Method and apparatus for forming a face structure for a golf club head

• US 7,645,201 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2009
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Erickson, Matthew T., Nigro, Anthony V., Kosmatka, John B., Ehlers, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US12/416,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20090181793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473290-291
• US Class Current: 473/329
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• 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 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/10 Prepolymer processes involving reaction of isocyanates or isothiocyanates with compounds having active hydrogen in a first reaction step
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/3206 aliphatic
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 75/04 Polyurethanes

Abstract

A golf club head having a multiple material face is disclosed herein. The golf club head has a coefficient of restitution value greater than 0.83 and a characteristic time value of less than 257 milliseconds. The golf club head is preferably composed of a titanium alloy with a polymer layer disposed over a titanium alloy front wall. A preferred polymer is a polyurethane polymer.

Claims

1. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a body comprising a crown, a sole and a front wall, the body having a hollow interior, the body composed of a titanium alloy material, the body having a volume ranging from 300 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters;

wherein a face of the golf club head has an aspect ratio ranging from 0.575 to 0.8;

wherein the golf club head has a mass ranging from 185 grams to 215 grams;

wherein the golf club head has a width extending from a toe end to a heel end ranging from 4.0 inches to 5.0 inches

wherein the golf club head has a coefficient of restitution value ranging from 0.835 to 0.855, and a characteristic time value of less than 257 milliseconds under the standard USGA Pendulum Test.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the front wall comprises a polymer layer disposed on an exterior surface of a metal face wall, the polymer layer comprising a polymer material with an integrated reinforcement structure, the polymer layer having a thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.250 inch.

3. The golf club head according to claim 2 wherein the integrated reinforcement structure is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aramid fiber, fiberglass, carbon and polyurethane.

4. The golf club head according to claim 2 wherein the polymer material of the polymer layer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane, polyether block copolymer, ionomer, nylon, polyamide and polypropylene.

5. The golf club head according to claim 2 wherein the polymer layer has a thickness ranging from 0.080 inch to 0.120 inch.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1 wherein the golf club head has a moment of inertia, Izz, about the Z axis though the center of gravity of the golf club head that ranges from 2700 g-cm² to 4000 g-cm².