Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking Device Having Impact-Influencing Body Features

• US 20130324283A1
• Filed: 05/31/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, Robert, Akiyama, Hiromitsu
• Granted Patent: US 9,770,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/307
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/022 allowing adjustable positioning of the head with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

A golf club head or other ball striking device includes a face having a striking surface and being defined by an outer periphery, a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole, and an inwardly recessed channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, where the channel is elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion. The heel portion and the toe portion of the channel are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face, and a center portion of the channel is spaced a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the heel portion and the toe portion. The channel may be bowed or curved away from the face.

Claims

1. A ball striking device comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and

an inwardly recessed channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, wherein the channel is elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion,

wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face and wherein a center portion of the channel is spaced a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the heel portion and the toe portion.

2. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the channel is symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

3. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the channel is defined by a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel and toe portions, with a recessed trough defined between the front and rear edges, and wherein at least one of the front and rear edges is bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face.

4. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein both the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face.

5. The ball striking device of claim 3, wherein a spacing between the front and rear edges remains approximately equal between the heel and toe portions.

6. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the channel comprises two side walls extending inwardly into the body and a recessed trough forming a maximum depth of the channel, wherein the trough is bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the trough has opposed ends that are positioned more proximate to the outer periphery of the face than a center of the trough.

7. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a spacing portion located between the channel and the outer periphery of the face, wherein the spacing portion has a width that is greater at a center of the spacing portion and smaller proximate the heel portion and the toe portion of the channel.

8. The ball striking device of claim 7, wherein the width of the spacing portion decreases by tapering from the center toward the heel portion and the toe portion of the channel.

9. The ball striking device of claim 7, wherein the width of the spacing portion is greatest at a geometric centerline of the body.

10. The ball striking device of claim 1, wherein the channel has a curvilinear cross sectional shape, with curvilinear side walls depending from front and rear edges of the channel to form a curvilinear trough.

11. The ball striking device of claim 1, further comprising a hosel connected to the body, the hosel having adjustable interconnection structure configured for adjustable connection to a shaft, wherein the body has an access opening extending through the sole, the access opening providing access to the adjustable interconnection structure of the hosel through the sole.

12. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 1 and a shaft connected to the ball striking device.

13. A ball striking device comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and

a channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body and being elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion, the channel comprising an inwardly recessed trough defined between a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel portion and the toe portion,

wherein the front edge has a first pair of ends proximate the heel and toe portions that are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face and the rear edge has a second pair of ends proximate the heel and toe portions that are spaced rearwardly approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face, and

wherein the front and rear edges are curved rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that a first center portion of the front edge is spaced rearwardly a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the first pair of ends, and a second center portion of the rear edge is spaced rearwardly a greater distance from the outer periphery of the face than the second pair of ends.

14. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein the channel is symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

15. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein a spacing between the front and rear edges remains approximately equal between the heel and toe portions.

16. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein the channel comprises two side walls extending inwardly into the body from the front and rear edges to the trough, wherein the trough forms a maximum depth of the channel, and wherein the trough is bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the trough has opposed ends that are positioned more proximate to the outer periphery of the face than a center of the trough.

17. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein the body further comprises a spacing portion located between the channel and the outer periphery of the face, wherein the spacing portion has a width that is greater at a center of the spacing portion and smaller proximate the heel portion and the toe portion of the channel.

18. The ball striking device of claim 17, wherein the width of the spacing portion decreases by tapering from the center toward the heel portion and the toe portion of the channel.

19. The ball striking device of claim 17, wherein the width of the spacing portion is greatest at a geometric centerline of the body.

20. The ball striking device of claim 13, wherein the channel has a curvilinear cross sectional shape, with curvilinear side walls depending from front and rear edges of the channel to form a curvilinear trough.

21. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 13 and a shaft connected to the ball striking device.

22. A ball striking device comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and

a channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, the channel comprising an inwardly recessed trough defined between a front edge and a rear edge extending in a heel-toe direction,

wherein the body further comprises a spacing portion extending between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face and spacing the channel rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, wherein the spacing portion has a width, defined between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face, that is wider at a center of the spacing portion proximate a geometric centerline of the body and narrower at a first point more proximate to a heel of the body and at a second point more proximate to a toe of the body.

23. The ball striking device of claim 22, wherein the width of the spacing portion decreases by tapering from the center toward the first point and the second point.

24. The ball striking device of claim 22, wherein the width of the spacing portion is greatest at a geometric centerline of the body.

25. The ball striking device of claim 22, wherein the channel and the spacing portion are symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

26. The ball striking device of claim 22, wherein the front edge of the channel is bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face such that a distance between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face is smaller proximate the first point and the second point and larger proximate the center.

27. The ball striking device of claim 26, wherein both the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face.

28. The ball striking device of claim 22, wherein the channel has a curvilinear cross sectional shape, with curvilinear side walls depending from front and rear edges of the channel to form a curvilinear trough.

29. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 22 and a shaft connected to the ball striking device.

30. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, such that the body and the face combine to define an internal cavity, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and

a channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body and being elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion, the channel comprising a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel portion and the toe portion and an inwardly recessed trough defined between the front and rear edges,

wherein the front and rear edges are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the front and rear edges are spaced greater distances from the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel as compared to the heel portion and the toe portion.

31. The golf club head of claim 30, wherein the body further comprises a spacing portion extending between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face and spacing the channel rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, wherein the spacing portion has a width, defined between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face, that is wider at a center of the spacing portion proximate a geometric centerline of the body and narrower proximate the heel and toe portions of the channel.

32. The golf club head of claim 30, wherein the front edge is spaced approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face at the heel and toe portions, and the rear edge is spaced approximately equal distances from the outer periphery of the face at the heel and toe portions

33. The golf club head of claim 30, wherein the channel comprises two side walls extending inwardly into the body from the front and rear edges to the trough, wherein the trough forms a maximum depth of the channel, and wherein the trough is bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the trough has opposed ends that are positioned more proximate to the outer periphery of the face than a center of the trough.

34. A golf club comprising the golf club head of claim 30 and a shaft connected to the golf club head.

35. A ball striking device comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole;

a first channel extending across at least a first portion of the sole of the body, wherein the first channel is elongated between a first heel portion and a first toe portion, the first channel comprising a first inwardly recessed trough defined between a first front edge and a first rear edge extending between the first heel portion and the first toe portion; and

a second channel extending across at least a second portion of the sole of the body, wherein the second channel is elongated between a second heel portion and a second toe portion, the second channel comprising a second inwardly recessed trough defined between a second front edge and a second rear edge extending between the second heel portion and the second toe portion,

wherein the first channel is spaced rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, and wherein the second channel is spaced rearwardly from the first rear edge of the first channel.

36. The ball striking device of claim 35, further comprising a third channel extending across at least a third portion of the sole of the body, wherein the third channel is elongated between a third heel portion and a third toe portion, the third channel comprising a third inwardly recessed trough defined between a third front edge and a third rear edge extending between the third heel portion and the third toe portion, wherein the third channel is spaced rearwardly from the second rear edge of the second channel.

37. The ball striking device of claim 36, wherein the first channel, the second channel, and the third channel are symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

38. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the first channel and the second channel are symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

39. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the first front edge and the first rear edge of the first channel are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face such that a first distance between the first front edge of the first channel and the outer periphery of the face is smaller proximate a heel and a toe of the body and larger proximate a center of the body.

40. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the second channel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the first channel has a smoothly curved cross-sectional shape.

41. The ball striking device of claim 35, wherein the second channel has a depth that tapers from the second front edge to the second rear edge, such that the depth proximate the second front edge is smaller and the depth is maximum proximate the second rear edge.

42. A golf club comprising the ball striking device of claim 35 and a shaft connected to the ball striking device.

43. A ball striking device comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole;

a first channel extending at least partially across the sole of the body, the first channel comprising a first inwardly recessed trough defined between a first front edge and a first rear edge extending in a heel-toe direction, such that the first channel is elongated in the heel-to-toe direction; and

a second channel extending at least partially across the sole of the body, the second channel comprising a second inwardly recessed trough defined between a second front edge and a second rear edge extending in the heel-toe direction, such that the second channel is elongated in the heel-to-toe direction,

wherein the first channel is spaced rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, and the second channel is spaced rearwardly from the first rear edge of the first channel.

44. The ball striking device of claim 43, further comprising a third channel extending at least partially across the sole of the body, the third channel comprising a third inwardly recessed trough defined between a third front edge and a third rear edge extending in the heel-toe direction, such that the third channel is elongated in the heel-to-toe direction, wherein the third channel is spaced rearwardly from the second rear edge of the second channel.

45. The ball striking device of claim 44, wherein the first channel, the second channel, and the third channel are symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

46. The ball striking device of claim 43, wherein the first channel and the second channel are symmetrical with respect to a geometric centerline of the body.

47. The ball striking device of claim 43, wherein the first front edge and the first rear edge of the first channel are bowed rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face such that a first distance between the first front edge of the first channel and the outer periphery of the face is smaller proximate a heel and a toe of the body and larger proximate a center of the body.

48. The ball striking device of claim 43, wherein the second channel has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and the first channel has a smoothly curved cross-sectional shape.

49. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface and a crown opposite the sole; and

a channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body and being elongated between a heel portion and a toe portion, the channel comprising an inwardly recessed trough defined between a front edge and a rear edge extending between the heel portion and the toe portion,

wherein the front and rear edges are curved rearwardly away from the outer periphery of the face, such that the front and rear edges are each spaced rearwardly a different distance from the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel as compared to at least one of the heel portion and the toe portion, and

wherein the body further comprises a spacing portion located between the front edge of the channel and the outer periphery of the face, wherein the spacing portion has a width that is greater proximate the center portion of the channel and smaller proximate at least one of the heel portion and the toe portion of the channel.