Metal wood

• US 6,669,576 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Rice, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US10/164,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20030228933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/325, 473/326, 473/342, 473/349, 473/350, 473/305, 473/345
• US Class Current: 473/305
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• 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 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• 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 having a stamped metal cup-shaped front section welded to a cast body. Crown/face and sole/face transition seams included within the front section at a distance away from the welding site. The front section including a wing element extending around and below the hosel. The front section formed from a single sheet metal plate.

A split hosel comprising upper and lower hosel elements, both integrally cast within the body of the club head for reduction of weight in the hosel area. The lower hosel element including a boss member for receiving the bottom of a shaft. The boss member being variably disposed at a pre-determined position to provide both a pre-selected club lie and a club face angle. The body having a universal casting with only the welding of the boss into the lower hosel element being varied.

The toe portion of the cast body forming a section of the front face surface thereby removing welding away from the aesthetically critical toe portion and easing buffing and polishing procedures in the toe portion in addition to providing structural integrity to the club head.

Claims

1. A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft comprising:

a substantially hollow body and a generally cup-shaped front section;

the body comprising a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a skirt portion connecting the heel portion to the toe portion, an upper hosel element, and an opening for accepting the front section; and

the generally cup-shaped front section comprising at least a substantial portion of a front face, and a wing element extending outwardly therefrom into the skirt portion below and beyond the upper hosel element.

2. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the upper hosel element extends at least about 0.25 inch from the crown portion.

3. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the upper hosel element extends greater than about 0.5 inch from the crown portion.

4. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the wing element has a width greater than about 20 mm.

5. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped front section is formed from a single sheet metal plate.

6. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the body is cast titanium.

7. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped front section includes an impact face made of a beta-titanium material.

8. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the impact face is an alpha-beta titanium material.

9. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the front section comprises upper and lower lateral extensions.

10. The club head according to claim 1, wherein the toe portion of the body includes a section of the front face.

11. A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft comprising:

a substantially hollow body and a generally cup-shaped front section to define a cavity therein;

the body formed from one or more pieces to form a crown portion, a sole portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, a skirt portion connecting the heel portion to the toe portion, an opening for accepting the front section, and an upper hosel element; and

the generally cup-shaped front section comprising an upper lateral extension engaging the crown portion, the upper lateral extension having a first distance as measured from a crown/face transition seam to an outer edge of the upper lateral extension, a lower lateral extension engaging the sole portion, the lower lateral extension having a second distance as measured from a sole/face transition seam at a second distance away from an outer edge of the lower lateral extension, and a wing element extending into and engaging the skirt portion below the upper hosel element.

12. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the wing element has a width greater than about 20 mm.

13. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the first and second distances are about 0.15 inch to 1.10 inch.

14. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the first and second distances are at least about 0.20 to 0.24 inch.

15. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the front section includes a stamped metal impact face.

16. The club head according to claim 15, wherein the impact face is beta-titanium material.

17. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the front section is formed from a single sheet metal plate.

18. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the upper hosel element extends at least about 0.25 inch from the crown section.

19. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the upper hosel element extends greater than about 0.50 inch from the crown section.

20. The club head according to claim 11, wherein the toe portion of the body includes a section of the front face,

whereby welding is performed a distance away from the toe portion, thereby increasing stability of the cast body during manufacture and insuring minimal deformation of the aesthetically critical toe portion.