Patent Publication Number: US-8523704-B2

Title: Golf club heads with ribs and related methods

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/541,817, filed on Aug. 14, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/430,821, filed on Apr. 27, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,935, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/047,957, filed on Mar. 13, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,177, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,216, filed on Jul. 31, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,298. The contents of the disclosures listed above are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to golf equipment and, more particularly, to golf club heads. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern wood-type golf club heads are now almost exclusively made of metal rather than the persimmon wood that gave the clubs their name. These club heads are generally constructed as a hollow metal shell with a relatively thick face to withstand the ball impact and a relatively thick sole to withstand grazing impact with the ground as well as lowering the center of gravity of the club head. The remainder of the club head is manufactured as thin as possible so as to allow the maximum amount of material to be dedicated to the face and sole portions. Although the crown and skirt of a modern club head are quite thin, they still must be sufficiently rigid in the direction of the maximum stress in order to provide support for the face of the club head. 
     Ribs have commonly been employed in the crowns of club heads to enable the crowns to be as lightweight as possible while still providing sufficient stiffness in the fore and aft direction. U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,754 to Zebelean discloses a hollow club head with a crown that includes parallel ribs running perpendicular to the face of the club head that extend internally and bridge the thin transition with the crown. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,871 to Sano discloses a hollow club head with a separately attached face and a crown that includes a plurality of parallel ribs extending perpendicular to the face. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,715 to Schmidt et al discloses a hollow club head that includes a crown with a plurality of parallel ribs that merge into and run perpendicularly to the club head face as well as a plurality of ribs that merge into and run perpendicularly to a rear wall of the club head. 
     The prior art fails to recognize that a club head having a crown with parallel ribs that uniformly reinforce the face of the club head is not an efficient structure since the club head face is not uniformly loaded but is subjected to essentially a point impact near its center. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a golf club head incorporating features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 1  viewed from below; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 1  viewed from the front; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a golf club head, according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a full cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 4  viewed from the front; 
         FIG. 6 . is a top view of a golf club head, according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a full cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 6  viewed from the side; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a golf club head, according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a full cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 8  viewed from the side; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a golf club head, according to a fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a full cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 10  viewed from the front; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of a golf club head, according to a sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a full cross-sectional view of the club head of  FIG. 12  viewed from the front; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial front cross-sectional view of a golf club head according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a top cross-sectional view of the golf club head of  FIG. 14  with respect to line XV-XV of  FIG. 14 ; and 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing a golf club head in accordance with examples and embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a top cross-sectional view of a golf club head similar to the golf club head of  FIGS. 14-15  but according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     In a first example, a golf club head can comprise a body and a plurality of ribs protruded from a rib surface of the body. The body can comprise having a heel end, a toe end, a sole, a front surface, and a rear surface. The plurality of ribs can comprise a first rib with a first longitudinal axis, a second rib with a second longitudinal axis, a third rib with a third longitudinal axis. The first, second, and third longitudinal axes can intersect at a common point external to the body. 
     In a second example, a golf club head can comprise a body and a plurality of ribs protruded from a rib surface of the body. The body can comprise a heel end, a toe end, a crown, a sole, a front surface, and a rear surface. The plurality of ribs can be generally straight and non-intersecting, and/or may comprise a first rib closest to the heel end of the body and a second rib closest to the toe end of the body. The plurality of ribs also may be arranged in a substantially radial pattern to form a fan-like shape between the first and second ribs. 
     In a third example, a method can comprise (a) providing a body of a golf club head with a heel end, a toe end, a sole, a front surface, and a rear surface, and (b) providing a plurality of ribs protruded from a rib surface of the body. The plurality of ribs can comprise a first rib with a first longitudinal axis extending through a common point, a second rib with a second longitudinal axis extending through the common point, and a third rib with a third longitudinal axis extending through the common point, wherein the common point can be external to the body. 
     Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims, and/or in the present description. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , golf club  10  comprises a club head  12 , a hosel  14  and a shaft  16 . Club head  12  is composed of a hollow body  18 , typically made of stainless steel, titanium or other material having a high shear modulus of elasticity and high strength-to-weight ratio. Hollow body  18  comprises a front wall or face  20  adapted for impacting a golf ball. Hollow body  18  further comprises a top wall or crown  22 , a bottom wall or sole  24 , and a side wall or skirt  26  that connects the face  20  to crown  22  and sole  24 . Club head  12  further includes a heel end  30  and a toe end  32 . Skirt  26  wraps around the club head  12  between the heel and toe ends  30 ,  32  to form a rear wall  28 . Golf club head  12  can be a golf club head for a driver type club, a fairway wood, or a hybrid club. 
     Crown  22  comprises a thin walled structure preferably cast as part of hollow body  18 . Crown  22  is preferably titanium having a relatively thin thickness dimension of 0.076 centimeters (cm)±0.013 cm. Crown  22  is reinforced with a plurality of ribs  34  extending downward from lower surface  36  of crown  22 . Each rib  34  extends from a first end proximal, but spaced from, the front wall  20  to a second end proximal, but spaced from, the rear wall  28 . The ribs  34  are spaced apart by a greater amount, preferably 20 percent greater, at their second ends than at their first ends. Adjacent ribs  34  diverge from their first ends toward their second ends by an angle of at least 5 degrees. Ribs  34  comprise narrow, elongate, generally straight, metallic, shock wave distributing elements with a height dimension of 0.051 cm.±0.013 cm and width dimension of 0.178 cm±0.013 cm. Ribs  34  are generally convex downward when viewed in cross-section and blend smoothly into lower surface  36  of crown  22 . It will be understood that crown  22  is free of ribs extending transversely between the ribs  34 . 
     The lower surface  36  of the crown  22  has a forward portion and a rearward portion as defined by a midline lying generally parallel to the front wall  20  one-half the distance between a forwardmost point on the front wall  20  and a rearwardmost point on the rear wall  28 . The first ends of the ribs  34  terminate in the forward portion of the crown  22  and the second ends of the ribs  34  terminate in the rearward portion of the crown  22 . 
