Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLUB HEADS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[01] This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads,
including "wood-
type" golf clubs and golf club heads, e.g., for drivers, fairway woods, "wood-
type"
hybrid or utility clubs, or the like.
BACKGROUND
[02] Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players ¨ players of different
genders and
dramatically different ages and/Or skill levels. .Golf is somewhat unique in
the
sporting world in that such diverse collections of players can play together
in golf
events, even in direct competition with one another (e.g., using handicapped
scoring,
different tee boxes, in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing
or
competition. These factors, together with the increased availability of
golf
programming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golf history,
and/or
other golf programming) and the rise of well known golf superstars, at least
in part,
have increased golf's popularity in recent years, both in the United States
and across
the world. The number of individuals participating in the game and the number
of
golf courses have increased steadily in recent years.
[03] Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lower
their golf scores,
and reach that next performance "level." Manufacturers of all types of golf
equipment have responded to these demands, and in recent years, the industry
has
witnessed dramatic changes and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a
wide range of different golf ball models now are available, with balls
designed to
complement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics or
preferences,
e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/or straighter; some designed
to
provide higher or flatter trajectories; some designed to provide more spin,
control,
and/or feel (particularly around the greens); some designed for faster or
slower swing
speeds; etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on the
market that
promise to help lower one's golf scores.
1
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
[04] Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play,
golf clubs also
have been the subject of much technological research and advancement in recent
years. For example, the market has seen dramatic changes and improvements in
putter designs, golf club head designs, shafts, and grips in recent years.
Additionally,
other technological advancements have been made in an effort to better match
the
various elements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics
of a golf
ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics (e.g., club
fitting
technology, ball launch angle measurement technology, ball spin rates, etc.).
[05] Despite recent technological advances, "wood-type" golf clubs,
particularly the
driver, can be very difficult for some players to hit consistently well.
Accordingly,
additional technological advances that improve a player's ability to get a
golf ball
airborne; increase distance, direction, and/or control; and/or otherwise
improve the
playability of wood-type golf clubs, particularly the driver, would be welcome
in the
golf world.
SUMMARY
[06] The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in
order to
provide a basic understanding of the invention and various aspects of it. In
general,
some example aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf clubs and/or
golf club
heads (such as drivers or fairway woods, "wood-type" utility or hybrid clubs,
and/or
the like) that include a club head body having a relatively square or
rectangular cross
sectional appearance and/or shape over at least a portion of its height. Such
club
heads allow club designers to place weight rearward, outward, and/or downward
in
the overall club head structure, thereby increasing the moment of inertia of
the club
head (i.e., resistance to twisting, particularly about a vertical or z-axis
(e.g., Izz)).
[07] More specific examples of golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance
with
examples of this invention include club head structures having a club head
length
(dimension "L" in the heel-to-toe direction) and a club head breadth
(dimension "R"
in the front-to-rear direction), wherein the club head body has a breadth
dimension to
length dimension ratio ("B/L" ratio) of at least 0.9, optionally a club head
volume of
at least 450 cubic centimeters, and at least one overall diagonal dimension of
at least
75% of a theoretical maximum diagonal dimension (the overall diagonal
dimension
2
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
and the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension are measured along a diagonal
of a
bounding box enclosing the club head body and defined by the overall length
dimension and
the overall breadth dimension) or at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2)1/2. In some more
specific examples,
the overall diagonal dimension may be at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% of
the
theoretical maximum diagonal dimension (e.g., at least
0.8 x (B2 + 1,2)"2, 0.85 X (B2 + L2)112, 0.9 x (B2 + L2)112,
or even 0.95 x (B2 + L2)112).
[08] Additionally or alternatively, if desired, golf club heads and golf
club
structures according to at least some examples of this invention will include
at least one
horizontal cross section of the club head body that encloses or encompasses an
area of at least
0.8 x BL, and in some examples, at least 0.85 x BL, at least 0.9 x BL, or even
at least 0.95 x
BL.
[09] Golf club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this
invention
(e.g., having at least some of the characteristics described above) further
may include one or
more weighted portions or weight members integrally formed in and/or engaged
with the club
head body (e.g., at or proximate to a rear of the club head body portion,
optionally toward the
rear toe and/or rear heel portions of the club head and/or toward the rear
sole portion of the
club head). Golf club heads in accordance with this invention further may be
incorporated
into a golf club structure, e.g., by attaching a shaft to the club head body
and/or a grip or
handle member to the shaft.
[09a] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a golf
club head,
comprising: a club head body having a club head length dimension L and a club
head breadth
dimension B, wherein the club head body has a breadth dimension to length
dimension ratio
of at least 0.9, a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and an
overall diagonal
dimension of at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2)112, wherein the overall diagonal
dimension is measured
along a diagonal of a bounding box enclosing the club head body and defined by
the length
dimension and the breadth dimension; a first corner at a rear, heel side of
the club head body;
a second corner at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first removable
rectangular weight
member engaged with the club head body; a second removable rectangular weight
member
3
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable rectangular
weight member and
the second rectangular removable weight member are different rectangular
sizes; a first
weight port is positioned at the first corner and a second weight port is
positioned at the
second corner, wherein the first weight port is sized differently from the
second weight port
such that the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member and the second weight port is configured to receive the second
removable rectangular
weight member having a different rectangular size from the first removable
rectangular
weight member; and a third weight port and a fourth weight port that are
positioned higher
than and inside the first and second weight port locations on the club head
body, wherein the
third weight port is sized differently from the fourth weight port such that
the third weight
port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member
and the fourth
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member having
a different rectangular size from the first removable rectangular weight
member, wherein the
third weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to a sole of
the club head body
and the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body, and
wherein the fourth
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to the sole of
the club head body
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body.
