Patent Publication Number: US-8968116-B1

Title: Golf club head with adjustable characteristics

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/766,658, filed on Feb. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,195, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/746,348, filed on Dec. 27, 2012, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a golf club head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head having a plurality of adjustable features that allow the club head&#39;s center of gravity to be moved along multiple axes. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The ability to adjust center of gravity location and weight in the head of golf clubs is useful for controlling performance of the golf club, particularly in wood-type golf clubs such as drivers. The prior art includes several different solutions for adjustable weighting, but these solutions do not optimize weight adjustment because they typically allow for center of gravity (CG) adjustment along only one axis. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,611,424 and 8,016,694. Therefore, there is a need for a weighting mechanism that allows for simple and flexible center of gravity and moment of inertia (MOI) adjustability along more than one axis. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a novel way of working with adjustable products. The present invention allows consumers to adjust the center of gravity of a golf club head along both vertical and horizontal axes. The objective of this invention is to provide a plurality of adjustable weights with minimal or no effect on appearance at address while maximizing the ability of the weight to adjust center of gravity height. Additional goals include adjusting a loft, lie, and/or face angle of the golf club head. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a face, a sole, and a hosel, means for adjusting a center of gravity along a horizontal axis, means for adjusting the center of gravity along a vertical axis, and means for adjusting at least one of a characteristic selected from the group consisting of face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a face, a crown, a sole, an interior cavity, and a hosel, at least one weight bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a first plurality of holes disposed in the first end, and a sole member comprising a lower surface and a plurality of pegs extending from the lower surface, each of the plurality of pegs sized to fit within the plurality of holes, wherein the sole member removably affixes the first end of the at least one weight bar to the sole when one or more of the plurality of pegs is engaged with one or more of the first plurality of holes. In some embodiments, the sole member may comprise a first setting having a first height, a second setting having a second height, and a third setting having a third height, the first height may be greater than the second height, and the second height may be greater than the third height. In other embodiments, the at least one weight bar may comprise a polymeric material, which may be co-molded over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the at least one weight bar. 
     In some embodiments, the golf club head may further comprise a weight port and a weight screw sized to fit within the weight port. In such embodiments, the sole member may comprise a through bore sized to receive the weight screw, a portion of the weight screw may extend through the through bore, and the sole member may be disposed between the at least one weight bar and a portion of the weight screw when the weight screw is fully engaged with the weight port. In other embodiments, the at least one weight bar may comprise first and second weight bars. In some embodiments, the at least one weight bar may have a shape selected from the group consisting of rectangular and T-shaped. In other embodiments, the at least one weight bar may be composed of more than one material. 
     In one embodiment, the second end of the at least one weight bar may be a separate, removable piece. In a further embodiment, the first end of the at least one weight bar may be composed of a first material having a first density, the second end of the at least one weight bar may be composed of a second material having a second density, and the second density may be greater than the first density. 
     In another embodiment, the golf club head of claim may further comprise a guide ring, and at least a portion of the at least one weight bar may hook over the guide ring. In a further embodiment, the guide ring may comprise a second plurality of holes disposed in an upper surface of the guide ring, the first plurality of holes may extend completely through the first end of the at least one weight bar, the second plurality of holes may line up with the first plurality of holes, the second plurality of holes may line up with the plurality of pegs, and one or more of the plurality of pegs may be engaged with one or more of the second plurality of holes when the one or more of the plurality of pegs is engaged with one or more of the first plurality of holes. In some embodiments, the guide ring may comprise a plurality of teeth extending from a lower surface of the guide ring, the at least one weight bar may comprise a plurality of prongs, and the plurality of prongs may engage at least one of the plurality of teeth when the at least one weight bar is hooked over the guide ring. 
