Abstract:
A golf club head comprising a channel and an expandable weight that can be removably fixed at any point within the channel is disclosed herein. The weight comprises at least an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and preferably is formed of a metal material co-molded with a polymeric material such as rubber. The channel has an opening with a width that is less than the width of both an inner part of the channel and the weight, such that the weight cannot fall out of the channel during use. The channel may also have an end that opens into a port, which can be filled with a plug or weight screw to prevent the weight from falling out of the channel, and also can be removed so that the weight can be removed and replaced with another expandable weight.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/778,958, filed on Feb. 27, 2013, and issued on Nov. 25, 2014, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,894,506, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/727,608, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a golf club head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a weight for a golf club head that can be adjusted along a continuous channel. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    The ability to adjust center of gravity location and weight in the head of driving clubs is useful for controlling performance of the golf club. The prior art includes several different solutions for adjustable weighting, but these solutions do not optimize weight adjustment. There is a need for a weighting mechanism that allows for simple and flexible center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) adjustability. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is a novel way of working with adjustable products. The present invention allows consumers to easily move and fix a weight at any location within a channel in their golf club head. The objective of this invention is to provide an adjustable weight with minimal or no effect on appearance at address while maximizing the ability of the weight to adjust center of gravity height. Additional goals include minimizing the fixed component of the structure dedicated to the weighting system and also minimizing any potential effect on impact sound. Yet another object of the present invention is an adjustable weighting feature for lateral or vertical center of gravity control which is placed to maximize effectiveness and may be entirely concealed from view at address. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a channel and a port, an expandable weight, and a plug sized to fit within the port, wherein the expandable weight is disposed within and movable to any point within the channel, and wherein expanding the weight reversibly fixes it in place within the channel. In some embodiments, the expandable weight may comprise an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bolt, and in some further embodiments at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion may be composed of a material, such as stainless steel or tungsten alloy, that is co-molded with a polymeric material, such as a rubber material. In some embodiments, the upper portion may comprise a depression and a threaded bore sized to receive the bolt, and the lower portion may comprise a cavity and a projection sized to fit within the depression. In alternative embodiments, the upper portion may comprise a projection and a threaded bore sized to receive the bolt, and the lower portion may comprise a cavity and a depression sized to receive the projection. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the channel may comprise an open first end and a closed second end, the port may be disposed at the first end, and inserting the plug into the weight port may close the first end of the channel. In some further embodiments, the port may be a weight port and the plug may be a weight screw. In other embodiments, the channel may comprise an innermost surface and an opening, the opening may comprise a first width, the innermost surface may comprise a second width, the expandable weight may comprise a third width, and the first width may be less than the second width and less than the third width. 
         [0010]    In still other embodiments, the body may comprise a face, a crown, and a sole. In one further embodiment, the channel and the weight port may each be disposed in one of the crown or the sole, while in other embodiments, the body may further comprise a ribbon, and the channel and the weight port may each be disposed within the ribbon. In some embodiments, the channel is tube shaped. In other embodiments, the golf club head may be selected from the group consisting of a driver head, a fairway wood head, and a hybrid head. 
         [0011]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a driver-type golf club head comprising a composite crown, a titanium body comprising a face, a sole, a channel, and a weight port, a weight screw sized to fit within the weight port, and an expandable weight comprising an upper portion, a lower portion, a bolt, and a first width, wherein at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion comprises a metal material that is co-molded with a polymeric material, wherein the channel comprises an opening having a second width and an innermost surface having a third width, wherein the second width is less than both the first width and the third width, wherein the expandable weight is contained within and movable to any point within the channel, and wherein expanding the weight reversibly fixes it in place within the channel. In some further embodiments, the channel may comprise an open first end and a closed second end, the weight port may be disposed at the first end, and inserting the weight screw into the weight port may close the first end of the channel and prevent the expandable weight from leaving the channel. In other embodiments, the polymeric material may be a rubber material. In still other embodiments, at least one side of the channel may be provided by the composite crown. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a sole and a channel, an expandable weight disposed, and movable to any point, within the channel, and a cover fixture, wherein affixing the cover fixture to the sole traps the expandable weight within the channel, and wherein expanding the weight reversibly fixes it in place within the channel. In some embodiments, the expandable weight may comprise an upper portion, a lower portion, a bolt, and a first width, and at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion may be composed of stainless steel co-molded with a polymeric material. 
