Patent Publication Number: US-2021187373-A1

Title: Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking device Having Reinforced Sole

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/669,381, filed Oct. 30, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,933,289, granted Mar. 2, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/818,012, filed Nov. 20, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,478,691, granted on Nov. 19, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/203,422, filed Jul. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,827,473, granted on Nov. 28, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/787,175, filed Mar. 6, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,393,473, granted on Jul. 19, 2016, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to ball striking devices, such as golf clubs and golf club heads, having a reinforced sole. Certain aspects of this invention relate to golf club heads having one or more a bracing members connected to the sole and extending upward from the sole. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The vibration or resonance of certain components of a ball striking device, such as a golf club head, during impact may influence the energy and velocity transferred to the ball upon impact. Excessive vibration or resonance can increase damping and thereby cause energy loss or dissipation, reducing the energy and velocity transferred to the ball. Accordingly, technologies that can reduce or otherwise optimize the resonance and vibration of components of a ball striking device during impact can be advantageous in producing greater impact energy and velocity. 
     Additionally, the vibration or resonance of certain components of a ball striking device during impact can affect the sound and/or feel of the impact. Excessive vibration or resonance can produce undesirable sounds and poor feel for the user, and may even sting or otherwise cause pain to the user&#39;s hands. Accordingly, technologies that can reduce or otherwise optimize the resonance and vibration of components of a ball striking device during impact can be advantageous in producing improved sound and feel upon impact. 
     The present devices and methods are provided to address at least some of the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior ball striking devices of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. 
     Aspects of the invention relate to ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, with a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface. The head may include features that can improve the resonance of the sole and/or the head as a whole. Various example structures of heads described herein include a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The bridge portion may be formed by one or more trusses, and may define a generally triangular shape in one embodiment. Additionally, the first and second ends may be connected to the upper sole surface using a variety of techniques, such as welding or other integral joining technique, integral forming, adhesive or other bonding material, or another technique. 
     According to one aspect, the bracing member includes a first truss having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end and a second truss having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end. The first truss and the second truss extend upward from the upper sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first truss may be joined to the second truss at the first and second distal ends, such that the first and second trusses define a generally triangular shape. In this configuration, the first end, the second end, and the first and second distal ends combined form the three corners of the generally triangular shape. 
     According to another aspect, the bracing member includes a plurality of trusses, including a first truss and a second truss as described above, as well as a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the upper sole surface that is spaced from the first and second points and a third distal end opposite the third end and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the upper sole surface that is spaced from the first, second, and third points and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses extend upward from the upper sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses may be joined together at the first, second, third, and fourth distal ends. The bridge member may also include a connecting truss extending between the first distal end at least one of the second, third, and fourth distal ends, where the connecting truss is spaced from the upper sole surface. 
     According to a further aspect, the head also has at least a second bracing member connected to the upper sole surface separate from the bracing member. The second bracing member includes a third end connected to a third point on the upper sole surface, a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the upper sole surface spaced from the third point, and a second bridge portion extending between the third end and the fourth end. The second bridge portion extends upward from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. The head may further include three or more bracing members, and all such bracing members may be identical or substantially identical. 
     According to yet another aspect, the first end of the bracing member may be connected to the upper sole surface along a first line including the first point, with the second end connected to the upper sole surface along a second line including the second point, where the first and second lines are spaced from each other. In this configuration, the bridge portion may be in the form of an arch extending upward from the first and second lines and being spaced from the upper sole surface between the first and second lines. The first and second lines may be parallel to each other. 
     Additional aspects of the invention relate to a wood-type golf club head that includes a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, and a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body and the face combine to define an internal cavity bounded by the rear surface of the face and a plurality of inner surfaces of the body, and the body has a crown and a sole opposite the crown. The head also includes a bracing member connected to an inner sole surface located on the sole of the body. The bracing member includes a first truss having a first end connected to a first point on the inner sole surface and a first distal end opposite the first end, a second truss having a second end connected to a second point on the inner sole surface spaced from the first point and a second distal end opposite the second end, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends upward from the inner sole surface and is spaced from the inner sole surface, and the first truss and the second truss extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first and second ends may be connected to the inner sole surface using a variety of techniques, as described above. 
     According to one aspect, the first truss is joined to the second truss at the first and second distal ends, and the first and second trusses define a generally triangular shape. The first end, the second end, and the first and second distal ends combined form three corners of the generally triangular shape. 
     According to another aspect, the bracing member also includes a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the inner sole surface that is spaced from the first and second points and a third distal end opposite the third end, and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the inner sole surface that is spaced from the first, second, and third points and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. The first, second, third, and fourth trusses may be joined together at the first, second, third, and fourth distal ends in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the bracing member may further include a connecting truss extending between the first distal end at least one of the second, third, and fourth distal ends, where the connecting truss is spaced from the inner sole surface. 
     According to a further aspect, the head also includes a second bracing member connected to the inner sole surface separate from the bracing member, the second bracing member including a third truss having a third end connected to a third point on the inner sole surface and a third distal end opposite the third end, and a fourth truss having a fourth end connected to a fourth point on the inner sole surface spaced from the third point and a fourth distal end opposite the fourth end, and a second bridge portion extending between the third end and the fourth end. The second bridge portion extends upward from the inner sole surface and is spaced from the inner sole surface, and the third truss and the fourth truss extend upward from the inner sole surface to form at least a portion of the second bridge portion. 