109b1 According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a golf club
head, comprising: a club head body including a metal body portion and a non-
metal portion
engaged with the metal body portion, wherein the club head body has an overall
club head
length dimension L of at least 4.5 inches, a breadth dimension B to length
dimension ratio of
at least 0.9, a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and an
overall diagonal
dimension of at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2)1/2, wherein the overall diagonal
dimension is measured
along a diagonal of a bounding box enclosing the club head and defined by the
length
3a
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
=
69275-287
dimension and the breadth dimension; a first corner at a rear, heel side of
the club head body;
a second corner at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first removable
rectangular weight
member engaged with the club head body; a second removable rectangular weight
member
engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable rectangular
weight member and
the second rectangular removable weight member are different rectangular
sizes; a first
weight port positioned at the first corner and a second weight port positioned
at the second
corner, wherein the first weight port is sized differently from the second
weight port such that
the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
1 0 member having a different rectangular size from the first removable
rectangular weight
member; and a third weight port and a fourth weight port that are positioned
higher than and
inside the first and second weight port locations on the club head body,
wherein the third
weight port is sized differently from the fourth weight port such that the
third weight port is
configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member and the
fourth weight
port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight member
having a
different rectangular size from the first removable rectangular weight member,
wherein the
third weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to a sole of
the club head body
and the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body, and
wherein the fourth
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to the sole of
the club head body
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body.
[09c] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a golf club
head, comprising: a club head body having a club head length dimension L and a
club head
breadth dimension B, wherein the club head body has a breadth dimension to
length
dimension ratio of at least 0.9 and a club head volume of at least 450 cubic
centimeters, and
3b
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
,
69275-287
wherein at least one horizontal cross section of the club head body encloses
an area of at least
0.8 x BL, wherein the club head body includes: a first corner at a rear, heel
side of the club
head body; a second comer at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first
removable
rectangular weight member engaged with the club head body; a second removable
rectangular
weight member engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable
rectangular
weight member and the second removable rectangular weight member are different
rectangular sizes, a first weight port positioned at the first corner and a
second weight port
positioned at the second corner, wherein the first weight port is sized
differently from the
second weight port such that the first weight port is configured to receive
the first removable
rectangular weight member and the second weight port is configured to receive
the second
removable rectangular weight member having a different rectangular size from
the first
removable rectangular weight member; and a third weight port and a fourth
weight port that
are positioned higher than and inside the first and second weight port
locations on the club
head body, wherein the third weight port is sized differently from the fourth
weight port such
that the third weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member and the fourth weight port is configured to receive the second
removable rectangular
weight member having a different rectangular size from the first removable
rectangular
weight member, wherein the third weight port is configured to receive the
first removable
rectangular weight member arranged in a first orientation which is
substantially parallel to a
sole of the club head body and the first weight port is configured to receive
the first removable
rectangular weight member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled
vertically in a
diagonal direction relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club
head body, and
wherein the fourth weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular
weight member arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel
to the sole of the
club head body and the second weight port is configured to receive the second
removable
rectangular weight member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled
vertically in a
diagonal direction relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club
head body.
[09d] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a golf club,
comprising: a club head body having a club head length dimension L and a club
head breadth
dimension B, wherein the club head body has a breadth dimension to length
dimension ratio
3c
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
of at least 0.9, a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and an
overall diagonal
dimension of at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2)"2,
wherein the overall diagonal dimension is measured
along a diagonal of a bounding box enclosing the club head and defined by the
length
dimension and the breadth dimension; and a shaft member engaged with the club
head body,
wherein the club head body includes: a first corner at a rear, heel side of
the club head body; a
second corner at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first removable
rectangular weight
member engaged with the club head body; a second removable rectangular weight
member
engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable rectangular
weight member and
the second removable rectangular weight member are different sizes; a first
weight port
positioned at the first corner and a second weight port positioned at the
second corner,
wherein the first weight port is sized differently from the second weight port
such that the first
weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight
member and the
second weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular
weight member
having a different rectangular size from the first removable rectangular
weight member; and a
third weight port and a fourth weight port that are positioned higher than and
inside the first
and second weight port locations on the club head body, wherein the third
weight port is sized
differently from the fourth weight port such that the third weight port is
configured to receive
the first removable rectangular weight member and the fourth weight port is
configured to
receive the second removable rectangular weight member having a different
rectangular size
from the first removable rectangular weight member, wherein the third weight
port is
configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member arranged
in a first
orientation which is substantially parallel to a sole of the club head body
and the first weight
port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member
arranged in a
second orientation, which is angled vertically in a diagonal direction
relative to the first
orientation and the sole of the club head body, and wherein the fourth weight
port is
configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight member arranged
in a first
orientation which is substantially parallel to the sole of the club head body
and the second
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member
arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a diagonal
direction relative to
the first orientation and the sole of the club head body; and a shaft member
engaged with the
club head body.
