US20240091603A1 - Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face - Google Patents
Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20240091603A1 US20240091603A1 US17/946,950 US202217946950A US2024091603A1 US 20240091603 A1 US20240091603 A1 US 20240091603A1 US 202217946950 A US202217946950 A US 202217946950A US 2024091603 A1 US2024091603 A1 US 2024091603A1
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- golf club
- club head
- striking face
- veil
- topline
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- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 239000004697 Polyetherimide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 229920001601 polyetherimide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000004734 Polyphenylene sulfide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000005240 physical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229920000069 polyphenylene sulfide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229920002530 polyetherether ketone Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000009713 electroplating Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- 239000002041 carbon nanotube Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910021393 carbon nanotube Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920000049 Carbon (fiber) Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 21
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 4
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 4
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
- A63B53/042—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
- A63B53/0425—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head the face insert comprising two or more different materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0408—Heads characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
- A63B53/0429—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert the face insert comprising two or more layers of material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/047—Heads iron-type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/047—Heads iron-type
- A63B53/0475—Heads iron-type with one or more enclosed cavities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/004—Striking surfaces coated with high-friction abrasive materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
- A63B60/42—Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C14/00—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material
- C23C14/22—Coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering or by ion implantation of the coating forming material characterised by the process of coating
- C23C14/34—Sputtering
- C23C14/35—Sputtering by application of a magnetic field, e.g. magnetron sputtering
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/047—Heads iron-type
- A63B2053/0479—Wedge-type clubs, details thereof
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
- A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
- A63B2225/02—Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
Definitions
- This invention relates to golf club heads, and in particular, abrasion resistant material applied to the striking face.
- Effectively transferring the energy generated by the golfer onto a golf ball in order to hit a golf ball further may be largely related to the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) between the golf club and the golf ball.
- the COR between a golf club and a golf ball may generally relate to a fractional value representing the ratio of velocities of the objects before and after they impact each other.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,994 to De Shiell et al. provides one good example that explains this COR concept by discussing how a golf club head utilizing a thinner striking face may deflect more when impacting a golf ball to result in a higher COR; which results in greater travel distance.
- 5,058,895 to Igarashi utilizes weights at the rear toe, rear center, and real heel portion of the golf club head as one of the ways to increase the MOI of the golf club head, which in turn allows the golf club to hit a golf ball straighter. It should be noted that although the additional weights around the rear perimeter of the golf club head may increase the MOI of the golf club, these weights cannot be added freely without concern for the overall weight of the golf club head. Because it may be undesirable to add to the overall weight of the golf club head, adding weight to the rear portion of the golf club head will generally require that same amount of weight to be eliminated from other areas of the golf club head.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,538 to Vincent et al. shows an alternative way to remove unnecessary weight from the striking face of a golf club by utilizing a fiber-based composite material.
- fiber-based composite materials may generally have a density that is less than the density of traditional metals such as steel or titanium, the simple substitute of this fiber-based composite material alone will generate a significant amount of discretionary weight that can be used to improve the MOI of a golf club.
- Fiber-based composite materials because of their relatively lightweight characteristics, tend to be desirable removing weight from various portions of the golf club head. However, because the durability of such a lightweight fiber-based composite material can be inferior compared to a metallic type material, completely replacing the striking face of a golf club with the lightweight fiber-based composite material could sacrifice the durability of the golf club head.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,712 to Chao et al. discloses one way to improve the durability of striking face made out of a fiber-based composite material by using a metallic cap to encompass the fiber-based composite material used to construct the striking plate of the golf club head.
- the metallic cap aids in resisting wear of the striking face that results from repeated impacts with a golf ball, while the rim around the side edges of the metallic ring further protects the composite from peeling and delaminating.
- the utilization of a metallic cap although helps improve the durability of the striking face of the golf club head, may not be a viable solution, as severe impact could dislodge the fiber-based composite from the cap.
- utilizing composite materials to form the striking face of a golf club offers additional challenges. More specifically, one of the major design hurdles arises when a designer attempts to bond a fiber-based composite material to a metallic material, especially at a location that is subjected to high stress levels normally generated when a golf club hits a golf ball. Finally, the usage of composite type materials to form the striking face portion of the golf club head may also be undesirable because it alters the sound and feel of a golf club away from what a golfer are accustomed to, deterring a golfer from such a product.
- the present invention is directed to improving the abrasion resistance of the striking face of a golf club head without compromising COR or generating unnecessary weight in the club head by applying abrasion resistant material to the striking face.
- Abrasion resistant material can be applied to the striking face by treating, coating, layering or otherwise, integrating the abrasion material onto the striking face.
- abrasion material can be applied to the golf club striking face by electroplating with a metal, such as chromium.
- a physical vapor deposition can further be applied to the electroplated striking face.
- a veil in another embodiment, can be applied to the striking face by co-molding the veil to a composite striking face.
- the veiled striking face can optionally be further electroplated with a metal, such as chromium.
- a physical vapor deposition can then be applied to the veiled, electroplated striking face.