     Further aspects of the invention relate to a ball striking device including a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a bridge portion that extends upwardly from the upper sole surface and is spaced from the upper sole surface. Additionally, the bridge portion includes a plurality of trusses each having a first end connected to the upper sole surface and extending upward to a second end spaced above the upper sole surface, with the first ends of the plurality of trusses each being connected to the upper sole surface at separate points. 
     According to one aspect, the bracing member further includes a connecting truss that is spaced from the upper sole surface. The second ends of the plurality of trusses are connected to the connecting truss, such that each of the plurality of trusses depends from the connecting truss. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a golf club head that includes a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface and a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, where the body and the face combine to define an interior cavity surrounded by an interior surface of the head, such that the interior surface comprises the rear surface of the face and inner surfaces of the body, with a bracing member connected to the interior surface of the head. The bracing member has a first end connected to a first point on the interior surface, a second end connected to a second point on the interior surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end. The bridge portion extends inward from the interior surface and is spaced from the interior surface. 
     According to one aspect, the bracing member comprises a first truss having the first end and a first distal end opposite the first end and a second truss having the second end and a second distal end opposite the second end, wherein the first truss and the second truss extend inward from the interior surface to form at least a portion of the bridge portion. 
     According to another aspect, the bracing member may have the first and second ends connected to an upper sole surface or a lower crown surface of the body. 
     According to a further aspect, the bracing member may be positioned at a rear of the ball striking device and has the first end connected to an upper sole surface of the body and the second end connected to a lower crown surface of the body. 
     According to yet another aspect, the bracing member is positioned at a front of the ball striking device and has the first end connected to an upper sole surface or a lower crown surface of the body and the second end connected to the rear surface of the face. 
     Still further aspects of the invention relate to a ball striking device including a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extending rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The bracing member includes a spine member spaced from the upper sole surface and a plurality of legs connected to the spine member and extending outwardly and downwardly from the spine member. Each of the legs has a lower end connected to the upper sole surface and an upper or distal end connected to the spine member. 
     According to one aspect, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a first location along the length of the spine member, a third leg and a fourth leg arranged as another pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a second location along the length of the spine member, a fifth leg extending outwardly from a first end of the spine member and a sixth leg extending outwardly from a second end of the spine member. The plurality of legs may further include a seventh leg and an eighth leg arranged as a third pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a third location along the length of the spine member, and a ninth leg and a tenth leg arranged as a fourth pair and extending outwardly from the opposite lateral sides of the spine member at a fourth location along the length of the spine member. In one embodiment, the first location may be at the first end of the spine member such that the first leg and the second leg extend outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at the first end, and the second location may be at the second end of the spine member such that the third leg and the fourth leg extend outwardly from opposite lateral sides of the spine member at the second end. If the bracing member includes ten legs as described above, in this configuration, the third and fourth locations may be located between the first and second locations on the spine member. 
     According to another aspect, the bracing member further includes a wall member depending from an underside of the spine member and having an elongated end connected to the upper sole surface. 
     According to a further aspect, the bracing member includes a first leg and a second leg arranged as a pair and extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides from a point on the spine member, and the first and second legs define a generally triangular shape. In this configuration, the lower end of the first leg, the lower end of the second leg, and the spine member form three corners of the generally triangular shape. 
     Other aspects of the invention relate to a method for producing a ball striking head as described above, or in a different configuration. The method is used in connection with a ball striking device that has been provided with a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the outer surface, a body configured to be joined to the face around peripheral edges of the face and extend rearwardly from the face, with the body having a sole with a bottom sole surface configured to confront a playing surface, and a block of material integrally connected to the upper sole surface and extending upwardly from the upper sole surface. The block is machined to remove material from the block, creating a bracing member connected to an upper sole surface located on the sole of the body opposite the bottom sole surface. The resultant bracing member includes a first end connected to a first point on the upper sole surface, a second end connected to a second point on the upper sole surface spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion extending between the first end and the second end, the bridge portion extending upward from the upper sole surface and being spaced from the upper sole surface. The bracing member created may have any of the features described herein with respect to ball striking heads according to aspects of the invention. The body may be joined to the face after machining the block. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To allow for a more full understanding of the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ball striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a head of the ball striking device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  a broken-away perspective view of the head of  FIG. 2 , showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 4  a broken-away front view of the head of  FIG. 2 , showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 5  a cross-sectional view of the head of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the head of  FIG. 2 , illustrating assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is another exploded view of the head of  FIG. 2 , illustrating assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a broken-away perspective view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 9  a broken-away top view of the head of  FIG. 8 , showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 10  a cross-sectional view of the head of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a broken-away perspective view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 12  a broken-away top view of the head of  FIG. 11 , showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 13  a cross-sectional view of the head of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a broken-away perspective view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 15  a broken-away front view of the head of  FIG. 8 , showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic, broken-away perspective view of a method for creating a head of a ball-striking device as shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic, broken-away perspective view of the method of  FIG. 16 , shown in a partially complete state; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of another embodiment of a ball striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of an iron-type golf club; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of a head of the ball striking device of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a rear view of a head of the ball striking device of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-section view taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail; and 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-section view of another embodiment of a ball-striking device according to aspects of the invention, in the form of a wood-type golf club head, showing internal detail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” “primary,” “secondary,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below. 
     “Ball striking device” means any device constructed and designed to strike a ball or other similar objects (such as a hockey puck). In addition to generically encompassing “ball striking heads,” which are described in more detail below, examples of “ball striking devices” include, but are not limited to: golf clubs, putters, croquet mallets, polo mallets, baseball or softball bats, cricket bats, tennis rackets, badminton rackets, field hockey sticks, ice hockey sticks, and the like. 
