Patent Abstract:
Generally, provided is an insert for usage on an outer surface of a sporting apparatus (e.g., a golf club). The insert includes a securing member that protrudes from surface of the insert. The securing member may include a stem and a head, wherein the stem functions to couple the head to a face of the securing member. The head of the securing member functions to prevent the insert from becoming dislodged or separated from the outer surface of the sporting apparatus during usage.

Full Description:
COPYRIGHT AUTHORIZATION 
     The disclosure below may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the documents containing this disclosure, as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office records, but otherwise reserves all applicable copyrights. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A golf club&#39;s primary function is to strike a ball as precisely as possible to produce the desired distance and direction. With respect to a tee shot, by using a driver-type golf club to strike a ball, a golfer may be able to effectively minimize the remaining distance to the pin. It is not unusual for a seasoned golfer to drive the ball well over 200 yards. Some professional golfers can drive a ball well over 300 yards. Considering that a hole might be 400 or more yards away, driving the ball of this magnitude may be advantageous. However, to maximize drive distance, golfers may be required to swing the golf club (e.g., the driver) at speeds of well over 100 miles per hour. 
     At such speeds, upon impacting the ball, tremendous vibrations are triggered throughout the golf club originating at the point of impact at the striking face of the golf club head. Unfortunately, vibrations of such magnitude tend to weaken adhesive bonds between an insert (e.g., a badge, a plate, a medallion, plaque, etc.) and the golf club, thereby resulting in increased likelihood that the insert may become separated from the golf club. 
     In a very competitive market, a manufacturer producing a golf club having an externally-visible insert which easily falls off will likely cost the manufacturer in future sales and/or injure the reputation of the manufacturer, thereby impacting the sales of other lines of golf clubs produced by the manufacturer, and generally placing the manufacturer in an undesirable position. However, removing the inserts all-together and using paint, etching or other forms of brand indicia may reduce the aesthetic quality of the golf club, causing potential customers to favor other manufacturers which include inserts. For example, casting the golf club head to have the appearance of the insert, but without actually having a separate component for the insert has a significant drawback in that a level of detail available would be drastically reduced, thereby making the product appear cheaper and less desirable to the consumer. Furthermore, such an option would also prevent the ability of including a frame line which provides an additional aesthetic quality. Also, the ability to include external inserts on the golf club provides golf club designers added options to further distinguish the design and aesthetic feel of the golf club from its competitors. 
     In addition to keeping the insert securely in place on the surface of the golf club, any proposed solution to this problem should take into account other factors such as minimizing an increase in manufacturing complexity, minimizing an increase in manufacturing cost, maintaining performance of the club, maintaining the aesthetic quality of the club and the like. 
     Against this backdrop, many potential solutions were investigated. For example, adhesive tape with improved bonding qualities were studied and tested. However, even using an adhesive tape with improved bonding properties, the insert still could fall off the golf club head in as few as 100 strikes of the golf ball. While it is possible that certain known adhesives may provide increased durability, the cost of these adhesives may be prohibitive. 
     Other solutions, such as using a glue, were also problematic for similar reasons. Continued usage of the golf club resulted in decreased adhesion that often times led to the insert falling off the golf club. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved method for preventing an insert from being separated from the surface of the golf club. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is included to introduce, in an abbreviated form, various topics to be elaborated upon in the Detailed Description. The foregoing objects, features and advantages described are not intended to be limiting and will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     Generally provided is an insert for placement on an outer surface of a golf club, the insert having a securing member that protrudes from the surface of the insert. The securing member is intended to engage the golf club to keep the insert secured in place. The securing member may include a stem and a head, wherein the stem functions to couple the head to a face of the securing member. The head of the securing member functions to prevent the insert from becoming dislodged or separated from the outer surface of the golf club, for example, during swinging and/or subsequent striking of a golf ball. 
     An adhesive layer may also be used in conjunction with the insert to further ensure that the insert does not become dislodged or separated from the outer surface of the golf club. Indeed, the combined structure of the insert and the adhesive layer enhances the functionality of the adhesive layer by keeping the adhesive layer in contact with both the securing member and the golf club. As a result, even if the bonding qualities of the adhesive layer deteriorate over time, the insert may remain secured in place. Additionally, the adhesive layer may assist in ensuring that the securing member of the insert is firmly secured. More particularly, the presence of the adhesive layer creates a bias that tightens the fit between the securing member and the golf club. 
