US20160096083A1 - Golf club head or other ball striking device having impact-influencing body features - Google Patents

Abstract

A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball where the face has multiple thickness regions. The face has a center region, an upper region, a lower region, a toe region, and a heel region. The upper and lower regions have a ramped thickness extending from a center region to an upper and lower edge of the face. The heel and toe regions have a constant face thickness and have a thickness less than the other regions. Additionally, the club head body has a channel extending across a portion of the sole. The channel may be recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and have a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole. The channel may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric with a front wall and a rear wall where the front wall is longer than the rear wall. The channel may also have a center thickness that is different than a thickness at the heel and toe sides.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This Application claims priority to Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 62/217,503 filed Sep. 11, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part to Non-Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 14/725,966 filed May 29, 2015, and Non-Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 14/593,752 filed Jan. 9, 2015, which claims priority to Provisional Application, U.S. Ser. No. 62/015,237, filed Jun. 20, 2014. The above-identified U.S. applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The invention relates generally to golf club heads and other ball striking devices that include impact influencing body features. Certain aspects of this invention relate to golf club heads and other ball striking devices that have one or more of a compression channel extending across at least a portion of the sole, a void within the sole, and internal and/or external ribs.
BACKGROUND
• Golf clubs and many other ball striking devices may have various face and body features, as well as other characteristics that can influence the use and performance of the device. For example, users may wish to have improved impact properties, such as increased coefficient of restitution (COR) in the face, increased size of the area of greatest response or COR (also known as the “hot zone”) of the face, and/or improved efficiency of the golf ball on impact. A significant portion of the energy loss during an impact of a golf club head with a golf ball is a result of energy loss in the deformation of the golf ball, and reducing deformation of the golf ball during impact may increase energy transfer and velocity of the golf ball after impact. The present devices and methods are provided to address at least some of these problems and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior ball striking devices. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY
• The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
• Aspects of this disclosure relate to a golf club head comprising: a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, an upper edge, a lower edge, a heel edge, and a toe edge; a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, the body having a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe; and a channel extending across a portion of the sole in a heel to toe direction. The body and the face may be integrally joined at a joint to form an interior cavity and the upper edge, the lower edge, the heel edge, and the toe edge of the face are defined by the joint, where the face may have multiple thickness regions with a center region positioned a center of the face, a heel region positioned on the heel, a toe region positioned on the toe, an upper region positioned between the center region and the upper edge of the face, and a lower region positioned between the center region and the lower edge of the face. The upper region may have a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the upper edge, and the lower region of the face may have a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the lower edge.
• Additional aspects relate to the club head where the channel may be recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and have a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole, where the channel comprises a center portion extending across a center of the sole, a heel portion extending from a heel end of the center portion toward the heel, and a toe portion extending from a toe end of the center portion toward the toe. The center portion of the channel may have an asymmetric cross-sectional shape where a front wall of the center portion of the channel has a first length and a rear wall of the center portion of the channel has a second length. The first length may be greater than the second length and a ratio of the first length to the second length may be in a range between 2.5:1 and 4.0:1.
• Further aspects of this disclosure relate to a channel may have an angle formed between the front wall and the rear wall in a cross-section of the center portion of the channel may be in a range between 75 degrees and 90 degrees. The channel may have a wall thickness that is greater in the center portion of the channel than in at least one of the heel and toe portions. A ratio of a thickness of the toe region of the face to a thickness of the toe portion of the channel may be within a range of 2.5:1 to 2.9:1. The width of the channel at the heel and toe portions may be greater than the width of the center portion. Additionally, a ratio of a thickness of the center region of the face to a thickness of the toe region of the face may be in a range of 1.27:1 to 1.55:1.
• Further aspects disclose a face with a center region may have a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The center region may have a center point that is located within a range between 1 mm and 4 mm above a face center location in a crown-to-sole direction. The center region may have a surface area that is within a range of 18 percent and 23 percent of a total surface area of the face defined within a boundary of the upper edge, the toe edge, the lower edge and the heel edge.
• Another aspect of this disclosure relates to golf club head body having a channel with an angle formed between the front wall and the rear wall in a cross-section of the center portion of the channel that may be in a range between 75 degrees and 90 degrees. Also, the channel may have a cross-sectional shape of the heel and toe portions that is different than a cross-sectional shape at the center portion of the channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• To allow for a more full understanding of the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a golf club with a golf club head according to aspects of the disclosure, in the form of a golf driver;
• FIG. 2 is a bottom right rear perspective view of the golf club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the club head ofFIG. 1, showing a ground plane origin point;
• FIG. 4 is a front view of the club head ofFIG. 1, showing a hosel origin point;
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 is a front view of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 8 is bottom view of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line9-9 ofFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9A is a view from the lower front perspective view of the club head ofFIG. 1, with a portion removed to show internal detail;
• FIG. 10 is a cross-section view taken along line10-10 ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 11 is a magnified view ofFIG. 10 showing a portion of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 11A is a magnified view ofFIG. 10 showing a portion of an alternate embodiment of the club head ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 12 is a cross-section view taken along line12-12 ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 13 is a cross-section view taken along line13-13 ofFIG. 8;
• FIG. 14 is a front left perspective view of the club head ofFIG. 1, with a portion removed to show internal detail;
• FIG. 15 is rear right perspective view of the golf club ofFIG. 1, with a portion removed to show internal detail;
• FIG. 15A is a magnified view of the cross-sectional view of the golf club ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 16 is a bottom right rear perspective view of an another embodiment of a golf club head according to aspects of this disclosure, in the form of a golf driver;
• FIG. 16A is a side perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 16 with a portion removed to show internal detail;
• FIG. 17 is a bottom right rear perspective view of an another embodiment of a golf club head according to aspects of this disclosure, in the form of a golf driver;
• FIG. 18 is a bottom right rear perspective view of an another embodiment of a golf club head according to aspects of this disclosure, in the form of a golf fairway wood;
• FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the golf club ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 20 is a side view of the club head ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 21 is a front view of the club head ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 22 is a top view of the club head ofFIG. 18;
• FIG. 23 is a cross-section view taken along line23-23 ofFIG. 19;
• FIG. 24 is a cross-section view taken along line24-24 ofFIG. 19;
• FIG. 25 is a cross-section view taken along line25-25 ofFIG. 19;
• FIG. 26 is cross-section view taken along line26-26 ofFIG. 20;
• FIG. 27 is a bottom right rear perspective view of an another embodiment of a golf club head according to aspects of this disclosure, in the form of a golf hybrid;
• FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the golf club ofFIG. 27;
• FIG. 29 is a side view of the club head ofFIG. 27;
• FIG. 30 is a front view of the club head ofFIG. 27;
• FIG. 31 is a cross-section view taken along line31-31 ofFIG. 28;
• FIG. 32 is a cross-section view taken along line32-32 ofFIG. 28; and
• FIG. 33 is a cross-section view taken along line33-33 ofFIG. 28.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
• The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below.
• “Ball striking device” means any device constructed and designed to strike a ball or other similar objects (such as a hockey puck). In addition to generically encompassing “ball striking heads,” which are described in more detail below, examples of “ball striking devices” include, but are not limited to: golf clubs, putters, croquet mallets, polo mallets, baseball or softball bats, cricket bats, tennis rackets, badminton rackets, field hockey sticks, ice hockey sticks, and the like.
• “Ball striking head” (or “head”) means the portion of a “ball striking device” that includes and is located immediately adjacent (optionally surrounding) the portion of the ball striking device designed to contact the ball (or other object) in use. In some examples, such as many golf clubs and putters, the ball striking head may be a separate and independent entity from any shaft member, and it may be attached to the shaft in some manner.
• The terms “shaft” or “handle” include the portion of a ball striking device (if any) that the user holds during a swing of a ball striking device.
• “Integral joining technique” means a technique for joining two pieces so that the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques, such as adhesively joining, cementing, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like, where separation of the joined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto. Pieces joined with such a technique are described as “integrally joined.”
• “Generally parallel” means that a first line, segment, plane, edge, surface, etc. is approximately (in this instance, within 5%) equidistant from with another line, plane, edge, surface, etc., over at least 50% of the length of the first line, segment, plane, edge, surface, etc.
• In general, aspects of this invention relate to ball striking devices, such as golf club heads, golf clubs, and the like. Such ball striking devices, according to at least some examples of the invention, may include a ball striking head with a ball striking surface. In the case of a golf club, the ball striking surface is a substantially flat surface on one face of the ball striking head. Some more specific aspects of this invention relate to wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrid clubs, and the like, although aspects of this invention also may be practiced in connection with iron-type clubs, putters, and other club types as well.
• According to various aspects and embodiments, the ball striking device may be formed of one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), ceramics, polymers, composites (including fiber-reinforced composites), and wood, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. In one illustrative embodiment, some or all components of the head, including the face and at least a portion of the body of the head, are made of metal (the term “metal,” as used herein, includes within its scope metal alloys, metal matrix composites, and other metallic materials). It is understood that the head may contain components made of several different materials, including carbon-fiber composites, polymer materials, and other components. Additionally, the components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, metal components, such as components made from titanium, aluminum, titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, steels (including stainless steels), and the like, may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. In another example, composite components, such as carbon fiber-polymer composites, can be manufactured by a variety of composite processing techniques, such as prepreg processing, powder-based techniques, mold infiltration, and/or other known techniques. In a further example, polymer components, such as high strength polymers, can be manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various molding and casting techniques and/or other known techniques.
• The various figures in this application illustrate examples of ball striking devices according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
• At least some examples of ball striking devices according to this invention relate to golf club head structures, including heads for wood-type golf clubs, such as drivers, fairway woods and hybrid clubs, as well as other types of wood-type clubs. Such devices may include a one-piece construction or a multiple-piece construction. Example structures of ball striking devices according to this invention will be described in detail below in conjunction withFIGS. 1-17 which illustrate one illustrative embodiment of a ballstriking device100 in the form of a wood-type golf club (e.g. a driver). It is understood that similar configurations may be used for other wood-type clubs, including a fairway wood (e.g., a 3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood, etc.), as illustrated inFIGS. 18-26, or a hybrid club, as illustrated inFIGS. 27-33. As mentioned previously, aspects of this disclosure may alternately be used in connection with long iron clubs (e.g., driving irons, zero irons through five irons, and hybrid type golf clubs), short iron clubs (e.g., six irons through pitching wedges, as well as sand wedges, lob wedges, gap wedges, and/or other wedges), and putters.
• Thegolf club100 shown inFIGS. 1-17 includes a golf club head or aball striking head102 configured to strike a ball in use and ashaft104 connected to theball striking head102 and extending therefrom.FIGS. 1-17 illustrate one embodiment of a ball striking head in the form of agolf club head102 that has aface112 connected to abody108, with ahosel109 extending therefrom and ashaft104 connected to thehosel109. For reference, thehead102 generally has a top orcrown116, a bottom or sole118, aheel120 proximate thehosel109, atoe122 distal from thehosel109, a front124, and a back or rear126, as shown inFIGS. 1-13. The shape and design of thehead102 may be partially dictated by the intended use of thegolf club100. For example, it is understood that the sole118 is configured to face the playing surface in use. With clubs that are configured to be capable of hitting a ball resting directly on the playing surface, such as a fairway wood, hybrid, iron, etc., the sole118 may contact the playing surface in use, and features of the club may be designed accordingly.
• In theclub100 shown inFIGS. 1-15, thehead102 has an enclosed volume, measured per “USGA PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING THE CLUB HEAD SIZE OF WOOD CLUBS”, TPX-3003, REVISION 1.0.0 dated Nov. 21, 2003, as theclub100 is a wood-type club designed for use as a driver, intended to hit the ball long distances. In this procedure, the volume of the club head is determined using the displaced water weight method. According to the procedure, any large concavities must be filled with clay or dough and covered with tape so as to produce a smooth contour prior to measuring volume. Club head volume may additionally or alternately be calculated from three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) modeling of the golf club head. In other applications, such as for a different type of golf club, thehead102 may be designed to have different dimensions and configurations. For example, when configured as a driver, theclub head102 may have a volume of at least 400 cc, and in some structures, at least 450 cc, or even at least 470 cc. Thehead102 illustrated in the form of a driver inFIGS. 1-17 has a volume of approximately 460 cc, or within a range of 410 cc to 470 cc. If instead configured as a fairway wood (e.g.,FIGS. 18-26), the head may have a volume of 120 cc to 250 cc, and if configured as a hybrid club (e.g.,FIGS. 27-33), the head may have a volume of 85 cc to 170 cc. Other appropriate sizes for other club heads may be readily determined by those skilled in the art. The loft angle of theclub head102 also may vary, e.g., depending on the shot distance desired for theclub head102. For example, a driver golf club head may have a loft angle range of 7 degrees to 16 degrees, a fairway wood golf club head may have a loft angle range of 12 to 25 degrees, and a hybrid golf club head may have a loft angle range of 16 to 28 degrees.
• Thebody108 of thehead102 can have various different shapes, including a rounded shape, as in thehead102 shown inFIGS. 1-17, a generally square or rectangular shape, or any other of a variety of other shapes. It is understood that such shapes may be configured to distribute weight in any desired, manner, e.g., away from theface112 and/or the geometric/volumetric center of thehead102, in order to create a lower center of gravity and/or a higher moment of inertia.
• In the illustrative embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-17, thehead102 has a hollow structure defining an inner cavity106 (e.g., defined by theface112 and the body108) with a plurality of inner surfaces defined therein. In one embodiment, theinner cavity106 may be filled with air. However, in other embodiments, theinner cavity106 could be filled or partially filled with another material, such as foam. In still further embodiments, the solid materials of the head may occupy a greater proportion of the volume, and the head may have a smaller cavity or noinner cavity106 at all. It is understood that theinner cavity106 may not be completely enclosed in some embodiments.
• Theface112 is located at the front124 of thehead102 and has a ball striking surface (or striking surface)110 located thereon and aninner surface111 opposite theball striking surface110, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Theball striking surface110 is typically an outer surface of theface112 configured to face a ball in use and is adapted to strike the ball when thegolf club100 is set in motion, such as by swinging. As shown, theball striking surface110 is relatively flat, occupying at least a majority of theface112. Theface112 has an outer periphery formed of a plurality of outer orperipheral edges114. The edges of theface112 may be defined as the boundaries of an area of theface112 that is specifically designed to contact the ball in use, and may be recognized as the boundaries of an area of theface112 that is intentionally shaped and configured to be suited for ball contact. Theface112 may include some curvature in the top to bottom and/or heel to toe directions (e.g., bulge and roll characteristics), as is known and is conventional in the art. In other embodiments, thesurface110 may occupy a different proportion of theface112, or thebody108 may have multipleball striking surfaces110 thereon. Generally, theball striking surface110 is inclined with respect to the ground or contact surface (i.e., at a loft angle), to give the ball a desired trajectory and spin when struck, and it is understood that different club heads102 may have different loft angles. Additionally, theface112 may have a variable thickness and also may have one or more internal or external inserts and/or supports in some embodiments. In one embodiment, theface112 of thehead102 inFIGS. 1-15 may be made from titanium (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V alloy or other alloy); however, theface112 may be made from other materials in other embodiments.
• It is understood that theface112, thebody108, and/or thehosel109 can be formed as a single piece or as separate pieces that are joined together. Theface112 may be formed as a face member with thebody108 being partially or wholly formed by one or more separate pieces connected to the face member. Such a face member may be in the form of, e.g., a face plate member or face insert, or a partial or complete cup-face member having a wall or walls extending rearward from the edges of theface112. These pieces may be connected by an integral joining technique, such as welding, cementing, or adhesively joining. Other known techniques for joining these parts can be used as well, including many mechanical joining techniques, including releasable mechanical engagement techniques. As one example, a body member formed of a single, integral, cast piece may be connected to a face member to define the entire club head. Thehead102 inFIGS. 1-15 may be constructed using this technique, in one embodiment. As yet another example, a first piece including theface112 and a portion of thebody108 may be connected to one or more additional pieces to further define thebody108. For example, the first piece may have an opening on the top and/or bottom sides, with a separate piece or pieces connected to form part or all of thecrown116 and/or the sole118. Further different forming techniques may be used in other embodiments.
• Thegolf club100 may include ashaft104 connected to or otherwise engaged with theball striking head102 as shown inFIG. 1. Theshaft104 is adapted to be gripped by a user to swing thegolf club100 to strike the ball. Theshaft104 can be formed as a separate piece connected to thehead102, such as by connecting to thehosel109, as shown inFIG. 1. Any desired hosel and/or head/shaft interconnection structure may be used without departing from this invention, including conventional hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structures as are known and used in the art, or an adjustable, releasable, and/or interchangeable hosel or other head/shaft interconnection structure such as those shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0062029, filed on Aug. 28, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 9,050,507, filed on Oct. 31, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,533,060, issued Sep. 10, 2013, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and made parts hereof. Thehead102 may have an opening orother access128 for theadjustable hosel109 connecting structure that extends through the sole118, as seen inFIG. 2. In other illustrative embodiments, at least a portion of theshaft104 may be an integral piece with thehead102, and/or thehead102 may not contain ahosel109 or may contain an internal hosel structure. Still further embodiments are contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention.
• Theshaft104 may be constructed from one or more of a variety of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, or wood. In some illustrative embodiments, theshaft104, or at least portions thereof, may be constructed of a metal, such as stainless steel or titanium, or a composite, such as a carbon/graphite fiber-polymer composite. However, it is contemplated that theshaft104 may be constructed of different materials without departing from the scope of the invention, including conventional materials that are known and used in the art. Agrip element105 may be positioned on theshaft104 to provide a golfer with a slip resistant surface with which to grasp thegolf club shaft104, as seen inFIG. 1. The grip element may be attached to theshaft104 in any desired manner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art (e.g., via adhesives or cements, threads or other mechanical connectors, swedging/swaging, etc.).
• The various embodiments ofgolf clubs100 and/or golf club heads102 described herein may include components that have sizes, shapes, locations, orientations, etc., that are described with reference to one or more properties and/or reference points. Several of such properties and reference points are described in the following paragraphs, with reference toFIGS. 3-7.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, a lie angle2 is defined as the angle formed between the hosel axis4 or a shaft axis5 and a horizontal plane contacting the sole118, i.e., the ground plane6. It is noted that the hosel axis4 and the shaft axis5 are central axes along which thehosel109 andshaft104 extend.
• One or more origin points8 (e.g.,8A,8B) may be defined in relation to certain elements of thegolf club100 orgolf club head102. Various other points, such as a center of gravity, a sole contact, and a face center, may be described and/or measured in relation to one or more of such origin points8.FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two different examples of such origin points8, including their locations and definitions. A first origin point location, referred to as a groundplane origin point8A is generally located at the ground plane6. The groundplane origin point8A is defined as the point at which the ground plane6 and the hosel axis4 intersect. A second origin point location, referred to as ahosel origin point8B, is generally located on thehosel109. Thehosel origin point8B is defined on the hosel axis4 and coincident with the uppermost edge of thehosel109. Either location for the origin point8, as well as other origin points8, may be utilized for reference without departing from this invention. It is understood that references to the groundplane origin point8A andhosel origin point8B are used herein consistent with the definitions in this paragraph, unless explicitly noted otherwise. Throughout the remainder of this application, the groundplane origin point8A will be utilized for all reference locations, tolerances, calculations, etc., unless explicitly noted otherwise.
• As illustrated inFIG. 3, a coordinate system may be defined with an origin located at the groundplane origin point8A, referred to herein as a ground plane coordinate system. In other words, this coordinate system has an X-axis14, a Y-axis16, and a Z-axis18 that all pass through the groundplane origin point8A. The X-axis in this system is parallel to the ground plane and generally parallel to thestriking surface110 of thegolf club head102. The Y-axis16 in this system is perpendicular to theX-axis14 and parallel to the ground plane6, and extends towards the rear126 of thegolf club head102, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the drawing sheet inFIG. 3. The Z-axis18 in this system is perpendicular to the ground plane6, and may be considered to extend vertically. Throughout the remainder of this application, the ground plane coordinate system will be utilized for all reference locations, tolerances, calculations, etc., unless explicitly noted otherwise.
• FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate an example of a center ofgravity location26 as a specified parameter of thegolf club head102, using the ground plane coordinate system. The center of gravity of thegolf club head102 may be determined using various methods and procedures known and used in the art. Thegolf club head102 center ofgravity location26 is provided with reference to its position from the groundplane origin point8A. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 5, the center ofgravity location26 is defined by adistance CGX28 from the groundplane origin point8A along theX-axis14, a distance CGY30 from the groundplane origin point8A along the Y-axis16, and adistance CGZ32 from the groundplane origin point8A along the Z-axis18.
• Additionally as illustrated inFIG. 3, another coordinate system may be defined with an origin located at thehosel origin point8B, referred to herein as a hosel axis coordinate system. In other words, this coordinate system has an X′axis22, a Y′axis20, and a Z′axis24 that all pass through thehosel origin point8B. The Z′axis24 in this coordinate system extends along the direction of the shaft axis5 (and/or the hosel axis4). The X′axis22 in this system extends parallel with the vertical plane and normal to the Z′axis24. The Y′axis20 in this system extends perpendicular to the X′axis22 and the Z′axis24 and extends toward the rear126 of thegolf club head102, i.e., the same direction as the Y-axis16 of the ground plane coordinate system.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a center ofgravity location26 as a specified parameter of thegolf club head102, using the hosel axis coordinate system. The center of gravity of thegolf club head102 may be determined using various methods and procedures known and used in the art. Thegolf club head102 center ofgravity location26 is provided with reference to its position from thehosel origin point8B. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the center ofgravity location26 is defined by adistance ΔX34 from thehosel origin point8B along the X′axis22, a distance ΔY (not shown) from thehosel origin point8B along the Y′axis20, and adistance ΔZ38 from thehosel origin point8B along the Z′axis24.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the face center (FC)location40 on agolf club head102. Theface center location40 illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 is determined using United States Golf Association (USGA) standard measuring procedures from the “Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead”, USGA TPX-3004, Revision 2.0, Mar. 25, 2005. Using this USGA procedure, a template is used to locate theFC location40 from both aheel120 totoe122 location and acrown116 to sole118 location. For measuring theFC location40 from the heel to toe location, the template should be placed on thestriking surface110 until the measurements at the edges of thestriking surface110 on both theheel120 andtoe122 are equal. This marks theFC location40 from a heel to toe direction. To find the face center from a crown to sole dimension, the template is placed on thestriking surface110 and theFC location40 from crown to sole is the location where the measurements from thecrown116 to sole118 are equal. TheFC location40 is the point on thestriking surface110 where the crown-to-sole measurements on the template are equidistant, and the heel to toe measurements are equidistant.