     “Ball striking head” means the portion of a “ball striking device” that includes and is located immediately adjacent (optionally surrounding) the portion of the ball striking device designed to contact the ball (or other object) in use. In some examples, such as many golf clubs and putters, the ball striking head may be a separate and independent entity from any shaft or handle member, and it may be attached to the shaft or handle in some manner. 
     The term “shaft” includes the portion of a ball striking device (if any) that the user holds during a swing of a ball striking device. 
     “Integral joining technique” means a technique for joining two pieces so that the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques, such as adhesively joining, cementing, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like. In many bonds made by “integral joining techniques,” separation of the joined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto. 
     “Generally triangular shape” means an enclosed shape that has three identifiable sides, which may be straight or curvilinear or a combination thereof, and three identifiable corners, which may be angular or rounded or a combination thereof. 
     In general, aspects of this invention relate to ball striking devices, such as golf club heads, golf clubs, putter heads, putters, and the like. Such ball striking devices, according to at least some examples of the invention, may include a ball striking head and a ball striking surface. In the case of a golf club, the ball striking surface may constitute a substantially flat surface on one face of the ball striking head, although some curvature may be provided (e.g., “bulge” or “roll” characteristics). Some more specific aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrid-type clubs, iron-type golf clubs, and the like, although aspects of this invention also may be practiced on other types of golf clubs or other ball striking devices, if desired. 
     According to various aspects of this invention, the ball striking device may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), ceramics, polymers, composites, fiber-reinforced composites, and wood, and the devices may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, some or all components of the head, including the face and at least a portion of the body of the head, are made of metal materials. It is understood that the head also may contain components made of several different materials. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components (such as titanium, aluminum, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, steels (such as stainless steels), and the like) may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. In another example, composite components, such as carbon fiber-polymer composites, can be manufactured by a variety of composite processing techniques, such as prepreg processing, powder-based techniques, mold infiltration, and/or other known techniques. 
     The various figures in this application illustrate examples of ball striking devices and portions thereof according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout. 
     At least some examples of ball striking devices according to this invention relate to golf club head structures, including heads for wood-type golf clubs, including drivers. Such devices may include a one-piece construction or a multiple-piece construction. An example structure of ball striking devices according to this invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-5 , and will be referred to generally using reference numeral “100.” 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an example of a ball striking device  100  in the form of a golf driver, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. The ball striking device  100  includes a ball striking head  102  and a shaft  104  connected to the ball striking head  102  and extending therefrom. The ball striking head  102  of the ball striking device  100  of  FIGS. 1-5  has a face  112  connected to a body  108 , with a hosel  109  extending therefrom. Any desired hosel and/or head/shaft interconnection structure may be used without departing from this invention, including conventional hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structures as are known and used in the art, or an adjustable, releasable, and/or interchangeable hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structure such as those shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,890,269 dated May 10, 2005, in the name of Bruce D. Burrows, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0011848, filed on Jul. 6, 2007, in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0011849, filed on Jul. 6, 2007, in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0011850, filed on Jul. 6, 2007, in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., and U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0062029, filed on Aug. 28, 2007, in the name of John Thomas Stites, et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     For reference, the head  102  generally has a top  116 , a bottom or sole  118 , a heel  120  proximate the hosel  109 , a toe  122  distal from the hosel  109 , a front  124 , and a back or rear  126 . The shape and design of the head  102  may be partially dictated by the intended use of the device  100 . In the club  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the head  102  has a relatively large volume, as the club  100  is designed for use as a driver or wood-type club, intended to hit the ball accurately over long distances. In other applications, such as for a different type of golf club, the head may be designed to have different dimensions and configurations. When configured as a driver, the club head may have a volume of at least 400 cc, and in some structures, at least 450 cc, or even at least 460 cc. It is understood that the head  102  may be configured as a different type of ball striking device in other embodiments, including other types of wood-type golf club heads, such as a fairway wood, hybrid, etc. When configured as a fairway wood head, the club head may have a volume of at least 120-230 cc, and when configured as a hybrid club head, the club head may have a volume of at least 85-140 cc. Other appropriate sizes for other club heads may be readily determined by those skilled in the art. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the head  102  has a hollow structure defining an inner cavity  106  (e.g., defined by the face  112  and the body  108 ). Thus, the head  102  has an interior surface defined by a plurality of inner surfaces, including inner body surfaces  107  and a rear surface  111  of the face  112 . In one embodiment, the hollow center cavity  106  may be filled with air. However, in other embodiments, the head  102  could be filled with another material, such as a foam. In still further embodiments, the solid materials of the head may occupy a greater proportion of the volume, and the head may have a smaller cavity or no inner cavity at all. It is understood that the inner cavity  106  may not be completely enclosed in some embodiments. 
     The face  112  is located at the front  124  of the head  102 , and has an outer ball striking surface  110  located thereon and the rear surface  111  opposite the ball striking surface  110 . The ball striking surface  110  is configured to face a ball in use, and is adapted to strike the ball when the device  100  is set in motion, such as by swinging. As shown, the ball striking surface  110  occupies most of the face  112 . The face  112  may include some curvature in the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and roll characteristics), as is known and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, the surface  110  may occupy a different proportion of the face  112 , or the body  108  may have multiple ball striking surfaces  110  thereon. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the ball striking surface  110  is inclined slightly (i.e., at a loft angle), to give the ball slight lift and/or spin when struck. In other embodiments, the ball striking surface  110  may have a different incline or loft angle, to affect the trajectory of the ball. Additionally, the face  112  may have one or more internal or external inserts in some embodiments. 
