Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02637004 2008-07-08
Attorney Docket No. KMC-786/0208836
GOLF CLUBS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to golf club heads, and relates more
particularly to golf club heads and methods of manufacturing a golf club head.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Golf clubs and specifically golf club heads of various designs have
typically been developed to improve the functionality of a golfer's swing and
resulting golf shot. A frequent problem many golfers suffer is their inability
or
lack of consistency to hit "down" on a ball, that is, to regularly hit the
ball
squarely. Golf club designs that optimize a golf club's center of gravity
position
is one recent design trend among golf club manufacturers to counteract this
common problem. By positioning the center of gravity towards the bottom of the
golf club, this position may induce the golfer during his swing, to hit "down"
on
the ball, thus, hitting the ball squarely.
[0003] The manufacturing of oversized golf clubs having a larger strike face,
and
subsequently a larger area of impact is another recent design trend among golf
club manufacturers. These oversized clubs were designed to accommodate "miss
hits" by the golfer. Instead of inducing the golfer to hit the ball squarely
by
optimizing the club's center of gravity position, these oversized clubs use
the
larger sweet spot area to accommodate a miss hit ball. Thus, the resulting
trajectory of the miss hit ball reacts in a manner as if it were hit squarely.
[0004] The general trend by golf club manufacturers is to manufacture irons
with
an optimized center of gravity, and to manufacture drivers, fairway woods, and
utility clubs in an oversized manner. However, a golfer may benefit from a
driver, fairway wood, or utility club that, similarly to an iron, incorporates
an
optimally positioned center of gravity, particularly where the center of
gravity is
located in the lower portion of the of the club.
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[0005] Accordingly, golf clubs and their methods of manufacture can lower or
further optimize the center of gravity of their golf club heads.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. I illustrates a perspective view of a golf club showing a front
face
and top wall of a golf club head of the golf club, according to a first
embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the golf club head showing the center
of
gravity of the golf club head and various dimensional elements, according to
the
first embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of the golf club head showing
various
dimensional elements, according to the first embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the back end of the golf club showing
an
intersection point, intersection angle, and intersection height, according to
the first
embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the golf club head showing the
bottom wall, according to the first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a front end view of the golf club head showing the
front
end and front face, according to the first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view of the golf club head showing the back
end,
according to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 8 illustrates a top down view of the golf club head showing the
top
wall, front end, back end, heel end and toe end, according to the first
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom up view of the golf club head showing the
bottom wall, according to the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the golf club head showing the heel
portion, according to the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the golf club head showing the toe
portion, according to the first embodiment;
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[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section view of the exemplary golf club
head of
FIG. I 1 at an address position;
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section view of another exemplary golf club
head at an address position, according to a second embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary golf club head
at
an address position, according to a third embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 15 depicts a flow diagram representation of one manner in which a
golf club head may be manufactured, according to a fourth embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 16 depicts a flow diagram representation of another manner in
which
a golf club head may be manufactured, according to a fifth embodiment; and
[0022] FIG. 17 depicts a flow diagram representation of yet another manner in
which a golf club head of FIG. I may be manufactured, according to a sixth
embodiment.
[0023] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures
illustrate the
general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known
features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
golf
clubs and their methods of manufacture. Additionally, elements in the drawing
figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some
of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements
to
help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same
reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
[0024] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the
description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between
similar
elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or
chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are
interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of
golf clubs and methods of manufacture described herein are, for example,
capable
of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described
herein. Furthermore, the terms "contain," "include," and "have," and any
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variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a
process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is
not
necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not
expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0025] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "side,"
"under," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used
for
descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative
positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable
under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of golf clubs and methods
of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in
other
orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term
"coupled," as used herein, is defined as directly or indirectly connected in
an
electrical, physically, mechanical, or other manner.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0026] In one embodiment of the golf clubs and methods of manufacture
described herein, a golf club head comprises: a body having a toe end, a heel
end
opposite the toe end, a front end, a back end opposite the front end, a front
face at
the front end, a top wall, and a bottom wall opposite the top wall. The body
has a
body height that is measured in a first direction substantially normal to the
bottom
wall. The body height extends from the bottom wall to a top point of the front
face. The body has a center of gravity and a center of gravity height measured
in
the first direction that extends along a center of gravity line. The center of
gravity
height extends from the bottom wall to the center of gravity. The body also
has a
center of gravity ratio comprising the center of gravity height relative to
the body
height, and the center of gravity ratio is less than about 0.50.
