Hollow golf club

• US 7,396,293 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cobra Golf Company (Puma SE)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Soracco, Peter L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNTER, ALVIN A
• Application Number:
  US11/063,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189407A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/350
• US Class Current: 473/329
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• 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 60/02 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

A golf club with improved performance over a larger percentage of the strike face, including the lower extremities of the face, is disclosed and claimed. The club head has a coefficient of restitution that approaches substantial uniformity across the face. The golf club head includes a body having a face, a sole, a transition zone between the face and the sole. The transition zone has an internal surface and an external surface. Both the internal and external surfaces have radii of curvature greater than 0.2 inch. The transition zone transitions smoothly from the face, through the transition zone, to the sole. An extension may be provided adjacent the transition zone, cooperating with the transition zone to form a chamber. Dampening and/or weight inserts may be positioned within the chamber.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a body having a face, a sole, a toe, a heel, and a transition zone between said face and said sole, said transition zone extending from said toe to said heel;

wherein said face includes an extension adjacent said transition zone; and

wherein said transition zone is curved and has a radius of curvature greater than 0.2 inch.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said extension defines a leading edge of the club head.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said extension and said transition zone define a chamber therebetween.

4. The golf club head of claim 3, further comprising an insert positioned within said chamber.

5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein said insert includes a resilient material.

6. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein said insert includes a damper.

7. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein said insert includes a weight member.

8. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein said insert includes:

a first weight member in a toe portion thereof;

a second weight member in a heel portion thereof; and

a resilient material intermediate said weight members.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head is a wood-type golf club head.