3d
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
[09e] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a golf club,
comprising: a club head body including a metal body portion and a non-metal
portion engaged
with the metal body portion, wherein the club head body has an overall club
head length
dimension L of at least 4.5 inches, a breadth dimension B to length dimension
ratio of at least
0.9, a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and an overall
diagonal dimension
of at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2)1/2, wherein the overall diagonal dimension is
measured along a
diagonal of a bounding box enclosing the club head body and defined by the
length dimension
and the breadth dimension; a weight engaged with or integrally formed at or
proximate to a
rear portion of the club head body; a first corner at a rear, heel side of the
club head body; a
second comer at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first removable
rectangular weight
member engaged with the club head body; a second removable rectangular weight
member
engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable rectangular
weight member and
the second removable rectangular weight member are different rectangular
sizes; a first
weight port positioned at the first comer and a second weight port positioned
at the second
corner, wherein the first weight port is sized differently from the second
weight port such that
the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member having a different rectangular size from the first removable
rectangular weight
member; and a third weight port and a fourth weight port that are positioned
higher than and
inside the first and second weight port locations on the club head body,
wherein the third
weight port is sized differently from the fourth weight port such that the
third weight port is
configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member and the
fourth weight
port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight member
having a
different rectangular size from the first removable rectangular weight member,
wherein the
third weight port is configured to receive the first removable weight
rectangular member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to a sole of
the club head body
and the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body, and
wherein the fourth
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to the sole of
the club head body
3e
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body; and a
shaft member engaged
with the club head body.
[09f1 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
golf club,
comprising: a club head body having a club head length dimension L and a club
head breadth
dimension B, wherein the club head body has a breadth dimension to length
dimension ratio
of at least 0.9 and a club head volume of at least 450 cubic centimeters, and
wherein at least
one horizontal cross section of the club head body encloses an area of at
least 0.8 x BL,
wherein the club head body includes: a first corner at a rear, heel side of
the club head body; a
second corner at a rear, toe side of the club head body; a first removable
rectangular weight
member engaged with the club head body; a second removable rectangular weight
member
engaged with the club head body, wherein the first removable rectangular
weight member and
the second removable rectangular weight member are different rectangular
sizes; a first
weight port positioned at the first corner and a second weight port positioned
at the second
corner, wherein the first weight port is sized differently from the second
weight port such that
the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member having a different rectangular size from the first removable
rectangular weight
member; and a third weight port and a fourth weight port that are positioned
higher than and
inside the first and second weight port locations on the club head body,
wherein the third
weight port is sized differently from the fourth weight port such that the
third weight port is
configured to receive the first removable rectangular weight member and the
fourth weight
port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight member
having a
different rectangular size from the first removable rectangular weight member,
wherein the
third weight port is configured to receive the first removable rectangular
weight member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to a sole of
the club head body
and the first weight port is configured to receive the first removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body, and
wherein the fourth
3f
CA 02655354 2012-12-05
69275-287
weight port is configured to receive the second removable rectangular weight
member
arranged in a first orientation which is substantially parallel to the sole of
the club head body
and the second weight port is configured to receive the second removable
rectangular weight
member arranged in a second orientation, which is angled vertically in a
diagonal direction
relative to the first orientation and the sole of the club head body; and a
shaft member engaged
with the club head body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[10] A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain
advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed
description in
consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[11] Figs. lA through 1D illustrate an example golf club and golf club head
in
accordance with this invention;
[12] Fig. 1E illustrates the diagonal dimension and/or cross-sectional area
characteristics of club heads in accordance with at least some examples of
this invention; and
[13] Figs. 2A through 2E illustrate examples of weighting club head
structures in
accordance with at least some examples of this invention.
3g
CA 02655354 2011-04-15
69275-278
[14] The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[15] In the following description of various example structures in accordance
with the
invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof,
and in which are shown by way of illustration various example golf club heads
and
golf club structures in accordance with the invention. Certain
dimensions,
characteristics, and ranges of dimensions and characteristics are provided in
the
following description and are associated with the example golf club head
structures
shown in Figs. lA through 2E. Those skilled in the art will understand,
however, that
the drawings,- dimensions, characteristics, and ranges of dimensions and
characteristics described below represent examples of golf club and golf club
head
structures and characteristics that may be used or exhibited in accordance
with at least
some examples of this invention. The actual dimensions and/or characteristics
of a
club head may vary substantially and still fall within the scope of the
present
invention as defined by the appended claims. Additionally, it is to be
understood that
other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized, and
structural and
functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
present
invention. Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "rear,"
"side,"
"underside," "overhead," and the like may be used in this specification to
describe
various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used
herein as
a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the
figures
and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should
be
construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of
structures
in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
A. General Description of Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads According to
Examples of the Invention
[16] In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to wood-
type golf club
heads, golf clubs, and the like (such as drivers or fairway woods, "wood-type"
utility
or hybrid clubs, and/or the like). One aspect of Off clubs and golf club heads
in
accordance with at least some examples of this invention relates to the club
head's
generally "squared" or rectangular design. In at least some example structures
according to the invention, the golf club heads may be somewhat square or
4
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
rectangular shaped so as to allow club designers to move weight (and thereby
the club
head's center of gravity) rearward, outward (i.e., toward the heel and/or toe
areas),
and/or low (i.e., toward the sole) in the overall club head structure.
