Sound enhance composite golf club head

• US 6,592,466 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Galloway, J. Andrew, Evans, D. Clayton, Reyes, Herbert, Murphy, James M., Helmstetter, Richard C., Jacobson, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US10/064,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183136A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 473/224, 473/219, 473/335, 473/336, 473/345, 473/346, 473/347, 473/348, 473/349, 473/305, 473/311, 473/327
• US Class Current: 473/224
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/342 using isostatic pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/865 completely encapsulated
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/5227 Clubs

Abstract

A golf club having a club head composed of a composite material and having an enhanced sound during impact with a golf ball. The golf club head also has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.8 under test conditions such as the USGA test conditions specified pursuant to Rule 4—1e, Appendix II, of the Rules of Golf for 1998-1999. The golf club head body has a weight strip placed within a ribbon of the body. The sound of the composite golf club head during impact with a golf ball is approximately equivalent to that of a metal wood during impact with a golf ball. The composite golf club head of the present invention has a combined sound level greater than one hundred seventeen decibels during impact with a golf ball.

Claims

1. A composite golf club head comprising:

a face component composed of a plurality of pre-preg plies having fibers, the plurality of pre-preg plies ranging from 20 to 70 plies, the face component having a striking plate portion and a return portion, the striking plate portion having a thickness in the range of 0.010 inch to 0.250 inch, and the return portion tapering in thickness rearward from a perimeter of the striking plate portion;

a crown composed of a plurality of pre-preg plies ranging from 3 to 20 plies, the crown attached to the face component;

a sole composed of a plurality of pre-preg plies ranging from 3 to 20 plies, the sole having a ribbon portion and a bottom portion the bottom portion of the sole attached to the return portion of the face component and the ribbon portion of the sole attached to the crown;

a weighting member disposed within the plies of pre-preg of the ribbon portion of the sole; and

a sole plate attached to the external surface of the bottom portion of the sole, the sole plate composed of a metal material;

wherein the golf club head has a combined sound level greater than one hundred seventeen decibels during impact with a golf ball at approximately 120 miles per hour to approximately 128 miles per hour, when measured from a distance of sixty-four inches from the impact point.

2. A composite golf chub head comprising:

a body composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg, the body having a hollow interior defined by a striking plate, a crown, a sole, and a ribbon, all of which are composed of plies of pre-preg material, the body having a volume of 275 cubic centimeters to 450 cubic centimeters, the body weighing under 120 grams;

a weight member disposed within the plies of pre-preg of the ribbon, the weight member weighing from 35 grams to 75 grams;

a sole plate attached to an external surface of the sole of the body, the sole plate composed of a metal material and weighing from 5 grams to 20 grams; and

an internal tube disposed within the hollow interior of the body, the internal tube composed of a metal material;

wherein the golf club head has a combined sound level greater than one hundred seventeen decibels after 0.0025 seconds from initial impact with a golf ball at approximately 120 miles per hour to approximately 128 miles per hour, when measured from a distance of sixty-four inches from the impact point.