Iron Golf Club Head

The invention relates generally to golf club heads and, more particularly, to an iron golf club head with a hollow body with internal weighting.

Full hollow-body iron golf club head construction has become very popular in recent years due to the flexibility of manipulating the mass properties of the head, whether from strategically varying the wall thickness of the body or concentrating weight in one or more location using higher density materials, such as weldable tungsten and nickel alloys. Further, hollow-body iron golf club head construction generally provides a more solid impact sound than full, open cavity designs.

With hollow-body iron golf club heads, it can be advantageous to concentrate weight low in the iron golf club head to create a lower sweet spot and deeper center of gravity for higher launch and carry distance. But concentrating weight low in the iron golf club head can interfere with and reduce the flexibility of the sole. Flexibility of the sole contributes to the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) of the iron golf club head while reducing the peak stress on the face at impact.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus for positioning higher density materials as low as possible in an iron golf club head while maintaining flexibility of the sole.

The present invention provides an iron golf club head that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. Preferably, the present invention provides an iron golf club head with a hollow body with internal weighting. There is provided, in accordance with an example of the disclosed technology an iron golf club head. The iron golf club head can include a main body defining a hollow. The main body can include a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a top, and a sole. The iron golf club head can include a weight disposed within the hollow. The weight can include a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and a weight second side. A perimeter of the weight can be defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side. The weight can be welded to the main body. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the sole defining a first gap between the weight and the sole. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the face defining a second gap between the weight and the face.

The disclosed technology can include an iron golf club head. The iron golf club head can include a main body defining a hollow. The main body can include a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a top, and a sole. The iron golf club head can include a weight comprising tungsten and nickel. The weight can be disposed within the hollow. The weight can include a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and a weight second side. A perimeter of the weight can be defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side. The weight can be welded to the main body around greater than 90 degrees of the perimeter of the weight but less than 270 degrees of the perimeter of the weight. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the sole defining a first gap between the weight and the sole. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the face defining a second gap between the weight and the face.

The disclosed technology can include an iron golf club head. The iron golf club head can include a main body defining a hollow. The main body can include a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a top, and a sole. The iron golf club head can include a weight disposed within the hollow. The weight can include a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and a weight second side. A perimeter of the weight can be defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side. The weight can be welded to the main body along a portion of the weight first side, along the weight top, and along a portion of the weight second side. The weight first side can be disposed proximate the toc, the weight top can be disposed proximate the top, and the weight second side can be disposed proximate the heel. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the sole defining a first gap between the weight and the sole. The weight can be disposed at an offset from the face defining a second gap between the weight and the face.

Embodiments of the disclosed technology include an iron golf club head with a hollow body with internal weighting. In various embodiments, the iron golf club head may include a weight welded within the hollow body of the golf club head. The weight can be welded on a portion of its sides to the inner wall of the back of the golf club head. As such, the weight can be located low and deep in golf club head but remain suspended above the sole of the golf club head to maintain flexibility of the sole.

Throughout the present description, the present invention will be discussed in reference to iron golf club head. In other words, an iron-type golf club, such as a 1 iron through 9 iron. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present invention may be applied to various other golf clubs that require customizable and precise weighting. In particular, it is noted that the present invention may be used in wood-type golf clubs, wedges, and putters, as well as any other device now used or later developed for use in hitting a golf ball.

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of example embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the example embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Also, in describing the example embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, example embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention, for example.

Referring now to the drawings,illustrates an example embodiment of an iron golf club head. The iron golf club headcan include a main body. The main bodyincludes a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a sole, a top, and a neck. The iron golf club headcan be a hollow-body golf club head. The iron golf club headcan include a weight. For example, the weightcan be disposed with the interior of the iron golf club head. The weightcan include a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and weight second side. The main bodycan comprise a front main bodyand a back main body. The front main bodycan be affixed to the back main bodyto form the main body. For example, the front main bodycan be welded, such as laser welded, to the back main body. The front main bodycan include the faceand neck. The back main bodycan include the back face.

The front main bodycan be made from the same material. The material for the front main bodycan include 4135 steel. The back main bodycan be made from the same material. The material for the back main body can include 431 steel. Alternatively, the back main bodycan be made from the same material as the front main body. The front main bodymay be formed by forging. Alternatively, the front main bodymay be formed by casting. The back main bodymay be formed by forging. Alternatively, the back main bodymay be formed by casting. For example, the main bodycan be made from grain flow forgedchromoly front main bodyand 431 stainless steel back main bodythat are laser welded together. Alternatively, or in addition, the main bodycan include other types of stainless steel. Alternatively, or in addition, the main bodycan include titanium, aluminum, carbon graphite, carbon steel, or zinc.

