Patent ID: 12220620

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description describes the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below and each can be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any or all of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

Before beginning the discussion on the current inventive golf club head and its performance criteria, it is worthwhile to note here that the discussion below will be based on a coordinate system101and axis of measurement that is critical to the proper valuation of the performance numbers. Hence, it is important to recognize here that although the specific names given for the measurements below are important to the understanding of the current invention, the naming nomenclature should not be viewed in vacuum. Rather, the importance is the numbers presented below needs to be taken in context with how the coordinate system relates to the golf club head itself. In order to provide sufficient information to avoid any ambiguity, each of the figures provided below referencing a golf club head will all be accompanied by a coordinate system that is all consistent with one another.

Pursuant to the above, and to establish the reference coordinate system for the subsequent discussion,FIG.1of the accompanying drawings shows the coordinate system101that will be used to define the various measurement and performance figures for the current invention. The x-axis used by the current discussion refers to the axis that is horizontal to the striking face from a heel to toe direction. The y-axis used by the current discussion refers to the vertical axis through the club in a crown to sole direction. The z-axis used by the current discussion refers to the horizontal axis that is horizontal front to back in a forward and rear direction. Alternatively speaking, it can be the x-axis is defined as a horizontal axis tangent to a geometric center of the striking face with the positive direction towards a heel of the golf club head, a y-axis is a vertical axis orthogonal to the x-axis with a positive direction towards a top of the golf club head, and a z-axis being orthogonal to both the x-axis and the y-axis with a positive direction towards a front of the golf club head. The x-y-z coordinate system described above shall be the same for all subsequent discussions.

FIG.1of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head100in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this perspective view shown inFIG.1, the golf club head100may not look very different than other golf club heads, but the subsequent figures and discussion will show that the internal components and the material properties of this golf club head100allows it to achieve unique performance properties consistent with the present invention. WhatFIG.1does show is a location of a face center102of the frontal portion104of the golf club head100that contains a striking face insert. The face center, as shown here and referred to by the current invention, relates to the geometric center of the striking face portion of said golf club head100measured by the USGA provided face center template as it would be commonly known to a person of ordinary skill in the golf club art. Attached to the rear of the frontal portion104is a rear portion106, which makes up the back end of the golf club head100.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the frontal portion104may generally be made out of a steel type material having a density of between about 7.75 g/cc and about 8.00 g/cc, allowing a significant portion of the mass of the golf club head100to be concentrated at a frontal bottom region of the golf club head100. The rear portion106of the golf club head100in this embodiment of the present invention may generally be made out of the standard titanium material having a density of between about 4.00 g/cc and about 5.00 g/cc, allowing the rear portion106of the golf club head100to be relatively lightweight. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the frontal portion104may also be made out of a standard titanium material such as TI-6-4, Ti-8-1-1, SP-700, or any other type of titanium material without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

In order to illustrate more specific features of the golf club head100,FIGS.2and3of the accompanying drawings is provided to give more insight into some of the specific inherent characteristics of the golf club head200that will be important to determine its improved performance. First off,FIG.2of the accompanying drawings, in addition to illustrating a golf club head200with a frontal portion204and a rear portion206, also shows a Center of Gravity (CG)210location along the x-z plane on the coordinate system201. Although the details of the CG location will be discussed in more detail with respect to the inertia properties of the golf club head200, the general direction of the current inventive golf club head200is to have a CG location that is strategically located at a distance back from the frontal portion of the golf club head200to yield the most advantageous results.

More specifically, in the current invention, the CG location rearward from the striking face, identified here as CG-Z is generally between about 25 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably between about 26 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably between about 27 mm and about 36 mm, all measured rearward from the face center202along the Z axis shown by the coordinate system201. In addition to illustrating the CG-Z212numbers, an alternative measurement method is provided to measure how far back the CG210is located within the club head200. In this alternative method, the CG210is measured from the shaft axis215, and this measurement is illustrated as CG-C214is generally measured to be between about 10 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm to about 23 mm, and most preferably between about 14 mm to about 21 mm, all measured rearward from the shaft axis215along the Z axis shown by the coordinate system201.