- a single veil or a combination of veils can be applied directly to the striking face with our without further treatment.
- the veil can comprise compounds, such as aramid, polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), metals, such as copper, carbon, such as carbon nanotubes, and the like, and any combination thereof.
- FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a front elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows a partially exploded, cross-sectional view taken along line 2 - 2 of an embodiment of the golf club head shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a golf club head 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
- the golf club head 100 can be any of the various irons (including wedges and hybrids) used in the game of golf, such as the 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron, the pitching wedge, sand wedge, and the like, as well as drivers. As shown in FIGS.
- the golf club head 100 comprises a body 101 having a sole 102 ; a topline 104 opposite the sole 102 ; a toe portion 106 adjacent to the sole 102 and the topline 104 ; a heel portion 108 opposite the toe portion 106 and adjacent to the sole 102 and the topline 104 ; a back portion 114 adjacent to the sole 102 , the topline 104 , the toe portion 106 , and the heel portion 108 ; and a hosel 110 adjacent to the heel portion 108 and the topline 104 .
- the hosel 110 defines a longitudinal shaft axis and is configured to receive a shaft.
- the golf club head 100 further comprises a striking face 112 opposite the back portion 114 , and adjacent to the sole 102 , the topline 104 , the toe portion 106 , and the heel portion 108 .
- the striking face 112 is further characterized with a plurality of horizontal scorelines 118 , which help control the spin of a golf ball that comes in contact with the striking face 112 of the golf club head 100 .
- the striking face portion will be referred to as the front side of the golf club head 100 .
- the striking face 102 is located at a frontal portion of the golf club head 100 .
- the back portion 114 is located opposite the striking face portion 112 ;
- the topline 104 is located at an upper portion of the golf club head 100 ;
- the heel portion 108 is located at a proximal end of the golf club head 100 ;
- the toe portion 106 is located at a distal end of the golf club head 100 opposite the heel portion 108 ;
- the sole 102 is located at a lower portion of the golf club head 100 opposite the topline 104 .
- An axis of origin 12 is provided (for reference only for ease and clarity of description) indicating the x-y-z direction relative to the golf club head 100 in the examples provided.
- FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded, cross sectional view from the toe-side taken along line 2 - 2 of a simplified embodiment of the golf club head 100 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the golf club head 100 comprises a leading edge 120 located approximately where the striking face 112 meets the sole 102 ; a trailing edge 122 adjacent to the back portion 114 and the sole 102 .
- the leading edge 120 can be defined in the current application as approximately the most forward edge of the golf club head 100 , with the hosel 110 in an upright 90 degree (perpendicular) position from a ground plane 10 (in the front-to-back, z-axis direction).
- the ground plane 10 is an imaginary plane located and in contact with the lowest portion of the golf club head 100 , and mimics the surface of the ground upon which the golf ball would lie.
- This leading edge 120 is then defined as approximately the forward most edge along the z-axis (as indicated by the axis of origin 12 ) generally where the striking face 112 meets the sole 102 .
- FIG. 1 In addition to illustrating the leading edge 120 , FIG.
- the trailing edge 122 which is defined as approximately the most rearward edge of the sole portion 102 of the golf club head 100 , again with the hosel 110 in a 90 degree (perpendicular) position from the ground plane 12 (in the front-to-back, z-axis direction).
- the trailing edge 122 is then defined as approximately the most rearward edge of the sole portion 106 along the z-axis, (referring back to the origin 201 ) generally where the sole 102 and the back portion 114 meet.
- the invention of the present application incorporates improvements to the striking face 112 that dramatically improves abrasion resistance of the golf club head 100 without adding substantial weight to the golf club head 100 by applying abrasion resistant material to the striking face 112 .
- the striking face 112 is a composite material.
- the striking face 112 can be integrally formed with the body 101 as a single piece.
- the striking face 112 is in the form of an insert, as shown in FIG. 2 , that can be fastened to the body 101 , for example, with adhesives, although other fasteners can be used.
- the body 101 of the golf club head 100 can have an open face surrounded by a lip 130 onto which the striking face 112 can be attached.
- the lip 130 can be about 1 mm to about 10 mm in width W to provide sufficient surface area for the striking face 112 to attach.
- the width of the lip 130 can be about 1.5 mm to about 7 mm wide. More preferably, the width W of the lip 130 can be about 2 mm to about 5 mm wide.
- the width W of the lip 130 can be variable at different locations.
- the striking face 112 can have a thickness T that is constant throughout the face or variable.
- Example embodiments of the striking face 112 for the present invention can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022/0227028 to Deshmukh et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference.
- the insert for the striking face 112 can comprise resin composites.
- the insert can comprise thermoplastic resin, such as thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) made by Stratasys under the trademark ULTEMTM.
- PEI thermoplastic polyetherimide
- the striking face 112 can comprise a unidirectional carbon fiber layup to reduce the weight of the insert.
- striking face 112 can comprise a thermoset carbon fiber composite.