         [0013]    Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head encompassing a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a first side perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a second side perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  along lines  4 - 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head encompassing a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the circled portion in  FIG. 5 , with the weight in a movable configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the weight shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the weight shown in  FIG. 7  along lines  8 - 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of the circled portion in  FIG. 5 , with the weight in a fixed configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the weight shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the weight shown in  FIG. 10  along lines  11 - 11 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head encompassing a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  along lines  13 - 13 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of a golf club head encompassing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 14  along lines  15 - 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The design approaches described herein are based on a construction used in a driver head characterized by a composite crown adhesively bonded to a cast titanium body. This particular construction approach permits the crown configuration to be adapted to the inventive weighting scheme with minimal impact on weight and function. However, the weighting embodiments disclosed herein can be used with other constructions, including all titanium, all composite, and a composite body with metal face cup. It can also work in conjunction with at least one adjustable weight port on the sole of the driver head. Shifting weight along the channel described herein allows for control of center of gravity location. 
         [0030]    A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The club head  10  comprises a channel  20  disposed within a side or ribbon  15  portion of the club head  10 , but may in alternative embodiments may be disposed in the crown  12  and/or sole  14 . The channel  20  extends from a heel side  16  of the club head proximate a hosel  11  to a toe side  18  of the club head  10 , and has a curved cross-sectional shape with an internal width W1 that is greater than an external opening width W2. The channel  20  may have any of the configurations disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/656,271, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         [0031]    A slidable weight  30  is disposed within the channel  20 , and is inserted into the channel  20  at an opening  25  proximate the heel  16 , which is closed with a weight screw  40  or a lightweight plug once the slidable weight  30  is inserted into the channel  20 . The weight screw  40  or plug and slidable weight  30  can be made of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and can be selected to better adjust mass properties of the club head. Once the opening  25  is closed, the slidable weight  30  is trapped within the channel  20 , though removing the weight screw  40  or the plug allows the slidable weight  30  to be removed and exchanged for one having different structural and/or material characteristics. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the slidable weight  30  has a greater width than the width W2 of the opening  26  of the channel  20 , preventing it from falling out of the channel  20  during use, but has dimensions that allow it to easily slide along the length of the channel  20 . In this embodiment, the slidable weight  30  is fixed within the channel at a desired location with a screw  35  that extends through a bore  32  in the slidable weight  30  to engage a floor portion  22  of the channel  20  as shown in  FIG. 4  and press the slidable weight  30  against the edges of the opening  26  of the channel  20 . In alternative embodiments, the slidable weight  30  is fixed within the channel at a desired location by any means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, including with a semi-permanent adhesive or one or more of the mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,573 to DiMarco and U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,041 to Evans, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         [0032]    A second, preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5-11 . In this embodiment, the club head  10  includes the channel  20 , opening  25 , and weight screw  40  of the first embodiment, but the slidable weight  50  of this embodiment is semi-permanently fixed within the channel  20  via an expandable, multi-piece construction. As shown in  FIGS. 6-11 , the slidable weight  50  comprises an upper portion  60  having a threaded bore  62  and a depression  64 , a lower portion  70  having a cavity  72  and a projection  74 , and a bolt  80 , though in an alternative embodiment the upper portion  60  may have a projection and the lower portion  70  may have a depression. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the projection  74  of the lower portion  70  fits within the depression  64  of the upper portion  60  and prevents the slidable weight  50  from falling apart as it is moved within the channel  20  of the present invention. 
