Golf Club Having a Damping Element for Ball Speed Control

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/456,160, filed on Aug. 25, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/076,729, filed on Dec. 7, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 12,226,679, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/958,233, filed on Sep. 30, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/543,459, filed on Dec. 6, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,938,387, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/532,222, filed on Nov. 22, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/377,696, filed on Jul. 16, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,826,620, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/349,519, filed on Jun. 16, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,786,789, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/138,618, filed on Dec. 30, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,794,080, which is a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/127,061, filed Dec. 18, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,433,284, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/085,474, filed Oct. 30, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,202,946, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/833,054, filed Mar. 27, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,020,639, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. To the extent appropriate, the present application claims priority to the above-referenced applications.

It is a goal for golfers to reduce the total number of swings needed to complete a round of golf, thus reducing their total score. To achieve that goal, it is generally desirable to for a golfer to have a ball fly a consistent distance when struck by the same golf club and, for some clubs, also to have that ball travel a long distance. For instance, when a golfer slightly mishits a golf ball, the golfer does not want the golf ball to fly a significantly different distance. At the same time, the golfer also does not want to have a significantly reduced overall distance every time the golfer strikes the ball, even when the golfer strikes the ball in the “sweet spot” of the golf club. Additionally, it is also preferable for a golf club head to produce a pleasant sound to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards a heel of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face, a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element, wherein the front surface of the damping element is in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a first portion having a substantially constant thickness, wherein the striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having the same length, and a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines, wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face, wherein the front surface of the damping element comprises a geometric center, wherein the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located toeward of the center face plane, wherein the striking face comprises a second portion, the second portion of the striking face located heelward of the center face plane, the second portion of the striking face having a thickness which tapers from a maximum thickness at a thick end of the second portion to a minimum thickness at a thin end of the second portion, wherein the thick end is located toeward of the thin end.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located a damping offset distance from the center face plane, wherein the thick end of the second portion of the striking face is located a heel offset distance from the center face plane, and wherein the heel offset distance is greater than the damping offset distance.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping offset distance is greater than or equal to 5 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the second portion has a height which tapers from a maximum height at the thick end of the second portion to a minimum height at the thin end of the second portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the first portion of the striking face extends above the second portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a chamfer is formed between an upper edge of the second portion and the first portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the striking face comprises a third portion, the third portion of the striking face located toeward of the center face plane, the third portion of the striking face having a thickness which tapers from a maximum thickness at a heel end of the third portion to a minimum thickness at a toe end of the third portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the periphery portion comprises a sole extending rearwards from a bottom of the striking face, a topline extending rearwards from a top of the striking face, and a back portion extending upwards from the sole and spaced from the striking face, wherein the striking face and the periphery portion form an internal cavity, wherein the damping element resides within the internal cavity, and wherein the rear surface of the damping element is in contact with the periphery portion.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards a heel of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face, a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element, wherein the front surface of the damping element is in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a first portion having a substantially constant thickness, wherein the striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having the same length, and a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines, wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face, wherein the front surface of the damping element comprises a geometric center, wherein the striking face comprises a second portion, the second portion of the striking face located heelward of the center face plane, the second portion of the striking face having a thickness which tapers from a maximum thickness at a thick end of the second portion to a minimum thickness at a thin end of the second portion, wherein the thick end is located toeward of the thin end, wherein the second portion has a height which tapers from a maximum height at the thick end of the second portion to a minimum height at the thin end of the second portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located toeward of the center face plane.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located a damping offset distance from the center face plane, wherein the thick end of the second portion of the striking face is located a heel offset distance from the center face plane, and wherein the heel offset distance is greater than the damping offset distance.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping offset distance is greater than or equal to 5 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the periphery portion comprises a sole extending rearwards from a bottom of the striking face, a topline extending rearwards from a top of the striking face, and a back portion extending upwards from the sole and spaced from the striking face, wherein the striking face and the periphery portion form an internal cavity, wherein the damping element resides within the internal cavity, and wherein the rear surface of the damping element is in contact with the periphery portion.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards a heel of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face, a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, wherein the striking face comprises a first portion having a substantially constant thickness, wherein the striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having the same length, and a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines, wherein the striking face comprises a second portion, the second portion of the striking face located heelward of the center face plane, the second portion of the striking face having a thickness which tapers from a maximum thickness at a thick end of the second portion to a minimum thickness at a thin end of the second portion, wherein the thick end is located toeward of the thin end, wherein the striking face comprises a third portion, the third portion of the striking face located toeward of the center face plane, the third portion of the striking face having a thickness which tapers from a maximum thickness at a heel end of the third portion to a minimum thickness at a toe end of the third portion.

