (D). In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the aft depth A1 of the aft slice 760 is equal to 40% of the front-to-back length of the club head 700.

13 shows a top view of an example golf club head 700 and another example trailing slice 760. The trailing slice of FIG. 13 differs from the trailing slice 760 of FIG. 12 in that the slice depth D2 is deeper than the slice depth D1 and the perimeter-offset distance P2 is smaller than the perimeter offset distance P1. Because the slice depth D2 is greater than the slice depth D1, the trailing depth A2 is smaller than the trailing depth A1. In the example shown in FIG. 13 , slice depth D2 is 70% of the front-to-back length of golf club head 700, and aft depth A2 is 30% of the front-to-back length of golf club head 700. and the periphery-offset distance (P2) is 0.5 inches.

Figure 14 shows a side view of an example aft slice 760. More specifically, Figure 14 shows a projected silhouette of the aft slice 760 from a side view, which may be a toe-side perspective or a heel-side perspective. The projected silhouette is created with golf club head 700 (from which trailing slice 760 is created) set at an address position that replicates the way golf club head 700 interacts with a golf ball. The address position as defined by the present invention sets the golf club head 700 in an orientation with a lie angle of 60 degrees, similar to the USGA's requirements. Once the lie angle is set to 60 degrees, the face angle of the golf club head 700 is set to square, which is defined as having a face angle of 0 degrees.

The two dimensions of the aft slice 760 may be obtained or determined from a projected side view silhouette of the aft slice 760. The first dimension is the height (H _Centroid ) of the centroid 762 of the trailing portion 760 above the ground plane 770 . The center of the object can be considered the center of gravity of a solid object, assuming uniform density. To calculate the center 762 of the trailing slice 760, all internal geometry of the trailing slice 760 can be filled (mathematically, computationally, etc.) to be a solid object and is assumed to have the same density throughout. The center of gravity of the solid object can be determined or calculated as center 762. The second dimension is the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice 760 above the ground plane 770 in the silhouette.

In the example where the slice depth (D) is 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head 700, the aft depth (A) is 40% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head 700, and the edge-to-offset distance P is 1.0 inches, the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice 760 may be 5 to 10 mm, and the central height (H _Centroid ) may be 28 to 35 mm. For example, the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice 760 may be greater than 6 mm, and the central height (H _Centroid ) may be greater than 29 mm.

In the example where the slice depth (D) is 70% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head 700, the aft depth (A) is 30% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head 700, and the edge-to-offset distance P is 0.5 inches, the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice 760 may be 10 to 15 mm, and the central height (H _Centroid ) may be 28 to 35 mm. For example, the height (H _Low ) of the lowest point of the trailing slice 760 may be greater than 10, 11, or 12 mm, and the central height (H _Centroid ) may be greater than 28 mm. In some examples, the central height H _Centroid may be at least 50% of the club head height of golf club head 700 . In some examples, the centroid height H _Centroid is at least 95% of the height of the geometric center of striking face 702 above the ground plane. For example, the centroid height H _Centroid may also be greater than or equal to the height of the geometric center of striking face 702 . The height of the lowest point of the trailing slice (H _Low ) is at least 40%, 45% or 50% of the height of the geometric center of the striking face above the ground plane.

A golf club head with a trailing slice 760 having the dimensions described above has been shown through testing to have improved aerodynamic properties similar to those described above with respect to FIGS. 9-11.

Additional or alternative aerodynamic improvements to the golf club head may also be made by attaching a vortex generator to the golf club head. As previously discussed, golf clubs are typically steep bodies that result in significant aerodynamic separation, which causes pressure drag that impedes club head speed. USGA limits on fore-aft dimensions and volumes constrain the geometry and ability to eliminate this aerodynamic separation. This problem is especially severe for driver-type golf club heads, which have significant face height and a larger “sweet spot” favored for forgiveness. Current restrictions on club head geometry require that the desired face height, minimum base area, congruent volume, and depth (fore-to-aft dimension to be no greater than the heel-to-toe dimension and less than 5 inches) be met simultaneously to eliminate aerodynamic separation. do not allow For golf clubs with steeper closure angles that cause aerodynamic separation (without using vortex generators), adding vortex generators reduces or minimizes turbulent aerodynamic separation due to the smaller base area over which the low-pressure separation flow acts. can do. This causes drag to decrease as club head speed increases.

More specifically, adding vortex generators to the crown and/or sole of a golf club head can activate the viscous boundary layer. This high energy boundary layer allows larger angles of closure and reduced boat tail or trailing skirt thicknesses to be used in golf club heads. Reduction of base pressure drag in the boat tail or trailing skirt portion increases club head speed with an associated increase in distance of the golf ball struck.

FIG. 15 shows a top view of an example golf club head 800 with a vortex generator 820 . Similar to other golf clubs described herein, golf club head 800 includes a crown 804 coupled to a striking face 802. The golf club head has a heel portion 808 and a toe portion 806. The trailing portion of club head 800 has a rearmost point 816, which may also be referred to as the trailing edge.

