Wood-type golf clubs with tubing and weights

• US 8,475,292 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Rahrig, Donald S., Boyd, Robert, Thomas, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US12/774,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20110275446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 473287-292, 473300-350, 473/409
• US Class Current: 473/324
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a hosel to receive a golf club shaft; (b) a club head; and (c) a ball striking face. The club head include may include: a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes, and an exterior cover structure (e.g., an exterior skin) that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the exterior cover structure defines the shape of the club head. Additionally, the ball striking face may be engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and/or at least two of the tubes. The plurality of weights may include a first weight, a second weight, a third weight, and a fourth weight that are all engaged with the striking face.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a hosel adapted to receive a golf club shaft;

a club head including;

a plurality of weights,

a plurality of tubes that connect the plurality of weights, and

an exterior skin that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes wherein the exterior skin defines the shape of the club head that includes a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a front, and a rear,

wherein the plurality of weights includes;

a first weight located at the front, the sole, and the toe,

a second weight located at the front, the crown, and the toe,

a third weight located at the front, the sole, and the heel, and

a fourth weight located at the front, the crown, and the heel, and

wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the second weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the third weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the fourth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the fourth weight; and

a ball striking face engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and at least two of the tubes, wherein the ball striking face extends from the toe to the heel.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight engage the striking face.

3. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are engaged with the striking face.

4. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are not engaged with the striking face.

5. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights includes:

a fifth weight located at the sole, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a sixth weight located at the crown, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a seventh and an eighth weights located at the sole, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a ninth and tenth weights located at the crown, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

an eleventh weight located at the sole, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a twelfth weight located at the crown, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear, and

a thirteenth weight located at the rear, midway between the sole and the crown, and midway between the toe and the heel.

6. A golf club head according to claim 5, wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the fifth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the seventh weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eighth weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the ninth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the tenth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the thirteenth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the twelfth weight and the thirteenth weight.

7. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the hosel is constructed at least in part from a titanium, an aluminum, or a stainless steel containing material.

8. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the hosel includes a pivotal portion to adjust a loft angle and a lie angle of the striking face.

9. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weights are made of steel.

10. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the tubes are composite tubes.

11. A golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the composite tubes are made of composite materials selected from the group of:

fiber, carbon fiber composite materials, basalt fiber composite materials, or fiberglass materials.

12. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weights have a mass between approximately 1 and 15 grams.

13. A golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the ball striking face has a variable face thickness.

14. A golf club head according to claim 13, wherein a central area of the ball striking face is thicker than a perimeter area of the ball striking face.

15. A golf club head according to claim 13, wherein the ball striking face has a central area having a first thickness, a perimeter area having a second thickness, and at least one transition region at least partially transitioning from the first thickness to the second thickness.

16. A wood-type golf club comprising:

a hosel adapted to receive a golf club shaft;

a club head including;

a plurality of weights,

a plurality of tubes that connect the plurality of weights, and

an exterior skin that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes wherein the exterior skin defines the shape of the club head that includes a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a front, and a rear,

wherein the plurality of weights includes;

a first weight located at the front, the sole, and the toe,

a second weight located at the front, the crown, and the toe,

a third weight located at the front, the sole, and the heel, and

a fourth weight located at the front, the crown, and the heel, and

wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the second weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the third weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the fourth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the fourth weight; and

a ball striking face engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and at least two of the tubes, wherein the ball striking face extends from the toe to the heel,

wherein the golf club shaft is engaged with the club head at the hosel.

17. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight engage the striking face.

18. A wood-type golf club according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of weights includes:

a fifth weight located at the sole, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a sixth weight located at the crown, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a seventh and an eighth weights located at the sole, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a ninth and tenth weights located at the crown, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

an eleventh weight located at the sole, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a twelfth weight located at the crown, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear, and

a thirteenth weight located at the rear, midway between the sole and the crown, and midway between the toe and the heel.

19. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the fifth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the seventh weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eighth weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the ninth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the tenth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the thirteenth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the twelfth weight and the thirteenth weight.

20. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are engaged with the striking face.

21. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the at least one of the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are not engaged with the striking face.

22. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein the hosel includes a pivotal portion to adjust the loft angle and the lie angle of the striking face.

23. A wood-type golf club according to claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of weights have a mass between approximately 1 and 15 grams.

