GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20080015049A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: IMAMOTO, Yasunori
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/338
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• 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

Abstract

To provide a golf club head in which a sole portion has a high rigidity. A weight material is mounted near a central part of the sole portion in the fore-to-aft direction, and a rib extends in the toe-to-heel direction. Since the sole portion has high rigidity in the toe-to-heel direction, there is less deformation of the head in the toe-to-heel direction when hitting the ball, thereby suppressing the vibration of the sole portion. An elastic body is filled in a recess portion and closely contacted with the weight material, whereby the vibration of the sole portion is absorbed by the elastic body.

Claims

1. A golf club head having a hollow shell structure, comprising:

a face portion;

a sole portion;

a rib provided on the sole portion; and

a weight material mounted to the sole portion, wherein

at least the face portion and the sole portion are made of metal, and

the rib extends from a position on which the weight material is mounted.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, said rib extending from the position on which the weight material is mounted such that an extension line of the rib traverses the weight material.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the rib is provided on the sole portion such that the rib extends from the center of the weight material.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the rib extends from the position on which the weight material is mounted to the sole portion such that the rib and the weight material lie in the same plane.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the rib extends to an edge of the sole portion.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of ribs are provided on the sole portion such that the each rib crosses at the position on which the weight material is mounted.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight material is provided substantially in a central part of the sole portion.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the golf club head is made of a titanium metal material.

9. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight material is made of a high specific gravity material.

10. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight material is made of tungsten.

11. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight material is made of a tungsten alloy.