Optionally, the
club head's center of gravity will be located as far away from the club head
face
=
member and/or as close to the club head sole member as reasonably possible,
e.g., in
order to create a golf club structure that is easier to use (e.g., easier to
get balls
airborne, helps make balls fly farther and/or straighter, provides a club head
with a
higher moment of inertia, particularly about a vertical axis (e.g., Izz),
etc.).
[17] More specific examples of golf club heads according to this invention
include a club
head body having a club head length dimension ("L") and a club head breadth
dimension ("B"), wherein the club lead body has a breadth dimension to length
dimension ratio of at least 0.9, optionally a club head volume of at least 450
cubic
centimeters, and at least one overall diagonal dimension of at least 75% of a
theoretical maximum diagonal dimension (the overall diagonal dimension and the
theoretical maximum diagonal dimension are measured along a diagonal of a
bounding box enclosing or encompassing the club head body and defined by the
length dimension L and the breadth dimension B) or at least 0.75 x (B2 +
L2)1/2. In
some more specific examples, the overall diagonal dimension may be at least
80%, at
least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the theoretical maximum
diagonal
dimension (e.g., at least 0.8 x (B2 + L2)I12, at least 0.85 x (B2 + L2)1/2, at
least
0.9 x (B2 + L2)1/2, or even at least 0.95 x (B2 + L2)1/2).
[18] Additionally or alternatively, if desired, golf club heads and golf club
structures
according to at least some examples of this invention will include at least
one
horizontal cross section of the club head body (when the club head is oriented
for
typical use) that encloses or encompasses an area of at least 0.8 x BL, and in
some
examples, at least 0.85 x BL, at least 0.9 x BL, or even at least 0.95 x BL.
In at least
some structures, a majority of the club head's height will have horizontal
cross
sectional areas having the features described above (i.e., at least 50% of the
overall
club head height (from the sole to crown) will have these cross sectional
characteristics).
[191 The club head body may be made in a wide variety of ways and/or from a
wide
variety of materials and parts without departing from this invention,
including in
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
conventional ways, from conventional materials and parts, as are known and
used in
the art. In some more specific examples, the club head body may be made from
one
or more of: metal materials (e.g., metal alloys, such as alloys containing
steel,
titanium, magnesium, aluminum, etc.); composite or other non-metal materials
(e.g.,
carbon fiber composites, basalt fiber composites, etc., for a crown portion, a
skirt
portion, a sole portion, an aft body portion, a ball striking face portion,
etc.);
polymeric materials; etc.
[201 The golf club head further may include one or more weighted portions or
members
integrally formed in and/or engaged with the club head body. Advantageously,
in
accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the weighted
portion(s) or
member(s) will be located at or proximate. to a rear of' the club head body
portion,
optionally toward the rear toe, the rear heel, and/or the rear .sole .portions-
of the club
head. If desired, the weighted portion(s) or member(s) may be selectively
removable
from the club head body, e.g., to allow customization, interchange,
replacement,
and/or club-fitting (e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to provide a fade
biased club,
to provide a high trajectory biased club, to provide a low trajectory biased
club, to
provide a club to help compensate for undesired ball flights or swing flaws
(e.g., to
help correct hooks, slices, etc., to help get balls airborne, to help prevent
ballooning
ball flights, etc.), etc.).
[21] Additional aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs including golf
club heads of
the various types described above. Such golf clubs further may include a shaft
member engaged with the club head body (e.g., via an external hosel member,
via an
internal hosel member, through an opening provided in the club head, via
adhesives,
via mechanical connectors (e.g., threads, retaining elements, etc.), etc.).
Golf clubs in
accordance with examples of this invention further may include grip or handle
members engaged with or formed as part of the shaft member, to provide a
location
for the user to grip the club.
[22] Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.
The reader
should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to
illustrate the
invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
6
CA 02655354 2011-04-15
69275-278
B. Specific Examples of the Invention
[23] Figs. IA through 2E illustrate example golf club and golf club head
structures in
accordance with the invention. When the same reference number appears in more
than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this
specification and
the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
[24] Example golf club and golf club head structures in accordance with this
invention
may constitute "wood-type" golf clubs and golf club heads, e.g., clubs and
club heads
typically used for drivers and fairway woods, as well as for "wood-type"
utility or
hybrid clubs, or the like. Such club head structures may have a relatively
"squared"
or rectangular shape and appearance, e.g., as illustrated in the figures and
described in
more detail below. The club heads may include a multiple piece construction
and
structure, e.g., including one or more of a sole member, a face member
(optionally
including a ball striking face integrally formed therein or attached thereto),
one or
more body members (e.g., ribbons of material making up the club head body), a
crown member, a face plate, an aft body, etc. Of course, if desired, various
portions
of the club head structure may be integrally formed with one another, as a
unitary, one
piece construction, without departing from the invention (e.g., the body
member(s)
may be integrally formed with the sole and/or crown members, the face member
may
be integrally formed with the sole, body, and/or crown members, etc.).