     In other embodiments, the sole may comprise a recessed region, and each of the guide ring, the sole member, and the at least one weight bar may be disposed within the recessed region. In a further embodiment, the golf club head may further comprise a hollow tube extending through the interior cavity between the crown and the sole. In this embodiment, the hollow tube may protrude from the recessed region, the guide ring may comprise a first through bore, the sole member may comprise a second through bore, and the hollow tube may extend through the first and second through bores. In yet another, further embodiment, the golf club head may further comprise a weight cartridge sized to fit within the hollow tube, and may also comprise a cap sized to retain the weight cartridge within the hollow tube. The cap may also retain the sole member on the sole. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head comprising a body comprising a face, a crown, a sole, and a hosel, at least one weight bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a plurality of prongs extending from an underside of the second end, and a guide ring comprising a lower surface and a plurality of teeth extending from the lower surface, wherein at least a portion of the at least one weight bar hooks over the guide ring, and wherein the plurality of prongs engages at least one of the plurality of teeth. In some embodiments, the golf club head may further comprise a weight port in the sole and a removable weight member, and the removable weight member may retain the at least one weight bar and the guide ring on the sole when the removable weight member is engaged with the weight port. In another embodiment, the second end of the at least one weight bar may be a separate, removable piece. 
     Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sole perspective view of a golf club head encompassing a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sole plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sole perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with a different weight configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a sole plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a sole perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with another weight configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is bottom plan view of the adjustable sole member shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the weight screw shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a weight cylinder provided in an alternative embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  along lines  9 - 9 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top-side, exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom-side, exploded view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged, perspective view of a weight bar shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective, partially translucent view of the adjustable sole member, weight bar, and ring shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  along lines  15 - 15 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged, perspective view of an alternative weight bar of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The design approaches described herein are based on a construction used in a driver head characterized by a composite crown adhesively bonded to a cast titanium body. This particular construction approach permits the crown configuration to be adapted to the inventive weighting scheme with minimal impact on weight and function. However, the weighting embodiments disclosed herein can be used with other constructions, including all titanium, all composite, and a composite body with metal face cup, and particularly with a skeletal metal/composite structure such as the one disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/162,633, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The weighting embodiments disclosed herein will also work in conjunction with at least one adjustable weight port on the crown of the driver head. Shifting weight as described herein allows for control of center of gravity location, and adjusting the adjustable sole member allows for adjustment of characteristics such as face angle, loft, and/or lie. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and  9 . The golf club head  10  comprises a crown  18 , a sole  20 , a face (not shown), a heel  12 , a toe  14 , and a hosel  16 . The sole  20  comprises a recessed region  22  located at least 0.25 inch away from the face with a raised, partial ring  24  extending perpendicularly away from the base  23  of the recessed region  22 . The ring  24  at least partially encircles a recess  30  located in a central region of the sole  20  and is composed of a lightweight material such as composite, aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium alloy. The recess  30  is sized to receive first end regions  41 ,  46  of at least two weight bars  40 ,  45  and an adjustable sole member  50 , all of which are rotatable around a central axis  60  intersecting the midpoint of the recess  30 . The recess  30  also comprises, at its midpoint, a threaded weight port  70  sized to receive a removable fastener, which preferably is a weight screw  75  having a lip portion  76 , a body  77 , and a threaded region  78 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for adjustment of multiple characteristics of the golf club head  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , when the weight screw  75  or other fastener is loosened, and the adjustable sole member  50  is not pressing their first end regions  41 ,  46 , against the sole  20  of the golf club head  10 , the weight bars  40 ,  45  are free to be rotated around the central axis  60  by sliding their second end regions  42 ,  47  along the recessed region  22  towards the heel  12  and/or toe  14  regions of the golf club head  10 .  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5  show several configurations of the weight bars  40 ,  45  on the golf club head  10  of the present invention. Adjusting the weight bars  40 ,  45  in this manner allows for horizontal adjustment of the golf club&#39;s center of gravity location, and also affects face angle. For example, moving the weight bars  40 ,  45  towards the toe  14  creates a fade effect, moving the weight bars towards the heel  12  creates a draw effect, and centering the weight bars  40 ,  45  such that they are disposed approximately perpendicular to the face, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , creates a neutral effect. 