     As shown most clearly in  FIG. 2 , ribs  34  are arrayed in a pattern such that the longitudinal axes  38  of the ribs  34  radiate from and intersect at a point  40  in space located forward of front wall  20 . Point  40  is preferably located within the middle one third (W/3) of the width of front wall  20  and is preferably located substantially in front of the center line of front wall  20 . Note that because club head  12  is a three dimensional body, as used herein, point  40  refers to a single point when viewed in plan view as in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, point  40  can be thought of as a vertical line consisting of the locus of intersections of vertical planes passing through the center lines of the ribs  34 . 
     Ribs  34  originate at a first location proximal the intersection  42  of the rear surface  44  of front wall  20  and lower surface  36  of crown  22  and extend to a second location proximal rear wall  28 . In the illustrative embodiment, at least half, and preferably all of the ribs  34  extend from front wall  20  past the mid-point (L/2) of club head  12  and are not interconnected by any transverse ribs. Accordingly, each rib  34  acts independently of the other ribs  34  interconnected only by the intervening thin section of crown  22  therebetween. Preferably, point  40  is also no more than L/2 forward of front wall  20 . This results in a pattern of ten ribs  34  subtending an angle of approximately 60 degrees or an angular divergence of from 4 to 8 degrees, preferably about 6 degrees of divergence between adjacent ribs  34 . 
     The surprising result of this arrangement of ribs  34  is that although an array of perpendicular ribs 0.051 cm high by 0.178 cm wide results in only a 9% reduction in maximum stress as compared with unreinforced crown region, ribs  34  arranged in a radial fan pattern in accordance with the present invention reduce maximum stress in the crown region by almost 36%. Although not wishing to be held to any particular theory of operation, it is believed that because the face  20  itself deforms non-uniformly extending outward from the point of impact, the loads are transferred to the crown region in a similar non-uniform manner radiating outward from the point of impact. Therefore, arranging the ribs  34  in a radial pattern extending out from near the point of impact yields a crown  22  that more efficiently supports the face  20  during impact. 
     In addition to straight linear ribs with substantially constant widths and heights as demonstrated in the example of  FIGS. 1-3 , it is possible to have alternate embodiments of a golf club head with ribs. For example, the ribs can be curved or the heights and/or widths of the ribs can be varied. 
     As an example,  FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of a golf club head.  FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  taken at the lines labeled “5.” Golf club head  412  ( FIG. 4 ) includes a hollow body  418  ( FIG. 4 ) with a front wall  420  ( FIG. 4 ), a crown  422  ( FIG. 4 ), a sole  524  ( FIG. 5 ), a side wall  526  ( FIG. 5 ) connecting crown  422  and sole  524 , a heel end  430  ( FIG. 4 ), a toe end  432  ( FIG. 4 ), and a rear side  428  ( FIG. 4 ) that is opposite of front wall  420 . In addition, golf club head  412  can also include ribs  440  ( FIG. 4 ) that extend downwardly from the lower surface of crown  422 . In the example of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , ribs  440  comprise ribs  441 ,  442 ,  443 ,  444 ,  445 , and  446  that have a first end that is proximal to front wall  420  and a second end that is proximal to rear side  428 . 
     In some examples, one or more of ribs  440  can be curved. As an example, each of ribs  441 ,  442 ,  443 ,  444 ,  445 , and  446  are curved in the example of  FIG. 4 . In other examples, however, some of ribs  440  may not be curved. For example, rib  441  can be linear. When ribs  440  are curved, the length of ribs  440  can be increased. A longer rib allows for more of the rib to absorb the vibration. 
     Each of ribs  440  of  FIG. 4  are curved. In some examples, ribs  440  can be curved in different directions. For example, ribs  441 ,  442 , and  443  can be curved in one direction, while ribs  444 ,  445 , and  446  can be curved in the opposite direction. Ribs  441 ,  442 , and  443  are curved convexly with respect to toe end  432 . Therefore, the first end and second end of ribs  441 ,  442 , and  443  are curved away from toe  432  end towards heel end  430 . On the other hand, ribs  444 ,  445 , and  446  are curved convexly with respect to heel end  430 . Therefore, the first end and second end of ribs  444 ,  445 , and  446  are curved away from heel end  430  towards toe end  432 . In one example, at least two of ribs  440  would intersect if extended forwardly in a linear or curved fashion toward front wall  420 . For example, the linear extension of rib  442  would intersect with the linear extension of rib  444  near front wall  420  or, in a different embodiment, in front of front wall  420 . It should be noted that there may be alternate curve arrangements for ribs  440 . For example, more ribs of ribs  440  may curve towards one direction than the other, or all the ribs may curve in the same direction. In addition, there may be less or more than six ribs  440 . 
     Each of ribs  440  can have a radius of curvature. A radius of curvature is the radius of the circle that is created by an extrapolation of the rib. In some examples, each of ribs  440  has a different radius of curvature. In other examples, some of the radii can be approximately equal to each other. 
     In the example of golf club head  412  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , rib  441  has the largest radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the subsequent ribs decreases the closer the rib is to heel end  430  or toe end  432  relative to rib  441 . For example, the radius of curvature of rib  442  is less than that of rib  441 , and the radius of curvature of rib  443  is less than that of rib  442 . Furthermore, the radius of curvature of rib  444  is less than that of rib  441 ; the radius of curvature of rib  445  is less than that of rib  444 ; and the radius of curvature of rib  446  is less than that of rib  445 . In other examples the radii of curvature of ribs  440  can increase the closer the rib is to heel end  430  or toe end  432  relative to rib  441 . In yet other examples, the radii of curvature of ribs  440  can have no relation to the rib&#39;s position relative to rib  441 . 
     In the same or other examples, the radii of curvature for the ribs can be symmetric with each other according to their position relative to rib  441 . For example, the radius of curvature of rib  442  can be approximately equal to the radius of curvature of rib  444 , and the radius of curvature of rib  443  can be approximately equal to the radius of curvature of rib  445 . In other examples, the radii of curvature for ribs  440  are asymmetric with each other. 