Optionally, if
desired, the various portions of the club head structure (such as the sole
member, the
crown member, the face member, the body member(s), etc.) individually may be
formed from multiple pieces of material without departing from this invention.
Also,
as other alternatives, if desired, the entire club head may be made as a
single, one
piece, unitary construction, or a face plate member may be attached to a one
piece
club head aft body. More specific examples and features of golf club heads and
golf
club structures according to this invention will be described in detail below
in
conjunction with the example golf club structures illustrated in Figs. lA
through 2E.
[25] Figs. IA through 11) illustrate an example golf club 100 and/or golf club
head 102 in
accordance with this invention. In addition to the golf club head 102, the
overall golf
club structure 100 of this example includes a hosel region 104, a shaft member
106
received in and/or inserted into and/or through the hosel region 104, and a
grip or
handle member 108 attached to the shaft member 106. Optionally, if desired,
the
7
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
external hosel region 104 may be eliminated and the shaft member 106 may be
directly inserted into and/or otherwise attached to the head member 102 (e.g.,
through
an opening provided in the top of the club head 102, through an internal hosel
-
member (e.g., provided within an interior chamber defined by the club head
102),
etc.).
[26] The shaft member 106 may be received in, engaged with, and/or attached to
the club
head 102 in any suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners
known
and used in the art, without departing from the invention. As more specific
examples,
the shaft member 106 may be engaged with the club head 102 via a hosel member
104
and/or directly to the club head structure 102, e.g., via adhesives, cements,
welding,
soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, or the
like),
through a shaft-receiving sleeve or element extending into the club head body
102,
etc. The shaft member 106 also may be made from any suitable or desired
materials,
including conventional materials known and used in the art, such as graphite
based
materials, composite or other non-metal materials, steel materials (including
stainless
steel), aluminum materials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials,
combinations of various materials, and the like. Also, the grip or handle
member 108
may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extend from the shaft member 106 in
any
suitable or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used
in the
art, e.g., using adhesives or cements; via welding, soldering, adhesives, or
the like; via
mechanical connectors (such as threads, retaining elements, etc.); and/or in
any other
desired manner. As another example, if desired, the grip or handle member 108
may
be integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft
member 106.
Additionally, any desired grip or handle member 108 materials may be used
without
departing from this invention, including rubber materials, leather materials,
rubber or
other materials including cord or other fabric material embedded therein,
polymeric
materials, and the like.
[27] The club head 102 itself also may be constructed in any suitable or
desired manner
and/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing from this
invention,
including from conventional materials and/or in conventional manners known and
used in the art. For example, in the example structure 102 shown in Figs. 1A
through
1D, the club head 102 includes a base member 102a, which makes up a major
portion
8
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
of this example club head structure 102, including, for example, the ball
striking face,
at least a portion of the crown, at least a portion of the sole, the body
portions between
the crown and the sole, etc. If desired, the base member 102a may be made from
multiple pieces that are connected together (e.g., by welding or other fusing
techniques, by mechanical connectors, etc.). The base member 102a may be made
from any desired materials, including materials that are conventionally known
and
used in the art, such as metal materials, including lightweight metal
materials. More
specific examples of suitable materials include steel, titanium alloys,
aluminum
alloys, magnesium alloys, composite or other non-metal materials, polymeric
materials, etc. In some specific example structures, a separate face plate
member may
be attached to a front face frame member that makes up at least a portion of
the base
member 102a.
12 81 In order to reduce the club head 102 weight, if desired, one or more
portions of the
club head structure 102 may be made from a composite material, such as from
carbon
fiber composite materials that are conventionally known and used in the art.
Other
suitable composite or other non-metal materials that may be used for one or
more
portions of the club head structure 102 include, for example: glass fiber
composite
materials, basalt fiber composite materials, polymer materials, etc. As some
more
specific examples, if desired, at least some portion(s) of the crown member
(e.g.,
portion 102b) may be made from a composite or other non-metal material.
Additionally or alternatively, if desired, at least some portion(s) of the
sole member
(e.g., portions 1 0 2 c and 102d) may be made from a composite or other non-
metal
material. As still additional examples or alternatives, if desired, one or
more portions
of the club head's body member (the region extending between the crown and the
sole) may be made from a composite or other non-metal material. As yet further
examples, if desired, the body portion aft of a club head face member, or
optionally
the entire club head, may be made from a composite or other non-metal material
without departing from this invention. The composite or other non-metal
material
may be incorporated as part of the club head structure 102 in any desired
manner,
including in conventional manners that are known and used in the art. Reducing
the
club head's weight (e.g., through the use of composite or other non-metal
materials,
lightweight metals, metallic foam or other cellular structured materials,
etc.) allows
club designers to selectively position additional weight in the overall club
head
9
CA 02655354 2011-04-15
69275-278
structure, e.g., to desirable locations to increase the moment of inertia
and/or affect
other playability characteristics of the club head structure 102.
[29] The various individual parts that make up a club head structure 102, if
made from
multiple pieces, may be engaged with one another and/or held together in any
suitable
or desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the
art. For
example, the various parts of the club head structure 102, such as the base
member
102a and the composite (or other non-metal) portions(s) 102b, 102c, and/or
102d,
may be joined and/or fixed together (directly or indirectly through
intermediate
members) by adhesives, cements, welding, soldering, or other bonding or
finishing
techniques; by mechanical connectors (such as threads, screws, nuts, bolts, or
other
connectors); and the like. If desired, the side edges of various parts of the
club head
structure 102 (e.g., the edges where composite members 102b, 102c, and/or 102d
contact and join to the main body 102a) may include one or more raised ribs,
tabs,
ledges, or other engagement elements that fit into or onto corresponding
grooves,
slots, surfaces, ledges, or openings provided in or on the facing side edge to
which it
is joined. Cements, adhesives, mechanical connectors, finishing material, or
the like
may be used in combination with the raised rib/groove/ledge/edge or other
connecting
structures described above to further help secure the various parts of the
club head
structure 102 together.
=
PO] The
dimensions and/or other characteristics of a golf club head structure
according to
examples of the invention may vary significantly without departing from the
invention. As some more specific examples, club heads in accordance with at
least
some examples of this invention may have dimensions and/or other
characteristics
that fall within the various example ranges of dimensions and/or
characteristics of the
club heads described in U.S. Patent Appin. No. 11/125,327 filed May 10, 2005
(and
corresponding to U.S. Published Patent Appin. No. 2005-0239576 Al published
October 27, 2005). Note, for example, the Tables in these documents.
[311 As described above, club heads 102 in accordance with at least some
examples of this
invention may have a relatively "squared" or rectangular shape or appearance,
particularly when viewed from overhead and down on the crown portion of the
club
head as shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. IA further illustrates that the club head 102
has an
=
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
overall length dimension L in the heel to toe direction and an overall breadth
dimension B in the front to rear direction. In accordance with at least some
examples
of this invention, the breadth dimension to length dimension ratio ("B/L") in
the club
head structures will be at least 0.9, and in some examples, this ratio may be
at least
0.92, at least 0.93, at least 0.94, at least 0.95, at least 0.96, at least
0.97, or even'-at
least 0.98.
[321 The relatively "squared" or rectangular shape or appearance of golf club
heads in
accordance with examples of this invention is advantageous because it allows
weight
in the club head structure 102 (e.g., weight saved by using composite
materials,
lightweight metal alloys, cellular structure metals or other materials, metal
foam
materials, polymeric materials, etc.) to be selectively located in the club
head
structure 102, e.g., situated rearward, toward the heel and/or toe areas,
and/or toward
the sole portion of the club head structure 102. Such weight arrangements can
help
increase the club head's moment of inertia characteristics, particularly its
moment of
inertia about a vertical axis (e.g., Izz).
[331 Various ways of evaluating the "squareness" (e.g., the angles and side
orientations) of
a club head structure are possible. One way involves use of the "theoretical
maximum diagonal dimension" of the club head. Fig. lE helps illustrate this
"squareness" measuring tool. Specifically, Fig. 1 E illustrates the club head
structure
102 of Fig. lA with a bounding box enclosing the club head body 102. The
bounding
box extends tangent to the club head body's outer surface (at its maximum
width and
depth points) and is defined by the club head's length dimension L and its
breadth
dimension B (which make up the four sides' of the bounding box) arranged at
right
angles to one another to define the corners of the bounding box. The bounding
box
therefore defines a rectangular structure at the extreme dimensions of the
club head
body 102 along the four major sides of the club head 102 when viewed from
overhead
(e.g., the smallest rectangular box that encloses the club head body 102).
[34] The bounding box also defines the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension,
which
extends from one corner of the bounding box to its diagonally opposite comer.
This
diagonal dimension is the theoretical maximum diagonal dimension for a
perfectly
square or rectangular club head (Le., if the club head 102 were perfectly
square or
rectangular, with each and every comer a right angle and its opposite sides
parallel to
11
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
one another, its diagonal dimension would be the length from points DI to D4
in Fig.
lE (which also corresponds to the length (B2 + L2)1/2). The club head 102,
however,
is not perfectly "square" or rectangular. Therefore, its overall diagonal
dimension D
along the same diagonal line (i.e., from points D2 to D3 in Fig. 1E) is less
than the
length from points DI to D4 (or less than (B2 + L2)112). In accordance with at
least
some examples of this invention, the actual overall diagonal dimension of club
heads
(e.g., from points D2 to D3 in Fig. 1E) will be at least 0.75 x (the length
from points
DI to D4 in Fig. 1E) or at least 0.75 x (B2 + L2) /2. In some example club
head
structures according to this invention, the actual overall diagonal dimension
of club
heads (e.g., from points D2 to D3 in Fig. 1E) will be at least 0.8 x (the
length from
points DI to D4 in Fig. 1E) or at least 0.8 x (B2+ L2)1/2, at least 0.85 x
(the length
=
from points 131 to D4 in Fig. 1E) or at least 0.85 x (B2 2 _
)I/2 , or even at least
0.9 x (the length from points DI to D4 in Fig. 1E) or at least 0.9 x (B2 +
L2)1/2.