It should be noted that the strategic location of the CG210location rearward along the Z axis, irrespective of whether it is measured from the face center202or the shaft axis215, is critical to the proper functionality of the current inventive golf club head200. If the CG210location is too far forward, the golf club head200can result in a low MOI-X and MOI-Y as well as too low of a backspin when contacting a golf ball to yield desirable results. However, in the alternative, if the CG210location is too far rearward, the golf club head200can produce too much spin to yield desirable results. Hence, it can be seen that the criticality of the CG location rearward of along the Z axis is a fine balance of a very specific range of numbers that can severely hinder the performance of the golf club head200if it deviates from the ranges articulated above.

FIG.3of the accompanying drawings shows another important CG210measurement that is important to the proper functionality of the current invention. More specifically,FIG.3, in addition to illustrating all of the basic components of the golf club head200as previously shown, now introduces another measurement of the CG210location from the shaft axis215along an x-y plane shown by coordinate system301. More specifically,FIG.3shows a CG210measurement that is perpendicular to the shaft axis215along this x-y plane away from the actual shaft axis215itself, called CG-B for the purpose of this application. The CG-B of the golf club head210may generally be between about 32 mm and about 39 mm, more preferably between about 33 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably about 35 mm.

In addition to illustrating the very important CG-B measurement of the golf club head,FIG.3of the accompanying drawings also shows measurements W1and W2, indicative of the width of the golf club head200itself and the width of the face of the golf club head200respectively. In this embodiment of the present invention, the width of the golf club head W1may generally be between about 130 mm to and about 140 mm, more preferably between about 132 mm to about 138 mm, and most preferably about 136 mm. The width of the face W2may generally be between about 95 mm and about 105 mm, more preferably between about 97 mm and about 103 mm, and most preferably about 100 mm.

Now that the CG location of the golf club head200has been defined, the other important features associated with the present invention relates to the Moment of Inertia (MOI) of the golf club head200. The MOI of a golf club head generally depicts the ability of the golf club head to resist twisting when it impacts an object at a location that is not aligned with the CG location previously discussed. More specifically, the MOI of a golf club head relates to the ability of the golf club head to resist twisting relative to the CG location. As is well known in the art, the MOI of the golf club head200may generally be broken down to three unique components, relating to the ability of the golf club head200to resist rotation along three different axes with the origin of the three axes being coincident with the CG location of the golf club head. The three axes of rotation for which the MOI is generally referred coincides with the coordinate system101,201, and301(shown inFIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3respectively), where MOI-X is measured about the X axis passing through the CG location, MOI-Y is measured about the Y axis passing through the CG location, and MOI-Z is measured about the Z axis passing through the CG location.

As the previously discussion already hinted, the current inventive golf club head200may generally have a high value for the MOI about the X and Y axis, while maintaining a low MOI about the Z axis. More specifically, the current inventive golf club head200may generally have a MOI about the X axis (MOI-X) that is greater than about 300 kg-mm2, more preferably greater than about 310 kg-mm2, and most preferably greater than about 320 kg-mm2without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. As for MOI about the Y axis (MOI-Y), the present inventive golf club head200may generally have a MOI about the Y axis that is greater than about 400 kg-mm2, more preferably greater than about 410 kg-mm2, and most preferably greater than about 420 kg-mm2all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

While the large MOI number about the X and Y axis discussed previously are not necessarily new in the world of golf club200designs, the ability to maintain those number while decreasing the MOI about the Z axis (MOI-Z) and holding the MOI about the Shaft axis (MOI-SA) to a minimum is what makes the present invention. While the majority of the golf industry are focusing their attention so intently on the ability of the golf club head200to offer forgiveness on off center hits by trying to increase the MOI-Y to astronomical numbers, they have failed to recognize the ability of the golf club head200to offer more club head speed and more ball speed by decreasing the MOI about the Z axis (MOI-Z) in concert with the minimization of MOI about the Shaft axis (MOI-SA). The present invention focuses its attention on that very specific unrecognized characteristic, and has developed a golf club head200design to take advantage and maximize the performance of the golf club head200by focusing on the MOI about the Z axis. More specifically, a golf club head200in accordance with the present invention may generally have a MOI about a Z axis that is less than about 268 kg-mm2, more preferably less than about 260 kg-mm2, and most preferably less than about 250 kg-mm2. Additionally, the golf club head200may generally have a MOI about a Shaft axis that is less than about 850 kg-mm2.

It should be noted here that the low MOI-Z numbers mentioned above cannot by itself accurately depict and describe the current invention; as old school golf club heads with much smaller footprint may inherently have a low MOI-Z number, combined with a low MOI-X and MOI-Y number. Hence, it is important to recognize here that the present invention is predicated on the interrelationship between the different numbers achieved by the MOI-X and MOI-Y numbers as it relates to MOI-Z and MOI-SA, in combination with the CG location articulated above.