• As illustrated inFIG. 6, theFC location40 can be defined from the ground plane origin coordinate system, such that adistance CFX42 is defined from the groundplane origin point8A along theX-axis14, adistance CFY44 is defined from the groundplane origin point8A along the Y-axis16, and adistance CFZ46 is defined from the groundplane origin point8A along the Z-axis18. It is understood that theFC location40 may similarly be defined using the hosel origin system, if desired. The face progression (FP)31 may be determined as the distance from the center axis of the hosel ororigin point8A to the forward most edge of thehead102 along the Y-Axis16.
• FIG. 7 illustrates an example of aloft angle48 of thegolf club head102. Theloft angle48 can be defined as the angle between aplane53 that is tangential to thestriking surface110 at theFC location40 and aplane51 normal or perpendicular to the ground plane6. Alternately, theloft angle48 can be defined as the angle between anaxis50 normal or perpendicular to thestriking surface110 at theFC location40, called aface center axis50, and the ground plane6. It is understood that each of these definitions of theloft angle48 may yield the substantially the same loft angle measurement. Additionally, a sole-face intersection point68 may be defined as the point whereplane53 intersects the ground plane6 at a plane parallel to the Z-axis through theFC location40.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an example of aface angle52 of agolf club head102. As illustrated inFIG. 5, theface angle52 is defined as the angle between theface center axis50 and aplane54 perpendicular to theX-axis14 and the ground plane6.
• FIG. 3 illustrates agolf club head102 oriented in a reference position. In the reference position, the hosel axis4 or shaft axis5 lies in a vertical plane, as shown inFIG. 7. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the hosel axis4 may be oriented at the lie angle2. The lie angle2 selected for the reference position may be thegolf club100 manufacturer's specified lie angle. If a specified lie angle is not available from the manufacturer, a lie angle of 60 degrees can be used. Furthermore, for the reference position, thestriking surface110 may, in some circumstances, be oriented at aface angle54 of 0 degrees. The measurement setup for establishing the reference position can be found determined using the “Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs”, TPX-3003, Revision 1.0.0, dated Nov. 21, 2003.
• As golf clubs have evolved in recent years, many have incorporated head/shaft interconnection structures connecting theshaft104 andclub head102. These interconnection structures are used to allow a golfer to easily change shafts for different flex, weight, length or other desired properties. Many of these interconnection structures have features whereby theshaft104 is connected to the interconnection structure at a different angle than the hosel axis4 of the golf club head, including the interconnection structures discussed elsewhere herein. This feature allows these interconnection structures to be rotated in various configurations to potentially adjust some of the relationships between theclub head102 and theshaft104 either individually or in combination, such as the lie angle, the loft angle, or the face angle. As such, if agolf club100 includes an interconnection structure, it shall be attached to the golf club head when addressing any measurements on thegolf club head102. For example, when positioning thegolf club head102 in the reference position, the interconnection structures should be attached to the structure. Since this structure can influence the lie angle, face angle, and loft angle of the golf club head, the interconnection member shall be set to its most neutral position. Additionally, these interconnection members have a weight that can affect the golf club heads mass properties, e.g. center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) properties. Thus, any mass property measurements on the golf club head should be measured with the interconnection member attached to the golf club head.
• The moment of inertia is a property of theclub head102, the importance of which is known to those skilled in the art. There are three moment of inertia properties referenced herein. The moment of inertia with respect to an axis parallel to theX-axis14 of the ground plane coordinate system, extending through the center ofgravity26 of theclub head102, is referenced as the MOI x-x, as illustrated inFIG. 7. The moment of inertia with respect to an axis parallel to the Z-axis18 of the ground plane coordinate system, extending through the center ofgravity26 of theclub head102, is referenced as the MOI z-z, as illustrated inFIG. 5. The moment of inertia with respect to the Z′axis24 of the hosel axis coordinate system is referenced as the MOI h-h, as illustrated inFIG. 4. The MOI h-h can be utilized in determining how theclub head102 may resist the golfer's ability to close the clubface during the swing.
• The ball striking face height (FH)56 is a measurement taken along a plane normal to the ground plane and defined by thedimension CFX42 through theface center40, of the distance between the ground plane6 and a point represented by a midpoint of a radius between thecrown116 and theface112. An example of the measurement of theface height56 of ahead102 is illustrated inFIG. 10. Theface height56 in one embodiment of theclub head102 ofFIGS. 1-15 may be 50-72 mm, or may be approximately 60 mm +/−2 mm in another embodiment. It is understood that the club heads102 described herein may be produced with multiple different loft angles, and that different loft angles may have some effect onface height56.
• Thehead length58 and head breadth60 measurements can be determined by using the USGA “Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,” USGA-TPX 3003, Revision 1.0.0, dated Nov. 21, 2003. Examples of the measurement of thehead length58 and head breadth60 of ahead102 are illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5.
Geometry and Mass Properties of Club Heads
• In thegolf club100 shown inFIGS. 1-15, thehead102 has dimensional characteristics that define its geometry and also has specific mass properties that can define the performance of the golf club as it relates to the ball flight that it imparts onto a golf ball during the golf swing or the impact event itself. This illustrative embodiment and other embodiments are described in greater detail below.
• Thehead102 as shown inFIGS. 1-15 illustrates a driver golf club head. Thehead102 may have a head weight of 198 to 210 grams. The head may have a center of gravity CGX in the range of 20 to 24 mm, CGY in the range of 16 to 20 mm, and CGZ in the range of 30 to 34 mm. Correspondingly from the hosel coordinate system, the ΔX may be in the range of 34 to 38 mm, the ΔY may be in the range of 16 to 20 mm, and the ΔZ may be in the range of 68 to 72 mm. Thehead102 may have a corresponding MOI x-x of approximately 2500 to 2800 g*cm²or 2200 to 3000 g*cm². Thehead102 may have a corresponding MOI z-z of approximately 4400 to 4800 g*cm²or 4200 to 5200 g*cm². Thehead102 may have a corresponding MOI h-h of approximately 6700 to 7100 g*cm². Thehead102 generally may have a head length ranging from 115 to 122 mm and a head breadth ranging from 114 to 119 mm. Additionally, the head may have aface center location40 defined by a CFX between (where between is defined herein as inclusive) 21 to 25 mm, a CFY between 13 to 17 mm, and a CFZ between 31 to 35 mm.
• Thehead102 as shown inFIGS. 18-26 illustrates a fairway wood golf club head. This head generally may have a head weight of208 to224 grams. The head may have a center of gravity CGX in the range of 21 to 26 mm, CGY in the range of 13 to 19 mm, and CGZ in the range of 15 to 19 mm. Correspondingly from the hosel coordinate system, the ΔX may be in the range of 27 to 32 mm, the ΔY may be in the range of 13 to 19 mm, and the ΔZ may be in the range of 57 to 64 mm. Thehead102 may have a corresponding MOI x-x of approximately 1250 to 1550 g*cm², an MOI z-z of approximately 2400 to 2800 g*cm², and an MOI h-h of approximately 4400 to 5000 g*cm². Thehead102 generally may have a head length ranging from 101 to 105 mm and a head breadth ranging from 86 to 90 mm. Additionally, the head may have aface center location40 defined by a CFX between 21 to 25 mm, a CFY between 8 to 13 mm, and a CFZ between 18 to 22 mm.
• Thehead102 as shown inFIGS. 27-33 illustrates a hybrid golf club head. This head generally may have a head weight of 222 to 250 grams. The head may have a center of gravity CGX in the range of 22 to 26 mm, CGY in the range of 8 to 13 mm, and CGZ in the range of 13 to 17 mm. Correspondingly, from the hosel coordinate system, the ΔX may be in the range of 27 to 32 mm, the ΔY may be in the range of 8 to 13 mm, and the ΔZ may be in the range of 60 to 65 mm. Thehead102 may have a corresponding MOI x-x of approximately 800 to 1200 g*cm², an MOI z-z of approximately 2000 to 2400 g*cm², and an MOI h-h of approximately 3600 to 4000 g*cm². Thehead102 generally may have a head length ranging from 97 to 102 mm and a head breadth ranging from 64 to 71 mm. Additionally, the head may have aface center40 defined by a CFX between 22 to 26 mm, a CFY between 6 to 12 mm, and a CFZ between 17 to 21 mm.
Channel Structure of Club Head
• In general, theball striking heads102 according to the present invention include features on thebody108 that influence the impact of a ball on theface112, such as one ormore compression channels140 positioned on thebody108 of thehead102 that allow at least a portion of thebody108 to flex, produce a reactive force, and/or change the behavior or motion of theface112, during impact of a ball on theface112. In thegolf club100 shown inFIGS. 1-15, thehead102 includes asingle channel140 located on the sole118 of thehead102. As described below, thischannel140 permits compression and flexing of thebody108 during impact on theface112, which can influence the impact properties of the club head. This illustrative embodiment and other embodiments are described in greater detail below.
• Thegolf club head102 shown inFIGS. 1-15 includes acompression channel140 positioned on the sole118 of thehead102, and which may extend continuously across at least a portion of the sole118. In other embodiments, thehead102 may have achannel140 positioned differently, such as on thecrown116, theheel120, and/or thetoe122. It is also understood that thehead102 may have more than onechannel140, or may have an annular channel extending around the entire or substantially theentire head102. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 8, thechannel140 of this example structure is elongated, extending between afirst end142 located proximate theheel120 of thehead102 and asecond end144 located proximate thetoe122 of thehead102. Thechannel140 has a boundary that is defined by a first orfront edge146 and a second orrear edge148 that extend between theends142,144. In this embodiment, thechannel140 extends across the sole, adjacent to and along thebottom edge114 of theface112, and further extends proximate theheel120 andtoe122 areas of thehead102. Thechannel140 is recessed inwardly with respect to the immediately adjacent surfaces of thehead102 that extend from and/or are in contact with theedges146,148 of thechannel140, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7-15. It is understood that, with ahead102 having a thin-wall construction (e.g., the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-17), the recessed nature of thechannel140 creates corresponding raised portions on the inner surfaces of thebody108.
• As illustrated inFIG. 11, thechannel140 has a width W and a depth D that may vary in different portions of thechannel140. The width W and depth D of thechannel140 may be measured with respect to different reference points. For example, the width W of thechannel140 may be measured between radius end points (see points E inFIG. 11), which represent the end points of the radii or fillets of thefront edge146 and therear edge148 of thechannel140, or in other words, the points where the recession of thechannel140 from thebody108 begins. This measurement can be made by using a straight virtual line segment that is tangent to the end points of the radii or fillets as thechannel140 begins to be recessed into thebody108. This may be considered to be a comparison between the geometry of thebody108 with thechannel140 and the geometry of an otherwise identical body that does not have thechannel140. The depth D of thechannel140 may also be measured normal to an imaginary line extending between the radius end points. As further illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 11A, a rearward spacing S of thechannel140 may be defined using the radius end point of thefront edge146 of thechannel140, measured rearwardly (in the Y-Axis direction) from the sole-face intersection point68. As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 11A, the rearward spacing S of thechannel140 location relative to the front of thehead102 may be defined for any cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the X-Axis14 and Z-Axis18 at any location along the X-Axis14 by the dimension S from the forward most edge of the face dimension at the cross-section to the radius of the end point of the channel (shown as point E inFIG. 11). This may be considered to be a comparison between the geometry of thebody108 with thechannel140 and the geometry of an otherwise identical body that does not have thechannel140. If the reference points for measurement of the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 are not explicitly described herein with respect to a particular example or embodiment, the radius end points may be considered the reference points for both width W and/or depth D measurement. Properties such as width W, depth D, and rearward spacing S, etc., in other embodiments (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 17-33) may be measured or expressed in the same manner described herein with respect toFIGS. 1-15.
• An alternate embodiment of thecenter portion130 ofchannel140 is shown inFIG. 11A, which may further change or enhance the performance of the channel. Like the embodiment shown inFIG. 11, thecenter portion130 ofchannel140 has an asymmetric cross-sectional profile. Thefront wall151 andrear wall152 do not physically intersect, but have a projection that intersects within an expandedtrough150. The expandedtrough150 may have afirst wall149 connected to thefront wall151 and asecond wall158 connected to therear wall152 with the expandedtrough150 positioned between thefirst wall149 and thesecond wall158.
• Similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 11, the width W and depth D of thechannel140 may be measured with respect to different reference points. For example, the width W of thechannel140 may be measured between radius end points (see points E inFIG. 11A), which represent the end points of the radii or fillets of thefront edge146 and therear edge148 of thechannel140, or in other words, the points where the recession of thechannel140 from thebody108 begins. This measurement can be made by using a straight virtual line segment that is tangent to the end points of the radii or fillets as thechannel140 begins to be recessed into thebody108. Thechannel140 may have a depth D₂measured to the bottom of the expandedtrough150 and a depth D₁measured to the intersection of thefront wall151 and thefirst wall149.
• Thehead102 in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-15 has achannel140 that generally has acenter portion130 that has a relatively constant width W (front to rear) and depth D of recession and heel andtoe portions131,132 that have greater widths W and greater depths D of recession from adjacent surfaces of the sole118. In this configuration, thefront edge146 and therear edge148 are both generally parallel to the bottom edge of theface112 and/or generally parallel to each other along the entire length of thecenter portion130, i.e., between opposed ends133,134 of thecenter portion130. In this configuration, the front andrear edges146,148 may generally follow the curvature of the bulge radius of theface112. In other embodiments, thefront edge146 and/or therear edge146 at thecenter portion130 may be angled, curved, etc. with respect to each other and/or with respect to the adjacent edges of theface112. The front andrear edges146,148 at theheel portion131 and thetoe portion132 are angled away from each other, such that the widths W of the heel andtoe portions131,132 gradually increase toward theheel120 and thetoe122, respectively. The depths D of the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 also increase from thecenter portion130 toward theheel120 andtoe122, respectively. In this configuration, the narrowest portions of the heel andtoe portions131,132 are immediately adjacent theends133,134 of thecenter portion130. Additionally, in this configuration, the portions of the heel andtoe portions131,132 are immediately adjacent theends133,134 of thecenter portion130 are shallower than other locations more proximate theheel120 andtoe122, respectively.
• Further, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, thefront edge146 at the heel andtoe portions131,132 is generally parallel to theadjacent edges114 of theface112, while therear edge148 angles or otherwise diverges away from theedges114 of theface112 at the heel andtoe portions131,132. In one embodiment, theaccess128 for theadjustable hosel109 connectingstructure129 may be in communication with and/or may intersect thechannel140, such as in thehead102 illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 8, in which theaccess128 is in communication with and intersects theheel portion131 of thechannel140. Theaccess128 in this embodiment includes anopening123 within thechannel140 that receives a part of thehosel interconnection structure129, and a wall127 is formed adjacent theaccess128 to at least partially surround theopening123. In one embodiment, the wall127 extends completely across theheel portion131 of thechannel140, and the wall127 is positioned between theopening123 and theheel120 and/or theheel end142 of thechannel140. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 8, the wall127 extends rearwardly from thefront edge146 of thechannel140 and then jogs away from theheel120 to intersect with therear edge148 of thechannel140. The wall127 may have a different configuration in other embodiments, such as extending only partially across thechannel140 and/or completely surrounding theopening123. In other embodiments, thechannel140 may be oriented and/or positioned differently. For example, thechannel140 may be oriented adjacent to a different portion ofedge114 of theface112, and at least a portion of thechannel140 may be parallel or generally parallel to one or more of the edges of theface112. The size and shape of thecompression channel140 also may vary widely without departing from this invention.
• Thechannel140 is substantially symmetrically positioned on thehead102 in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-15, such that thecenter portion130 is generally symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the geometric centerline of the sole118 and/or thebody108, and the midpoint of thecenter portion130 may also be coincident with such a plane. For example, the midpoint of thecenter portion130 may be offset towards a toe side of thehead122 compared to theface center40, such that the midpoint of thecenter portion130 may be offset approximately 7 mm or within a range of 4 mm to 10 mm. However, in another embodiment, thecenter portion130 may additionally or alternately be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane (generally normal to the face112) passing through the face center40 (which may or may not be aligned the geometric center of the sole118 and/or the body108), and the midpoint of thecenter portion130 may also be coincident with such a plane. This arrangement and alignment may be different in other embodiments, depending at least in part on the degree of geometry and symmetry of thebody108 and theface112. For example, in another embodiment, thecenter portion130 may be asymmetrical with respect to one or more of the planes discussed above, and the midpoint may not coincide with such plane(s). This configuration can be used to vary the effects achieved for impacts on desired portions of theface112 and/or to compensate for the effects of surrounding structural features on the impact properties of theface112.
• Thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 in this embodiment has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape or profile to help manage the stresses and flexing of the channel, with atrough150 and an inward sloping dependingfront wall151 and an inward sloping dependingrear wall152 extending from thetrough150 to therespective edges146,148 of thechannel140. Thetrough150 forms the deepest (i.e. most inwardly-recessed) portion of thechannel140 in this embodiment. It is understood that thecenter portion130 may have a different cross-sectional shape or profile, such as having a sharper and/or more polygonal (e.g. rectangular) shape in another embodiment. Additionally, thefront wall151 may have alength155 measured from thefront edge146 to a center point of thetrough150. Similarly, therear wall152 may have alength157 measured from therear edge148 to a center point of thetrough150. Thelength155 of thefront wall151 may be greater than thelength157 of therear wall152 and may have a ratio of thelength155 of thefront wall151 to thelength157 to therear wall152 of approximately 3.3:1 or within a range of 2.5:1 to 4.0:1, or within a range of 1.5:1 to 5.0:1. Alternatively, thelength157 of therear wall152 may be greater than thelength155 of thefront wall151 and may have a ratio of thelength157 of therear wall152 to thelength155 to thefront wall151 of approximately 3.3:1 or within a range of 2.5:1 to 4.0:1, or within a range of 1.5:1 to 5.0:1.
• Thefront wall151 andrear wall152 form anangle159.Angle159 may be an acute angle or alternatively may be an obtuse angle.Angle159 may be approximately 85 degrees or may be within a range of 75 degrees to 90 degrees or within a range of 90 to 120.
• Additionally, as described above, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may have a generally constant depth across the entire length, i.e., between theends133,134 of thecenter portion130. In another embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may generally increase in depth D so that thetrough150 has a greater depth at and around the midpoint of thecenter portion130 and is shallower more proximate theends133,134.
• Further, in one embodiment, the wall thickness T of thechannel140 may be increased, as compared to the thickness at other locations of thebody108, to handle the stresses at thechannel140. In one embodiment, the wall thickness(es) T in the channel140 (or different portions thereof) may be from 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm, or from 0.6 mm to 1.8 mm in another embodiment.
• The wall thickness T may also vary at different locations within thechannel140. For example, in one embodiment, the wall thickness T is slightly greater at thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 with a thickness of approximately 1.2 mm than at the heel andtoe portions131,132 having a thickness of approximately 0.9 mm. A ratio of the thickness at thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 to the thickness of the heel andtoe portions131,132 may be within a range of 1.2:1 and 1.5:1. In a different embodiment, the wall thickness may be smaller at thecenter portion130, as compared to the heel andtoe portions131,132. The wall thickness T in either of these embodiments may gradually increase or decrease to create these differences in wall thickness in one embodiment. The wall thickness T in thechannel140 may have one or more “steps” in wall thickness to create these differences in wall thickness in another embodiment, or thechannel140 may have a combination of gradual and step changes in wall thickness. In a further embodiment, theentire channel140, or at least the majority of thechannel140, may have a consistent wall thickness T. It is understood that any of the embodiments inFIGS. 1-33 may have any of these wall thickness T configurations.
• The heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have different cross-sectional shapes and/or profiles than thecenter portion130. For example, as seen inFIGS. 12 and 13, the heel andtoe portions131,132 have a more angular and trapezoidal cross-sectional shape as compared to thecenter portion130, which has an asymmetric triangular, semi-circular or other curvilinear cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, thecenter portion130 may also be angularly shaped, such as by having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross section, and/or the heel andtoe portions131,132 may have a more smoothly-curved and/or semi-circular cross-sectional shape.
Channel Ribs/Heel and Toe Design
• In addition, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have a plurality ofribs260,262 positioned within heel and toe portions of thechannel140. Theribs260,262 may provide an area of localized stiffness or resistance within the channel to improve the ability of the heel andtoe portions131,132 to flex during golf ball impacts. Theribs260,262 may be connected to therear wall152 of the heel andtoe portions131,132. The ribs may extend into the channel and connect to thefront wall151. Theribs260,262 may additionally connect to therear edge148, but may be free of any connection to thefront edge146. The plurality ofribs260,262 may separate thetrough150 of the channel on the heel andtoe portions131,132 intoforward portions280,282 andrear portions284,286 with each respectiveforward portion280,282 having a different depth, D, than each rearrespective portion284,286 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 12-15. Conversely, each respectiveforward portion280,282 may have the same depth, D, of each rearrespective portion284,286.
• Each of theribs260,262 havefront portions264,266 towards the front124 of thebody108 extending which may connect to the exterior of thefront wall151 of thechannel140. Each of theribs260,262 also hasrear portions268,270 which may connect to either therear edge148 or therear wall152 of thechannel140. Theribs260,262 may also includeupper portions272,274 extending to the edge of the rib andlower portions276,278 extending to the edge of the rib. As shown inFIG. 2, theupper portions272,274 ofribs260,262 may be curved, generally forming a convex curved shape. In other embodiments theupper portions272,274 may have a concave curved shape, straight shape, or any other shape. Thelower portions276,278 of the ribs may connect to thechannel140.
• Eachrib260,262 also has a first side and a second side and a rib width defined there between. The width of the rib can affect the strength and weight of the golf club. Theribs260,262 may have a variable width where the width at theupper portion272,274 is less than thelower portion276,278 such that the width tapers getting smaller as it transitions from the lower portion to the upper portion. The width of the rib may be in the range of approximately 4.0 mm to 14.0 mm. Alternatively, the width of the rib may be substantially constant. In addition, theribs260,262 may have a hollow portion to or may be solid, or may be a configuration where one rib forexample rib262 has a hollow portion andrib260 may be solid. Additionally, in other embodiments, theribs260,262 may have a thinner width portion throughout the majority or a center portion of the rib and a thicker width portion. The thicker width portion can be near thefront portions264,266,rear portions268,270,upper portions272,274, orlower portions276,278, or any other part of the rib. The thickness of the thicker width portion can be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of the thinner portion.
• Eachrib260,262 may also have a maximum height measured from theupper portion272,274 to the connection of therib260,262 to thechannel140 along the rib in the Z-axis18 direction. If the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 have aforward trough280,282 and arear trough284,286 of different depths, the maximum height may be measured on the side of theforward trough280,282. The maximum height ofribs260,262 may be approximately 10 mm and may be in the range of approximately 3 mm to 16 mm. Eachrib260,262 may have a height at therear portion268,270 greater than a height at thefront portion264,266. Additionally, eachrib260,262 may also have a maximum length, measured along the length of the rib at its longest length. The maximum length ofribs260,262 may be in the range of approximately 10 mm to 30 mm.
• While only tworibs260,262 are shown, any number of ribs may be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics of the golf club head.
• Theribs260,262 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting with the sole118. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140) or the entireclub head body108. In other embodiments theribs260,262 may be connected to thechannel140 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece.
• In this configuration, theribs260,262 diverge away from one another. As shown inFIG. 8, the angle of theribs260,262 measured perpendicular to the striking face112 (or from the Y-axis direction16) may be approximately 75 degrees, or may be in the range of 45 degrees to 85 degrees. In other configurations, theribs260,262 may converge toward one another or may be substantially straight in the Y-axis16 direction.
• Theribs260,262 may be located anywhere in the channel and may be equally or unequally spaced. While only tworibs260,262 are shown, any number of ribs can be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics.
• In the driver embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-17, thechannel140 is spaced from thebottom edge114 of theface112, with aspacing portion154 defined between thefront edge146 of thechannel140 and thebottom edge114. Thespacing portion154 is located immediately adjacent thechannel140 and junctures with one of theside walls152 of thechannel140 along thefront edge146 of thechannel140, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7-13. In this embodiment, thespacing portion154 is oriented at anangle156 to theloft angle48 ofball striking surface110 and extends rearward from thebottom edge114 of theface112 to thechannel140. In various embodiments, thespacing portion154 may be oriented with respect to theball striking surface110 at an acute (i.e. <90 degrees), obtuse (i.e. >90 degrees), or right angle. For example,angle156 may be approximately 85 degrees, and may be within a range of 80 degrees to 90 degrees, or 70 degrees to 120 degrees. In other embodiments, thespacing portion154 may be oriented at a right angle or an obtuse angle to theball striking surface110. Force from an impact on theface112 can be transferred to thechannel140 through thespacing portion154.
• Thefront edge146 of thechannel140 may be positioned at a distance S as illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 11A. Thefront edge146 may have a different distance S than shown inFIGS. 2 and 11. The distance S may be larger when measured in the direction of the Y-axis16 at the center portion of thechannel140 than on the heel andtoe portions131,132 or the spacing S may be the same dimension to the center, heel andtoe portions131,132. Alternatively, the spacing S may be smaller when measured in the direction of the Y-axis16 at the center portion of thechannel140 than on the heel andtoe portions131,132.
• In one embodiment, part or theentire channel140 may have surface texturing or another surface treatment, or another type of treatment that affects the properties of thechannel140. For example, certain surface treatments, such as peening, coating, etc., may increase the stiffness of the channel and reduce flexing. As another example, other surface treatments may be used to create greater flexibility in thechannel140. As a further example, surface treatments may increase the smoothness of thechannel140 and/or the smoothness of transitions (e.g. theedges146,148) of thechannel140, which can influence aerodynamics, interaction with playing surfaces, visual appearance, etc. Further surface texturing or other surface treatments may be used as well. Examples of such treatments that may affect the properties of thechannel140 include heat treatment, which may be performed on the entire head102 (or thebody108 without the face112), or which may be performed in a localized manner, such as heat treating of only thechannel140 or at least a portion thereof. Cryogenic treatment or surface treatments may be performed in a bulk or localized manner as well. Surface treatments may be performed on either or both of the inner and outer surfaces of thehead102 as well.
• Thecompression channel140 of thehead102 shown inFIGS. 1-17 can influence the impact of a ball (not shown) on theface112 of thehead102. In one embodiment, thechannel140 can influence the impact by flexing and/or compressing in response to the impact on theface112, which may influence the stiffness/flexibility of the impact response of theface112. For example, when the ball impacts theface112, theface112 flexes inwardly. Additionally, some of the impact force is transferred through thespacing portion154 to thechannel140, causing the sole118 to flex at thechannel140. This flexing of thechannel140 may assist in achieving greater impact efficiency and greater ball speed at impact. The more gradual impact created by the flexing also creates a longer impact time, which can also result in greater energy and velocity transfer to the ball during impact. Further, because thechannel140 extends into theheel120 andtoe122, thehead102 higher ball speed for impacts that are away from the center or traditional “sweet spot” of theface112. It is understood that one ormore channels140 may be additionally or alternately incorporated into thecrown116 and/orsides120,122 of thebody108 in order to produce similar effects. For example, in one embodiment, thehead102 may have one ormore channels140 extending completely or substantially completely around the periphery of thebody108, such as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/308,036, filed Nov. 30, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
• In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may have different stiffness than other areas of thechannel140 and the sole118 in general, and contributes to the properties of theface112 at impact in one embodiment. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-15, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 is less flexible than the heel andtoe portions131,132, due to differences in geometry, wall thickness, etc., as discussed elsewhere herein. The portions of theface112 around thecenter40 are generally the most flexible, and thus, less flexibility from thechannel140 is needed for impacts proximate theface center40. The portions of theface112 more proximate theheel120 andtoe122 are generally less flexible, and thus, the heel and/ortoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 are more flexible to compensate for the reduced flexibility of theface112 for impacts near theheel120 and thetoe122. The reduced flexibility of theface112 for impacts near theheel120 and thetoe122 permits theclub head102 to transfer more impact energy to the ball and/or increase ball speed on off-center hits, such as by reducing energy loss due to ball deformation. In another embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be more flexible than the heel andtoe portions131,132, to achieve different effects. The flexibility of various portions of thechannel140 may be configured to be complementary to the flexibility and/or dimensions (e.g., height, thickness, etc.) of adjacent portions of theface112, and vice versa. It is understood that certain features of the head102 (e.g. the access128) may influence the flexibility of thechannel140. It is also understood that various structural features of thechannel140 and/or thecenter portion130 thereof may influence the impact properties achieved by theclub head102, as well as the impact response of theface112, as described elsewhere herein. For example, smaller width W, smaller depth D, and larger wall thickness T can create a less flexible channel140 (or portion thereof), and greater width W, greater depth D, and smaller wall thickness T can create a more flexible channel140 (or portion thereof). Use of different structural materials and/or use of filler materials in different portions of thehead102 or different portions of thechannel140 can also create different flexibilities. It is understood that other structural features on thehead102 other than thechannel140 may influence the flexibility of thechannel140, such as the thickness of the sole118 and/or the various structural ribs described elsewhere herein.
• The relative dimensions of portions of thechannel140, theface112, and the adjacent areas of thebody108 may influence the overall response of thehead102 upon impacts on theface112, including ball speed, twisting of theclub head102 on off-center hits, spin imparted to the ball, etc. For example, a widerwidth W channel140, a deeperdepth D channel140, a smaller wall thickness T at thechannel140, a smaller space S between thechannel140 and theface112, and/or agreater face height56 of theface112 can create a more flexible impact response on theface112. Conversely, a narrowerwidth W channel140, a shallowerdepth D channel140, a greater wall thickness T at thechannel140, a larger space S between thechannel140 and theface112, and/or asmaller face height56 of theface112 can create a more rigid impact response on theface112. The length of thechannel140 and/or thecenter portion130 thereof can also influence the impact properties of theface112 on off-center hits, and the dimensions of these other structures relative to the length of the channel may indicate that the club head has a more rigid or flexible impact response at the heel and toe areas of theface112. Thus, the relative dimensions of these structures can be important in providing performance characteristics for impact on theface112, and some or all of such relative dimensions may be critical in achieving desired performance. Some of such relative dimensions are described in greater detail below. In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 1-15, the length (heel to toe) of thecenter portion130 is approximately 40.0 mm. It is understood that the properties described below with respect to thecenter portion130 of the channel140 (e.g., length, width W, depth D, wall thickness T) correspond to the dimension that is measured on a vertical plane extending through theface center FC40, and that thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may extend farther toward theheel120 and thetoe122 with these same or similar dimensions, as described above. It is also understood that other structures and characteristics may also affect the impact properties of theface112, including the thickness of theface112, the materials from which theface112,channel140, or other portions of thehead102 are made, the stiffness or flexibility of the portions of thebody108 behind thechannel140, any internal or external rib structures, etc.
• Thechannel140 may have acenter portion130 and heel andtoe portions131,132 on opposed sides of thecenter portion130, as described above. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 has a substantially constant width (front to rear), or in other words, may have a width that varies no more than +/−10% across the entire length (measured along theheel120 totoe122 direction) of thecenter portion130. The ends133,134 of thecenter portion130 may be considered to be at the locations where the width begins to increase and/or the point where the width exceeds +/−10% difference from the width W along a vertical plane passing through the face center FC. In another embodiment, the width W of thecenter portion130 may vary no more than +/−5%, and theends133,134 may be considered to be at the locations where the width exceeds +/−5% difference from the width W along a vertical plane passing through the geometric centerline of the sole118 and/or thebody108. Thecenter portion130 may also have a depth D and/or wall thickness T that substantially constant and/or varies no more than +/−5% or 10% along the entire length of thecenter portion130. The embodiments shown inFIGS. 17-33 and described elsewhere herein may havechannels140 withcenter portions130 that are defined in the same manner(s) as described herein with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-15.
• In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 1-15, the depth D of thecenter portion130 of the channel may be approximately 3.0 mm, or may be in the range of 2.5 to 3.5 mm, or may be within a range of 2.0 to 5.0 mm in another embodiment. Additionally, in one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 1-15, the width W of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 10 mm, or may be in the range of 8.0 to 12.0 mm in another embodiment. In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 1-15, the rearward spacing S of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 from theface112 may be approximately 8 mm. In these embodiments, the depth D, the width W, and the spacing S do not vary more than +/−5% or +/−10% over the entire length of thecenter portion130. Theclub head102 as shown inFIG. 17 may have achannel140 with acenter portion130 having similar width W, depth D, and spacing S in one embodiment. It is understood that thechannel140 may have a different configuration in another embodiment.
• Theclub head102 in any of the embodiments described herein may have a wall thickness T in thechannel140 that is different from the wall thickness T at other locations on thebody108 and/or may have different wall thicknesses at different portions of thechannel140. The wall thickness T at any point on theclub head102 can be measured as the minimum distance between the inner and outer surfaces, and this measurement technique is considered to be implied herein, unless explicitly described otherwise. Wall thicknesses T in other embodiments (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 17-33) may be measured using these same techniques. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-15, the wall thickness T is greater at thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 than at the heel andtoe portions131,132. This smaller wall thickness T at thetoe portion132 helps to compensate for thesmaller face height56 toward thetoe122, in order to increase the response of theface112. In general, the wall thickness T is a constant thickness and is approximately 1.25 to 1.75 times thicker, or approximately 1.5 times thicker, in thecenter portion130 as compared to thetoe portion132. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-15, the wall thickness in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 1.2 mm or 1.0 to 1.4 mm, and the wall thickness T in the toe portion132 (or at least a portion thereof) may be approximately 0.9 mm or 0.7 to 1.0 mm.
• Alternatively, areas of thecenter portion130 may have a variable thickness. The variable thicknesses may be approximately 1.5 to 3.25 times thicker than thetoe portion132. Thefront edge146 of thecenter portion130 of the channel may have a wall thickness T that is approximately 1.8 mm or 1.7 to 1.9 mm, and the wall thickness T may decrease to approximately 1.1 mm at thetrough150. The wall thickness T may be generally constant between thetrough150 and therear edge148.
• The wall thickness T in the embodiment inFIGS. 1-15 is greater in at least some areas of theheel portion131, as compared to thecenter portion130, in order to provide increased structural strength for the hosel interconnection structure that extends through the sole118 of thehead102. For example, the wall thickness T of theheel portion131 may be greater in the areas surrounding theaccess128. Other areas of theheel portion131 may have a wall thickness T similar to that of thecenter portion130 or thetoe portion132. In one embodiment, the wall thickness T in theheel portion131 is greatest at thetrough150 and is smaller (e.g., similar to that of the toe portion132) at therear wall152 that extends from thetrough150 to therear edge148. The wall thickness T at thecenter portion130 is also greater than the wall thickness in at least some other portions of the sole118. It is understood that “wall thickness” T as referred to herein may be considered to be a target or average wall thickness at a specified area.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 1-16 may have relative dimensions with respect to each other that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width W and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 7.5:1 to 9.5:1 (width/thickness). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width W and a depth D in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 2.5:1 to 4.5:1 (width/depth). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a depth D and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 2.0:1 to 3.0:1 (depth/thickness). In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 has a length and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 3:1 to 5:1 (length/width). In one embodiment, theface112 has a face width (heel to toe) and thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 has a length (heel to toe) that are in a ratio of 2.5:1 to 3.5:1 (face width/channel length). The edges of thestriking surface110 for measuring face width may be located in the same manner used in connection with United States Golf Association (USGA) standard measuring procedures from the “Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead”, USGA TPX-3004, Revision 2.0, Mar. 25, 2005. In other embodiments, thechannel140 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
Void Structure of Club Head
• Theclub head102 may utilize a geometric weighting feature in some embodiments, which can provide for reduced head weight and/or redistributed weight to achieve desired performance. For example, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-15, thehead102 has a void160 defined in thebody108, and may be considered to have a portion removed from thebody108 to define thevoid160. In one embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, the sole118 of thebody108 has abase member163 and afirst leg164 and asecond leg165 extending rearward from thebase member163 on opposite sides of thevoid160. Thebase member163 generally defines at least a central portion of the sole118, such that thechannel140 extends across thebase member163. Thebase member163 may be considered to extend to thebottom edge114 of theface112 in one embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, thefirst leg164 and thesecond leg165 extend away from thebase member163 and away from theball striking face112. Thefirst leg164 and thesecond leg165 in this embodiment extend respectively towards the rear126 of the club at theheel120 andtoe122 of theclub head102. Additionally, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 8, an interface area168 is defined at the location where thelegs164,165 meet, and thelegs164,165 extend continuously from the interface area168 outwardly towards theheel120 andtoe122 of theclub head102. It is understood that thelegs164,165 may extend at different lengths to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics. The width of thebase member163 between thechannel140 and the interface area168 may contribute to the response of the channel through impact. This base member width can be approximately 18 mm, or may be in a range of 11 to 25 mm.
• In one embodiment thevoid160 is generally V-shaped, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 8. In this configuration, thelegs164,165 converge towards one another and generally meet at the interface area168 to define this V-shape. Thevoid160 has a wider dimension at the rear126 of theclub head102 and a more narrow dimension proximate a central region of theclub head102 generally at the interface area168. Thevoid160 opens to the rear126 of theclub head102 and to the bottom in this configuration. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 7-10, thevoid160 is defined between thelegs164,165, and has acover161 defining the top of thevoid160. Thecover161 in this embodiment connects to thecrown116 around the rear126 of theclub head102 and extends such that aspace162 is defined between thecover161 and thecrown116. Thisspace162 is positioned over thevoid160 and may form a portion of theinner cavity106 of theclub head102 in one embodiment. Theinner cavity106 in this configuration may extend the entire distance from theface112 to the rear126 of theclub head102. In another embodiment, at least some of thespace162 between thecover161 and thecrown116 may be filled or absent, such that theinner cavity106 does not extend to the rear126 of theclub head102. Thecover161 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 7-10 also extends between thelegs164,165 and forms the top surface of thevoid160. In a further embodiment, the void160 may be at least partially open and/or in communication with theinner cavity106 of theclub head102, such that theinner cavity106 is not fully enclosed.
• In one exemplary embodiment, thebase support wall170 has a height defined between thecover161 and the sole118, and is positioned proximate a central portion or region of thebody108 and has a surface that faces into thevoid160. Thebase support wall170 extends from thecover161 to the sole118 in one embodiment. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 8, thefirst leg164 defines afirst wall166, and thesecond leg165 defines asecond wall167. A proximal end of thefirst wall166 connects to one side of thebase support wall170, and a proximal end of thesecond wall167 connects to the opposite side of thebase support wall170. Thewalls166,167 may be connected to thebase support wall170, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 8. It is understood that thelegs164,165 andwalls166,167 can vary in length and can also be different lengths from each other in other embodiments. External surfaces of thewalls166,167 face into thevoid160 and may be considered to form a portion of an exterior of thegolf club head102.
• Thewalls166,167 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 8 are angled or otherwise divergent away from each other, extending outwardly toward theheel120 andtoe122 from the interface area168. Thewalls166,167 may further be angled with respect to a vertical plane relative to each other as well. Each of thewalls166,167 has adistal end portion169 at the rear126 of thebody108. In one embodiment, thedistal end portions169 are angled with respect to the majority portion of eachwall166,167. Thedistal end portions169 may be angled inwardly with respect to the majority portions of thewalls166,167, as shown in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, or thedistal end portions169 may be angled outwardly or not angled at all with respect to the majority portions of thewalls166,167 in another embodiment. Thelegs164,165 may have similarly angled distal end portions. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 and 8, thewalls166,167 (including the distal end portions169) have angledsurfaces172 proximate the sole118, that angle farther outwardly with respect to theupper portions173 of eachwall166,167 proximate thecover161. In this configuration, theupper portions173 of eachwall166,167 are closer to vertical (and may be substantially vertical), and theangled surfaces172 angle outwardly to increase the periphery of the void160 proximate the sole118. Thebase support wall170 in this embodiment has a similar configuration, being closer to vertical with an angled surface174 angled farther outwardly proximate the sole118. This configuration of thewalls166,167 and thebase support wall170 may provide increased strength relative to a completely flat surface. In a configuration such as shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, where thewalls166,167 and/or thebase support wall170 are angled outwardly, the void160 may have an upper perimeter defined at thecover161 and a lower perimeter defined at the sole118 that is larger than the upper perimeter. In another embodiment, thewalls166,167 and/or thebase support wall170 may have different configurations. Additionally, the respective heights of thewalls166,167, and thedistal end portions169 thereof, are greatest proximate thebase support wall170 and decrease towards the rear126 of theclub head102 in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 8. This configuration may also be different in other embodiments.
• In one embodiment, thewalls166,167, thebase support wall170, and/or thecover161 may each have a thin wall construction, such that each of these components has inner surfaces facing into theinner cavity106 of theclub head102. In another embodiment, one or more of these components may have a thicker wall construction, such that a portion of thebody108 is solid. Additionally, thewalls166,167, thebase support wall170, and thecover161 may all be integrally connected to the adjacent components of thebody108, such as thebase member163 and thelegs164,165. For example, at least a portion of thebody108 including thewalls166,167, thebase support wall170, thecover161, thebase member163, and thelegs164,165 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140) or the entireclub head body108. As another example, thewalls166,167, thebase support wall170, and/or thecover161 may be connected to the sole118 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece. In another embodiment, thewalls166,167, thebase support wall170, and/or thecover161 may be formed of separate pieces.
• An angle may be defined between thelegs164,165 in one embodiment, which angle can vary in degree, and may be, e.g., a right angle, acute angle or obtuse angle. For example, the angle can be in the general range of 30 degrees to 110 degrees, and more specifically 45 degrees to 90 degrees. The angle between thelegs164,165 may be relatively constant at the sole118 and at thecover161 in one embodiment. In another embodiment, this angle may be different at a location proximate the sole118 compared to a location proximate thecover161, as thewalls166,167 may angle or otherwise diverge away from each other. Additionally, in other embodiments, the void160 may be asymmetrical, offset, rotated, etc., with respect to the configuration shown inFIGS. 1-15, and the angle between thelegs164,165 in such a configuration may not be measured symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane passing through the center(s) of theface112 and/or thebody108 of theclub head102. It is understood that the void160 may have a different shape in other embodiments, and may not have a V-shape and/or a definable “angle” between thelegs164,165.
• In another embodiment, thewalls166,167 may be connected to the underside of thecrown116 of thebody108, such that thelegs164,165 depend from the underside of thecrown116. In other words, thecover161 may be considered to be defined by the underside of thecrown116. In this manner, thecrown116 may be tied or connected to the sole118 by these structures in one embodiment. It is understood that thespace162 between thecover161 and the underside of thecrown116 in this embodiment may be partially or completely nonexistent.
Fairway Wood—Channel Parameters
• FIGS. 18-26 illustrate an additional embodiment of agolf club head102 in the form of a fairway wood golf club head. Theheads102 ofFIGS. 18-26 include many features similar to thehead102 ofFIGS. 1-15, and such common features are identified with similar reference numbers. For example, thehead102 ofFIGS. 18-26 has achannel140 that is similar to thechannels140 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17, having acenter portion130 with a generally constant width W and depth D and heel andtoe portions131,132 with increased width and/or depth. Generally, thecenter portions130 of thechannels140 in theheads102 of these embodiments are deeper and more recessed from the adjacent surfaces of thebody108, as compared to thechannels140 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17. In this embodiment, thehead102 has a face that has a smaller height than thefaces112 of theheads102 inFIGS. 1-17, which tends to reduce the amount of flexibility of theface112. In one embodiment, theface height56 of theheads102 inFIGS. 18-26 may range from 28 to 40 mm. The deeper recess of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 in this embodiment results in increased flexibility of thechannel140, which helps to offset the reduced flexibility of theface112 due to the lower face height compared to a driver embodiment. Conversely, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 18-26 are shallower in depth D than the heel andtoe portions131,132 of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17, and may have equal or even smaller depth D than thecenter portion130. The heel andtoe portions131,132 in this embodiment may have greater flexibility than thecenter portion130, e.g., due to smaller wall thickness T, greater width W, and/or greater depth D at the heel andtoe portions131,132 of the channel. This assists in creating a more flexible impact response on the off-center areas of theface112 toward theheel120 andtoe122, as described above. Other features may further be used to increase or decrease overall flexibility of theface112, as described above. Theface112 of thehead102 in FIGS.18-26 may be made of steel, which has higher strength and higher modulus of elasticity than titanium, but with a lower face thickness to offset the reduced flexibility resulting from the higher strength material. As another example, theclub head102 ofFIGS. 18-24 includes a void160 defined between twolegs164,165, with acover161 defining the top of the void160, similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-15.
• In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 18-26, the depth D of thecenter portion130 of the channel may be approximately 9.0 mm, or may be in the range of 8.0 to 10.0 mm in another embodiment. Additionally, in one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 18-26, the width W of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 9.0 mm, or may be in the range of 8.0 to 10.0 mm in another embodiment. In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 18-26, the rearward spacing S of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 from theface112 may be approximately 8.0 mm, or may be approximately 10.0 mm in another embodiment. In these embodiments, the depth D, the width W, and the spacing S do not vary more than +/−5% or +/−10% over the entire length of thecenter portion130. It is understood that thechannel140 may have a different configuration in another embodiment.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 18-26, the wall thickness T is greater at thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 than at the heel andtoe portion131,132. This smaller wall thickness T at the heel andtoe portions131,132 helps to compensate for thesmaller face height56 toward the heel andtoe120,122, in order to increase the response of theface112. In general, the wall thickness T in this embodiment is approximately 1.25 to 2.25 times thicker in thecenter portion130 as compared to thetoe portion132, or approximately 1.7 times thicker in one embodiment. In one example, the wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 1.6 mm or 1.5 to 1.7 mm, and the wall thickness T in the heel andtoe portions131,132 may be approximately 0.95 mm or 0.85 to 1.05 mm. These wall thicknesses T are generally constant throughout thecenter portion130 and the heel andtoe portions131,132, in one embodiment. The wall thickness T at thecenter portion130 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 18-26 is also greater than the wall thickness T in at least some other portions of the sole118 in one embodiment, including the areas of the sole118 located immediately adjacent to therear edge148 of thecenter portion130.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 18-26 may have relative dimensions with respect to each other that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width D and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 5:1 to 6.5:1 (width/thickness). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width W and a depth D in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 (width/depth). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a depth D and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 5:1 to 6.5:1 (depth/thickness). In one embodiment, the center portion of thechannel140 has a length and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 4:1 to 4.5:1 (length/width). In one embodiment, theface112 has a face width (heel to toe) and thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 has a length (heel to toe) that are in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 2.5:1 (face width/channel length). In other embodiments, thechannel140 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