[35] If desired, in accordance with examples of this invention, either one or
both diagonals
of the club head structure 102 (Le., the diagonal from D2 to D3 in Fig. lE
and/or the
diagonal from Ds to D6 in Fig. 1E) may have the dimensional characteristics
described
above. The diagonal(s) may be measured at a vertical height or level in the
overall
club head structure 102 at which the club head body cross section encloses or
encompasses the greatest total area (e.g., so as to provide the club head's
largest
actual diagonal dimension D), or it may be measured using the widest points on
the
club head body along the diagonal line, irrespective of the vertical height
location of
these widest points, as shown in Fig. lE (also called the "overall diagonal
dimension").
[361 In the example structure illustrated in Fig. 1E, the dimension along the
diagonal line
D from ID, to D2 (also called the "open portion of the diagonal") may be less
than I
inch, and in some examples less than 0.75 inches, or even less than 0.5
inches. In
general, the smaller this open portion of the diagonal dimension, the more
"square" or
rectangular the structure.
[37] Another way of evaluating =the "squareness" of a club head involves use
of horizontal
cross sectional area enclosed or encompassed by the club head (e.g.,
horizontal with
respect to the club head's orientation during typical use, e.g., when
addressing and/or
hitting a golf ball or with the club head oriented at its lie angle and/or
resting on its
12
CA 02655354 2011-04-15
69275-278
sole plate). As illustrated in Fig. 1E, if the club head 102 were perfectly
"square" or
rectangular (i.e., with the front, rear, and side edges arranged orthogonally
in a
rectangular arrangement), at least one horizontal cross section of the club
head would
enclose or encompass an area defined by the club head's length (dimension L)
and
breadth (dimension B) (Maximum Theoretical Area = B x L). Because the actual
club head 102 design has somewhat rounded corners and/or curved edges, the
largest
horizontal cross sectional area encompassed by an outer peripheral section of
the club
head 102 is less than the maximum theoretical area B x L. In accordance with
at least
some examples of this invention, golf club heads 102 will include at least one
horizontal cross section (when the club head is oriented for typical use, on
its sole,
and/or at its intended lie angle), and optionally multiple horizontal cross
sections, that
encloses or encompasses an area of at least 0.75 x BL, at least 0.8 x BL, at
least
0.85 x BL, at least 0.9 x BL, or even at least 0.95 x BL.
=
138] As described above, the generally "squared" or rectangular configuration
of golf club
heads in accordance with examples of this invention allows additional weight
to be
positioned deep (toward the club head rear), wide (toward the club head heel
and/or
toe), and/or low (toward the club head sole) in the overall club head
structure. Figs.
2A through 2E illustrate various examples. More specifically, Figs. 2A and 2B
show
a club head structure 200 that includes at least two separate weight members
W1 and
W2 arranged toward the lower, rear corners of the club head structure 200. As
illustrated in this example structure 200, one or both of the weight members
W1 and
W2 may be removably mounted to the club head structure 200, e.g., to enable
removal,
replacement.interchange, customization, etc. In the illustrated example
structure 200,
a larger (or heavier) weight is provided toward the heel side of the club head
structure
200, to better promote a drawing golf shot (e.g., to provide a draw biased
club, to help
correct a slicing or excessively fading ball flight, etc.). Of course, club
head 200 may
be provided with a variety of weights of different masses and/or a variety of
weight
port locations for receiving weight members W1 and/or W2 (including ports at
different overall heights in the club head structure 200), to enable a variety
of weight
orientation and customization options (e.g., to provide a draw biased club, to
provide
a fade biased club, to provide a high trajectory biased club, to provide a low
trajectory
biased club, to provide a club to help compensate for undesired ball flights
or swing
flaws (to correct hooks, slices, etc., to help get balls airborne, to the
prevent
13
CA 02655354 2011-04-15
69275-278
ballooning ball flights, etc.), etc.). As a more specific example, Fig. 2C
illustrates the
weight member(s) (e.g., W1 and W2) arranged somewhat higher and differently in
the
club head structure 250. If desired, the weight arrangements of both Figs. 2B
and 2C
may be provided in a single club head structure (e.g., with the set of weight
port
locations provided in Fig. 2C located somewhat higher and/or inside the weight
port
locations provided in Fig. 2B) as shown in Figs. 2D and 2E.
[39] Also, any number of weight members may be provided in a club head
structure 200
(zero, one, two, or more) without departing from this invention. If desired,
one or
more available weight ports in a club head structure may remain empty. When
removably attached, the weight member(s) (e.g., W1 and W2) may be attached to
the
club head structure 200 and/or 250 in any desired manner without departing
from this
invention, including via conventional manners that are known and used in the
art,
such as via mechanical connectors (e.g., threaded connections, etc.),
retaining
systems, adhesives, and the like.
