GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20090088270A1
• Filed: 12/08/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Company Incorporated (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: HORACECK, Robert J., BREKKE, Dustin J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,749,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/346
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown 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 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may generally include a strike face, a top portion, a bottom portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a hosel having a central axis located in an first imaginary vertical plane. A discrete, at least partially curvilinear stiffening element, having generally vertical side surfaces, may be coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion to improve the dynamic-excitation response of the club head. Preferably, the stiffening element is oriented such that an imaginary horizontal line intersects at least one of the vertical surfaces at at least two points. Additionally, the stiffening element may have at least two inflection points located along a non-linear path characterized by the vertical projection of one of the side surfaces onto at least one of the bottom portion and the top portion of the club head.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a strike face;

a toe portion;

a heel portion;

a top portion coupled to the strike face;

a bottom portion coupled to the strike face; and

a discrete stiffening element coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion, the discrete stiffening element comprising at least two inflection points and generally vertical side surfaces, the discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the discrete stiffening element is coupled to the top portion and the bottom portion.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the discrete stiffening element comprises at least three inflection points.

4. The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising:

a hosel coupled to the top portion, the hosel having a central axis;

a first imaginary vertical plane containing the central axis;

a second imaginary vertical plane oriented substantially parallel to the first imaginary vertical plane; and

an imaginary horizontal line disposed in the second imaginary vertical plane, the imaginary horizontal line intersecting one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least two discrete points.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least three discrete points.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least four discrete points.

7. The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising:

a hosel coupled to the top portion, the hosel having a central axis;

a first imaginary vertical plane containing the central axis;

a second imaginary vertical plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary vertical plane; and

an imaginary horizontal line disposed in the second imaginary vertical plane, the imaginary horizontal line intersecting one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least two discrete points.

8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least three discrete points.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least four discrete points.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the discrete stiffening element further comprises at least one through opening.

11. The golf club head of claim 1 further comprising a second discrete stiffening element comprising generally vertical side surfaces, the second discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear.

12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the second discrete stiffening element is coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion.

13. A golf club head comprising:

a strike face;

a top portion coupled to the strike face;

a hosel associated with the top portion, the hosel having a central axis;

a bottom portion coupled to the strike face;

a discrete stiffening element coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion, the discrete stiffening element comprising generally vertical side surfaces, the discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear;

a first imaginary vertical plane containing the central axis;

a second imaginary vertical plane oriented substantially parallel to the first imaginary vertical plane; and

an imaginary horizontal line disposed in the second imaginary vertical plane, the imaginary horizontal line intersecting one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least three discrete points.

14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical side surfaces at at least four discrete points.

15. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the discrete stiffening element is coupled to the top portion and the bottom portion.

16. The golf club head of claim 13 further comprising a dominant resonant frequency of vibration greater than about 1800 Hz.

17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the dominant frequency of vibration is greater than about 2500 Hz.

18. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the discrete stiffening element further comprises at least one through opening therein.

19. The golf club head of claim 13 further comprising a second discrete stiffening element comprising generally vertical side surfaces, the second discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear.

20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the second discrete stiffening element is coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion.

21. A golf club head comprising:

a strike face;

a heel portion;

a toe portion;

a top portion coupled to the strike face;

a bottom portion coupled to the strike face;

a hosel associated with the top portion, the hosel having a central axis;

a discrete stiffening element coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion, the discrete stiffening element comprising at least one inflection point and generally vertical side surfaces, the discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear;

a first imaginary vertical plane containing the central axis;

a second imaginary vertical plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the first imaginary vertical plane; and

an imaginary horizontal line disposed in the second imaginary vertical plane, the imaginary horizontal line intersecting one of the generally vertical surfaces at at least two discrete points.

22. The golf club head of claim 21, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical surfaces at at least three discrete points.

23. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the imaginary horizontal line intersects one of the generally vertical surfaces at at least four discrete points.

24. The golf club head of claim 21, wherein the discrete stiffening element is coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion.

25. The golf club head of claim 24 further comprising a dominant resonant frequency of vibration greater than about 2500 Hz.

26. The golf club head of claim 21, wherein the discrete stiffening element further comprises at least one through opening.

27. The golf club head of claim 21 further comprising a second discrete stiffening element comprising generally vertical surfaces, the second discrete stiffening element being at least partially curvilinear.

28. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the second discrete stiffening element is coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion.