GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20130318772A1
• Filed: 08/06/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Wahl, Bret H., Larsen, Peter L., Stowe, Loren
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,725 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/530
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0475 with one or more enclosed cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/08 with special arrangements for obtaining a variable impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 17/04 characterised by the nature of the material involved or the kind of product independently of its shape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49993 Filling of opening

Abstract

An iron-type golf club head is disclosed having a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. A back wall is also disclosed in the rear portion enclosing a portion of the rear portion to create an enclosed cavity. The cavity is defined by at least a rear surface of the striking face, an inner back wall surface, and the sole portion. A plug and a filler material is located within the enclosed cavity. The filler material surrounds the plug and is configured to hold the plug in place. The plug is lighter than the filler material.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a hollow iron-type golf club head comprising:

forming a body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, and a rear portion having a back wall,

forming an aperture on the body;

forming a striking face;

attaching the striking face to the front portion of the body to form a cavity defined by a rear surface of the striking face, an inner surface of the back wall, and the sole portion;

inserting at least one plug into the aperture, the at least one plug being in direct contact with the rear surface of the striking face and the inner surface of the back wall;

inserting a filler material into the aperture, the filler material substantially surrounding the at least one plug and being configured to hold the at least one plug in place; and

covering the aperture with a badge.

2. The method of claim 1 further including moving the at least one plug from a first position to a second position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming an aperture on the body includes forming a first portion of the aperture and forming a second portion of the aperture, the first portion being larger than the second portion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first portion is larger than the at least one plug and wherein the second portion is smaller than the at least one plug.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising moving the at least one plug from the first portion of the aperture to the second portion of the aperture.

6. A method of manufacturing a hollow iron-type golf club head, the method comprising:

obtaining a hollow iron-type golf club head including a heel portion;

a sole portion;

a toe portion;

a top-line portion;

a front portion;

a rear portion having a back wall;

a striking face in communication with the front portion and defining a cavity between a rear surface of the striking face, an inner surface of the back wall, and the sole portion;

the back wall defining an aperture in communication with the cavity;

inserting at least one plug into the aperture, the at least one plug being in direct contact with the rear surface of the striking face and the inner surface of the back wall; and

inserting a filler material into the aperture at least partially around the at least one plug.

7. The method of claim 6 further including moving the at least one plug from a first position to a second position.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the filler material is inserted to substantially surround the at least one plug and to hold the at least one plug in place.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising covering the aperture with a badge.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein aperture on the body includes a first portion of the aperture and a second portion of the aperture, the first portion being larger than the second portion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first portion is larger than the at least one plug and wherein the second portion is smaller than the at least one plug.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of inserting at least one plug into the aperture includes moving the at least one plug from the first portion of the aperture to the second portion of the aperture.

13. A method of manufacturing an iron-type golf club head, the method comprising:

obtaining an iron-type golf club head including a heel portion;

a sole portion;

a toe portion;

a top-line portion;

a rear portion having a back wall;

a striking face;

a cavity defined between a rear surface of the striking face, an inner surface of the back wall, and the sole portion;

inserting at least one plug into the cavity, the at least one plug being in direct contact with the rear surface of the striking face and the inner surface of the back wall; and

inserting a filler material at least partially around the at least one plug.

14. The method of claim 13 further including moving the at least one plug from a first position to a second position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the filler material is inserted to substantially surround the at least one plug.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising covering the location of insertion of the plug with a badge.