The illustration of the golf club head 800 includes three possible arcs 822 in which the vortex generator 820 may be positioned. Note that the vortex generator 820 may be placed only on one of the possible arcs 822 shown in FIG. 15 rather than on all arcs 822. For example, possible arcs 822 are presented merely to illustrate different offset positions from the periphery of the golf club head 800. For example, the longest arc 822 is positioned at an offset distance D1 from the outer perimeter of the golf club head 800. The second longest arc 822 is positioned at an offset distance D2 from the outer perimeter of the golf club head 800. The shortest arc 822 is positioned at an offset distance D3 from the outer perimeter of the golf club head 800. Offset distance D1 may be between 0.2 and 0.6 inches, offset distance D2 may be between 0.6 and 1.0 inches, and offset distance D3 may be between 1.0 and 1.4 inches. In the example shown, offset distance D1 is 0.4 inches, offset distance D2 is 0.8 inches, and offset distance D3 is 1.2 inches. However, these distances are only representative.

The shape of arc 822 may substantially match the trailing outer perimeter of golf club head 800 such that the offset distance remains substantially constant along arc 822. In some examples, this causes the arc to have a constant radius of curvature, and in other examples, arc 822 may have a variable radius of curvature. For example, arc 822 may traverse along a constant slant line of crown 804 (e.g., the outline of a topographical representation of crown 804).

The position of the arc 822, and thus the position of the vortex generator 820, may be configured based on the closing angle of the crown 804. For example, the positions of the arc 822 and the vortex generator 820 may be based on a location where turbulence separation of the air flow occurs when the club head 800 does not include the vortex generator 820. More specifically, arc 822 may be positioned slightly forward (e.g., less than 0.2 inches) of where turbulent separation would have occurred. In this location, the vortex generator 820 provides the most beneficial effect in reducing drag.

As mentioned above, a steeper closure angle of the crown results in earlier or more forward turbulence separation. In contrast, shallower closure angles result in turbulent separation later or further aft. Accordingly, for a crown 804 with a steeper closure angle, the offset distance relative to the arc 822 may be larger, causing the vortex generator 820 to be further forward in the crown 804. For crowns 804 with shallower closure angles, the offset distance relative to arc 822 may be smaller, causing vortex generators 820 to be further aft of crown 804. Regardless of the offset position of the arc 822, the vortex generator 820 (or at least 80% of the vortex generator 820) is located in the aft half of the crown 804.

The arc 822 may start at a first boundary line 824 and end at a second boundary line 826. The first boundary line 824 extends perpendicular to the tangent line of the periphery of the rear, toe side portion of the crown 804. The toe side tangent may be where angle A (defined as the angle between a line parallel to the Z axis and the toe side tangent) is 20 to 30 degrees. The second boundary line 826 extends perpendicular to the tangent line of the periphery of the rear, heel side portion of the crown 804. The heel side tangent may be where angle B (defined as the angle between a line parallel to the Z axis and the heel side tangent) is between 25 and 35 degrees. The Z axis is an axis extending in the front-to-back direction of the golf club head 800. In turn, the X axis is an axis that extends in the heel-toe direction and is orthogonal to the Z axis.

The number of vortex generators 820 positioned along each arc 822 depends on the length of the arc 822, which in turn depends on the offset distance of the arc 822 and the first and second boundary lines 824. It depends on the location of (826). As an example, if the offset distance is D3, 10-15 vortex generators 820 may be positioned along the arc 822. When the offset distance is D2, 14 to 18 vortex generators 820 may be positioned along the circular arc 822. When the offset distance is D1, 17 to 21 vortex generators 820 may be positioned along the circular arc 822. In some examples, the offset distance is between 0.2 and 1.2 inches and there are at least twelve vortex generators disposed along corresponding arcs 822. In this example, the number of vortex generators 820 may be between 12 and 22 vortex generators 820.

The vortex generators 820 may be positioned along the circular arc 822 such that the leading edge or foremost point of each vortex generator 820 is positioned on the arc 822. The vortex generators 820 may also be spaced equidistantly along the length of the arc or spaced equidistantly along the X-axis direction.

The vortex generator 820 is shown as being located only on the crown 804. Additional or alternative vortex generators 820 may be included in the sole of the golf club head 800. The vortex generator 820 may be positioned on the sole in a manner and configuration similar to the vortex generator on the crown.

The vortex generator 820 may also extend aft at an angle to a line parallel to the Z axis. This angle may be referred to herein as the extension angle. Different subsets of vortex generators 820 may extend at different extension angles as can be seen in FIG. 15 . 16A and 16B show different exemplary extension angles for the vortex generator 820. FIG. 16A shows a first exemplary extension angle (C) for the vortex generator 820, and FIG. 16B shows a second exemplary extension angle (D) for the vortex generator 820. 16A and 16B show a representative vortex generator 820 extending rearward toward the trailing edge of the golf club head 800 with a line 825 extending parallel to the Z axis.

