US20040009829A1 - Golf club head with interchangeable striking face-plates - Google Patents

Abstract

A golf club head having one or more easily attachable and detachable striking face-plates. A wood-type embodiment includes a hollow shell body and a striking face-plate removably attached to the body. A second wood-type embodiment includes a hollow shell body within which is a honeycomb assembly, and a striking face-plate removably attached to the body. An iron-type embodiment includes a body with an aperture therethrough and a striking face-plate removably attached to the body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• This invention relates to golf wood-type and iron-type club heads, and more particularly to club heads with removably attachable, interchangeable striking face-plates so that a single club can be adapted to any of a variety of playing situations and user preferences by customizing the striking face with an appropriate plate.[0002]
• 2. Description of the Related Art[0003]
• Golf club heads are configured to accommodate hitting a golf ball using clubs called woods, irons, wedges and putters. A 1-wood, the driver, is used to propel a ball off a tee to initiate play of a hole, while other woods generally in the collection of numbers 2 to 14 are used to achieve various lengths when hitting from fairways. The name derives from when the body of such a club head was made of persimmon or a like material. Although modem wood-type club heads, so-called “metal woods,” typically have a stainless steel or aluminum shell (i.e., a crown and sole) and a titanium striking face, the name has persisted in common usage. Irons, which range from numbers 1 to 10, are designed to strike the ball once the golfer has gotten closer to the green where the hole (or cup) is located. Iron-type club heads typically have a flat, oblong shape and are volumetrically smaller than wood-type heads. Both wood- and iron-type club heads have a striking face which is canted back from vertical when the head is in the ball impacting position. The degree of inclination varies depending upon whether a club is intended for long distances (the low numbered woods and irons) or shorter distances (the higher numbered woods and irons). As club number increases, the degree of inclination from vertical increases resulting in a trajectory having a greater, specific loft angle. Both the length and loft of a club affect the distance and height of a shot. For example, when driving off a tee with a 1-wood, the relatively long shaft and almost vertical striking face provide a low trajectory and long distance; in contrast a 9-iron, with its shorter shaft and greater face inclination, provides a high trajectory and much shorter distance.[0004]
• Many different wood-type club head configurations which provide a novel striking face are known in the related art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,149 B1 to M. C. W. Lee discloses a head having a striking face-plate encased in a ring, serving as an expansion joint, attached to the shell. Between the crown and face is a bridge made of hard and soft metals which reduces impact vibrations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,300 B1 to L. Y. Igarashi discloses a head having a striking face with a double-wall construction of inner and outer face-plates. The inner plate is solid or perforated and can include center ribs or other weight distributing and strengthening features. The conventional outer plate is fabricated of a high strength material such as titanium. U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,080 to R. M. Salisbury discloses a head having a striking face with horizontal grooves running from the toe toward the heel, and a wide air inlet slot. An air passage including a venturi section extends through the head from the slot to an outlet slot on the head rear side. U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,993 to S. S. Shan discloses a head having a recessed striking face into which is set a panel including a metallic mesh reinforced on its back side by radial ribs. Flexible material is used to block up the open spaces in the mesh. U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,322 to G. T. Straza et al. is directed to a head having a fiber insert containing a honeycomb structure filled with a solidified resilient resin. Alternatively, a metallic honeycomb structure is fitted within a horizontal slot in the front face of the insert.[0005]
• Iron-type club head configurations providing a novel striking face are also known in the related art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,614 to J. M. Yoon discloses a head including a body having a loop frame, horizontal plates and vertical supports. The striking face is formed by horizontal plates attached to the toe and heel. The plates and frame form cavities which allow air flow and the vertical supports provide rigidity to the plates. U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,755 to K. Kobayashi discloses a head having a rear surface with small cavities disposed in a honeycomb-like configuration within a large cavity determined by a metal frame.[0006]
• Striking face configurations suitable for both wood- and iron-type club heads are also known in the related art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,529 to T. L. Ruth, Jr. discloses hollow body wood and iron heads having a metal mesh striking face and a top-of-head mesh structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,227 to D. Sayrizi discloses heads having a striking face with an “egg crate” insert having vaned holes separated by thin walls. U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,399 to W. R. Raymont discloses heads having a striking face with a honeycomb structure behind and integral to the face back surface.[0007]
• The evolution of golf club design over the past fifty years has brought about many innovations which have enhanced the length and accuracy of the average golfer's game. Among these have been steel and graphite shafts, longer shafts, metal wood club heads, oversized club heads, and perimeter weighting of irons. A player in the market for a new set of clubs, whether woods or irons or both, can now choose among a large number of manufacturers and a bewildering number of models, each promising the latest and best in technological advances. But once a choice is made, the buyer must live with the consequences. Heretofore there has been no opportunity to easily adapt clubs, and particularly club heads, to meet the playing conditions of a particular course on a particular day or to permit modifications satisfying changing personal preferences. For example, the angle of inclination of the striking face of a driver is in a range between six and twelve degrees. On a windy day a player may want his tee-shots to have a lower loft than on a calm day so as to lessen the effect of cross-wind on ball trajectory. Or he may wish to be able to select among different striking face materials for iron shots, e.g., using a material which adheres to the ball at impact in a manner resulting in a desired amount of backspin. Or she may wish to modify the aerodynamic behavior of an oversized club head by adjusting the rate at which air flows through the head during the downswing. Or he may wish to be able to remove the face plate from a wood to adjust the distribution of weight within the shell, or to easily repair or replace a cracked face-plate.[0008]