     Each of ribs  440  has a width dimension. In the example of  FIG. 4 , each of ribs  440  has a width that is approximately equal to the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  440  can have widths that are not equal to every other rib. In some examples, each of ribs  440  has a tapering first end and a tapering second end. In other examples, there is no tapering of the first end and/or the second end. 
     In addition, each of ribs  440  has a height dimension. The height dimension is a measure of the distance that a rib extends from crown  422  into hollow body  418 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , each of ribs  440  has a height that is approximately equal to the heights of each of the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  440  can have heights that are not equal to the other ribs. 
     Each of ribs  440  has a length dimension also. The length dimension is a measure of the (curved) distance between a rib&#39;s first end and its second end. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the ribs towards the midpoint between toe end  432  and heel end  430  have the greatest length. In addition, the length of a rib decreases the closer the rib is to toe end  432  or heel end  430 . As an example, rib  441  has the greatest length; the length of rib  442  is greater than that of rib  443 ; the length of rib  444  is greater than that of rib  445 ; and the length of rib  445  is greater than that of rib  446 . In other examples, all of ribs  440  have an approximately equal length. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a golf club head.  FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  taken at the lines labeled “7.” Golf club head  612  ( FIG. 6 ) includes a hollow body  618  ( FIG. 6 ) with a front wall  620  ( FIG. 6 ), a crown  622  ( FIG. 6 ), a sole  724  ( FIG. 7 ), a side wall  726  ( FIG. 7 ) connecting crown  622  and sole  624 , a heel end  630  ( FIG. 6 ), a toe end  632  ( FIG. 6 ), and a rear side  628  ( FIG. 6 ). In addition, golf club head  612  can also include ribs  640  ( FIG. 6 ) that extend downwardly from the lower surface of crown  622 . In the example of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , ribs  640  comprise ribs  641 ,  642 ,  643 ,  644 ,  645 , and  646  that have a first end that is proximal to toe end  632  and a second end that is proximal to heel end  630 . 
     In some examples, one or more of ribs  640  can be curved. As an example, each of ribs  641 ,  642 ,  643 ,  644 ,  645 , and  646  are curved in the example of  FIG. 6 . In other examples, however, some of ribs  640  may not be curved. For example, rib  641  can be linear. 
     Each of ribs  640  of  FIG. 6  are curved. In some examples, ribs  640  are all curved in the same direction. For example, ribs  641 ,  642 ,  643 ,  644 ,  645 , and  646  are curved convexly with respect to front wall  620 . Therefore, the first end and second end of ribs  640  are curved away from front wall  620 . It should be noted that there may be alternate curve arrangements for ribs  640 . For example, if the dimensions of golf club head  612  decrease significantly at rear side  628  relative to front wall  620 , some of ribs  640  may be curved concavely with respect to front wall  602 . In other embodiments, some of ribs  640  may have a first end that is proximal to front wall  620  and a second end that is proximal to rear side  628 . In addition, there may be less or more than six ribs  440 . 
     Each of ribs  640  can have a radius of curvature. In some examples, each of ribs  640  has a different radius of curvature. In other examples, some of the radii of curvature can be approximately equal to each other. 
     In the example of golf club head  612  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , rib  641  has the largest radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the subsequent ribs decreases the closer the rib is to rear end  628 . For example, the radius of curvature of rib  642  is less than that of rib  641 ; the radius of curvature of rib  643  is less than that of rib  642 ; the radius of curvature of rib  644  is less than that of rib  643 ; the radius of curvature of rib  645  is less than that of rib  644 ; and the radius of curvature of rib  646  is less than that of rib  645 . In other examples, the radii of curvature of ribs  640  can increase for each rib that is closer to rear  628 . In yet other examples, the radii of curvature of ribs  640  have no relation to the rib&#39;s position relative to rear end  628 . 
     Each of ribs  640  has a width dimension. In the example of  FIG. 6 , each of ribs  640  has a width that is approximately equal to the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  640  can have widths that are not equal to the other ribs. In some examples, each of ribs  640  has a tapering first end and a tapering second end. In other examples, there is no tapering of the first end and/or the second end. 
     In addition, each of ribs  640  has a height dimension. The height dimension is a measure of the distance that a rib extends from crown  622  into hollow body  618 . In the example of  FIG. 7 , each of ribs  640  have a height that is approximately equal to the heights of each of the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  640  can have heights that are not equal to the other ribs. 
     Each of ribs  640  has a length dimension also. The length dimension is a measure of the (curved) distance between a rib&#39;s first end and its second end. In the example of  FIG. 6 , the ribs closer to front wall  620  generally have a greater length than the ribs closer to rear side  628 . As an example, the length of rib  642  is greater than that of rib  643 ; the length of rib  643  is greater than that of rib  644 ; the length of rib  644  is greater than that of rib  645 ; and the length of rib  645  is greater than that of rib  646 . The length of rib  642 , however, is greater than that of rib  641 . In other examples, all of ribs  640  have an approximately equal length. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a golf club head.  FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  taken at the lines labeled “9.” Golf club head  812  ( FIG. 8 ) includes a hollow body  818  ( FIG. 8 ) with a front wall  820  ( FIG. 8 ), a crown  822  ( FIG. 8 ), a sole  924  ( FIG. 9 ), a side wall  926  ( FIG. 9 ) connecting crown  422  and sole  524 , a heel end  830  ( FIG. 8 ), a toe end  832  ( FIG. 8 ), and a rear side  828  ( FIG. 8 ) that is opposite of front wall  820 . In addition, golf club head  812  can also include ribs  840  ( FIG. 8 ) that extend downwardly from the lower surface of crown  822 . In the example of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , ribs  840  comprise ribs  841 ,  842 ,  843 ,  844 , and  845  that have a first end that is proximal to toe end  832  and a second end that is proximal to heel end  830 . 