     In one embodiment, a golf club head may comprise a top portion, a striking face coupled to the top portion and a sole portion coupled to the striking face. The sole portion includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and further defines an aperture extending therethrough. The golf club may also include a uni-directional, non-rotatable insert having a face and a securing member, the securing member for contacting the inner surface of the sole portion for securing the insert to the sole portion. 
     In another embodiment, a golf club head may comprise a top portion, a striking face coupled to the top portion and a sole portion coupled to the striking face including a recessed portion defining an aperture. The recessed portion may have an inner wall and outer wall. The golf club head may also comprise a uni-directional, non-rotatable insert. More particularly, the insert may include a face, an adhering layer having a first surface for contacting and adhering to the face and having a second surface opposite the first surface for contacting and adhering to the recessed portion of the sole portion, and a securing member adjacent the second surface of the adhering layer, the securing member configured to be insertably locked into the sole portion. 
     In yet another embodiment, a golf club insert may comprise a face plate, a cushioning layer, a stem portion and a head portion. More particularly, the cushioning layer may include a first and second surface—the first surface for adhering to the face plate. The cushioning layer may have a thickness greater than 0.2 mm. The stem portion is coupled to the face plate on a first end and separated from the first surface and the second surface of the cushioning layer. At the second end of the stem portion is coupled a head portion, the head portion having a maximum diameter greater than a maximum diameter of the stem portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, obstacles and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken into conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the golf club head according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the sole portion of  FIG. 1A  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates an exploded view of the sole portion and the insert of  FIG. 1B  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a face of an insert according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear of the insert of  FIG. 2A  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a rear perspective view of the insert of  FIG. 2A  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates a securing member of the insert of  FIG. 2C  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates one prong of the securing member of  FIG. 2D  according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross-section of an insert taken across a face center in an uncompressed state according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-section of the insert of  FIG. 3A  in a compressed state during an insertion operation according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a cross-section of the insert of  FIG. 3A  after completion of an insertion operation according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an insert without an adhesive layer according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an insert having a securing member without a gap according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an insert including a plurality of securing members according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a curved insert according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an insert with an arrow-shaped securing member according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an insert with an arrow-shaped securing member with a gap according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an insert with a securing member having a rounded head according to one or more embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Apparatuses, systems and/or methods that implement the embodiments of the various features of the present invention will now be described in reference to the drawings. The drawings and associated descriptions are provided to illustrate certain embodiments and are not to limit the scope of the present invention. Throughout the drawings, references are re-used to indicate correspondence between the referenced elements. 
     Generally, the concepts described herein relate to a golf club (e.g., a driver, fairway, iron, wedge, putter, etc.). However, these concepts can be applied to other devices in the sports industry (e.g., a hockey stick, a lacrosse stick, a tennis racket, a baseball bat, etc.). For the sake of clarity and brevity, the concepts will be described in detail below with respect to a driver-type golf club. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , a golf club head  100  typically includes body having a striking face  105 , a hosel  111  and a sole portion  115 . In this particular embodiment, an insert  110  is located on the outer surface of the sole portion  115 , near a toe portion  120  and distal from the heel portion  125 . The insert  110 , while shown as a fanciful design, may be in any shape but preferably non-geometric to provide it with anti-rotation features. Furthermore, the insert  110  may display any desired information or indicia. For example, the insert  110  may represent an insignia related to the brand of the club, a name of the club and/or the year the club was first sold. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a view of the sole portion  115  illustrating how the insert  110  may be positioned. Here, a recessed portion  130  is sized to receive the insert  110  and is shown to be fully defined in the sole portion  115 . The recessed portion  130  may also have an outwardly tapered wall  135 . The outwardly tapered wall  135  allows the edges of the insert  110  to be visible, thereby enhancing the aesthetic feel of the golf club head  100 . As further illustrated, the insert  110  is positioned fully within the dimensions of the recessed portion  130  such that no portion of the insert  110  extends outside the recessed portion  130 . However, if desired, the insert  110  may sit substantially flush inside the recessed portion. 
     While the recessed portion  130  and the insert  110  are proximate the sole portion  115  in this embodiment, it should be noted that the recessed portion  130  and the insert  110  may be located anywhere on the golf club head (a crown, a side portion, etc.) and further, at portions of the golf club outside the golf club head, (e.g., a shaft). However, positioning the insert  110  on the sole portion  115  as compared to the shaft may serve to maximize the benefits as discussed herein because the vibrations introduced to the golf club upon striking a golf ball are most pronounced at the golf club head. 
