Golf Club Head Or Other Ball Striking Device Utilizing Energy Transfer

• US 20130137533A1
• Filed: 11/30/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Franklin, David N., Stites, John T., Boyd, Robert, Snyder, Jeremy N.
• Granted Patent: US 9,072,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/349
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0495 moving on impact, slidable, spring or otherwise elastically biased
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0425 the face insert comprising two or more different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0445 Details of grooves or the like on the impact surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

A head for a ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face member having a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface, a weight member connected to the face member behind the rear surface of the face member, and a resilient member positioned between the weight member and the face member. The resilient member is connected to the rear surface of the face member to connect the weight member to the face member. The resilient member is compressible to permit energy and/or momentum to be transferred between the weight member and the face member through the resilient member during impact, including an off-center impact on the striking surface. Momentum transferred from the weight member to the face member during an off-center impact may reduce energy loss and twisting of the face on impact.

Claims

1. A ball striking device comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear side opposite the striking surface of the face;

a weight member joined to the rear side of the face member;

a first connection member connecting the rear side of the face member and the weight member at a connection point, the first connection member forming a joint at the connection point; and

a resilient member positioned between the weight member and the face member, the resilient member engaging the rear surface of the face member and the weight member to space the weight member from the face member, wherein the weight member has at least a first surface that is engaged by the resilient member and at least a second surface that is exposed and not engaged by the resilient member,

wherein the resilient member is compressible to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member upon an impact of the ball on the striking surface, and

wherein the joint is configured to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member.

2. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the weight member is configured such that momentum is transferred from the weight member to the face member through the resilient member during an off-center impact of the ball on the striking surface, and the amount of momentum transferred to the face member increases incrementally with a lateral distance of a location of the impact away from a center of gravity of the face member.

3. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the face member comprises a sole member extending rearwardly from the face, the sole member having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface and forming part of the rear side of the face member, wherein the weight member is at least partially positioned above the top surface.

4. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein the weight member has a bottom surface that is spaced from and in confronting relation to the top surface of the sole member, and wherein the resilient member engages the top surface of the sole member and the bottom surface of the weight member and spaces the weight member from the top surface.

5. The ball striking device of claim 3, further comprising a low-friction material connected to one of the bottom surface of the weight member and the top surface of the sole member and positioned between the bottom surface of the weight member and the top surface of the sole member.

6. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the first connection member is a pin or a fastener extending through an aperture in at least one of the face member and the weight member to define the joint.

7. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the first connection member is connected to the face member, further comprising a second connection member connected to the weight member, wherein the first and second connection members are connected to form the joint.

8. The ball striking device of claim 7, wherein one of the first and second connection members comprises a pin and another of the first and second connection members comprises a receiver, wherein the pin is received in the receiver to connect the face member and the weight member and to define the joint.

9. The ball striking device of claim 1, further comprising a hosel configured for connection of a shaft, the hosel being connected to the face member.

10. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 1 and a shaft connected to the device and configured for gripping by a user.

11. A ball striking device comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface;

a weight member positioned behind the rear surface of the face member; and

a resilient member positioned between the weight member and the face member, the resilient member being connected to the rear surface of the face member to connect the weight member to the face member,

wherein the resilient member is compressible to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member upon an impact of the ball on the striking surface.

12. The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein the weight member is configured such that momentum is transferred from the weight member to the face member through the resilient member during an off-center impact of the ball on the striking surface, and the amount of momentum transferred to the face member increases incrementally with a lateral distance of a location of the impact away from a center of gravity of the face member.

13. The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein the striking surface has a heel side and a toe side positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and the weight member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, wherein the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the heel side of the striking surface, and wherein the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the toe side of the striking surface.

14. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein the face member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the face member and a width defined between the heel and toe edges thereof, and the weight member has a width defined between the heel and toe edges thereof, and wherein the width of the face member is approximately equal to the width of the weight member.

15. The ball striking device of claim 14, wherein the weight member has a cross-sectional area that is greater at the heel and toe edges thereof than at the center of gravity thereof.

16. The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein the face member comprises a sole member extending rearwardly from the face, the sole member having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface, and wherein the weight member is at least partially positioned above the top surface.

17. The ball striking device of claim 15, wherein the weight member has a bottom surface that is spaced from and in confronting relation to the top surface of the sole member, and wherein the resilient member is connected to the top surface of the sole member and is positioned between the top surface of the sole member and the bottom surface of the weight member.

