WO2005107886A1

WO2005107886A1 - Golf club head with resilient material on striking surface

Info

Publication number: WO2005107886A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Damian Nelson
Original assignee: Paul Damian Nelson
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2005-05-09
Publication date: 2005-11-17

Abstract

A golf club head is disclosed which has a toe (10a), a heel (10b) and a striking surface (5). The striking surface is provided with grooves (2) which are filled with a resilient material which can extend just beyond the striking surface. This enables the grip of the ball on the golf club to be improved and therefore the control over the ball to be improved.

Description

GOLF CLUB HEAD WITHRESILIENT MATERIAL ON STRIKING SURFACE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf club head. All references to golf "club(s)" herein applies to woods, irons, putters, mallets or any other instrument used to club a golf ball.

Background of the Invention

As is known, the object of hitting a golf ball is usually done so with the aim of projecting the ball to the intended target of the hole in the green. As is also known, directing the golf ball into the hole can prove to be difficult and therefore requires as much ball control from the golfer as possible to achieve this task.

To aid golfers with ball control most golf club striking faces have a number of grooves or slots in them that provide a reaction surface to the ball and help spin the golf ball as the face strikes it. The ball is thus projected with a particular spinning motion which can aid in ball swing, ball bounce when it hits the ground, and ball travel through the air. A basic problem however with most golf club heads is that the ball striking face is of a very hard material, such as metal, that allows good momentum exchange from the club head to the ball, yet which can act as a slippery surface for the ball to slide on. This can lead to loss of ball control.

As is also known, to achieve good golf ball control a golfer needs to have a good ^λfeel" of the golf ball when striking it. Especially when striking a golf ball fast and hard it is difficult to achieve good ball feel .

To help with golf ball spin control and golf ball feel, it is known that putters are available that feature soft golf ball striking faces . These lack feel of a very hard striking face but offer a softer feeling striking face. It is also known that club head striking faces can be made of different materials such as wood, composites, and combined metals . By various means , these can offer softer feel when striking ball with club face.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention may be said to reside in a gold club head for a golf club, comprising: a toe; a heel; a striking surface between the toe and the heel; and a resilient material on the striking surface and extending just beyond the striking surface.

The provision of the resilient material which extends just beyond the striking surface provides additional grip to the golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the golf club head. In the case of a driver or iron, the fact that the resilient material extends just beyond the striking surface does not substantially decrease the power with which the ball is driven, thereby still enabling the ball to be hit long distances . This also increases control over the ball both in terms of the direction the ball is hit because of the slightly less tendency of the ball to slide on the striking surface. Furthermore, the golfer is able to improve spin control and also has better feel of the golf ball on the striking surface when striking the ball.

Preferably the resilient material extends beyond the striking surface by a distance of less than 1.5 mm and most preferably less than 0.5 mm.

Preferably the striking surface is provided with a plurality of grooves and the resilient material is located in the grooves . Preferably the resilient material is an elastomer.

Preferably the grooves extend in a substantially horizontal direction between the toe and the heel .

However, in other embodiments, it is possible the grooves could extend transverse, with respect to the horizontal, on the striking face when the golf club head is in a position at which it will strike a golf ball.

In one embodiment the resilient material is applied only to the grooves .

However, in another embodiment, the resilient material is implied as a coating which extends substantially across the entire striking surface so as to fill the grooves and provide a thin layer of resilient material on the striking surface .

In another embodiment, the resilient material is in the form of a plurality of beads applied to the striking surface .

Preferably the striking surface is formed from a material which is harder than the resilient material .

Preferably the at least two substantially different materials with regard to densities and or elastomeric properties are: 1) a hard material such as metal, wood or composite and; 2) a soft resilient material such as an elastomer such as natural rubber or other rubbers , a polymer, polyurethane, silicone or such like.

Preferably, the optimum performance of the at least two substantially different materials are utilised when striking the golf ball. For example, in using a number one driver attempting to hit the ball far, there would be a high momentum exchange from the club head to the ball via the metal face, with minimal elastomeric deformation taking place so as to not interfere with the momentum exchange needed, but with enough grip and consequently spin imparted to the ball by the elastomer (s) gripping the ball.

This invention may also be said, in the first aspect, to reside in a golf club ball striking face, comprising: the ball striking face having one or more grooves or slots in its surface; the groove (s) or slot(s) having a resilient material in and or around and or over the grooves (s) or slot(s) .