     The weight bars  40 ,  45  preferably have one or more gaps or openings  43 ,  48  to ensure that more mass is disposed at the second end regions  42 ,  47  of the weight bars  40 ,  45 , so that moving the weight bars  40 ,  45  within the recessed region  22  has a greater effect on the location of the golf club head&#39;s  10  center of gravity. These openings  43 ,  48  may be filled with secondary weights (not shown) to further affect the weight distribution of the weight bars  40 ,  45 . In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIG. 16 , the weight bars  150 ,  155  may be T-shaped so that even more mass is moved to the second end regions  152 ,  157 . In the preferred embodiment, as in the alternative embodiments disclosed herein, the second end regions  42 ,  47  of the weight bars preferably hook over the sides of the ring  24  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 , and  9  to provide greater engagement between the sole  20  and the weight bars  40 ,  45 . In this way, the ring  24  acts as a rail that guides the weight bars  40 ,  45  as they are moved along the sole  20 . 
     The weight bars  40 ,  45  may be made of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, but preferably are made of multiple materials such that the second end regions  42 ,  47  are formed from denser material than the first end regions  41 ,  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the second end regions  42 ,  47  are formed from a tungsten alloy, while the first end regions  41 ,  46  are formed from an aluminum, titanium, or stainless steel alloy. In another embodiment, the second end regions  42 ,  47  are detachable from the first end regions  41 ,  46 , such that they can be swapped out for other second end regions  42 ,  47  having different dimensions and/or mass properties. For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a weight bar  150  having a different shape than the ones shown in  FIGS. 1-5  has a removable cap  160  that is affixed to the weight bar  150  with a screw  165  (or other type of mechanical fastener). The cap  160  can be removed and replaced with a different cap  160  having a different density, material composition, and/or shape to further adjust the mass properties of the golf club head  10 . 
     When the weight screw  75  or other fastener is loosened, the adjustable sole member  50  also can be rotated around the central axis. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the adjustable sole member  50  has a central bore  55  sized to receive the weight screw  75  and a lower ledge  56  against which a lip portion  76  of the weight screw  75  can rest. The adjustable sole member  50  also has at least three settings, open  51 , closed  52 , and neutral  53 , which change the face angle of the golf club head  10  when it is at address. The adjustable sole member  50  preferably functions in the same manner as the adjustable keel member disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,999, the relevant disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, wherein each setting (also known as an apex point) has a different height. The adjustable sole member  50  preferably is circular, but in other embodiments may be triangular or have another polygonal shape. The adjustable sole member  50  preferably is composed of a lightweight material such as aluminum alloy, plastic, or composite, or a combination of such materials, but in alternative embodiments may be made of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The weight screw  75 , which serves to removably but securely affix the adjustable sole member  50  and weight bars  40 ,  45  to the sole  20  in configurations selected by a user, may have any of the characteristics or features of any of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/410,127, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/412,395, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13,754,373, and/or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/705,498, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In the preferred embodiment, the golf club head  10  is provided with multiple weight screws  75  having different compositions and/or densities, such that the user can adjust the vertical location of the golf club head  10  center of gravity by replacing one weight screw  75  with another weight screw  75  having a different density. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a weight cartridge  80 , such as the one shown in  FIG. 8 , is used instead of a weight screw  75 . In this embodiment, the weight port  70  is elongated into a tube sized to receive the weight cartridge  80 . The tube may extend from the sole  20  and make contact with the crown or another part of the golf club head  10  (the heel  12  or the toe  14 , for instance), or it may be suspended within an interior cavity of the golf club head  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the weight cartridge  80  may be cylindrical, and preferably has a first region  86  formed from a denser material or combination of materials than a second region  87 . In this embodiment, when a first end  82  of the weight cartridge  80  is inserted into the weight port  70 , such that the second end  84  is disposed proximate the sole  20 , the vertical center of gravity of the golf club head  10  differs from when the second end  84  of the weight cartridge  80  is inserted into the weight port  70  such that the first end  82  is disposed proximate the sole  20 . In other words, removing, inverting, and then reinserting the weight cartridge  80  into the weight port  70  alters the vertical location of the golf club head  10  center of gravity. 