In Figure 16A, the vortex generating portion 820 partially extends rearward toward the toe side of the crown. If the vortex generator 820 partially extends toward the toe side, the extension angle is positive and the vortex generator 820 can be considered to have a toe bias. In the example shown in Figure 16A, an exemplary extension angle C is 10 to 20 degrees and may be 14 to 16 degrees.

In Figure 16b, the vortex generating portion 820 partially extends rearward toward the heel side of the crown. When the vortex generator 820 partially extends toward the heel side, the extension angle is negative and the vortex generator 820 can be considered to have a heel bias. In the example shown in FIG. 16B, exemplary extension angles may be 0 to 10 degrees and -4 to -6 degrees.

In an example, one subset of vortex generators 820 may extend at a first extension angle C, and a second subset of vortex generators 820 may extend at a second angle D. there is. The vortex generator 820 may alternate between the vortex generator 820 extending at the first extension angle (C) and the vortex generator 820 extending at the second extension angle (D).

Integrating the vortex generator 820 at different angles allows the vortex generator 820 to affect different points in the golf swing. For example, during a golf swing, golf club head 800 rotates to change the relative direction of air flow over golf club head 800. When the air flow is directly aligned with the vortex generator 820, the vortex generator 820 does not generate any air vortices and therefore does not provide the desired effect. Accordingly, by having multiple subsets of vortex generators 820 extending at different extension angles, at least one subset of vortex generators 820 is at each point during the downswing of golf club head 800. This will create air vortices. Although only two subsets of vortex generators 820 are shown, multiple additional subsets of vortex generators 820 with different extension angles may be included.

Figure 17 shows a side view of an exemplary vortex generator 820. Figure 18 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary vortex generator 820. Figures 17 and 18 are explained simultaneously. Vortex generator 820 includes a leading edge 830, a top surface 836, a bottom surface 838, a heel side surface 832, and a toe side surface 834. Vortex generator 820 also has a leading point 837 and a rear or trailing edge 839. The vortex generator 820 has a height (H) between the top surface 836 and the bottom surface 838, a length (L) between the frontmost point of the vortex generator and the trailing edge 839 (839), and a heel side surface (832). ) and the toe side surface 834 may be defined as having a width (W). The length (L) can be between 0.150 and 0.350 inches and can be about 0.250 inches. Height (H) can be between 0.05 and 0.09 inches and can be about 0.075 inches. The width (W) may be between 0.01 and 0.03 inches and may be about 0.02 inches.

Leading edge 830 may be angled and/or curved as it extends from the most forward point 837 to the top surface 836. Leading edge 830 may also have a radius between 0.001 and 0.004 inches and reaches a narrow point or edge, which may be about 0.002 inches. For example, heel side surface 832 and toe side surface 834 converge together to form edge 830.

The overall size of the exemplary vortex generator 820 may be based on the effect of the exemplary vortex generator 820 on aerodynamic separation. For example, a vortex generator 820 whose height provides energy to the flow and reduces drag is unlikely to provide any additional benefit by increasing its height. Instead, increasing the height of the vortex generator 820 beyond what is necessary to interact with the air flow may actually increase drag by introducing more energy into the air flow.

19 shows an exemplary side view of the vortex generator 820 attached to the crown 804. The vortex generator 820 includes a vertical axis 840. The vertical axis 840 is an axis indicating the vertical direction of the vortex generator 820 when the vortex generator 820 is not attached to the crown 804. For example, the vertical axis 840 may be aligned with the direction of gravity when the vortex generator 820 is located on a flat horizontal surface. When the vortex generator 820 is attached to the crown 804, the vertical axis of the vortex generator 820 may be perpendicular to the tangent plane of the crown surface at the attachment position.

Figure 20 shows a front view of the vortex generator 820 attached to the crown. As can be seen in the front view, the vertical axis 840 of the vortex generating portion 820 is perpendicular to the tangent plane of the crown surface at the attachment position.

Because the vortex generators described herein are very small, manufacturing processes with high precision and tight tolerances may be required to properly form the vortex generators. For example, the small size of the vortex generator can effectively prevent the vortex generator from being integrated as a standard cast metal component. Accordingly, the present technology can form a recess in the crown or sole of a golf club configured to receive an inlay containing a vortex generator. Inlays can be manufactured with techniques that allow for greater precision, such as injection molding, 3D printing, etc. The inlay may then be secured to the recess via adhesive or other attachment mechanism. Accordingly, the club head can be manufactured using a casting process and the inlays can be manufactured in a separate or different manufacturing process that allows for greater precision. Additionally, the manufacturing process used to create the inlay allows the inlay to be customized while the casting process for the rest of the club head remains standardized.