     In one aspect, the insert  110  and the recessed portion  130  include anti-rotation features. More particularly, the insert  110  and the recessed portion  130  may be non-circularly shaped and complementary to one another such that the insert  110 , when secured within the recessed portion  130 , is prevented from rotating (i.e., thereby rendering it non-rotatable). More particularly, the contours of the wall  135  engage and thus prevent the insert  110  from rotation within the recessed portion  130 . Whereas a circular wall would not have any contours for preventing a complementary circular insert from rotating about, a non-circular wall may include at least portions that engage a non-circular insert from rotation. Such a feature is advantageous in the field of athletic equipment. 
     Considering that the placement of the insert  110  is on the sole portion  115  of the golf club head  100 , contact between the insert  110  with a ground surface during swinging is common, and as such, anti-rotation of the insert  110  is a desirable feature to ensure that the insert  110  remains properly secured in a desired position. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates an exploded view of the insert  110  and the golf club head  100 . In this view, an aperture  140  is revealed. The aperture  140  may be fully defined within the recessed portion  130  of the sole portion  115 . The aperture  140  may be located on a bottom surface  145  of the recessed portion  130 , separated from the tapered wall  135 . The aperture  140  extends from the bottom surface  145  and into the interior of the golf club head  100 . That is, the aperture  140  extends through the entirety of a thickness of the portion of the wall of the golf club head  100  that corresponds with the recessed portion  130 . The aperture  140  may be positioned anywhere on the bottom surface  145 , but preferably near the geometric center of the bottom surface  145 . Alternatively and/or in addition, the vertical axis passing through the center of the aperture  140  may be within 2 mm from the center of gravity of the insert  110 , but preferably coincident with the center of gravity of the insert  110 . By positioning the aperture  140  in this manner, durability of the insert  110  (after insertion) is improved. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a front side of an insert  200 , which may be an embodiment of the insert  110  of  FIG. 1A . As shown, the front side comprises a display face  205 . The display face  205  is visible when the insert  200  is positioned on a golf club head (e.g., golf club head  100 ), and may include design elements and aesthetic features. The display face  205  may include elements of varying depths. However, in other embodiments, the display face may be substantially flat. Among other materials such as plastics, rubbers, and the like, the display face  205  may be constructed out of aluminum, nickel or any other type of light metal. 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate a back side of the insert  200 . The back side of the insert  200  may include a rim  210  surrounding a back surface (the majority of which is obscured by an adhesive layer  215 ). In this manner, the rim  210  and the back surface form a shallow cavity for receiving the adhesive layer  215 . Stated differently, the adhesive layer  215  is shaped to substantially fit within the circumferential boundary of the rim  210 . However, the adhesive layer  215  may be slightly thicker than a depth of the cavity such that a portion of the adhesive layer  215  extends above an upper boundary of the rim  210 . The function of the relatively thicker adhesive layer is to ensure that the rim  210  does not rattle against the sole portion of a golf club head in response to the vibrations created when the golf club head strikes a golf ball. The adhesive layer  215  may also include a cut-out portion  240  to allow a securing member  220  to protrude from the back surface. The securing member  220  may comprise a first prong  225  and a second prong  230 . As shown, the securing member may have a gap  235  positioned between the first prong  225  and the second prong  230 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates the securing member  220  in isolation for clarity. 
     The securing member  220  includes the first prong  225  and the second prong  230  separated by a gap  235  (e.g., a slit or a bore) which structurally isolates the first prong  225  from the second prong  230 . The gap  235  allows the first prong  225  and second prong  230  to flex toward each other during an insertion operation. The gap  235  is the effect of orienting the first prong  225  and the second prong  230  such that the inner surfaces  245 ,  250  face each other. However, structurally, the first prong  225  and the second prong  230  are substantially similar. As such,  FIG. 2E  will only illustrate the first prong  225  for the sake of brevity. All descriptions attributed to the first prong  225  with respect to  FIG. 2E  are equally applicable to the second prong  230 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2E , the first prong  225  comprises a first head portion  255  and a first stem portion  260 . The first head portion  255  may include a first leading surface  265 , a first sidewall  275 , and a first engagement surface  270 . The first leading surface  265  may be flat and substantially parallel to a first engagement surface  270 . As shown, the first leading surface  265  is separated from the first engagement surface  270  by the first sidewall  275 . The first engagement surface  270  is coupled to an outer surface of the first stem portion  260  such the engagement surface  270  and the first stem portion  260  are orthogonal to one another. That is, at any cross-section taken of the first prong  225  about axis A1, the first engagement surface  270  and the outer surface of the first stem portion  260  form a right angle, thereby providing anti-removal characteristics in conjunction with the second prong  230  as discussed in more detail below. Axis A1, a midpoint axis, as shown, passes through a first midpoint  280  and a second midpoint  285 . The first midpoint  280  occurs on the edge between the first leading surface  265  and the first inner surface  245 , and the second midpoint  285  occurs at the common edge of the first inner surface  245 , the first stem portion  260  and the back surface of the insert (not shown in  FIG. 2E ). 
