Golf club head

• US 7,140,977 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atkins Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Atkins Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Atkins, Clyde D. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Eugene
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNTER, ALVIN A
• Application Number:
  US10/859,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20050272523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350
• US Class Current: 473/346
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• 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 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

A golf club head comprises a front striking plate that in turn comprises a front striking surface, a rear surface, and a first boss generally centrally located on and attached to the rear surface. A rear body section is fixedly coupled to the front striking plate. A longitudinal member is adjustably coupled to the rear body section and has a first end configured for pivotal movement in engagement with the first boss. The longitudinal member applies a force of compression onto the rear surface of the striking plate.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a front striking plate comprising;

a front striking surface;

a rear surface;

a boss generally centrally and rigidly coupled to said rear surface; and

a substantially spherically curved recess substantially centrally located in said boss;

a rear body section fixedly coupled to said front striking plate; and

a jackscrew adjustably coupled to said rear body section and comprising;

a substantially spherically curved first end configured to mate with and engage said recess so as to allow pivotal movement of said striking plate with respect to said first end; and

a second end configured to apply an outward force to said rear surface.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said jackscrew is threadably adjustable within said rear body section.

3. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said second end is accessible from an exterior of said rear body section.

4. A golf club head according to claim 1 further comprising an internally threaded tube fixedly coupled to an interior of said rear body section.

5. A golf club head according to claim 4 wherein said jackscrew is an externally threaded jackscrew configured to threadably engage said internally threaded tube.

6. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said jackscrew comprises:

a threaded portion; and

a stem configured to pivotally engage said boss.

7. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein:

said boss has a substantially centrally located recess; and

said tip of said stem is convex and configured to mate with said recess.

8. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said boss is integrally formed with said striking plate.

9. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said boss is substantially circular.

10. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said rear surface is substantially flat proximate said boss.

11. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said boss increases in thickness radially inward from a periphery of said boss.

16. A golf club head according to claim 1 wherein said second end is coupled to said rear body section.

12. A golf club, comprising:

a front striking plate comprising;

a front striking surface;

a rear surface; and

a boss generally centrally and rigidly coupled to said rear surface; and

a substantially spherically curved recess substantially centrally located in said boss;

a rear body section fixedly coupled to said front striking plate;

a jackscrew adjustably coupled to said rear body section and comprising;

a substantially spherically curved first end configured to mate with and engage said recess so as to allow pivotal movement of said striking plate in about said first end; and

a second end configured to apply an outward force to said rear surface; and

a gripping shaft fixedly coupled to said rear body section.

13. A golf club according to claim 12 wherein:

said golf club further comprises an internally threaded tube fixedly coupled to an interior of said rear body section; and

said jackscrew comprises an externally threaded screw member configured to threadably engage said internally threaded tube, said screw member being accessible from an exterior of said rear body section.

14. A golf club according to claim 12 wherein said boss is integrally formed with said striking plate.

15. A golf club according to claim 12 wherein said boss increases in thickness inward from a periphery of said boss toward a periphery of said recess.

17. A golf club head, comprising:

a front striking plate comprising;

a front striking surface;

a rear surface;

a first boss generally centrally and rigidly coupled to said rear surface; and

a curved second boss substantially centrally located on said first boss;

a rear body section fixedly coupled to said front striking plate; and

a jackscrew adjustably coupled to said rear body section and comprising;

a curved first end configured to mate with and engage said second boss so as to allow pivotal movement of said striking plate with respect to said first end; and

a second end configured to apply an outward force to said rear surface.

18. A golf club head according to claim 17 wherein:

said second boss is convex; and

said first end is concave.

19. A golf club head according to claim 17 wherein:

said second boss has a substantially spherical curvature; and

said first end has a substantially spherical curvature complimentary to said second boss.