• None of the references in the related art appear to have disclosed the inventive concept of interchangeable striking face-plates for a wood- or iron-type club head. The concept is analogous to customizing the stringing of a tennis racket, selecting the string material (gut or nylon), the pounds of tension, and the type and placement of shock absorbing devices. Ideally, such club heads should have rigidity and strength comparable to conventional heads and should incorporate aerodynamic features which reduce drag.[0009]
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
• In view of the limitations of the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a wood- or iron-type club head which allows a golfer to easily replace one striking face-plate with another, thereby adapting the club head to any of a variety of playing conditions and personal preferences such as changing the striking face pattern or material to provide a desired amount of stiffness at impact, modifying grooving on the striking face to fine-tune the amount of backspin imparted to a ball, and adjusting the rate of ram air venting through the club head.[0010]
• Another object of the invention is to provide a wood- or iron-type club head having aerodyanmic flow features which reduce drag.[0011]
• A further object of the invention is to provide a wood- or iron-type club head with rigidity and strength comparable to conventional club heads.[0012]
• Other objects of the invention will become evident when the following description is considered with the accompanying drawing figures. In the figures and description, numerals indicate the various features of the invention, like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and description.[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which in one aspect provides a golf club head including a body having an aperture and a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a striking face and a back surface, and the rear portion has a front surface. The back surface of the front portion is attached to and overlaps the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange. The rear portion is closely received within the aperture, and the face-plate is removably attached to the body.[0014]
• In another aspect the invention provides a wood-type golf club head including a hollow shell body having a crown and a sole extending forwardly in a toe. The crown and toe determine a front aperture bounded by a circumferential rim with a recessed lip. The body further includes two posts rigidly attached between the crown and sole, and a rearmost portion having a hole. The club head further includes a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a striking face and a back surface, and the rear portion has a front surface. The back surface of the front portion is attached to and overlaps the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange. The rear portion is closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip. The face-plate is removably attached to the lip and posts.[0015]
• In still another aspect the invention provides a wood-type club head including a hollow shell body having a crown and a sole extending forwardly in a toe. The crown and toe determine a front aperture bounded by a circumferential rim with a recessed lip, the crown and sole determine a cavity, and the body further includes a rearmost portion with a hole. The club head further includes a honeycomb assembly which is closely received and rigidly disposed within the cavity between the crown and sole. The club head firther includes a striking face-plate having a front portion with a striking face and a back surface, and a rear portion having front and back surfaces. The back surface of the front portion is attached to and overlaps the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange. Rigidly attached to the back surface of the rear portion are two posts. The rear portion is closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip. The face-plate is removably attached to the crown and sole.[0016]
• In yet another aspect the invention provides an iron-type golf club head including a body having an aperture therethrough determined by a circumferential surface and circumscribed by a rim with a recessed lip. The body further includes two posts rigidly attached to the circumferential surface. The club head further includes a striking face-plate having a front portion with a striking face and a back surface, and a rear portion having front and back surfaces. The back surface of the front portion is attached to and overlaps the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange. The rear portion is closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip. The face-plate is removably attached to the posts.[0017]
• A more complete understanding of the present invention and other objects, aspects and advantages thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided herein.[0018]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a wood-type golf club head according to the invention.[0019]
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 1 club head including a hollow shell having a crown with a plurality of air exhaust holes, and a perforated striking face-plate removably attached to posts rigidly disposed between the crown and sole.[0020]
• FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the FIG. 1 club head for a driver wherein the face-plate has, alternatively, a “low loft”, “medium loft,” or “high loft” configuration.[0021]
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the FIG. 1 club head along the lines[0022]4-4.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a wood-type golf club head according to the invention.[0023]
• FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 5 club head including a hollow shell containing a honeycomb assembly, and a perforated striking face-plate with posts attached to its back surface, removably attached to the crown and sole.[0024]
• FIG. 7 is an exploded side view of the FIG. 5 club head for a driver wherein the face-plate has, alternatively, a “low loft”, “medium loft,” or “high loft” configuration.[0025]
