Golf club irons and method of manufacture of iron sets

• US 5,429,353 A
• Filed: 07/30/1993
• Issued: 07/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Hoeflich, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US08/100,839
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 273/167 R, 273/167 A, 273/167 B, 273/167 C, 273/167 D, 273/167 E, 273/167 F, 273/167 G, 273/167 H, 273/167 J, 273/167 K, 273/168, 273/169 , 273/170, 273/171, 273/172, 273/173, 273/174, 273/175, 273/78, 273/77 R, 273/186.2, 273/187.4, 273/164.1, 273/193 R, 273/194 R, 273/77 A, D21/220
• US Class Current: 473/350
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

The set of irons have a cavity back surrounded by a perimeter where the perimeter is formed such that the geometric center or other intended impact position on the club face and the center of gravity of the club head coincide.

Claims

1. A method for making a plurality of sets of irons with each set having cavity back club heads with geometric centers on their faces defined by a position on a vertical line comprising

a) selecting a size and shape for each club face in the set;

b) determining for each club face the intended position of ball impact on each face;

c) forming a perimeter portion surrounding the back cavity for each club head, said perimeter portion defined by a continuous surface between a continuous outer perimeter and a continuous interior perimeter and sized and shaped to create, on the face, a selected center of gravity location;

d) the back cavity formed having a volume defined by

i) said interior perimeter which perimeter defines an interior area within it;

ii) a continuous wall of variable depth which wall intersects with said interior perimeter through lower and upper halves, said wall having an area substantially equal to said interior perimeter area;

iii) a flat bottom substantially parallel to said club face;

said perimeter portion formation being such that the center of gravity of each club head coincides with the geometric center.

2. The method of claim 1 in which the center of gravity coincides with the geometric center for each club in the set.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the center of gravity is located a short distance from the geometric center toward the toe.

4. The method of claim 1 in which the center of gravity is located a short distance from the geometric center toward the heel.

5. An iron with a club head including a hitting face where the head comprises

i) a club head blade having a length between 2.75 inches to 3.2 inches;

ii) a face thickness between 0.135 inch and 0.250 inch;

iii) a head weight between 220 grams and 310 grams;

iv) a sole width at the toe and at the heel between 0.600 and 1.25 inches;

v) a top line thickness between 0.190 inch and 0.300 inch;

vi) a back cavity having a volume between 0.015 cubic inch and 0.80 cubic inch and a shape defined by a

a) continuous perimeter

b) a flat bottom spaced from and forward of the continuous perimeter;

c) a continuous wall intersecting the perimeter and the bottom; and

d) the area defined by the continuous perimeter and the area of the bottom being substantially the same.