IRON GOLF CLUB WITH NANOCRYSTALLINE FACE INSERT

• US 20070293348A1
• Filed: 07/26/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Inventors: HOCKNELL, ALAN, WIELAND, CHRIS
• Granted Patent: US 7,399,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/342
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• 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

Abstract

The iron golf club head (20) of the present invention is preferably composed of three main components: a periphery member 22, a central member 24 and a nanocrystalline plated face plate 26. The periphery member (22) is preferably composed of a high density material such as a nickel-tungsten alloy. The central member (24) is preferably composed of a lightweight, non-metal material. The face plate (26) is preferably composed of a non-metal material plated with a nanocrystalline material. The iron golf club head (20) preferably has high moments of inertia Izz and Ixx.

Claims

1. An iron golf club head comprising:

a periphery member composed of a metal material having a density between 8 g/cm³ and 12 g/cm³, the periphery member having a volume percentage of the golf club head ranging from 15% to 50%, and a mass percentage of the golf club head ranging from 50% to 80%, the periphery member defining an opening;

a central member disposed in the opening of the periphery member, the central member being composed of a first non-metal material and having a volume percentage of the golf club head ranging from 25% to 75%, and a mass percentage of the golf club head ranging from 10% to 30%; and

a face insert composed of a second non-metal material with a nanocrystalline plating deposited on an exterior surface of the face insert, the second non-metal material having a lower density than the metal material, the face insert mounted in the opening of the periphery member and disposed over the central member, the face insert having a thickness between 0.040 inch and 0.250 inch;

wherein the golf club head has a total volume ranging from 40 cm³ to 60 cm³.

2. The iron golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the metal material comprises a nickel-tungsten alloy.

3. The iron golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the nanocrystalline plating has a thickness ranging from 20 microns to 2000 microns.

4. The iron golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the second non-metal material is a nylon material.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the second non-metal material is a composite material.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the second non-metal material is plies of pre-preg.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the nanocrystalline plating is composed of a nickel-iron-molybdenum alloy.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the nanocrystalline plating is composed of a nickel-iron-chromium alloy.

9. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the second non-metal material is selected from the group consisting of a nylon material, a composite material, a polycarbonate material and a polyurethane material.

10. An iron golf club head comprising:

a periphery member composed of a first metal material having a density between 8 g/cm³ and 12 g/cm³, the periphery member having a mass that ranges from 100 grams to 240 grams;

a central member disposed in an opening of the periphery member, the central member being composed of a non-metal material, the central member having a mass that ranges from 9 grams to 70 grams; and

a face insert composed of a second non-metal material with a nanocrystalline plating deposited on an exterior surface of the face insert, the second non-metal material having a lower density than the metal material, the face insert mounted in the opening of the periphery member and disposed over the central member, the face insert having a thickness between 0.040 inch and 0.250 inch;

wherein the iron golf club head has a mass that ranges from 235 grams to 300 grams and the golf club head has a total volume ranging from 40 cm³ to 60 cm³.

11. An iron golf club head comprising:

a periphery member composed of a first metal material having a density between 8 g/cm³ and 12 g/cm³, the periphery member having a mass that ranges from 100 grams to 240 grams;

a central member disposed in an opening of the periphery member, the central member being composed of a non-metal material, the central member having a mass that ranges from 9 grams to 70 grams; and

a face insert composed of a second non-metal material with a nanocrystalline plating deposited on an exterior surface of the face insert and an interior surface of the face insert, the second non-metal material having a lower density than the metal material, the face insert mounted in the opening of the periphery member and disposed over the central member, the face insert having a thickness between 0.040 inch and 0.250 inch;

wherein the iron golf club head has a mass that ranges from 235 grams to 300 grams and the golf club head has a total volume ranging from 40 cm³ to 60 cm³.