Golf club head or other ball striking device having impact-influencing body features

• US 9,662,551 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2015
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Akiyama, Hiromitsu, Oldknow, Andrew G. V., Boyd, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stanczak, Matthew B
• Application Number:
  US14/734,847
• Publication Number:
  US 20150273293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 473324-350, 473305-316, D21752
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/01 Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• 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 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/045 Strengthening ribs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/54 with means for damping vibrations

Abstract

A ball striking device has a face with a striking surface and a body extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face. A channel extends across at least a portion of the sole, and includes a trough defined between front and rear edges and extending in a heel-toe direction. The body further includes a spacing portion that forms a generally flattened surface extending from the front edge to proximate the outer periphery of the face. The rear edge of the channel is spaced rearwardly a different distance from the outer periphery of the face at the center portion of the channel as compared to the heel portion and/or the toe portion. One or more stiffening ribs may also be provided rearwardly of the channel, to increase the stiffness of the sole.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, the face being defined by an outer periphery;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the outer periphery of the face, the body having a sole configured to face a playing surface, a crown opposite the sole, a heel, and a toe;

an internal interconnection structure adapted for connection of a shaft to the body in an adjustable configuration;

a channel extending across at least a portion of the sole of the body, wherein the channel is defined between a front edge and a rear edge extending in a heel-to-toe direction and is inwardly recessed between the front and rear edges; and

an access opening within the sole, the access opening providing access to the internal interconnection structure, wherein the access opening is in communication with the channel between the face and the rear edge of the channel,

wherein the front edge of the channel is generally parallel to the outer periphery of the face at a center portion of the channel,

wherein a portion of the channel curves away from the face and extends near a heel edge and a toe edge of the sole into the heel and toe areas with a deepest portion of the channel located near the face of the golf club head,

wherein a width of the channel defined between the front and rear edges is greater proximate a center portion as compared to both a heel portion and a toe portion.

2. A golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least one releasable weight member is positioned rearward of the channel and proximate a center sole region in the heel-to-toe direction and a center portion of the sole in a front-to-back direction.

3. A golf club head of claim 1, wherein the club head has a volume in a range of 120 cc to 230 cc.

4. A golf club head of claim 1, wherein the club head has a volume in a range of 85 cc to 140 cc.

5. A golf club head of claim 1, wherein at least two releasable weight members are positioned in a center sole region in a heel-to-toe direction.

6. A golf club head of claim 1, wherein the club head has a volume of at least 400 cc.