[0027] In a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the
golf club head also includes the bottom wall extending from the front end to
the
back end and substantially parallel to a ground plane when the club head is at
an
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address position. The top wall extends downward to intersect the bottom wall
at
an intersection point at the back end.
[0028] In still a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture,
the golf club head includes the front face extending from the top wall to the
bottom wall at the front end and having a maximum face height measured in a
second direction substantially parallel to the front face. The face height
extends
from the top point of the front face to a bottom point of the front face. The
front
face also has a front face center of gravity point, and a line along a third
direction
that is substantially perpendicular to the second direction intersects the
front face
center of gravity point and the center of gravity of the body. The front face
also
comprises a front face center distance measured in the second direction from
the
bottom point of the front face to the front face center of gravity point. In
this
embodiment, the body comprises a front face ratio comprising the front face
center distance relative to the face height, and the front face ratio is less
than
about 0.6.
[0029] In still yet another embodiment of golf clubs and methods of
manufacture,
the golf club head comprises a toe end, a heel end opposite of the toe end, a
front
end that has a front face extending between the toe and heel ends, and the
front
face has a top point and a bottom point. The embodiment further comprises a
back end opposite the front end, and the back end has an intersection point.
In
this embodiment, the golf clubs and methods of manufacture comprises a bottom
wall substantially parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is at an
address position, and the bottom wall is coupled to the front face at the
bottom
point and has a maximum length measured from the bottom point to the
intersection point. There is a top wall opposite the bottom wall and the top
wall
continuously tapers from the top point to the intersection point; the top wall
couples to the bottom wall at the intersection point and the top wall has a
maximum height and a minimum height. The maximum height is measured from
the top point to the ground plane along a first vertical plane substantially
perpendicular to the ground plane and including the top point, and the minimum
height is measured from the intersection point to the ground plane along a
second
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vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the ground plane and including
the
intersection point.
[0030] In an embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the top wall
of the club head extends downward to intersect the bottom wall at the back end
at
an intersection point. The intersection point comprises one end of an
intersection
distance measured in the first direction from the intersection point to a
ground
plane when the club head is at an address position. This embodiment further
comprises an intersection ratio comprising the intersection distance to the
body
height, and the intersection ratio is less than about 0.20.
[0031] In a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the
intersection of the top wall and the bottom wall at the intersection point
creates an
intersection angle of less than about 55 degrees when excluding a transition
radius
at the intersection point.
[0032] In an embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, a method for
manufacturing a golf club head comprises providing a body to have a toe end, a
heel end, a front end, a back end, a front face, a top wall, and a bottom wall
that
extends from the front end to the back end and adjacent to the top wall at the
toe
end, the heel end, and the back end. The body is provided to have a body
height
measured in a first direction substantially normal to the bottom wall from the
bottom wall to a top point of the front face, and the body has a center of
gravity
and a center of gravity height measured in the first direction from the bottom
wall
to the center of gravity. The body has a center of gravity ratio comprising
the
center of gravity height to the body height, and the center of gravity ratio
is less
than about 0.50.
[0033] In a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the
method for manufacturing a golf club head further comprises providing the
bottom wall to extend from the front end to the back end and to be
substantially
parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head is at an address position,
and
providing the top wall to extend downward to intersect the bottom wall at the
back end.
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[0034] The method for manufacturing a golf club head further comprises
providing the body to have a maximum face height measured in a second
direction substantially parallel to the front face from the top point of the
front face
to a bottom point of the front face. This method comprises the front face to
have
a front face center of gravity point, a line along a third direction
substantially
perpendicular to the second direction that intersects the front face center of
gravity point and the center of gravity. The front face comprises a front face
center distance measured in the second direction from the bottom point of the
front face to the front face center of gravity point, and the body further
comprises
a front face ratio comprising the front face center distance to the face
height and
the front face ratio is less than about 0.6.
[0035] In further embodiments of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the
method for manufacturing may comprise providing the golf club head to have a
radius of curvature of a central portion of the top wall that is less than a
radius of
curvature of a central portion of the bottom wall. Also, the method may
further
comprise providing the center of gravity to be below the front face center of
gravity point. Moreover, the method can also provide the center of gravity
height
to be less than the front face center distance.
[0036] In still yet a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of
manufacture, the method for manufacturing a golf club head comprises providing
the top wall to extend downward to intersect the bottom wall at the back end
at an
intersection point, where the intersection point further comprises one end of
an
intersection distance measured in the first direction from the intersection
point to
a ground plane when the club head is at an address position. Tn this
embodiment,
the body has an intersection ratio comprising the intersection distance to the
body
height; and the intersection ratio is less than about 0.20.
[0037] In an embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the method
for manufacturing a golf club head further comprises providing the
intersection of
the top wall and the bottom wall at the intersection point to create an
intersection
angle of less than about 55 degrees when excluding a transition radius at the
intersection point.
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[0038] In several of the embodiments, golf club heads comprise and methods for
manufacturing include, providing a golf club head comprising a top wall that
is
straight, concave or convex.
[0039] These aforementioned embodiments can lower the center of gravity of the
golf club head or optimize it by using less material or mass for the shell of
the
golf club head and allow the unused mass to be redistributed to other parts of
the
golf club head.
[0040] Turning to the figures, FIG. I is a perspective view of a golf club
101,
which includes a shaft 190 and a golf club head body 100 having a toe end 110,
a
heel end 120 opposite toe end 110, a hosel 105 at heel end 120, a front end
130, a
back end 140 opposite front end 130, a front face 150 at front end 130, a top
wall
160, and a bottom wall 270 (FIG. 2) opposite top wall 160. Front face 150 can
include a strike face and one or more of grooves 152. Groves 152 may be
incorporated upon front face 150 in varying patterns, depths, widths, lengths,
cross-sectional profiles, and/or the like. Furthermore, golf club 101 can be a
driver, a wood, a hybrid club, or any other suitable type of golf club. The
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not
limited
in this regard.
[00411 With reference to FIG. 2, body 100 has a maximum body height 205
measured in a first direction substantially normal to bottom wall 270 and/or
to a
ground plane when golf club head body 100 is at an address position. Body
height 205 extends from bottom wall 270 to a top point 206 of front face 150.
For
example, top point 206 of front face 150 can be the point of body 100 that is
the
furthest away from bottom wall 270 in the first direction. Body 100 further
has a
center of gravity 280 and a center of gravity height 285. Center of gravity
height
285 is measured in the first direction along a center of gravity line from
bottom
wall 270 to center of gravity 280.
[0042] In one embodiment, and with reference to Table 1, body 100 has a center
of gravity ratio comprising center of gravity height 285 relative to body
height
205, and the center of gravity ratio is less than about 0.50. In another
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embodiment, the center of gravity ratio is less than about 0.389. Although the
above examples may describe particular values for the center of gravity
ratios, the
apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be
associated with other center of gravity ratios. In particular, the center of
gravity
ratios may vary in a linear manner or a non-linear manner with respect to the
loft
angles. Accordingly, a golf club head having a loft angle greater than 21.5
degrees may be associated with a center of gravity ratio that is greater than,
less
than, or equal to 0.50. In a similar manner, a golf club head having a loft
angle
less than 14.0 degrees may be associated with a center of gravity ratio that
is
greater than, less than or equal to 0.393. Further, while Table I may describe
particular center of gravity heights, body heights, face heights, front face
center
heights, center of gravity ratios, and front face ratios of golf club head
bodies that
are associated with particular loft angles, the apparatus, methods, and
articles of
manufacture may be applicable to other golf club head bodies associated with
other loft angles.
[0043] Table I
Loft Center of Body Height Face Height Front Face Center of Front Face
(degrees) Gravity (millimeters) (millimeters) Center Height Gravity Ratio
Ratio
Height (millimeters)
(millimeters)
14.0 14.6 37.2 41.7 20.9 0.393 0.500
15.5 14.5 37.2 42.8 21.4 0.389 0.500
17.0 14.3 36.0 43.9 22.0 0.398 0.500
18.5 14.5 34.7 42.8 21.4 0.417 0.500
21.5 14.5 32.2 42.8 21.4 0.450 0.500
[0044] In a still further embodiment, front face 150 extends from top wall 160
to
bottom wall 270 at front end 130 and has a maximum face height 255. Face
height 255 is measured in a second direction substantially parallel to front
face
150 from top point 206 of front face 150 to a bottom point 208 of front face
150.