     It is understood that the face  112 , the body  108 , and/or the hosel  109  can be formed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together. In one embodiment, the face  112  is formed from a plate-like face member  128 , such as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , The body  108  can be formed as a separate piece or pieces joined to the face member  128  by an integral joining technique, such as welding, cementing, or adhesively joining. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the body  108  is at least partially formed by a body member  129  that is connected to the face member  128  and extends rearwardly from the face member  128 . Other known techniques for joining these parts can be used as well, including many mechanical joining techniques, such as releasable mechanical engagement techniques. If desired, the hosel  109  may be integrally formed as part of the body member  129 . In another embodiment, the face  112  may be formed as a cup-face member (not shown) with a wall or walls extending transverse and rearward from the edges of the face  112 , and the body member may be connected to the wall(s). 
     The ball striking device  100  may include a shaft  104  connected to or otherwise engaged with the ball striking head  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The shaft  104  is adapted to be gripped by a user to swing the ball striking device  100  to strike the ball. The shaft  104  can be formed as a separate piece connected to the head  102 , such as by connecting to the hosel  109 , as described above. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the shaft  104  may be an integral piece with the head  102 , and/or the head  102  may not contain a hosel  109  or may contain an internal hosel structure. Still further embodiments are contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention. The shaft  104  may be constructed from one or more of a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, or wood. In some exemplary embodiments, the shaft  104 , or at least portions thereof, may be constructed of a metal, such as stainless steel, or a composite, such as a carbon/graphite fiber-polymer composite. However, it is contemplated that the shaft  104  may be constructed of different materials without departing from the scope of the invention, including conventional materials that are known and used in the art. 
     In general, the head  102  of the ball striking device  100  has a bracing member  130  connected to the interior surface of the head  102  within the internal cavity  106 , such as an inner surface  107  of the body  108  and/or the rear face surface  111 , which provides at least localized reinforcement of the head  102  and/or deadens sound from impacts on the face  112 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the head  102  has the bracing member  130  located on an inner or upper surface  131  of the sole  118 , which may be referred to herein as an inner or upper sole surface  131 . In other embodiments, the bracing member  130  may be located on one or more different portions of the interior surface of the head  102 , such as described below and shown in  FIGS. 22-26 . The bracing member  130  has a plurality of ends  132  connected at a plurality of spaced points on the upper sole surface  131  and a bridge portion  133  extending between the ends  132 . The bridge portion  133  extends upward from the upper sole surface  131  and is spaced from the upper sole surface  131 . In one embodiment, the entire bridge portion  133  is spaced from the upper sole surface  131  between the ends  132 . In another embodiment, at least a central portion of the bridge member  133  is spaced from the upper sole surface  131 . The plurality of ends  132  may include at least a first end  132  connected to a first point or location on the upper sole surface  131 , a second end  132  connected to a second point or location on the upper sole surface  131  that is spaced from the first point, and a bridge portion  133  extending between the first and second ends  132 . In the head  102  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , any two of the ends  132  of the bracing member  130  may constitute the “first end” and “second end” in the above example, as all the ends  132  are connected at points that are spaced from each other, and the bridge portion  133  interconnects all of the ends  132 . 
     The bracing member  130  may take different forms in different embodiments. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the bracing member  130  is formed of a plurality of beams or trusses  134  that form a frame of the bracing member  130 . Some of the trusses  134  have lower ends  132  connected to the upper sole surface  131  and extend upward from the upper sole surface  131  to form portions of the bridge portion  133 . Such trusses  134  may be referred to herein as legs  135 , and have distal ends  136  (opposite the ends  132 ) that may be joined to other trusses  134 . Additionally, some of the trusses  134  are spaced from the upper sole surface  131  and interconnect with other trusses  134 . Such trusses  134  may be referred to herein as branches or connecting trusses  137 , and may be connected to the distal ends  136  of one or more of the legs  135  and may interconnect two or more of the legs  135 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the connecting trusses  137  form a spine or spine member  138  that interconnects all of the legs  135  and is elongated in the direction extending from the front  124  to the rear  126  of the head  102 . The spine  138  has a plurality of legs  135  extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, such that each of the legs  135  has its distal end  136  connected to the spine  138  and its respective lower end  132  connected to a point on the upper sole surface  131 . It is understood that the bracing member  130  of  FIGS. 1-5  is described as having multiple connecting trusses  137  forming a single spine  138 , however the bracing member  130  may alternately be considered to have a single, extended connecting truss  137  or multiple, connected spines  138 . The head  102  of  FIGS. 1-5  has trusses  134  that form ten legs  135  depending from the spine  138 , with eight of the legs  135  arranged in four pairs that extend from opposite sides of the spine  138  at four spaced locations on the spine  138 , with each leg  135  of a pair connected to the same location on the spine  138 . Two of the pairs of legs  135  are positioned at opposite ends of the spine  138  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The distal ends  136  of the legs  135  of each pair may be considered to be joined or connected together, as well as connected to the connecting trusses  137  forming the spine  138 . The remaining two legs  135  extend from opposite ends of the spine  138 . It is understood that while the spine  138  is straight in  FIGS. 1-5 , in another embodiment, the head  102  may have a spine  138  that is curved, angled, jointed, etc. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the bridge portion  133  defines a generally triangular shape or profile when viewed from the front  124  or the rear  126  of the head  102 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the first pair of legs  135  of the bracing member  130  combine with the upper sole surface  131  to form a triangular or generally triangular shape, where the lower ends  132  of the legs  135  form two corners of the shape, and the combined connected distal ends  136  of the legs  135  form the third corner. The spine  138  may also be considered to form the third corner. The legs  135  and the upper sole surface  131  form the three sides, with the upper sole surface  131  forming a curvilinear side in this embodiment. The second, third, and fourth pairs of legs  135  similarly combine with the upper sole surface  131  to define a generally triangular shape. Further, as seen in  FIGS. 4-5 , the legs  135  at the ends of the spine  138  each combine with either of the legs  135  of the adjacent pair to form generally triangular shapes. Other triangular shapes may be identifiable as well. In another embodiment, the bridge portion  133  may define a different shape, including any of a variety of arched shapes, such as a smooth arc (see  FIGS. 14-15 ), a square, a trapezoid, etc. Additionally, the bridge portion  133  may define different shapes when viewed from different angles. For example, the bridge portion  133  defines both a generally rectangular shape and a generally trapezoidal shape when viewed from the toe  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     The bracing member  130  may be formed of one or more materials, and a variety of such materials may be used in forming the bracing member. Such materials include metals (e.g. titanium, stainless or other steels, aluminum, etc.) including alloys thereof, polymers, composites (e.g. carbon-fiber composites), or other materials. The materials and design of the bracing member  130  may be selected to minimize weight if desired, so as to minimize the effect of the bracing member  130  on the total mass of the head  102  and allow strategic location of as much mass as possible. Alternately, the mass of the bracing member  130  may be used to add weight to an area of the head  102 , in order to achieve strategic weighting, such as locating the CG and/or affecting MOI. In one embodiment, the bracing member  130  may be made from titanium or titanium alloy. Additionally, the trusses  134  of the bracing member  130  may be connected to each other in a variety of different manners, and may also be connected to the body  108  in a variety of different manners. Techniques for such joining include: welding; integral forming, such as being formed of a single piece (e.g. by casting, molding, forging, machining, or other techniques); adhesives or other bonding materials; mechanical joints or fasteners, such as balls or blocks that may be welded to the ends of the trusses  134 , drilled with holes for threading or interference fit on the ends  136  of the trusses  134 , etc.; or other joining techniques. The joining techniques may at least partially depend on the materials of the bracing member  130 . 
     The head  102  of  FIGS. 1-5  may be strategically weighted in conjunction with the bracing member  130 , as the weight of any bracing member(s)  130  connected to the head may require weight removal in other areas of the head  102  in order for the head  102  to remain within permissible weight ranges, such as a prevailing maximum weight set by the USGA. Additionally, the weight of the bracing member  130  itself may affect the center of gravity, weight distribution, and/or moment of inertia of the head  102 . Accordingly, the structure of the bracing member  130  may be altered for weighting purposes. For example, the bracing member  130  may be designed to be heavier in the front, back, or either side by using heavier or thicker trusses  134  to create weight in one portion and lighter or thinner trusses to reduce weight in other portions. The size, spread, structure, orientation, and other features of the bracing member  130  may be adjusted to affect the weighting of the head  102  in various embodiments, and unique weighting configurations can thereby be achieved. 
       FIGS. 6-7  illustrate one method of constructing the head  102  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , by connecting the bracing member  130  to the body  108  by welding. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bracing member  130  is inserted into the cavity  106  of the body member  129  before the face member  128  is connected to the body member  129 . The bracing member  130  is then connected to the upper sole surface  131  of the body member  129  by welding each of the ends  132  of the trusses  134  to the upper sole surface  131 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The face member  128  can then be connected to the body member  129  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This method or a similar method may be used to connect the bracing member  130  to a head  102  with a face member  128  and/or a body member  129  that is differently configured, such as the configurations as described above. Further, in another embodiment, a different portion of the face  112  and/or the body  108  may be removable to allow access to the cavity  106  to insert the bracing member  130 . Similar methods can be used for connecting the bracing members  230 , et seq., shown in  FIGS. 8-15 and 18-21  to their respective heads  202 , et seq. As described above, other connection techniques may be used in other embodiments. 
       FIGS. 16-17  illustrate a method for integrally forming a bracing member  130  with the body  108  of a head  102  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , using machining or other material removal technique. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the body member  129  is formed with a block  140  of material integrally connected to the upper sole surface  131  and extending upwardly from the upper sole surface  131 . The block  140  is then machined, such as by use of a tool  141  as shown in  FIG. 17 , to remove material from the block  140 , creating a bracing member  130  as described above and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . The face member  128  can then be connected to the body member  129  illustrated in  FIG. 17 . This method or a similar method may be used to integrally form the bracing member  130  with a head  102  having a face member  128  and/or a body member  129  that is differently configured, such as the configurations as described above. In another embodiment, a different portion of the face  112  and/or the body  108  may be removable to allow access to the cavity  106  to machine the block  140 . Similar methods can be used for integrally forming the bracing members  230 , et seq., shown in  FIGS. 8-15 and 18-21  with their respective heads  202 , et seq. As described above, other integral forming techniques may be used in other embodiments. 
