Golf club head

• US 9,474,948 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2015
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. (Sumitomo Rubber Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Dolezel, Keith, Nivanh, Dan, Samson, Mitch, Chen, Joseph, Becktor, Mika, Boyle, Michael, Brekke, Dustin, Weir, Bryce, Seagram, Phillip C.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIMMS JR, JOHN ELLIOTT
• Application Number:
  US14/806,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20160129320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0425 the face insert comprising two or more different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0429 the face insert comprising two or more layers of material
• 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 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

A putter-type golf club head has a main body and a face component including a first element formed of a resilient material. The putter-type golf club head also has a second element forward of the first element and including a rigid material. The second element is secured directly to the first element. The first element has a thickness that gradually increases toward a sole portion of the club head.

Claims

1. A putter-type golf club head having a main body and a face component, the face component including:

a first element formed of a resilient material and having a thickness that gradually increases toward a sole portion, the first element comprising a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a side surface extending intermediate the front surface and the rear surface, wherein when the golf club head is oriented in a reference position, the front surface is inclined in the front to rear direction; and

a second element forward of the first element and comprising a rigid material, the second element secured directly to the first element.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second element is secured only to the first element.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second element is secured to the first element with a chemical adhesive.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a forward surface, a rearward surface opposite the forward surface, a heel surface, a toe surface opposite the heel surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the heel surface, the toe surface, and the bottom surface are visually exposed.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of each of the heel surface and the toe surface are visually exposed.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second element comprises a substantially constant thickness.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the first element comprises a draft angle within the range of 1°

to 6°

.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first element further comprises a flange extending from a bottom portion of the first element, rearward of the front surface of the body member, and continuous with the bottom surface of the first element.

9. A putter-type golf club head having a main body having a front surface, and a face component secured to the front surface of the main body, the face component including a resilient body having a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a heel surface, and a toe surface, wherein:

when the golf club head is oriented in a reference position;

at least a portion of at least one of the heel surface and the toe surface is visually exposed and the resilient body defines a trapezoidal front-to-rear profile; and

the front surface of the resilient body is inclined in the front to rear direction.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the face component further comprises a rigid body forward of, and in communication with, the resilient body.

11. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the rigid body is secured to the resilient body with a chemical adhesive.

12. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the rigid body comprises a substantially constant thickness.

13. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the front surface of the resilient body comprises a draft angle within the range of 1°

to 6°

.

14. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the resilient body further comprises a flange extending from a bottom portion thereof, the flange extending rearward of the front surface of the body member continuously with the bottom surface of the resilient member.