Facecan be a ball striking surface. Facecan be surrounded by toe, heel, sole, and top. Toccan be a part connecting topto soleon the side located away from neck. Heelcan be a part extending from the lower end of neckto sole. Topcan be a part forming an upper edge of main bodyextending from neckto toc. Solecan be a part forming a lower edge (bottom) of main body.

Facecan be provided with a plurality of score lines (grooves). Each of a plurality of score lines (grooves)extends linearly in the toe-to-heel direction from toetoward heel(direction laterally across face). A plurality of score lines (grooves)are arranged at substantially regular intervals in the top-to-sole direction from toptoward sole(direction vertically across face).

Back facecan be located rearward of face. Back facecan be located opposite to face.

As shown in, the iron golf club headcan be a hollow-body golf club head with a hollow. For example, the main bodycan be hollow such that the main bodydefines a hollow. The hollowcan be completely enclosed by the main body. The hollowcan be defined by the inner surfaces of the main body. For example, the hollowcan have a hollow back-side wall, a hollow face-side wall, and a hollow sole-side wall.

As shown in, the weightcan be disposed within the hollow. The weightcan be affixed to a portion of the wall of the hollow. It can be preferrable to position weightlow in the iron golf club headwhile not contacting the soleto allow the soleto flex without interference from the weight. For example, it may be preferrable for the soleto flex between 0.1 mm and 10 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the soleto flex between 0.1 mm and 3 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the soleto flex between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the soleto flex between 0.1 mm and 1 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the soleto flex between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. Flexibility of the solecontributes to the COR of the iron golf club headwhile reducing the peak stress on the faceat impact. The weightcan be suspended above the hollow sole-side wallsuch that there is a first gapbetween the hollow sole-side walland the weight. The first gapmay be between approximately 0.1 mm and 10 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the first gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the first gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 3 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the first gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the first gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it can be preferrable to position weightlow and deep in the iron golf club headwhile not contacting the faceto allow the faceto deflect without interference from the weight. For example, it may be preferrable for the faceto deflect up to 1.5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the faceto deflect up to 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the faceto deflect up to approximately 0.1 mm to 5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the faceto deflect up to approximately 1 mm to 2 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be preferrable for the faceto deflect up to approximately 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm. Flexibility of the facecontributes to the COR of the iron golf club headwhile reducing the peak stress on the faceat impact. The weightcan be suspended away from the hollow face-side wallsuch that there is a second gapbetween the hollow face-side walland the weightto allow for facedeflection. The second gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 10 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the second gapcan be between approximately 0.1 mm and 5 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the second gapcan be between approximately 0.5 mm and 3 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the second gapcan be between approximately 1 mm and 2 mm. The weightcan be affixed to the hollow back-side wallaway from the hollow face-side wall. In other words, the weightcan be disposed deep, or towards the back face, in the iron golf club head. As will be appreciated, positioning the weightlow and deep in the iron golf club head, while still maintaining a small first gap, provides a low and deep center of gravity for the golf club head while maintaining sole flexibility. By concentrating weight in this manner, the weight can be concentrated low in the iron golf club headto create a lower sweet spot and deep in the iron golf club headto create a deeper center of gravity which can create higher launch and carry distance.

The weightcan include a high-density metal, such as a metal denser than steel. Alternatively, or in addition, the weightcan include a metal that is well suited for welding, such as welding to steel. For example, the weightcan include a mixture of tungsten and nickel. It can be preferrable to use tungsten due to its high density and to mix the tungsten with nickel to allow for welding of the weightto the main body. As will be appreciated, because tungsten is denser than nickel the higher the ratio of tungsten and nickel, the higher the density of the weight. The density of the weightcan therefore be customizable by adjusting the ratio of tungsten and nickel used to make the weight. The weightcan have a weight of approximately 46.4 grams. Alternatively, the weightcan have a weight of approximately 46 grams, 45 grams, 44 grams, 43 grams, 42 grams, 41 grams, 40 grams, 35 grams, 30 grams, 25 grams, 20 grams, 15 grams, 10 grams, or 5 grams. Alternatively, the weightcan have a weight of approximately 47 grams, 48 grams, 49 grams, 50 grams, 55 grams, 60 grams, 65 grams, 70 grams, 75 grams, 80 grams, 85 grams, 90 grams, 95 grams, 100 grams, or 200 grams.

