Golf club head

• US 20050119070A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRI Sports Limited (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: SRI Sports Limited (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Kumamoto, Tomio
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/345
• 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 53/0408 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 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• 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

Abstract

A hollow golf club head having a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion and a hosel portion, comprises a metal component made of a metal material, and a resin component made of a fiber reinforced resin, wherein the metal component comprises a face plate forming at least a part of the face portion, and a sole plate forming at least a part of the sole portion, and the resin component comprises a crown plate forming at least a part of the crown portion. A tubular part of the hosel portion into which a club shaft is inserted is formed (a) integrally with the metal component or (b) separately from the metal component and the resin component.

Claims

1. A hollow golf club head having a face portion whose front face defines a club face for striking a ball, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion between the crown portion and sole portion, and a hosel portion, and comprising a metal component made of a metal material, and a resin component made of a fiber reinforced resin, wherein

said metal component comprises a face plate forming at least a part of the face portion, and a sole plate forming at least a part of the sole portion, and

said resin component comprises a crown plate forming at least a part of the crown portion.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein

said hosel portion includes a tubular part into which a club shaft is inserted, and the tubular part is integrally formed with the metal component.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein

said hosel portion includes a tubular part into which a club shaft is inserted, and the tubular part is formed separately from the metal component and the resin component.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the resin component further includes a side plate forming at least a part of the side portion.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sole plate is gradually increased in the thickness towards the rear end thereof.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sole plate is provided on the fringe thereof with a continuous or discontinuous rib.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sole plate is gradually increased in the thickness towards the rear end thereof, and

the sole plate is provided on the fringe thereof with a continuous or discontinuous rib.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the metal component further includes a continuous or discontinuous turnup wall forming a part of the side portion.

9. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sole plate is gradually increased in the thickness towards the rear end thereof, and

the metal component further includes a continuous or discontinuous turnup wall forming a part of the side portion.

10. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the metal component further includes a frame bridging between the face plate and sole plate.

11. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sole plate is gradually increased in the thickness towards the rear end thereof, and

the metal component further includes a frame bridging ween the face plate and sole plate.

12. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the metal component is provided in a front end zone of the sole plate with a continuous or discontinuous slot.

13. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the depth of the center of gravity is in a range of from 40 to 55 mm.

14. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the sweet spot height is in a rage of from 15 to 30 mm.

15. The golf club head according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

the depth of the center of gravity is in a range of from 40 to 55 mm, and

the sweet spot height is in a rage of from 15 to 30 mm.