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the FIG. 5 club head along the lines[0026]8-8.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an iron-type golf club head according to the invention.[0027]
• FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 9 club head including a circumferential frame and a perforated striking face-plate removably attached to posts rigidly attached to the frame.[0028]
• FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of the FIGS. 9, 10 club head.[0029]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative constructions, the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings will be described herein in detail. It is to be understood, however, there is no intention to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention cover all modifications, equivalences and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.[0030]
• Where used herein the term “removably attached” means that the two major parts referred to (e.g., a club head shell-type body and a striking face-plate) are easily and conveniently detachable. Where used herein, the word “attached” means that the two parts referred to are either fabricated in a single piece, or welded or glued together. However, other forms of attachment may be suitable, consistent with simplicity of manufacture and reliability of operation.[0031]
• Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wood-[0032]type club head20 acccording to a first embodiment of the present invention includes ahollow shell body22 having acrown24 with aninterior surface24S and a sole26 extending forwardly in atoe28 proximate to aninterior surface28S, the crown and toe determining afront aperture30 bounded by acircumferential rim32 with a recessedlip32L.Body22 further includes first andsecond posts34,36 rigidly attached betweensurfaces24S and28S.Posts34,36 have a cruciform shape and, respectively, ahole34H,36H tapped to receive a screw. Alternatively, other shapes having an enlarged mid-portion are feasible.Crown24 includes therethrough a plurality of exhaust holes38.
• Referring to FIGS. 1, 2,[0033]3 and4,club head20 further includes a striking face-plate40 having afront portion42 with astriking face44, and a generallyplanar back surface46 attached to afront surface48 of a slightly smaller rear portion50 (see FIG. 3) sized to be closely received withinaperture30.Surface46 overlaps surface48 in aperipheral flange52 which abutslip32L.Portions42 and50 have therethrough a first plurality of air flow holes54, a second plurality ofholes56 which align with corresponding tappedholes58 inrim32, and twoholes60 which align with tappedholes34H,36H. Face-plate40 is removably attached tobody22 byscrews62 received within the tapped holes. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows three striking face-plates40L,40M,40H, having a succesively greater inclination angle, which provide for a driver, respectively, a low, medium and high loft angle. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4,body22 further includes arearmost portion64 having ahole66 therethrough which is an outlet for ram air entering throughholes54. Air is also expelled through theholes38 incrown24.
• Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a wood-[0034]type club head120 according to a second embodiment of the invention includes ahollow shell body122 having acrown124 and a sole126 extending forwardly in atoe128. The crown and toe determine a front aperture130 bounded by acircumferential rim132 with a recessedlip132L, and the crown and sole determine abody cavity134.Crown124 and sole126 include, respectively, first andsecond housings136,138 and140,142 having tapped bores144.Crown124 further includes therethrough a plurality of exhaust holes146. Withincavity134 is ahoneycomb assembly150 adapted to be closely received and rigidly disposed between the crown and sole.Assembly150 has a multiplicity of hexagonal cells and preferably is made of an aluminum alloy with high strength and stiffness such as type5052 or5056. Preferably, the cell size is in a range from {fraction (1/16)}- to ⅛-inch, and the cell wall thickness is in a range from 0.001- to 0.003-inch. Alternatively, the assembly may be made of another high strength, high stiffness material such as bias weave fiberglass phenolic.Assembly150 strengthens and stiffensbody122.
• Referring to FIGS. 5, 6,[0035]7 and8,club head120 further includes a striking face-plate160 having afront portion162 with astriking face164, and a generallyplanar back surface166 attached to afront surface168 of a slightly smallerrear portion170 having aback surface172 sized to be closely received within aperture130 (see FIG. 7).Surface166 overlapssurface168 in aperipheral flange174 which abutslip132L. Rigidly attached to backsurface172 are first andsecond posts176,178 which provide rigidity to the face-plate. Preferably,assembly150 abuts the posts to further stiffen the face-plate.Portions162 and170 have therethrough a first plurality of air flow holes180 and a second plurality ofholes182 which align with the tapped bores144 inhousings136,138,140,142. Face-plate160 is removably attached tobody122 byscrews184 received within the bores. FIG. 7 shows three striking face-plates160L,160M,160H, having a successively greater inclination angle, which provide for a driver, respectively, a low, medium and high loft angle. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8,body122 further includes arearmost portion190 having ahole192 therethrough which is an outlet for ram air entering throughholes180. Air is also expelled through theholes146 incrown124.
• Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and[0036]11, an iron-type club head200 according to a third embodiment of the invention includes abody202 having anaperture204 therethrough determined by acircumferential surface204S and circumscribed by arim206 with a recessedlip206L.Body202 further includes generally vertical first andsecond posts208,210, each rigidly attached to surface204S.Posts208,210 have a bar shape and, respectively, holes208H,210H tapped to receive a screw.Club head200 further includes a striking face-plate220 having afront portion222 with astriking face224, and a generallyplanar back surface226 attached to afront surface228 of a slightly smaller rear portion230 (see FIG. 11) sized to be closely received withinaperture204.Surface226 overlapssurface228 in aperipheral flange232 which abutslip206L. Consistent with mechanical integrity and rigidity, the face-plate should cover substantially all of thebody202.Portions222 and230 have therethrough a first plurality of air flow holes234 and twoholes236 aligned with tappedholes208H,210H. Face-plate220 is removably attached tobody202 byscrews238 received within the tapped holes.