18. The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein spaces are defined between the weight member and the rear surface of the face member on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and wherein the resilient member is positioned within the spaces on both sides of the center of gravity of the face member.

19. The ball striking device of claim 18, wherein the face member comprises a sole member extending rearwardly from the face, the sole member having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface, wherein the weight member is at least partially positioned above the top surface and additional spaces are defined between the weight member and the top surface of the sole member.

20. The ball striking device of claim 19, wherein the resilient member is further positioned within the additional spaces on both sides of the center of gravity of the face member, and wherein the resilient member fills the spaces between the weight member and the rear surface of the face member completely, and the resilient member fills the additional spaces between the weight member and the top surface of the sole member completely.

21. The ball striking device of claim 20, wherein the striking surface has a heel side and a toe side positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and the weight member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, wherein the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the heel side of the striking surface, and wherein the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the toe side of the striking surface.

22. The ball striking device of claim 19, further comprising a low-friction material connected to one of the bottom surface of the weight member and the top surface of the sole member and positioned between the bottom surface of the weight member and the top surface of the sole member.

23. The ball striking device of claim 18, wherein the face member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and the weight member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, wherein the resilient member is positioned at least between the heel edges of the face member and the weight member and between the toe edges of the face member and the weight member.

24. The ball striking device of claim 11, further comprising a first connection member connected to at least one of the face member and the weight member, wherein the first connection member forms a joint between the face member and the weight member that permits the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member.

30. The ball striking device of claim 11, wherein the face member has a cavity on the rear surface thereof, and the weight member is at least partially received within the cavity.

31. The ball striking device of claim 30, wherein the face member has a width defined between the heel and toe edges of the face member that is greater than a width of the weight member defined between the heel and toe edges of the weight member, such that the heel and toe edges of the face member extend laterally beyond the heel and toe edges of the weight member.

32. The ball striking device of claim 11, further comprising a hosel configured for connection of a shaft, the hosel being connected to the face member.

33. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 11 and a shaft connected to the device and configured for gripping by a user.

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

34. A ball striking device comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear side opposite the striking surface;

a resilient member connected to the rear side of the face member; and

a weight member that is connected to the resilient member and influences a center of gravity of the ball striking device, the weight member being suspended with respect to the face member by the resilient member, such that only the resilient member connects the weight member to the face member, wherein the weight member has at least a first surface that is engaged by the resilient member and at least a second surface that is exposed and not engaged by the resilient member,

wherein the weight member is configured such that energy is transferred between the weight member and the face member through the resilient member during an off-center impact of the ball on the striking surface.

35. The ball striking device of claim 34, wherein the striking surface has a heel side and a toe side positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and the weight member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, wherein the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the heel side of the striking surface, and wherein the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on the toe side of the striking surface.

36. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the face member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the face member and a width defined between the heel and toe edges thereof, and the weight member has a width defined between the heel and toe edges thereof, and wherein the width of the face member is approximately equal to the width of the weight member.

37. The ball striking device of claim 36, wherein the weight member has a cross-sectional area that is greater at the heel and toe edges thereof than at the center of gravity thereof.

38. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the rear side of the face member comprises a rear surface opposite the striking surface and a sole member extending rearwardly from the rear surface, the sole member having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface, wherein the weight member has a bottom surface that is spaced from and in confronting relation to the top surface of the sole member, and wherein the resilient member is connected to the top surface of the sole member and is positioned between the top surface of the sole member and the bottom surface of the weight member and suspends the bottom surface of the weight member with respect to the top surface of the sole member.

39. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein spaces are defined between the weight member and the face member, and the resilient member completely fills all the spaces between the weight member and the face member.

40. The ball striking device of claim 34, wherein the face member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member, and the weight member has a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, wherein resilient member is positioned at least between the heel edges of the face member and the weight member and between the toe edges of the face member and the weight member.

41. The ball striking device of claim 34, further comprising a hosel configured for connection of a shaft, the hosel being connected to the face member.

42. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 34 and a shaft connected to the device and configured for gripping by a user.