     The securing member  220  is integrated into the back surface as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  as implemented. However, in certain embodiments, the securing member is alternatively not integrated into the display face (not shown). For example, the securing member may be integrated into an intermediate plate, which is attached to the displace face. This configuration is advantageous in situations where the material of the securing member (e.g., plastic) is desired to be different than the material of the display face (e.g., aluminum). In these instances, the intermediate plate is disposed between the inner surface of the display face and the adhesive layer, and serves to couple the displace face and the adhesive layer. The thickness of the intermediate plate may be between 0.2 mm-1.2 mm. Here, the intermediate plate may have a flat surface on a first side, and may have the securing member protruding therefrom a second side opposite the first side. The first side may be attached to the inner surface of the display face and then the adhesive layer may be attached to the second side such that the cut-out portion of the adhesive layer allows the securing member to extend therethrough to complete construction of the insert. Accordingly, the insert may then be positioned on the golf club. 
     The basic structure of the certain embodiments of the insert having been described, attention will now be turned to the functionality of the insert.  FIGS. 3A-3C  collectively illustrate how the insert may toggle between an uncompressed state in  FIG. 3A  (prior to an insertion), to a compressed state in  FIG. 3B  (during insertion), and back to an uncompressed state in  FIG. 3C  (after completion of the insertion process). 
     More particularly,  FIG. 3A  illustrates how the insert may be aligned immediately prior to the insertion into aperture  345 .  FIG. 3A  is a cross section taken across a plane passing through corresponding midpoint axes (e.g., Axis A1 as shown in  FIG. 2E ) on a first prong and a second prong in a pre-insertion state. As shown, an insert  300  may include a securing member  370 . The securing member  370  may include a first prong  365  and a second prong  366 . Each prong  365  and  366  may have a respective head portion (e.g., head portion  360 ) and a stem portion (e.g., stem portion  371 ). The securing member  370  is configured to be insertable through an aperture  345  formed on a recessed portion  380  of a golf club  375  (e.g., on the head of the golf club or on another part of the golf club). 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the effect when pressure  301  is exerted on the insert  300 . Namely, the insert  300  is pressed into the aperture  345 . As the first head portion  320  and the second head portion  325  of the head portion  360  move into the aperture  345 , the tapered walls of the first head portion  320  and the second head portion  325  contact the edges of the golf club head as shown, and cause the first prong  365  and the second prong  366  to flex and compress toward each other as corresponding radial forces  303  and  304  are exerted on the prongs  365 ,  366 . The tapered walls of the first head portion  320  and the second head portion  325  assist and act to guide the insert  300  into the aperture  345 . The gap  340  helps to allow the prongs  371  and  372  to flex toward each other. As the engagement surfaces  349  and  350  are moved beyond the inner surface  388  of the golf club  375 , the prongs  371  and  372  may uncompress and spring back into its uncompressed state to lock the insert  300  in place as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , after inserting the securing member  370  through the aperture  345 , the securing member  370  locks into place filling the aperture  345 . That is, the engagement surfaces  349  and  350  complement and engage the golf club head  375 . Once locked, the securing member  370  prevents the insert  300  from being removed, rotated or repositioned. Specifically, the engagement surfaces  349  and  350  press against the inner surface  388  such that the securing member  370  cannot be pulled out of the aperture  345 . In one or more embodiments, the engagement surfaces  349 ,  350  form a step from the stem portions  371  and  372 . The step may be considered to form a transition region between the stem portions  371 ,  372  to the engagement surfaces  349 ,  350 . 
