Patent Publication Number: US-2012040772-A1

Title: Golf club head

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device for use in playing golf and more particularly to an improved golf club head. 
     SUMMARY 
     A perfect golf swing is one where the face of the golf club makes clean contact with a golf ball wherein the leading edge and sole of the golf club head do not hit the ground prior to striking the ball. Ideally, the face of the club impacts or strikes the ball cleanly and the leading edge and sole enter the ground as contact is made with the ball. 
     However, for most amateur golfers, striking the ball perfectly on a consistent basis is extremely challenging. Many amateurs often hit slightly behind the ball, causing the leading edge and sole to hit the ground prior to striking the ball. In golf terminology, this is called “hitting a shot fat” or “chunking it”. Without a clean strike on the ball, it is impossible to get maximum distance or maintain control of the shot. Thus, a major difference between pro golfers and amateurs is the pro&#39;s ability to always hit the ball cleanly, which allows for maximum distance and control. Therefore, there exists a significant need for an improved golf club head which provides improved distance and control even when the golf club head hits the ground behind the ball prior to striking the ball. 
     In one embodiment, a golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, the face including a leading edge; and a sole extending from the face leading edge, the sole including a channel, wherein the channel includes a first end adjacent to the leading face leading edge, and a second end spaced from the first end. 
     In another embodiment, a golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, the face including a leading edge; and a sole extending from the face leading edge, the sole including a plurality of channels, wherein each channel includes a first end adjacent to the leading face leading edge, a second end spaced from the first end, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. 
     A further embodiment includes, a method for constructing golf club head, comprising: providing a golf club head including a face for striking a golf ball, the face including a leading edge; and a sole extending from the face leading edge; and forming at least one channel in the sole, wherein each channel includes a first end adjacent to the leading face leading edge, a second end spaced from the first end, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, perspective view of an illustrative golf club head; 
         FIG. 2  is schematic bottom view of an illustrative golf club head; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic, front view of an illustrative golf club head; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic, rear view of an illustrative golf club head; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, bottom view of an alternative golf club head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the FIGS. wherein like numeral indicate like elements throughout, an illustrative golf club head  100  is shown. As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the golf club head  100  includes a face  110  adapted for striking a golf ball. The face  110  includes a leading edge  115 . The face  110  may also include a plurality of grooves  120  adapted to provide spin on a golf ball. 
     The golf club head  100  also includes a sole  125  extending from the face leading edge  115 . The sole  125  includes a plurality of channels  130   a - 130   n  (collectively  130 ). The channels  130  may be configured to permit the club head  100  to penetrate and pass through the ground whilst maintaining a substantial amount of club head speed prior to striking a golf ball. 
     In one embodiment, each channel  130  includes a first end  135  adjacent to the face leading edge  115 . In one embodiment, the first end  135  is offset from the face leading edge  115 . Each channel  130  also includes a second end  140  spaced from the first end  135 . In one embodiment, the width of the first end  135  is smaller than the width of the second end  140 . However, it will be appreciated that the first and second ends  135 ,  140  may have equal widths and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that the first end width  135  may be greater than the second end  140  width. 
     In one embodiment, each channel  130  includes a first sidewall  145  and a second sidewall  150  joined together by a base wall  152 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one channel first side wall  145   a  of at least one channel  130   c  is substantially perpendicular to the face leading edge  115 . In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , at least one channel first sidewall  145   b  of at least one channel  130   c  and at least one channel second side wall  150   b  of at least one channel  130   c  are substantially perpendicular to the face leading edge  115 . However, it will be appreciated that each first sidewall  145  and each second sidewall  150  may have any suitable relationship relative to the face leading edge  115  and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. It will further be appreciated that the sidewalls  145 ,  150  of different channels  130  may have different relationships to the face leading edge  115  as compared to the sidewalls  145 ,  150  of other channels  130  in the same club head  100 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , in one embodiment, each first sidewall  145  of a given channel  130  is at an angle relative to the corresponding second sidewall  150  of the given channel  130 . In one embodiment, the angle between the first sidewall  145  and second sidewall  150  is between 0 degrees and 45 degrees; however, it will be appreciated that the first and second sidewalls  145 ,  150  may be in any suitable relationship with one another and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that the first sidewalls  145  may be parallel with one another. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the second sidewalls  150  may be parallel with one another. However, it will be appreciated that the first sidewalls may have any suitable relationship relative to one another and that the second sidewalls may have any suitable relationship relative to one another and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In an alternative embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the first and second sidewalls  145 ,  150  are parallel with one another. 
     In one embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 3 , the first sidewall  145   c  of the channel  130   a  nearest the heel  200  of the club head  100  may be formed to be substantially collinear with the ends  202  of the grooves  120  on the face  110 . However, it will be appreciated that the channels  130  may be disposed about the sole  125  in any suitable arrangement and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. While the illustrative embodiments employ channels have a squared cross-section (i.e., with the sidewalls at right angles to the base wall), it will be appreciated that each channel may have any suitable cross-section and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and without limitation, each channel may have an arcuate cross-section, a triangular cross-section, or any other suitable cross-section. Additionally, while each channel is shown as having equal height along the length of the channel, it will be appreciated that the height of each channels may increase, decrease, or undulate along the length of the channel and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In use, the channels  130  may reduce the resistance the club head  100  encounters when swung towards the ball yet penetrates the ground (e.g., fairway, rough, sand, pan, weeds, dirt, etc.) prior to striking the ball. Therefore, the club face  110  may pass through the ground in a relatively quick fashion thereby allowing the face  110  to make a relatively clean and quick contact with the ball so as to provide maximum distance to the ball and control to the user. In an embodiment where the second sidewalls  150  are at an angle relative to the first sidewalls  145  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ), the user of the club may selectively open the club head  100  for a flop and the channels  130  may then still permit the club head  100  to penetrate the ground as previously discussed. Furthermore, the relatively quick fashion the club head  100  passes through the ground prior to striking the ball may permit relatively amateur golfers to increase the backspin they are able to place on the ball. 
     A method for forming a golf club head  100  as discussed above is also disclosed. A golf club head  100  may be provided having a face, a leading edge and a sole. The golf club head may be formed from any suitable material, including, but not limited to, metal, polymer, composite or any other suitable material. The channels  130  may then be formed in the sole of the club head. While the illustrative embodiment shows four such channels, it will be appreciated that any number of channels may be formed in the club head and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, while the illustrative embodiment shows a club head for a wedge having a bounce angle between approximately 12 degrees and 14 degrees, it will be appreciated that such channels may be formed in any suitable golf club head (driver, wood, iron, sand wedge, pitching wedge, etc.) and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that channels may be formed in the club head during an initial procedure, such as molding, or a secondary operation, such as machining, or in any other suitable manner. 
     While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.