COR adjustment device

• US 7,247,104 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Poynor, Raymond L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US10/992,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20060111199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 473/329, 473/346, 473/244
• US Class Current: 473/329
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/08 with special arrangements for obtaining a variable impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

A golf club head with a variable coefficient of restitution is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a bias member that contacts and exerts a force against the interior surface of the face. The force exerted against the interior of the face lessens the face flexibility, and decreases the club head coefficient of restitution. The bias member can be adjusted from outside the club head, allowing the manufacturer to precisely adjust the club head coefficient of restitution.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a body including a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt, said face and said sole defining a loft angle, said body defining an interior, said face including a face interior surface, and said sole including a sole interior surface; and

a bias member coupled to said sole interior surface and in contact with said face interior surface at a contact location, said bias member exerting a force against said face interior surface, said bias member including an engagement member in contact with said face interior surface at said contact location and an adjustment member operatively coupled to said engagement member;

wherein;

the club head has a coefficient of restitution determined in part by said force;

said bias member is adjustable to exert a variable force against said face interior surface, thereby varying said club head coefficient of restitution;

said engagement member contains an internal, threaded orifice;

said adjustment member includes an outer surface at least a portion of which is threaded for operative engagement with said threaded orifice; and

said engagement member is constrained against rotational movement such that rotation of said adjustment member causes a vertical displacement of said engagement member, changing said contact location.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a retaining wall coupled to and extending away from said sole interior surface, said retaining wall positioned to engage said engagement member generally opposite said contact location.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said retaining wall is configured to constrain said engagement member against rotational movement.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said adjustment member is captured such that it is constrained against vertical movement.

5. A golf club head, comprising:

a body including a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt, said face and said sole defining a loft angle, said body defining an interior, said face including a face interior surface, and said sole including a sole interior surface; and

a bias member coupled to said sole interior surface and in contact with said face interior surface at a contact location, said bias member exerting a force against said face interior surface, said bias member including an engagement member in contact with said face interior surface at said contact location and an adjustment member operatively coupled to said engagement member;

wherein;

the club head has a coefficient of restitution determined in part by said force;

said bias member is adjustable to exert a variable force against said face interior surface, thereby varying said club head coefficient of restitution; and

said engagement member is constrained against vertical movement such that rotation of said adjustment member causes a rotational displacement of said engagement member.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein said engagement member is a cam and rotation thereof varies said force.

7. The golf club head of claim 6, further comprising a retaining wall coupled to and extending away from said sole interior surface, said retaining wall positioned to engage said engagement member generally opposite said contact location.

8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein said retaining wall is configured to constrain said engagement member against vertical movement.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein said adjustment member is captured such that it is constrained against vertical movement.

10. A golf club head, comprising:

a body including a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt, said face and said sole defining a loft angle, said body defining an interior, said face including a face interior surface, and said sole including a sole interior surface;

a bias member coupled to said sole interior surface and in contact with said face interior surface at a contact location, said bias member exerting a force against said face interior surface, said bias member including an engagement member in contact with said face interior surface at said contact location and an adjustment member operatively coupled to said engagement member; and

a retaining wall;

wherein;

the club head has a coefficient of restitution determined in part by said force;

said bias member is adjustable to exert a variable force against said face interior surface, thereby varying said club head coefficient of restitution; and

said engagement member is rotatively coupled to said retaining wall.

11. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein said engagement member is curved and rotation thereof varies said force.

12. A golf club head, comprising:

a body including a face, a sole, a crown, and a skirt, said face and said sole defining a loft angle, said body defining an interior, said face including a face interior surface, and said sole including a sole interior surface; and

a bias member adjustably coupled to said sole interior surface and in contact with said face interior surface at a contact location, said bias member exerting a force against said face interior surface, said bias member including an engagement member in contact with said face interior surface at said contact location and an adjustment member operatively coupled to said engagement member;

wherein;

the club head has a coefficient of restitution determined in part by said force;

said bias member is adjustable to exert a variable force against said face interior surface, thereby varying said club head coefficient of restitution; and

said adjustment member is operatively accessible from outside the club head.

13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said adjustment member is captured such that it is constrained against vertical movement.