The weightcan be affixed to the main bodyby welding. For example, by laser welding. The weightcan be welded to the main bodyby welding around a portion of the perimeter of the weight. The perimeter of the weightcan be defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side. To achieve the suspended position of the weightin the hollowwherein the weightdoes not contact the soleor the faceas described herein, the weightcan be welded to the hollow back-side wall. The weld line can extend around the perimeter of the weightbetween 90 degrees and 270 degrees. For example, as illustrated in, the weld linecan extend along a portion of the weight first side, across the weight top, and along a portion of the weight second side. Alternatively, the weld line can extend around the perimeter of the weightgreater than 270 degrees but less than 360 degrees. Alternatively, the weld line can extent around the perimeter of the weightless than 90 degrees but greater than 0 degrees. The weld line can be the general path of the welding joint between the weight and the main body. The weld line can include a scam weld. Alternatively, or in addition, the weld line can include spot welding. Alternatively, or in addition, the weightcan be welded to the main bodyby welding at least a portion of the weight backto the hollow back-side wall.

As illustrated in, the hollow back-side wallcan include a thin portionand a thick portion. The thin portioncan have a wall thickness that is less than the thick portion. The thin portioncan be approximately the top half of the hollow back-side walland the thick portioncan be approximately the bottom half of the hollow back-side wall. As will be appreciated, the thick portionbeing lower in the iron golf club headwill lower the center of gravity of the iron golf club head.

As illustrated in, the hollow back-side wallcan include a first recess. For example, the thin portioncan include a first recess. The first recesscan be a recess in the hollow back-side wallwherein the hollow back-side wallis recessed away from the face.

As illustrated in, the hollow back-side wallcan include a second recess. For example, the thick portioncan include a second recess. The second recesscan be a recess in the hollow back-side wallwherein the hollow back side wall is recessed away from the face. The second recesscan be configured to receive the weightsuch that the weightcan be partially encased, or surrounded by, the hollow back-side wall. For example, as illustrated in, the weightcan be disposed within the second recesssuch that the weight back, weight top, at least a portion of the weight first side, and at least a portion of the weight second sideare each disposed within the second recessand are each disposed proximate to, or in contact with, the hollow back-side wall. The portions of the weightdisposed within the second recesscan be welded to the hollow back-side wall. As will be appreciated, welding portions of the weightdisposed within the second recess, such as a portion of the perimeter of the weightas described herein, can reduce the necessary welding filler and material needed to affix the weight. Further, because it is only necessary to surround a portion of the weightwith the steel of the hollow back-side wall, less lower density steel is needed to encase the higher density weight. As will be appreciated, positioning and attaching the weightin accordance with the disclosed technology allows for a lower sweet spot height and deeper center of gravity. Additionally, by welding the weightin the manner disclosed here, the disclosed technology allows for the use of more tungsten within the hollow body of the iron golf club headdue to the use of less steel and creation of increased occupiable volume.

The second recesscan include one or more portions that extend beyond the weight. For example, as illustrated in, the second recesscan include a first portionand a second portionthat extend beyond the width of the weight. The first portioncan extend beyond the weight first sidetowards the toe. The second portionscan extend beyond the weight second sidetowards the heel.

As illustrated in, the hollow back-side wallcan include a protrusion. For example, the thick portioncan include a protrusion. The protrusioncan protrude towards the facefrom the hollow back-side wall. The protrusioncan define at least a portion of the top of the second recess. For example, the protrusioncan be configured to define at least a portion of the top of the second recesssuch that at least a portion of the protrusionextends over the weight top. Alternatively, or in addition, the protrusioncan extend over the weight topand can extend towards the facebeyond the weight frontsuch that at least a portion of the protrusionoverhangs the weight.

Positioning the weightas described herein provides a low and deep center of gravity and thus a low sweet spot. The center of gravity can be deeper in the iron golf club headthan existing designs. For example, the center of gravity of the iron golf club head can have a depth of between approximately 1 mm to 10 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the center of gravity of the iron golf club head can have a depth of between approximately 4 mm to 8 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the center of gravity of the iron golf club head can have a depth of between approximately 4.6 mm to 7.7 mm. The center of gravity of the iron golf club headcan have a different depth for each type of club (e.g., 2 iron, 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, 9 iron, or wedge). The center of gravity depth is the distance the center of gravity is away from the facetowards the back face.