       FIGS. 8-15  illustrate various other embodiments of ball striking devices  200 ,  300 ,  400  and ball striking heads  202 ,  302 ,  402  in the form of wood-type golf clubs, having different configurations with differently-configured bracing members. Each of these configurations can be used in connection with a ball striking device, such as the ball striking device  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , or various other configurations for ball striking devices within the scope of the present invention, additional examples of which are shown herein. Thus, common features of the head  102  and the heads  202 ,  302 ,  402 , described below and illustrated in  FIGS. 8-15  are referred to with similar reference numbers used to describe the head  102  of  FIGS. 1-5 , using different series (e.g.  2   xx ,  3   xx ,  4   xx ) of reference numbers. 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate another embodiment of a ball striking head  202  for a ball striking device  200  in the form of a wood-type golf club. In this embodiment, the head  202  includes a plurality of bracing members  230  connected to the upper sole surface  231  of the body  208 , with each bracing member  230  having ends  232  connected to the upper sole surface  231  and a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the upper sole surface  231  between the ends  232 . Each bracing member  230  includes a plurality of trusses  234  extending upward from the upper sole surface  231 , each truss having a lower end  232  connected to the upper sole surface  231  and distal ends  236  opposite the lower end  232 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , each bracing member  230  includes four trusses  234  in the form of legs extending downward and outward from a juncture, with the four distal ends  236  of the trusses  234  connected to each other at the juncture. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the bracing members  230  are separate from each other, and are symmetrically aligned in a row along the upper sole surface  231 . Additionally, each of the bracing members  230  defines a generally triangular shape, as similarly described above, when viewed from the front  224  or rear  226  of the head  202  (see  FIG. 8 ), or when viewed from the heel  220  or toe  222  of the head  202  (see  FIG. 10 ). In other embodiments, the head  202  may have a different number of bracing members  230 , and the bracing members  230  may be differently configured, oriented, and/or located on the body  208 . 
       FIGS. 22-26  illustrate additional embodiments of ball striking heads  202 A-E for a ball striking device  200  in the form of a wood-type golf club. In each of these embodiments, the head  202 A-E includes one or more bracing members  230  constructed similarly to the bracing members  230  in  FIGS. 8-10 , and the components of the heads  202 A-E in  FIGS. 22-26  utilize the reference numbers of  FIGS. 8-10  to refer to the same components. Each bracing member  230  in  FIGS. 22-26  includes a plurality of trusses  234  extending from the ends  232 , with each truss having a lower end  232  connected to the interior surface of the head  202 A-E and distal ends  236  opposite the lower end  232 . As described above, each bracing member  230  includes four trusses  234  in the form of legs extending downward and outward from a juncture, with the four distal ends  236  of the trusses  234  connected to each other at the juncture. Additionally, each of the bracing members  230  defines a generally triangular shape, as similarly described above, when viewed from the side. In other embodiments, the head  202 A- 3  may have a different number of bracing members  230 , and the bracing members  230  may be differently configured, oriented, and/or located on the body  208 . For example, the heads  202 A-E in  FIGS. 22-26  may include bracing members configured according to another embodiment described herein and positioned in the locations shown in  FIGS. 22-26 . Each of the embodiments in  FIGS. 22-26  is described in greater detail below. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 22 , the head  202 A includes a plurality of bracing members  230  connected to a lower crown surface  242  of the body  208 , with each bracing member  230  having ends  232  connected to the lower crown surface  242  and a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the lower crown surface  242  between the ends  232 . The head  202 A also includes a plurality of bracing members  230  connected to the upper sole surface  231  of the body  208 , as described above and shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 8-10 , the bracing members  230  are separate from each other and are symmetrically aligned in a row. The bracing members  230  in this embodiment provide at least localized reinforcement of both the crown  216  and sole  218  and/or deaden sound from impacts on the face  212 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 23 , the head  202 B includes a plurality of bracing members  230  connected to an inner or lower surface  242  of the crown  216 , which may be referred to herein as an inner or lower crown surface  242 . Each bracing member  230  has ends  232  connected to the lower crown surface  242  and a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the lower crown surface  242  between the ends  232 . As described with respect to  FIGS. 8-10 , the bracing members  230  are separate from each other and are symmetrically aligned in a row. The bracing members  230  in this embodiment provide at least localized reinforcement of the crown  216  and/or deaden sound from impacts on the face  212 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 24 , the head  202 C includes a bracing member  230  connected to the inner surface at the rear  226  of the head  202 C, and contacts both the lower crown surface  242  and the upper sole surface  231  of the body  208 . The bracing member  230  has ends  232  connected to the lower crown surface  242  and to the upper sole surface  231 , as well as a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the inner surface of the body  208  between the ends  232 . The bracing member  230  in this embodiment provides at least localized reinforcement of the rear  226  of the head  202 C and/or deadens sound from impacts on the face  112 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 25 , the head  202 D includes a bracing member  230  connected to the inner surface at the front  224  of the head  202 D, and contacts both the lower crown surface  242  of the body  208  and the rear or inner surface  211  of the face  212 . The bracing member  230  has ends  232  connected to the lower crown surface  242  and to the rear face surface  211  proximate the top edge  213  of the face  212 , as well as a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the inner surfaces of the head  202 D between the ends  232 . The bracing member  230  in this embodiment provides at least localized reinforcement of the crown  216  and the face  212  and/or deadens sound from impacts on the face  212 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 26 , the head  202 E includes a bracing member  230  connected to the inner surface at the front  224  of the head  202 E, and contacts both the upper sole surface  231  of the body  208  and the rear or inner surface  211  of the face  212 . The bracing member  230  has ends  232  connected to the lower crown surface  242  and to the rear face surface  211  proximate the bottom edge  215  of the face  212 , as well as a bridge portion  233  that is spaced from the inner surfaces of the head  202 E between the ends  232 . The bracing member  230  in this embodiment provides at least localized reinforcement of the sole  218  and the face  212  and/or deadens sound from impacts on the face  212 . 