Golf club heads with optimized characteristics and related methods

• US 9,168,429 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Schweigert, Bradley D., Stokke, Ryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US13/804,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20140274461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 473/335, 473/338, 473/341, 473/344, 473/345, 473/349
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• 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 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

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club heads with optimized characteristics presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a head body comprising;

a head front portion;

a head rear portion;

a head heel portion;

a head toe portion;

a head sole portion;

a head top portion; and

a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis;

a face portion at the head front portion and comprising;

a strikeface centerpoint;

a strikeface perimeter; and

a face height bounded by the strikeface perimeter, the strikeface centerpoint is positioned at a midpoint of the face height;

a head center of gravity; and

at least one of;

a first performance characteristic;

or

a second performance characteristic;

wherein;

when the golf club head is at an address position over a ground plane;

a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and

a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis;

a loft plane of the golf club head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint;

a front plane of the golf club head extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the hosel axis, and orthogonal to the ground plane;

a head depth plane extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane;

a CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point;

a head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point;

a head CG depth of the head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between;

a second intersection point located at an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane; and

a third intersection point located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground plane;

the head CG depth is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm;

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 5.08 mm;

the face height is approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane;

the first performance characteristic comprises;

the head CG height being less than or equal to approximately 5.08 mm; and

the second performance characteristic comprises;

a CG performance ratio of less than or equal to 0.56, as defined by (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height, divided by (b) the head CG depth;

the head body comprises a weight structure located towards the sole portion and the rear portion of the head body;

a clock grid comprises at least;

a 12 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 3 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 4 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 5 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 8 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a 9 o'"'"'clock ray;

when the golf club head is at the address position over the ground plane, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'"'"'clock ray is aligned with the strikeface centerpoint and orthogonal to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground plane;

the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'"'"'clock ray, at a midpoint between a front end of the head front portion and a rear end of the head rear portion;

the 3 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head heel portion;

the 9 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head toe portion;

a perimeter of the weight structure is bounded by the 4 o'"'"'clock ray and the 9 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'"'"'clock ray and the 8 o'"'"'clock ray.

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

the golf club head comprises the first and second performance characteristics.

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

the golf club head comprises the first performance characteristic.

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

the golf club head comprises the second performance characteristic.

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

the face portion comprises the strikeplate joined to the head front portion along a strikeplate edge of the strikeplate,

the strikeplate edge defining at least part of the strikeface perimeter of the strikeface;

the strikeface perimeter comprises;

a strikeface top end; and

a strikeface bottom end; and

the face height is measured from the strikeface bottom end to the strikeface top end.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising:

a head forward surface comprising the strikeface;

wherein;

the strikeface comprises;

a vertical roll radius extending along the strikeface and traversing the strikeface centerpoint; and

the strikeface perimeter comprises;

a strikeface top end at a top transition boundary where a contour of the head forward surface departs from the vertical roll radius; and

a strikeface bottom end at a bottom transition boundary where the contour of the face portion departs from the vertical roll radius; and

the face height is measured from the strikeface bottom end to the strikeface top end.

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

the weight structure;

permits the strikeface to comprise an augmented face size, as delimited by the face height, for larger impact area and greater energy transfer to a golf ball upon a golf impact between the strikeface and the golf ball;

restricts the head CG depth from decreasing towards the head front portion due to the augmented face size, thereby increasing at least one of a dynamic loft of the strikeface or a launch angle of the golf ball upon the golf impact; and

restricts the head CG height from increasing towards the head top portion as a result of the augmented face size, thereby decreasing a backspin of the golf ball via a gear effect between the strikeface and the golf ball upon the golf impact.

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

an area of the strikeface is approximately 23.6 cm² to approximately 45.2 cm².

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

the head body comprises a driver-type body;

a head volume of the golf club head is approximately 420 cc to approximately 470 cc; and

a head weight of the golf club head is approximately 185 grams to approximately 225 grams.

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

the weight structure protrudes at least partially from an external contour of the head sole portion; and

the weight structure comprises;

a weight mass of approximately 2 grams to approximately 50 grams;

a weight volume of approximately 1 cc to approximately 30 cc.

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

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 3.81 mm.

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

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 4.45 mm.

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

a weight distance between the head center of gravity and a weight center of the weight structure is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm.

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

a weight center elevation axis extends between the weight center and the ground plane, being orthogonal to the ground plane when the golf club head is at the address position;

a head CG elevation is measured, along the head vertical axis, between the head center of gravity and the ground plane;

a weight center elevation is measured, along the weight center elevation axis, between the head center of gravity and the ground plane; and

an elevation ratio, defined by the weight center elevation over the head CG elevation, is greater than 0.44.

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

a weight center elevation axis extends between the weight center and the ground plane, being orthogonal to the ground plane when the golf club head is at the address position;

a weight center depth of the weight center is measured, parallel to the ground plane, between;

the second intersection point at the intersection between the front plane and the ground plane; and

an fourth intersection point at an intersection between the weight center elevation axis and the ground plane; and

a depth ratio, defined by the weight center depth over the head CG depth, is less than 2.54.

