Golf club head

• US 10,463,927 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2016
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Bovee, Mattieu, Bazzel, Brian, Beach, Todd, Kraus, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Blau, Stephen L
• Application Number:
  US15/370,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20180154224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/025 lie angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about an axis parallel to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/026 loft angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

A golf club head including a crown defining the top surface of the club head and including a crown portion, a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, and a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region. The size and uniformity of the junction between the crown insert and the bonding wall may be determined by measuring the dimensions of the junction at critical points on the club head.

Claims

1. A golf club comprising:

a grip;

a golf club shaft;

a golf club head having;

a hosel portion configured to receive a sleeve attached to the golf club shaft, the sleeve being capable of being positioned to adjust the loft, lie, or face angle of the golf club head,

a sole portion,

a crown portion, the crown portion defining a top surface of the club head and comprising;

a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and

a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening; and

a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening, wherein the crown insert is permanently secured to the crown ledge,

a club face comprising a variable face thickness with an inverted recess in a center portion of a back surface of the club face, and

a movable weight configured to be moved from a first position to a second position in the golf club head;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown portion at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point;

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point;

a sixth critical point located on a toe portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a sixth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the sixth critical point;

a seventh critical point located on a heel portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a seventh cross-section take on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the seventh critical point;

an eighth critical point located on a rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane the top edge of bonding wall, and an eighth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eighth critical point;

a ninth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a ninth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the ninth critical point;

a tenth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a tenth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the tenth critical point;

an eleventh critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and an eleventh cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eleventh critical point; and

a twelfth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a twelfth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the twelfth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than 1.0 mm, and wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between seven or more of the cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm,

wherein the crown insert is machined to a final shape and placed into the crown recess region such that the average variation of the first critical dimensions is created without the need for further machining steps,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are is located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the seven or more cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the seven or more cross-sections is between 0.1 mm and 0 mm.

4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the crown insert comprises an upper layer that extends to the top perimeter edge of the crown insert and is visible at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert located in the front portion of the golf club head.

5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the bond gap is visible and is not covered by a masking layer on a finished product comprising the golf club head.

6. The golf club of claim 1, further comprising a sole recess region formed in the sole portion and defined by a sole ledge and a bonding wall;

and

a sole insert disposed at least partially within the sole recess region.

7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein each cross-section has a second critical dimension measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the bonding wall and a bottom perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the second critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than B mm, and wherein the average variation of the second critical dimensions between two or more of the cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm.

8. The golf club of claim 7, wherein B is 1.0 mm.

9. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the average variation of the second critical dimensions between the two or more cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.

10. The golf club of claim 7, wherein the average variation of the second critical dimensions between the two or more cross-sections is between 0.2 mm and 0 mm.

11. The golf club of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the crown insert at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert is disposed below a top surface of the crown portion at the bonding wall.

12. The golf club of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the crown insert at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert is disposed below the top surface of the crown portion at the bonding wall by a vertical distance between 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

13. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the crown ledge comprises a ledge surface defining a ledge gap between the ledge surface and the crown insert, the ledge gap being no more than 0.3 mm.

14. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the crown insert is no greater than 1 mm.

15. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall is continuous and uniform across the entire length of the bond gap between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane.

16. The golf club of claim 1, wherein a front portion of the bonding wall comprises a middle region located at a first distance from the club face of the club head and a toe region located at a second distance from the club face, and

wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

17. The golf club head of claim 1, comprising a recessed channel in the sole portion of the club head proximate to the club face and extending in a direction between the toe side and the heel side of the club head.

18. The golf club head of claim 1, comprising a plurality of strengthening ribs connected to a channel in which the moveable weight is configured to be moved from the first position to the second position.

19. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the moveable weight is configured to be moved from the first position to the second position by sliding in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head within a channel disposed on the club head.

20. A golf club head comprising:

a crown defining the top surface of the club head, the crown comprising;

a crown portion;

a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening; and

a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening, wherein the crown insert is permanently secured to the crown ledge;

a hosel portion configured to receive a sleeve being capable of being positioned to adjust the loft, lie, or face angle of the golf club head;

a club face comprising a variable face thickness with an inverted recess in a center portion of a back surface of the club face;

a movable weight configured to be moved from a first position to a second position in the golf club head;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane θ

degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane θ

degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane β

degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane β

degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point;

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point;

a sixth critical point located on a toe portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a sixth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the sixth critical point;

a seventh critical point located on a heel portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a seventh cross-section take on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the seventh critical point;

an eighth critical point located on a rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane the top edge of bonding wall, and an eighth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eighth critical point;

a ninth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a ninth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the ninth critical point;

a tenth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a tenth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the tenth critical point;

an eleventh critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and an eleventh cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eleventh critical point; and

a twelfth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a twelfth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the twelfth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than 1.0 mm, wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between seven or more of the cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm,

wherein θ

is the range of 1 degree to 45 degrees, and wherein β

is the range of 1 degree to 44 degrees,

wherein the crown insert is machined to a final shape and placed into the crown recess region such that the average variation of the first critical dimensions is created without the need for further machining steps,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are is located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

21. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein θ

and β

are 30 degrees.

22. A golf club head comprising:

a hosel portion configured to receive a sleeve being capable of being positioned to adjust the loft, lie, or face angle of the golf club head,

a club face comprising a variable face thickness with an inverted recess in a center portion of a back surface of the club face;

a movable weight configured to be moved from a first position to a second position in the golf club head;

a crown portion and a sole portion;

the crown portion defining a top surface of the club head and comprising;

a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening; and

a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening, wherein the crown insert is permanently secured to the crown ledge;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown portion at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point;

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point;

a sixth critical point located on a toe portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a sixth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the sixth critical point;

a seventh critical point located on a heel portion of the club head at the intersection between the fourth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a seventh cross-section take on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the seventh critical point;

an eighth critical point located on a rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane the top edge of bonding wall, and an eighth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eighth critical point;

a ninth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a ninth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the ninth critical point;

a tenth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a tenth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the tenth critical point;

an eleventh critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and an eleventh cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the eleventh critical point; and

a twelfth critical point located on the rear portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a twelfth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the twelfth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than 1.0 mm, and wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm,

wherein the crown insert is machined to a final shape and placed into the crown recess region such that the average variation of the first critical dimensions is created without the need for further machining steps,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are is located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

23. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five or more cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.