Golf club head having a striking face with improved impact efficiency

• US 6,669,579 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Inventors: Kosmatka, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US10/065,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/332, 473/349, 473/350, 473/329, 473/342, 473/345, 473/346, 473/290, 473/291
• US Class Current: 473/342
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• 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 53/0466 wood-type
• 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

A compliant golf club head permits a more efficient impact between a golf ball and the golf club head. Material and geometry constraints of a striking plate of the golf club head can reduce energy losses caused by large strain and strain rate values of the golf ball, these constraints on the striking plate yield a measure of the impact efficiency of the golf club head. Designating a required natural frequency range of the striking plate provides improved impact efficiency between the golf ball the golf club head.

Claims

1. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a body having a top region, a bottom region, a rear region and an open front;

a striking plate disposed in the open front of the body, the striking plate composed of a titanium alloy material and having a thickness less than 0.200 inch and greater than 0.070 inch, the striking plate having a natural frequency of less than 4500 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

2. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the natural frequency is less than 3300 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

3. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the natural frequency is less than 3300 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

4. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the natural frequency is less than 3300 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

5. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a body having a top region, a bottom region, a rear region and an open front;

a striking plate disposed in the open front of the body, the striking plate composed of a titanium alloy material and having a thickness less than 0.140 inch, the striking plate having a natural frequency of less than 8500 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

6. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a body having a striking plate, the striking plate composed of a titanium alloy material and having a thickness less than 0.200 inch and greater than 0.070 inch, the striking plate having a natural frequency of less than 4000 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.

7. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a body having a top region, a bottom region, a rear region and an open front, the body composed of a non-metallic material;

a striking plate disposed in the open front of the body, the striking plate composed of a titanium alloy material and having a thickness less than 0.140 inch, the striking plate having a natural frequency of less than 8500 Hz and greater than 2800 Hz.