     In some examples, one or more of ribs  840  can be curved. As an example, each of ribs  841 ,  842 ,  843 ,  844 , and  845  are curved in the example of  FIG. 8 . In other examples, however, some of ribs  840  may not be curved. For example, rib  841  can be linear. 
     Each of ribs  840  of  FIG. 8  are curved. In some examples, ribs  840  are all curved in the same direction. For example, ribs  841 ,  842 ,  843 ,  844 , and  845  are curved concavely with respect to front wall  820 . Therefore, the first end and second end of ribs  840  are curved toward front wall  820 . It should be noted that there may be alternate curve arrangements for ribs  840 . For example, some of ribs  840  may have a first end that is proximal to front wall  820  and a second end that is proximal to rear side  828 . In addition, there may be less or more than six ribs  840 . 
     Each of ribs  840  has a radius of curvature. In some examples, each of ribs  840  has a different radius of curvature. In other examples, some of the radii can be approximately equal. 
     In the example of golf club head  812  illustrated in  FIG. 8 , rib  841  has the smallest radius of curvature. The radius of curvature of the subsequent ribs increases the closer the rib is to rear end  828 . For example, the radius of curvature of rib  842  is greater than that of rib  841 ; the radius of curvature of rib  843  is greater than that of rib  842 ; the radius of curvature of rib  844  is greater than that of rib  843 ; and the radius of curvature of rib  845  is greater than that of rib  844 . In other examples the radii of curvature of ribs  840  can decrease for each rib that is closer to rear end  828 . In yet other examples, the radii of curvature of ribs  840  have no relation to the rib&#39;s position relative to rear end  828 . 
     In the same or other examples, the radii of curvature for the ribs can be such that the ribs are concentric. If each of ribs  840  was extrapolated to complete a circle, the resulting circles would be concentric. In other examples, the radii of curvature for ribs  840  are not concentric. 
     Each of ribs  840  has a width dimension. In the example of  FIG. 8 , each of ribs  840  has a width that is approximately equal to the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  840  can have widths that are not equal to the other ribs. In some examples, each of ribs  840  has a tapering first end and a tapering second end. In other examples, there is no tapering of the first end and/or the second end. 
     In addition, each of ribs  840  has a height dimension. The height dimension is a measure of the (curved) distance that a rib extends from crown  822  into hollow body  818 . In the example of  FIG. 9 , each of ribs  840  has a height that is approximately equal to the heights of the other ribs. In other examples, ribs  840  can have heights that are not equal to the other ribs. 
     Each of ribs  840  has a length dimension also. The length dimension is a measure of the distance between a rib&#39;s first end and its second end. In the example of  FIG. 8 , the ribs closer to rear side  828  have a greater length than the ribs closer to front wall  820 . As an example, rib  845  has the greatest length; the length of rib  844  is greater than that of rib  843 ; the length of rib  843  is greater than that of rib  842 ; and the length of rib  842  is greater than that of rib  841 . In other examples, all of ribs  840  have an approximately equal length. 
     In addition to having curved ribs, a golf club head can have ribs that have varying widths. For example.  FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of a golf club head.  FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  taken at the lines labeled “11.” Golf club head  1012  ( FIG. 10 ) includes a hollow body  1018  ( FIG. 10 ) with a front wall  1020  ( FIG. 10 ), a crown  1022  ( FIG. 10 ), a sole  1124  ( FIG. 11 ), a side wall  1126  ( FIG. 11 ) connecting crown  1022  and sole  1124 , a heel end  1030  ( FIG. 10 ), a toe end  1032  ( FIG. 10 ), and a rear side  1028  ( FIG. 10 ) that is opposite of front wall  1020 . In addition, golf club head  1012  can also include ribs  1040  ( FIG. 10 ) that extend downwardly from the lower surface of crown  1022 . In the example of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , ribs  1040  comprise ribs  1041 ,  1042 ,  1043 ,  1044 , and  1045  that have a first end that is proximal to front wall  1020  and a second end that is proximal to rear end  1028 . 
     In some examples, one or more of ribs  1040  are linear. As an example, each of ribs  1041 ,  1042 ,  1043 ,  1044 , and  1045  are linear in the example of  FIG. 10 . In other examples, however, some of ribs  1040  may not be linear. For example, one or more of ribs  1040  can be curved. In some examples, ribs  1040  are arranged so that each of the axes of ribs  1040  converge at a common point. In some examples, the common point is forward of the front wall. In other examples, each of the axes of ribs  1040  do not converge at a common point. 
     Each of ribs  1040  has a width dimension. In the example of  FIG. 10 , each of ribs  1040  has a width that tapers. For example, the width of each of ribs  1040  decreases from its midpoint to its first end and its second end. As demonstrated in  FIG. 10 , the width at the midpoint of each of ribs  1040  can be approximately equal to the width of each of the other ribs at their respective midpoints. In other examples, ribs  1040  can have widths at their midpoints that are not equal to the width of the other ribs at their respective midpoints. 
     The widths of ribs  1040  can taper at any rate. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the widths can have a smooth, non-constant tapering, giving ribs  1040  the shape of an elongated oval. In other examples, the widths can taper in a linear or constant manner, giving ribs  1040  a shape similar to that of a diamond. 
     In addition, each of ribs  1040  has a height dimension. The height dimension is a measure of the distance that a rib extends from crown  1022  into hollow body  1018 . In the example of  FIG. 11 , each of ribs  1040  has a height that tapers. For example, the height of each of ribs  1040  decreases from its midpoint to its first end and its second end. As demonstrated in  FIG. 11 , each of ribs  1040  can have a height that is approximately equal to the heights of the other ribs at their respective midpoints. In other examples, ribs  1040  can have heights at their midpoints that are not equal to the height of the other ribs at their respective midpoints. 
     The heights of ribs  1040  can taper at any rate. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the widths can have a smooth, non-constant tapering, giving ribs  1040  a smooth contour. In other examples, the widths can taper more drastically or in a linear or constant manner, giving ribs  1040  a shape having a much more pointed height at the midpoint of ribs  1040 . 