Hybrid Club Head—Channel Parameters
• FIGS. 27-33 illustrate an additional embodiment of agolf club head102 in the form of a hybrid golf club head. Thehead102 ofFIGS. 27-33 includes many features similar to theheads102 ofFIGS. 1-26, and such common features are identified with similar reference numbers. For example, thehead102 ofFIGS. 27-33 has achannel140 that similar to thechannels140 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-26, having acenter portion130 with a generally constant width W and depth D and heel andtoe portions131,132 with increased width W and/or depth D. Generally, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 in thehead102 of this embodiment is deeper and more recessed from the adjacent surfaces of thebody108, as compared to thechannels140 in the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17. In this embodiment, thehead102 has a face that has a smaller height than thefaces112 of theheads102 inFIGS. 1-17, which tends to reduce the amount of flexibility of theface112. In one embodiment, theface height56 of thehead102 inFIGS. 27-33 may range from 28-40 mm. The deeper recess of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 in this embodiment results in increased flexibility of thechannel140, which helps to offset the reduced flexibility of theface112. Conversely, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 27-33 are shallower in depth D than the heel andtoe portions131,132 of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17, and may have equal or even smaller depth D than thecenter portion130. The heel andtoe portions131,132 in this embodiment have greater flexibility than thecenter portion130, e.g., due to smaller wall thickness T, greater width W, and/or greater depth D at the heel andtoe portions131,132 of the channel. This assists in creating a more flexible impact response on the off-center areas of theface112 toward theheel120 andtoe122, as described above. Other features may further be used to increase or decrease overall flexibility of theface112, as described above. Theface112 of thehead102 inFIGS. 27-33 may be made of steel, which has higher strength and higher modulus of elasticity than titanium, but with lower face thickness to offset the reduced flexibility resulting from the higher strength material.
• In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 27-33, the depth D of thecenter portion130 of the channel may be approximately 9.0 mm, or may be in the range of 7.0 to 10.0 mm in another embodiment. Additionally, in another embodiment of aclub head102 the width W of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 8.0 mm, or may be in the range of 7.0 to 9.0 mm in another embodiment. In one embodiment of aclub head102 as shown inFIGS. 27-33, the rearward spacing S of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 from theface112 may be approximately 9.0 mm, or may be approximately 7.0 mm in another embodiment. In these embodiments, the depth D, the width W, and the spacing S do not vary more than +/−5% or +/−10% over the entire length of thecenter portion130. It is understood that thechannel140 may have a different configuration in another embodiment.
• In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 27-33, the wall thickness T is greater at thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 than at the heel andtoe portion131,132. This smaller wall thickness T at the heel andtoe portions131,132 helps to compensate for thesmaller face height56 toward the heel andtoe120,122, in order to increase response of theface112. In general, the wall thickness T in this embodiment is approximately 1.25 to 2.25 times thicker in thecenter portion130 as compared to thetoe portion132, or approximately 1.6 times thicker in one embodiment. In one example, the wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be approximately 1.6 mm or 1.5 to 1.7 mm, and the wall thickness T in the heel andtoe portions131,132 may be approximately 1.0 mm or 0.9 to 1.1 mm. These wall thicknesses T are generally constant throughout thecenter portion130 and the heel andtoe portions131,132, in one embodiment. The wall thickness T at thecenter portion130 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 27-33 is also greater than the wall thickness T in at least some other portions of the sole118 in one embodiment. The sole118 may have a thickenedportion125 located immediately adjacent to therear edge148 of the channel140 (at least behind the center portion130) that has a significantly greater wall thickness T than thechannel140, which adds sole weight to thehead102 to lower the CG.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 27-33 may have relative dimensions with respect to each other that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width W and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 (width/thickness). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a width W and a depth D in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 (width/depth). In one embodiment, thechannel140 has a depth D and a wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 that are in a ratio of approximately 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 (depth/thickness). In one embodiment, the center portion of thechannel140 has a length and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 4.5:1 to 5:1 (length/width). In one embodiment, theface112 has a face width (heel to toe) and thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 has a length (heel to toe) that are in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 2.5:1 (face width/channel length). In other embodiments, thechannel140 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
Channel Dimensional Relationships
• The relationships between the dimensions and properties of theface112 and various features of the body108 (e.g., thechannel140 and/orribs204,206,208,232,234,) can influence the overall response of thehead102 upon impacts on theface112, including ball speed, twisting of theclub head102 on off-center hits, spin imparted to the ball, etc. Many of these relationships between the dimensions and properties of theface112 and various features of thebody108 andchannel140 and/or ribs is shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 1-17 may have relative dimensions with respect to theface height56 of thehead102 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the width W in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 6:1 to 7.5:1 (height/width). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the depth D in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 23:1 to 25:1 (height/depth). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 52:1 to 57:1 (height/thickness). Theface height56 may be inversely related to the width W and depth D of thechannel140 in the heel andtoe portions131,132 in one embodiment, such that the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 increases as theface height56 decreases toward theheel120 andtoe122. In one embodiment, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have a width W that varies with theface height56 in a substantially linear manner, with a slope (width/height) of −1.75 to −1.0. In one embodiment, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have a depth D that varies with theface height56 in a substantially linear manner, with a slope (depth/height) of −1.5 to −0.75. In other embodiments, thechannel140 and/or theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
• Theface height56 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 18-26 may vary based on the loft angle. For example, for a 14-degree or 16-degree loft angle, theclub head102 may have aface height56 of approximately 35 to 38 mm. As another example, for a 19-degree loft angle, theclub head102 may have aface height56 of approximately 34 to 40 mm. Other loft angles may result in different embodiments having similar or different face heights.
• Theface height56 in the embodiment ofFIGS. 27-33 may vary based on the loft angle. For example, for a 17-degree to 18-degree loft angle, theclub head102 may have aface height56 of approximately 33 to 38 mm. As another example, for a 19-degree to 20-degree loft angle, theclub head102 may have aface height56 of approximately 32 to 36 mm. As another example, for a 23-degree or 26-degree loft angle, theclub head102 may have aface height56 of approximately 32 to 36 mm. Other loft angles may result in different embodiments having similar or different face heights.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 18-26 may have relative dimensions with respect to theface height56 of thehead102 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the width W in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 5:1 (height/width). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the depth D in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 5:1 (height/depth). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 20:1 to 25:1 (height/thickness). Theface height56 may be inversely related to the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 in the heel andtoe portions131,132 in one embodiment, such that the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 increases as theface height56 decreases toward theheel120 andtoe122. In one embodiment, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have a width W that varies with theface height56 in a substantially linear manner, with a slope (width/height) of −0.9 to −1.6. In other embodiments, thechannel140 and/or theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 27-33 may have relative dimensions with respect to theface height56 of thehead102 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the width W in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 (height/width). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the depth D in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 (height/depth). In one embodiment, theface height56 and the wall thickness T in thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 20:1 to 25:1 (height/thickness). Theface height56 may be inversely related to the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 in the heel andtoe portions131,132 in one embodiment, such that the width W and/or depth D of thechannel140 increases as theface height56 decreases toward theheel120 andtoe122. In one embodiment, the heel andtoe portions131,132 of thechannel140 may have a width W that varies with theface height56 in a substantially linear manner, with a slope (width/height) of −0.8 to −1.7. In other embodiments, thechannel140 and/or theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 and theface112 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 1-16 may have relative dimensions with respect to the rearward spacing of thecenter portion130 from theface112 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 6.5:1 to 8.5:1 (height/spacing). In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 0.5:1 to 1:1 (spacing/width). In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a depth D that are in a ratio of approximately 2:1 to 3:1 (spacing/depth). In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a wall thickness T that are in a ratio of approximately 7.5:1 to 8:1 (spacing/thickness). In other embodiments, thechannel140 and theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 and theface112 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 18-26 may have relative dimensions with respect to the rearward spacing S of thecenter portion130 from theface112 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 5.5:1 (height/spacing). In other embodiments, the height/spacing ratio may be 4.5:1 to 5.5:1 or 3.5:1 to 4.5:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 0.6:1 to 1.15:1 (spacing/width). In other embodiments, the spacing/width ratio may be 0.6:1 to 0.9:1 or 0.85:1 to 1.15:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a depth D that are in a ratio of approximately 0.7:1 to 1:1 (spacing/depth). In other embodiments, the spacing/depth ratio may be 0.6:1 to 0.9:1 or 0.85:1 to 1.15:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a wall thickness T that are in a ratio of approximately 4.25:1 to 5.75:1 (spacing/thickness). In other embodiments, the spacing/thickness ratio may be 4:1 to 4.5:1 or 5.5:1 to 6:1. In further embodiments, thechannel140 and theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
• The various dimensions of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 and theface112 of theclub head102 inFIGS. 27-33 may have relative dimensions with respect to the rearward spacing S of thecenter portion130 from theface112 that may be expressed by ratios. In one embodiment, theface height56 and the rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 are in a ratio of approximately 4:1 to 6:1 (height/spacing). In other embodiments, the height/spacing ratio may be 3.5:1 to 4.5:1 or 5:1 to 6:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a width W that are in a ratio of approximately 0.5:1 to 1.25:1 (spacing/width). In other embodiments, the spacing/width ratio may be 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 or 0.5:1 to 0.9:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a depth D that are in a ratio of approximately 0.5:1 to 1.25:1 (spacing/depth). In other embodiments, the spacing/width ratio may be 0.8:1 to 1.2:1 or 0.5:1 to 0.9:1. In one embodiment, thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 of theclub head102 has a rearward spacing S between theface112 and thefront edge146 and a wall thickness T that are in a ratio of approximately 3.5:1 to 5.5:1 (spacing/thickness). In other embodiments, the spacing/thickness ratio may be 4.75:1 to 5.25:1 or 3.5:1 to 4:1. In further embodiments, thechannel140 and theface112 may have structure with different relative dimensions.
Face Design
• Another aspect toclub head102 of embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-17 is the face design as shown inFIG. 15. As theface112 is the strikes the golf ball and sets the ball into motion. At impact theface112 will flex and to help improve the velocity the golf ball leaves thestriking face110. Theface112 andchannel140 may work together to improve the velocity and performance of thegolf club head102. Thus, the better theface112 andchannel140 complement each other the better the performance of thegolf club head102.
• A face design may have a variable thickness to better handle the stresses caused from the golf ball impact while balancing the stiffness of the face. As discussed earlier, theface112 may have a ball striking surface and aninner surface111. Theinner surface111 may have multiple regions having different thicknesses.
• As shown inFIG. 15,center region402 may be positioned near theface center location40, atoe region404 positioned on thetoe side122, aheel region406 positioned on theheel side120, anupper region408 positioned between thecenter region402 and anupper edge418, alower region410 positioned between thecenter region402 and alower edge422, atoe transition region412 positioned between thecenter region402 and thetoe region404, and aheel transition region414 positioned between thecenter region402 and theheel region406.
• As discussed earlier, thebody108 and theface112 may be formed separate and connected to form thegolf club head102 using an integral joining technique to form an interior cavity. Thebody108 may have aflange426 that forms a portion of theball striking surface110. Theflange426 and theface112 may form a joint428 defining anupper edge418, atoe edge420, alower edge422, and aheel edge424 of theface112.
• As discussed above, theface112 may have multiple thickness regions. For example, thecenter region402 may have a first thickness, thetoe region404 may have a second thickness, theheel region406 may have a third thickness, a upper region may have a fourth thickness, the lower region may have a fifth thickness, and the toe transition region may have a sixth thickness, and the heel transition region may have a seventh thickness. Thecenter region402 may have a thickness that is greater than the other regions, and thetoe region404 may have a thickness that is less than the other regions. Alternatively, theheel region406 may have the same thickness as thetoe region404. Additionally, theupper edge418 and thelower edge422 may have a thickness greater than the thickness of thetoe region404 and theheel region406.
• Thecenter region402 may have a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners432. The rectangular shape may be defined to encompass an area where most golfers tend to impact thestriking face110 with an impact centered within approximately 12 mm on the heel and toe side of theface center location40 and a radius approximately the size of a golf ball as it compresses during impact. For example, acenter region402 ofclubhead102 of the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-17 may have awidth434 of approximately 39 mm, or within a range of 34 to 42 mm or 30 to 45 mm, and aheight436 of approximately 17 mm, or within a range of 15 to 19 mm or 13 to 21 mm. The rounded corners may have aradius438 of approximately 7.5 mm, or within a range of 5 to 10 mm.
• Thecenter region402 may have acenter point440 positioned in a heel-to-toe direction at approximately theface center location40 or within 2 mm on either side of theface center location40. Additionally, thecenter region402 may have acenter point440 positioned in a crown-to-sole direction where thecenter point440 is located above the face center location40 (towards thecrown116 of the golf club head). For example, thecenter point440 of thecenter region402 of theface112 may be located approximately 3 mm above theface center location40 or within a range of 1 to 4 mm above theface center location40. Thecenter region402 may have a surface area of approximately 580 mm², or within a range of 480 to 620 mm². In addition, the surface area of thecenter region402 compared to a total surface area defined within boundaries of theupper edge418,toe edge420,lower edge422, andheel edge424 may be approximately 21 percent of the total surface area, or within a range of 18 to 23 percent.
• Because thecenter region402 receives the majority of the impact stresses on theface112, the center region's402 corresponding thickness may be greater than the other regions. Thecenter region402 may have a constant thickness face thickness. For example, the center region may have a thickness of approximately 3.4 mm, or within a range of 3.2 to 3.6 mm throughout theentire center region402.
• As a means of reducing the weight as much as possible while also providing an effective response to the ball impact, the toe andheel regions404,406 may have a constant thickness similar to thecenter region402. Because the face height is less at the toe and heel than at the center, the thickness may be reduced relative to the center region to provide the proper overall stiffness for the face along with balancing the impact stresses. The thickness of thetoe region404 may be the same as the thickness of theheel region406. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 15, the heel andtoe regions404,406 have a thickness of approximately 2.5 mm, or within a range of 2.2 to 2.7 mm. Alternatively, the thickness of thetoe region404 may be different than the thickness of theheel region406. The heel andtoe regions404,406 may have surface areas of approximately 700 mm², or within a range of 650 to 750 mm².
• The upper andlower regions408,410 may have a variable thickness, such as a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from thecenter region402 to theupper edge418 andlower edge422 respectively. The ramped thickness of the upper andlower regions408,410 may have a linear slope, or may a radial curvature, or the curvature may fit any polynomial. While the thickness of the upper andlower regions408,410 may not be constant, the upper andlower edges418,422 may have a constant thickness. The thickness of the upper andlower edges418,422 may be greater than the thickness on the toe andheel regions404,406. Theupper region408 may have a slope that is greater (reduces in thickness at a faster rate as theupper region408 moves away from the center region402) than the slope of thelower region410. The surface areas of the upper and lower regions may be approximately 390 mm²and 440 mm²respectively.
• The toe andheel transition regions412,414 may have a variable thickness, such as a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from thecenter region402 to thetoe region404 and theheel region406 respectively. The ramped thickness of the toe andheel regions412,414 may have a linear slope, or may a radial curvature, or the curvature may fit any polynomial. The toe and heel transition regions may be formed with a large radius to avoid any stress concentrations that would be caused by sharp corners. The surface area of the toe andheel transition regions412,414 may be approximately 200 mm²and 180 mm²respectively, or may be in a range between160 and 220 mm².
• As shown inFIG. 15A, theflange426 may have a thickness defined as the thickness at an edge closest to the joint428. Theflange426 may have a constant thickness near the joint and may be approximately 2.7 mm, or within a range of 2.6 to 2.8 mm, or within a range of 2.5 to 2.9 mm. Theflange426 may have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the toe andheel regions404,406.
• Another aspect that may improve the response of theface112 is the geometry of thetransition121 from theface112 to thecrown116 as shown inFIG. 10. The size and shape of thetransition121 can help to increase the responsiveness of theface112. Thetransition121 is defined as beginning where the rate of the curvature of theface112 changes direction and then blends into thecrown116. Thetransition121 may be easily found from a CAD file. Thetransition121 may have a circular cross-section or it may have a conical cross-section, or any cross-section having tangent transition to both theface112 and thecrown116. Thetransition121 may have alength117 measured in the Y-Axis16 direction, and a height measured115 in the Z-Axis18 direction. For example, thelength117 of thetransition121 may be larger than theheight115, and may have a ratio of thelength117 to theheight115 of approximately 1.25:1 or within a range of 1.1:1 to 1.5:1. Alternatively, theheight115 of thetransition121 may be larger than thelength117 and may have a ratio of theheight115 to thelength117 of approximately 1.25:1 or within a range of 1.1:1 to 1.5:1.
Face Design Fairway Wood/Hybrid
• FIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 illustrate an additional embodiment of agolf club head102 in the form of a fairway wood and a hybrid golf club head. Theheads102 ofFIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 include many features similar to thehead102 ofFIGS. 1-17, and such common features are identified with similar reference numbers. For example,FIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 illustrate aface112 having acenter region402 positioned near theface center location40, atoe region404 positioned on thetoe side122, aheel region406 positioned on theheel side120, anupper region408 positioned between thecenter region402 and anupper edge418, alower region410 positioned between thecenter region402 and alower edge422, atoe transition region412 positioned between thecenter region402 and thetoe region404, and aheel transition region414 positioned between thecenter region402 and theheel region406. Additionally, each region has a thickness profile like the embodiment shown inFIG. 15.
• Thecenter region402 of the embodiments ofFIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 may have awidth434 similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 15, but theheight436 of thecenter region402 may be approximately 15 mm, or within a range of 13 to 17 mm, or within a range of 11 to 19 mm. Additionally, acenter point440 of thecenter region402 of theface112 of embodiments ofFIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 is positioned in a crown-to-sole direction where thecenter point440 is located below the face center location40 (towards the sole116 of the golf club head). For example, thecenter point440 of thecenter region402 of theface112 may be located approximately 2 mm above theface center location40 or within a range of 1 to 4 mm below theface center location40.
• The regions of the face design of the embodiments ofFIGS. 18-26 and 27-33 may have different thicknesses than the thicknesses of the embodiment ofFIG. 15 due to thelower face height56 and the use of a steel material instead for fairway woods and hybrids. For example, thecenter region402 may have a constant thickness of approximately 2.25 mm, or within a range of 2.0 to 2.4 mm. Additionally, the toe andheel regions404,406 may have a constant thickness of approximately 1.95 mm, or within a range of 1.8 to 2.2 mm. Thecenter region402 may have a thickness greater than the toe andheel regions404,406 similar to the embodiments ofFIG. 15. However, the upper edge andlower edge418,422 may have a thickness that is the same as the thickness as the toe andheel regions404,406.
• While the thickness of the upper andlower regions408,410 may not be constant, the upper andlower edges418,422 may have a constant thickness. The thickness of the upper andlower edges418,422 may be the same than the thickness on the toe andheel regions404,406. Thelower region410 may have a slope that is greater (it reduces in thickness at a faster rate as it moves away from the center region402) than the slope of theupper region408.
• Similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 15A, theflange426 may have a thickness defined as the thickness at an edge closest to the joint428. Theflange426 may have a constant thickness near the joint and may be approximately 2.05 mm, or within a range of 1.95 to 2.15 mm. Theflange426 may have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the toe andheel regions404,406.
• Relationships between Face and Channel
• The relationships of the face design and how the face design relates to the may be expressed in a series of ratios. A ratio of the thickness of thecenter region402 to the thickness of thetoe region404 may have a ratio in a range of 1.27:1 to 1.55:1. A ratio of the face thickness of thecenter region402 to the thickness of thecenter portion130 of thechannel140 may be within a range of 2.5:1 to 2.9:1. Additionally, a ratio of the face thickness of thetoe region404 to the thickness of thetoe portion132 may be within a range of 2.5:1 to 2.9:1.
Structural Ribs of Club Head
• Theball striking heads102 according to the present invention can include additional features that can influence the impact of a ball on theface112, such as one or more structural ribs. Structural ribs can, for example, increase the stiffness of thestriking head102 or any portion thereof. Strengthening certain portions of thestriking head102 with structural ribs can affect the impact of a ball on theface112 by focusing flexing to certain parts of theball striking head102 including thechannel140. For example, in some embodiments, greater ball speed can be achieved at impact, including at specific areas of theface112, such as off-center areas. Structural ribs and the locations of such ribs can also affect the sound created by the impact of a ball on theface112.
• Inother embodiments club102 can include internal and/or external ribs. As depicted in at least inFIGS. 2 and 8, thecover161 can includeexternal ribs180,182. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 8,external ribs180,182 are generally arranged in an angled or V-shaped alignment, and converge towards one another with respect to the Y-axis16 in a front124 to rear126 direction. In this configuration, theribs180,182 may converge towards one another at a point beyond the rear126 of the club. As shown inFIG. 8, the angle of theribs180,182 from the Y-axis16 may be approximately 10 degrees, or may be in the range of 0 degrees to 30 degrees. In other configurations, theribs180,182 can angle away from one another or can be substantially straight in the Y-axis16 direction. Theexternal ribs180,182 may be substantially straight in the vertical plane or Z-axis18 direction. In other embodiments, theribs180,182 can be angled in the Z-axis18 direction, and can be angled relative to each other as well.
• Each of theribs180,182 havefront end portions184,186 toward the front124 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib, andrear end portions188,190 toward the rear126 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib. In one embodiment thefront end portions184,186 ofribs180,182 can connect to thefirst wall166 and thesecond wall167 respectively, and therear end portions188,190 can extend substantially to the rear126 of the club. Theexternal ribs180,182 also includeupper portions192,194 extending to the edge of the rib andlower portions196,198 extending to the edge of the rib. Theupper portions192,194 ofribs180,182 connect to thecover161. Thelower portions196,198 ofribs180,182 can define a portion of the bottom or sole118 of the golf club. As shown inFIG. 2, thelower portions196,198 ofribs180,182 may be curved, generally forming a convex shape. In other embodiments thelower portions180,182 may have a concave curved shape, a substantially straight configuration, or any other shape. In another embodiment,external ribs180,182 may extend to thecrown116. In some such embodiments, theexternal ribs180,182 may intersect thecover161 and connect to an internal surface of thecrown116. In other embodiments,external ribs180,182 may connect to an internal surface of the sole118 and/or an internal surface of therear edge148 of thechannel140 or any other internal surface of the club.
• Theribs180,182 may be located anywhere in the heel-to-toe direction and in the front-to-rear direction. For example,ribs180,182 may be equally or unequally spaced in the heel-toe direction from the center of gravity or from the face center. In one embodiment, thefront end portion184 ofrib180 may be located towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured in theX-axis14 direction approximately 15 mm, or may be in the range of 0 to 25 mm. Thefront end portion186 ofrib182 may be located towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14 approximately 33 mm, or may be in the range of 0 to 45 mm. In one embodiment, thefront end portion184 ofrib180 may be located towards the rear126 from the striking face measured in the Y-axis16 direction approximately 53 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm. Thefront end portion186 ofrib182 can be located towards the rear126 from the striking face measured along the Y-axis16 approximately 55 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm.
