Club head sets with varying characteristics and related methods

• US 8,690,710 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2010
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Nicolette, Michael R., Schweigert, Bradley D., Jertson, Marty R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANCZAK, MATTHEW BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US12/791,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20100279795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 473340-342, 473334-335, 473/339, 473/349, D21748-749, D21/747
• US Class Current: 473/350
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

Embodiments of golf clubs head sets with varying characteristics are disclosed herein. Other examples and related methods are also generally described herein.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a head body comprising;

a front face; and

a back portion comprising;

heel region;

a toe region;

a center region between the heel and toe regions;

a back end extended between the heel and toe regions; and

a cavity comprising;

a cavity heel zone;

a cavity toe zone;

a cavity center zone between the cavity heel and toe zones;

a cavity inner section comprising a cavity inner wall located towards the front face;

a cavity outer section comprising a cavity outer wall located towards the back end;

a cavity heel end wall at a heel end of the cavity; and

a cavity toe end wall at a toe end of the cavity; and

an insert configured to be at least partially housed in the cavity and comprising;

an insert heel zone;

an insert toe zone; and

an insert center zone;

wherein;

the insert is in direct contact with the cavity inner wall when at least partially housed in the cavity;

the head body comprises a single piece having the front face and the back portion;

a density of the head body is greater than a density of the insert;

the cavity is wider at the cavity center zone, in a direction from the front face toward the back portion, than at the cavity heel and toe zones;

the cavity inner wall comprises;

a cavity inner wall centerpoint at the cavity center zone;

a cavity inner wall heel end at the cavity heel zone;

a cavity inner wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

a cavity heel-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall heel end; and

a cavity toe-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall toe end;

this cavity outer wall comprises;

a cavity outer wall heel end at the cavity heel zone; and

a cavity outer wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

a center face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to the cavity inner wall centerpoint;

a heel-side face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity heel-ward inner segment;

a toe-side face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face and to a midpoint of the cavity toe-ward inner segment;

the heel-side face-to-inner-cavity distance and the toe-side face-to-inner-cavity distance are greater than the center face-to-inner-cavity distance;

the insert comprises an insert inner wall complementary to the cavity inner wall;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall is substantially straight;

the cavity toe-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall is substantially straight;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment and the cavity toe-ward inner segment intersect at the cavity inner wall centerpoint;

a first angle from the cavity heel-ward inner segment to the cavity toe-ward inner segment is obtuse;

the cavity heel end wall separates the cavity inner wall heel end away from the cavity outer wall heel end; and

the cavity toe end wall separates the cavity inner wall toe end away from the cavity outer wall toe end.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

a distance from the back end to the cavity outer wall of the cavity outer section is greater at the cavity heel and toe zones than at the cavity center zone.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

a distribution of mass of the cavity inner section is centered closer towards the cavity center zone than the heel and toe regions.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the back portion comprises a back face opposite the front face and extended between the heel and toe regions;

the cavity is located between the back face and the back end such that the cavity inner wall heel end and the cavity inner wall toe end are closer to the back face than to the back end;

the first angle is greater than a second angle from the cavity heel-ward inner segment to the cavity heel end wall;

the first angle is greater than a third angle from the cavity toe-ward inner segment to the cavity toe end wall;

the second angle is greater than a fourth angle from the cavity heel end wall to the cavity outer wall; and

the third angle is greater than a fifth angle from the cavity toe end wall to the cavity outer wall.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the insert center zone is thicker than the insert heel and toe zones.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

a distribution of mass of the insert is concentrated at the insert center zone and diminishes towards the insert heel and toe zones.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the cavity inner section extends from the cavity and towards the front face;

the golf club head comprises a moment of inertia about the center region;

the moment of inertia comprises;

a first portion of the moment of inertia contributed by the cavity inner section at the cavity heel and toe zones; and

a second portion of the moment of inertia contributed by the insert at the insert heel and toe zones;

and

the first portion of the moment of inertia is greater than the second portion of the moment of inertia.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the insert is insertable into the cavity in a top-to-sole direction; and

the insert is interchangeable with a second insert.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the insert comprises a grip portion to aid during removal of the insert from the cavity; and

the grip portion is configured to remain external to the cavity when the insert is inserted into the cavity.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the insert comprises;

a specific gravity of at least approximately 1.2 g/cm³; and

a mass of approximately 10 grams;

and

the head body comprises a specific gravity of at least approximately 5.0 g/cm³.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

a face-to-inner-cavity separation, measured from the front face to the cavity inner wall;

increases throughout the cavity heel-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity heel zone; and

increases throughout the cavity toe-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity toe zone.