21 shows a top view of an example golf club head 900 with vortex generating inserts 950, 960. More specifically, the golf club head 900 includes a trailing vortex generator inlay 950 and a front vortex generator inlay 960. The trailing vortex generator inlay 950 includes a base 951 having a plurality of trailing vortex generators 920 formed thereon. The front vortex generator inlay 960 includes a base 961 that may include a front vortex generator 962 and/or an alignment indicator 964 formed thereon. Although in this example the front vortex generator inlay 960 is described as having a vortex generator 962, in other examples the front inlay 960 may be configured to contain another or different small air structures, such as tripping structures having a height of less than about 0.1 inch. May contain mechanical features. In general, the inlays described herein can be used to support these small aerodynamic features at any location on the golf club head 900 with a corresponding recess for receiving the inlay. Golf club head 900 also includes a striking face 902, crown 904, rearmost point 916, toe side 906, and heel side 908.

FIG. 22 shows the example golf club head 900 of FIG. 21 with the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 and the leading vortex generator inlay 960 removed. Without the aft vortex generator inlay 950 and the forward vortex generator inlay 960, the aft recess 956 and the forward recess 966 are more easily visible. Aft recess 956 may have a shape consistent with one or more of the arcs 822 described above. For example, the leading edge of the trailing recess 956 may be offset from the perimeter by one of the offset distances described above with respect to the arc 822.

Front recess 966 extends over the front portion of crown 904 in the heel-toe direction. Front recess 966 may have a slight curvature to match the curvature of the front edge of crown 904. For example, front recess 966 may have a curvature similar to the horizontal face bulge radius of golf club head 900. The front edge of front recess 966 may be positioned within 0.25 inches from the front edge of crown 904.

The widths of the trailing recess 956 and the front recess 966 may be substantially the same as the widths of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 and the front vortex generator inlay 960, respectively. The width of each inlay may be based on the length of the vortex generator formed thereon. For example, the width of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 may be at least the length of the trailing vortex generator 920 formed thereon. As an example, the width of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 may be 100% to 120% of the length of the trailing vortex generator 920.

The depth of the rear recess 956 and the front recess 966 may be the same as the thickness of the base of the front vortex generator inlay 960 and the rear vortex generator inlay 950. For example, the depth of the aft recess 956 and the anterior recess 966 may be about 1 mm or between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The base 951 of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 and the base 961 of the front vortex generator inlay 960 are surfaces on which the trailing vortex generator 920 and the front vortex generator 962 can be formed, respectively. provides. By making the depth of the recesses 956, 966 substantially equal to the thickness of the bases 951, 961, the upper surfaces of the bases 951, 961 lie flush with the outer surfaces of the remaining crowns 904, This provides improved aerodynamics.

23 shows a side view of a golf club head 900 with a trailing vortex generator inlay 950. Figure 24 shows a side view of the golf club head 900 with the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 removed. Figures 23 and 24 are explained simultaneously. The base 951 of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 and the trailing vortex generator 920 protruding from the base 951 can be more easily seen. Additionally, the outline of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 can also be more easily seen. For example, the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 may be manufactured to be curved to match the shape of the trailing recess 956. The trailing vortex generator inlay 950 may also be at least partially flexible to assist in installing the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 into the trailing recess 956 .

25 shows an interior side view of golf club head 900. The thickness of the base 961 of the front vortex generator inlay 960 and the thickness of the base 951 of the rear vortex generator inlay 950 can be more easily seen in FIG. 25. Similarly, the depth of the aft recess 956 and the depth of the front recess 966 are also more easily visible. Again, by matching the depth of the recess to the thickness of the base, the upper surface of the base can lie flush with the outer surface of crown 904. The thickness of the walls and bottoms of the recesses 956 and 966 may be substantially the same as the thickness of the portion of the crown 904 surrounding the recesses 956 and 966.

26 shows a bottom view of the interior of golf club head 900. As can be seen from the drawing, the trailing recess 956 and the forward recess 966 protrude into the cavity of the exemplary golf club head 900 and toward the sole of the exemplary golf club head 900.

27A shows another example golf club head 900 with a front vortex generator inlay 960 that includes alignment protrusions 964. 27B shows an enlarged portion of a segment of golf club head 900 that includes alignment protrusions 964. Figures 27A and 27B are explained simultaneously. The front vortex generator inlay 960 is similar to the front vortex generator inlay 960 described above, but the alignment indicator 964 includes a protruding or raised alignment indicator, referred to as an alignment protrusion 964. The height of the alignment protrusion 964 may be substantially similar to the height of the front vortex generator 962.

Because the trailing vortex generator inlay 950 can be manufactured separately from the rest of the golf club head 900, the alignment protrusions 964 can be customized for a particular golfer. For example, the design, shape, size, location, and/or color of alignment protrusions 964 along front vortex generator inlay 960 may be configured by the golfer for custom manufacturing. In some examples, alignment protrusion 964 may be recessed into the base 961 of the front vortex generator inlay 960. The ability to raise or indent the alignment protrusions 964 allows for additional contrast and aids identification of the alignment protrusions 964 by the golfer.

