Golf club head and a method for manufacturing the same

• US 20010049310A1
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Cheng, Bernard, Chen, Hsiao-Kun, Chiu, Jen-Hung
• Application Number:
  US09/818,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049310A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/334
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• 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 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49799 Providing transitory integral holding or handling portion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49861 Sizing mating parts during final positional association
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49886 to roughen surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49984 and casting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49986 Subsequent to metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49989 Followed by cutting or removing material

Abstract

A golf club head has a metal base, face and tubular neck and a carbon-fiber cover. The face extends up vertically from one edge of the base. The tubular neck is integrally connected to the base and the face. The cover is made of a carbon-fiber material and is securely attached to the base and the face. Because the carbon-fiber material is lighter than metal, the area of the face is enlarged. In addition, the shock absorbing effect of the golf head club is also improved.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a metal base;

a metal face extending up vertically from one edge of the base;

a tubular neck integrally connected to the base and the face; and

a cover made of a carbon-fiber material and securely attached to the base and the face.

2. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein a lip extends vertically from an edge of the base to connect to the cover.

3. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein a countersunk threaded hole is defined in the base.

4. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein a threaded plug with an enlarged head and a threaded shaft is screwed into the countersunk threaded hole in the base.

5. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein at least one bore is formed in a side of the cover.

6. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 5

, wherein a weighted plug is inlaid in each bore in the cover.

7. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein an annular recess is defined in an outer edge of each weighted plug.

8. The golf club head as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein an annular rib is formed on an outer edge of each weighted plug.

9. A method for manufacturing a golf club head, the method comprising the following steps:

a. integrally forming the body comprising a base and a face of metal in a casting molding process and forming a tubular neck of metal on the body by a forging process such that a cavity is defined between the base and the face;

b. spraying aluminum oxide sand onto an inner surface of the cavity and an outer edge around the cavity to increase a surface roughness of the body;

c. attaching a cover formed from multiple carbon-fiber layers to the body to cover the cavity; and

d. attaching the cover to the body in a hot-pressing mold process such that a golf club head with a carbon-fiber cover is made.

10. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 9

further comprising a step of a thermal treatment to the body after the body is formed

11. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 10

further comprising a step of grinding the body after the thermal treatment process to form the body to a desired shape and size.

12. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein at least one bore is defined in the cover to receive a weighted plug.

13. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein a countersunk through hole is defined in the base after the body is formed;

the through hole is tapped; and

a plug with a threaded shaft is screwed into the threaded hole.

14. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 13

, wherein an air bag is inserted into the body with the cover through the threaded hole before the hot-pressing mold process is processed;

the air bag is inflated and expands to press against the inner surface of the cover and the body during the hot-pressing mold process to form the cover into a desired shape;

the air bag is taken out of the body after the cover has hardened; and

the threaded plug is screwed into the threaded hole in the base.

15. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 9

further comprising a step of fine grinding to increase the smooth of a surface of the golf club head.

16. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 15

further comprising a step of applying a lacquer coating to an outer surface of the gold club head to provide a protective coating on the golf club head.

17. The method for manufacturing a golf club head as claimed in

claim 9

, wherein a lip is formed on an edge of the body to connect to the cover.