Golf club weight attachment mechanisms and related methods

• US 9,089,748 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Morales, Eric J., Jertson, Martin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastino
• Application Number:
  US13/745,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20130130832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473287-292, 473/409
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2225/64 Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering 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 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 11/00 Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A golf club head including a head body selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head body bounding an interior cavity and comprising a body opening. A shell portion is configured to couple to the body opening. The shell portion includes a first shell side, a second shell side opposite the first shell side, and a capsule defined between the first and second shell sides. The shell portion also includes first and second shell sheet capsule sections that define the capsule and contain a weight member. A density of the weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a head body selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head body bounding an interior cavity and comprising a body opening;

a shell portion configured to couple to the body opening; and

a weight member encapsulated within the shell portion;

wherein;

the shell portion comprises;

first and second shell sides opposite each other; and

a capsule defined between the first and second shell sides and containing the weight member;

a density of the weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion and a density of the head body;

the first shell side, the capsule, and the weight member, are internal to the interior cavity;

when encapsulated, the weight member is configured to remain substantially within the capsule of the shell portion;

the shell portion comprises at least a portion of a sole of the golf club head, and is located closer to a front portion of the head body than a rear portion of the head body;

the weight member comprises;

a weight mass;

a weight thickness of;

less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

a weight volume of;

less than approximately 15 cc if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 12 cc if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 20 cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

a specific gravity of approximately 18 to 20; and

at least one of;

a tungsten material;

a nickel material;

a cadmium material;

a copper material;

or

a metal-infused plastic material;

the shell portion comprises at least one of;

a steel material;

or

a titanium material;

the weight member adjusts a center of gravity of the golf club head;

at least 0.38 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least 0.25 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

the weight mass is;

at least approximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least approximately 3% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least approximately 12% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

the weight volume is;

at most approximately 14% of a volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at most approximately 5% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at most approximately 30% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.

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

the first and second shell sides are integral with each other.

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

the shell portion comprises;

a first shell sheet comprising;

the first shell side of the shell portion;

a first shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a first shell sheet periphery section bounding the first shell sheet capsule section;

a second shell sheet comprising;

the second shell side of the shell portion;

a second shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a second shell sheet periphery section bounding the second shell sheet capsule section;

the weight member is non-weldedly, non-brazedly, non-screwedly, non-rivetedly, and non-adhesively coupled to the shell portion;

the first and second shell sheet capsule sections define the capsule and contain the weight member therebetween;

the first and second shell sheet periphery sections are at least one of welded or brazed to each other;

the second shell sheet comprises a shape conforming to an exterior surface of the sole;

the first shell sheet capsule section comprises a shape conformed to a weight shape of the weight member;

the first shell sheet periphery section is conformed to the second shell sheet periphery section;

the first and second shell sheet periphery sections are welded to a perimeter of the body opening throughout a total thickness of the first shell sheet and a total thickness of the second shell sheet; and

the first shell sheet comprises at least one of;

a thickness thinner than a thickness of the second shell sheet;

or

a first shell material with at least one of greater ductility or greater malleability than a second Shell material of the second shell sheet.

4. A golf club head comprising:

a head body selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head, the head body bounding an interior cavity and comprising a body opening;

a shell portion configured to couple to the body opening; and

a weight member encapsulated within the shell portion;

wherein;

the shell portion comprises;

a first shell side;

a second shell side opposite the first shell side; and

a capsule defined between the first and second shell sides and containing the weight member;

a first shell sheet comprising;

the first shell side of the shell portion;

a first shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a first shell sheet periphery section bounding the first shell sheet capsule section;

a second shell sheet comprising;

the second shell side of the shell portion;

a second shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a second shell sheet periphery section bounding the second shell sheet capsule section;

the first and second shell sheet capsule sections define the capsule and contain the weight member therebetween;

the first and second shell sheet periphery sections are secured to each other;

the second shell sheet comprises a shape conforming to an exterior surface of the head body;

the first shell sheet capsule section comprises a shape conformed to a weight shape of the weight member;

the first shell sheet periphery section is conformed to the second shell sheet periphery section;

the first and second shell sheet periphery sections are secured to an entire perimeter of the body opening throughout a total thickness of the first shell sheet and a total thickness of the second shell sheet;

and

a density of the weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion.

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

the weight member is non-weldedly, non-brazedly, non-screwedly, non-rivetedly, and non-adhesively coupled to the shell portion.

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

the first shell side, the capsule, and the weight member, are internal to the interior cavity.

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

the shell portion comprises a shell material; and

the first and second shell sides comprise the shell material.

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

a thickness of the first shell sheet is thinner than a thickness of the second shell sheet.

