Iron-type golf clubs

• US 8,317,635 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Peter J., Pettibone, Bruce R., Burnett, Michael Scott, Kays, Christopher R., Diaz, Tomas
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US13/069,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 473334-339, 473349-350, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/335
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• 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 53/0445 Details of grooves or the like on the impact surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0475 with one or more enclosed cavities
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating

Abstract

A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a golf club head comprising the steps of:

(i) providing the golf club head, wherein the golf club head comprises a hitting face that is spaced from a lower flange to define a channel;

(ii) providing a plurality of mass control inserts;

(iii) testing the golf club head with each of at least two of the plurality of mass control inserts secured temporarily to the golf club head by at least partially inserting the mass control insert into the channel; and

(iv) securing a preferred one of the plurality of mass control inserts to the golf club head;

wherein at least one of the plurality of mass control inserts includes a first insert and a second insert, wherein the second insert is disposed within the first insert and is sandwiched between the first insert and the hitting face, and

wherein the second insert is constructed from a material having a higher density than the material of the first insert.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mass control inserts includes a plurality of mass control inserts constructed of materials having different densities.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the second insert to the first insert.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) comprises testing a demonstration set of golf clubs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (iii) comprises the steps of

(iii) securing temporarily one of the plurality of mass control inserts to the golf club head, and

(iv) removing the temporarily secured mass control insert to test another of the plurality of mass control insert to the golf club head.

6. A method of customizing a golf club head comprising the steps of:

(i) providing the golf club head, wherein the golf club head comprises a hitting face that is spaced from a lower flange to define a channel;

(ii) providing at least two mass control inserts having different weights;

(iii) testing the golf club head with each of the at least two mass control inserts secured temporarily to the golf club head by at least partially inserting the mass control insert into the channel;

(v) selecting a preferred mass control insert, and

(v) securing the preferred mass control insert to the golf club head,

wherein at least one of the plurality of mass control inserts includes a first insert and a second insert, wherein the second insert is disposed within the first insert and is sandwiched between the first insert and the hitting face, and

wherein the second insert is constructed from a material having a higher density than the material of the first insert.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least two mass control inserts includes mass control inserts constructed of materials having different densities.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein securing one of the plurality of mass control inserts includes adhesively securing the mass control insert.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising securing the second insert to the first insert.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein step (iii) comprises testing a demonstration set of golf clubs.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein step (iii) comprises the steps of

(iii) securing temporarily one of the plurality of mass control inserts to the golf club head, and

(iv) removing the temporarily secured mass control insert to test another of the plurality of mass control insert to the golf club head.