• Eachrib180,182 also has aninternal side189,191 and anexternal side193,195 and a width defined there between. The width of theribs180,182 can affect the strength and weight of the golf club. As shown inFIGS. 9A, theribs180,182 can have athinner width portion200 throughout the majority, or center portion, of the rib. Thethinner width portion200 of the rib can be approximately 1 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm and can be substantially similar throughout the entire rib. Theribs180,182 can also include athicker width portion202. Thethicker width portion202 can be near thefront end portions184,186,rear end portions188,190,upper portions192,194, orlower portions196,198. As depicted inFIG. 9A, theribs180,182 include athicker width portion202 over part of thefront end portions184,186, part of therear end portions188,190, and thelower portions196,198. As shown inFIG. 9A, thethicker width portion202 can be disposed substantially on theinternal sides189,191 of theribs180,182. In other embodiments the thicker width portion can be distributed equally or unequally on theinternal sides189,191 and theexternal sides193,195, or substantially on theexternal sides193,195. The thickness of the thicker width portion can be approximately 3.0 mm, may be in the range of approximately 1.0 to 10.0 mm. The width of thethicker portion202 can be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of thethinner portion200.
• Ribs180,182 may also be described as having a vertical portion197 and atransverse portion199 such that theportions197 and199 form a T-shaped or L-shaped cross-section. As shown inFIG. 9A, thetransverse portion199 can taper into the vertical portion197, but in other embodiments the transverse portion may not taper into the vertical portion. The vertical portion197 and the transverse portion can both have a height and a width. As described above the width of the vertical portion can be approximately 1 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm. The width of the transverse portion can be approximately 3.0 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 1.0 to 10.0 mm. The height of thetransverse portion199 can be approximately 1.0 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm. Any of the ribs described herein can include, or can be described as having, a vertical portion and at least one transverse portion. The transverse portion can be included on an upper portion, lower portion, front end portion, and/or rear end portion, or any other portion of the rib. As previously discussed the intersection of the vertical portion and the transverse portion can generally form a T-shaped or L-shaped cross-section.
• Eachrib180,182 also has a maximum height defined by the distance between theupper portions192,194 and thelower portions196,198 measured along theribs180,182 in the Z-axis18 direction. A maximum height of theribs180,182 can be in the range of approximately 5 to 40 mm. Additionally, eachrib180,182 also has a maximum length, defined by the distance between thefront end portions184,186 andrear end portions188,190 measured along theribs180,182 in the plane defined by theX-axis14 and the Y-axis16. The length ofrib180 can be approximately 54 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 70 mm; and the length ofrib182 can be approximately 53 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 70 mm. In another embodiment, the length ofrib180 can be approximately 48 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 70 mm; and the length ofrib182 can be approximately 50 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 70 mm. The ratio of the length of theribs180,182 to the total head breadth60 of the club in the front124 to rear126 direction can be approximately 1:2 (rib length/total head breadth) or approximately 0.75:2 to 1.25:2.
• While only twoexternal ribs180,182 are shown, any number of ribs can be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics.
• Theexternal ribs180,182 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting with thecover161. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140) or the entireclub head body108. In other embodiments theribs180,182 can be connected to thecover161 and/or sole118 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece.
• As shown in at leastFIGS. 9A, the club may also include upperinternal ribs204,206,208 within thespace162 of theinner cavity106. Theribs204,206,208 may extend between the interior portions of thecrown116 and thecover161, and in other embodiments can connect only to an interior portion of thecrown116 and/or thecover161. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 9A, upperinternal ribs204,206,208 are generally parallel with one another and substantially aligned in a generally vertical plane or Z-axis18 direction and are substantially perpendicular to thestriking face112. In other configurations, the upperinternal ribs204,206,208 can be angled with respect toX-axis14, Y-axis16, or Z-axis18 directions and/or angled with respect to each other. Theribs204,206,208 can be located anywhere in the heel-toe direction. For example,ribs204,206,208 can be equally or unequally spaced in the heel-toe direction from the center of gravity or from the face center. In one embodiment,rib204 can be located approximately 18 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 5 to 35 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14;rib206 can be located approximately 16 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; andrib208 can be located approximately 38.5 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 50 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14. In another embodiment,rib204 can be located approximately 15 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14;rib206 may be located approximately 10 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 20 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; andrib208 can be located approximately 32 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 10 to 45 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14.
• Each of theribs204,206,208 havefront end portions210,212,214 toward the front124 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib, and rear end portions216,218 (not shown),220 (not shown) toward the rear126 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib. In one embodiment thefront end portions210,212,214 include a concave curved shape. In other embodiments, thefront end portions210,212,214 can have a convex curved shape, a straight shape, or any other shape.
• The upper portions ofribs204,206,208 can connect to the internal side of thecrown116, and the lower portions can connect to an internal side of thecover161. In other embodiments the ribs may only be connected to thecover161, or thecrown116, or from thecrown116 to the sole118.
• Eachrib204,206,208 also has first side oriented towards theheel131 and a second side oriented towards thetoe132 and a width defined there between. The width of the ribs can affect the strength and weight of the golf club. As shown in9A, theribs204,206,208 can have an approximately constant width which may be approximately 0.9 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm. This width may be substantially the same for each rib. In other embodiments, the width of each rib can vary. Additionally, for example, theribs204,206,208 may include a thinner width portion throughout the majority, or a center portion, of the rib. Theribs204,206,208 may also include a thicker width portion. The thicker width portion may be near thefront end portions210,212,214, rear end portions216 (not shown),218 (not shown),220 (not shown), upper portions or lower portions. The thickness of the thicker width portion can be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of the thinner portion.
• Each ofribs204,206,208 also has a maximum height defined by the maximum distance between the upper portions or lower portions measured along the rib in the Z-axis18 direction. The maximum height ofribs204,206,208 may be approximately in the range of approximately 25 to 35 mm, or in the range of approximately 15 to 50 mm. Additionally, eachrib204,206,208 also has a maximum length, measured along the rib in Y-axis16 direction. The maximum length ofrib204 can be approximately 33 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 50 mm. The maximum length ofrib206 may be approximately 35 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 20 to 50 mm. The maximum length ofrib208 may be approximately 30 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 25 to 50 mm. As shown inFIG. 14 each orribs204,206,208 have similar same lengths, but in other embodiments each of the ribs may have different lengths. In one embodiment, the maximum length ofrib204 may be approximately 24 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 15 to 40 mm. The maximum length ofrib206 can be approximately 28 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 15 to 40 mm. The maximum length ofrib208 can be approximately 25 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 15 to 40 mm. In still other embodiments the length ofribs204,206,208 may be longer or shorter, and for example, in someembodiments ribs204,206,208 may connect to an internal side of thestriking face112.
• While three upperinternal ribs204,206,208 are shown, any number of ribs can be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics.
• The upperinternal ribs204,206,208 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting with thecover161 and/orcrown116. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140), thecrown116, or the entireclub head body108. In other embodiments theribs204,206,208 can be connected to thecover161 and/orcrown116 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece.
• The combination of both theinternal ribs204,206, and208 along with theexternal ribs180 and182 may be positioned relative to each other such that at least one of theexternal ribs180 and182 and at least one of theinternal ribs204,206, and208 may be located where the at least one external rib and the at least one internal rib occupy the same location in a view defined by the plane defined by theX-axis14 and Y-axis16 (or intersect if extended perpendicular to the view) but may be separated by only the wall thickness between them. The external rib and internal rib then diverge at an angle. The angle between the external and internal rib can be an angle in the range of 4 to 10 degrees or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees. In other configurations, the at least one external rib and the at least one internal rib occupy the same point in a view defined by the plane defined by theX-axis14 and Z-axis18 (or intersect if extended perpendicular to the view) but are separated by only the wall thickness between them. The external rib and internal rib then diverge at an angle. The angle that the external and internal rib can be an angle in the range of 4 to 10 degrees or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees.
• As shown in at leastFIGS. 14, the club can also include lowerinternal ribs232,234. The ribs can connect to the interior side of the sole118, and can extend between interior portions of the first andsecond walls166,167 and therear edge148 of thechannel140. In other embodiments theribs232,234 can connect only to the interior portion of first andsecond walls166,167 and/or the interior of therear edge148 of thechannel140, and in stillother embodiments ribs232,234 can connect to thecrown116. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 14, lowerinternal ribs232,234 are generally parallel with one another and aligned in a generally vertical plane or Z-axis18 direction that is perpendicular to thestriking face112. In other configurations, the lowerinternal ribs232,234 may be angled with respect toX-axis14, Y-axis16, or Z-axis18 directions and/or angled with respect to each other. Theribs232,234 may be located anywhere in the heel-toe direction. For example,ribs232,234 may be equally or unequally spaced in the heel-toe direction from the center of gravity or from the face center. In one embodiment,rib232 may be located approximately 8 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14.Rib234 may be located approximately 25 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 45 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14. In another embodiment,rib232 can be located approximately 3 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 mm to 25 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14.Rib234 may be located approximately 21 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 35 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14.
• Each of theribs232,234 havefront end portions236,238 towards the front124 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib which may connect to the interior of therear edge148 of thechannel140. Each of theribs232,234 also hasrear end portions240,242, respectively, towards the rear126 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib which may connect to the first andsecond walls166,167. The lowerinternal ribs232,234 also include upper portions244,246 extending to the edge of the rib and lower portions248,250 extending to the edge of the rib. As shown inFIG. 11B the upper portions244,246 ofribs232,234 may be curved, generally forming a concave curved shape. In other embodiments the upper portions244,246 may have a convex curved shape, straight shape, or any other shape. The lower portions248,250 of the ribs may connect to an interior of the sole118 of the golf club.
• Eachrib232,234 also has an internal side and an external side and a width defined there between. The width of the rib may affect the strength and weight of the golf club. Theribs232,234 may have a substantially constant rib width of approximately 1 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm, or may have a variable width. Additionally, in some embodiments, for example, theribs232,234 may have a thinner width portion throughout the majority or a center portion of the rib and a thicker width portion. The thicker width portion may be near thefront end portions236,238,rear end portions240,242, upper portions244,246, or lower portions248,250, or any other part of the rib. The thickness of the thicker width portion may be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of the thinner portion.
• Eachrib232,234 also has a maximum height defined as the maximum distance between the upper portions and the lower portions measured along the rib in the Z-axis18 direction. The maximum height ofrib232 can be approximately 16 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 40 mm, and the maximum height ofrib234 may be approximately 20 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 40 mm. In another embodiment, the maximum height ofrib232 may be approximately 20 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm; and the maximum height ofrib234 can be approximately 21 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm. Additionally, eachrib232,234 also has a maximum length defined as the maximum distance between the front end portions and rear end portions measured along the rib in the Y-axis16 direction. The maximum length ofrib232 may be approximately 46 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 60 mm; and the maximum length ofrib234 may be approximately 46 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 60 mm. In another embodiment, the maximum length ofrib232 may be approximately 40 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 50 mm; and the maximum length ofrib234 may be approximately 39 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 50 mm.
• While only two lowerinternal ribs232,234 are shown, any number of ribs may be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics.
• The lowerinternal ribs232,234 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting with the sole118. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140) or the entireclub head body108. In other embodiments theribs232,234 can be connected to thecrown116 and/or sole118 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece.
• Additionally, therear end portions240,242 of theinternal ribs232,234 and the forwardmost portions184,186 of theexternal ribs180,182 may be positioned relative to each other by a dimension defined in a direction parallel to theX-axis14 between 2 to 4 mm or may be in the range of 1 to 10 mm.
• Internal Rib Configuration for Clubhead without Void
• Agolf club head102 includingchannel140 as described above, but withoutvoid160 is shown inFIGS. 16-17. As shown in at leastFIG. 17, theclub102 ofFIG. 17 can also includeribs300,302. The ribs can connect to the interior side of the sole118, and can extend between interior portions of the rear126 of thebody108 and therear edge148 of thechannel140. In other embodiments, theribs300,302 may not extend the entire distance between the interior portion ofrear126 of thebody108 and/or the interior of therear edge148 of thechannel140, and in stillother embodiments ribs300,302 can connect to thecrown116. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 16A,ribs300,302 are generally parallel with one another and aligned in a generally vertical plane or Z-axis18 direction that is perpendicular to thestriking face112. In other configurations, theribs300,302 can be angled with respect toX-axis14, Y-axis16, or Z-axis18 directions and/or angled with respect to each other. Theribs300,302 can be located anywhere in the heel-toe direction. For example,ribs300,302 can be equally or unequally spaced in the heel-toe direction from the center of gravity or from the face center. In one embodiment,rib300 can be located approximately 8 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 30 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; andrib302 can be located approximately 25 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 45 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14. In another embodiment,rib300 can be located approximately 2.5 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 25 mm towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; andrib302 can be located approximately 21 mm +/−2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0 to 35 mm towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14.
• Each of theribs300,302 havefront end portions304,306 towards the front124 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib which can connect to the interior of therear edge148 of thechannel140. Each of theribs300,302 also has rear end portions308 (not shown),310 (not shown), towards the rear126 of thebody108 extending to the edge of the rib which can extend and/or connect to the rear126 of thebody108. Theribs300,302 also includeupper portions312,314 extending to the edge of the rib andlower portions316,318 extending to the edge of the rib. As shown inFIG. 16A, theupper portions312,314 ofribs300,302 can be curved, generally forming a concave curved shape. In other embodiments theupper portions312,314 can have a convex curved shape, straight shape, or any other shape. Thelower portions316,318 of the ribs can connect to an interior of the sole118 of the golf club.
• Eachrib300,302 also has first side and a second side and a rib width defined there between. The width of the rib can affect the strength and weight of the golf club. Theribs300,302 can have a substantially constant rib width of approximately 0.9 mm +/−0.2 mm or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm, or can have a variable rib width. Additionally, in some embodiments, for example, theribs300,302 can have a thinner width portion throughout the majority or a center portion of the rib and a thicker width portion. The thicker width portion can be near thefront end portions304,306, rear end portions308,310,upper portions312,314, orlower portions316,318, or any other part of the rib. The thickness of the thicker width portion can be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of the thinner portion.
• Eachrib300,302 may also have a maximum height measured along the rib in the Z-axis18 direction. The maximum height ofrib300,302 can be approximately may be in the range of approximately 0 to 60 mm, and may extend to thecrown116. Additionally, eachrib300,302 may also have a maximum length, measured along the rib in the Y-axis16 direction. The maximum length ofribs300,302 may be in the range of approximately 0 to 120 mm and can extend substantially to the rear126 of the club.
• While only tworibs300,302 are shown, any number of ribs can be included on the golf club. It is understood that the ribs may extend at different lengths, widths, heights, and angles and have different shapes to achieve different weight distribution and performance characteristics.
• Theribs300,302 may be formed of a single, integrally formed piece, e.g., by casting with the sole118. Such an integral piece may further include other components of thebody108, such as the entire sole118 (including the channel140) or the entireclub head body108. In other embodiments theribs300,302 can be connected to thecrown116 and/or sole118 by welding or other integral joining technique to form a single piece.
• While internal and external ribs have generally been described in relation to the embodiment disclosed inFIGS. 1-15, it is understood that any rib configuration can apply to any other portion of any embodiment described.
Fairway Woods/Hybrid Club Heads—Structural Ribs
• As described above with regards to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-15, the golf club head shown inFIGS. 18-26, and the golf club head shown inFIGS. 27-33, may include similar internal and external rib structures although the sizing and location of such structures can vary. The same reference numbers are used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.
• As depicted in fairway wood and hybrid embodiments shown inFIGS. 18-26 thecover161 may includeexternal ribs180,182. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 27external ribs180,182 are generally arranged in an angled or v-shaped alignment, converge towards one another with respect to the Y-axis16 in a front124 to rear126 direction. In this configuration, theribs180,182 converge towards one another at a point beyond the rear126 of the club. As shown inFIG. 19, the angle of theribs180,182 from the Y-axis16 may be approximately 7 degrees, or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, and approximately 11 degrees, or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees respectively. As shown inFIG. 28, the angle of theribs180,182 from the Y-axis16 can be approximately 13 degrees, or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, and approximately 13 degrees, or may be in the range of 0 to 30 degrees respectively.
• Theribs180,182 may be located anywhere in the heel-to-toe direction and in the front-rear direction. For example,ribs180,182 may be equally or unequally spaced in the heel-to-toe direction from the center of gravity or from the face center. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 18, thefront end portion184 ofrib180 can be located approximately 12 mm, or may be in the range of 0 to 25 mm, towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; and thefront end portion186 ofrib182 can be located approximately 27 mm, or may be in the range of 0 to 40 mm, towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 28 thefront end portion184 ofrib204 may be located approximately 10 mm, or may be in the range of 5 to 30 mm, towards theheel120 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14; and thefront end portion186 ofrib182 may be located approximately 22 mm, or may be in the range of 5 to 40 mm, towards thetoe122 from theface center location40 measured along theX-axis14. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 18, thefront end portion184 ofrib180 can be located approximately 41 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm, towards the rear126 from the striking face measured in the Y-axis16 direction; and thefront end portion186 ofrib182 can be located approximately 43 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm, towards the rear126 from the striking face measured along the Y-axis16. In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 27, thefront end portion184 ofrib180 may be located approximately 37 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm, towards the rear126 from the striking face measured in the Y-axis16 direction; and thefront end portion186 ofrib182 can be located approximately 43 mm, or may be in the range of 20 to 70 mm, towards the rear126 from the striking face measured along the Y-axis16.
• As depicted in embodiments shown inFIGS. 18-33, eachrib180,182 also has aninternal side189,191 and anexternal side193,195 and a width defined there between. The width of theribs180,182 can affect the strength and weight of the golf club. Theribs180,182 may have athinner width portion200 throughout the majority, or center portion, of the rib. Thethinner width portion200 of the rib may be approximately 1.0 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm and may be substantially similar throughout the entire rib. Theribs180,182 may also include athicker width portion202. Thethicker width portion202 may be near thefront end portions184,186,rear end portions188,190,upper portions192,194, orlower portions196,198. Theribs180,182 include athicker width portion202 over part of thefront end portions184,186, part of therear end portions188,190, and thelower portions196,198. Thethicker width portion202 may be disposed substantially on theinternal sides189,191 of theribs180,182. In other embodiments, the thicker width portion may be distributed equally or unequally on theinternal sides189,191 and theexternal sides193,195, or substantially on theexternal sides193,195. The thickness of the thicker width portion can be approximately 3 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 1 to 10 mm. The width of thethicker portion202 can be approximately 2 to 3 times the width of thethinner portion200. Theribs180,182 may have a substantially similar width throughout the rib that can be approximately 2 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 5.0 mm and may be substantially similar throughout the entire rib.
• Eachrib180,182 also has a maximum height defined by the distance between theupper portions192,194 and thelower portions196,198 measured along theribs180,182 in the Z-axis18 direction. A maximum height of theribs180,182 ofFIGS. 18-26 may be in the range of approximately 5 to 30 mm. A maximum height of theribs180,182 ofFIGS. 27-33 may be in the range of approximately 5 to 30 mm. Additionally, eachrib180,182 also has a maximum length, defined by the distance between thefront end portions184,186 andrear end portions188,190 measured along theribs180,182 in the plane defined by theX-axis14 and the Y-axis16. The length of therib180 ofFIGS. 18-26 may be approximately 39 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 10 to 60 mm. The length of therib182 ofFIGS. 18-26 may be approximately 43 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 10 to 60 mm. The length of therib180 ofFIGS. 27-33 may be approximately 24 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 10 to 50 mm. The length of therib182 ofFIGS. 27-33 may be approximately 27 mm, or may be in the range of approximately 10 to 50 mm.
• Additionally, as shown inFIG. 26, the embodiment ofFIGS. 18-26 may have similar internal ribs to the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17. Because of the smaller body for a fairway wood configuration, there may be fewer ribs than on a driver. For example,ribs204 and206 may have similar properties to theribs204,206 of the embodiments ofFIGS. 1-17, except having two ribs compared to three ribs. In addition, the fairway woods may haveribs232,234 similar to the driver embodiments where the ribs may taper to having a lower rib height near the front ends236,238 as compared to the rear ends240,242.
• Another aspect of the rib structure for the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 and 14 is its impact on the overall sound and feel of the golf club head. The internal andexternal rib structures180,182,204,206,208,232, and234 in theclub head102 of the embodiment shownFIG. 2 can create a more rigid overall structure, which produces a higher pitch sound when the club head strikes a golf ball. For example, the rib structure can enable the first natural frequency of the golf club head to increase from approximately 2200 Hz to over 3400 Hz, while limiting the increase in weight to less than 10 grams. A golf club head having a first natural frequency lower than 3000 Hz can create a sound that is not pleasing to golfers.
• The various structural dimensions, relationships, ratios, etc., described herein for various components of the club heads102 inFIGS. 1-39C may be at least partially related to the materials of the club heads102 and the properties of such materials, such as tensile strength, ductility, toughness, etc., in some embodiments. Accordingly, it is noted that theheads102 inFIGS. 1-17 may be manufactured having some or all of the structural properties described herein, with aface112 made from a Ti-6Al-4V alloy with a yield strength of approximately 1000 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 1055 MPa, and an elastic modulus, E, of approximately 114 GPa and a density of 4.43 g/cc. and abody108 made from a Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V alloy with a yield strength of approximately 760 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 820 MPa, and an elastic modulus, E, of approximately 121 GPa and a density of 4.37 g/cc. Alternatively, the face may be made from a higher strength titanium alloy such as Ti-15V-3Al-3Cr-3Sn and Ti-20V-4V-1Al which can exhibit a higher yield strength and ultimate tensile strength while having a lower modulus of elasticity than Ti-6Al-4V alloy of approximately 100 GPa. Additionally, the face may be made from a higher strength titanium alloy, such as SP700, (Ti-4.5Al-3V-2Fe-2Mo) which can have a higher yield strength and ultimate tensile strength while having a similar modulus of elasticity of 115 GPa. It is also noted that theheads102 inFIGS. 18-33 may be manufactured having some or all of the structural properties described herein, with aface112 and abody108 both made from 17-4PH stainless steel having an elastic modulus, E, of approximately 197 GPa, with theface112 being heat treated to achieve a yield strength of approximately 1200 MPa and thebody108 being heat treated to achieve a yield strength of approximately 1140 MPa. In other embodiments, part or all of eachhead102 may be made from different materials, and it is understood that changes in structure of thehead102 may be made to complement a change in materials and vice/versa. The specific embodiments of drivers, fairway woods, and hybrid club heads in the following tables utilize the materials described in this paragraph, and it is understood that these embodiments are examples, and that other structural embodiments may exist, including those described herein. Table 1 provides a summary of data as described above for club head channel dimensional relationships for the driver illustrated inFIGS. 1-17 and corresponding fairway and hybrids ofFIGS. 18-33.