     Each end  82 ,  84  of the weight cartridge  80  also preferably includes external threads  83  and an opening  85  sized to receive an adjustment tool such as a hex wrench or screwdriver, such that the weight cartridge  80  can be removably secured within the weight port  70 . In an alternative embodiment, another method of securing the weight cartridge  80  within the weight port  70  may be used, such as a cap  90  or clip features or any other means known to a person skilled in the art. A cap  90  is particularly useful because it can also be used to secure the adjustable sole member  50  to the sole  20 . In each of the alternative embodiments employing a weight cartridge  80 , the weight cartridge  80  and the weight port  70  or tube may have any of the features or characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/039,102 and 14/159,262, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein. 
     In another embodiment, the weight screw  75  (or weight cartridge  80  assembly) is not the only feature that is used to secure the adjustable sole member  50  to the recessed region  22  of the sole, and thus reversibly fix the weight bars  40 ,  45  to desired positions on the ring  24  and the recessed region  22  of the sole  20 . When just a weight screw  75  or other similar feature is used to secure all of the pieces of the present invention together at a single point on the recessed region  22  of the sole  20 , the adjustable features, including the weight bars  40 ,  45  and adjustable sole member  50 , may rattle or even come loose during use. The pressure exerted by the weight screw  75  may not be sufficient to hold everything in place under the stressful conditions placed on the golf club head  10  when it makes contact with a golf ball at high speeds. This can be mitigated by co-molding a polymer material such as plastic or rubber over some or all of these pieces and/or over the ring  24 , or by placing a polymeric washer underneath each of these pieces where they make contact with the recessed region  22  of the sole  20 . 
     Alternatively, or in addition to these dampening features, the structures shown in  FIGS. 10-15  provides a secure means of preventing movement of the adjustment pieces and unwanted noise when the golf club head  10  is in play. In this embodiment, a weight cartridge  80  and cap  90  provide vertical center of gravity adjustability for the head, which includes a tube  95  sized to receive the weight cartridge  80  and including threads to mate with threads on the cap  90 . The cap  90  or, in an alternative embodiment, a weight screw  75 , presses against a lower ledge  56  of the adjustable sole member  50  to keep it from disengaging from the rest of the golf club head  10  when fully assembled. The tube  95  projects from the recessed region  22  of the sole  20  and is threaded through an opening  27  in the ring  24  and the central bore  55  in the center of the adjustable sole member  50  during assembly of the golf club head  10 , thus helping to hold the pieces of the golf club head  10  together. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-14 , a plurality of pegs  57  extends perpendicularly from the bottom surface  58  of the adjustable sole member  50 . Each of these pegs  57  is sized to fit within one of a plurality of holes  44 ,  49  located in the first end regions  41 ,  46  of the weight bars  40 ,  45 . The ring  24  also comprises a plurality of holes  26  in its upper surface  25   a , which receive the pegs  57  of the adjustable sole member  50  when it is assembled with the weight bars  40 ,  45  and the ring  24 . The pegs  57  securely fix the first end regions  41 ,  46  of the weight bars  40 ,  45  to the ring  24  and the adjustable sole member  50  once a user selects the desired location of the weight bars  40 ,  45  on the recessed region  22  of the sole  20  and prevent them from moving during use. The pegs  57  on the adjustable sole member  50  preferably extend around its entire circumference and the holes  26  in the upper surface  25   a  of the ring  24  preferably extend entirely around the opening  27  so that the weight bars  40 ,  45  can be positioned at any point around the adjustable sole member  50 , as desired by a golfer. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10-13  and  15 , a plurality of teeth  28  extends perpendicularly from the bottom surface  25   b  of the ring  24  such that they abut the rounded edge of the ring  24 . These teeth  28  are sized to mate with a pair of prongs  100  extending from an underside of the second end regions  42 ,  47  of each of the weight bars  40 ,  45  so that, when the weight bars  40 ,  45  are assembled with the ring  24 , the golf club head  10 , and the adjustable sole member  50 , their second end regions  42 ,  47  do not move when the golf club head  10  is in use. When a golfer selects the desired location of the weight bars  40 ,  45 , she slides the prongs  100  into the teeth at the desired location and then affixes the adjustable sole member  50  to the top of the weight bars  40 ,  45  so that the pegs  57  fit within the holes  44 ,  49  in the weight bars  40 ,  45  and the holes  26  in the upper surface  25   a  of the ring. In other words, the prongs  100 , teeth  28 , pegs  57  and holes  44 ,  49 ,  26  all serve to anchor the weight bars  40 ,  45  securely to the golf club head at locations selected by a golfer. These structures also serve to preload the pieces of the present invention, and particularly the weight bars  40 ,  45 , on the recessed region  22  of the sole  20 , to reduce or eliminate vibrations. Different types of structures may also be used to preload the weight bars  40 ,  45  and still be consistent with the spirit of this invention. 
     For each of the embodiments disclosed herein, the weight bars  40 ,  45 ,  150 ,  155  may be removed from the golf club head  10  and replaced with weight bars  40 ,  45 ,  150 ,  155  having different shapes, material compositions, and/or densities. Similarly, weight bars  40 ,  45 ,  150 ,  155  held on a single golf club head  10  may be removed and placed at different locations on the sole (e.g., swapped with each other) to adjust the mass properties of the golf club head  10 . In each embodiment, the weight bars  40 ,  45 ,  150 ,  155  preferably are preloaded to eliminate or reduce unwanted vibrations when the golf club head  10  is in use. 
     Though the ring  24  is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  as being a separate piece that is removable from the golf club head  10 , in an alternative embodiment it may be integrally formed with, or permanently affixed to, the recessed region  22  of the sole  20 . 
     The golf club head  10  of the present invention also preferably includes an adjustable hosel assembly, such that loft, lie, and/or face angle can be changed by adjusting the position of a shaft (not shown) with respect to the hosel  16 . The golf club head  10  may have any of the adjustable hosel assembly embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/311,319, 13/436,512, 13/368,569, 13/439,664, 13/367,045, 13/326,156, 13/332,846, 13/408,018, 13/544,037, and 13/660,882, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, or in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,083,529, 7,427,239, 7,465,239, 7,578,749, 8,002,644, 8,096,895, 8,235,840, 8,257,193, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     In other embodiments, the golf club head  10  may have a multi-material composition such as any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,244,976, 6,332,847, 6,386,990, 6,406,378, 6,440,008, 6,471,604, 6,491,592, 6,527,650, 6,565,452, 6,575,845, 6,478,692, 6,582,323, 6,508,978, 6,592,466, 6,602,149, 6,607,452, 6,612,398, 6,663,504, 6,669,578, 6,739,982, 6,758,763, 6,860,824, 6,994,637, 7,025,692, 7,070,517, 7,112,148, 7,118,493, 7,121,957, 7,125,344, 7,128,661, 7,163,470, 7,226,366, 7,252,600, 7,258,631, 7,314,418, 7,320,646, 7,387,577, 7,396,296, 7,402,112, 7,407,448, 7,413,520, 7,431,667, 7,438,647, 7,455,598, 7,476,161, 7,491,134, 7,497,787, 7,549,935, 7,578,751, 7,717,807, 7,749,096, and 7,749,097, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     Each of the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,934,999, 8,012,034, 8,123,626, 8,221,258, and 8,262,496 to Cackett et al. is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2011/0165961 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/410,127 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/684,079 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/705,498 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/727,608 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The disclosure of each of U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,573 to DiMarco and U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,041 to Evans is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.