Golf club head

• US 7,261,646 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Burnett, Michael Scott, Vincent, Benoit, Hoffman, Joseph, Willett, Kraig, De Shiell, Drew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US11/186,022
• Publication Number:
  US 20050255939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473290-291
• US Class Current: 473/345
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/07 Glass fiber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49968 Metal fusion joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49988 Metal casting

Abstract

The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.

Claims

1. A wood type golf club head, comprising:

a body having a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and seperating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion, the side portion extending rearward of the front opening and having toe, rear and heel regions, wherein the body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc;

a striking plate attached to the body, enclosing the front opening; and

a crown attached to the body enclosing the upper opening, wherein the crown is comprised of a non-metallic material;

wherein the golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.

2. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the body is integrally formed.

3. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the striking plate is comprised of a metallic material.

4. A golf club head as defined in claim 3, futher comprising a composite face-reinforcing member coupled to a rear surface of the striking plate.

5. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a support surrounding the upper opening for attaching the crown to the body.

6. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the body, the striking plate and the crown are formed of different materials.

7. A golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the body and the striking plate are formed of different alloys of the same metal.

8. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the striking plate and the crown is comprised of a composite material.

9. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of a graphite-epoxy composite having a density ranging between 1.4 and 1.65 g/cc.

10. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of a nylon material having a density ranging between 1 g/cc and 1.7 g/cc.

11. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of a polyphenylene sulfide material having a density ranging between 1.3 g/cc and 2 g/cc.

12. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the volume is at least 350 cc.

13. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost fabric ply and at least one layer of four plies of uni-tape standard modulus composite, and wherein the four plies of uni-tape are oriented at 0°

, +45°

, −

45° and

90°

.

14. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost ply of uni-tape standard modulus composite oriented at 0°

or 90° and

wherein the top section of the body and the uppermost ply of uni-tape are painted.

15. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost ply of woven graphite cloth oriented at 0°

or 90°

.

16. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown has a maximum thickness of about 2 mm.

17. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown has a maximum thickness of about 1.5 mm.

18. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown has a thickness of about 1 mm.

19. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of a material having a density ranging between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc.

20. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the crown is comprised of a graphite-epoxy composite having a 50% to 70% fiber volume ratio.

21. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper opening comprises at least 25% of a total area of the top portion.

22. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper opening comprises at least 60% of a total area of the top portion.

23. A golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper opening comprises at least 75% of a total area of the top portion.