Golf club head

• US 6,482,107 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: V-Flyte Golf Corporation
• Original Assignee: V-Flyte Golf Corporation
• Inventors: Mitchell, David, Urbanski, Gary, Myrhum, Mark, Almeter, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US09/597,231
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 473/346, 473/345, 473/349, 473/350, 473/324, 473/331
• US Class Current: 473/331
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0445 Details of grooves or the like on the impact surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• 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 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

A golf club head with a body having a ball striking zone with an outer face for contacting a golf ball and an inner face. The body further having a web integral with the inner face of the striking zone to reinforce the striking zone. The integral web having a hub and a plurality of spokes radially extending from the hub. The golf club head is made from a composite resin, formed by injection molding.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a hollow shell having a ball striking zone with an outer face for contacting a golf ball and an inner surface defining an inner volume;

a cylindrical hub having a longitudinal axis, said cylindrical hub protruding from said inner surface adjacent said ball striking zone, wherein said longitudinal axis is not perpendicular to said outer face;

a plurality of interconnected spokes extending radially from said hub, each said spoke being formed integral to said hollow shell adjacent said ball striking zone; and

,

a rear portion affixed to said hollow shell to completely enclose said inner volume.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the length of said hub along said longitudinal axis is greater than the height of said plurality of spokes.

3. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein said body is made from a composite resin.

4. A golf club head according to claim 3, wherein said golf club head is molded from said nylon polymer.

5. A golf club head according to claim 4, wherein said nylon polymer is Zytel 80G33L NC010 DAM.

6. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein said golf club head further includes a hosel.

7. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein said shell and said rear portion are shaped to reduce aerodynamic drag.

8. A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said rear portion is joined to said front portion along a joining line.

9. A golf club head according to claim 8 wherein said joining line is visible and acts as an alignment aid for aligning said golf club head with said golf ball.

10. A golf club head according to claim 9, wherein said alignment said is substantially parallel to said outer face.

11. A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said rear portion is joined to said front portion by linear vibration welding.

12. A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said web comprises a hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially from said hub along said inner face.

13. A golf club head according to claim 7 wherein said front portion and said rear portion are made from a composite resin.

14. A golf club head according to claim 13 wherein said golf club head is molded from said nylon polymer.

15. A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said nylon polymer is Zytel 80G33L NC010 DAM.

16. A golf club head according to claim 7, wherein said golf club head further includes a hosel.