Front face 150 has a front face center of gravity point 283. Face height 255
can
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extend along a midline of front face 150, where the midline further bisects
front
face 150. A line along a third direction substantially perpendicular to the
second
direction intersects front face center of gravity point 283 and center of
gravity 280
of body 100. Front face 150 comprises a front face center distance 258
measured
in the second direction from bottom point 208 of front face 150 to front face
center of gravity point 283. Body 100 further comprises a front face ratio
comprising front face center distance 258 to face height 255, and the front
face
ratio is less than about 0.6. In another embodiment, the front face ratio is
less
than about 0.575.
[0045] In one embodiment, center of gravity height 285 is less than about 16
millimeters. In another embodiment, center of gravity height 285 is less than
about 12.7 millimeters.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, bottom wall 270 extends from front
end 130 to back end 140 and is substantially parallel to a ground plane 398
when
club head 100 is at an address position. In particular, top wall 160 extends
downward to intersect bottom wall 270 at back end 140 at an intersection point
390.
[0047] In yet another embodiment, and as can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 12, a
radius of curvature of a central portion of top wall 160 is less than a radius
of
curvature of a central portion of bottom wall 270. In another embodiment, as
depicted in FIG. 13, a top wall 1360 may have no radius of curvature. In still
yet
another embodiment, shown in Figure 14, a top wall 1460 can be convex.
[0048] In a further embodiment, top wall 160 extends downward to intersect
bottom wall 270 at back end 140 at an intersection point 390. Intersection
point
390 further comprises one end of an intersection distance 395 measured in the
first direction froin intersection point 390 to a ground plane 398 when club
head
100 is at an address position. With reference to Table 2, body 100 further
comprises an intersection ratio comprising intersection distance 395 to body
height 205, and the intersection ratio is less than about 0.20. In one
embodiment,
the intersection ratio is less than about 0.136.
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[0049] Table 2
Loft Intersection Distance Body Height Intersection Ratio
(degrees) (millimeters) (millimeters)
14.0 4.39 37.2 0.118
15.5 5.05 37.2 0.136
17.0 5.49 36.0 0.152
18.5 5.92 34.7 0.170
21.5 6.35 32.2 0.198
[0050] Alternatively, the portion of bottom wall 270 that extends from front
face
150 at front end 130 to intersection point 390 at back end 140, may be
substantially parallel to ground plane 398 when the club head is at the
address
position.
[0051] In a further embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, and
with reference to FIG. 4, the intersection of top wall 160 and bottom wall 270
at
intersection point 390 creates an intersection angle 492 of less than about 55
degrees when excluding a transition radius at intersection point 390.
[0052] FIGS. 5-12 show other views of golf club head body 100. Several of the
embodiments discussed herein may be described with respect to various ratios.
It
should be understood that these ratios should not be interpreted to limit the
embodiments as discussed herein, and are merely included to enable the various
embodiments. The ratios are incorporated to assist in interpreting the
relationship
between the various club elements such as body height 205, face height 255,
center of gravity 280 position, intersection point 390, and the like.
[0053] Tn an embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, with
reference to FIG. 12, golf club head body 100 comprises front face 150 having
top
point 206 and bottom point 208, back end 140 opposite of the front end 130;
back
end 140 has intersection point 390. In this embodiment, bottom wall 270 is
substantially parallel to ground plane 398 when golf club head body 100 is at
an
address position, and bottom wall 270 couples to front face 150 at bottom
point
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208. Body 100 and/or bottom wall 270 have a maximum length 1272 measured
from bottom point 208 to intersection point 390. Top wall 160, opposite of
bottom wall 270, continuously tapers in a substantially concave manner with
respect to ground plane 398 from top point 206 to intersection point 390, and
top
wall 160 couples to bottom wall 270 at intersection point 390. In this
embodiment, top wall 160 has maximum body height 205 and a minimum
intersection height 395, and maximum body height 205 is measured from top
point 206 to ground plane 398 along a first vertical plane 1261 substantially
perpendicular to ground plane 398 and including first point 206. Accordingly,
the
maximum height of body 100 is located at the junction (i.e., top point 206) of
top
wall 160 and front face 150. Minimum intersection height 395 is measured from
intersection point 390 to ground plane 398 along a second vertical plane 1262
substantially perpendicular to ground plane 398, substantially parallel to
first
vertical plane 1261 and to the aforementioned first direction, and including
intersection point 390.