• TABLE 1
  Club Head Channel Dimensional Relationships
  for Drivers/Fairway Woods/Hybrids

  Club Head	Driver	Driver	Fairway
  Characteristic/Parameters	FIGS. 1-16	FIG. 17	Woods	Hybrids
  Face Height
  Height	50-72 mm	45-65 mm	28-40 mm	28-40 mm
  	(58-62 mm)	(53-57 mm)	(35-37 mm)	(34-35 mm)
  Channel
  Width (Center)	8-12 mm	8-12 mm	8.5-9.5 mm	7.5-8.5 mm
  	(10 mm)	(10 mm)	(9.0 mm)	(8.0 mm)
  Depth (Center)	2.0-4.0 mm	2.0-4.0 mm	8.5-9.5 mm	7.5-8.5 mm
  	(3.0 mm)	(3.0 mm)	(9.0 mm)	(8.0 mm)
  Channel Rearward Spacing	8 mm	8 mm	7.0 mm	8.0 mm
  Channel Wall Thickness
  Center	1.0-1.4 mm	1.0-1.4 mm	1.5-1.7 mm	1.5-1.7 mm
  	(1.2 mm)	(1.2 mm)	(1.6 mm)	(1.6 mm)
  Heel	0.8-1.0 mm	0.8-1.0 mm	0.85-1.05 mm	0.9-1.1 mm
  	(0.9 mm)	(0.9 mm)	(0.95 mm)	(1.0 mm)
  Toe	0.8-1.0 mm	0.8-1.0 mm	0.85-1.05 mm	0.9-1.1 mm
  	(0.9 mm)	(0.9 mm)	(0.95 mm)	(1.0 mm)
  Ratios (expressed as X:1)
  Face Width:Channel	2.5-3.5	2.5-3.5	1.5-2.5	1.5-2.5
  Length
  Channel Width	7.5-9.5	7.5-9.5	5.0-6.5	4.5-5.5
  (Center):Channel Wall
  Thickness
  Channel Width	2.5-4.5	2.5-4.5	0.8-1.2	0.8-1.2
  (Center):Channel Depth
  (Center)
  Channel Depth	2.0-3.0	2.0-3.0	5.0-6.5	4.5-5.5
  (Center):Channel Wall
  Thickness
  Channel Length:Channel	3-4	3-4	4.0-4.5	4.5-5
  Width (Center)
  Face Height:Channel	5-7	4.5-6.5	3.5-5	3.5-4.5
  Width (Center)
  Face Height:Channel	18-23	16-21	3.5-5	3.5-4.5
  Depth (Center)
  Face Height:Channel Wall	45-55	41-51	20-25	20-25
  Thickness
  Channel Spacing Ratios
  (expressed as X:1)
  Face Height:Channel	6.5-8.5	6-8	4.5-5.5	3.5-4.5
  Spacing(Center)
  Channel Spacing:Channel	0.5-1.0	0.5-1.0	0.6-0.9	0.8-1.2
  Width (Center)
  Channel Spacing:Channel	2-3	2-3	0.6-0.9	0.8-1.2
  Depth (Center)
  Channel Spacing:Wall	6-7	6-7	4.0-4.5	4.75-5.25
  Thickness(Center)