     Each of ribs  1040  has a length dimension also. The length dimension is a measure of the distance between a rib&#39;s first end and its second end. In the example of  FIG. 10 , the ribs closer to the midpoint between toe end  1032  and heel end  1030  have a greater length than the ribs closer to toe end  1032  or heel end  1030 . As an example, rib  1041  has the greatest length; the length of rib  1042  is greater than that of rib  1043 ; and the length of rib  1044  is greater than that of rib  1045 . In other examples, all of ribs  1040  have an approximately equal length. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a golf club head.  FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12  taken at the lines labeled “13.” Golf club head  1212  ( FIG. 12 ) includes a hollow body  1218  ( FIG. 12 ) with a front wall  1220  ( FIG. 12 ), a crown  1222  ( FIG. 12 ), a sole  1324  ( FIG. 13 ), a side wall  1326  ( FIG. 13 ) connecting crown  1222  and sole  1324 , a heel end  1230  ( FIG. 12 ), a toe end  1232  ( FIG. 12 ), and a rear side  1228  ( FIG. 12 ) that is opposite of front wall  1220 . In addition, golf club head  1212  can also include ribs  1240  ( FIG. 12 ) that extend downwardly from the lower surface of crown  1222 . In the example of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , ribs  1240  comprise ribs  1241 ,  1242 ,  1243 ,  1244 , and  1245  that have a first end that is proximal to front wall  1220  and a second end that is proximal to rear end  1228 . 
     In some examples, one or more of ribs  1240  are linear. As an example, each of ribs  1241 ,  1242 ,  1243 ,  1244 , and  1245  are linear in the example of  FIG. 12 . In other examples, however, some of ribs  1240  may not be linear. For example, one or more of ribs  1240  can be curved. In some examples, ribs  1240  are arranged so that each of the axes of ribs  1240  converge at a common point. In some examples, the common point is forward of the front wall. In other examples, each of the axes of ribs  1240  do not converge at a common point. 
     Each of ribs  1240  has a width dimension. In the example of  FIG. 12 , each of ribs  1240  has a width that remains substantially constant. In some examples, the width of each of ribs  1240  tapers at its first end and its second end. In other examples, the width of each of ribs  1240  does not taper at its first and/or second end. As demonstrated in  FIG. 12 , the width of each of ribs  1040  can vary. For example, the closer a rib is to the midpoint between toe end  1232  and heel end  1230 , the greater the width of that particular rib. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , rib  1241  can have the largest width; the width of rib  1242  is greater than width of rib  1243 ; and the width of rib  1244  is greater that the width of rib  1245 . In some examples, the widths of ribs  1240  are symmetric across golf club head  1212 . For example, the width of rib  1243  is approximately equal to the width of rib  1245 , and the width of rib  1242  is approximately equal to the width of rib  1244 . In other examples, the widths of ribs  1240  are asymmetric across golf club head  1212 . In yet other examples, the widths of ribs  1240  can change such as, for example, by increasing the closer the rib is to toe end  1232  or heel end  1230 . In further examples, the widths of ribs  1240  have no correlation to the rib&#39;s position relative to toe end  1232  and/or heel end  1230 . Ribs  1240  can be positioned so that the ribs with greater widths can be placed in areas of higher vibration. 
     In addition, each of ribs  1240  has a height dimension. The height dimension is a measure of the distance that a rib extends from crown  1222  into hollow body  1218 . In the example of  FIG. 13 , each of ribs  1240  has a height that remains substantially constant. As also demonstrated in  FIG. 13 , each of ribs  1240  can have a height that is different from the height of at least one of the other ribs. In some examples, the height of ribs  1240  increases the closer a rib is to the midpoint between toe end  1232  and heel end  1230 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , rib  1241  can have the largest height; the height of rib  1242  is greater than height of rib  1243 ; and the height of rib  1244  is greater that the height of rib  1245 . In some examples, the heights of ribs  1240  are symmetric across golf club head  1212 . For example, the height of rib  1243  is approximately equal to the height of rib  1245 , and the height of rib  1242  is approximately equal to the height of rib  1244 . In other examples, the heights of ribs  1240  are asymmetric across golf club head  1212 . In yet other examples, the heights of ribs  1240  can change, such as, for example, by increasing the closer the rib is to toe end  1232  and heel end  1230 . In further examples, the height of ribs  1240  has no correlation to the rib&#39;s position relative to toe end  1232  and/or heel end  1230 . Ribs  1240  can be positioned so that the ribs with greater heights can be placed in areas of higher vibration. 
     Each of ribs  1240  has a length dimension also. The length dimension is a measure of the distance between a rib&#39;s first end and its second end. In the example of  FIG. 12 , the ribs closer to the midpoint between toe end  1232  and heel end  1230  have a greater length than the ribs closer to toe end  1232  or heel end  1230 . As an example, rib  1241  has the greatest length; the length of rib  1242  is greater than that of rib  1243 ; and the length of rib  1244  is greater than that of rib  1245 . In other examples, all of ribs  1240  have an approximately equal length. 
     In other embodiments, ribs can have widths and/or heights that taper and vary from one rib to the next. For examples, ribs can have tapering widths as illustrated by ribs  1040  of  FIG. 10 , and ribs can have varying widths as illustrated by ribs  1240  of  FIG. 12 . In addition, ribs can have tapering heights as illustrated by ribs  1040  of  FIG. 11 , and ribs can have a varying heights as illustrated by ribs  1240  of  FIG. 13 . 
     In another embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head is provided. The method of providing a golf club head can include providing a body having a heel end, a toe end, a crown having an upper surface and a lower surface, a sole, a front wall, a rear side, and ribs extending from a first end to a second end and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the crown. In addition, the ribs can comprise a first rib and at least one second rib that is curved. As an example, the heel end can be heel end  430  ( FIG. 4 ), heel end  630  ( FIG. 6 ), or heel end  830  ( FIG. 8 ); the toe end can be toe end  432  ( FIG. 4 ), toe end  632  ( FIG. 6 ), or toe end  832  ( FIG. 8 ); the crown can be crown  422  ( FIG. 4 ), crown  622  ( FIG. 6 ), or crown  822  ( FIG. 8 ); the sole can be sole  524  ( FIG. 5 ), sole  724  ( FIG. 7 ), or sole  924  ( FIG. 9 ); the front wall can be front wall  420  ( FIG. 4 ), front wall  620  ( FIG. 6 ), or front wall  820  ( FIG. 8 ); the rear side can be rear side  428  ( FIG. 4 ), rear side  628  ( FIG. 6 ), or rear side  828  ( FIG. 8 ); and ribs can be ribs  440  ( FIG. 4 ), ribs  640  ( FIG. 6 ), or ribs  840  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     In one example, the ribs can be provided to be integral with the body. In other examples, the ribs can be provided to be initially separate from the body. Afterwards, the ribs can be coupled to the body by way of a brazing technique, a welding technique, or an adhesive. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of providing a golf club head is provided. The method of providing a golf club head can include providing a body having a heel end, a toe end, a crown having an upper surface and a lower surface, a sole, a front wall, a rear side, and generally linear ribs extending downwardly from the lower surface of the crown and extending from a first end proximal the front wall to a second end proximal the rear side. In some examples, the ribs can have a tapering width from its midpoint towards its ends. In the same or other examples, the widths of at least two of the ribs are different. As an example, the heel end can be heel end  1030  ( FIG. 10 ) or heel end  1230  ( FIG. 12 ); the toe end can be toe end  1032  ( FIG. 10 ) or toe end  1232  ( FIG. 12 ); the crown can be crown  1022  ( FIG. 10 ) or crown  1222  ( FIG. 12 ); the sole can be sole  1124  (FIG.  11 ) or sole  1324  ( FIG. 13 ); the front wall can be front wall  1020  ( FIG. 10 ) or front wall  1220  ( FIG. 12 ); the rear side can be rear side  1028  ( FIG. 10 ) or rear side  1228  ( FIG. 12 ); and ribs can be ribs  1040  ( FIG. 10 ) or ribs  1240  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     In one example, the ribs can be provided to be integral with the body. In other examples, the ribs can be provided to be initially separate from the body. Afterwards, the ribs can be coupled to the body by way of a brazing technique, a welding technique, or an adhesive. 
     Continuing with the figures,  FIG. 14  illustrates a partial front cross-sectional view of golf club head  140 .  FIG. 15  illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf club head  140  with respect to line XV-XV of  FIG. 14 . Golf club head  140  is similar to other golf club heads presented herein, such as golf club head  12  ( FIGS. 1-4 ), but differs by comprising ribs  1420  located at rib surface  1415 , where rib surface  1415  is defined by the extension of ribs  1420  and the space therebetween. In the present example, ribs  1420  comprise a single piece of material with rib surface  1415 , but there may be other embodiments where ribs  1420  may not be integral with rib surface  1415  and could be secured thereto via one or more mechanical or chemical fasteners. 
     Oftentimes, players or users of golf clubs can be able to gauge the quality of their hits based on the sound that the golf club head makes at impact with a golf ball. The ability to keep a consistent sound at impact can thus be an advantage for keeping such players or users within their comfort zone and/or for maintaining expectations regarding such sound/quality relationship. Considering the above, ribs  1420  can be configured in some embodiments to channel stresses and/or vibrations to achieve a desired impact sound when golf club head  140  impacts a golf ball such as golf ball  1570  ( FIG. 15 ). Such a characteristic may be valuable to maintain and/or restore a desired sound characteristic for the golf club head design, such as when the desired sound characteristic would otherwise be altered as a result of other modifications or improvements made to the structure of the golf club head design in search of better performance. In addition, as previously described with respect to other golf club heads herein disclosed, ribs  1420  may add reinforcement characteristics to the portion of the club head where rib surface  1415  is located to better dissipate or channel stress or impact forces. 
     Golf club head  140  comprises body  1410  having heel end  1411 , toe end  1412 , sole  1413 , crown  1414 , front surface  1416  (comprising strike face  1430  and target strike zone  1431 ), rear surface  1517  ( FIG. 15 ), and skirt portion  1418 . Body  1410  also comprises rib surface  1415 , from which ribs  1420  protrude. In the present example, ribs  1420  comprise rib  1421  with rib longitudinal axis  1521  ( FIG. 15 ), rib  1422  with rib longitudinal axis  1522  ( FIG. 15 ), and rib  1423  with rib longitudinal axis  1523  ( FIG. 15 ), where rib longitudinal axes  1521 - 1523  intersect external to body  1410  at common point  1550  ( FIG. 15 ). Rib  1421  is located closest to heel end  1411 , rib  1422  is located closest to toe end  1412  of body  1410 , and rib  1423  is located between ribs  1411  and  1412 . Ribs  1420  are arranged on or over rib surface  1415  in a substantially radial pattern in the present example, forming a fan-like shape between rib  1421  and rib  1422 . Common point  1550  is located forward of front surface  1416  in the present embodiment, but there can be embodiments where common point  1550  is located elsewhere external to body  1410 . As an example, a different embodiment could comprise ribs similar to ribs  1420  but configured to intersect at a common point located behind rear surface  1517 . 
     Ribs  1420  also comprise rib  1424  with longitudinal axis  1524 , and rib  1425  with longitudinal axis  1525 . In the present example, longitudinal axes  1524  and  1525  also intersect at common point  15500  with longitudinal axes  1521 - 1523 . There can be other embodiments, however, where not all longitudinal axes of ribs  1420  need to intersect at common point  15500 . As an example, there can be embodiments where longitudinal axes  1524  and  1525  may intersect each other external to body  1410  but elsewhere other than at common point  15500 . Other embodiments may comprise a different number of ribs. As an example, ribs  1423 - 25  may be absent in some embodiments, such that ribs  1420  would comprise only two ribs. As another example, some embodiments may comprise more than five ribs, such as an embodiment with 10 ribs similar to that described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3  but with ribs at sole  24  ( FIG. 3 ). Some of such embodiments may comprise ribs that may not intersect with all of the other ribs thereof. 