12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

the cavity outer wall comprises;

a cavity outer wall centerpoint at the cavity center zone;

a cavity heel-ward outer segment measured from the cavity outer wall centerpoint to the cavity outer wall heel end; and

a cavity toe-ward outer segment measured from the cavity outer wall centerpoint to the cavity outer wall toe end;

a center face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to the cavity outer wall centerpoint;

a heel-side face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity heel-ward outer segment;

a toe-side face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity toe-ward outer segment; and

the heel-side face-to-outer-cavity distance and the toe-side face-to-outer-cavity distance are substantially equal to the center face-to-outer-cavity distance.

13. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein:

a face-to-outer-cavity separation, measured from the front face to the cavity outer wall, is substantially constant throughout the cavity outer section.

14. A method comprising:

providing an insert for a golf club head; and

providing a head body of the golf club head;

wherein;

providing the head body comprises;

providing a front face; and

providing a back portion comprising;

a heel region;

a toe region;

a center region between the heel and toe regions;

a back end extended between the heel and toe regions; and

a cavity comprising;

 

a cavity heel zone;

 

a cavity toe zone;

 

cavity center zone between the cavity heel and toe zones;

 

a cavity inner section comprising a cavity inner wall located towards the front face;

 

a cavity outer section comprising a cavity outer wall located towards the back end;

 

a cavity heel end wall at a heel end of the cavity and angled relative to the cavity inner wall and the cavity outer wall; and

 

a cavity toe end wall at a toe end of the cavity and angled relative to the cavity inner wall and the cavity outer wall;

providing the insert comprises;

providing an insert heel zone;

providing an insert toe zone; and

providing an insert center zone;

the insert is in direct contact with the cavity inner wall when at least partially housed in the cavity;

the head body comprises a single piece having the front face and the back portion;

a density of the head body is greater than a density of the insert;

the cavity is wider at the cavity center zone, in a direction from the front face toward the back portion, than at the cavity heel and toe zones;

the cavity inner wall comprises;

a cavity inner wall centerpoint at the cavity center zone;

a cavity inner wall heel end at the cavity heel zone;

a cavity inner wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

a cavity heel-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall heel end; and

a cavity toe-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall toe end;

this cavity outer wall comprises;

a cavity outer wall heel end at the cavity heel zone; and

a cavity outer wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

a center face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to the cavity inner wall centerpoint;

a heel-side face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face and to a midpoint of the cavity heel-ward inner segment;

a toe-side face-to-inner-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity toe-ward inner segment;

the heel-side face-to-inner-cavity distance and the toe-side face-to-inner-cavity distance are greater than the center face-to-inner-cavity distance;

the insert comprises an insert inner wall complementary to the cavity inner wall;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall is substantially straight;

the cavity toe-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall is substantially straight;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment and the cavity toe-ward inner segment intersect at the cavity inner wall centerpoint;

a first angle from the cavity heel-ward inner segment to the cavity toe-ward inner segment is obtuse;

the cavity heel end wall separates the cavity inner wall heel end away from the cavity outer wall heel end; and

the cavity toe end wall separates the cavity inner wall toe end away from the cavity outer wall toe end.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

inserting the insert into the cavity of the head body of the golf club head such that the insert directly contacts the cavity inner wall.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein:

a face-to-inner-cavity separation, measured from the front face to the cavity inner wall;

increases throughout the cavity heel-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity heel zone; and

increases throughout the cavity toe-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity toe zone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the cavity outer wall comprises;

a cavity outer wall centerpoint at the cavity center zone;

a cavity heel-ward outer segment measured from the cavity outer wall centerpoint to the cavity outer wall heel end; and

a cavity toe-ward outer segment measured from the cavity outer wall centerpoint to the cavity outer wall toe end;

a center face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to the cavity outer wall centerpoint;

a heel-side face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity heel-ward outer segment;

a toe-side face-to-outer-cavity distance comprises a shortest path from the front face to a midpoint of the cavity toe-ward outer segment; and

the heel-side face-to-outer-cavity distance and the toe-side face-to-outer-cavity distance are substantially equal to the center face-to-outer-cavity distance.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein:

a face-to-outer-cavity separation, measured from the front face to the cavity outer wall, is substantially constant throughout the cavity outer section.

19. A golf club head comprising:

a head body comprising;

a front face;

a back face; and

a back portion comprising;

a heel region;

a toe region;

a center region between the heel and toe regions;

a back end extended between the heel and toe regions; and

a cavity located between the back face and the back end and comprising;

a cavity heel zone;

a cavity toe zone;

a cavity center zone between the cavity heel and toe zones;

a cavity inner wall located towards the front face;

a cavity outer wall located towards the back end;

a cavity heel end wall at a cavity heel end of the cavity and angled relative to the cavity inner wall and the cavity outer wall; and

a cavity toe end wall at a cavity toe end of the cavity and angled relative to the cavity inner wall and the cavity outer wall;

an insert comprising;

an insert heel zone;

an insert toe zone;

an insert center zone between the insert heel and toe zones;

an insert inner wall complementary to the cavity inner wall; and

an insert outer wall complementary to the cavity outer wall; and

a moment of inertia about the center region;

wherein;

the insert is configured to be at least partially housed in the cavity and in direct contact with the cavity inner wall;

the cavity is wider, from the cavity inner wall to the cavity outer wall, at the cavity center zone than at the cavity heel and toe zones;

the insert is wider, from the insert inner wall to the insert outer wall, at the insert center zone than at the insert heel and toe zones;

a distribution of mass of the insert is centered closer to the insert center zone than the insert heel and toe zones;

a density of the head body of the golf club head is greater than a density of the insert;

a first portion of the moment of inertia contributed by the head body of the golf club head proximate the cavity heel and toe zones is greater than a second portion of the moment of inertia contributed by the insert at the insert heel and toe zones;

the cavity inner wall comprises;

a cavity inner wall centerpoint at the cavity center zone;

a cavity inner wall heel end at the cavity heel zone;

a cavity inner wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

a cavity heel-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall heel end; and

a cavity toe-ward inner segment measured from the cavity inner wall centerpoint to the cavity inner wall toe end;

this cavity outer wall comprises;

a cavity outer wall heel end at the cavity heel zone; and

a cavity outer wall toe end at the cavity toe zone;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment is substantially straight;

the cavity toe-ward inner segment is substantially straight;

the cavity heel-ward inner segment and the cavity toe-ward inner segment intersect at the cavity inner wall centerpoint;

a first angle from the cavity heel-ward inner segment to the cavity toe-ward inner segment is obtuse;

the cavity heel end wall separates the cavity inner wall heel end away from the cavity outer wall heel end;

the cavity toe end wall separates the cavity inner wall toe end away from the cavity outer wall toe end;

the insert inner wall is angled complementarily to the cavity inner wall;

a face-to-inner-cavity separation, measured the front face the cavity inner wall;

increases throughout the cavity heel-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity heel zone; and

increases throughout the cavity toe-ward inner segment of the cavity inner wall, from the cavity inner wall centerpoint towards the cavity toe zone;

the insert comprises a grip portion to aid during removal of the insert from the cavity;

the grip portion is configured to remain external to the cavity when the insert is housed in the cavity;

the back portion comprises a back face opposite the front face and extended between the heel and toe regions;

the cavity is located between the back face and the back end such that the cavity inner wall heel end and the cavity inner wall toe end are closer to the back face than to the back end;

the first angle is greater than a second angle from the cavity heel-ward inner segment to the cavity heel end wall;

the first angle is greater than a third angle from the cavity toe-ward inner segment to the cavity toe end wall;

the second angle is greater than a fourth angle from the cavity heel end wall to the cavity outer wall; and

the third angle is greater than a fifth angle from the cavity toe end wall to the cavity outer wall.