In order to capture the essence of the present invention, a ratio can be created between the MOI-X, MOI-Y, and MOI-Z to help provide one way to quantify this relationship. In one first example, a MOI-X to MOI-Z Ratio can be created to help quantify the current golf club head200as illustrated by Eq. (1) below. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MOI-X to MOI-Z Ratio is greater than about 1.10, more preferably greater than about 1.20, and most preferably greater than about 1.28.

MOI-XtoMOI-ZRatio=MOI-XMOI-ZEq.(1)
Similarly, a comparable ratio can be established called a MOI-Y to MOI-Z Ratio to quantify the current golf club head200as illustrate by Eq. (2) below. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MOI-Y to MOI-Z ratio is greater than about 1.50, more preferably greater than about 1.57, and most preferably greater than about 1.68.

MOI-YtoMOI-ZRatio=MOI-YMOI-ZEq.(2)

As it can be seen from the relationship established by the Eqs (1) and (2) above, the present invention relates to a specific relationship between the MOI of the golf club head200with an extra focus on minimizing the MOI-Z about the Z axis while maintaining a high MOI-Y. In order to further illustrate this, a graphical representation of the relationship is provided asFIG.4.

FIG.4of the accompanying drawings shows a plot of various data points of various golf club head and their respective MOI-Z numbers as well as their MOI-Y number. InFIG.4the X-axis represents the MOI-Y while the Y-axis represents the MOI-Z. The data points shown inFIG.4have been separated into circular dots and asterisks. The circular dots are representative of the data of “prior art” golf club heads, whereas the asterisk data points represent the current invention.

A closer examination of the prior art data points will show that none of the golf club heads in the prior art are capable of achieving a MOI-Z number of lower than 268 kg-mm2, for all modern day golf club heads that have a MOI-Y of greater than 420 kg-mm2. However, an even closer examination of the graph ofFIG.4will show that as the MOI-Y numbers of the golf club heads exceeds 500 kg-mm2, an additional relationship can be established to quantify the ability of the present invention to achieve the optimal MOI-Z to MOI-Y relationship. In fact, that relationship is shown inFIG.4as Y≤0.47x+33. Combining the two conditions articulated above can result in another unique way to quantify the present invention whereas, for golf club heads having a MOI-Y of between 420 kg-mm2and 500 kg-mm2, the golf club head generally has a MOI-Z of less than about 268 kg-mm2; however, for golf club heads having a MOI-Y of greater than 500 kg-mm2, the golf club head may have a MOI-Z that satisfies Eq. (3) below:
MOI-Z≤(0.47*MOI-Y)+33  Eq. (3)
Alternatively speaking, it can be said that in one embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head200may have a MOI-Z that satisfies the relationship MOI-Z≤(0.47*MOI-Y)+33 if the MOI-Y number is greater than 500 kg-mm2, and a MOI-Z that is less than 268 kg-mm2if the MOI-Y number is between 420 kg-mm2and 500 kg-mm2.

FIG.5of the accompanying drawing introduces another MOI value relating to a golf club head not previously discussed named MOI-Shaft Axis (MOI-SA). The MOI of a golf club head as it relates to the shaft axis is defined as the ability of the golf club head to resist twisting upon impact with a golf ball at a location that is not aligned with the shaft axis. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a MOI-SA of less than about 850 kg-mm2, more preferably less than about 800 kg-mm2, and most preferably less than about 750 kg-mm2. The relationship between the MOI-SA and MOI-Z is highlighted inFIG.5and is important to the present invention.FIG.5of the accompanying drawings shows that irrespective of the MOI-SA numbers, all of the prior art golf club heads have a MOI-Z of greater than about 268 kg-mm2, while all of the current inventive golf club heads have a MOI-Z of less than about 268 kg-mm2.

