IRON GOLF CLUB WITH IMPROVED MASS PROPERTIES AND VIBRATION DAMPING

• US 20100069172A1
• Filed: 11/19/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Inventors: Roach, Ryan L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/332
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• 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 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• 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

A golf club is provided having improved playing characteristics based upon a multiple material construction. This construction involves a club body in combination with a face insert that defines a hollow channel therebetween. This hollow channel is substantially filled with a heterogeneous viscoelastic material, such as urethane containing tungsten powder. The heterogeneous material is formulated such that the density of the material is varied based upon the location of that material within the hollow channel of the golf club head. In particular, lower density portions of the material are located near the top of the club head, and higher density portions are located near the bottom or sole of the club head. This moves the center of gravity of the club head downward and rearward, yielding improved feel and improved weight distribution and enhancing performance of the club.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a body portion defining a perimeter weight and constructed of a first material;

a hitting face disposed at the front of the body portion;

a channel defined by a portion of the perimeter weight, at least a portion of the channel being fully circumscribed by the perimeter weight and a back surface of the face, wherein the channel comprises at least one opening disposed in a rear surface of the perimeter weight; and

a second material disposed in at least a portion of the channel, wherein the second material is different than the first material.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second material is disposed in the entire channel.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the channel extends from about 45°

to about 180°

around the perimeter of the face.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the opening is disposed near a top line of the body portion.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the opening is an elongate channel.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the opening is disposed only in a rear surface of the perimeter weight.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of discrete sections.

9. A golf club head, comprising:

a body portion defining a perimeter weight and constructed of a first material;

a hitting face disposed at the front of the body portion;

a channel defined by a portion of the perimeter weight, at least a portion of the channel being fully circumscribed by the perimeter weight and a back surface of the face, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of discrete sections and at least one opening disposed only in a rear surface of the perimeter weight near a top line of the body portion; and

a second material disposed in at least a portion of the channel, wherein the second material is different than the first material.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the second material is disposed in the entire channel.

11. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material.

12. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the opening is an elongate channel.

13. A golf club head, comprising:

a body portion defining a perimeter weight and constructed of a first material;

a hitting face disposed at the front of the body portion;

a channel defined by a portion of the perimeter weight, at least a portion of the channel being fully circumscribed by the perimeter weight and a back surface of the face, wherein the channel comprises at least one opening disposed in the perimeter weight, and wherein the channel extends from about 45°

to about 180°

around the perimeter of the face; and

a second material disposed in at least a portion of the channel, wherein the second material is different than the first material.

14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the second material is disposed in the entire channel.

15. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material.

16. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the opening is disposed near a top line of the body portion.

17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the opening is an elongate channel.

18. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the opening is disposed only in a rear surface of the perimeter weight.