According to this aspect of the invention, a conventional golf club with grooves or slots is utilised whereby such grooves or slots of a metal head club, are filled with an elastomer such as natural rubber or high performance resin. When hitting the ball therefore, the momentum of the club head is not necessarily reduced by the resilient material which acts to grip the ball.

With some clubs, especially putters, where the ball striking face has very small grooves (for instance 0.2mm grooves from being milled) such grooves can also be filled with an appropriate resilient material but with the highest raised portions of the metal sections remaining uncovered by the material . Thus the level surface of such a putter would consist of alternating materials of metal and resilient material.

Preferably the grooves or slots in the ball striking face are those which are commonly used in most golf clubs.

Preferably the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as rubber, polyurethane, silicone or other form of polymer.

Preferably the elastomer can either fill the groove (s) or part thereof so the grooveless area of the club face surface is substantially level with the groove area of the striking face. It is also preferable to have the elastomer in the groove (s) remain below the level of the grooveless area of the striking face for particular applications, whilst for other applications it is preferable to have the elastomer in the groove area(s) raised above the surface of the grooveless area of the ball striking face. Alternatively, any combination of each of these or part thereof of these inventions can be used as desired for particular applications desired.

A second aspect of this invention may be said to reside in a golf club ball striking face, comprising: all or any of the contents of the first aspect of the invention and or including; the ball striking face being composed of wood, composite, or metal material; and at least a portion of the ball striking face being composed of at least one type of resilient material; wherein variations in a level surface and or variations in density in the resilient material and or variations in the type of resilient materials used affect hitting the ball as an aid to ball control.

According to this aspect of the invention, when the golf ball is struck the both properties of the resilient material provide grip to the ball and the remainder of the ball striking face being preferably metal, gives optimum ball momentum. Thus the different material properties of both materials occur to improve golf ball control.

To aid in ball control further, by having various properties on the one golf club such as having a firmer resilient material in the "sweet spot" area of the club, and raised lateral areas around the "sweet spot" area of the ball striking face, enhanced ball spin, feel and control can be achieved.

Preferably the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as a polymer, rubbers, silicone, polyurethanes or the like.

Preferably the lateral portions of the ball striking face have an effect on the ball when contacted in these areas , to absorb energy to thus slow down a shot that would have otherwise been struck off the "sweet spot" target. For other applications, the ball striking face top and bottom areas outside the "sweet spot" can also have elastomer (s) to absorb energy to thereby slow down a potentially misdirected shot. Such energy absorption can occur by the use of very soft elastomer, using more amounts of elastomer (s) , or a combination of these. Alternatively the "sweet spot" area could have a softer elastomer and the surrounding area a firmer elastomer, depending on desire of golfer. Also any variations of these embodiments can be used.

A third aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a golf club head, comprising: one or both of the first and second aspects of the invention or any part thereof, and or; at least a portion of resilient material on the ball striking face and or; at least a portion of resilient material on the base or sole section of the club head; and or at least a portion of resilient material on the head of the golf club not on the striking face but having the potential to come in contact with the ball. According to this aspect of the invention, by having the resilient material at the base and or on an area of the ball striking face of the club head, when a golf ball is hit by this area of the club, the material acts to absorb energy, thus reducing the propulsion of the golf ball particularly when the golf ball is hit in an undesirable fashion .

Preferably the material is on at least part of the front portion of the base of the club head which potentially can come in contact with the golf ball . Preferably there is at least a portion of the material on the lateral extremity (outside the distal end furtherest distance away from the gripping section of the golfers hands) of the golf club.

Preferably the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as a rubber, silicone, a polymer, polyurethane or any other such material .

Thus with these embodiments, striking the ball with the outside section of the club head or with the base of the club head can at least minimise the distance travelled by such a poor shot, thus trying to keep the ball as much as possible in line with the hole in the green and to help minimise the shots taken to get the ball in the hole.

With all of these embodiments mentioned in this specification utilising elastomers or such like, by using the appropriate type of material for the shot, the elastomer can also act as a spring on the ball striking face to the ball to help propel the ball more efficiently than conventional clubs. Hence, a firmer elastomer may be used for high impact shots, whereas for lower impact shots, more deformable elastomer (s) can be used. Preferably the elastomers (s) used could be any of those previously cited. The invention also provides a golf club head for a golf club, comprising: a toe; a heel; a striking surface between the toe and the heel; and a resilient material in the head and located below the level of the striking surface or level with the striking surface.

By providing the resilient material below or level with the striking surface, the material acts as a damper which absorbs shock when the ball is hit. This provides benefits to the golfer and also enables better control to be achieved.

Preferably the striking surface includes a plurality of grooves and the resilient material is located in the grooves .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which : Figure 1 is a perspective view of a golf club head embodying the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of another golf club head embodying the first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of figure 3; Figure 4A is a side view similar to Figure 4 but of another embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention during use; Figure 7 is a side view of an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 9 is a top view of figure 8 ; Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the third aspect of the invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

With reference to figure 1, a golf club head iron 10 is shown which has a toe 10a, a heel 10b, and a striking surface 5. In relation to mallet type putters for the purpose of this specification, the toe and heel should be regarded as opposite ends of the face of the putter. The striking surface 5 is provided with a plurality of grooves 3. The grooves 3 are provided with an elastomer rubber 2 (as is best shown in Figures 4 and 4A) . The club head is attached to shaft 4 of the club which the golfer uses to swing the club. The level of the elastomer in the grooves 2 can be below, level with, or above the striking face 5.

Thus, by utilising the conventional use of the grooves in the club head and having an elastomer 2 in them, when the ball is struck the elastomer 2 gives enhanced ball spin, feel and added distance by the energy return spring effect of 2 which compresses when hit and returns energy to help project the ball, together with the sharper impact and feel of the harder metal surface 3. It is both of the highly different properties of metal and the elastomer that give this optimum ball control .

Figure 2 shows a golf club head 10 similar to that of figure 1 , but in figure 2 the grooves or slots 3 are of a different pattern. The dotted line shown by 8 indicates a "sweet spot" area where optimum energy return and ball control by 2 will be achieved.

Figure 3 shows another golf club head 10, but where the striking face 5 is entirely covered over by elastomeric material layer 6 which provides the elastomeric material 2 into the grooves 3. The elastomer 6 in this case is extremely thin so as to impart grip, spring and feel to the ball when struck, but not greatly interfere with high impact momentum exchange through the metal face. Layer 6 can also help project the ball further by its elastomeric action as a spring.

Figure 4 is a side view of figure 3. As shown, the club head 10 has a ball striking face 5 entirely covered over by the elastomer layer 6. In this case the elastomer could be a very firm rubber or polyurethane . The grooves 3 are shown to be filled with the elastomer 2 , which blends continuously into the entire elastomer 6.

Figure 4A shows an embodiment in which the elastomer 2 is applied only into the grooves 3 and extends just beyond the striking face 5. Preferably the distance the elastomer 2 (in both the embodiments of Figures 4 and 4A) extend beyond the metal striking face 5 is less than 0.5 mm.

Figure 5 shows a putter club 12 , with an exposed metal striking face 15 and an elastomer 17 in the grooved surface of a milled putter face 20. The ball striking face 5 is made up of 15 and 17. The dotted lines indicate the "sweet spot" shown by 18. The circular pattern indicates a milled surface 20, centring around the "sweet spot" 18.

Thus in hitting the ball with the putter 12, the golfer gets the feel of both the metal face 15 and the elastomer face 17, the grip from the elastomer 17 and the distance and momentum needed from the metal face 15. Once again, the striking face made up of the metal face 15 and the elastomer face 17 , could be of same level from profile view (not shown) , the elastomer 17 could alternatively be above, below or a combination of these relative to the profile surface of the metal surface 15 as desired.

Figure 6 shows a golf club iron head 10 striking the ball from a side view, a striking face 5 with grooves 3 that are filled with an elastomer 2 of any of the options already mentioned. The ball striking face 5 made up of 3 and 2 is striking the ball 38.

Thus in this instance, the ball is simultaneously struck by the metal surface and the elastomer material 2, where 2 gives the ball enhanced grip and can give a very slight soft feel without compromising the high impact transfer from 5 to the ball 38, and where the metal ball striking surface transfers optimal momentum to the ball 38. The ball projection can also be assisted by the spring effect or energy return provided by the elastomer. This spring affect occurs by the elastomer initially storing energy upon striking the ball, and releasing the energy as spring momentum exchange .

Hence, the golfer can experience enhanced ball striking control by the use of at least two extremely different materials being used at the same time .

Figure 7 shows a golf club head 10 from the side. It has a ball striking face 5 having grooves 3 and elastomer portions 2 of varying degrees of density and profile level . The portions 2 are located in the grooves 3 in the ball striking face 5. Thus , by this embodiment a golfer will obtain most momentum exchange striking the centre "sweet spot" of the club head 10. By striking the ball in the upper or lower extremities of the face 13 , which may be undesirable, a lot of impact will be absorbed by a poor energy return elastomer that will help reduce the impact into the ball, and therefore reduce the potential distance travelled by the ball in unwanted directions .