[0054] In another embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, with
reference to FIG. 13, a golf club head body 1300 is similar to golf club head
body
100 in FIGs. 1-12, except as explained below. Golf club head body 1300
comprises a top wall 1360 that continuously tapers in a linear manner from a
top
point 1306 to an intersection point 1390. Top point 1306 defines a maximum top
wall height and/or a maximum body height 1305 for golf club head body 1300, as
measured along a first vertical plane 1361 substantially perpendicular to
ground
plane 398 when body 1300 is at an address position. Plane 1361 includes top
point 1306. Intersection point 1390 defines a minimum top wall height and/or a
minimum body height or a minimum intersection height 1395 for golf club head
body 1300, as measured along a second vertical plane 1362 substantially
perpendicular to ground plane 398 when body 1300 is at an address position.
Plane 1362 includes intersection point 1390. Golf club head body 1300 also has
a
maximum bottom wall length and/or a maximum body length 1372 measured
from bottom point 208 to intersection point 1390. Maximum body height 1305,
top point 1306, first vertical plane 1361, intersection point 1390, minimum
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intersection height 1395, second vertical plane 1362, and maximum body length
1372 can be similar to maximum body height 205 (FIG. 2), top point 206 (FIG.
2), first vertical plane 1261 (FIG. 12), intersection point 390 (FIG. 3),
minimum
intersection height 395, second vertical plane 1262 (FIG. 12), and maximum
body
length 1272 (FIG. 12), respectively.
[0055] Moreover, in another embodiment of golf clubs and methods of
manufacture, with reference to FIG. 14, a golf club head body 1400 is similar
to
golf club head body 100 in FIGs. 1-12, except as explained below. Golf club
head body 1400 comprises a top wall 1460 that continuously tapers in a
substantially convex manner with respect to ground plane 398 from a top point
1406 to an intersection point 1490. Top point 1406 defines a maximum top wall
height and/or a maximum body height 1405 for golf club head body 1400, as
measured along a first vertical plane 1461 substantially perpendicular to
ground
plane 398 when body 1400 is at an address position. Plane 1461 includes top
point 1406. Intersection point 1490 defines a minimum top wall height and/or a
minimum body height or a minimum intersection height 1495 for golf club head
body 1400, as measured along a second vertical plane 1462 substantially
perpendicular to ground plane 398 when body 1400 is at an address position.
Plane 1462 includes intersection point 1490. Golf club head body 1400 also has
a
maximum bottom wall length and/or a maximum body length 1472 measured
from bottom point 208 to intersection point 1490. Maximum body height 1405,
top point 1406, first vertical plane 1461, intersection point 1490, minimum
intersection height 1495, second vertical plane 1462, and maximum body length
1472 can be similar to maximum body lieight 205 (FIG. 2), top point 206 (FIG.
2), first vertical plane 1261 (FIG. 12), intersection point 390 (FIG. 3),
minimum
intersection height 395, second vertical plane 1262 (FIG. 12), and maximum
body
length 1272 (FIG. 12), respectively.
[0056] While the embodiments discussed herein generally comprise a body that
is
hollow, in other embodiments of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, the
body
100 interior may have various other elements that occupy the otherwise
substantially hollow interior. For example, the body 100 interior may contain
an
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expandable foam or other filler material to alter the acoustical
characteristics of
the club head when the club head strikes a ball. Also, internal elements may
be
added to alter the physical characteristics of the club head, where such
physical
characteristics can include weight, center of gravity, moments of inertia,
coefficients of restitution, and the like. Still other internal elements may
be added
to provide support, such as, reinforcing rib elements, cross members, and the
like.