- the remainder of the body 101 can be a steel body.
- the body 101 can be made of other traditional materials used for golf clubs.
- an abrasion resistant material can be applied to the striking face 112 that result in the abrasion resistant material being coated, treated, layered, or otherwise integrated onto the striking face.
- the abrasion resistant material can be applied to the striking face 112 of the golf club head 100 using an electroplating technique to create a plated layer 140 .
- the plating process comprises chromium, resulting in a chrome plated striking face 112 .
- Standard electroplating techniques can be used.
- the striking face 112 can be placed in an electrolytic cell having an electrolytic solution, an anode, and a cathode.
- a DC battery can be connected to the anode and the cathode.
- the striking face 112 can function as the cathode or be connected to the cathode, and the metal used to plate the striking face 112 , such as chromium, can function as the anode or be connected to the anode.
- the electrolytic solution can be a salt of the metal that is being used for the plating.
- the metal ions from the anode travel through the electrolytic solution to the striking face 112 creating a thin plated layer 140 of plating on the striking face 112 .
- the plating layer 140 can be applied directly to the striking face 112 .
- a veil 142 may be applied to the striking face 112 and the plating applied to the veil 142 .
- the veil 142 can provide better adherence of the plating layer 140 to the striking face 112 .
- a veil 142 can be applied to the composite striking face 112 by co-molding the composite striking face 112 with the veil 142 .
- the veil 142 is a conductive veil. More preferably, the veil 142 is a carbon veil or a glass veil.
- the plating can be applied directly to the veil 142 .
- An example of a carbon veil is the Optiveil® manufactured by Technical Fibre Products Inc. Having a conductive veil co-molded with the striking face 112 enables the plating, and in particular, chrome plating, to better adhere to the surface of the striking face 112 .
- the areal weight can be about 4 g/m 2 to about 34 g/m 2 .
- the thickness of the veil can be about 0.12 mm to about 0.20 mm with an areal weight of about 0.3 g/m 2 to about 0.5 g/m 2 .
- the thickness of the veil can be about 0.17 mm with an areal weight of about 0.4 g/m 2 .
- the veil 142 can be applied to the striking face 112 with a coating comprising aramid, polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), metals such as copper, carbon such as carbon nanotubes, or the like, or any combination thereof.
- a carbon nanotube coating can be applied for aesthetics, and a PEI or PPS coating can be applied for improved abrasion resistance.
- the veil coating can be applied directly to the striking face 112 .
- the golf club head 100 comprises a physical vapor deposition (PVD) layer 144 applied to the striking face 112 .
- PVD physical vapor deposition
- the striking face 112 can be placed in a chamber with a source material, generally in solid form. Energy can be applied to the source material to produce metal vapors from the source material. The vapor then travels within the chamber and condenses on the striking face 112 creating a thin layer of the vapor deposition on the striking face 112 .
- the chamber is generally in a vacuum state, and can be back-filled with other gases (nitrogen, oxygen, methane, argon, and the like, and any combination thereof) to create the desired properties or appearance on the striking face 112 .
- the energy applied to the source material can be from a cathodic arc source (e.g., plasma energy), magnetron sputtering (thermal energy), or other known energy sources used in PVD.
- Energy such as from a DC power supply, can also be applied to the striking face 112 to charge the striking face 112 to improve the attraction of the metal vapors to the striking face 112 .
- the PVD layer 144 can be applied directly to the striking face 112 , to a plated layer 140 , or to a veil 142 .
- the striking face 112 can be electroplated to create a plated layer 140 directly on the striking face 112 , co-molded with a veil 142 then electroplated, coated with a veil 142 and electroplated to add a plated layer 140 , and in any of the aforementioned embodiments, treated further with physical vapor deposition.
- any abrasion resistant material disclosed herein i.e., plating, veils, and physical vapor depositions
- FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a setup used to validate and test the abrasion resistance of a golf club head in accordance with the present invention.
- the abrasion resistance properties of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention is tested using a Taber® Linear Abraser (Abrader)—Model 5750 (hereinafter “Abraser 302 ”), the steps of the testing procedure is outlined below.
- Abraser 302 Taber® Linear Abraser
- the Abraser 350 is set at a predetermined preset speed of 25 cycles per minute via the Preset Speed Buttons 352 on the Abraser 350 . Once the speed is set to the appropriate speed of 25 cycles per minute, the base load of the Abraser 350 is set to approximately 350 grams, as the base load will affect the amount of abrasion that is applied by the Abraser 350 . In this current exemplary embodiment, to achieve the base load of approximately 350 grams, 3 different components are attached to the distal end of a movement arm 353 to create the load weight.
- a weight support 354 is selected to have a mass of about 167 grams
- a spline shaft 356 is selected to have a mass of about 85 grams
- a weraser collet 358 is selected to have a mass of about 98 grams, all connecting to the movement arm 353 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the feet 360 of the Abraser 350 are adjusted to make sure the entire Abrasaer 350 is level with the air bubble in the center of the indicator.
