Multi-metal golf clubs

• US 8,616,997 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2010
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Inventors: Roach, Ryan L., Morris, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US12/902,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20110118057A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292
• US Class Current: 473/328
• 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 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• 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 53/0425 the face insert comprising two or more different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0475 with one or more enclosed cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• 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: C25D 11/022 Anodisation on selected surface areas
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/04 of aluminium or alloys based thereon
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/14 Producing integrally coloured layers
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/243 using organic dyestuffs
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 11/26 : of refractory metals or alloys based thereon
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 5/022 : using masking means
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 9/06 : by anodic processes

Abstract

A composite material golf club head is provided having a body made from a first metal and a face insert press fitted to a portion of the body and made from a second metal The metals are chosen so that the first metal is heavier than the second metal. The second metal is disposed towards the front and top of the body, and is preferably hard-anodized. In addition, an interlocking structure, for example rectangular or dove tail shaped channels, is provided in the body so that the face insert becomes embedded in the interlocking structure to anchor the face insert to the body. Portions of the golf club head, such as the face insert or sole plate, are anodized to protect against corrosion. The anodized coating is colored to improve aesthetic characteristics or infused with a polymer to increase or reduce friction.

Disclosed herein is a golf club head having a body portion and a face insert. The front of the body portion further comprises a cutout sized and dimensioned to receive the face insert. The body portion is preferably made from a high-strength metal such as stainless steel, titanium or titanium alloy. The face insert is preferably comprised of a metal having a lower density than that of the body portion. The face insert comprises an aluminum metal matrix composite (MMC) containing an amount of scandium and zirconium. The golf club head may also include a top line insert made of a lightweight material and at least one heavy weight member disposed to the back of the club head.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body portion;

a face insert attached to the front of the body portion by a resin, the face insert comprising;

an aluminum metal matrix composite,

an anodized surface, wherein the anodized surface of the face insert is sealed with a high-friction polymer material for increased spin, and

a perimeter area, wherein the body portion further comprises a ledge configured to receive the face insert; and

a hard-anodized sole plate comprising a coating impregnated with a low-friction polymer material to minimize friction when the sole plate makes contact with the ground.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the anodized surface is colored.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the colored portion of the anodized surface of the face insert indicates a hitting area.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the anodized surface comprises a hard-anodic coating.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the low-friction polymer material comprises a fluorinated polymer.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the low-friction polymer material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the resin only contacts a back surface of the face insert.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the resin only contacts a peripheral edge of the face insert.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the high-friction polymer material comprises an epoxy-based resin.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the high-friction polymer material comprises one selected from the list consisting of polyurethane and polyurea.

11. A golf club head comprising:

a body portion;

a face insert attached to the front of the body portion, the face insert comprising an aluminum metal matrix composite and an anodized surface, wherein the anodized surface of the face insert is sealed with a high-friction polymer material for increased spin; and

a hard-anodized sole plate comprising a low-friction coating impregnated with a low-friction polymer material to minimize friction when the sole portion makes contact with the ground.

12. The golf club head of claim 11 further comprising a high density weight member positioned behind or below a center of gravity of the golf club head, wherein the high density weight member comprises a material having a density greater than a density of the body portion.

13. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the low-friction polymer material comprises a fluorinated polymer.

14. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the low-friction polymer material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

15. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the high-friction polymer material comprises an epoxy-based resin.

16. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the high-friction polymer material comprises polyurethane.

17. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the high-friction polymer material comprises polyurea.