Golf club head construction

• US 6,524,194 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2001
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: McCabe, Terrill R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASSANITI, SEBASTIANO
• Application Number:
  US09/761,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20020094880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/349, 473/345, 473/346, 473/305, 473/306, 473/307, 473/308, 473/309, 473/310, 473/311, 473/312, 473/313, 473/314, 473/315, 473/316, 473/245, 473/246, 473/248, 473/291
• US Class Current: 473/305
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• 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 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

A golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft is provided. The head includes a first portion that forms an integral face and neck, with the neck having a keyed section. A second portion of the club head provides a body with a crown region and a sole region, the crown region including a keyway. A third portion is also provided in the form of a hosel tube with a top end being configured and dimensioned to receive the shaft. The hosel tube is received in the neck and fixed thereto. The first portion is fixed to the body to form a cavity, with the keyed section mating with the keyway.

Claims

1. A golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, the head comprising;

a first portion forming a face and neck with the neck including a keyed section;

a second portion forming a body with a crown region and a sole region, the crown region including a keyway; and

a third portion forming a hosel tube having a top end being configured and dimensioned for receiving the shaft, and a bottom end,

wherein the hosel tube is received in the neck and fixed thereto, and the first portion is fixed to the body to form a cavity, with the keyed section mating with the keyway, and

wherein the sole region includes a hole therein, the hole being configured and dimensioned to receive the hosel tube.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first portion is forged or stamped and the second portion is cast.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are cast.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hosel tube has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a shoulder portion extending therebetween, the shoulder portion abutting a top surface of the neck of the first portion.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the upper portion is greater than the outer diameter of the lower portion.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the hosel tube further includes a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being disposed generally coplanar with the sole region adjacent the hole.

7. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the hosel tube has a central axis and the lie angle of the club head is between about 40°

and about 70°

with respect to the central axis.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises more than one piece secured together.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hosel tube is coupled directly to the neck of the first portion and the sole region of the second portion.

10. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein the hosel tube is welded to the neck and sole region.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hosel tube has a through-bore.

12. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the hosel tube has a blind bore.

13. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the face has an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface having a centrally thickened region formed thereon.

14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the centrally thickened region has a thickness of between about 0.06 inch and 0.18 inch.

15. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the regions of the face adjacent the centrally thickened region have a thickness of between about 0.06 inch and 0.12 inch.

16. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the second portion further includes a window.

17. A golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, the head comprising;

a first portion forming a face and neck with the neck including a keyed section;

a second portion forming a body with a crown region and a sole region, the crown region including a keyway; and

a third portion forming a hosel tube having a top end being configured and dimensioned for receiving the shaft, and a bottom end,

wherein the hosel tube is received in the neck and fixed thereto, and the first portion is fixed to the body to form a cavity, with the keyed section mating with the keyway, and

wherein the hosel tube has a through-bore.

18. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the first portion is forged or stamped and the second portion is cast.

19. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the second portion comprises more than one piece secured together.

20. The golf club of claim 17, wherein the hosel tube is coupled directly to the neck of the first portion and the sole region of the second portion.