Golf clubs and golf club heads including cellular structure metals and other materials

• US 20070178988A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Tavares, Gary G., Franklin, David N., Gupta, Abhishek, Lee, David Soong-hua
• Application Number:
  US11/344,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20070178988A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/334
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• 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 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

Golf club heads include: (a) a body member constructed, at least in part, from cellular structure material; (b) a ball striking face engaged or integrally formed with the body member; and/or (c) a shaft member engaged with the body member. Weight savings realized through the use of lightweight cellular structure materials allows additional weight to be placed at other desired locations in the club head structure. By adjusting and selectively placing weight in the club head structure, the club head'"'"'s moment of inertia, center of gravity, and/or stability characteristics may be favorably affected and/or the resulting ball flight may be influenced and/or customized to a specific individual golfer, to provide a more controlled, consistent, and/or straight ball flight.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a club head body member constructed, at least in part, from a cellular structure metal material; and

a ball striking face engaged or integrally formed with the club head body member.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member includes a shell defining an interior chamber, wherein at least a portion of the shell is constructed from the cellular structure metal material.

3. A golf club head according to claim 2, further comprising:

a weight member provided at least partially within the shell.

4. A golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising:

a weight member engaged with the club head body member.

5. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the cellular structure metal material forms a major portion of the club head body member.

6. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member forms a putter head structure.

7. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member forms an iron golf club head structure.

8. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member forms a wood golf club head structure.

9. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member forms a driver head structure.

10. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the ball striking face includes a metal face member engaged with the cellular structure metal material of the club head body member.

11. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the ball striking face is integrally formed with the cellular structure metal material of the club head body member.

12. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cellular structure metal material includes a polymeric filling.

13. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body member includes at least a first body member including the cellular structure metal material and a second body member engaged with the first body member.

14. A golf club head according to claim 13, wherein the second body member includes a second cellular structure metal material.

15. A golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising:

a club head weighting system engaged with the club head body member.

16. A golf club head according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the club head weighting system is selectively removable from the golf club head.

17. A golf club head according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the club head weighting system is movably mounted with respect to the club head body member.

18. A golf club, comprising:

a club head body member constructed, at least in part, from a cellular structure metal material; and

a shaft member engaged with the club head body member.

19. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body member includes a ball striking face integrally formed with the cellular structure metal material.

20. A golf club according to claim 18, further comprising:

a grip member engaged with the shaft member.

22. A golf club according to claim 18, further comprising:

a weight member engaged with the club head body member.

23. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the cellular structure metal material forms a major portion of the club head body member.

24. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body member forms a putter head structure.

25. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body member forms an iron golf club structure.

26. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body member forms a wood golf club head structure.

27. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body member forms a driver head structure.

28. A golf club according to claim 18, further comprising:

a ball striking face including a metal face member engaged with the cellular structure metal material.

29. A golf club according to claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the cellular structure metal material includes a polymeric filling.

21. (canceled)

30-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A method of forming a golf club head, comprising:

forming a club head body member, at least in part, from a cellular structure metal material; and

providing a ball striking face on the club head body member.

35. A method according to claim 33, further comprising:

engaging a weight member with the club head body member.

36. A method according to claim 33, wherein the club head body member is formed as a putter head structure.

37. A method according to claim 33, wherein the club head body member is formed as an iron golf club head structure.

39. A method according to claim 33, wherein the club head body member is formed as a wood golf club head structure.

40. A method according to claim 33, wherein the club head body member is formed as a driver head structure.

34. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

41-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A method of forming a golf club, comprising:

forming a club head body member, at least in part, from a cellular structure metal material; and

engaging a shaft member with the club head body member.

50. A method according to claim 47, further comprising:

engaging a weight member with the club head body member.

51. A method according to claim 47, wherein the club head body member is formed as a putter head structure.

52. A method according to claim 47, wherein the club head body member is formed as an iron golf club structure.

53. A method according to claim 47, wherein the club head body member is formed as a wood golf club head structure.

54. A method according to claim 47, wherein the club head body member is formed as a driver head structure.

48-49. -49. (canceled)

55-59. -59. (canceled)