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club head comprising:

a body having an aperture; and

a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a striking face and a generally planar back surface, the rear portion having a generally planar front surface, the back surface of the front portion attached to and overlapping the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange, the rear portion closely received within the aperture, the face-plate removably attached to the body.

2. The club head ofclaim 1 wherein the front and back portions have a plurality of holes therethrough.

3. The club head ofclaim 2, wherein the body is a wood-type body having a hollow shell.

4. The club head ofclaim 2, wherein the body is an iron-type body having the aperture therethrough.

5. A wood-type golf club head comprising:

a hollow shell body having a crown and a sole extending forwardly in a toe, the crown and toe determining a front aperture bounded by a circumferential rim with a recessed lip, the body further comprising first and second posts rigidly attached between the crown and sole, and a rearmost portion having a hole therethrough; and

a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a striking face and a generally planar back surface, the rear portion having a generally planar front surface, the back surface of the front portion attached to and overlapping the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange, the rear portion closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip, the face-plate removably attached to the lip and posts.

6. The club head ofclaim 5 wherein the front and back portions have a first plurality of holes therethrough, and the crown has a second plurality of holes therethrough.

7. The club head ofclaim 5 wherein the striking face is inclined at an angle in a range from about 6 degrees to about 12 degrees.

8. A wood-type club head comprising:

a hollow shell body having a crown and a sole extending forwardly in a toe, the crown and toe determining a front aperture bounded by a circumferential rim with a recessed lip, the crown and sole determining a cavity, the body further comprising a rearmost portion having a hole therethrough;

a honeycomb assembly comprising a multiplicity of cells through which air may pass, having a preselected shape, size and wall thickness, the assembly closely received and rigidly disposed within the cavity between the crown and sole;

a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a striking face and a generally planar back surface, the rear portion having generally planar front and back surfaces, the back surface of the front portion attached to and overlapping the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange; and

generally vertical first and second posts rigidly attached to the back surface of the rear portion, the rear portion closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip, the face-plate removably attached to the crown and sole.

9. The club head ofclaim 8 wherein the front and back portions have a first plurality of holes therethrough, and the crown has a second plurality of holes therethrough.

10. The club head ofclaim 8 wherein the striking face is inclined at an angle in a range from about 6 degrees to about 12 degrees.

11. The club head ofclaim 9 wherein the cell shape is hexagonal, the cell size is in a range from {fraction (1/16)}-inch to ⅛-inch, and the cell wall thickness is in a range from 0.001-inch to 0.003-inch.

12. The club head ofclaim 11 wherein the honeycomb assembly is made of an aluminum alloy.

13. An iron-type golf club head comprising:

a body having an aperture therethrough determined by a circumferential surface and circumscribed by a rim with a recessed lip, the body further comprising generally vertical first and second posts rigidly attached to the circumferential surface; and

a striking face-plate having a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a striking face and a generally planar back surface, the rear portion having generally planar front and back surfaces, the back surface of the front portion attached to and overlapping the front surface of the rear portion in a peripheral flange; the rear portion closely received within the aperture so that the flange abuts the lip, the face-plate removably attached to the posts.

14. The club head ofclaim 13 wherein the front and back portions have a plurality of holes therethrough.

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