         [0033]    While in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , the dimensions of the slidable weight  50  are such that the slidable weight  50  fits loosely within the channel  20  and can be moved along the length of the channel  20 , though the slidable weight  50  still has a width that is great enough to prevent it from falling out of the channel  20 . When a golfer has moved the slidable weight  50  to a desired position within the channel  20 , he or she can tighten the bolt  80 , which causes the bolt  80  to move downward within the threaded bore  62 , press against the floor  73  of the cavity  72  of the lower portion  70  of the weight, and push the upper portion  60  of the slidable weight  50  away from the lower portion  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . As it is pushed upwards, the upper portion  60  of the slidable weight  50  presses against the sides of the channel  20 , effectively using friction to wedge the slidable weight  50  into a fixed position within the channel  20 . In the preferred embodiment, at least one, and preferably both, of the upper portion  60  and lower portion  70  of the slidable weight  50  is composed of a metal material, particularly stainless steel, that is co-molded with a polymeric material, and preferably rubber, to increase friction between the slidable weight  50  and the walls of the channel  20  and more securely fix the slidable weight  50  within the channel  20 . 
         [0034]    Because the opening of the channel  20  has a smaller width W2 than the width of the slidable weight  50 , the slidable weight  50  does not fall out of the channel  20  when it is in its expanded configuration. In this way, the slidable weight  50  can be reversibly fixed at any location within the channel  20 , not just at points within the channel  20  that have predetermined openings or notches as required in prior art clubs such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,611,424 and 8,016,694. 
         [0035]    A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . In this embodiment, the slidable weight  100  is trapezoidal, and the channel  120  is formed from a recessed part  125  of the sole  14  or ribbon  15  of the club head  10  and a cover fixture  130  that traps the slidable weight  100  within the channel  20 . This embodiment may include a weight screw  40  or plug as disclosed in the first and second embodiments, but it is not necessary in order to trap the slidable weight  100  within the channel  120 . In order to assemble this embodiment, the slidable weight  100  is placed within the recessed part  125  and the cover fixture  130  is permanently or removably affixed to the sole  14  or ribbon  15 . The slidable weight  100  may be fixed at any location within the channel  120  using any of the means disclosed herein. As in the other embodiments disclosed herein, the slidable weight  100  has a width that is larger than the width W2 of the opening of the channel  120 , preventing the slidable weight  100  from falling out of the channel  120  during use. 
         [0036]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . In this embodiment, the channel  140  is formed from a recessed portion  145  of the sole  14  or ribbon  15  of the club head  10  and a separate crown piece  150 , which preferably is formed from a composite material. As in the third embodiment, the slidable weight  160  of this embodiment is trapezoidal and may be fixed within the channel  140  with a bolt  165  or by any other means disclosed herein. As in the third embodiment, this embodiment may be assembled by placing the slidable weight  160  within the recessed portion  145  and then permanently or removably affixing the crown piece  150  to the rest of the club head  10 , trapping the slidable weight  160  within the channel  140 . 
         [0037]    In alternative embodiments, the channel  20  may extend from the sole  14  to the crown  12  or be disposed entirely on the crown  12 . In each of the embodiments disclosed herein, the face and sole  14  of the club head  10  preferably are formed from a metal material, while the crown  12  is formed from a non-metal material such as composite. In other embodiments, the club head  10  may have a multi-material composition such as any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,244,976, 6,332,847, 6,386,990, 6,406,378, 6,440,008, 6,471,604, 6,491,592, 6,527,650, 6,565,452, 6,575,845, 6,478,692, 6,582,323, 6,508,978, 6,592,466, 6,602,149, 6,607,452, 6,612,398, 6,663,504, 6,669,578, 6,739,982, 6,758,763, 6,860,824, 6,994,637, 7,025,692, 7,070,517, 7,112,148, 7,118,493, 7,121,957, 7,125,344, 7,128,661, 7,163,470, 7,226,366, 7,252,600, 7,258,631, 7,314,418, 7,320,646, 7,387,577, 7,396,296, 7,402,112, 7,407,448, 7,413,520, 7,431,667, 7,438,647, 7,455,598, 7,476,161, 7,491,134, 7,497,787, 7,549,935, 7,578,751, 7,717,807, 7,749,096, and 7,749,097, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein. 
         [0038]    From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.