[0057] In one embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, a method
for manufacturing a golf club head comprises providing a body 100 to have toe
end 110, heel end 120, front end 130, back end 140, front face 150, top wall
160,
and bottom wall 270 extending from front end 130 to back end 140 and adjacent
to top wall 160 at toe end 110, heel end 120, and back end 140. Body 100 has
body height 205 and has center of gravity 280 and center of gravity height
285.
Body 100 is provided to have a center of gravity ratio comprising center of
gravity height 285 to body height 205, and the center of gravity ratio is less
than
about 0.50.
[0058] The method can also include manufacturing a golf club by providing
shaft
190, providing body 100, and coupling together shaft 190 and body 100. In the
example of FIG. 15, a process or method 1500 may begin with forming a golf
club head body 100 (block 1510) and coupling golf club head body 100 to golf
club shaft 190 (block 1520).
[0059] In another embodiment of golf clubs and methods of manufacture, and
with reference to FIG. 16, a method 1600 comprises providing a golf club head
having a front face opening (block 1610), providing a front face (block 1620),
and
coupling the front face to the golf club head (block 1630). Method 1600 in
this
embodiment further comprises coupling the golf club head to a golf club shaft
(block 1640). As an example, the golf club head and the front face, as
assembled
together, can be similar to golf club head body 100 in FIGS. 1-12, golf club
head
body 1300 in FIG. 3, and golf club head body 1400 in FIG. 4.
[0060] In still yet another embodiment of golf clubs and methods, and with
reference to FIG. 17, a method 1700 comprises providing a top wall (block
1710)
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and providing bottom wall 270 (block 1720). In one embodiment, the top wall of
block 1710 may be convex (similar to top wall 160 in FIG. 12), linear (similar
to
top wall 1360 in FTG. 13), or concave (similar to top wall 1460 in FIG. 14).
Bottom wall 270 may be substantially parallel to a ground plane when body 100
is
at an address position relative to a golf ball (not shown). In this
embodiment,
method 1700 further comprises providing front face 150 (block 1730) and
coupling the top wall, bottom wall 270, and front face 150 together by a
suitable
means, welding for example (block 1740), to define a golf club head body. The
golf club head body of block 1740 can be similar to body 100 in FIGS. 1-12,
body
1300 in FIG. 13, and body 1400 in FIG. 14. Lastly, in this embodiment, method
1700 comprises coupling the golf club head body to a shaft 190 (block 1750).
[0061] Although a particular order of actions are illustrated in FIGS. 15-17,
these
actions may be performed in other temporal sequences. For example, two or
more actions depicted in FIGS. 15-17 may be performed sequentially,
concurrently, or simultaneously.
[0062] The providing steps in the described methods of FIGS. 15-17 can include
designing and/or manufacturing. Designing and manufacturing a golf club shaft
is known in the art, and the designing and manufacturing techniques known in
the
art can be used to design and manufacture golf club head bodies described in
FIGS. 15-17. As an example, body 100 in FIG. 15 can be manufactured using a
metal casting process. Furthermore, the described methods can be used to
manufacture the other aspects of body 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-
12, as well as aspects of body 1300 in FIG. 13 and body 1400 in FIG. 14.
[0063] Additional examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing
description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of golf clubs and
methods of manufacture is intended to be illustrative of the scope of golf
clubs
and methods of manufacture and is not intended to be limiting. For example, in
one embodiment, a golf club can have one or more features of FIG. 2 with or
without the features described with reference to FIGS. 3 or 4. Similarly, in
different embodiments, a golf club can have one or more of the features of
FIG. 3
with or without the features of FIGS. 2 or 4, and a golf club can have one or
more
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CA 02637004 2008-07-08
Attorney Docket No. KMC-786/0208836
of the features of FIG. 4 with or without the features of FIGS. 2 or 3. It is
intended that the scope of golf clubs and methods of manufacture shall be
limited
only to the extent required by the appended claims.
[0064] The system discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of
embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments
does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible
embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the
drawings
themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of golf clubs and
methods
of manufacture, and may disclose alternative embodiments of golf clubs and
methods of manufacture.
[0065] All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to golf
clubs or
methods of manufacture claimed in that particular claim. Consequently,
replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not
repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems
have
been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages,
solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit,
advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to
be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any
or all of
the claims.
[0066] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not
dedicated
to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or
limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are
potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims
under
the doctrine of equivalents.
580622 17
