GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20110034270A1
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Schartiger, Chris, Larsen, Peter L., Wahl, Bret H., Ines, Marni D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/342
• 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 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

An iron-type golf club head is disclosed including a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The main body has a recessed region including a relief region in the front portion. A replaceable striking plate is inserted into the recessed region and the relief region. The replaceable striking plate includes a front surface and a rear surface. A threaded opening is located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate and receives a fastener to retain the replaceable striking plate on the front portion of the main body and within the recessed region and relief region.

Claims

1. An iron-type golf club head comprising:

a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face, the main body having a recessed region including a relief region in the front portion;

a replaceable striking plate configured to be inserted into the recessed region and the relief region, the replaceable striking plate including a front surface and a rear surface;

at least one threaded opening located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate; and

at least one through-hole opening located in the rear portion of the main body, the at least one through-hole opening is configured to receive a fastener in the rear portion, the fastener configured to engage the at least one threaded opening located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate to retain the replaceable striking plate on the front portion of the main body and within the recessed region and relief region.

2. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the at least one threaded opening includes two threaded openings.

3. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the relief region is located around a 360°

perimeter of the back support surface within a plane parallel to the face plane.

4. The iron-type golf club head of claim 3, wherein the at least one threaded opening is an at least one threaded boss.

5. The iron-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein the recessed region edge substantially forms an O-shape.

6. The iron-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein the at least one threaded boss includes two threaded bosses.

7. The iron-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein the at least one threaded boss is configured to be inserted within at least one a counter bore located in the recessed region.

8. The iron-type golf club head of claim 4, wherein a washer is engaged with the fastener, the washer being located within a counter bore of the main body and being engaged with a top surface of the at least one threaded boss.

9. The iron-type golf club head of claim 6, wherein the two threaded bosses are a substantially different height with respect to the striking surface of the replaceable striking plate.

10. The iron-type golf club head of claim 9, wherein a fastener is inserted into each of the two threaded bosses, the two threaded bosses being configured to allow the fastener to engage with at least two threads when fully engaged.

11. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the recessed region includes a back support surface and a ledge surface, the ledge surface being located between the back support surface and the striking face of the main body in a front to back direction perpendicular to a face plane.

12. The iron-type golf club head of claim 11, wherein the ledge surface is located around a 360°

perimeter of the back support surface within a plane parallel to the face plane.

13. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least one indicia is located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate and at least one opening is located in the rear portion of the main body and positioned to allow the at least one indicia to be visible through the at least one opening after the replaceable striking plate is attached to the front portion of the main body.

14. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein an intermediate layer is located between the replaceable striking plate and the front portion of the main body.

15. An iron-type golf club head comprising:

a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face;

a replaceable striking plate located on the front portion of the main body, the replaceable striking plate including a front surface and a rear surface and includes at least one threaded opening located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate, wherein the front portion of the main body includes a recessed region including a relief region, the relief region substantially forming an O-shape.

16. The iron-type golf club head of claim 15, wherein the relief region is located around a 360°

perimeter of the recessed region.

17. The iron-type golf club head of claim 15, wherein the recessed region includes a back support surface and a ledge surface, the ledge surface being located between the back support surface and the striking face of the main body in a front to back direction that is perpendicular to a face plane.

18. An iron-type golf club head comprising:

a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face;

a replaceable striking plate located on the front portion of the main body, the replaceable striking plate including a front surface and a rear surface;

at least one indicia located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate;

at least one opening located in the rear portion of the main body, wherein the indicia located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate is visible through the at least one opening after the replaceable striking plate is attached to the front portion of the main body.

19. The iron-type golf club head of claim 18, wherein the front portion of the main body includes a recessed region including a relief region, the relief region substantially forming an O-shape.

20. The iron-type golf club head of claim 19, wherein at least one threaded boss is located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate, the threaded boss being configured to be inserted into a counter bore located in the recessed region.

21. A striking plate comprising:

a front surface,

a rear surface;

a relief region extending around an entire perimeter of the striking plate; and

at least one threaded portion on the rear surface, wherein the at least one threaded portion can be engaged by a fastening member.