     In the present example of  FIG. 15 , rib surface  1415  is located at sole  1413  internal to body  1410 , such that ribs  1420  are also internal to body  1410  and invisible at sole  1413  opposite rib surface  1415 . In other examples, however, ribs  1420  may be external to body  1410 , where rib surface could be located, instead, at an exterior surface of crown  1414  or at an exterior surface of sole  1413 . Ribs  1420  are concave relative to crown  1414  in the present example, and rib surface  1415  extends past sole  1413  into part of skirt portion  1418  of body  1410 . There can be other embodiments, however, where ribs  1420  need not extend into skirt portion  1418 . In some examples, extending ribs  1420  into skirt portion  1418  can be beneficial for reinforcing one or more sections of skirt portion  1418 , and/or for tuning the impact sound of golf club head  140 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , each of ribs  1420  are spaced apart from front surface  1416  and from rear surface  1517 . Such a characteristic can be beneficial, for example, so as to not interfere with the bending or deformation of the transition region between front surface  1416  and the rest of body  1410  upon impact with a golf ball. Also in the present example, different ribs of ribs  1420  are separated by different distances from front surface  1416  along their respective longitudinal rib axes. As an example, rib  1423  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  along rib longitudinal axis  1523  by a distance greater than the distance spacing apart ribs  1421  and/or  1422  from front surface  1416  along rib longitudinally axes  1521  and/or  1522 , respectively. In the present embodiment, rib  1421  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  by approximately 1.732 cm, rib  1422  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  by approximately 1.638 cm, rib  1423  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  by approximately 1.742 cm, rib  1424  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  by approximately 1.737 cm, and rib  1425  is spaced apart from front surface  1416  by approximately 1.709 cm. Such different spacing may be valuable in some examples for influencing or tuning the stiffness of the transition region between strike face  1430  and sole  1413  to control one or more attributes of golf club head  140 , such as a characteristic time, a coefficient of restitution, an impact sound, and/or a feel thereof. In other examples, ribs  1420  may be equally spaced apart from front surface  1416 . 
     In the present embodiment, rib  1421  comprises a length of approximately 4.1 cm, rib  1422  comprises a length of approximately 7.3 cm, rib  1423  comprises a length of approximately 8.6 cm, and rib  1424  comprises a length of approximately 6.5 cm, rib  1425  comprises a length of approximately 8.8 cm. The lengths of ribs  1420  can extend through and/or above indentations or other features of rib surface  1415 , such as indentations  1580  including indentations  1581 - 1583 . Indentations  1580  may thus partially engulf one or more portions of one or more of ribs  1420 , as can be seen in the example of  FIG. 15 . As an example, parts of the top of ribs  1422  and  1425  are shown protruding above indentation  1581 , while parts of the top of ribs  1421 ,  1424 , and  1423  are shown protruding above indentation  1582 . As another example, parts of ribs  1422 - 1425  are shown protruding above indentations  1583 . Indentations  1581 - 1583  all protrude from rib surface  1415  into an interior of golf club head  140  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 14-15 , where indentations  1581 - 1582  delineate pockets into which external weights can be attached to an exterior surface of golf club head  140 , and where indentations  1583  can correspond to a logo or other design located or embossed at rib surface  1415 . There can be other embodiments, however, where one or more of ribs  1420  may not protrude above one or more of indentations  1580 . As an example, in another embodiment, ribs  1420  may protrude above indentations  1583 , while the length of one or more of ribs  1420  may end at the interface with one or more of indentations  1581 - 1582 . In the same or other embodiments, one or more of indentations  1580  may completely engulf at least one portion of one or more of ribs  1420 . 
     Ribs  1420  can be configured to comprise a maximum width of approximately 4.5 millimeters (mm) to approximately 5 mm, and/or a maximum thickness of approximately 0.5 to approximately 1.0 mm in some embodiments. More specifically, in the present example of  FIGS. 14-15 , the maximum width of ribs  1420  can be of approximately 4.8 mm, and the maximum thickness of ribs  1420  can be approximately 0.76 mm. 
     Ribs  1420  are non-intersected by any rib in the present example. In addition, the thickness and width of ribs  1420  blend into rib surface  1415  proximate to front surface  1416 . Such characteristics may permit ribs  1420  to better pick up or channel stresses and/or vibrations along their length for dissipation towards or throughout desired portions of body  1410  without interruption or deviation of such channeling by any intersecting rib. The blending of ribs  1420  into rib surface  1415  may also permit a reduction of stress concentration than if ribs  1420  protruded abruptly proximate to front surface  1416 . Other embodiments, however, may comprise one or more ribs that may or may not intersect all of ribs  1420 , and/or one or more of ribs  1420  that may not blend into rib surface  1415 . 
     In the present example, as can be seen in  FIG. 15 , adjacent ribs of ribs  1420  diverge from each other towards rear surface  1517 , and converge towards each other towards front surface  1416 . Also, body  1410  comprises forward portion  1561  and rearward portion  1562 , divided by midline  1563  therebetween, where midline  1563  lies generally parallel to front surface  1416  at substantially one-half the distance between a forwardmost point of front surface  1416  and a rearwardmost point of rear surface  1517 . In the present example, the front end of each of ribs  1422 - 1425  lies at forward portion  1561 , while the rear end of each of ribs  1422 - 1425  lies at rearward portion  1562 . There can be examples where all of ribs  1420  comprise front ends at forward portion  1561  and rear ends at rearward portion  1562 . Also, in the present example, ribs  1420  are located such that their collective center of gravity is located between the center of gravity of golf club head  140  and rear surface  1517 . In the same or other examples, the center of gravity of each of ribs  1420  may be located between the center of gravity of golf club head  140  and rear surface  1517 . As a result, ribs  1420  may beneficially displace the center of gravity of golf club head  140  rearwards from where it would have otherwise been for better impact and launch characteristics. 