- the wearaser 362 is inserted to the bottom of the collet kit 358 to prepare the Abraser 350 for engaging a golf club head.
- the wearaser 362 is a Taber® CS-17 Calibrase abrasive wheel for Taber® industries, bearing part number 125322, having a medium-coarse abrading action.
- the wearaser 362 is installed so that it extends 0.100 inch from the bottom of the collet 358 .
- the stroke length of the Abraser 302 is set to a 0.5 inch using the stroke length adjuster 364 , which is attached to the proximal end of the movement arm 353 .
- the stroke length adjuster 364 in the Abraser 302 is protected by a cover 366 which opens to reveal the stroke length adjuster 364 .
- the stroke length adjuster 364 converts the rotational movement of the Abraser 302 into a translational movement of the movement arm 353 to conduct the testing.
- FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of the collet kit 358 and the wearaser 362 portion of the Abraser 350 as well as iron type golf club head 300 for the abrasion testing in accordance with the current invention.
- the golf club head 300 is attached to a magnetic base 368 , with a surface of the golf club head 300 engaging the wearaser 362 that is attached to the collet kit 358 .
- the movement of the movement arm 353 will engage the golf club head 300 linearly for 10 cycles, and the golf club head 300 containing the veil 142 (shown in FIG.
- the key variable here to focus on is number of cycles for which the golf club head 300 shows a scratch, which the current methodology defines as the Abrasion Count. Should the golf club head 300 not exhibit any signs of a scratch after 10 cycles, the maximum number of 10 cycles is used for the Abrasion Count.
- a golf club head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may generally have a Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio of less than about 0.4, more preferably less than about 0.1, even more preferably less than about 0.025, and most preferably less than about 0.005.
- the Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio defined by Eq. (1) below:
- Thickness ⁇ to ⁇ Abrasion ⁇ Count ⁇ Ratio Thickness ⁇ of ⁇ Veil ⁇ 142 Abrasion ⁇ Count Eq . ( 1 )
- the current golf club head 100 containing the abrasion resistant material disclosed herein may also exhibit an improved Characteristic Time (CT) to COR relationship. More details about the CT to COR relationship can be found in the discussion relating to CT slope found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022/0227028 to Deshmukh et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- CT Characteristic Time
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Abstract
A golf club head having a striking face having improved abrasion resistance by applying abrasion resistant material to the striking face. Applying abrasion resistant material to the striking face can include the use of electroplating a metal onto the striking face, such as chromium. The striking face can be co-molded with a conductive veil to improve the electroplating process. A physical vapor deposition layer can be further applied to the striking face. Alternatively, a veil can be applied directly to the striking face without electroplating. The veil can be made from compounds such as carbon, aramid, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, polypropylene, and metals, such as copper.
Description
- This invention relates to golf club heads, and in particular, abrasion resistant material applied to the striking face.
- In order to improve the performance of a golf club, golf club designers have constantly struggled with finding different golf club configurations that can hit a golf ball longer and straighter. Designing a golf club that hits a golf ball longer may generally require an improvement in the ability of the golf club head to effectively transfer the energy generated by the golfer onto a golf ball via the golf club. Hitting a golf ball straighter, on the other hand, will generally require an improvement in the ability of the golf club to keep the golf ball on a relatively straight path even if the golf ball is struck off-center; as a golf ball that is struck at the center of the golf club head will generally maintain a relatively straight flight path.
- Effectively transferring the energy generated by the golfer onto a golf ball in order to hit a golf ball further may be largely related to the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) between the golf club and the golf ball. The COR between a golf club and a golf ball may generally relate to a fractional value representing the ratio of velocities of the objects before and after they impact each other. U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,994 to De Shiell et al. provides one good example that explains this COR concept by discussing how a golf club head utilizing a thinner striking face may deflect more when impacting a golf ball to result in a higher COR; which results in greater travel distance.
- Being able to hit a golf ball relatively straight even when the club strikes a golf ball at a location that is offset from the center of the striking face may generally involve the ability of the golf club to resist rotational twisting; a phenomenon that occurs naturally during off-center hits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,895 to Igarashi goes into more detail on this concept by discussing the advantages of creating a golf club with a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI), which is a way to quantify the ability of a golf club to resist rotational twisting when it strikes a golf ball at a location that is offset from the geometric center of the golf club head. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,895 to Igarashi utilizes weights at the rear toe, rear center, and real heel portion of the golf club head as one of the ways to increase the MOI of the golf club head, which in turn allows the golf club to hit a golf ball straighter. It should be noted that although the additional weights around the rear perimeter of the golf club head may increase the MOI of the golf club, these weights cannot be added freely without concern for the overall weight of the golf club head. Because it may be undesirable to add to the overall weight of the golf club head, adding weight to the rear portion of the golf club head will generally require that same amount of weight to be eliminated from other areas of the golf club head.
