Abstract:
A golf club head comprising a slidable weight for adjusting the location of the club head center of gravity is disclosed herein. The club head has a channel disposed in its sole and a slidable weight assembly comprising a weight body and a rotatable cam portion. The channel includes a single, L-shaped rail extending upwards from a channel floor, and the slidable weight assembly is reversibly fixed to the rail when the rotatable cam portion is rotated such that a curved protrusion is disposed underneath a ledge of the L-shaped rail. The channel preferably has an S-shaped or closed loop configuration such that the club head&#39;s center of gravity can be adjusted along X (front to back) and Y (heel to toe) horizontal axes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,196, filed on Feb. 12, 2016, and issued on Jul. 18, 2017, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,707,459, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/175,657, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, and issued on Jun. 14, 2016, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,728, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/905,749, filed on Nov. 18, 2013, 61/898,956, filed on Nov. 1, 2013, and 61/893,728, filed on Oct. 21, 2013, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/174,068, filed on Feb. 6, 2014, and issued on Mar. 22, 2016, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,289,660, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/163,946, filed on Jan. 24, 2014, and issued on Dec. 15, 2015, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,211,453, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/033,218, filed on Sep. 20, 2013, and issued on Apr. 15, 2014, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,696,491, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/923,571, filed on Jun. 21, 2013, and issued on Jul. 21, 2015, as U.S. Pat. No. 9,084,921, which is a continuation-in-part 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. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/163,946 also is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,658, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, and issued on Jul. 29, 2014, as U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,195, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/746,348, filed on Dec. 27, 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 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    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 one or more channels. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0004]    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 there still is a need for a weighting mechanism that allows for simple and flexible center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) adjustability along multiple axes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention presents 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 single channel disposed in the golf club head in such a way to maximize aesthetic appearances while preserving the function of the movable weight. 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 location along horizontal X and Y axes. Additional goals include minimizing the fixed component of the structure dedicated to the weighting system and also minimizing any potential effect on impact sound. 
         [0006]    One aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a hosel, a striking face, a heel side, a toe side, a rear side, a sole, and a channel in the sole, and a slidable weight assembly comprising a weight body and a rotatable portion, wherein the weight body comprises a planar upper portion, a base portion extending from and perpendicular to the planar upper portion, and at least one rounded nub extending from and approximately perpendicular to the base portion, wherein the rotatable portion comprises a cylindrical body and a curved protrusion extending from and approximately perpendicular to a lower end of the cylindrical body, wherein the curved protrusion extends only partially around the cylindrical body, wherein the planar upper portion comprises an opening sized to receive an upper end of the cylindrical body, wherein the channel comprises a floor and rail extending from and approximately perpendicular to the floor, wherein the rail comprises a stem and a ledge extending approximately perpendicular to and away from the stem, wherein the ledge is spaced from, and approximately parallel with, the floor, and wherein rotating the rotatable portion causes at least a portion of the curved protrusion to slide under the ledge and reversibly fixes the slidable weight assembly to the rail. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the curved protrusion and the at least one rounded nub may be the only portions of the slidable weight assembly that contact the rail when at least a portion of the curved protrusion is disposed under the ledge. In other embodiments, the channel may have a configuration selected from the group consisting of a closed loop and an S-shape. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the curved protrusion may comprise a helical upper surface. In other embodiments, the weight body may be composed of a first material having a first density, and the rotatable portion may be composed of a second material having a second density that is less than the first density. In some embodiments, at least one of the at least one rounded nub and the curved protrusion may be co-molded with a high friction material such as rubber. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the at least one rounded nub may comprise first and second rounded nubs, each of which may be disposed beneath the planar upper portion. In another embodiment, the curved protrusion may extend less than halfway around the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, the upper end of the cylindrical body may comprise an upper surface having a tool engagement feature. In another embodiment, the upper end of the cylindrical body may be permanently trapped within the opening in the planar upper portion. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the golf club head may be selected from the group consisting of a driver-type head, a fairway wood-type head, and a hybrid-type head. In one embodiment, the golf club head may further comprise a composite crown, and the body may be composed of a metal alloy. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present invention is a weight assembly comprising a weight body comprising a planar upper portion, a base portion extending from and perpendicular to the planar upper portion, and first and second rounded nubs extending from and perpendicular to the base portion, and a rotatable portion comprising a cylindrical body, a tool engagement feature, and a curved protrusion extending from and perpendicular to the cylindrical body, wherein the planar upper portion comprises an opening sized to receive an upper end of the cylindrical body, wherein the upper end of the cylindrical body is permanently trapped within the opening, wherein each of the first and second rounded nubs are disposed beneath the planar upper portion, wherein the curved protrusion extends less than halfway around the cylindrical body, and wherein the curved protrusion comprises a helical upper surface. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the weight body may be composed of a first material having a first density and the rotatable portion may be composed of a second material having a second density that is less than the first density. In a further embodiment, the first material may be a tungsten alloy and the second material may be a polymer material. In another embodiment, at least one of the first and second rounded nubs and the curved protrusion may be co-molded with a high friction material. In another embodiment, each of the first and second rounded nubs and the curved protrusion may be co-molded with rubber. In another embodiment, the curved protrusion may extend from a lower end of the cylindrical body. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the planar upper portion may comprise an upper surface and a decal may be permanently affixed to the upper surface. 
         [0011]    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 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the golf club head of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a sole perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the slidable weight of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partially translucent view of the slidable weight shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the slidable weight shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the slidable weight shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is cross-sectional view of the slidable weight shown in  FIG. 3  engaged with the rail shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a sole perspective view of a second embodiment of the golf club head of the present invention engaged with a plurality of the slidable weights shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    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. The embodiments may also work in conjunction with at least one adjustable weight port on the club head. Shifting weight along the channel described herein allows for control of center of gravity location and adjustment of other mass properties. 