• It is understood that one or more different features of any of the embodiments described herein can be combined with one or more different features of a different embodiment described herein, in any desired combination. It is also understood that further benefits may be recognized as a result of such combinations.
• Golf club heads102 incorporating the body structures disclosed herein, e.g., channels, voids, ribs, etc., may be used as a ball striking device or a part thereof. For example, agolf club100 as shown inFIG. 1 may be manufactured by attaching a shaft or handle104 to a head that is provided, such as theheads102, et seq., as described above. “Providing” the head, as used herein, refers broadly to making an article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. Additionally, a set of golf clubs including one ormore clubs100 havingheads102 as described above may be provided. For example, a set of golf clubs may include one or more drivers, one or more fairway wood clubs, and/or one or more hybrid clubs having features as described herein. In other embodiments, different types of ball striking devices can be manufactured according to the principles described herein. Additionally, thehead102,golf club100, or other ball striking device may be fitted or customized for a person, such as by attaching ashaft104 thereto having a particular length, flexibility, etc., or by adjusting or interchanging an already attachedshaft104 as described above.
• The ball striking devices and heads therefor having channels as described herein provide many benefits and advantages over existing products. For example, the flexing of the sole118 at thechannel140 results in a smaller degree of deformation of the ball, which in turn can result in greater impact efficiency and greater ball speed at impact. As another example, the more gradual impact created by the flexing can result in greater energy and velocity transfer to the ball during impact. Still further, because thechannel140 extends toward the heel andtoe edges114 of theface112, thehead102 can achieve increased ball speed on impacts that are away from the center or traditional “sweet spot” of theface112. The greater flexibility of thechannels140 near theheel120 andtoe122 achieves a more flexible impact response at those areas, which offsets the reduced flexibility due to decreased face height at those areas, further improving ball speed at impacts that are away from the center of theface112. As an additional example, the features described herein may result in improved feel of thegolf club100 for the golfer, when striking the ball. Additionally, the configuration of thechannel140 may work in conjunction with other features (e.g. theribs204,206,208,232,234, and theaccess128, etc.) to influence the overall flexibility and response of thechannel140, as well as the effect thechannel140 has on the response of theface112. Further benefits and advantages are recognized by those skilled in the art.
• The ball striking devices and heads therefore having a void structure as described herein also provide many benefits and advantages over existing products. The configuration of the void160 provides the ability to distribute weight more towards theheel120 andtoe122. This can increase the moment of inertia (MOI) approximately a vertical axis through the CG of the club head (MOIz-z). Additionally, certain configurations of the void can move the CG of the club head forward, which can reduce the degree and/or variation of spin on impacts on theface112. The structures of thelegs164,165, thecover161, and the void160 may also improve the sound characteristics of thehead102. It is further understood that fixed or removable weight members can be internally supported by the club head structure, e.g., in thelegs164,165, in the interface area168, within thevoid160, etc.
• Additional structures such as the internal andexternal ribs180,182,204,206,208,232,234 as described herein also provide many benefits and advantages over existing products. For example, the configuration of the internal and external ribs provide for the desired amount of rigidity and flexing of the body. The resulting club head provides enhanced performance and sound characteristics.
• The benefits of the channel, the void, and other body structures described herein can be combined together to achieve additional performance enhancement. Further benefits and advantages are recognized by those skilled in the art.
• While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, an upper edge, a lower edge, a heel edge, and a toe edge;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, the body having a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe;

