Golf club head with polymeric insert

• US 9,931,548 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Boggs, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US15/162,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20160317880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 473346, 473344, 473345, 473349, 473350, 473324, 473334, 473335, 473336
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/023 adjustable angular orientation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/06 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

A golf club head includes a first portion joined to a second portion to at least partially define an interior club head volume. The first portion includes a wall defining an outer boundary of the club head volume, and a support rib extending from the wall to operatively stiffen the first portion. The second portion of the golf club head defines a slot that receives a portion of the support rib, and the support rib is adhered within the slot to join the first portion and the second portion.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a first portion joined to a second portion to at least partially define an interior club head volume;

wherein the first portion includes;

a wall defining an outer boundary of a club head volume; and

a support rib extending from the wall to operatively stiffen the first portion;

wherein the second portion of the golf club head defines a slot that receives a portion of the support rib; and

wherein;

the support rib is adhered within the slot to join the first portion and the second portion;

the support rib is disposed within a stiffening plane; and

the stiffening plane intersects the wall at an angle of from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the stiffening plane is perpendicular to the wall.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion further define a lap joint therebetween;

and

wherein the first portion is adhered to the second portion across the lap joint.

4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the stiffening plane intersects the lap joint at an angle of from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a weight that is removably secured to one of the first portion and the second portion;

and

wherein the stiffening plane bisects the weight.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the support rib is disposed within the club head volume.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion are formed from a polymeric material.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the support rib is integrally formed with the wall.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a face having a ball striking surface.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the support rib is planar and has a uniform thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

11. A golf club head comprising:

a first portion and a second portion that cooperate to at least partially define an interior club head volume, and wherein the first portion and the second portion overlap to define a lap joint therebetween;

wherein the first portion of the golf club head includes;

a wall defining an outer boundary of the interior club head volume, the wall including at least one of a crown or a sole; and

a support rib extending from the wall to operatively stiffen the first portion;

wherein;

the second portion of the golf club head defines a slot that receives a portion of the support rib;

the first portion of the golf club head is adhered to the second portion of the golf club head across the lap joint;

the support rib is adhered within the slot to join the first portion and the second portion;

the support rib is disposed within a stiffening plane; and

the stiffening plane intersects the wall at an angle of from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the stiffening plane is perpendicular to the wall.

13. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the stiffening plane intersects the lap joint at an angle of from about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees.

14. The golf club head of claim 11, further comprising a weight that is removably secured to one of the first portion and the second portion;

and

wherein the stiffening plane bisects the weight.

15. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the support rib is disposed within the interior club head volume.

16. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion are formed from a polymeric material.

17. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the first portion includes a face having a ball striking surface.

18. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the support rib is planar and has a uniform thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.

19. A golf club head comprising:

a first portion joined to a second portion to at least partially define an interior club head volume;

wherein the first portion includes;

a wall defining an outer boundary of the interior club head volume; and

a support rib extending from the wall to operatively stiffen the first portion;

wherein the second portion of the golf club head defines a slot that receives a portion of the support rib; and

wherein;

the support rib is adhered within the slot to join the first portion and the second portion; and

the support rib is planar and has a uniform thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm.