GOLF CLUB HEAD

• US 20140349779A1
• Filed: 05/20/2014
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: MIZUTANI, Naruhiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,327,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/335
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• 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 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

A head 4 includes a head main body h1, a socket 10, an attachment member 11, and a weight body 12. The head main body h1 includes a socket housing portion 14. The socket 10 is attached to the socket housing portion 14. The socket housing portion 14 includes a first opening K1 through which the socket 10 can be housed. The attachment member 11 is mechanically joined to the head main body h1. The attachment member 11 is disposed so as to block at least a part of the first opening K1. The attachment member 11 controls the falling off of the socket 10 from the first opening K1. The socket 10 includes a held portion 10b. The held portion 10b is pressed by the attachment member 11. The socket 10 is formed of a polymer.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a head main body;

an attachment member;

a socket; and

a weight body, wherein;

the head main body includes a socket housing portion;

the socket is attached to the socket housing portion;

the socket housing portion includes a first opening through which the socket can be housed;

the attachment member is mechanically joined to the head main body;

the attachment member is disposed so as to block at least a part of the first opening;

the attachment member controls falling off of the socket from the first opening;

the socket includes a held portion;

the held portion is pressed by the attachment member;

the socket is formed of a polymer whose elastic modulus is lower than an elastic modulus of the head main body; and

the weight body is detachably attached to the socket.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein:

the first opening is opened to an outer side of the head;

the attachment member is a ring member;

the ring member is disposed so as to block a part of the first opening; and

the ring member includes a second opening through which the weight body can be inserted into the socket.

3. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein:

relative rotation is enabled between the weight body and the socket;

the relative rotation allows the weight body to be placed at an engaging position and a non-engaging position;

the ring member includes an indication; and

the indication facilitates determination whether the weight body is at the engaging position or not.

4. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein:

the socket further includes an intermediate portion; and

the intermediate portion is positioned between the ring member and the weight body.

5. The golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the ring member contacts at least a part of an outer side surface of the intermediate portion.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein:

the first opening is opened to an inner side of the head;

the socket housing portion further includes a third opening opened to an outer side of the head; and

the third opening allows the weight body to be inserted and controls falling off of the socket to the outer side of the head.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the held portion is held between the attachment member and the head main body.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein a space is provided between the held portion and the attachment member.

9. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein:

the socket further includes an intermediate portion;

the intermediate portion is positioned between the attachment member and the weight body; and

the attachment member does not directly contact the weight body.

10. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein:

the socket housing portion includes a bottom portion;

the bottom portion includes an inward extending portion and a through hole; and

the inward extending portion supports a bottom face of the socket.

11. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein when a specific gravity of the head main body is G1, a specific gravity of the attachment member is G2, and a specific gravity of the socket is G3, the specific gravity G1 is greater than the specific gravity G2, and the specific gravity G2 is greater than the specific gravity G3.

12. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein:

the socket housing portion includes a side wall portion; and

an outer diameter of the side wall portion is constant.