a channel extending across a portion of the sole in a heel to toe direction,

wherein the body and the face are integrally joined at a joint to form an interior cavity and the upper edge, the lower edge, the heel edge, and the toe edge of the face are defined by the joint;

wherein the face has multiple thickness regions having a center region positioned near a center of the face, a heel region positioned on the heel, a toe region positioned on the toe, an upper region positioned between the center region and the upper edge of the face, and a lower region positioned between the center region and the lower edge of the face;

wherein the upper region has a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the upper edge; and

wherein the channel is recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and has a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole, wherein the channel comprises a center portion extending across a center of the sole, a heel portion extending from a heel end of the center portion toward the heel, and a toe portion extending from a toe end of the center portion toward the toe;

wherein the center portion of the channel has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape where a front wall of the center portion of the channel has a first length and a rear wall of the center portion of the channel has a second length wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

2. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length is in a range between 2.5:1 and 4.0:1.

3. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein an angle formed between the front wall and the rear wall in a cross-section of the center portion of the channel is in a range between 75 degrees and 90 degrees.

4. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein the channel has a wall thickness that is greater in the center portion of the channel than in at least one of the heel and toe portions.

5. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the toe region of the face to a thickness of the toe portion of the channel is within a range of 2.5:1 to 2.9:1.

6. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein a width of the channel at the heel and toe portions is greater than the width of the center portion.

7. The golf club head ofclaim 1, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the center region to a thickness of the toe region is in a range of 1.27:1 to 1.55:1.

8. The golf club head of claim of1, wherein the center region has a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

9. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, an upper edge, a lower edge, a heel edge, and a toe edge;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, the body having a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe;

a channel extending across a portion of the sole in a heel to toe direction,

wherein the body and the face are integrally joined at a joint to form an interior cavity and the upper edge, the lower edge, the heel edge, and the toe edge of the face are defined by the joint;

wherein the face has multiple thickness regions having a center region positioned near a center of the face, a heel region positioned on the heel, a toe region positioned on the toe, an upper region positioned between the center region and the upper edge of the face, and a lower region positioned between the center region and the lower edge of the face;

wherein the center region has a rectangular shape with rounded corners;

wherein the channel is recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and has a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole, wherein the channel comprises a center portion extending across a center of the sole, a heel portion extending from a heel end of the center portion toward the heel, and a toe portion extending from a toe end of the center portion toward the toe; and

wherein the center portion of the channel has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape where a front wall of the center portion of the channel has a first length and a rear wall of the center portion of the channel has a second length wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

10. The golf club head ofclaim 9, wherein the center region has a width in a range of 34 mm to 42 mm and a height within a range of 15 mm to 19 mm.

11. The golf club head ofclaim 9, wherein the lower region has a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the upper edge.

12. The golf club head ofclaim 9, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the center region to a thickness of the toe region is in a range of 1.27:1 to 1.55:1.

13. The golf club head ofclaim 9, wherein a ratio of a thickness of the toe region of the face to a thickness of the toe portion of the channel is within a range of 2.5:1 to 2.9:1.

14. The golf club head ofclaim 9, wherein the center region has a center point that is located within a range between 1 mm and 4 mm above a face center location in a crown-to-sole direction.

15. A golf club head comprising:

a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball, an upper edge, a lower edge, a heel edge, and a toe edge;

a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face, the body having a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe;

a channel extending across a portion of the sole in a heel to toe direction,

wherein the body and the face are integrally joined at a joint to form an interior cavity and the upper edge, the lower edge, the heel edge, and the toe edge of the face are defined by the joint;

wherein the face has multiple thickness regions having a center region positioned near a center of the face, a heel region positioned on the heel, a toe region positioned on the toe, an upper region positioned between the center region and the upper edge of the face, and a lower region positioned between the center region and the lower edge of the face;

wherein the channel is recessed from adjacent surfaces of the sole and has a depth of recession from the adjacent surfaces of the sole, wherein the channel comprises a center portion extending across a center of the sole, a heel portion extending from a heel end of the center portion toward the heel, and a toe portion extending from a toe end of the center portion toward the toe; and

wherein a ratio of a thickness of the toe region of the face to a thickness of the toe portion of the channel is within a range between 2.5:1 and 2.9:1.

16. The golf club head ofclaim 15, wherein the center portion of the channel has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape; wherein a front wall of the center portion of the channel has a first length and a rear wall of the center portion of the channel has a second length wherein the first length is greater than the second length, and wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length is in a range between 2.5:1 and 4.0:1.

17. The golf club head ofclaim 16, wherein an angle formed between the front wall and the rear wall in a cross-section of the center portion of the channel is in a range between 75 degrees and 90 degrees.

18. The golf club head ofclaim 15, wherein the upper region of the face has a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the upper edge, and the lower region of the face has a ramped thickness that decreases as a function of the distance away from the center region to the lower edge.

19. The golf club head ofclaim 15, wherein the center region has a surface area that is within a range of 18 percent and 23 percent of a total surface area of the face defined within a boundary of the upper edge, the toe edge, the lower edge and the heel edge.

20. The golf club head ofclaim 15, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the heel and toe portions is different than a cross-sectional shape at the center portion.

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