FIG.6of the accompanying drawings establishes a graphical relationship between the MOI-Y of the golf club head with the newly introduced MOI-SA. As a closer examination of the graph shown inFIG.6will show, the current invention is capable of achieving a higher than average MOI-Y, all while keeping a relatively small MOI-SA. Similar to previous plots, the circular points on the plot will refer to prior art golf club heads, while the asterisks will refer to the current invention. Hence, it can be seen that the present invention occupies a previously unachieved space delineated by an equation Y≥0.52x+147, which when put into context with the variables used in this plot, yields Eq. (4) below:
MOI-Y≥(0.52*MOI-SA)+147  Eq. (4)

FIG.7of the accompanying drawings establishes a graphical relationship between the MOI-X of the golf club head with now a familiar MOI-SA. As a closer examination of the graph shown inFIG.7will show, the current invention is capable of achieving a higher than average MOI-X, all while keeping a relatively small MOI-SA. Hence, it can be seen that the present invention occupies a previously unachieved space delineated by an equation Y≥0.40x+50, which when put into context with the variables used in this plot, yields Eq. (5) below:
MOI-X≥(0.40*MOI-SA)+50  Eq. (5)

FIG.8of the accompanying drawings establishes a graphical relationship between the MOI-Z of the golf club head with a ratio of CG-B/Face Width. Both the measurement for CG-B and Face Width can be found inFIG.3of the accompanying drawings as well as the accompanying discussion in paragraphs [0022] and [0023]. The CG-B measurement is explicitly shown inFIG.3, while the Face Width referred to by the chart inFIG.8is shown as W2. A closer examination of the graph shown inFIG.8will show that the current invention is capable of achieving a lower MOI-Z, while keeping the CG-B/Face Width number fairly consistent above 0.4. CG-B/Face Width is indicative of the location of the center of gravity while keeping a moderately sized face golf club head.

In the chart shown inFIG.8, it can be seen that the present invention occupies a previously unachieved space delineated by an equation Y≤1000x−150, which when put into context with the variable used in this plot, yields Eq. (6) below:

MOI-Z≤(1000*CG-BFace⁢Width)-150Eq.(6)

FIG.9of the accompanying drawings establishes a graphical relationship between the MOI-Z of the golf club head with a ratio of CG-B/Head Width. Both the measurement for CG-B and Head Width can be found inFIG.3of the accompanying drawings as well as the accompanying discussion above in paragraph [0022] and [0023]. The CG-B measurement is explicitly shown inFIG.3, while the Head Width referred to by the chart inFIG.9is shown as W1. A closer examination of the graph shown inFIG.9will show that the current invention is capable of achieving a lower MOI-Z, while keeping the CG-B/Head Width number fairly consistent above 0.34. CG-B/Head Width is indicative of the location of the center of gravity while keeping a moderately sized head width of the golf club head.

In the chart shown inFIG.9, it can be seen that the present invention occupies a previously unachieved space delineated by a MOI-Z number that is lower than 320 kg-mm2combined with a CG-B/Head Width number that is greater than about 0.34.

FIG.10of the accompanying drawings establishes another graphical relationship of the performance of a golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically,FIG.10of the accompanying drawings shows a relationship between MOI-X/MOI-Z and CG-Z. (MOI-X is used interchangeably with Ixx, MOI-Y is used interchangeably with Iyy, and finally MOI-Z is used interchangeably with Izz) The definition and measurement for CG-Z of a golf club head can be found in the earlier discussion relating toFIG.2of the accompanying drawings, while the background information establishing MOI-X and MOI-Z have already been discussed previously. Although the selection of the plot for the X and Y axis may appear random initially to a person not versed in golf club design, but a closer examination will reveal that the relationship created here is absolutely critical to the proper performance of the present invention. On the Y axis of the plot shown inFIG.10, a ratio between MOI-X and MOI-Z is created here. This ratio created illustrates the ability of the current inventive golf club head to maximize the value of one variable (MOI-X) while minimizing the value of another variable (MOI-Z); which resonates with the theme of the present invention. The CG-Z used in the X axis of the plot shown inFIG.10is indicative of the CG location of the golf club head rearward from the front of the golf club head, and it is desirable to maintain that in the range described above.