28 shows an exemplary trailing vortex generator inlay 950 with attachment extensions 953. 29 shows a top view of a club head 900 configured to receive an exemplary vortex trailing vortex generator inlay 950 with attachment extensions 953. 30 shows an interior side view of an example golf club head 900 with a trailing vortex generator inlay 950 inserted in a trailing recess 956. Figures 28 to 30 are explained simultaneously.

The attachment extension 953 protrudes downwardly from the lower surface of the base 951 of the trailing vortex generator inlay 950. In some examples, attachment extension 953 is configured as a pin or plug with a shaft and a flange or head portion. Aft recess 956 includes a receiving hole 958 for receiving attachment extension 953. Receiving hole 958 may be a through hole in the bottom of trailing recess 956 that extends into the cavity of example golf club head 900. The location of the receiving hole 958 is such that when the aft vortex generator inlay 950 is installed into the aft recess 956, the attachment extension 953 is pushed through the receiving hole 958. is aligned with the position of When the pluggable attachment extension is inserted through the receiving hole 958, the head portion causes interference with the receiving hole to provide a fastening mechanism in addition to or as an alternative to the adhesive. Interference also aids surface alignment between the top surface of base 951 and the outer surface of crown 904.

31 shows another example golf club head 1000 with an alignment inlay 1070. Golf club head 1000 is similar to the golf club head described above. For example, the exemplary golf club head 1000 includes a striking face 1002, a crown 1004, a toe side 1006, a heel side 1008, and a rearmost point 1016. The alignment inlay 1070 is an example of a front inlay that is smaller in size than the front vortex generator inlay described above. Alignment inlay 1070 includes an alignment indicator. For example, alignment inlay 1070 can be an alignment indicator. Crown 1004 defines an anterior recess for receiving alignment inlay 1070.

32 shows an example method 1100 for manufacturing a golf club head with one or more inlays. At operation 1102, one or more recesses are formed in the club head body. For example, one or more recesses are formed in the crown and/or sole. The recess may include one or more of a trailing recess, a forward recess, and/or an alignment indicator recess, and may have a shape and configuration as described above. The club head body (eg, crown and/or sole) is formed from a first material, such as a metallic material (eg, titanium, steel, etc.). The club head body is also formed in a first manufacturing process, such as a casting process. The recess may also be formed with one or more receiving holes.

At operation 1104, one or more inlays are formed using a second manufacturing process that is different than the manufacturing process used to form the club head body at operation 1102. For example, the secondary manufacturing process may include, among others, an injection molding process or a 3D printing process. The inlay may also be formed from a second material that is different from the material used to form the club head body. As an example, the club head body may be formed from a metallic material and the inlay(s) may be formed from a non-metallic material. For example, the material of the inlay(s) may include plastic, composite, or polymer materials, among other types of materials. In another example, one or more materials of the inlay may also be metal.

The inlay(s) formed in operation 1104 may include any of the inlays described herein, such as trailing vortex generator inlays, forward vortex generator inlays, and/or alignment inlays, among others. Forming the inlay may include forming a base for the inlay and forming a vortex generator protruding from an upper surface of the base. Forming the inlay(s) may also include forming one or more attachment extensions that protrude from the lower surface of the base.

Because the inlay can be formed from a secondary manufacturing process, the inlay can be formed in a customized manner according to the golfer's needs or wishes. Additionally, inlays can be formed for specific golfer swing characteristics, such as swing speed. For example, for higher swing speeds, the trailing vortex generator inlay may have smaller (eg, shorter) vortex generators. Alternatively, for slower swing speeds, the trailing vortex generator inlay may have a larger (eg, higher) vortex generator.

In operation 1106, the inlay formed in operation 1104 is inserted into each recess formed in operation 1102. Inserting the inlay into the recess may include adding adhesive to the recess or the lower surface of the inlay to permanently attach the inlay to the recess. In examples where receiving apertures and attachment extensions are formed, inserting the inlay into the recess may also include inserting the attachment extensions through each receiving aperture.

As previously discussed, the configuration of the trailing portion of the golf club head affects the aerodynamics of the golf club head. Improvements to the aerodynamics of a golf club head, in turn, increase the swing speed of the golf club head in use. In some golf club heads, there may be a desire to remove concavities from the trailing portion of the golf club head to potentially improve the aerodynamics of the golf club head. However, changing the shape of a segment of the trailing shell of the golf club head body from concave to convex generally increases the volume of the segment and the overall volume of the golf club head. In the game of golf, strict limits on the volume of the golf club head are set by the game's governing bodies. For example, the volume of the driver may be limited to 460 cubic centimeters (cc). Therefore, some volume increase may be aerodynamically beneficial, but volume must be conserved to comply with volume constraints.