         [0021]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . The golf club head  10 , which preferably is a driver or a large fairway wood, but may be any type of golf club head, including a hybrid, iron, wedge, or putter, comprises a body  20  having a face  22 , a heel side  23  proximate a hosel  26 , a toe side  25 , a rear edge  28 , a sole  40 , and an upper opening (not shown) that is covered by a separately formed crown  30 . The hosel  26  has a through-bore  27  that extends into the sole  40 , which includes an elongated, S-shaped channel  50 , though in another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , the channel  50  may be configured as a closed loop. In some embodiments, the through-bore  27  may connect with the channel  50 . The hosel  26  preferably has a structure that permits loft, lie, and face angle adjustability, including any of the structures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,641,554, 8,684,859, 8,696,486, 8,715,103, 8,715,104, 8,727,906, and 8,801,537, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the channel  50  is entirely contained on the sole  40 , though in alternative embodiments the channel  50  may extend onto a ribbon or skirt portion or even onto the crown  30  of the golf club head  10 . The channel  50  shapes illustrated in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8  allow the weight to be moved along both the Y axis (heel side  23  to toe side  25 ) and the X axis (face  22  to rear edge  28 ) without requiring multiple channels—in other words, the single channel  50  of the present invention allows for greater mass property, and particularly center of gravity, adjustability than other club heads having only a single, unidirectional channel  50 . If the channel  50  extends onto the ribbon or crown  30 , then the mass properties of the club head  10  can be adjusted along the vertical Z axis as well. 
         [0023]    The channel  50  includes a single, L-shaped rail  60  that extends upwards from the floor  52  of the channel. The rail  60 , which has a ledge  62  and a stem  64 , preferably extends along the entire length of the channel  50 , but in an alternative embodiment may terminate less than 1 inch from the end of the channel  50  to form an open area located proximate the through-bore  27 , thereby creating an entry region where a slidable weight assembly  100  can be inserted into the channel  50 . The ledge  62  extends approximately perpendicularly from the stem  64 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0024]    The slidable weight assembly  100  of the present invention is unique in its mechanism and shape. As shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the slidable weight assembly  100  has a body portion  110  and a rotatable cam portion  120  that acts as a gripping feature to engage the rail  60 . The body portion  110  has an approximately L-shaped cross section, and includes a planar upper portion  112  that, when the slidable weight assembly  100  is engaged with the club head  10 , is visible to a golfer when the golfer is viewing the sole  40  of the club head  10 , and a base portion  114  extending perpendicular to the planar upper portion  112  from the edge  113  of the planar upper portion  112 . The planar upper portion  112  has an upper surface  111  that can be decorated in any way desired by the manufacturer or golfer. For example, the upper surface  111  may include different colors, textures, and/or logos, either painted or formed directly on the upper surface  111  or applied via a decal, to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the club head  10 . The planar upper portion  112  also includes an opening  117  to receive an upper end  121  of the cylindrical body  122  of the rotatable cam portion  120 , which is preferably permanently trapped, but rotatable, within the opening  117 . The base portion  114  includes a pair of rounded nubs  115 ,  116  extending perpendicular to the base portion  114  under the planar upper portion  112  and parallel with the planar upper portion  112 . The body portion  110  preferably is composed of a material such as stainless steel, tungsten alloy, or another higher-density material. 
         [0025]    The rotatable cam portion  120  comprises a cylindrical body  122  with a tool engagement feature  124  (e.g., a Philips or flathead screwdriver receiver or a Torx® wrench receiver) and a curved protrusion  126  extending perpendicularly from the lower end  123  of the cylindrical body  122 . The curved protrusion  126  only extends part of the way around the cylindrical body  122 , and preferably less than half of the way around the cylindrical body  122 , so that the slidable weight assembly  100  can have locked and unlocked configurations. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the curved protrusion  126  comprises a helical upper surface  127  that draws the slidable weight assembly  100  against the rail  60  when the curved protrusion  126  is moved into its locked configuration. The rotatable cam portion  120  preferably is composed of a material that has a lower density than that of the body portion  110 , such as aluminum, plastic, rubber, or other polymer materials. 
         [0026]    The slidable weight assembly  100  can be inserted into the channel  50  by turning the rotatable cam portion  120  to an unlocked position, such that the curved protrusion  126  is approximately perpendicular to the rounded nubs  115 ,  116 , and hooking the base portion  114  of the body portion  110  over the rail  60 . The slidable weight assembly  100  can then be moved to any point in the channel  50  desired by the golfer. Once the slidable weight assembly  100  is in its selected place, the golfer can use a tool to engage the tool engagement feature  124  and rotate the rotatable cam portion  120  until the curved protrusion  126  slides under the ledge  62  of the rail  60  and is located directly opposite to, and approximately parallel with, the rounded nubs  115 ,  116 . The slidable weight assembly  100  preferably is dimensioned in such a way that the rail  60  is gripped between the curved protrusion  126  and the rounded nubs  115 ,  116 , but is not contacted by any other part of the slidable weight assembly  100 . In some embodiments, the curved protrusion  126  and the rounded nubs  115 ,  116  may be co-molded with a high friction material such as rubber to ensure that the slidable weight assembly  100  securely grips the rail  60  when in its locked position and to reduce rattling of the slidable weight assembly  100  when the golf club head  10  is in use. 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the body  20  of the golf club head  10  preferably is formed from a metal material, while the crown  30  is formed from a non-metal material such as composite. In other embodiments, the golf 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. 
         [0028]    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.