Wrapping Element For A Golf Club

• US 20100113176A1
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Perry, Mark J., Boyd, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/291
• 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 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• 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

Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) 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 removable wrapping element proximal to the ball striking face.

Claims

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

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body; and

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the golf club head body.

2. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element further comprises a second portion connected to the first portion and extending around a rear portion of the club head body.

3. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion in at least two locations.

4. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the second portion engages the groove in the golf club head body.

5. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head body further comprises a hosel and the wrapping element further comprises a second portion for connecting to the hosel.

6. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the second portion comprises a sleeve extending around the hosel.

7. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the second portion for connecting to the hosel comprises a hook.

8. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element comprises a flexible material comprising a fabric, a polymeric material, an elastic material, a stretchable material, or combinations thereof

9. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the first portion of the wrapping element is weighted.

10. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the second portion of the wrapping element is weighted.

11. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is a continuous strap and is placed on the golf club head by stretching the strap.

12. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is a discontinuous strap having two ends and is placed on the golf club head by attaching the two ends together.

13. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the two ends are attached using a hook and loop fastener.

14. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the golf club head further comprises at least one weight receptacle, wherein the wrapping element covers the receptacle to hold a weight insert in place.

15. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 14, wherein a gasket is located in the receptacle.

16. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 14, wherein at least one weight insert is supported in at least one receptacle.

17. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the head is made from a material selected from the group consisting of:

a polymeric material, a composite material, a fiber-reinforced composite material, and a light-weight metal material.

18. A wood-type golf club, comprising:

a club head comprising;

a ball striking face;

a club head body coupled to the ball striking face, the club head body including a groove extending at least around the perimeter of the club head body;

a wrapping element comprising a first portion for extending around the perimeter of the club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and engaging the groove in the golf club head body; and

a shaft member engaged with the club head.

19. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein a grip member is engaged with the shaft member.

20. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the wrapping element further comprises a second portion connected to the first portion and extending around a rear portion of the club head body.

21. A wood-type golf club according to claim 20, wherein the second portion is connected to the first portion in at least two locations.

22. A wood-type golf club according to claim 20, wherein the second portion corresponds to a second groove in the golf club head.

23. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the wrapping element further comprises a portion for connecting to the hosel.

24. A wood-type golf club according to claim 23, wherein the portion for connecting to the hosel comprises a sleeve extending around the hosel.

25. A wood-type golf club according to claim 23, wherein the portion for connecting to the hosel comprises a hook.

26. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the flexible material comprises a fabric, a polymeric material, an elastic material, a stretchable material, or combinations thereof

27. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein at least part of the first portion is weighted.

28. A wood-type golf club according to claim 20, wherein at least part of the second portion is weighted.

29. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the first portion is a continuous strap and is placed on the golf club head by stretching the strap.

30. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the first portion is a discontinuous strap having two ends and is placed on the golf club head by attaching the two ends together.

31. A wood-type golf club according to claim 30, wherein the two ends are attached using a hook and loop.

32. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the golf club head further comprises at least one weight receptacle, wherein the wrapping element covers the receptacle to hold a weight insert in place.

33. A wood-type golf club according to claim 32, wherein a gasket is located in the receptacle.

34. A wood-type golf club according to claim 32, wherein at least one weight insert is supported in at least one receptacle.

35. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the head is made from a material selected from the group consisting of:

a polymeric material, a composite material, a fiber-reinforced composite material, a light-weight metal material.

36. A wood-type golf club according to claim 18, wherein the club head body is metal.

37. A removable wrapping element for use with a golf club head including a ball striking face and a golf club head body, the removable wrapping element comprising:

a first portion configured to extend around the perimeter of the golf club head body adjacent to the ball striking face and configured to be removably attached to the golf club head body via a groove.

38. A method, comprising:

providing a club head including a ball striking face and a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, the club head body including a groove; and

attaching a wrapping element to the club head.