Iron-type golf clubs

• US 7,559,850 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Acushnet Company (FILA Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Burnett, Michael Scott, Gilbert, Peter J., Pettibone, Bruce R., Kays, Christopher R., Diaz, Tomas
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US11/367,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20060234805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 473290-291, 473/350, 473/332, 473/345
• US Class Current: 473/290
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/00 Golf clubs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/005 Club sets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0412 Volume
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0445 Details of grooves or the like on the impact surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0475 with one or more enclosed cavities
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating

Abstract

A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.

Claims

1. A set of iron-type golf clubs comprising:

at least one long iron comprising a first hitting face, a first rear face having a first channel formed therein, and a first insert sandwiched in the first channel, behind the first hitting face, having a first length L_l and a first volume V_l and a first mass M_l ;

at least one mid iron comprising a second hitting face, a second rear face having a second channel formed therein, and a second insert disposed behind the second hitting face having a second length L₂ and second volume V₂ and a second mass M₂; and

at least one short iron comprising a third hitting face, a third rear face having a third channel formed therein, and a third insert disposed behind the third hitting face having a third length L₃ and a third volume V₃ and a third mass M_3, wherein L₁>

L₂>

L₃and V₁>

V₂>

V₃and M₁>

M₂>

M₃and the sole width decreases between 0.725 inches and 0.635 inches in the set from the at least one long iron to the at least one short iron, and wherein each insert fills at least a majority of the respective channel to provide a consistent aesthetic and feel throughout the set.

2. The set of clubs according to claim 1, wherein the first rear face has a cavity back configuration.

3. The set of clubs of claim 1, wherein the long iron is an oversized club head.

4. The set of clubs of claim 1, wherein at least one club includes a vibration dampener embedded between the insert and the hitting face.