A further examination of the plot shown inFIG.10will show that the present invention occupies a portion of the graph that was previously unachieved. This portion of the graph is delineated from other prior art data points by an equation Y≥6.7501x−99.30, which when put into context with the variable used in this plot, yields Eq. (7) below:

MOI-XMOI-Z≥(6.7501*CG-Z)-99.3Eq.(7)

FIG.11of the accompanying drawings establishes another graphical relationship of a golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention by creating a relationship between the MOI-Y/MOI-Z and CG-Z. The definition and measurement for CG-Z of a golf club head can be found in the earlier discussion relating toFIG.2of the accompanying drawings, while the background information establishing MOI-Y and MOI-Z have already been discussed previously. Similar to the previous discussion, the relationship between MOI-Y and MOI-Z is indicative of the ability of a golf club to achieve great forgiveness along the MOI-Y axis, while minimizing the MOI-Z of a golf club head to achieve a higher ball speed, as previously discussed. Similar to previous discussion,FIG.11of the accompanying drawings shows that the present invention is capable of achieving performance characteristics that was previously unachieved. This portion of the graph is delineated from other prior art data points by an equation Y≥11.349 x−175.76, which when put into context with the variable used in this plot, yields Eq. (8) below:

MOI-YMOI-Z≥(11.349*CG-Z)-175.76Eq.(8)

FIG.12of the accompanying drawings establishes another graphical relationship of a golf club in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention by creating a relationship between the (MOI-X+MOI-Y)/MOI-Z and CG-Z. The definition and measurement for CG-Z of a golf club head can be found in the earlier discussion relating toFIG.2of the accompanying drawings, while the background information establishing MOI-X, MOI-Y, and MOI-Z have already been discussed previously. Similar to the previous discussion, the relationship between MOI-X, MOI-Y, and MOI-Z is indicative of the ability of a golf club to achieve great forgiveness along both the MOI-X and MOI-Y axes, while minimizing the MOI-Z of a golf club head to achieve a higher ball speed, as previously discussed. Similar to previous discussion,FIG.12of the accompanying drawings shows that the present invention is capable of achieving performance characteristics that was previously unachieved. This portion of the graph is delineated from other prior art data points by an equation Y≥18.67 x−296.63, which when put into context with the variable used in this plot, yields Eq. (9) below:

(MOI-X+MOI-Y)MOI-Z≥(18.67*CG-Z)-296.63Eq.(9)

FIGS.13through15show different exploded and cross-sectional view of golf club heads and their internal components that are used to achieve the performance characteristics described above.FIG.13shows an exploded perspective view of an exemplary design of a golf club head1300in capable of achieving the performance characteristics previously discussed. The golf club head1300is made out of the essential components previously discussed inFIG.1in terms of a frontal portion1304and a rear portion1306. However, this exploded view of golf club head1300allows additional components to be shown in more detail. More specifically,FIG.13illustrates that, as often the case in a golf club head construction, the frontal portion1304may further be comprised out of a separate component called the striking face insert1320to form the striking portion of the golf club head1300. The rear portion1306of the golf club head1300is where it gets more interesting. In order to achieve the performance numbers above of a higher MOI-Y, a higher MOI-X, and a lower MOI-Z, a significant amount of mass is re-allocated towards the center of the golf club head away from the perimeter. In order to achieve this, the present invention utilizes four weighting members that are all comprised out of a high density material that have a higher density than the frontal portion1304or the rear portion1306. The four weighting members can be separated into a frontal sole weight1322, frontal internal weight1324, rear internal weight1326, and rear sole weight1328, and these weighting members may all generally have a material density of greater than 13 g/cc, more preferably greater than about 15 g/cc, and most preferably greater than about 17 g/cc.

It should be noted that in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, all of the weighting members1322,1324,1326, and1328are all made out of the same material having the same heavy density discussed previously. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, different densities of tungsten may be used for different weighting members depending on the design criteria and desired CG location all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

FIG.14of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head1400in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional view of the golf club head taken across a horizontal plane across the face of the golf club head1400to allow some of the relationship between the golf club head1400and the various weighting member1422,1424,1426, and1428to be shown more clearly. In addition to the weighting members, the cross-sectional view of the golf club head1400shown inFIG.14also allows the face center1402and the CG location1410to be re-introduced as it relates to the weighting members. It can be seen from this view that at least one weighting member is located near a central portion of the golf club head in a heel to toe direction, and substantially in line with and behind said face center.

FIG.15of the accompanying drawings shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head1500in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention taken along a vertical plane that passes through the center of the face. This cross-sectional view of the golf club head1500shown inFIG.15provides a little more information on the interworking relationship between the components. More specifically,FIG.15shows a striking face insert1520being located in the frontal portion1504of the golf club head1500. In addition to the above,FIG.15also shows that the frontal sole weight1522is located in a receptacle that is created within the frontal portion1504. Although not shown in this cross-sectional view inFIG.15, the frontal internal weight is also located in the frontal portion1504. Attached to the rear of the frontal portion1504is the rear portion1506. The rear portion1506forms the aft body portion of the golf club head1500, and contains the rear internal weight1526and the rear sole weight1528. These weighting members, combined with the unique materials used to form the frontal portion1504and the rear portion1506, allow the golf club head1500to achieve the unique performance characteristics outlined previously.