Examples of this technology utilize an asymmetric trailing portion, such as a skirt or boat tail, on a golf club to improve the aerodynamics of the golf club head while preserving its volume. The volume of the trailing slice of the golf club head varies from heel to toe and is asymmetrical about the rearmost point of the golf club head. For example, the toe side of the trailing slice may have a smaller volume than the heel side of the trailing slice. Testing has shown that increasing volume on the heel side (for example, to create a convex segment) improves aerodynamics and club head speed, while a similar volume increase on the toe side produces similar improvements in aerodynamics or club head speed. cannot provide Accordingly, by providing an asymmetric trailing slice, the aerodynamics of the golf club head can be improved without unnecessarily increasing volume at the toe side (where no aerodynamic advantage is substantially apparent).

As one specific example, in the Titleist TSi3 driver available from Acushnet Company of Fairhaven, Mass., there are two steps in the boat tail. One step has a significant component of the normal vector pointing towards the toe side of the club head substantially in the toe-to-heel direction. Other steps have normal vectors pointing in substantially different directions (eg, toward the heel side in the heel-toe direction). However, increasing the sole of these drivers can increase the area of these steps to achieve some of the boat tail configurations described herein. These steps can have a negative impact on aerodynamics due to increased flow separation. To potentially mitigate these negative aerodynamic effects, the steps can be paired to smooth out the steps. However, pairing the steps increases the volume. In testing, pairing a heel step provided substantially greater aerodynamic effect than pairing a toe step. Therefore, testing has shown that an asymmetric rear end helps maximize aerodynamic improvements while still preserving volume.

33 shows a bottom view of a golf club head 1200 with an asymmetric trailing portion. FIG. 34 shows a rear view of golf club head 1200, FIG. 35 shows a heel side view of golf club head 1200, and FIG. 36 shows a toe side view of golf club head 1200. Figures 33 to 36 are explained simultaneously. The golf club head has a striking face (1202), crown (1204), sole (1210), toe side (1206), heel side (1208), hosel (1212), skirt (1220) or boat tail, and rearmost point (1216). ) includes.

Sole 1210 and skirt 1220 have different geometries on the toe side of the rearmost point 1216 versus the heel side of the rearmost point 1216. The different geometry causes the skirt 1220 and segments of the trailing portion of the golf club head 1200 to be asymmetric about the rearmost point 1216. For example, the volume of the skirt 1220 on the toe side of the rearmost point 1216 is smaller than the volume of the skirt on the heel side of the rearmost point 1216. 34, the additional volume of the trailing portion of the example golf club head 100 on the heel side 1208 can be seen compared to the volume of the trailing portion on the toe side 1206. The shape of crown 1204 may be symmetrical about a vertical plane extending in an anterior-posterior direction through a point such as the most forward point, the center of the face, and/or the most posterior point 1216.

As an example, at a set distance from the frontmost point of the club face, the height of the sole 1210 above the ground may be different on the toe side of the rearmost point 1216 and the heel side of the rearmost point 1216. For example, as shown in Figure 34, two heights above ground level are shown. The first height above the ground is the height above the ground (H _H ) relative to the heel side of the aft portion, and the second height above the ground (H _T ) is relative to the toe side of the aft portion. The height above the ground relative to the heel side ( _H . The height above the ground (H _T ) for the toe side of the trailing portion is at 75% of the front-to-back distance of the golf club head 1200 and at 25% of the toe-to-heel distance from the rearmost point 1216 toward the toe. It is measured. In some examples, the height above the ground for the toe side (H _T ) may be at least 10%, 15%, or 20% greater than the height above the ground for the heel side (H _H ).

37 shows a top view of a golf club head 1200 with an example trailing slice 1260. The example trailing slice 1260 may be configured similarly to the trailing slice 760 described above. For example, trailing slice 1260 is the portion of golf club head 1200 that is between the outer perimeter of golf club head 1200 and offset perimeter slice curve 1252, starting at slice line 1250. Slice line 1250 runs in the heel-toe direction (e.g., parallel to the heel-toe axis) and is located at slice depth D from the most forward point of the golf club head. The cut of trailing slice 1260 begins at slice line 1250 and is perpendicular to the outer perimeter of golf club head 1200. Offset perimeter slice curve 752 is offset from the outer perimeter of golf club head 1200 by a perimeter offset distance (P). Offset perimeter slice curve 1252 follows the outline or contour of the outer perimeter at the offset location. For example, a trailing portion of golf club head 1200 substantially behind slice line 1250 may be identified. A peripheral portion offset by a perimeter-offset distance (P) from the outer perimeter of the trailing portion is extracted or identified to form or define trailing slice 1260. Trailing slice 1260 may be computationally formed or extracted by creating a three-dimensional scan of the golf club head or other computer modeling of the golf club head. In the example shown in Figure 12, the slice depth (D) is 60% of the front-to-back length of the club head 1200 measured from the most forward point of the golf club head, and the perimeter offset distance (P) is 1.0 inches.

