Golf club head

• US 8,491,416 B1
• Filed: 08/17/2011
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Original Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
• Inventors: Demille, Brandon D., Cackett, Matthew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US13/211,595
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 473/346, 473/345, 473348-350
• US Class Current: 473/346
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• 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 53/0425 the face insert comprising two or more different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0458 with non-uniform thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering 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

Abstract

A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a face component;

a composite crown comprising an interior surface;

a composite sole comprising one or more apertures; and

one or more composite pieces having approximately the same size in plan as the one or more apertures and having at least three sides;

wherein the interior surface of the crown in visible through the one or more apertures;

wherein the interior surface of the crown visible through the apertures comprises one or more alignment features;

wherein at least one side of each of the one or more composite pieces is affixed to at least one side of each of the one or more apertures; and

wherein at least one side of each composite piece is affixed to the interior surface of the composite crown at the one or more alignment features.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the face component is a face cup composed of a titanium alloy.

3. A golf club head comprising

a face component;

a composite crown comprising an interior; and

a composite sole comprising at least one deep pocket;

wherein an alignment feature is provided on the interior surface of the crown;

wherein the at least one deep pocket comprises interior and exterior surfaces; and

wherein a portion of the interior surface of the at least one deep pocket contacts the alignment feature.

4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the composite sole comprises two deep pockets.

5. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein the face component is a face cup composed of a titanium alloy.

6. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein a cumulative volume of the at least one deep pocket is less than or equal to 15 cubic centimeters.