43. (canceled)

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. (canceled)

52. (canceled)

53. (canceled)

54. (canceled)

55. (canceled)

56. (canceled)

57. (canceled)

58. (canceled)

59. A golf club head comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface, the face member having a heel edge and a toe edge and the striking surface having a heel side and a toe side positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member;

a hosel connected to the face member, the hosel configured for connection of a shaft;

a weight member connected to the face member and having a front surface confronting the rear surface of the face member, the weight member having a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member; and

a resilient member connected to the rear surface of the face member and the front surface of the weight member to connect the weight member to the face member, such that only the resilient member connects the weight member to the face member, wherein spaces are defined between the front surface of the weight member and the rear surface of the face member on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the face member, and wherein the resilient member is positioned within the spaces on both sides of the center of gravity of the face member to space the weight member from the face member,

wherein the weight member has an exposed top surface and an exposed back surface that are not engaged by the resilient member, and

wherein the resilient member is compressible to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member, and wherein the weight member is configured such that the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a heel side of the striking surface, and the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a toe side of the striking surface.

60. The golf club head of claim 59, wherein the face member further comprises a sole member extending rearwardly from the face, the sole member having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface, and wherein the weight member has a bottom surface that is spaced from and in confronting relation to the top surface of the sole member, and wherein the resilient member is connected to the top surface of the sole member and the bottom surface of the weight member and is positioned between the top surface of the sole member and the bottom surface of the weight member to space the bottom surface of the weight member from the top surface of the sole member.

61. A golf club comprising the head of claim 59 and a shaft connected to the head and configured for gripping by a user.

62. A golf club head comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, a rear surface opposite the striking surface, and a sole member extending rearward from the face and having a sole surface configured to confront a playing surface and a top surface opposite the sole surface, the face member having a heel edge and a toe edge, and the striking surface having a heel side and a toe side positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member;

a hosel connected to the face member, the hosel configured for connection of a shaft;

a weight member connected to the face member and having a front surface confronting the rear surface of the face member and a bottom surface confronting the top surface of the sole member, the weight member having a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member; and

a resilient member connected to the top surface of the sole member and the top surface of the weight member to connect the weight member to the face member, such that only the resilient member connects the weight member to the face member, wherein spaces are defined between the bottom surface of the weight member and the top surface of the sole member on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the face member, and wherein the resilient member is positioned within the spaces on both sides of the center of gravity of the face member to space the weight member from the face member,

wherein the weight member has an exposed top surface and an exposed back surface that are not engaged by the resilient member, and

wherein the resilient member is compressible to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member, and wherein the weight member is configured such that the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a heel side of the striking surface, and the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a toe side of the striking surface.

63. The golf club head of claim 62, further comprising a connection member connecting a rear side of the face member and the weight member at a connection point, the connection member forming a joint at the connection point, wherein the joint is configured to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member.

64. A golf club comprising the head of claim 62 and a shaft connected to the head and configured for gripping by a user.

65. A golf club head comprising:

a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface, the face member having a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the face member and a width defined between the heel and toe edges of the face member, the face member further having a cavity defined on the rear surface of the face member;

a hosel connected to the face member, the hosel configured for connection of a shaft;

a weight member connected to the rear surface of the face member and being at least partially received in the cavity, the weight member having a front surface confronting the rear surface of the face member, a heel edge and a toe edge positioned on opposed sides of a center of gravity of the weight member, and a width defined between the heel and toe edges of the weight member, wherein the width of the weight member is smaller than the width of the face member such that the heel and toe edges of the face member extend laterally beyond the heel and toe edges of the weight member; and

a resilient member connected to the rear surface of the face member and the front surface of the weight member to connect the weight member to the face member, such that only the resilient member connects the weight member to the face member, wherein spaces are defined between the front surface of the weight member and the rear surface of the face member on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the face member, and wherein the resilient member is positioned within the spaces on both sides of the center of gravity of the face member to space the weight member from the face member,

wherein the resilient member is compressible to permit the weight member to transfer momentum to the face member through the resilient member, and wherein the weight member is configured such that the heel edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a heel side of the striking surface, and the toe edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a toe side of the striking surface.

66. The golf club head of claim 65, wherein the weight member further has a top edge and a bottom edge positioned on opposed sides of the center of gravity of the weight member, and wherein the weight member is further configured such that the top edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a top side of the striking surface, and the bottom edge of the weight member is configured to transfer momentum to the face member upon an impact of the ball centered on a bottom side of the striking surface.

67. A golf club comprising the head of claim 65 and a shaft connected to the head and configured for gripping by a user.

68. (canceled)

69. (canceled)

70. (canceled)

71. (canceled)

72. (canceled)

73. (canceled)

74. (canceled)

75. (canceled)

76. (canceled)

77. (canceled)

78. (canceled)

79. (canceled)