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

the density of the shell portion is greater than a density of the head body at a perimeter of the body opening.

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

the first and second shell sheet periphery sections are secured together only at portions of their respective perimeters.

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

the first and second shell sheets are integral with each other.

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

the shell portion comprises at least a portion of a sole of the golf club head.

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

the weight member comprises;

a specific gravity greater than approximately 14; and

at least one of;

a tungsten material;

a nickel material;

or

a metal-infused plastic material;

and

the shell portion comprises at least one of;

a steel material;

or

a titanium material.

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

the weight member comprises;

a weight thickness of;

less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

a weight volume of;

less than approximately 15 cc if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 12 cc if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 20 cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

the weight member adjusts a center of gravity of the golf club head;

at least 0.38 mm towards a sole of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least 0.25 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.

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

the weight member comprises a weight volume and a weight mass;

the weight mass is;

at least approximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least approximately 3% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least approximately 12% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

the weight volume is;

at most approximately 14% of a volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at most approximately 5% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at most approximately 30% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.

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

the first shell side comprises a first shell material of one of;

a steel material, a titanium material, a zirconium material, or a tungsten nickel alloy material;

the second shell side comprises a second shell material of a different one of;

the steel material, the titanium material, the zirconium material, or the tungsten nickel alloy material;

and

the first shell material comprises at least one of greater ductility or greater malleability than the second shell material.

17. A method for making a golf club head, the method comprising:

providing a head body of the golf club head selected from a group of golf club heads consisting of a fairway-wood type head, a driver-type head, and a hybrid-type head;

providing a weight member;

providing a shell portion configured to couple with a body opening of the head body;

coupling the weight member to the shell portion; and

coupling the shell portion to the body opening;

wherein;

providing the shell portion comprises;

providing a first shell side configured to face an interior cavity of the head body;

providing a second shell side opposite the first shell side;

providing a capsule between the first and second shell sides to contain the weight member;

providing a first shell sheet comprising;

the first shell side of the shell portion;

a first shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a first shell sheet periphery section bounding the first shell sheet capsule section;

providing a second shell sheet comprising;

the second shell side of the shell portion;

a second shell sheet capsule section of the capsule; and

a second shell sheet periphery section bounding the second shell sheet capsule section;

providing a density of the shell portion to be greater than a density of the head body at a perimeter of the body opening;

coupling the weight member to the shell portion comprises;

coupling the weight member between the first and second shell sides in a non-welded, non-brazed, non-screwed, non-riveted, and non-adhesive manner;

coupling the shell portion to the body opening comprises;

welding the first and second shell sheets to the perimeter of the body opening throughout a total thickness of a perimeter of the first shell sheet and a perimeter of the second shell sheet;

and

a density of the weight member is greater than a density of the shell portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein:

coupling the weight member to the shell portion comprises;

casting the shell portion around the weight member such that the first and second shell sides are integral with each other.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

coupling the weight member to the shell portion comprises;

stamping the first shell sheet over the weight member to conform the first shell sheet capsule section to a weight shape of the weight member; and

conforming a shape of the first shell sheet periphery section to the second shell sheet periphery section;

defining the capsule between the first and second shell sheet capsule sections to contain the weight member therebetween; and

securing the first and second shell sheet periphery sections to each other.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein:

providing the shell portion comprises;

providing at least one of;

a thickness of the first shell sheet thinner than a thickness of the second shell sheet;

or

a first shell material of the first shell sheet with at least one of greater ductility or greater malleability than a second shell material of the second shell sheet.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein:

providing the weight member comprises;

providing the weight member to comprise;

a specific gravity greater than approximately 14;

a weight thickness of;

less than approximately 6.4 mm if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 5.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 8.5 mm if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

a weight volume of;

less than approximately 15 cc if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

less than approximately 12 cc if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

less than approximately 20 cc if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

at least one of;

a tungsten material, a nickel material, or a metal-infused plastic material;

providing the shell portion comprises;

providing the shell portion to comprise at least one of;

a steel material;

or

a titanium material;

and

coupling the shell portion to the body opening comprises;

adjusting a center of gravity of the golf club head;

at least 0.38 mm towards a sole of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least 0.25 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least 0.4 mm towards the sole if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

establishing a weight mass of the weight member to be;

at least approximately 9.5% of a mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at least approximately 3% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at least approximately 12% of the mass of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head;

and

establishing the weight volume of the weight member to be;

at most approximately 14% of a volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the fairway-wood-type head;

at most approximately 5% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the driver-type head;

or

at most approximately 30% of the volume of the golf club head if the golf club head comprises the hybrid-type head.