     The embodiment of  FIGS. 14-15  also present a target strike zone  1431  at front surface  1416 , configured to be the desired point of impact with a golf ball under most circumstances. In the present example, longitudinal axis  1523  of rib  1423  is substantially perpendicular to strike face  1430 , and is aligned with a center of target strike zone  1431 . Target strike axis  1533  extends substantially perpendicular to strike face  1430 , from a center of target strike zone  1431 , where common point  1550  is located along target strike axis  1533  in the present embodiment such that ribs longitudinal axes  1521 - 1525  of ribs  1421 - 1425  intersect each other along target strike axis  1533 . Rib longitudinal axis  1523  can be collinear with target strike axis  1533 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 15 , common point  1550  is separated from target strike zone  1431  by distance  1571  comprising approximately a radius of golf ball  1570 . In some examples, distance  1571  may be of approximately 21.3 mm, and/or tailored with respect to the radius of a golf ball compliant with the rules of the United States Golf Association (USGA). Currently, the USGA requires conforming golf balls to have a diameter of not less than 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). In other examples, common point  1550  may be separated from target strike zone  1431  by a different distance, such as a distance of a golf ball diameter, instead. 
     In the present example, golf club head  140  comprises sole weight  1590  located at least partially at sole  1413 . Sole weight  1590  is situated at a lowermost portion of sole  1413 , so as to more effectively lower the center of gravity of golf club head  140 , and the perimeter of sole weight  1590  can be contoured to fill-in the volume of such lowermost portion of sole  1413 . In the same or other examples, sole weight  1590  comprises a single piece of material with sole  1413  in the present example, but there may be other examples where sole weight  1590  may comprise a different material or piece than sole  1413 , and/or where sole weight  1590  may be affixed to sole  1413  via a mechanical or chemical fastener such as via an adhesive, one or more screws, welding, and/or brazing, among others. As shown in  FIG. 15 , sole weight  1590  may at least partially engulf one or more ribs of ribs  1420 , such as ribs  1423 - 1424 . In the same or other examples, the thickness of sole weight  1590  can engulf a thickness of one or more portions of the engulfed ribs, such as seen with respect to the portions of ribs  1423 - 1424  that become subsumed into the thickness of sole weight  1590 . 
     Skipping ahead in the figures,  FIG. 17  illustrates a top cross-sectional view of golf club head  170 . In the present example, club head  170  is similar to golf club head  140  ( FIGS. 14-15 ), and comprises ribs  1721 - 1725  similar to ribs  1421 - 1425  ( FIGS. 14-15 ). Ribs  1721 - 1725  are located at rib surface  1715 , which is devoid of features such as weight  1590  and indentations  1581 - 1583  that could otherwise engulf one or more portions of ribs  1721 - 1725 . There can be other examples, however, where one or more indentations like indentations  1581 - 1583 , and/or one or more weights like weight  1590 , could be located at rib surface  1715 . 
     Backtracking through the figures,  FIG. 16  illustrates a flowchart of a method  1600  for providing a golf club head. In some examples, the golf club head can be similar to one or more of the golf club heads previously described, such as golf club head  12  ( FIGS. 1-3 ), golf club head  412  ( FIGS. 4-5 ), golf club head  1012  ( FIGS. 10-11 ), golf club head  1212  ( FIGS. 12-13 ), golf club head  140  ( FIGS. 14-15 ), and/or variations thereof. 
     Block  1610  of method  1600  comprises providing a body of the golf club head with a heel end, a toe end, a sole, a front surface, and a rear surface. As an example, with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 14-15 , the body can be similar to body  1410 , the toe end can be similar to toe end  1412 , the heel end can be similar to heel end  1411 , the sole can be similar to sole  1413 , the front surface can be similar to front surface  1416 , and the rear surface can be similar to rear surface  1517 . Corresponding associations are envisioned for other golf club heads taught herein, or variations thereof. 
     Block  1620  of method  1600  comprises providing a plurality of ribs protruded from a rib surface of the body. As an example, with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 14-15 , the rib surface can be similar to rib surface  1415 , and the plurality of ribs can be similar to a plurality of ribs  1420 . For instance, the plurality of ribs may comprise a subset of ribs  1421 - 1425 . Corresponding associations can be made with respect to ribs of the other golf club heads taught herein, or variations thereof. In some embodiments, at least a subset of the plurality of ribs may intersect at a common point external to the body, such as illustrated with respect to common point  1550  located forward of front surface  1416  in  FIG. 15 , for example. There can be other examples, however, where common point need not be located forward of the front surface of the body. In addition, the plurality of ribs may comprise a single piece of material with the rib surface, or may be attached thereto via a mechanical or chemical fastener. 
     In some examples, providing the plurality of ribs in block  1620  can comprise providing the rib surface and the plurality of ribs internal to the body; and/or providing the plurality of ribs at the sole of the body. In other examples, the plurality of ribs may be external to the body instead, and/or the plurality of ribs may be provided elsewhere, such as at a crown of the body, and/or at a skirt portion of the body. 
     There can be examples where different blocks of method  1600  can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/or the sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, blocks  1610 - 1620  may be performed simultaneously, such as by forming the plurality of ribs integrally with the rib surface, where the rib surface comprises one or more portions of one or more parts of the body of the club head. There can also be examples where method  1600  can comprise further or different blocks. As an example, method  1600  can comprise another block for providing a weight similar to sole weight  1590  ( FIG. 15 ), where such weight could engulf one or more portions of one or more of the plurality of ribs of block  1620 . Other variations can be implemented for method  1600  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&amp;A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein may be conforming or non-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard. 
     While at least some of the above examples have been depicted and/or described with respect to with fairway wood-type golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs such as a driver-type golf club, a hybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, a wedge-type golf club, and/or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc. 
     Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have been described herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly it is intended that the invention should be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the rules and principles of applicable law.