[40] Any type of weight member may be provided without departing from this
invention,
including, for example, tungsten-containing or lead-containing members,
including
tungsten or lead elements, tungsten or lead alloys, tungsten or lead-
containing
polymers, etc. Also, while Figs. 2A through 2E illustrate separate and
individual
weight members (e.g., W1 and W2), this is not a requirement. Rather, if
desired, a
single weight member, optionally of varying size and/or density along at least
one
dimension, may be provided. As another example, if desired, the body of the
club
head structure (e.g., structure 102) may be integrally formed to provide
weighting in
one or more desired areas. This may be accomplished in any desired manner
without
departing from this invention. For example, weighted regions may be provided
by
including a weighted material (e.g., tungsten or lead) in the metal,
composite, or other
structural materials of the club head 102 at the desired rear, sole, and/or
side
positions. As another example, if desired, weighted regions may be provided by
making desired portions of the club head 102 from a thicker metal (or other)
material
or by making the desired portions of the club head from a different, heavier
metal (or
other) material. The weight member(s) or region(s) may be provided inside or
partially inside the club head structure (e.g., engaged with or fixed to an
interior wall
or structure, etc.); may be provided outside or partially outside the club
head structure
14
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
(e.g., engaged with or fixed to an exterior wall or structure); may be
integrally formed
at a desired position in one or more wall structures; may be provided *in one
or more
ports formed in or engaged with the club head structure; etc. Any desired ways
of
providing weighted regions at desired locations in an overall club head
structure 102
may be used without departing from this invention.
[411 While specific dimensions, characteristics, and/or ranges of dimensions
and
characteristics may be used for a given club head structure (such as the
ranges
described in U.S. Published Patent Appin. No. 2005-0239576 Al published
October
27, 2005), those skilled in the art will recognize that these dimensions and
ranges are
simply examples that may be used in at least some example club head structures
of
the invention. Many variations in the ranges and the specific dimensions and
characteristics may be used without departing from this invention, e.g.,
depending on
the type of club, user preferences, user swing characteristics, and the like.
For
example, various dimensions and/or characteristics may be used (such as
various loft
angles, face angles, head weights, lie angles, center of gravity angles, inset
distances,
lengths, breadths, heights, face thicknesses, crown thicknesses, sole
thicknesses, body
member thicknesses, hosel diameters, volumes, bulge radii, roll radii, body
densities,
etc.), e.g., depending on whether the golf club head is a driver, a 2-wood, a
3-wood, a
4-wood, a 5-wood, a 7-wood, a 9-wood, a wood-type hybrid club, etc. Also,
various
dimensions and/or characteristics may be provided to suit a user's preferences
and/or
swing characteristics; to provide the desired launch angle, carry distance,
and/or other
characteristics for the club; etc. Additionally, various different shaft
characteristics
(such as stiffness, flex point, kick point, etc.) may be used to further allow
change and
control over the club's and the club head's feel and characteristics.
1421 As noted above, golf club heads in accordance with examples of this
invention may
use the club head design and/or geometry to produce other desired club head
characteristics. For example, in some club head structures in accordance with
this
invention, the club head will have a larger head and/or face length (e.g.,
heel to toe)
relative to the club head's depth or breadth (e.g., front to back) and a
"squared"
structure, which results in a club head that is more torsionally stable (Le.,
more
resistant to twisting), thereby producing a more consistent, reliable, and/or
straight
golf ball flight. Golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance with at least
some of
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
these example aspects of the invention may include a club head body having an
overall club head length dimension L of at least 4.5 inches, at least 4.6
inches, at least
4.7 inches, at least 4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches, and a ratio of
an overall club
head breadth dimension to the overall club head length dimension of 0.9 or
more and
1 or less. Club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this
invention may
have a ratio of club head breadth to club head length of at least 0.94, at
least 0.95, at
least 0.96, at least 0.97, or even at least 0.98.
[431 In golf club heads in accordance with at least some examples of this
invention, the
overall club head breadth B dimension may be at least 4.2 inches, at least 4.3
inches,
at least 4.4 inches, at least 4.5 inches, at least 4.6 inches, at least 4.7
inches, at least
4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches. As with the examples described above,
the
club head body according to at least some examples of this aspect of the
invention
may be dimensioned such that the overall club head length dimension L is at
least 4.7
inches, at least 4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches, and/or such that the
overall club
head body size is 500 cm3 or less, 470 cm3 or less, or even 460 cm3 or less.
In some
examples, the overall club head body size or volume will be at least 350cc, at
least
400cc, at least 420cc, or even at least 450cc.
[441 While a wide variety of specific dimensions are possible, in one more
specific
example, the overall club head length dimension L will be about 4.93 inches,
the
overall club head breadth dimension B will be about 4.86 inches, and the club
head
overall diagonal dimension D will be at least 0.9 (B2 + L2)1r2 (or at least
6.23 inches).
In such club head structures, the "open portion of the diagonal" dimension
(e.g., along
the diagonal line D from Di to D2 in Fig. 1E) may be less than 0.5 inches, and
in some
specific examples, it may be about 0.44 inches.
[451 Of course, many modifications to the overall club head structures and/or
the overall
golf club structures may be made without departing from this invention. For
example,
many modifications may be made to the part or parts making up the club head
structure, to the materials used in making the club head structure, to the
manner in
which the club head structure is joined together, etc. Also, many
modifications may
be made to the thickness, weight, shape, and/or other physical characteristics
of the
part or parts making up the overall golf club structure, to the manner in
which these
parts are fixed together, to the materials used in these parts, etc.
16
CA 02655354 2008-12-15
WO 2007/149552 PCT/US2007/014540
CONCLUSION
[46] While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific
examples
including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those
skilled in the
art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the
above
described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention
should be
construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
17