FIGS.16through20show various perspective and cross-sectional views of a golf club head1600in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention that is capable of achieving the performance goals previously mentioned. Similar to the previous embodiment illustrated byFIGS.1-3and13-15, a lot of weighting member is located near the center of the golf club head1600in a heel to toe orientation along the x-axis behind the face center1602to help minimize the MOI-Z of the golf club head1600.

More specifically,FIG.16of the accompanying drawings shows a perspective view of a golf club head1600in accordance with this alternative embodiment of the present invention. Although not much can be gleamed from this perspective view of the golf club head1600, it does lay the ground work for the subsequent discussion relating to this particular embodiment of the present invention. Finally,FIG.16, similar to previous figures that illustrate a golf club head, provides a coordinate system1601to guide the subsequent discussions.

FIG.17of the accompanying drawings shows a top view of a golf club head1600in accordance with this alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this top view, a couple of familiar dimensions are reintroduced here. First and foremost, the top view of the golf club head1600shown inFIG.17allows the relationship between the face center1602and the CG1610to be shown in more detail. When measured along the Z-axis, the measurement CG-Z is shown as1612. The location of the CG, when referenced against the shaft axis1615yields another way to measure the CG location along the Z-axis called CG-C1614. The number ranges for the CG-Z1612and CG-C1614measurements are not much different from previous discussions, but this embodiment of the present invention provides an alternative way to achieve those targets with a slightly different construction without the need for a multi-material chassis.

FIG.18of the accompanying drawings shows a frontal view of a golf club head1600in accordance with this alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this frontal view, we can see another feature utilized by the present embodiment to help achieve the performance criteria of the current invention. More specifically,FIG.18shows that in this embodiment of the present invention, in order to minimize the MOI-Z of the golf club head1600, weight is removed from the extremities of the golf club head1600via a reshaping of the contour at the toe portion of the golf club head1600. This reshaping of the contour at the toe portion of the golf club head1600not only removes weight from the extremities, but also tightens up the face profile of the golf club head1600to create a unique performing golf club head1600.

In addition to illustrating this toe contour profiling,FIG.18also shows a CG-B1616measurement relating to the shaft axis1615similar to the previous discussion. Once again, the CG-B1616measurement range is in line as the previous discussion have mentioned, and does not deviate much from the design intent of the present invention.

FIG.19of the accompanying drawings shows a cut open cross-sectional view of a golf club head1600in accordance with this alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along a horizontal plane. In this embodiment of the present invention, the overarching theme of placing the weights along the central portion of the golf club head1600reemerges again. More specifically, the golf club head1600further comprises of a frontal internal weight1624and a rear internal weight1626. These weights, however, different from prior embodiments of the present invention in that they can be made out of the same material as the body portion of the golf club head1600such as titanium and be directly cast into the body without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. These weighting members1624and1626may also be made out of a tungsten type material having a total weight of 20-23 grams to further improve the performance of the golf club head1600without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

FIG.20of the accompanying drawings provides another cross-sectional cut open view of the golf club head1600in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention taken along a vertical plane. Once again, the measurements here are very similar to the discussion previously relating to prior embodiments and the CG-Z1612number remain within the same range as the prior discussion. This cross-sectional cut open view of the golf club head1600taken along this line allows the profile and geometry of the frontal internal weight1624and the rear internal weight1626to be shown more clearly and their relationship together with the body portion of the golf club head1600.