24. A method of making a wood-type golf club, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a club head, wherein the club head includes;

a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes that connect the plurality of weights, and an exterior skin that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes wherein the exterior skin defines the shape of the club head that includes a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a front, and a rear, wherein the plurality of weights includes;

a first weight located at the front, the sole, and the toe,

a second weight located at the front, the crown, and the toe,

a third weight located at the front, the sole, and the heel, and

a fourth weight located at the front, the crown, and the heel, and further wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the second weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the third weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the fourth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the fourth weight;

(b) providing a ball striking face engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and at least two of the tubes, wherein the ball striking face extends from the toe to the heel;

(c) engaging a golf club shaft with the club head, wherein the golf club shaft is adapted to be received in a hosel of the club head; and

(d) engaging a grip member with the shaft.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight engage the striking face.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are engaged with the striking face.

27. A method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one of the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are not engaged with the striking face.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein the hosel includes a pivotal portion to adjust the loft angle and the lie angle of the striking face.

29. A method of assembling a wood-type golf club, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) engaging a plurality of weights with a plurality of tubes by inserting an end of the tube into a tube receiving port of the weights, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of weights includes two tube receiving ports;

(b) connecting a ball striking face with at least two of the plurality of weights and at least two of the plurality of tubes;

(c) covering at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes with an exterior skin wherein the exterior skin defines the shape of a club head that includes a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a front, and a rear;

(d) engaging a golf club shaft with the club head, wherein the golf club shaft is adapted to be received in a hosel of the club head; and

(e) engaging a grip member with the shaft.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the plurality of weights includes:

a first weight located at the front, the sole, and the toe,

a second weight located at the front, the crown, and the toe,

a third weight located at the front, the sole, and the heel, and

a fourth weight located at the front, the crown, and the heel.

31. A method according to claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of weights includes three tube receiving ports.

32. A method according to claim 29, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of weights includes four tube receiving ports.

33. A method according to claim 29, wherein the hosel includes a pivotal portion to adjust the loft angle and the lie angle of the striking face.

34. A wood-type golf club comprising:

a hosel adapted to receive a golf club shaft;

a club head including;

a plurality of weights,

a plurality of tubes that connect the plurality of weights, and

an exterior skin that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes wherein the exterior skin defines the shape of the club head that includes a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a front, and a rear,

wherein the plurality of weights includes;

a first weight located at the front, the sole, and the toe,

a second weight located at the front, the crown, and the toe,

a third weight located at the front, the sole, and the heel, and

a fourth weight located at the front, the crown, and the heel,

a fifth weight located at the sole, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a sixth weight located at the crown, the toe, and midway between the front and the rear;

a seventh and an eighth weights located at the sole, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a ninth and tenth weights located at the crown, midway between the toe and the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

an eleventh weight located at the sole, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear,

a twelfth weight located at the crown, the heel, and midway between the front and the rear, and

a thirteenth weight located at the rear, midway between the sole and the crown, and midway between the toe and the heel; and

a ball striking face engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and at least two of the tubes, wherein the ball striking face extends from the toe to the heel,

wherein the golf club shaft is engaged with the club head at the hosel, and further wherein the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight engage the striking face.

35. A wood-type golf club according to claim 34, wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the second weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the third weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the fourth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the fourth weight.

36. A wood-type golf club according to claim 35, wherein the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are engaged with the striking face.

37. A wood-type golf club according to claim 35, wherein the at least one of the tubes that connect the first weight, the second weight, the third weight, and the fourth weight are not engaged with the striking face.

38. A wood-type golf club according to claim 34, wherein one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the fifth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the first weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the second weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the third weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fourth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the seventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the sixth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the fifth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the ninth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the sixth weight and the thirteenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the seventh weight and the eighth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eighth weight and the eleventh weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the ninth weight and the tenth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the tenth weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the twelfth weight, one of the plurality of tubes connects the eleventh weight and the thirteenth weight, and one of the plurality of tubes connects the twelfth weight and the thirteenth weight.

39. A wood-type golf club according to claim 34, wherein the hosel includes a pivotal portion to adjust the loft angle and the lie angle of the striking face.

40. A wood-type golf club according to claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of weights have a mass between approximately 1 and 15 grams.