- Based on the two above examples, it can be seen that removing weight from the striking face of the golf club head not only allows the golf club head to have a thinner face with a higher COR, the weight removed can be placed at a more optimal location to increase the MOI of the golf club head. One of the earlier attempts to remove unnecessary weight from the striking face of a golf club can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,682 to Schmidt et al. wherein the striking face of a golf club head has a variable thickness by making the part of the striking face that is not subjected to the direct impact thinner.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,538 to Vincent et al. shows an alternative way to remove unnecessary weight from the striking face of a golf club by utilizing a fiber-based composite material. Because fiber-based composite materials may generally have a density that is less than the density of traditional metals such as steel or titanium, the simple substitute of this fiber-based composite material alone will generate a significant amount of discretionary weight that can be used to improve the MOI of a golf club. Fiber-based composite materials, because of their relatively lightweight characteristics, tend to be desirable removing weight from various portions of the golf club head. However, because the durability of such a lightweight fiber-based composite material can be inferior compared to a metallic type material, completely replacing the striking face of a golf club with the lightweight fiber-based composite material could sacrifice the durability of the golf club head.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,712 to Chao et al. discloses one way to improve the durability of striking face made out of a fiber-based composite material by using a metallic cap to encompass the fiber-based composite material used to construct the striking plate of the golf club head. The metallic cap aids in resisting wear of the striking face that results from repeated impacts with a golf ball, while the rim around the side edges of the metallic ring further protects the composite from peeling and delaminating. The utilization of a metallic cap, although helps improve the durability of the striking face of the golf club head, may not be a viable solution, as severe impact could dislodge the fiber-based composite from the cap.
- In addition to the durability concerns of the fiber resin matrix itself, utilizing composite materials to form the striking face of a golf club offers additional challenges. More specifically, one of the major design hurdles arises when a designer attempts to bond a fiber-based composite material to a metallic material, especially at a location that is subjected to high stress levels normally generated when a golf club hits a golf ball. Finally, the usage of composite type materials to form the striking face portion of the golf club head may also be undesirable because it alters the sound and feel of a golf club away from what a golfer are accustomed to, deterring a golfer from such a product.
- Ultimately, despite all of the attempt to improve the performance of a golf club head by experimenting with alternative face materials, the prior art lacks a way to create a striking face that saves weight, improves COR, and is sufficiently durable without sacrificing the sound and feel of the golf club head. Hence, as it can be seen from above, there is a need in the field for a golf club head having a fiber based composite striking face that can save weight, improve the COR of the golf club head, and can endure the high stress levels created by the impact with a golf ball, all without sacrificing the sound and feel of the golf club head.
- The present invention is directed to improving the abrasion resistance of the striking face of a golf club head without compromising COR or generating unnecessary weight in the club head by applying abrasion resistant material to the striking face. Abrasion resistant material can be applied to the striking face by treating, coating, layering or otherwise, integrating the abrasion material onto the striking face. In one aspect of the present invention, abrasion material can be applied to the golf club striking face by electroplating with a metal, such as chromium. A physical vapor deposition can further be applied to the electroplated striking face.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a veil can be applied to the striking face by co-molding the veil to a composite striking face. The veiled striking face can optionally be further electroplated with a metal, such as chromium. A physical vapor deposition can then be applied to the veiled, electroplated striking face.
- In another embodiment of the present invention, a single veil or a combination of veils can be applied directly to the striking face with our without further treatment. The veil can comprise compounds, such as aramid, polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), metals, such as copper, carbon, such as carbon nanotubes, and the like, and any combination thereof.
- These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
-
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a front elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows a partially exploded, cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of an embodiment of the golf club head shown inFIG. 1 . - The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of agolf club head 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thegolf club head 100 can be any of the various irons (including wedges and hybrids) used in the game of golf, such as the 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron, the pitching wedge, sand wedge, and the like, as well as drivers. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , thegolf club head 100 comprises abody 101 having a sole 102; atopline 104 opposite thesole 102; atoe portion 106 adjacent to the sole 102 and thetopline 104; aheel portion 108 opposite thetoe portion 106 and adjacent to the sole 102 and thetopline 104; aback portion 114 adjacent to thesole 102, thetopline 104, thetoe portion 106, and theheel portion 108; and ahosel 110 adjacent to theheel portion 108 and thetopline 104. Thehosel 110 defines a longitudinal shaft axis and is configured to receive a shaft. Thegolf club head 100 further comprises astriking face 112 opposite theback portion 114, and adjacent to the sole 102, thetopline 104, thetoe portion 106, and theheel portion 108. Thestriking face 112 is further characterized with a plurality ofhorizontal scorelines 118, which help control the spin of a golf ball that comes in contact with thestriking face 112 of thegolf club head 100. - For ease of description, the striking face portion will be referred to as the front side of the