Figure 8 and 9 show a club head 10 of a golf iron with ball striking face 5 and elastomeric ball striking portions 2 in striking face grooves 3, as indicated by the dotted lines, as seen in figure 9 (not shown in figure 8) . The areas 3 and portions 2 make up the ball striking face 5. The club head is connected to the club shaft 4. The portions 2 are of convex shape as seen from top view of figure 8 in figure 9. This embodiment functions similar to that of figure 7 explained above except that the raised elastomer regions in figure 9 are at the lateral areas of the ball striking face rather than the top and bottom as shown in figure 7.

Figure 8 and 9 therefore shows 13 as the lateral extremities of the ball striking face and 14 as the desired part of the ball striking face to strike the ball with.

Figure 10 shows a variation of figures 8 and 9. In figure 10 a golf club head 10 is shown from a top view, consisting of a ball striking surface 5 and elastomeric portions 2 inside the grooves 4 , as shown by the dotted lines, in the metal club face. The elastomer portions 2 at the end marked "A" protrude most as the ball striking surface, and as the elastomeric portions 2 extend down to the end marked "B" the portions 2 are below the metal surface 3. The ball striking surface 5 is made up of 2 and Thus in this embodiment, exaggerated ball swing, ball spin or ball momentum can be achieved for particular applications of shot and golfer striking ball. Also, certain golfer weaknesses and teaching can be assisted by the exaggerated protrusions of the elastomers 2 at end "A" by for instance, giving ball exaggerated spin to compensate for usual misdirected shots. Alternatively, variations of the type and density, position and amount of elastomer can be used (not shown) in other embodiments as desired by particular golfing needs.

Figure 11 shows a golf wood head 11 that has a connecting shaft 4, and a ball striking surface made up of a metal, composite, or wooden face 51 and numerous elastomeric portions 30. The dotted line indicated by 50 shows the "sweet spot" . This club functions much like that of figures 7, 8, and 9, but instead of using an elastomeric material in grooves (not shown) , many small elastomer beads 30 are used.

Figure 12 shows a club head 11 similar to that of figure 11 , in that elastomeric beads 30 are incorporated on the ball striking face 51. The ball striking face 51 is made up of the elastomer portions 30 , grooves 3 filled with an elastomer 2 (as already shown in figures 1 to 10) and the metal, composite or wooden face. The club head 11 is connected to the shaft 4.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a golf wood head 11 connected to a shaft 4. The ball striking face 51 is made up of elastomer beads 30 as already described, elastomer 2 in club face grooves 31, and also grooves 31a which do not have any elastomer in them. This embodiment exemplifies many possible variations possible to improve golf ball control by using particular types and positions of elastomers juxtaposing with other hard materials such as metal or wood, as grooves or being grooveless, yet to achieve what is desired for the individual golfer.

Thus, figure 13 shows a constellation of elastomer beads 30 and the use of some elastomer filled grooves 3 at a certain area of the club ball striking face, whilst having no elastomer for some grooves 31 and other areas of the golf ball striking face for most appropriate enhancement of golf ball grip, golf ball feel or added momentum. This arrangement is fairly specific and demonstrates the unique capabilities of this invention.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of this invention. It shows a golf club wood head 11 connected to a shaft 4. The ball striking face 51 is made up of a metal ball striking face area 35 , and the elastomeric area 60. At the base of the club head 64 , and on the outside extremity of the club head 65 , there are also elastomeric portions . These portions 64 and 65 serve to absorb a lot of momentum from striking the ball at these areas of the club. By doing this , the elastomer portions 64 and 65 help reduce the distance a shot will go when the ball is struck undesirably by either 64 or 65 of the golf club head.

In a still further embodiment, the golf club is configured as shown in Figure 1 in which grooves 3 are provided. However, in this embodiment the elastomer rubber 2 does not extend beyond the grooves so that the elastomer rubber is below or level with the striking face 5 of the head 10. In this embodiment, the elastomer does not contact the ball when the ball is hit, but does provide a damping effect so that the shock of a hit is damped. This enables better control over the ball to be achieved, and therefore also provides benefits to the golfer.