Referring toFIGS.21-25the golf club head2000has all of the mass and inertial properties discussed above. Further, the golf club head2000comprises a striking face2001having a face center FC, a crown return2002, a sole return2003and a central body member2004that are formed of metal. The central body member2004is located near the central portion of the golf club head in a heel to toe orientation, substantially in line along the z-axis as set forth above, and extends from the crown return2002and the sole return2003to a back edge2005of the golf club. The golf club head2000is further comprised of a heel body member2006made of a non-metallic material and coupled to a heel side of the central body member2004and a toe body member2007made of a non-metallic material and coupled to a toe side of the central body member2004. The heel body member2006and the toe body member2007are essentially taco shell shaped, taco-shaped, in that they form a portion of the crown and a portion of the sole such that they have a c-shaped cross section. Preferably, as set forth above, the metal portions can be formed of a standard titanium materials such as TI-6-4, Ti-8-1-1, SP-700, and others that have a specific gravity of about 4 g/cc to 5 g/cc. The heel body member2006and the toe body member2007are preferably formed of a standard composite fiber composite laminate, chopped fiber composite generally referred to as fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), or a composite material such as those disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2015-0360094, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Alternatively, the heel body member2006and the toe body member2007are preferably formed of a thermoplastic material such as those disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/528,210, filed on Jul. 31, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, polyetherimide (PEI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PEAK) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The heel body member2006and the toe body member2007are preferably formed by compression molding, injection molding or 3D printing.

The golf club head2000further has a center of gravity CG that is located a distance back from the face center, CG-z, a vertical distance up from the ground plane, CG-y, a perpendicular distance from the shaft axis, GC-SA, a horizontal distance from the face center toward the heel side, CG-x and a distance back, parallel to the z-axis, from the shaft axis, CG-C. As stated above, in the current invention, the CG-z is generally between about 25 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably between about 26 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably between about 27 mm and about 36 mm, all measured rearward from the face center FC along the z-axis shown by the coordinate system above. In addition to the CG-z numbers, an alternative measurement method is provided to measure how far back the CG is located within the club head2000. In this alternative method, the CG is measured from the shaft axis SA, and this measurement is illustrated as CG-C is generally measured to be between about 10 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm to about 23 mm, and most preferably between about 14 mm to about 21 mm, all measured rearward from the shaft axis SA along the z-axis shown by the coordinate system above.

As stated above, it is important that the strategic location of the CG location rearward along the z-axis be correct, irrespective of whether it is measured from the face center FC or the shaft axis SA, for the proper functionality of the current inventive golf club head2000. If the CG location is too far forward, the golf club head2000can have a low MOI-X and MOI-Y and low of a backspin when contacting a golf ball. However, in the alternative, if the CG location is too far rearward, the golf club head2000can produce too much spin to yield desirable results. Hence, the CG location rearward of along the z-axis is important for the performance of the golf club head2000.

FIG.22of the accompanying drawings shows another important CG measurement that is important to the proper functionality of the current invention. More specifically,FIG.22, in addition to illustrating all of the components of the golf club head2000as previously discussed, shows another measurement of the CG location from the shaft axis SA along an x-y plane. More specifically,FIG.22shows a CG measurement that is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA along this x-y plane, called CG-B for the purpose of this application. The CG-B of the golf club head2000may generally be between about 32 mm and about 39 mm, more preferably between about 33 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably about 35 mm.

As shown inFIG.22, the golf club head2000can further include a central support member2010such as wall member2010that is coupled to a crown portion of the central body portion2004and a sole portion of the central body portion2004. The wall member2010preferably has a thickness t that is between 0.2 mm and 5 mm, and more preferably, between about 0.4 mm and 2 mm.

As shown inFIG.23, the central body member2004preferably has a heel side circumferential attachment edge2011and a toe side circumferential attachment edge2012for coupling the heel body member2006and the toe body member2007, respectively, to the central body member2004. The a heel side circumferential attachment edge2011and the toe side circumferential attachment edge2012preferably extend from approximate the crown return2002and the sole return2003to a back edge2005of the golf club head2000.

As shown inFIG.24, the golf club head2000can further include at least one weight member2008or2009, and more preferably, includes two weight members2008and2009. The first weight member2008is located on the sole portion of the club head, forward near the striking face2001and the second weight member2009is located on the sole portion of the club head, aft near the back edge2005. At least one of the weigh members2008and2009may generally have a material density of greater than 13 g/cc, more preferably greater than about 15 g/cc, and most preferably greater than about 17 g/cc. The weight members2008and2009preferably have a mass of between about 0 grams and 50 grams, and more preferably between about 5 grams and 25 grams. In one embodiment of the invention, the first weight member2008has a mass of at least two times the mass of the second weight member2009. In another embodiment of the invention, the first weight member2008has a mass of less than half the mass of the second weight member2009. More preferably, the weight members2008and2009are interchangeable so that the CG can be adjusted forward and rearward to control the club head's launch and spin characteristics. Furthermore, the center of the first weight member2008is preferably located less than 30 mm from the striking face2001along the z-axis and the center of the second weight member2009is preferably located less than 20 mm from the back edge2005along the z-axis such that the interchangeable weights can have a maximum effect on the spin and launch characteristics of the club head.