golf club head 100. As such, thestriking face 102 is located at a frontal portion of thegolf club head 100. As a result, theback portion 114 is located opposite thestriking face portion 112; thetopline 104 is located at an upper portion of thegolf club head 100; theheel portion 108 is located at a proximal end of thegolf club head 100; thetoe portion 106 is located at a distal end of thegolf club head 100 opposite theheel portion 108; and the sole 102 is located at a lower portion of thegolf club head 100 opposite thetopline 104. An axis oforigin 12 is provided (for reference only for ease and clarity of description) indicating the x-y-z direction relative to thegolf club head 100 in the examples provided. -
FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded, cross sectional view from the toe-side taken along line 2-2 of a simplified embodiment of thegolf club head 100 shown inFIG. 1 . As shown inFIG. 2 , thegolf club head 100 comprises a leadingedge 120 located approximately where thestriking face 112 meets the sole 102; atrailing edge 122 adjacent to theback portion 114 and the sole 102. - The leading
edge 120 can be defined in the current application as approximately the most forward edge of thegolf club head 100, with thehosel 110 in an upright 90 degree (perpendicular) position from a ground plane 10 (in the front-to-back, z-axis direction). (Theground plane 10 is an imaginary plane located and in contact with the lowest portion of thegolf club head 100, and mimics the surface of the ground upon which the golf ball would lie.) Thisleading edge 120 is then defined as approximately the forward most edge along the z-axis (as indicated by the axis of origin 12) generally where thestriking face 112 meets the sole 102. In addition to illustrating theleading edge 120,FIG. 2 shows the trailingedge 122, which is defined as approximately the most rearward edge of thesole portion 102 of thegolf club head 100, again with thehosel 110 in a 90 degree (perpendicular) position from the ground plane 12 (in the front-to-back, z-axis direction). The trailingedge 122 is then defined as approximately the most rearward edge of thesole portion 106 along the z-axis, (referring back to the origin 201) generally where the sole 102 and theback portion 114 meet. - The invention of the present application incorporates improvements to the
striking face 112 that dramatically improves abrasion resistance of thegolf club head 100 without adding substantial weight to thegolf club head 100 by applying abrasion resistant material to thestriking face 112. Preferably, thestriking face 112 is a composite material. - In some embodiments, the
striking face 112 can be integrally formed with thebody 101 as a single piece. In the preferred embodiment, thestriking face 112 is in the form of an insert, as shown inFIG. 2 , that can be fastened to thebody 101, for example, with adhesives, although other fasteners can be used. As such, thebody 101 of thegolf club head 100 can have an open face surrounded by alip 130 onto which thestriking face 112 can be attached. Thelip 130 can be about 1 mm to about 10 mm in width W to provide sufficient surface area for thestriking face 112 to attach. Preferably, the width of thelip 130 can be about 1.5 mm to about 7 mm wide. More preferably, the width W of thelip 130 can be about 2 mm to about 5 mm wide. In some embodiments, the width W of thelip 130 can be variable at different locations. Thestriking face 112 can have a thickness T that is constant throughout the face or variable. Example embodiments of thestriking face 112 for the present invention can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022/0227028 to Deshmukh et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference. - In the preferred embodiment, the insert for the
striking face 112 can comprise resin composites. By way of example only, the insert can comprise thermoplastic resin, such as thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) made by Stratasys under the trademark ULTEM™. In some embodiments, thestriking face 112 can comprise a unidirectional carbon fiber layup to reduce the weight of the insert. In some embodiments,striking face 112 can comprise a thermoset carbon fiber composite. In the preferred embodiment, the remainder of thebody 101 can be a steel body. In some embodiments, thebody 101 can be made of other traditional materials used for golf clubs. - In the present invention, an abrasion resistant material can be applied to the
striking face 112 that result in the abrasion resistant material being coated, treated, layered, or otherwise integrated onto the striking face. In some embodiments, the abrasion resistant material can be applied to thestriking face 112 of thegolf club head 100 using an electroplating technique to create a platedlayer 140. Preferably, the plating process comprises chromium, resulting in a chrome platedstriking face 112. Standard electroplating techniques can be used. By way of example only, thestriking face 112 can be placed in an electrolytic cell having an electrolytic solution, an anode, and a cathode. A DC battery can be connected to the anode and the cathode. Thestriking face 112 can function as the cathode or be connected to the cathode, and the metal used to plate thestriking face 112, such as chromium, can function as the anode or be connected to the anode. The electrolytic solution can be a salt of the metal that is being used for the plating. When the battery is turned on, the metal ions from the anode travel through the electrolytic solution to thestriking face 112 creating a thin platedlayer 140 of plating on thestriking face 112. In some embodiments, theplating layer 140 can be applied directly to thestriking face 112. In other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2 , aveil 142 may be applied to thestriking face 112 and the plating applied to theveil 142. Theveil 142 can provide better adherence of theplating layer 140 to thestriking face 112. - For example, a
veil 142 can be applied to the compositestriking face 112 by co-molding the compositestriking face 112 with theveil 142. Preferably, theveil 142 is a conductive veil. More preferably, theveil 142 is a carbon veil or a glass veil. In embodiments with aveil 142, the plating can be applied directly to theveil 142. An example of a carbon veil is the Optiveil® manufactured by Technical Fibre Products Inc. Having a conductive veil co-molded with thestriking face 112 enables the plating, and in particular, chrome plating, to better adhere to the surface of thestriking face 112. This technique results in a verythin veil layer 142 having a thickness from about 0.05 mm to about 0.40 mm. In addition, the areal weight can be about 4 g/m2 to about 34 g/m2. In some embodiments, the thickness of the veil can be about 0.12 mm to about 0.20 mm with an areal weight of about 0.3 g/m2 to about 0.5 g/m2. In some embodiments, the thickness of the veil can be about 0.17 mm with an areal weight of about 0.4 g/m2. By contrast, using an injection molding resin onto which chrome plating can be applied results in a resin layer that is over 1 mm. - In some embodiments, the
