Golf club head having a support to limit faceplate deformation

• US 10,478,683 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2018
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Stokke, Ryan M., Solheim, John A., Jertson, Martin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US16/140,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20190030402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• 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 includes a body having a face plate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface, a rear end, and a sole connecting the faceplate with the rear end. The face plate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity. An insert is positioned within the cavity, the insert presenting an insert surface facing the interior surface of the face plate and spaced therefrom.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body including;

a face plate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface,

wherein a distance between the strike surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate defines a thickness of the face plate;

a rear end; and

a sole connecting the face plate with the rear end,

wherein the face plate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity; and

an insert positioned within the cavity, the insert comprising a front portion configured to face the opposing interior surface of the face plate, the front portion having an insert surface facing the opposing interior surface of the face plate, wherein;

a first insert surface of the front portion comprises a first arm adjacent to a heel end of the insert, a second arm adjacent to a toe end of the insert, and a cross member extending from the heel end of the insert to the toe end of the insert;

wherein the first and second arms transition into the cross member to generally define a U shape of the first surface;

wherein at least a second surface of the front portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the face plate defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate; and

the distance between the second surface of the front portion and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranges from 0.005-0.125 inch.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the insert surface includes a taper angle such that the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate, in a direction normal to the insert surface, increases from near a bottom surface of the insert to a top surface of the insert.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the taper angle is between 0.01 degree-20.0 degree.

4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the taper angle is between 1.0 degree-20.0 degree.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the insert surface is concave relative to the face plate in a direction extending from near a bottom surface of the insert to near a top surface of the insert, and in a direction extending from near a heel end of the insert to near a toe end of the insert.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranges from 0.005-0.060 inch.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranges from 0.060-0.125 inch.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole of the club head comprises a uniform thickness less than 0.060 inch.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the face plate varies, and a maximum thickness of the face plate is less than 0.15 inch.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the maximum thickness of the face plate is less than 0.10 inch.

11. A golf club head comprising:

a body including;

a face plate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface,

wherein a distance between the strike surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate defines a thickness of the face plate;

a rear end; and

a sole connecting the face plate with the rear end,

wherein the face plate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity; and

an insert positioned within the cavity, the insert comprising a front portion configured to face the opposing interior surface of the face plate, the front portion having an insert surface facing the opposing interior surface of the face plate, wherein;

a first insert surface of the front portion comprises a first arm adjacent to a heel end of the insert, a second arm adjacent to a toe end of the insert, and a cross member extending from the heel end of the insert to the toe end of the insert;

wherein the first and second arms transition into the cross member to generally define a U shape of the first surface;

wherein at least a second surface of the front portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the face plate defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate;

the insert surface includes a taper angle such that the distance between the second surface of the front portion of the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate, in a direction normal to the insert surface, increases from near a bottom surface of the insert to a top surface of the insert; and

the taper angle is between 0.01 degree-20.0 degree.

12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the face plate defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranging from 0.005-0.125 inch.

13. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the taper angle is between 1.0 degree-20.0 degree.

14. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the taper angle is between 1.0 degree-15.0 degree.

15. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranges from 0.005-0.060 inch.

16. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the face plate ranges from 0.060-0.125 inch.

17. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the sole of the club head comprises a uniform thickness less than 0.060 inch.

18. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the face plate varies.

19. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein a maximum thickness of the face plate is less than 0.15 inch.

20. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein a maximum thickness of the face plate is less than 0.10 inch.