     The adhesive layer  315  provides a second structural element for keeping the insert  300  locked in place acting as a holding substrate for coupling the insert  300  to the golf club  375 . 
     The adhesive layer  315  may have a bonding material on a first surface to ensure adhesion to the insert  300 . Additionally, the adhesive layer  315  may have bonding material (e.g., a glue, double sided tape, etc.) on a second surface to ensure adhesion to a bottom surface  385  of the recessed portion  380 . Alternatively, the adhesive layer  315  may be a bonding substance. 
     The placement of the adhesive layer  315  generally sandwiched between the insert  300  and the recessed portion  380  of the golf club  375 , further enhances the ability of the adhesive layer  315  to be in constant contact with both the recessed portion  380  and the golf club  375 . In other words, after the adhesive layer  315 , itself, is locked into place, the adhesive layer  315  remains in constant contact with both the recessed portion  380  and the golf club  375  thereby reinforcing the bond between the respective surfaces of the adhesive layer  315  and the insert  300  or the bottom wall  385  of the recessed portion  380 . 
     In addition, the presence of the adhesive layer  315  may cause a small bias pressuring a portion of a wall contacted by both the adhesive layer  315  and engagement surfaces  349 ,  350  of the securing member  370 , which only improves the seal and locking characteristics. 
     In one or more embodiments, the adhesive layer  315  may have a minimum thickness of 0.15 mm or more. For example, the thickness of the adhesive layer  315  may be between 0.2 and 0.35 mm. The adhesive layer  315  may be constructed out of closed cell foam and coated with an adhesive on both surfaces such that the adhesive layer  315  adheres to both the insert  300  and the recessed portion  380  (e.g., bottom wall  385  of the recessed portion  380 ). However, other materials and compositions may be used to construct the adhesive layer  315 . In addition to preventing the insert  300  from being removed, the adhesive layer  315  is configured to be sufficiently thick in order to prevent the insert  300  from contacting the golf club and causing undesirable sound. Indeed, ensuring that the adhesive layer  315  has sound absorption characteristics is highly desirable in the field of golf club manufacturing as the “sound” of a golf club is an important characteristic to many golfers. Without an adhesive layer  315  of sufficient thickness to ensure that undesirable sounds are not present, each time the golf club is swung, the insert  300  may, for example, rattle. 
     It should be further apparent that because the adhesive layer  315  is sandwiched between the insert  300  and the golf club head  375 , the securing member  370  cannot be further inserted into the aperture  345 . In this manner, the insert  300  is locked in place. 
     As shown, the top surface  305  of the insert  300  is positioned flush with a top surface  390  of the recessed portion  380 . However, if desired, the top surface  305  of the insert  300  may protrude slightly outside the top surface  390  of the recessed portion  380 . 
     To perform the function of the insert described above, certain dimensional relationships between various structural elements of the insert  300  and the golf club  375  may exist. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3A , a maximum edge-to-edge distance D 1  with respect to leading portions  330  and  335  (as measured across a gap  340 ) is configured to be no greater than a diameter D 6  of the aperture  345 . These configurations allow the insert  300  to be pressed into the aperture  345 . 
     However, a maximum edge-to-edge distance D 2  with respect to engagement surfaces  349  and  350  (as measured across the gap  340 ) may be larger than the diameter D 6  of the aperture  345 . Accordingly, once the engagement surfaces  349  and  350  are moved through the aperture  345 , the engagement surfaces  349  and  350  overlap the inner surface  388  and can press against the inner surface  388  of the golf club  375 , thereby preventing the insert  300  from being pulled out of the aperture  345 . In this manner, the insert  300  is uni-directional and cannot be moved in a reverse direction once the insert  300  is inserted into the aperture  345 . 
     More particularly, as briefly discussed above, the angle formed between the engagement surface (e.g.,  349 ) and the surface of the stem portion (e.g.,  371 ) may be a right angle (or an acute angle in other embodiments) to provide said anti-removal characteristics and to additionally render the insert  300  uni-directional. An obtuse angle might not be preferred with respect to providing anti-removal characteristics. 
     The maximum diameter D 3  across the stem portions  371  and  372  (as measured across the gap  340  and along any plane substantially perpendicular to the plane coincident with the gap axis  341 ) is no greater than diameter D 6  of the aperture  345 . In one embodiment, D 3  is substantially equal to D 6  such that the stem portions  371  and  372  fit within the aperture  345 . 
