Golf club and golf club head structures

• US 9,289,661 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2014
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Stites, John T., Fujita, Yoshimasa
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNTER, ALVIN A
• Application Number:
  US14/180,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20140162808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/10 Non-metallic shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/14 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/002 Resonance frequency related characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/42 : Devices for measuring, verifying, correcting or customising the inherent characteristics of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like, e.g. measuring the maximum torque a batting shaft can withstand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 : with slits
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3632 : Clubs or attachments on clubs, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence; clubs for swinging exercises in general A63B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 : Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 : Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle comprising a tube having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown, wherein the tube has a portion that is exposed to an exterior of the club head; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle, and

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight member has a first longitudinal axis and the receptacle has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be substantially aligned when the weight member is inserted in the receptacle.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be generally vertical when the weight member is inserted in the receptacle.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a threaded fastener that mates with the internal threads of the receptacle and engages the weight member to secure the weight member within the receptacle.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the weight member has shock absorbing features.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight member is configured such that mass may be added to or removed from the weight member when the weight member is removed from the receptacle, such that when the weight member is inserted into the receptacle, the overall mass of the golf club head is changed.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight member includes multiple portions having different weights.

8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the multiple portions can be releasably fastened to one another.

9. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the weight member comprises at least one of steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, tungsten, graphite, or composite materials.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight member is threaded to mate with the internal threads of the receptacle.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the crown comprises a cover member formed from a plastic material and the sole comprises a metal material, and wherein the weight member comprises a material that is heavier than both the plastic material of the cover member and the metal material of the sole.

12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is connected to the sole and the crown.

13. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a window to an exterior of the club head.

14. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the spin rate is adjusted about 500-600 rpm when the weight member is flipped.

15. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an elongated tube that has a first fixed end connected to the sole and a second fixed end connected to the crown. about 500-600 rpm when the weight member is flipped.

16. The golf club head of claim 1 ,

wherein the weight member includes multiple portions having different weights, and the multiple portions can be releasably fastened to one another.

17. The golf club head of claim 1,

wherein the weight member is threaded to mate with the internal threads of the receptacle.

18. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle comprising a tube connected to the sole and the crown, the tube having an opening defined in the sole and extending from the opening toward the crown;

a weight member configured to be received by the tube, the weight member having opposed first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end; and

a removable fastener configured to cover the opening and secure the weight member within the tube,

wherein the weight member is configured to be received within the receptacle in a first position providing a first weight arrangement and a second position providing a second weight arrangement,

wherein the first weight arrangement and the second weight arrangement are configured to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and

wherein the crown comprises a cover member formed of a plastic material and the sole comprises a metal material, and wherein the weight member comprises a material that is heavier than both the plastic material of the cover member and the metal material of the sole.

19. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein when the weight member is in the first position, the first end is proximate to the crown and the second end is proximate to the sole, and when the weight member is in the second position, the first end is proximate to the sole and the second end is proximate to the crown, such that a center of gravity of the golf club head is closer to the crown when the weight member is in the first position, and the center of gravity is closer to the sole when the weight member is in the second position.

20. The golf club head of claim 19, wherein the golf club head is configured to generate greater backspin when the when the weight member is in the second position, and the golf club head is configured to generate less backspin when the when the weight member is in the first position.

21. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the weight member is elongated and has a first longitudinal axis, and the tube is elongated and has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be substantially aligned when the weight member is inserted in the tube.

22. The golf club head of claim 21, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be generally vertical when the weight member is inserted in the tube.

23. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the receptacle has internal threads near the opening, and wherein the fastener is configured to mate with the internal threads to removably connect the fastener to the receptacle.

24. The golf club head of claim 18, wherein the tube has a first fixed end connected to the sole and a second fixed end connected to the crown.

25. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the sole and the crown of the golf club head body and having an opening defined in the sole, wherein the receptacle has a portion exposed to an exterior of the golf club head; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is heavier than the second portion;

wherein the weight member is configured to be received within the receptacle in a first position, where the first portion is more proximate to the crown relative to the second portion, and a second position, where the first portion is more proximate to the sole relative to the second portion, wherein the weight member is configured to influence a center of gravity of the club head, such that the center of gravity is closer to the crown when the weight member is in the first position, and the center of gravity is closer to the sole when the weight member is in the second position.

26. The golf club head of claim 25, wherein the receptacle comprises an elongated tube connected to the sole and the crown and extending inwardly from the opening toward the crown.

