GOLF CLUB HEAD HAVING MOVABLE WEIGHTS

• US 20150024870A1
• Filed: 10/08/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Beach, Todd P., Vincent, Benoit, Wright, Ian C., Willett, Kraig Alan, Zimmerman, Gery Mel, Hoffman, Joseph Henry
• Granted Patent: US 9,789,372 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 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• 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 60/42 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

Abstract

A golf club head comprises a body and at least one self-extracting pressed weight assembly. The body comprises a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. The body defines an interior cavity. The weight assembly comprises at least three components and is configured for a press fit engagement with the golf club head. The assembly has a drive portion and a threaded portion.

Claims

1. A golf club head defining at least one recess for receiving at least one removable weight, the golf club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of each recess, the golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, and a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, wherein the body defines an interior cavity; and

at least one weight comprising a head, a threaded body, and a cylindrical body located between the head and the threaded body;

wherein the cylindrical body includes an annular ledge from which the threaded body extends, wherein the threaded body is configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head;

wherein the head of the at least one weight defining a socket for receiving an engagement end of a tool; and

wherein the cylindrical body has a diameter greater than a diameter of the threaded body, the at least one weight having a total mass between about 1 gram and about 18 grams.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the head of the at least one weight is configured to substantially conform to the recesses of the club head.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a loft between about 6 degrees and about 30 degrees.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a volume between about 110 cm³ and about 500 cm³.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution greater than about 0.8.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the threaded opening of the club head is positioned in the sole of the club head.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the head of the at least one weight has a diameter ranging between about 11 mm and about 13 mm.

8. A golf club head defining at least one recess for receiving at least one removable weight, the golf club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of the at least one recess, the golf club head comprising:

a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown, wherein the golf club head defines an interior cavity; and

at least one weight comprising a head, a body, and a male threaded portion;

wherein the head having a top portion defining a socket adapted to engage a tool, and the head having a head diameter;

wherein the body having a top end, and a bottom end;

wherein the male threaded portion is directly coupled to the bottom end of the body, the male threaded portion configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the golf club head;

wherein the body is located between the head and the male threaded portion;

wherein the golf club head has a volume between about 110 cm³ and about 500 cm³, a coefficient of restitution greater than about 0.8, and a loft between about 6 degrees and about 30 degrees.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the golf club head has a volume between about 250 cm³ and about 500 cm³.

10. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the at least one weight cooperatively engages the threaded opening of the golf club head without degrading or destroying the weight or the golf club head.

11. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the socket has multiple lobes.

12. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the male threaded portion has a diameter of about 5 mm.

13. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the bottom end of the body presses against a bottom of the at least one recess when the at least one weight is installed.

14. The golf club according to claim 8, wherein the golf club head defines at least two recesses, and wherein the at least one weight fits within each of the at least two recesses.

15. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the threaded opening of the club head is positioned in the sole of the club head.

16. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the head of the at least one weight has a diameter ranging between about 11 mm and about 13 mm.

17. A golf club head defining at least one recess for receiving at least one removable weight, the club head defining a threaded opening in a wall of the at least one recess, the golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown, wherein the body defines an interior cavity; and

at least one weight comprising a head, a cylindrical body, and a male threaded portion;

wherein the head having a first diameter and a top portion defining a socket adapted to engage a tool;

wherein the socket has multiple lobes;

wherein the cylindrical body having a second diameter, a top end, and a bottom end having an annular ledge;

wherein the annular ledge presses against a bottom of the at least one recess when the weight is installed;

wherein the male threaded portion is directly coupled to the annular ledge, the male threaded portion having a third diameter and configured to cooperatively engage the threaded opening of the club head; and

wherein the golf club head has a volume between about 110 cm³ and about 500 cm³, a coefficient of restitution greater than about 0.8, and a loft between about 6 degrees and about 30 degrees.

18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the golf club head has a volume between about 250 cm³ and about 500 cm³.

19. The golf club head according to claim 17, wherein the golf club head defines at least two recesses, and wherein the at least one weight fits within each of the at least two recesses on the golf club head.

20. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the first diameter is between about 11 mm and about 13 mm.