Trailing slice 1260 also has a trailing depth measured from the most posterior point of trailing slice 760 to the most forward point of the outer perimeter of trailing slice 1260 (e.g., where the cut begins at slice line 750). It has (A). The aft depth (A) of the aft slice 1260 is equal to the difference between the front-to-back length of the club head 1200 and the slice depth (D). In the example shown in FIG. 37 , the aft depth (A) of the aft slice 1260 is equal to 40% of the front-to-back length of the club head 1200. Other values described above for slide depth (D), aft depth (A), and offset distance (P) may also be used.

38 shows a top view of an example trailing slice 1260 removed or separated from golf club head 1200. 39 shows a rear view of an example trailing slice 1260. 40 shows a toe-side view of an example aft slice 1260. 41 shows a heel side view of an example trailing slice 1260. Figures 38 to 41 are explained simultaneously.

38-41, trailing slice 1260 also includes a toe-side innermost point 1262 and a heel-side innermost point 1264. The toe-side innermost point 1262 is the lowest point of the aft slice 1260 (e.g., at the ground level) at the innermost point on the toe side of the aft slice 1260 (e.g., the point closest to the striking face 1202). is the closest point to . The heel-side innermost point 1264 is the lowest point of the trailing slice 1260 (e.g., closest to the ground) at the innermost point on the heel side of the trailing slice 1260 (e.g., closest to the striking face 1202). (near) point.

Due to the asymmetry of the trailing slice 1260, the toe-side innermost point 1262 may be positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point 1264. For example, toe-side innermost point 1262 may be positioned at an asymmetric distance D _A above a plane that is parallel to the ground plane and extends through heel-side innermost point 1264. The asymmetry distance can be at least 0.1 inch, 0.2 inch, 0.3 inch, 0.4 inch, 0.5 inch, 0.6 inch, and/or 0.7 inch and is less than 1 inch, 1.2 inch, and/or 1.4 inch. In some examples, the asymmetry distance ( _DA ) is at least 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17%, or 20% of the club head height (e.g., from the bottom of the sole to the top portion of the crown). It may be %. The greater the asymmetry distance (D _A ), the greater the volume that can be preserved on the toe side of the golf club head. For example, as can be seen in the figure, the portion of the trailing slice 1260 toward the toe side 1206 of the rearmost point 1216 is the portion of the trailing slice 1260 toward the heel side 1208 of the trailing slice 1260. ) has a smaller volume than the portion of.

42 shows a rear view of an example aft slice 1260 divided into a toe-side aft slice 1260T and a heel-side aft slice 1260H. Trailing slice 1260 is divided by a vertical plane (e.g., perpendicular to the ground plane or in the y-direction) passing through the rearmost point 1216 of trailing slice 1260. The volume of the heel side trailing slice 1260H has a larger volume than the volume of the toe side trailing slice 1260T. In some examples, the volume of heel-side aft slice 1260H is at least 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 30% greater than the volume of toe-side aft slice 1260T. You can. As previously discussed, the greater the difference in volume, the greater volume conservation that can be achieved while still improving the overall aerodynamics of the golf club head 1200.

In some examples, the sole 1210 of the toe-side aft slice 1260T includes a concave component or segment, while the heel-side aft slice 1260H does not include any concave component or segment. For example, the sole 1210 of the heel side trailing slice 1260H may be entirely convex.

43 shows a top view of golf club head 1300 with a series of cross-sectional cut lines. Golf club head 1300 may be similar to golf club head 1200 described above. For example, golf club head 1300 includes crown 1304, toe side 1306, heel side 1308, and rearmost point 1316. Golf club head 1300 may also include a trailing slice 1360.

A series of different cut lines are shown in FIG. 43 in the front-to-back direction of golf club head 1300, which can be referred to as the Z-direction. A first cut line extending through the rearmost point 1316 of the golf club head 1300 is taken at X=0. At this time, the cutting lines are taken at different intervals in the heel-toe direction, which can be referred to as the X-direction. For example, cutting lines are provided towards the toe at X=-5 mm and X=-10 mm. Cut lines are taken at 5 mm intervals from the rearmost point 1316 towards the heel. Another cut line is provided at the center of the face of the golf club head 1300, 13.4 mm toward the heel from the rearmost point 1316.

FIG. 44 shows multiple cross-sections of golf club head 1300 along the cross-sectional line of FIG. 43 . The cross section is shown from the heel view and shows the outer perimeter of the golf club head 1300 in cut section. The cross section can be considered a two-dimensional projection from the hill drawing at each cut line. For example, a cross section from the heel drawing of a golf club head is shown for cut lines at It is done.

Each cross section may be defined by the trailing area being a distance D aft from the most forward point of the golf club head at that particular cross section. In some examples, distance (D) may be the same value as slice depth (D). The aft area is a two-dimensional area in a cross-sectional projection behind the vertical plane at distance D and is bordered by the remaining aft perimeter of the golf club head. In some examples, the trailing area for a toe-side projection may be smaller than the trailing area for an equivalent heel-side projection. For example, the trailing area for a cross section at X=-10 mm may be smaller than the trailing area for a cross section at X=10 mm. Similarly, the aft area for the cross section at (1316) towards the heel may be less than 25 mm).