veil 142 can be applied to thestriking face 112 with a coating comprising aramid, polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), metals such as copper, carbon such as carbon nanotubes, or the like, or any combination thereof. For example, in one embodiment, a carbon nanotube coating can be applied for aesthetics, and a PEI or PPS coating can be applied for improved abrasion resistance. In some embodiments, the veil coating can be applied directly to thestriking face 112. - In some embodiments, the
golf club head 100 comprises a physical vapor deposition (PVD)layer 144 applied to thestriking face 112. By way of example only, thestriking face 112 can be placed in a chamber with a source material, generally in solid form. Energy can be applied to the source material to produce metal vapors from the source material. The vapor then travels within the chamber and condenses on thestriking face 112 creating a thin layer of the vapor deposition on thestriking face 112. The chamber is generally in a vacuum state, and can be back-filled with other gases (nitrogen, oxygen, methane, argon, and the like, and any combination thereof) to create the desired properties or appearance on thestriking face 112. The energy applied to the source material can be from a cathodic arc source (e.g., plasma energy), magnetron sputtering (thermal energy), or other known energy sources used in PVD. Energy, such as from a DC power supply, can also be applied to thestriking face 112 to charge thestriking face 112 to improve the attraction of the metal vapors to thestriking face 112. ThePVD layer 144 can be applied directly to thestriking face 112, to a platedlayer 140, or to aveil 142. - As such, the
striking face 112 can be electroplated to create a platedlayer 140 directly on thestriking face 112, co-molded with aveil 142 then electroplated, coated with aveil 142 and electroplated to add a platedlayer 140, and in any of the aforementioned embodiments, treated further with physical vapor deposition. - In some embodiments, any abrasion resistant material disclosed herein (i.e., plating, veils, and physical vapor depositions), alone or in any combination, can be applied to the
striking face 112 only, applied to thestriking face 112 and the sole 102, or applied to thestriking face 112 and theentire body 101. - Because the improved abrasion of the golf club head is so critical to the present invention,
FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a setup used to validate and test the abrasion resistance of a golf club head in accordance with the present invention. The abrasion resistance properties of the golf club head in accordance with the present invention is tested using a Taber® Linear Abraser (Abrader)—Model 5750 (hereinafter “Abraser 302”), the steps of the testing procedure is outlined below. - Before the testing begins, the
Abraser 350 is set at a predetermined preset speed of 25 cycles per minute via the PresetSpeed Buttons 352 on theAbraser 350. Once the speed is set to the appropriate speed of 25 cycles per minute, the base load of theAbraser 350 is set to approximately 350 grams, as the base load will affect the amount of abrasion that is applied by theAbraser 350. In this current exemplary embodiment, to achieve the base load of approximately 350 grams, 3 different components are attached to the distal end of amovement arm 353 to create the load weight. More specifically, aweight support 354 is selected to have a mass of about 167 grams, aspline shaft 356 is selected to have a mass of about 85 grams, and aweraser collet 358 is selected to have a mass of about 98 grams, all connecting to themovement arm 353 as shown inFIG. 3 . - Once the speed of the
Abraser 350 is set and the base load of theAbraser 350 is established above, thefeet 360 of theAbraser 350 are adjusted to make sure theentire Abrasaer 350 is level with the air bubble in the center of the indicator. Subsequent to the leveling of theAbraser 350, thewearaser 362 is inserted to the bottom of thecollet kit 358 to prepare theAbraser 350 for engaging a golf club head. In this testing procedure, thewearaser 362 is a Taber® CS-17 Calibrase abrasive wheel for Taber® industries, bearing part number 125322, having a medium-coarse abrading action. Thewearaser 362 is installed so that it extends 0.100 inch from the bottom of thecollet 358. - Subsequent to the installation of the
wearaser 362, the stroke length of the Abraser 302 is set to a 0.5 inch using thestroke length adjuster 364, which is attached to the proximal end of themovement arm 353. Thestroke length adjuster 364 in the Abraser 302 is protected by a cover 366 which opens to reveal thestroke length adjuster 364. Thestroke length adjuster 364 converts the rotational movement of the Abraser 302 into a translational movement of themovement arm 353 to conduct the testing. - Once the stroke length of the
Abraser 350 is set, the golf club can be fixtured to theAbraser 350 to begin testing.FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows an enlarged view of thecollet kit 358 and thewearaser 362 portion of theAbraser 350 as well as iron typegolf club head 300 for the abrasion testing in accordance with the current invention. In the enlarged view shown inFIG. 4 , thegolf club head 300 is attached to amagnetic base 368, with a surface of thegolf club head 300 engaging thewearaser 362 that is attached to thecollet kit 358. The movement of themovement arm 353 will engage thegolf club head 300 linearly for 10 cycles, and thegolf club head 300 containing the veil 142 (shown inFIG. 1 ). The key variable here to focus on is number of cycles for which thegolf club head 300 shows a scratch, which the current methodology defines as the Abrasion Count. Should thegolf club head 300 not exhibit any signs of a scratch after 10 cycles, the maximum number of 10 cycles is used for the Abrasion Count. - A golf club head in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may generally have a Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio of less than about 0.4, more preferably less than about 0.1, even more preferably less than about 0.025, and most preferably less than about 0.005. The Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio defined by Eq. (1) below:
-
- Applying the test described above on striking
surfaces 112 comprising aramid, PEI, PPS, PEEK, copper, or carbon coating, in particular, passed the abrasion test. The currentgolf club head 100 containing the abrasion resistant material disclosed herein, in addition to all the benefits discussed above, may also exhibit an improved Characteristic Time (CT) to COR relationship. More details about the CT to COR relationship can be found in the discussion relating to CT slope found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022/0227028 to Deshmukh et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. - The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.