27. The golf club head of claim 26, wherein the weight member is elongated and has a first longitudinal axis, and the tube is elongated and has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be substantially aligned when the weight member is inserted in the receptacle, and wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are configured to be generally vertical when the weight member is inserted in the receptacle.

28. The golf club head of claim 25, wherein movement of the weight member between the first position and the second position is configured to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and wherein the spin rate is adjusted about 500-600 rpm when the weight member is moved between the first position and the second position.

29. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle comprising an elongated tube having an opening defined in the sole, wherein the tube extends from the sole to the crown and has a longitudinal axis that is generally vertical, wherein the tube is connected to inner surfaces of the sole and the crown, such that an outer surface of the tube is exposed to the interior chamber, wherein the tube has threading near the opening, and wherein the receptacle has a portion exposed to an exterior of the golf club head;

an elongated weight member configured to be received by the tube, the weight member having opposed first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end; and

a threaded fastener configured to be removably connected to the threading of the tube to cover the opening and secure the weight member within the tube,

wherein the weight member is configured to be received within the receptacle in a first position, where the first end is proximate to the crown and the second end is proximate to the sole, and a second position, where the first end is proximate to the sole and the second end is proximate to the crown, wherein the weight member is configured to influence a center of gravity of the club head, such that the center of gravity is closer to the crown when the weight member is in the first position, and the center of gravity is closer to the sole when the weight member is in the second position, and

wherein movement of the weight member between the first position and the second position is configured to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, such that the golf club head is configured to generate greater backspin when the when the weight member is in the second position, and the golf club head is configured to generate less backspin when the when the weight member is in the first position.

30. The golf club head of claim 29, wherein the weight member has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the second longitudinal axis is configured to be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tube when the weight member is inserted in the tube, and

wherein the second longitudinal axis is configured to be generally vertical when the weight member is inserted in the tube.

31. The golf club head of claim 29, wherein the spin rate is adjusted about 500-600 rpm when the weight member is moved between the first position and the second position.

32. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle,

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and

wherein the crown comprises a cover member formed from a plastic material and the sole comprises a metal material, and wherein the weight member comprises a material that is heavier than both the plastic material of the cover member and the metal material of the sole.

33. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle,

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and

wherein a portion of the receptacle is exposed, and wherein the receptacle includes a window to an exterior of the club head.

34. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown, wherein the receptacle has a portion exposed to an exterior of the golf club head; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle,

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and

wherein the spin rate is adjusted about 500-600 rpm when the weight member is flipped.

35. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle,

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball, and

wherein the receptacle comprises an elongated tube that has a first fixed end connected to the sole and a second fixed end connected to the crown, and wherein the receptacle has a portion exposed to an exterior of the golf club head.

36. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber, the club head body further having a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending rearwardly away from the ball striking face, wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg and beneath an underside surface of the crown, such that the crown extends over the void, and wherein the first leg and the second leg converge towards one another to an interface area;

a receptacle comprising a tube connected to the sole and the crown of the golf club head body and having an opening defined in the sole, wherein the receptacle is located at the interface area; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is heavier than the second portion;

wherein the weight member is configured to be received within the receptacle in a first position, where the first portion is more proximate to the crown relative to the second portion, and a second position, where the first portion is more proximate to the sole relative to the second portion, wherein the weight member is configured to influence a center of gravity of the club head, such that the center of gravity is closer to the crown when the weight member is in the first position, and the center of gravity is closer to the sole when the weight member is in the second position.

37. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body having a crown, a sole, and a ball striking face configured for striking a golf ball, the club head body defining an interior chamber, the club head body further having a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending rearwardly away from the ball striking face, wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg and beneath an underside surface of the crown, such that the crown extends over the void, and wherein the first leg and the second leg converge towards one another to an interface area;

a receptacle connected to the golf club head body, the receptacle having an opening on the sole and a first length extending from the sole toward the crown, wherein the receptacle is located at the interface area; and

a weight member configured to be received by the receptacle, the weight member being elongated and having a first end and a second end, with a second length defined between the first and second ends, wherein the first end is heavier than the second end, and the second length generally corresponds to the first length,

wherein the receptacle has internal threads configured to secure the weight member within the receptacle,

wherein the weight member is configured to be inserted into and removed from the receptacle, and the weight member is further configured to be flipped such that the heavier first end can be located proximal the crown or proximal the sole to adjust a spin rate of the golf ball generated after the ball striking face strikes the golf ball.