The height H of the skirt or boat tail above the ground plane may also be asymmetric about the rearmost point 1316. For example, the height of the skirt above the ground plane for the toe-side projection may be higher than the height for the equivalent heel-side projection. For example, the height (H) of the skirt or boat tail relative to the projection at X=25 mm may be less than the height (H) of the skirt or boat tail relative to the projection at X=-25 mm. The skirt or boat tail thickness may also be asymmetric about the rearmost point 1316. For example, the thickness of the skirt or boat tail may be greater for the heel side projection than the thickness of the equivalent toe side projection.

Although certain devices are referred to throughout this disclosure as performing certain functions, those skilled in the art will recognize that these devices are provided for illustrative purposes and that other devices may perform the functions disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. You will understand that you can be hired to perform. This disclosure describes some embodiments of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only some of the possible embodiments. However, other aspects may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of possible embodiments to those skilled in the art.

Additionally, as used in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one of Element A, Element B, or Element C" refers to Element A, Element B, Element C, Elements A and B, Elements A and C, Elements B and C. , and any of elements A, B and C. Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand the extent to which terms such as “about” or “substantially” refer to the measurement techniques used herein. To the extent that such terms may not be clearly defined or understood by those skilled in the art, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus 10%.

Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to these specific embodiments. Moreover, although different examples and embodiments may be described individually, such embodiments and examples may be combined with each other to implement the techniques described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Accordingly, specific structures, acts or media are disclosed as example embodiments only. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.

Claims (20)

It is a metal-wood type golf club head,
The striking face, which defines the leading point of the golf club head;
A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face;
It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face;
The trailing slice of the golf club head includes a rearmost point, a toe side trailing slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, and a heel side trailing slice on the heel side of the rearmost point, wherein the heel side trailing slice has a volume greater than the volume of the toe side trailing slice. wherein the trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head to the rear of the slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve,
The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, where the slice depth is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head;
A golf club head, wherein the offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe side trailing slice. 3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 10% greater than the volume of the toe side slice. According to paragraph 1,
The heel-side posterior slice includes the heel-side most medial point;
The aft slice on the toe side includes the innermost point on the toe side;
A golf club head wherein the toe-side innermost point is positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point. 5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. 5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 5% of the height of the golf club head. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a skirt having an asymmetric thickness about the rearmost point. It is a metal-wood type golf club head,
The striking face, which defines the leading point of the golf club head;
A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face;
It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face;
The trailing slice of the golf club head includes a rearmost point, a heel-side innermost point, and a toe-side innermost point, the toe-side innermost point being positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point, and the trailing slice being positioned higher above the slice. defined as the portion of the golf club head relative to the rear of the line and between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve,
The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the most forward point at a slice depth, where the slice depth is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head;
A golf club head, wherein the offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 5% of the height of the golf club head. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the trailing slice comprises a toe-side trailing slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, and a heel-side trailing slice on the heel side of the rearmost point, wherein the heel-side trailing slice has a volume greater than the volume of the toe-side trailing slice. , golf club head. 12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe side slice. 13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 20% greater than the volume of the toe side slice. 9. The golf club head of claim 8, further comprising a skirt having an asymmetric thickness about the rearmost point. It is a metal-wood type golf club head,
The striking face, which defines the leading point of the golf club head;
A sole connected to the lower side of the striking face;
It includes a crown connected to the upper side of the striking face;
The trailing slice of a golf club head is:
rearmost point;
a toe-side aft slice on the toe side of the rearmost point, the toe-side aft slice comprising a toe-side most medial point;
Includes a heel side of the most posterior point, a heel side aft slice on the heel side most medial point;
The heel-side trailing slice has a volume greater than the volume of the toe-side trailing slice, and the toe-side innermost point is positioned higher above the ground plane than the heel-side innermost point;
The trailing slice is defined as the portion of the golf club head to the rear of the slice line and is between the outer perimeter of the golf club head and the offset perimeter slice curve,
The slice line extends in the heel-toe direction and is located rearward from the frontmost point at a slice depth, where the slice depth is equal to 60% of the front-to-back length of the golf club head;
A golf club head, wherein the offset perimeter slice curve is offset from the outer perimeter of the golf club head by a perimeter offset distance of 1 inch. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the toe-side innermost point is at least 0.2 inches above the heel-side innermost point. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the toe-side innermost point is positioned above the heel-side innermost point by an asymmetric distance that is at least 10% of the height of the golf club head. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 5% greater than the volume of the toe side slice. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the volume of the heel side trailing slice is at least 20% greater than the volume of the toe side slice. 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the sole of the toe-side trailing slice includes convex segments and the sole of the heel-side trailing slice is generally convex.