16. A golf club head comprising:

a head body comprising;

a head front portion;

a head rear portion;

a head heel portion;

a head toe portion;

a head sole portion;

a head top portion; and

a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis;

a face portion coupled to the head front portion and comprising a strikeface,

the strikeface comprising;

a strikeface centerpoint;

a strikeface perimeter; and

a face height, the strikeface centerpoint is positioned at a midpoint of the face height; and

a head center of gravity;

wherein, when the golf club head is at an address position over a ground plane;

a head vertical axis extends through the head center of gravity and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and

a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis;

a loft plane of the golf club head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint;

a front plane of the golf club head extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the hosel axis, and orthogonal to the ground plane;

a head depth plane extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane;

a CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point;

a head CG height of the head center of gravity is measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point;

a head CG depth of the head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between;

a second intersection point located at an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane; and

a third intersection point located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground plane;

the face height is approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, as delimited by the strikeface perimeter and measured parallel to the loft plane;

a CG performance ratio between (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height, and (b) the head CG depth, is less than or equal to 0.56;

the head body comprises a driver-type body;

a head volume of the golf club head is approximately 420 cc to approximately 470 cc;

a head weight of the golf club head is approximately 185 grams to approximately 225 grams the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 3.18 mm;

the head CG depth is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm;

the head body comprises a weight structure located towards the sole portion and the rear portion of the head body;

a clock grid comprises at least;

a 12 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 3 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 4 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 5 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 8 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a 9 o'"'"'clock ray;

when the golf club head is at the address position over the ground plane, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'"'"'clock ray is aligned with the strikeface centerpoint and orthogonal to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground plane;

the clock grid is centered along the 12 o′

clock ray, at a midpoint between a front end of the head front portion and a rear end of the head rear portion;

the 3 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head heel portion;

the 9 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head toe portion;

a perimeter of the weight structure is bounded by the 4 o'"'"'clock ray and the 9 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'"'"'clock ray and the 8 o'"'"'clock ray.

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

the weight structure;

permits the strikeface to comprise an augmented face size, as delimited by the face height, for larger impact area and greater energy transfer to a golf ball upon a golf impact between the strikeface and the golf ball;

restricts the head CG depth from decreasing towards the strikeface due to the augmented face size, thereby increasing at least one of a dynamic loft of the strikeface or a launch angle of the golf ball upon the golf impact; and

restricts the head CG height from increasing towards the head top portion as a result of the augmented face size, thereby decreasing a backspin of the golf ball via a gear effect between the strikeface and the golf ball upon the golf impact.

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

a weight distance between the head center of gravity and a weight center of the weight structure is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm.

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

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 3.81 mm.

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

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 4.45 mm.

21. A method for providing a golf club head, the method comprising:

providing a head body comprising;

a head front portion;

a head rear portion;

a head heel portion;

a head toe portion;

a head sole portion;

a head top portion; and

a hosel structure having a bore for receiving a golf club shaft, the bore having a hosel axis;

coupling a face portion to the head front portion,

the face portion comprising a strikeface having;

a strikeface centerpoint;

a strikeface perimeter; and

a face height bounded by the strikeface perimeter, the strikeface centerpoint is positioned at a midpoint of the face height; and

establishing at least one of;

a first performance characteristic of the golf club head;

or

a second performance characteristic of the golf club head;

wherein;

when the golf club head is at an address position over a ground plane;

a head vertical axis extends through a head center of gravity of the golf club head and is orthogonal to the ground plane; and

a head horizontal axis extends through the head center of gravity, and is orthogonal to the head vertical axis;

a loft plane of the golf club head is tangent to the strikeface centerpoint;

a front plane of the golf club head extends through the strikeface centerpoint parallel to the hosel axis, and orthogonal to the ground plane;

a head depth plane extends through the strikeface centerpoint, parallel to the head horizontal axis and perpendicular to the loft plane;

a CG height axis extends through the head center of gravity and intersects the head depth plane perpendicularly at a first intersection point;

a head CG height of the golf club head is measured, along the CG height axis, between the head center of gravity and the first intersection point;

a head CG depth of the head center of gravity is measured, parallel to the ground plane and orthogonal to the front plane, between;

a second intersection point located at an intersection between the front plane and the ground plane; and

a third intersection point located at an intersection between the head vertical axis and the ground plane;

the face height is approximately 33 mm to approximately 71 mm, measured parallel to the loft plane;

the head CG depth is approximately 25 mm to approximately 102 mm;

the head CG height is approximately 0 mm to approximately 5.08mm;

the first performance characteristic comprises;

the head CG height being less than or equal to approximately 5.08 mm; and

the second performance characteristic comprises;

a CG performance ratio of less than or equal to 0.56, as defined by (a) 76.2 mm minus the face height, divided by (b) the head CG depth;

the head body comprises a weight structure located towards the sole portion and the rear portion of the head body;

a clock grid comprises at least;

a 12 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 3 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 4 o'"'"'clock ray;

a 8 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a 9 o'"'"'clock ray;

when the golf club head is at the address position over the ground plane, from a bottom view of the golf club head, the 12 o'"'"'clock ray is aligned with the strikeface centerpoint and orthogonal to a front intersection line between the loft plane and the ground plane;

the clock grid is centered along the 12 o'"'"'clock ray, at a midpoint between a front end of the head front portion and a rear end of the head rear portion;

the 3 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head heel portion;

the 9 o'"'"'clock ray extends towards the head toe portion;

a perimeter of the weight structure is bounded by the 4 o'"'"'clock ray and the 9 o'"'"'clock ray; and

a center of gravity of the weight structure is located between the 5 o'"'"'clock ray and the 8 o'"'"'clock ray.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the golf club head comprises the first and second performance characteristics.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the golf club head comprises the first performance characteristic.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the golf club head comprises the second performance characteristic.