Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Adjustable Weighting Characteristics

• US 20160067570A1
• Filed: 06/19/2015
• Published: 03/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2007
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Larson, Eric A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,258,840 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

Golf club heads include an iron type golf club head body having a rear surface (e.g., a perimeter weighting member) that defines a first weight receiving portion, and a weight member is mounted in the first weight receiving portion. The club head body further defines a second weight receiving portion independent of the first weight receiving portion, and a second weight member is removably engaged with the golf club head body at this second weight receiving portion. The weight members may be interchangeably mounted in the two weight receiving portions to thereby allow selective placement of the center of gravity characteristics of the club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are described.

Claims

2. A golf club head comprising:

an iron type golf club head body comprising a ball striking face, a heel side, a toe side, a hosel, a perimeter weighting member extending rearward from the ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face;

wherein the perimeter weighting member includes a heel perimeter portion extending around a heel of the iron type golf club head body;

wherein the rear surface includes a rail positioned in a heel to toe direction; and

a weight member removably and slidably engaged with the iron type golf club head body along the rail.

3. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member is secured to the iron type golf club head body with at least one mechanical fastener.

4. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member has a first density and the iron type golf club head body has a second density, wherein the first density is higher than the second density.

5. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member includes a groove on a bottom surface, and wherein the groove has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion.

6. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the rail has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion;

and the upper portion of the rail engages the upper portion of a groove on the weight member.

7. A golf club head according to claim 6, wherein the rail has at least one angled side wall.

8. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member is secured using an end cap, wherein the end cap has a surface shaped to act as a continuation of the toe side of the iron type golf club head body.

9. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member abuts a surface of the heel perimeter portion of the perimeter weighting member.

10. A golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the weight member includes:

a longitudinal length configured to extend along the golf club head in a heel to toe direction when the weight member is engaged with the golf club head;

a first longitudinal end; and

a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end,

wherein the weight member has a weight distribution along its longitudinal length such that the first longitudinal end is heavier than the second longitudinal end.

11. A golf club according to claim 2, wherein the rear surface includes a second rail positioned in a heel to toe direction;

and

a second weight member slidably engaged with the iron type golf club head body along a second rail.

12. A golf club head comprising:

an iron type golf club head body comprising a ball striking face, a heel side, a toe side, a hosel, a back side including a heel portion, a portion of a sole surface and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face;

wherein the rear surface is positioned below an outer surface of the back side of the heel portion of the iron type golf club head body and includes a rail positioned in a heel to toe direction; and

a weight member slidably engaged with the iron type golf club head body along the rail;

wherein the weight member forms a portion of the sole surface of the iron type golf club head body.

13. A golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the weight member includes a groove on a bottom surface;

wherein the groove has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion.

14. A golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the rail has an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion;

and the upper portion of the rail engages the upper portion of a groove on the weight member.

15. A golf club head according to claim 14, wherein the rail has at least one angled side wall.

16. A golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the weight member is secured using an end cap, wherein the end cap has a surface shaped to act as a continuation of the toe side of the iron type golf club head body.

17. A golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the weight member abuts a surface of the heel portion of the back side of the iron type golf club head body.

18. A golf club head comprising:

an iron type golf club head body comprising a ball striking face, a heel side, a toe side, a hosel, a sole surface, a perimeter weighting member extending rearward from the ball striking face and a rear surface opposite the ball striking face;

wherein the rear surface includes a rail positioned in a heel to toe direction and having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger than the lower portion; and

wherein the perimeter weighting member includes a heel perimeter portion extending around a heel of the iron type golf club head body; and

a weight member comprising a groove on a bottom surface having an upper portion and a lower portion; and

wherein the groove is configured to slidably engage the rail from the toe side such that the weight member is unable to be removed without sliding along the rail.

19. A golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the weight member is secured to the iron type golf club head body using at least one mechanical fastener.

20. A golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the weight member abuts a surface of the heel perimeter portion of the perimeter weighting member.

21. A golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the rail has at least one angled side wall.

22. A golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the weight member includes:

a longitudinal length configured to extend along the golf club head in a heel to toe direction when the weight member is engaged with the golf club head;

a first longitudinal end; and

a second longitudinal end opposite the first longitudinal end,

wherein the weight member has a weight distribution along its longitudinal length such that the first longitudinal end is heavier than the second longitudinal end.