     D 5  represents a length of a portion of one of the stems  371  and  372  between a respective engagement surface  349  or  350  and the surface of the bottom of the adhesive layer  315 . 
     D 7  represents a thickness of the wall of the golf club between the bottom surface  385  and the inner surface  388 . Since the aperture  345  extends through the entirety of the thickness of the wall, D 7  may also represent the height of the aperture  345 . As the portion of the stem  371  and  372  between the respective engagement surface  349  or  350  and the surface of the bottom of the adhesive layer is configured to reside within the aperture  345  when the insertion process is completed, D 5  is no less than D 7 , and in one embodiment, D 5 ≧D 7 . 
     Table 1 shown below includes data from two embodiments as well as a range of values corresponding to D 1 -D 7  as discussed above. The numbers below are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 FEATURE 
                 RANGE 
                 EMBODIMENT #1 
                 EMBODIMENT #2 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 D1 
                 2.5-5.0 mm 
                 3.4 mm 
                 3.0 mm 
               
               
                 D2 
                 3.0-7.5 mm 
                 4.0 mm 
                 4.4 mm 
               
               
                 D3 
                 2.5-5.0 mm 
                 3.5 mm 
                 3.5 mm 
               
               
                 D4 
                 0.8-3.5 mm 
                 2.0 mm 
                 1.0 mm 
               
               
                 D5 
                 0.5-3.0 mm 
                 1.1 mm 
                 0.9 mm 
               
               
                 D6 
                 2.5-6.0 mm 
                 3.6 mm 
                 4.0 mm 
               
               
                 D7 
                 0.5-3.0 mm 
                 1.05 mm  
                 0.7 mm 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Other relationships may exist between the various dimensions discussed with respect to  FIG. 3A  to ensure that the insert  300  fits properly as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     For example, (D 2 −D 3 )/2 represents the portion of each engagement surface which contacts the inner surface  388  of the golf club  375 . To ensure that the insert  300  is held in place, the value of (D 2 −D 3 )/2 may have a minimum value of 0.25 mm. However, preferably, (D 2 −D 3 )/2≧0.45 mm. On the other hand, ensuring that the insert  300  is insertable into the aperture  345  should also be considered. For example, at the point of maximum flex (where a gap  340 , wherein D 4  representing the diameter, is narrowed to substantially zero as measured at the leading portion—i.e., when the respective edges of the leading portions are in contact with each other during an insertion process when the prongs are compressed towards one another), the maximum distance D 2  should be less than the size of the aperture D 6  to ensure that the insert  300  will fit within the aperture  345 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of an insert  400  without requiring an adhesive layer. For example, where the material of the insert  400  is non-metallic (e.g., a rubber, foam, etc.) or where the material of the golf club head is non-metallic, an adhesive layer for cushioning might not be needed. However, a glue or other adhesive coating (not shown) may still be utilized to further hold the insert  400  in place. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an insert  500  having a securing member  570  without a gap. Where the material constructing the insert  500  is a rubber, soft plastic, etc., the material itself may have some compressible qualities that enable it to fit within an aperture smaller than a maximum diameter of the securing member  570 . In this manner, the insert  500  may be secured to a golf club without a gap present in the securing member  570 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an insert  600  with a plurality of securing members  670  and  671 . While not shown to scale, insert  600  may be twice as large as, for example, insert  110  of  FIG. 1A-1C . Larger inserts, such as insert  600 , can benefit from employing a plurality of securing members. Each of the securing members  670  and  671  may behave similarly to securing member  220  of  FIG. 2C . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an insert  700  that might include a curved inner surface  705  secured in place against a curved golf club surface  710  by securing member  770 . It should be appreciated that other irregular surfaces may still be able to employ securing members (with or without an adhesive layer) to lock the insert in place. 
     Further alternatives to the shape of the head portion of a securing member may be possible. For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates an arrow-shaped head  870  as part of insert  800 . As shown, the arrow-shaped head  870  might not include a gap.  FIG. 9  illustrates a variation on insert  900  where a gap is included within an arrow-shaped head  970 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an insert  1000  having a pair of prongs  1070  which have a rounded tip. 
     Although various components are illustrated in one or more of the figures, it should be understood that any combination of the various components may be utilized in different embodiments. Any combination of components is within the scope of the present invention. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities should be understood to have minor manufacturing tolerances, and accordingly, as used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Thus, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. 
     At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. 
     The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
     Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein. 
     In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0