The sweet spot height the iron golf club headcan be lower than existing designs. For example, the sweet spot height of the iron golf club headcan be between approximately 30 mm and 10 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the sweet spot height of the iron golf club headcan be between approximately 25 mm and 15 mm. Alternatively, or in addition, the sweet spot height of the iron golf club headcan be between approximately 21 mm and 19 mm. The sweet spot height of the iron golf club headcan have a different height for each type of iron (e.g., 2 iron, 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, 7 iron, 8 iron, or 9 iron). Sweet spot height is the height of the sweet spot relative to the low point of the sole. The sweet spot is the intersection point between the faceand the perpendicular from the center of gravity of the iron golf club headto the face.

Table 1 shows the sweet spot (“SS”) height and center of gravity (“CG”) depth for an example set of irons in accordance with the disclosed technology that includes a 2 iron, 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, and 7 iron—specifically, Mizuno Pro 245 irons (“245”). Table 1 also shows the sweet spot height and center of gravity depth for a prior art example set of irons-specifically, Mizuno Pro 225 irons (“225”). As shown in Table 1, positioning and attaching weightin accordance with the disclosed technology allows for a lower sweet spot height and deeper center of gravity compared to a prior art example set of irons when comparing between each club type (e.g., 2 iron, 3 iron, 4 iron, 5 iron, 6 iron, or 7 iron).

The disclosed technology described herein can be further understood according to the following clauses:

Clause 1: An iron golf club head comprising: a main body defining a hollow, the main body including a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a top, and a sole; and a weight disposed within the hollow, the weight including a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and a weight second side, wherein a perimeter of the weight is defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side, wherein the weight is welded to the main body, and wherein the weight is disposed at an offset from the sole defining a first gap between the weight and the sole and at an offset from the face defining a second gap between the weight and the face.

Clause 2: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the weight is welded to the main body around greater than 90 degrees of the perimeter of the weight but less than 270 degrees of the perimeter of the weight.

Clause 3: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the weight is welded to the main body along a portion of the weight first side, along the weight top, and along a portion of the weight second side, wherein the weight first side is disposed proximate the toe, the weight top is disposed proximate the top, and the weight second side is disposed proximate the heel.

Clause 4: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the weight is welded to the main body along at least a portion of the weight back, wherein the weight back is disposed proximate the back face.

Clause 5: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the back face comprises a hollow back-side wall partially defining the hollow, the hollow back-side wall comprising a recess.

Clause 6: The iron golf club head of clause 5, wherein the weight is disposed at least partially within the recess.

Clause 7: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the weight comprises tungsten and nickel.

Clause 8: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the main body comprises steel.

Clause 9: The iron golf club head of clause 1, where the main body further comprises a front main body and a back main body, wherein the front main body is welded to the back main body.

Clause 10: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the first gap is configured to allow the sole to flex without contacting the weight.

Clause 11: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the second gap is configured to allow the face to deflect without contacting the weight.

Clause 12: The iron golf club head of clause 1, wherein the weight is approximately 46 grams.

Clause 13: An iron golf club head comprising: a main body defining a hollow, the main body including a toe, a heel, a face, a back face, a top, and a sole; and a weight comprising tungsten and nickel disposed within the hollow, the weight including a weight front, weight back, weight top, weight bottom, weight first side, and a weight second side, wherein a perimeter of the weight is defined by the weight top, weight first side, weight bottom, and weight second side, wherein the weight is welded to the main body around greater than 90 degrees of the perimeter of the weight but less than 270 degrees of the perimeter of the weight, and wherein the weight is disposed at an offset from the sole defining a first gap between the weight and the sole and at an offset from the face defining a second gap between the weight and the face.

Clause 14: The iron golf club head of clause 13, wherein the weight is welded to the main body along a portion of the weight first side, along the weight top, and along a portion of the weight second side, wherein the weight first side is disposed proximate the toe, the weight top is disposed proximate the top, and the weight second side is disposed proximate the heel.

Clause 15: The iron golf club head of clause 13, wherein the weight is welded to the main body along at least a portion of the weight back, wherein the weight back is disposed proximate the back face.