COMPOSITE METAL WOOD CLUB

• US 20080125244A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Rice, Scott A., Meyer, Jeffrey W., Poynor, Raymond L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,431,664 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/332
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• 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 2209/023 Long, oriented fibres, e.g. wound filaments, woven fabrics, mats
• 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 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/08 with special arrangements for obtaining a variable impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• 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 60/54 with means for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/014 Resonance or resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02854 Length, thickness
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/045 by imparting shocks to the workpiece and detecting the vibrations or the acoustic waves caused by the shocks measuring resonant frequency G01H13/00; measuring strength properties by application of mechanical stress G01N3/00

Abstract

A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion composed of titanium alloy and a graphite crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The body portion has an attachment ledge section and the crown portion has attachment section that overlays the attachment section of the body. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the attachment sections.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body portion and a crown portion;

the body portion is composed of titanium alloy having a density;

the crown portion is composed of a composite material having a density that is less than the density of the titanium alloy;

the body portion having an attachment ledge section;

the crown portion having an attachment section formed to overlay the attachment ledge section of the body portion; and

a shock absorbing gasket disposed between the attachment sections,

wherein shock absorbing gasket material produces a reduction in noise of at least 28 percent over a frequency range between about 3800 Hz to 10,000 Hz at a club head speed of 90 mph.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the crown portion density is between about 0.1 g/cc to 4.0 g/cc.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the crown portion is pre-preg sheet formed.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the composite material is graphite.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body portion is forged.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body portion is sheet metal formed.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a portion of the body portion is cast.

8. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution greater than 0.80.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the gasket is composed of a titanium mesh.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the gasket is composed of aluminum foil material.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the gasket is composed of a viscoelastic material.