Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Adjustable Weight Members

• US 20090203462A1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Larson, Eric A., Oldknow, Andrew G.V., Boyd, Robert, Stites, John Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/334
• 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 53/0433 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 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

Abstract

Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a slot or rail defined therein; and (c) a weight member at least partially located within the slot or rail. The weight member may be mounted at plural positions along the slot or rail (optionally at least partially within a weight cartridge member provided with the club head body). The weight member also may be movably engaged with the weight cartridge member, slot, rail, and/or other portion of the club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making and using such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.

Claims

1. A wood-type golf club head, comprising:

a ball striking face;

a wood-type club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a first slot or rail defined therein; and

a weight member at least partially located within the first slot or rail, wherein the weight member is mountable at plural positions along the first slot or rail.

2. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least a major portion of the weight member is located within the first slot or rail.

3. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight member is completely located within the first slot or rail.

4. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising:

a weight cartridge member engaged with the first slot or rail, wherein the weight member is movably engaged with the weight cartridge member.

5. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 4, wherein at least a major portion of the weight member is located within the weight cartridge.

6. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the weight cartridge is located at least along a peripheral heel area of the sole portion.

7. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 4, wherein the weight cartridge is located along at least a portion of an outer periphery of the sole portion.

8. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first slot or rail is located at least along a peripheral heel area of the sole portion.

9. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first slot or rail is located along at least a portion of an outer periphery of the sole portion.

10. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body includes:

a metal alloy part including or engaged with the ball striking face, and

a sole member engaged with the metal alloy part, wherein the sole member has the first slot or rail defined therein.

11. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the club head body further includes a crown member engaged with the metal alloy part.

12. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the crown member includes a polymeric material.

13. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the crown member includes a composite material.

14. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the crown member includes a fiber-reinforced composite material.

15. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the sole member includes a polymeric material.

16. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the sole member includes a composite material.

17. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the sole member includes a fiber-reinforced composite material.

18. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the metal alloy part includes a frame member that defines at least a portion of a rear periphery of the club head body.

19. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first slot or rail extends in a front-to-rear direction of the club head body.

20. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first slot or rail extends along a central region of the sole portion, in a front-to-rear direction of the club head body.

21. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight member includes a first end element, a second end element, and an intermediate element extending between the first end element and the second end element.

22. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 21, wherein the intermediate element extends through the first slot or rail and the first and second end elements are located at least partially outside the first slot or rail.

23. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 22, wherein the first slot or rail extends in a front-to-rear direction of the club head body.

24. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 22, wherein the first slot or rail extends along a central region of the sole portion, in a front-to-rear direction of the club head body.

25. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight member includes a first end element and an extending element extending from the first end element.

26. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 25, wherein the extending element extends into or through the first slot or rail and the first end element is located at least partially outside the first slot or rail.

27. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the sole portion includes a central area extending in a front-to-rear direction of the club head body, a first recessed portion adjacent the central area and located toward a heel of the club head body, and a second recessed portion adjacent the central area and located toward a toe of the club head body.

28. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 27, wherein the first slot or rail is defined in the central area of the sole portion.

29. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 27, wherein the weight member extends into or at least partially through the central area.

30. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein an opening to the first slot or rail faces away from the sole portion.

31. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein an opening to the first slot or rail faces a heel portion of the club head body.

32. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein an opening to the first slot or rail faces a toe portion of the club head body.

33. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body constitutes a unitary, one-piece construction.

34. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body constitutes a driver body.

35. A wood-type golf club, comprising:

a club head including a ball striking face and a wood-type club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a first slot or rail defined therein;

a weight member at least partially located within the first slot or rail, wherein the weight member is mountable at plural positions along the first slot or rail; and

a shaft member engaged with the club head.

36-66. -66. (canceled)

67. A method of producing a wood-type golf club head, comprising:

providing a club head including a ball striking face and a wood-type club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a first slot or rail defined therein; and

providing a weight member, wherein the weight member fits at least partially within the first slot or rail and is mountable at plural positions along the first slot or rail.

68-89. -89. (canceled)

90. A method of producing a wood-type golf club, comprising:

providing a club head including a ball striking face and a wood-type club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a first slot or rail defined therein, and wherein the club head further includes a weight member at least partially within the first slot or rail, wherein the weight member is mountable at plural positions along the first slot or rail; and

engaging a shaft member with the club head body.

91-111. -111. (canceled)