US2014829A

US2014829A - Golf club

Info

Publication number: US2014829A
Application number: US667565A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard A Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-04-24
Filing date: 1933-04-24
Publication date: 1935-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1952-09-17

Description

Sept. 17, 1935. YOUNG I 2,014,32Q

GOLF CLUB Filed April 24, 1933 INVENTOR Leo/70rd 70am ATTORNEYQ Patented Sept. 17, 1935 FATENT OFFICE GOLF CLUB Leonard A. Young, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 24, 1933, Serial No. 667,565

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in golf clubs, particularly the heads of wood clubs.

In the manufacture of golf club heads of wood great care must be exercised in the selection of 6 the material in order that the completed club shall have the requisite strength, and the choice of materials in the manufacture of wood golf club heads is very restricted.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, 'to provide a. golf club head structure "comprising a wood body portion in which such body portion is so reinforced and supported that the tendency or likelihood of splitting and warping when subjected to playing conditions, such as moisture and variations in temperature, is largely overcome or minimized.

Second, to provide an improved golf club head having these advantages which may be economically produced.

Third, to provide an improved golf club head employing wood or other fibrous material in which the wood portion of the head is effectively protected. 7

Fourth, to provide an improved golf club head in which the bottom is so conformed that the tendency of the stroke to be deflected when contacting with the ground is minimized, and one in which the club is encouraged to follow through after coming in contact with the ground.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of my improved golf club, the shaft being conventionally shown and partially broken away.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section from front to rear on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the sole plate of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the accompanying drawing the body portion l of the head is formed of wood and is provided with the integral hosel 2 receiving the shaft 3. The body is conformed to provide the striking 5 face t and is suitably shaped, presenting the curved surface 5 at the heel and the curved surface ii at the nose of the club.

The wood head portion has a flat bottom surface 1 with grooves 8 therein, these grooves in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being disposed in parallel relation and longitudinally of the head, that is, in the direction from heel to toe. One of the grooves is preferably quite close to the striking face and the other well toward the rear. These grooves are inwardly tapered, that is, of inwardly tapered transverse 5 cross section, and have curved bottoms as indicated by dotted line in Fig. l. The apex of the grooves is preferably in the vertical plane of th center of the striking face.

The sole plate Hi, preferably a die casting, has 10,; ribs or flanges H which are a close fit in these grooves, the flanges being tapered in cross section so that theymay be driven into the grooves with a wedging action. The sole plate is clamped to the body by means of a screw li, a single 5;, centrally disposed screw being shown, as the ribs or flanges avoid the necessity for several screws although it will be understood that these screws may be arranged as desired.

The front edge l3 of the sole plate is of sub- 20 stantial width and lies in the plane of the striking face of the club head. The bottom of the sole plate is preferably convexly curved as shown, it being curved both longitudinally and transversely and its curvature merging into the curved 25

surfaces

5 and 6 of the body. 1

With this arrangement of grooves and flanges the sole plate is not only effectively attached to the body to sustain shocks resulting from the sole plate coming into contact with the ground but 30 the strain of such shocks upon the body is minimized. A further and perhaps more important feature is that the body is reinforced sothat its tendency to Warp and crack or check is largely overcome. 35

The body member is preferably treated with a waterproofing material, and this preserves its condition,

When formed of wood, as is my practice, the wood is, as stated, preferably treated with a waterproofing material. With such treatment, and strengthened and reinforced by a sole plate in accordance with my invention, various kinds and grades of wood may be used, whereas, at present the highest grade of wood, and very restricted in choice, is used.

By providing the club bodies with sole plates embodying my invention they are prevented from checking and warping and breakage. The attachment of the plate is such that the strains of impacts therein are distributed throughout the head and there is very little strain on the retaining screw or screws, so the tendency to loosen the screws in use is minimized. The face of the sole plate minimizes the tendency of the head to dig into the ground, with the result that the club head will more freely follow through.

The sole plates are preferably formed as die castings so that a very perfect fit can be had for the flanges with the grooves which are machined into the head; further, control and uniformity of weight is assured and the desired amount of weight can be provided in the sole plate, eliminating the necessity for back weights.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A golf club head comprising a wood body having a striking face and a fiat bottom surface with parallel transversely tapered grooves disposed longitudinally of the head and having longitudinally curved bottoms, the apex of the grooves being in approximately the plane of the vertical center of the striking face, a sole plate having ribs conformed to and fitting within said grooves, the forward edge of the plate being of substantial width and flush with the striking face of the body, the bottom of the plate being curved transversely and longitudinally of the body, the plate covering the entire fiat surface of the bottom of the body, and means clamping the plate to the body.

2. A golf club head comprising a wood body having a striking face and a flat bottom surface with parallel transversely tapered grooves disposed longitudinally of the head and having longitudinally curved bottoms, the apex of the grooves being in approximately the plane of the vertical center of the striking face, a sole plate having ribs conformed to and fitting within said grooves, the forward edge of the plate being flush with the striking face of the body.

3. A golf club head comprising a wood body having a bottom surface with parallel transversely tapered grooves disposed longitudinally of the head and having longitudinally curved bottoms approximately centered at the rear of the vertical center of the striking face, and a sole plate secured to said head and having ribs fitting within said grooves.

4. A golf club head comprising a wood body having a fiat bottom with a plurality of grooves therein, said grooves being transversely tapered and having longitudinally curved bottoms, and a sole plate secured upon said flat bottom and having ribs conformed to and closely fitting within said grooves, the bottom of the plate being convexly curved.

5. A golf club head comprising a wood body having a bottom with grooves disposed in crossing relation and centering in the plane of the vertical center of the striking face, the grooves being transversely tapered, their bottoms being longitudinally curved, and a sole plate secured to the body and having ribs conforming to the grooves and closely fitting therein.

LEONARD A. YOUNG.