Thus, other embodiments would have a resilient material within one or more grooves at the same surface level . In this way the resilient material could have only small amount of contact with the ball when hit. Still other embodiments would have a resilient material below the surface level of the striking surface. In this way there would be no contact with ball when hit, however the advantage to this designs that the resilient material provides a dampening effect on the club face, improving the "feel" of the hit. For all variations of this invention it is clear that an improved dampening effect occurs even without the resilient material coming in contact with the ball . Further to this , when the ball does contact the resilient material there is further advantages such as extra grip to ball, and longer contact time of ball and surface, all improving "feel" and control.

In this way the resilient material can be positioned to have little or no contact with the ball when struck. This may be desirable to have a dampening effect without the resilient material having any if chosen, or much if chosen, spin or grip effect on ball when struck by the sticking surface.

It is to be understood that all references to resilient material include any type of elastomer, and preferably being a polymer, a form of rubber, polyurethane , silicone or such like material, elastomeric resins and paints. It is also to be understood that any variations of any of the embodiments , or part thereof referred to herein can be used providing numerous forms of this invention.

It is also to be understood that all of the embodiments referred to herein by their appropriate form improve golf ball control by the striking means providing for improved golf ball "feel" by using different property materials including preferably at least one elastomer. Improved golf ball control can be achieved, and also increased golf ball projection can occur with the appropriate golf club head used for a given golfer.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may be readily effected by persons skilled in the art, it is to be under stood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described by way of example hereinabove.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A gold club head for a golf club, comprising: a toe; a heel; a striking surface between the toe and the heel; and a resilient material on the striking surface and extending just beyond the striking surface.

2. The head of claim 1 wherein the resilient material extends beyond the striking surface by a distance of less than 1.5 mm and most preferably less than 0.5 mm.

3. The head of claim 1 wherein the striking surface is provided with a plurality of grooves and the resilient material is located in the grooves .

4. The head of claim 1 wherein the resilient material is an elastomer.

5. The head of claim 1 wherein the grooves extend in a substantially horizontal direction between the toe and the heel .

6. The head of claim 3 wherein ■ the resilient material is applied only to the grooves .

7. The head of claim 1 wherein the resilient material is in the form of a plurality of beads applied to the striking surface.

8. The head of claim 1 wherein the striking surface is formed from a material which is harder than the resilient material.

9. The head of claim 8 wherein the at least two substantially different materials with regard to densities and or elastomeric properties are: 1) a hard material such as metal, wood or composite and; 2) a soft resilient material such as an elastomer such as natural rubber or other rubbers, a polymer, polyurethane , silicone or such like.

10. A golf club ball striking face, comprising: the ball striking face having one or more grooves or slots in its surface; the groove (s) or slot(s) having a resilient material in and or around and or over the grooves (s) or slot(s) .

11. The face of claim 10 wherein the grooves or slots in the ball striking face are those which are commonly used in most golf clubs .

12. The face of claim 10 wherein the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as rubber, polyurethane , silicone or other form of polymer.

13. The face of claim 12 wherein the elastomer can either fill the groove (s) or part thereof so the grooveless area of the club face surface is substantially level with the groove area of the striking face.

14. A golf club ball striking face, comprising: all or any of the contents of the first aspect of the invention and or including; the ball striking face being composed of wood, composite, or metal material; and at least a portion of the ball striking face being composed of at least one type of resilient material; wherein variations in a level surface and or variations in density in the resilient material and or variations in the type of resilient materials used affect hitting the ball as an aid to ball control.

15. The face of claim 14 wherein the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as a polymer, rubbers, silicone, polyurethanes or the like.

16. The face of claim 14 wherein the lateral portions of the ball striking face have an effect on the ball when contacted in these areas , to absorb energy to thus slow down a shot that would have otherwise been struck off the "sweet spot" target.

17. A golf club head, comprising: one or both of the first and second aspects of the invention or any part thereof, and or; at least a portion of resilient material on the ball striking face and or; at least a portion of resilient material on the base or sole section of the club head; and or at least a portion of resilient material on the head of the golf club not on the striking face but having the potential to come in contact with the ball.

18. The head of claim 17 wherein the material is on at least part of the front portion of the base of the club head which potentially can come in contact with the golf ball.

19. The head of claim 18 wherein the resilient material is an elastomeric material such as a rubber, silicone, a polymer, polyurethane or any other such material .

20. A golf club head for a golf club, comprising: a toe; a heel; a striking surface between the toe and the heel; and a resilient material in the head and located below the level of the striking surface or level with the striking surface.

21. The head of claim 20 wherein the striking surface includes a plurality of grooves and the resilient material is located in the grooves .