Claims (19)
1. A golf club head, comprising:
a) a body having a back portion; a topline located at an upper portion of the golf club head; a heel portion located at a proximal end of the golf club head; a hosel adjacent to the heel portion and the topline, the hosel defining a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a shaft; a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head opposite the heel portion; a sole located at a lower portion of the golf club head opposite the topline;
b) a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head opposite the back, the striking face having a plurality of scorelines, wherein the striking face is a composite face insert; and
c) an electroplated layer on the composite face insert.
2. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the electroplated layer comprises chromium.
3. The golf club head of claim 2 , further comprising a veil co-molded with the striking face.
4. The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the veil has a thickness ranging from about 0.05 mm to about 0.40 mm.
5. The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the veil has an areal weight from about 4 grams per square meter to about 34 grams per square meter.
6. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the veil is selected from the group consisting of a carbon veil and a glass veil.
7. The golf club head of claim 6 , further comprising a physical vapor deposition layer on the striking face.
8. The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the electroplating layer further covers at least the sole.
9. The golf club head of claim 8 , wherein the physical vapor deposition layer further covers at least the sole.
10. A golf club head, comprising:
a) a body having a back portion; a topline located at an upper portion of the golf club head; a heel portion located at a proximal end of the golf club head; a hosel adjacent to the heel portion and the topline, the hosel defining a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a shaft; a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head opposite the heel portion; a sole located at a lower portion of the golf club head opposite the topline;
b) a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head opposite the back, the striking face having a plurality of scorelines, wherein the striking face comprises a carbon fiber composite; and
c) a veil applied to the striking face.
11. The golf club of claim 10 , wherein the veil comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of aramid, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and metal.
12. The golf club of claim 11 , wherein the striking face is treated with carbon nanotubes, polyetherimide, and polyphenylene sulfide.
13. A golf club head comprising:
a) a body having a back portion; a topline located at an upper portion of the golf club head; a heel portion located at a proximal end of the golf club head; a hosel adjacent to the heel portion and the topline, the hosel defining a longitudinal axis and configured to receive a shaft; a toe portion located at a distal end of the golf club head opposite the heel portion; a sole located at a lower portion of the golf club head opposite the topline;
b) a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head opposite the back, the striking face having a plurality of scorelines, wherein the striking face is a composite face insert; and
c) an veil on the composite face insert, wherein the veil layer exhibits a Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio of less than about 0.4.
13. The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the veil exhibits the Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio of less than about 0.1.
14. The golf club head of claim 14 , wherein the veil exhibits the Thickness to Abrasion Count Ratio of less than about 0.025.
15. The golf club head of claim 14 , wherein the veil has a thickness of between about 0.05 mm to about 0.40 mm.
16. The golf club head of claim 15 , wherein the veil has a thickness of between about 0.12 mm to about 0.20 mm.
17. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the veil comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of aramid, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ether ketone, and metal.
18. The golf club of claim 17 , wherein the striking face is treated with carbon nanotubes, polyetherimide, and polyphenylene sulfide.
Priority Applications (2)
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US17/946,950 US20240091603A1 (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face |
US18/237,284 US20240091604A1 (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2023-08-23 | Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face |
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US17/946,950 US20240091603A1 (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face |
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US18/237,284 Continuation-In-Part US20240091604A1 (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2023-08-23 | Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face |
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US20240091603A1 true US20240091603A1 (en) | 2024-03-21 |
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US17/946,950 Pending US20240091603A1 (en) | 2022-09-16 | 2022-09-16 | Golf club head with abrasion resistant striking face |
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