Iron type golf clubs and golf club heads having adjustable weighting features

• US 8,758,163 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Stites, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US12/758,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20110250985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292
• US Class Current: 473/332
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

Iron golf club heads and clubs include a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face. The rear face has an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body. A weight element is positioned in the slot through the opening. The weight element has at least one aperture wherein the center of gravity is shifted when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

Claims

1. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material; and

wherein the rear face further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and engaging the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

2. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element is stainless steel.

3. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the aperture comprises a pair of apertures.

4. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot is defined between an inner surface of the ball striking face and an inner surface of the rear face.

5. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot extends from the sole portion to proximate a mid portion of the rear face.

6. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot extends from the sole portion to a location under a mid portion of the rear face.

7. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element extends upwards past the opening.

8. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot extends to a top portion of the sole portion.

9. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot extends to proximate a mid portion of the rear face to define a slot opening, the opening in the rear face having a lower edge generally coinciding with a first end of the slot, the opening having an upper edge;

wherein the weight element has a top edge positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

10. The iron type golf club head of claim 9 wherein the weight element has an aperture wherein the aperture is positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

11. The iron type golf club of claim 1 wherein the weight element has a bore aligned with the bore of the rear face, the fastener positioned in the bore of the rear face and the bore of the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

12. The iron type golf club of claim 1 wherein the weight element is forced against an inner surface of the ball striking face.

13. The iron type golf club of claim 12 wherein the force applied to the weight element is generally perpendicular to the inner surface.

14. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has a shock absorbent member attached thereto.

15. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a bottom edge of the weight element.

16. The iron type golf club head of claim 15 wherein the aperture comprises a pair of apertures proximate the bottom edge of the weight element.

17. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a top edge of the weight element.

18. The iron type golf club head of claim 17 wherein the aperture comprises a pair of apertures proximate the top edge of the weight element.

19. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a top edge and a side edge of the weight element, the weight element positioned in the slot wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a heel of the body.

20. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a top edge and a side edge of the weight element, the weight element positioned in the slot wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a toe of the body.

21. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a bottom edge and a side edge of the weight element, the weight element positioned in the slot wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a toe of the body.

22. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element has an aperture proximate a bottom edge and a side edge of the weight element, the weight element positioned in the slot wherein the aperture is positioned proximate a heel of the body.

23. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot has a first section and a second section, generally transverse to the first section, the weight element having a lip received by the second section when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

24. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the weight element comprises a first weight element and a second weight element.

25. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot and the weight element have cooperatively dimensioned tapered surfaces extending towards the rear face of the body.

26. The iron type golf club head of claim 1 wherein the slot comprises a width defined as the distance between an inner surface of the ball striking face and an inner surface of the rear face, and a depth defined as the distance from a first end of the slot to a second end of the slot into the body, wherein the ratio of the maximum overall depth to the maximum overall width is equal to or greater than 2.

27. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball sinking face and the rear face the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material; and

wherein the rear surface further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and forcing the weight element against an inner surface of the ball striking face to secure the weight element in the slot.

28. The iron type golf club of claim 27 wherein the force applied to the weight element is generally perpendicular to the inner surface.

29. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material;

wherein the weight element has a shock absorbent member attached thereto; and

wherein the weight element has a first side edge and a second side edge and a bottom edge, wherein the shock absorbent member is positioned on the first side edge, the second side edge and the bottom edge.

30. The iron type golf club head of claim 29 wherein the shock absorbent member is a polymeric material.

31. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material; and

wherein the aperture has a first horizontal section and a second vertical section, generally transverse to the first horizontal section.

32. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material;

wherein the weight comprises a first and a second weight element; and

wherein the body has a dividing wall positioned between the first weight element and the second weight element.

33. The iron type golf club head of claim 32 wherein the first weight element has a first aperture and the second weight element has a second aperture, and wherein the first aperture is sized differently than the second aperture.

34. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material; and

wherein the slot comprises a first slot proximate the ball striking face and a second slot proximate the rear face and having an internal wall therebetween, the weight element comprising a first weight element positioned in the first slot and a second weight element positioned in the second slot.

35. An iron golf club comprising:

a golf club head having a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening;

a shaft member engaged with the golf club head, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion that remains void of material; and

wherein the rear surface further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and engaging the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

36. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the weight element is stainless steel.

37. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the slot is defined between an inner surface of the ball striking face and an inner surface of the rear face.

38. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the slot extends from the sole portion to proximate a mid portion of the rear face.

39. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the slot extends from the sole portion to a location under a mid portion of the rear face.

40. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the weight element extends upwards past the opening.

41. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the slot extends to proximate a mid portion of the rear face to define a slot opening, the opening in rear face having a lower edge generally coinciding with a first end of the slot, the opening having an upper edge;

wherein the weight element has a top edge positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

42. The iron type golf club head of claim 41 wherein the weight element has an aperture wherein the aperture is positioned between the upper edge and the lower edge when the weight element is positioned in the slot.

43. The iron type golf club of claim 35 wherein the fastener forces the weight element against an inner surface of the ball striking face to secure the weight element in the slot, and wherein the force applied to the weight element is generally perpendicular to the inner surface.

44. The iron type golf club head of claim 35 wherein the weight element has a shock absorbent member attached thereto.

45. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has a first aperture positioned proximate a top edge of the weight element and at a central location of the weight element, wherein the weight element further has a second aperture positioned proximate a bottom edge of the weight element and at a central location of the weight element.

46. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element comprises a first weight element and a second weight element, and wherein the body has a dividing wall positioned between the first weight element and the second weight element.

47. The iron type golf club head of claim 46 wherein the first weight element has a first aperture and the second weight element has a second aperture, and wherein the first aperture is sized differently than the second aperture.

48. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the slot comprises a first slot proximate the ball striking face and a second slot proximate the rear face and having an internal wall therebetween, the weight element comprising a first weight element positioned in the first slot and a second weight element positioned in the second slot.

49. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the rear face further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and engaging the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

50. The iron type golf club of claim 49 wherein the weight element has a bore aligned with the bore of the rear face, the fastener positioned in the bore of the rear face and the bore of the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

51. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the rear surface further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and forcing the weight element against an inner surface of the ball striking face to secure the weight element in the slot.

52. The iron type golf club of claim 51 wherein the force applied to the weight element is generally perpendicular to the inner surface.

53. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the weight element has a shock absorbent member attached thereto; and

wherein the weight element has a first side edge and a second side edge and a bottom edge, wherein the shock absorbent member is positioned on the first side edge, the second side edge and the bottom edge.

54. The iron type golf club of claim 53 wherein the shock absorbent member is a polymeric material.

55. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the aperture has a first horizontal section and a second vertical section, generally transverse to the first horizontal section.

56. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the weight element comprises a first weight element and a second weight element; and

wherein the body has a dividing wall positioned between the first weight element and the second weight element.

57. The iron type golf club of claim 56 wherein the first weight element has a first aperture and the second weight element has a second aperture, and wherein the first aperture is sized differently than the second aperture.

58. An iron type golf club head comprising:

a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body; and

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the slot comprises a first slot proximate the ball striking face and a second slot proximate the rear face and having an internal wall therebetween, the weight element comprising a first weight element positioned in the first slot and a second weight element positioned in the second slot.

59. An iron golf club comprising:

a golf club head having a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face, the rear face having an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body;

a weight element positioned in the slot through the opening; and

a shaft member engaged with the golf club head, wherein the weight element has at least one aperture therethrough to define a removed weight portion;

wherein the rear surface further has a bore therethrough and in communication with the slot, and further comprising a fastener positioned in the bore and engaging the weight element to secure the weight element in the slot.

60. The iron type golf club of claim 59 wherein the fastener forces the weight element against an inner surface of the ball striking face to secure the weight element in the slot, and wherein the force applied to the weight element is generally perpendicular to the inner surface.