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate another embodiment of a ball striking head  302  for a ball striking device  300  in the form of a wood-type golf club. In this embodiment, the head  302  includes a bracing member  330  connected to the upper sole surface  331  of the body  308 , including a plurality of trusses  334  extending upward from the upper sole surface  331  to form a bridge portion  333 . The trusses  334  have ends  332  connected to the upper sole surface  331  and distal ends  336  opposite the ends  332 . As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the bracing member  330  includes four pairs of legs  335  extending downward and outward from a spine  338  that is spaced from the upper sole surface  331 , with the distal ends  336  of each pair of legs  335  connected to each other and connected to opposite sides of the spine  338  similarly to the bracing member  130  of  FIGS. 1-5 . The bracing member  330  also includes an additional leg  335  extending downward from one end of the spine  338 , and another truss in the form of a wall  339  extending downward from the underside of the spine  338  to the upper sole surface  331 . The wall  339  has an elongated end  332  that is connected to the upper sole surface  331  along a line that extends between the front  324  and the rear  326  of the head  302 . Additionally, the bracing member  330  defines a generally triangular shape, as similarly described above, when viewed from the front  324  or rear  326  of the head  302 , as seen in  FIG. 11 . In other embodiments, the head  302  may have a bracing member  330  that may be differently configured, oriented, and/or located on the body  308 . For example, in other embodiments, the bracing member  330  may have multiple walls  339  or an intermimttent wall  339  extending downward from the spine  338 , or the wall  339  may be differently shaped or oriented. 
       FIGS. 14-15  illustrate another embodiment of a ball striking head  402  for a ball striking device  400  in the form of a wood-type golf club. In this embodiment, the head  402  includes a bracing member  430  connected to the upper sole surface  431  of the body  408 , having ends  432  connected to the upper sole surface  431  and a bridge portion  433  between the ends  432  that is spaced from the upper sole surface  431 . In this embodiment, the bridge portion  433  is in the form of an semi-cylindrical (i.e. arc-shaped) arch extending upward from the ends  432  and being spaced from the upper sole surface  431  between the ends  432 . The ends  432  are connected to the upper sole surface  431  along lines that are are spaced from each other and extend in a direction between the front  424  and the rear  426  of the head  402 . It is understood that the ends  432  may each be considered to be connected to a point on the upper sole surface  431 , as each end  432  is connected along a line that includes the point. In other embodiments, the head  402  may have a bracing member  430  that is differently configured, oriented, and/or located on the body  408 . For example, the arch may have a different cross-sectional shape (e.g. square or triangular), or may have slots or gaps in the walls thereof. Further embodiments are contemplated. 
       FIGS. 18-21  illustrate a ball striking device  500  in the form of a golf iron, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. The embodiment of the iron-type ball striking device  500  illustrated in  FIGS. 18-21  contains features similar to those of the embodiments described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-17 , and similar components in the embodiment of  FIGS. 18-21  are similarly referred to using the “5xx” series of reference numbers. It is understood that discussion of some features of the embodiment of  FIGS. 18-21  that have already been described above may be reduced or eliminated in the interests of brevity. The ball striking device  500  includes a golf club head  502  and a shaft  504  attached to the head  502 . The golf club head  502  of  FIGS. 18-21  may be representative of any iron-type golf club head in accordance with examples of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18-21 , the golf club head  502  includes a face  512  connected to a body  508  and a hosel  509  extending from the body  508  for attachment of the shaft  504 . The shaft  504 , and the connection between the shaft  504  and the hosel  509  may be similar to that described above with respect to the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-5 . The shaft  504  may also include a grip  505  as described above. For reference, the head  502  generally has a top  516 , a bottom or sole  518 , a heel  520  proximate the hosel  509 , and a toe  522  distal from the hosel  509 , as well as a front  524  and a back or rear  526 . In the embodiment shown, the face  512  extends upward from the sole  518  of the head  502 . The shape and design of the head  502  may be partially dictated by the intended use of the device  500 . The heel portion  520  is attached to and/or extends from a hosel  509  (e.g., as a unitary or integral one piece construction, as separate connected elements, etc.). 
     The face  512  is located at the front  524  of the head  502 , and has a ball striking surface  510  located thereon and a rear or inner surface  511  (See  FIG. 21 ) opposite the ball striking surface  510 . The head  502  has a rear cavity  506  that is defined by the rear surface  511  of the face  512 , one or more walls  525  extending rearward from the face  512 . In other embodiments, the head  502  may also have a rear wall (not shown) extending upward from the sole  518  at the rear  526  of the head  502  that partially or completely encloses the rear cavity  506 , or may have no internal cavity (e.g. a blade-type iron). 
     The ball striking surface  510  is typically an outer surface of the face  512  configured to face a ball (not shown) in use, and is adapted to strike the ball when the device  500  is set in motion, such as by swinging. As shown, the ball striking surface  510  is relatively flat, occupying most of the face  512 . The ball striking surface  510  may include grooves  521  (e.g., generally horizontal grooves  521  extending across the face  512  in the illustrated example) for the removal of water and grass from the face  512  during a ball strike. Of course, any number of grooves, desired groove patterns, and/or groove constructions may be provided (or even no groove pattern, if desired), including conventional groove patterns and/or constructions, without departing from this invention. The face  512  may include some curvature in the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and roll characteristics), as is known and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, the surface  510  may occupy a different proportion of the face  512 , or the body  508  may have multiple ball striking surfaces  510  thereon. In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 18-21 , the ball striking surface  510  is inclined (i.e., at a loft angle), to give the ball an appreciable degree of lift and spin when struck. In other illustrative embodiments, the ball striking surface  510  may have a different incline or loft angle, to affect the trajectory of the ball. Additionally, the face  512  may have a variable thickness and/or may have one or more internal or external inserts in some embodiments. 