In one embodiment of the present invention and as shown inFIG.25, the central support member or wall member2010is coupled to a crown portion of the central body portion2004and a sole portion of the central body portion2004and extends between the first and second weight members2008and2009. The central support member2010preferably has a maximum height H parallel to the y-axis and a maximum depth D parallel to the z-axis. The depth D is preferably greater than the maximum height H. Also shown inFIG.25, the heel side circumferential attachment edge2011and the toe side circumferential attachment edge2012for coupling the heel body member2006and the toe body member2007to the central body member2004can include a plurality of recesses or apertures2013that adhesive can enter into and better lock the components together. Alternatively, the heel side circumferential attachment edge2011and the toe side circumferential attachment edge2012may have a plurality of protrusions on the outer surface to create a gap between the heel body member2006and the toe body member2007to the central body member2004such that an adhesive can fill the gap and create a stronger bond there between.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head's central support member2010can be comprised of a plurality of strut members2014,2015,2016,2017,2018and2019that extend form the crown to the sole of the central body portion2004between the two weight members2008and2009. Again, the central support member2010preferably has a maximum height H parallel to the y-axis and a maximum depth D parallel to the z-axis. The depth D is preferably greater than the maximum height H. Preferably, a first angled strut member2014extends from a crown portion of the central body member2004to the sole and a second angled strut member2015extends from a sole portion of the central body portion2004to the crown, and the first and second angled strut members2014and2015preferably cross each other. Preferably, the first and second angled strut members2014and2015extend at an angle α of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from the y-axis and an angle β of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from the z-axis. More preferably, the first and second angled strut members2014and2015extend at an angle α of between 15 degrees and 45 degrees from the y-axis and an angle β of between 45 degrees and 75 degrees from the z-axis. The golf club head can further comprise a third angled strut member2016that extends from a crown portion of the central body member2004to the sole and a fourth angled strut member2017that extends from a sole portion of the central body portion2004to the crown, and the third and fourth angled strut members cross each other. The third and fourth angled strut members also extend at angles α and β of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from both the y-axis and the z-axis respectively. Preferably, the third angled strut member2016is coupled to the first angled strut member2014at the crown and the fourth angled strut member2017is coupled to the second angled strut member2015at the sole. Furthermore, preferably, the third angled strut member2016is substantially parallel to the second angled strut member2015and the fourth angled strut member2017is substantially parallel to the first angled strut member2014. The golf club2000can further comprise a vertical strut member2018extending vertically, substantially parallel to the y-axis, between the first angled strut member2014and the second angled strut member2015approximate the first weight member2008. Even more preferably, the golf club2000can further comprise a second vertical strut member2019extending vertically, substantially parallel to the y-axis, between the fourth angled strut member2017and the third angled strut member2016adjacent to the second weight member2009.

The advantage of the central support member2010, either in the form of the wall member2010or the angled strut members2014,2015,2016and2017is that it prevents the crown portion of the central body portion2004from deflecting relative to the sole portion of the central body portion2004in the y-axis and also prevents the portions from shearing with respect to each other in the z-axis.

The advantage of multiple weight ports2008and2009is that the weight members can have equal mass, for example between 10 and 15 grams each, such that the CG of the club head2000is in a neutral position. However, the weight members2008and2009can also be comprised of a heavy weight, for example greater than 15 grams, and a light weight, for example less than 10 grams, such that the CG can be moved forward or back depending on the placement of the weights. With the heavy weight located in the aft weight member2009, the MOI-Y is increased and is preferably greater than about 450 kg-mm2. Thus, in a preferred golf club head2000, the MOI-Y is greater than or equal to approximately 2 times the MOI-Z. Conversely, when the heavy weight is in the forward weight member2008, the CG-C can be significantly decreased. For example, a preferred golf club head2000can have a GC-C of between 14 mm to 21 mm.

The advantages of the club head2000discussed above can also apply to fairway woods and hybrids. In those embodiments, it is understood that the numerical values for the club properties will be lower and the metal will be generally steels and high strength steels know in the art. However, the construction of the golf club head2000can be easily applied to these smaller heads.

Other than in the operating example, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft, draft angles, various performance ratios, and others in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above 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. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.