Face plate for a golf club head

• US 9,539,476 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2015
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Schweigert, Bradley D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koehler, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US14/795,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20150306472A1
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 295/57, 295/58, 407/53, 407/54, 473/329, 473/345, 473/349, 473/346, 473/342, 473/330, 473/331, 473/332
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• 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: B23C 3/13 Surface milling of plates, sheets or strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49995 Shaping one-piece blank by removing material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 407/1946 Face or end mill
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 409/303752 Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0304 Grooving

Abstract

Golf club heads with patterned face plates described herein. Other examples, embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a face plate having a contoured rear surface, the contoured rear surface including a central thickened region having a first non-circular, elliptical outer edge surrounded by a transition region tapered from the central thickened region toward a thinner peripheral region, the transition region having a second non-circular, elliptical outer edge,

wherein the first non-circular, elliptical outer edge has a first aspect ratio, a first major axis and a first minor axis,

wherein the second non-circular, elliptical outer edge has a second aspect ratio, a second major axis and a second minor axis, the second major axis being equal to the first major axis plus a predetermined distance and the second minor axis being equal to the first minor axis plus the predetermined distance,

wherein the first aspect ratio is greater than the second aspect ratio,

wherein the first aspect ratio is greater than 1.4 and less than 4.2;

wherein the central thickened region comprises a maximum thickness of the face plate; and

wherein the central thickened region comprises a constant thickness throughout its entirety and the central thickened region extends through a centerpoint of the first elliptical outer edge and the second elliptical outer edge.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the central thickened region is greater than inch 0.13 inch and less than 0.18 inch in thickness.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the thinner peripheral region is greater than 0.08 inch and less than 0.12 inch in thickness.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first major axis is greater than 0.65 inch and less than 1.05 inches in length.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first minor axis is greater than 0.25 inch and less than 0.45 inch in length.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is greater than 0.40 inch and less than 1.20 inches.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is comprised of a titanium alloy.

8. A golf club head comprising:

a face plate having a contoured surface, the contoured surface including a central thickened region having a first elliptical outer edge surrounded by a transition region extended from the central thickened region to a peripheral region, the transition region having a second elliptical outer edge,

wherein the first elliptical outer edge has a first aspect ratio, a first major axis and a first minor axis,

wherein the second elliptical outer edge has a second aspect ratio, a second major axis and a second minor axis, the second major axis being equal to the first major axis plus a predefined distance and the second minor axis being equal to the first minor axis plus the predefined distance, and the second aspect ratio being less than the first aspect ratio,

wherein the transition region comprises a substantially constant width throughout the transition region and between the first and second elliptical outer edges,

wherein the predetermined distance is greater than 0.40 inch and less than 1.20 inches;

wherein the central thickened region comprises a maximum thickness of the face plate; and

wherein the central thickened region comprises a constant thickness throughout its entirety and the central thickened region extends through a centerpoint of the first elliptical outer edge and the second elliptical outer edge.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the transition region has a curved surface extending from the first elliptical outer edge to the second elliptical outer edge.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the curved surface of the transition region is curved inward from the first elliptical outer edge to the second elliptical outer edge.

11. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the curved surface of the transition region is curved outward from the first elliptical outer edge to the second elliptical outer edge.