     The face  512 , the body  508 , and/or the hosel  509  can be formed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together. For example, the face  512 , the body  508 , and the hosel  509  can be formed together as a single piece by forging, casting, or other integral forming techniques. As another example, the face  512 , the body  508 , and the hosel  509  can be formed as separate pieces, such as a face member and a body member, which can be joined together by an integral joining technique, such as welding, or other joining technique. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 18-21 , the head  502  includes a bracing member  530  connected to the upper sole surface  531  of the body  508 , having ends  532  connected to the upper sole surface  531  and a bridge portion  533  that is spaced from the upper sole surface  531  that extends between the ends  532 . In this embodiment, the bracing member  530  is located in the rear cavity  506  of the head  502 , but may be differently positioned in other embodiments, such as if the head  502  has no rear cavity. The bracing member  530  includes a plurality of trusses  534  extending upward from the upper sole surface  531 , each truss having a lower end  532  connected to the upper sole surface  531  and distal ends  536  opposite the lower end  532 . As shown in  FIGS. 20-21 , the bracing member  530  is similar to the bracing members  230  of  FIGS. 8-10 , including four trusses  534  in the form of legs extending downward and outward from a juncture  539 , with the four distal ends  536  of the trusses  534  connected to each other at the juncture  539 . As seen in  FIG. 9 , the bracing member  530  defines a generally triangular shape, as similarly described above, when viewed from the front  524  or rear  526  of the head  502  (see  FIG. 20 ), or when viewed from the heel  520  or toe  522  of the head  502  (see  FIG. 21 ). In other embodiments, the bracing member  530  may be differently configured, oriented, and/or located on the body  508 , or the head  502  may have multiple bracing members, such as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8-10 . 
     The bracing member  530  in this embodiment can be connected to the head  502  using any of the methods and techniques described above and/or shown in  FIGS. 6-7 and 16-17 . It is understood that in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 18-21 , connection or machining of the bracing member  530  may be performed without removing any component of the head  502 , but that in another embodiment without an open rear cavity  506 , removal of at least one component may be required. 
     It is understood that any of the embodiments of ball striking devices  100 , et seq., heads  102 , et seq., bracing members  130 , et seq., and other components described herein may include any of the features described herein with respect to other embodiments described herein, including structural features, functional features, and/or properties, unless otherwise noted. It is understood that the specific sizes, shapes, orientations, and locations of various components of the ball striking devices  100 , et seq., and heads  102 , et seq., described herein are simply examples, and that any of these features or properties may be altered in other embodiments. 
     Heads  102 , et seq., incorporating the features disclosed herein may be used as a ball striking device or a part thereof. For example, a golf club  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  may be manufactured by attaching a shaft or handle  104  to a head that is provided, such as the head  102  as described above. “Providing” the head, as used herein, refers broadly to making an article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. In other embodiments, different types of ball striking devices can be manufactured according to the principles described herein. In one embodiment, a set of golf clubs can be manufactured, where at least one of the clubs has a head according to one or more embodiments described herein. Such a set may include at least one wood-type club and/or at least one iron-type club. For example, a set of iron-type golf clubs can be provided, with each club having a different loft angle, and each club having a head  502  as described above and shown in  FIGS. 18-21 . The various clubs in the set may have bracing members  130 , et seq., that may be slightly different in shape, size, location, orientation, etc., based on the loft angle of the club. The various clubs may also have an added weight amount or weight distribution that may be different based on characteristics such as the type and loft angle of the club. 
     Different bracing members  130 , et seq., and different locations, orientations, and connections thereof, may produce different reinforcing effects and have different effects on the resonance of the head. Additionally, different bracing members  130 , et seq., and different locations, orientations, and connections thereof, may produce different effects depending on the location of the ball impact on the face  112 , et seq. Accordingly, one or more clubs can be customized for a particular user by providing a club with a head as described above, with a bracing member  130 , et seq., that is configured in at least one of its shape, size, location, orientation, etc., based on a hitting characteristic of the user, such as a typical hitting pattern or swing speed. Customization may also include adding or adjusting weighting according to the characteristics of the bracing member  130 , et seq., and the hitting characteristic(s) of the user. Still further embodiments and variations are possible, including further techniques for customization. 
     The various embodiments of bracing members described herein can provide at least localized reinforcement of the body. This reinforcing effect can change or affect the resonance of the head, which can deaden or otherwise alter sound from impacts on the face, improve the feel of the impact for the user, and/or increase energy and velocity transferred during impact through reduced vibrational damping. Additionally, weighting created by the bracing member(s) and/or used in conjunction with the bracing member(s) can create unique weighting configurations. Further, the bracing member(s) can provide reinforcement to potential failure points on the head. This, in turn, permits portions of the head to be made from thinner materials, which can increase energy transfer and ball velocity. Areas made of such thinner material can be more prone to failure, and the bracing member(s) can reinforce such areas to resist failure. Still further benefits can be recognized and appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.