Wrapping element for a golf club

• US 7,896,753 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Perry, Mark J., Boyd, Robert, Stites, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter; Alvin A
• Application Number:
  US12/262,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20100113176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350
• US Class Current: 473/226
• 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 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a removable wrapping element proximal to the ball striking face.

Claims

1. A wood-type golf club head, comprising:

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body having a rear portion opposite the ball striking face, a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe end portion, and a heel end portion and including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent the ball striking face wherein the perimeter adjacent the ball striking face extends around the crown portion, the sole portion, the toe end portion, and the heel end portion; and

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the golf club head body, and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending around a rear portion of the club head body.

2. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion in at least two locations.

3. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second portion engages a corresponding groove in the golf club head body.

4. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body further comprises a hosel;

wherein a portion of the wrapping element extends around the hosel.

5. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the portion extending around the hosel comprises a sleeve.

6. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element comprises a flexible material comprising a fabric, a polymeric material, an elastic material, a stretchable material, or combinations thereof.

7. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the first portion of the wrapping element is weighted.

8. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the second portion of the wrapping element is weighted.

9. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is a continuous strap and is placed on the club head body by stretching the strap.

10. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is a discontinuous strap having two ends and is placed on the club head body by attaching the two ends together.

11. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the two ends are attached using a hook and loop fastener.

12. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head is made from a material selected from the group consisting of:

a polymeric material, a composite material, a fiber-reinforced composite material, and a light-weight metal material.

13. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body; and

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the club head body, wherein the club head body further comprises at least one weight receptacle, wherein the wrapping element covers the receptacle to hold a weight insert in place.

14. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 13, wherein a gasket is located in the receptacle.

15. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 13, wherein at least one weight insert is supported in at least one receptacle.

16. A wood-type golf club, comprising:

a club head comprising;

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body having a rear portion opposite the ball striking face, a crown portion, a sole portion, a toe end portion, and a heel end portion and including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent the ball striking face wherein the perimeter adjacent the ball striking face extends around the crown portion, the sole portion, the toe end portion, and the heel end portion;

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the golf club head body, and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending around a rear portion of the club head body; and

a shaft member engaged with the club head.

17. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein a grip member is engaged with the shaft member.

18. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion in at least two locations.

19. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the second portion corresponds to a second groove in the club head body.

20. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the club head body further comprises a hosel;

wherein a portion of the wrapping element extends around the hosel.

21. A wood-type golf club according to claim 20, wherein the portion for extending around the hosel comprises a sleeve.

22. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the wrapping element comprises a flexible material comprising a fabric, a polymeric material, an elastic material, a stretchable material, or combinations thereof.

23. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein at least part of the first portion is weighted.

24. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein at least part of the second portion is weighted.

25. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the first portion is a continuous strap and is placed on the club head body by stretching the strap.

26. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the first portion is a discontinuous strap having two ends and is placed on the club head body by attaching the two ends together.

27. A wood-type golf club according to claim 26, wherein the two ends are attached using a hook and loop.

28. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the head is made from a material selected from the group consisting of:

a polymeric material, a composite material, a fiber-reinforced composite material, a light-weight metal material.

29. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the club head body is metal.

30. A wood-type golf club comprising a club head comprising:

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body; and

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the golf club head body, wherein the golf club head further comprises at least one weight receptacle, wherein the wrapping element covers the receptacle to hold a weight insert in place.

31. A wood-type golf club according to claim 30, wherein a gasket is located in the receptacle.

32. A wood-type golf club according to claim 30, wherein at least one weight insert is supported in at least one receptacle.