GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20080139338A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsunaga, Hideo, Kubota, Makoto, Hiruta, Masaomi
• Granted Patent: US 7,942,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/346
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• 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 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type

Abstract

A golf club head 1 has a face part 2, a crown part 3, a sole part 4, a side part 5, and a hosel part 6, which are formed of titanium or a titanium alloy. The golf club head 1 is formed by integrating a head body 10 and a face plate 30 with each other by welding such as laser welding or plasma welding. A thick part 20 is provided only in the central portion in the toe-heel direction of the cross corner portion between the face part 2 and the sole part 4. The width in the toe-heel direction of the thick part 20 is 20 mm or narrower. Therefore, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention can increase a carry on average even if being used by an amateur golfer who is prone to hit a ball by varied hit points across the clubface.

Claims

1. A golf club head being metallic and hollow, comprising at least a face part, a sole part, a side part, and a crown part and formed by welding a face plate to a head body, wherein

a thick part is provided in a central portion in the toe-heel direction of the cross corner portion between the face part and the sole part in the golf club head, and the thick part is provided on the face plate.

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

the average thickness of the face part is 2.5=to 3.5 mm,

the length in the toe-heel direction of the thick part is 0.5 mm to 20 mm,

the maximum height from the sole part bottom surface of the thick part is 2.0 mm to 20 mm, and

the maximum length from the face surface to the rear of the thick part is 3 mm to 35 mm.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the height of the thick part decreases toward the rear.

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

the metal forming the golf club head is titanium or a titanium alloy.

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

the Young'"'"'s modulus of the metal forming the face plate is lower than that of the metal forming the head body.

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

the volume of the golf club head is 250 cc to 460 cc.

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

a projecting part projecting to the rear is provided in an upper part of the face plate, and the projecting part forms a part of the crown part.