An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element, wherein the front surface of the damping element is in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face, wherein the front surface of the damping element comprises a geometric center, wherein the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located toeward of the center face plane,

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located a damping offset distance from the center face plane, wherein the thick end of the second portion of the striking face is located a heel offset distance from the center face plane, and wherein the heel offset distance is greater than the damping offset distance and wherein the damping offset distance is greater than or equal to 5 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the second portion has a height which tapers from a maximum height at the thick end of the second portion to a minimum height at the thin end of the second portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the first portion of the striking face extends above the second portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology a chamfer is formed between an upper edge of the second portion and the first portion.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the periphery portion comprises a sole extending rearwards from a bottom of the striking face, a topline extending rearwards from a top of the striking face, and a back portion extending upwards from the sole and spaced from the striking face, wherein the striking face and the periphery portion form an internal cavity, wherein the damping element resides within the internal cavity, and wherein the rear surface of the damping element is in contact with the periphery portion.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including a striking face, a periphery portion surrounding and extending rearwards from the striking face, a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards a heel of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face, a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element, wherein the front surface of the damping element is in contact with the rear surface of the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a first portion having a substantially constant thickness, wherein the striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having the same length, and a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines, wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face, wherein the front surface of the damping element comprises a geometric center.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is aligned with the center face plane.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located a damping offset distance heelward from the center face plane of 5 mm or less.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the geometric center of the front surface of the damping element is located a damping offset distance toeward from the center face plane of 5 mm or less.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the first portion of the striking face has a thickness greater than 1.5 mm and less than 2.5 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the golf club head further comprises a shelf extending inward from the periphery portion, a back cover attached to the shelf to enclose a cavity in the golf club head, and a back cavity bridge which extends across the cavity from a topline region of the shelf to a toe region of the shelf.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the golf club head further comprises a shelf extending inward from the periphery portion, and a back cover attached to the shelf to enclose a cavity in the golf club head, wherein the shelf includes a protruding section which spans the cavity from a topline region of the shelf to a lower toe region of the shelf.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the golf club head further comprises a shelf extending inward from the periphery portion, and a back cover attached to the shelf to enclose a cavity in the golf club head, wherein the back cover includes a thermoset material.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the rear surface of the striking face includes a thermoset material.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the thermoset material is applied to the rear surface of the striking face in an uncured state, wherein the thermoset material subsequently cures with a thickness between 0.1 mm and 4.0 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the thermoset material includes a filler material.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including: a striking face; a back portion behind the striking face extending from a topline to a sole; a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side; a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards the heel side of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face; a plurality of scorelines having the same length on the striking face; a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines; a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element; wherein the striking face includes a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface; wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the rear surface of the striking face; wherein the striking face includes a first portion having a substantially constant thickness; wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face; and wherein the rear surface of the damping element contacts the back portion of the golf club head.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element has an elastic modulus of about 40 GPa or greater.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element has an elastic modulus of about 70 GPa or greater.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element is made from metal.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element is made from aluminum, steel, or titanium.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element further includes an epoxy or a lubricant at the front surface of the damping element.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element further includes an epoxy or a lubricant at the rear surface of the damping element.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element is hemispherical in shape.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the first portion of the striking face has a thickness greater than 1.5 mm and less than 2.5 mm.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology at least a portion of the damping element overlaps the center face plane.

One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a golf club head including: a striking face; a back portion behind the striking face extending from a topline to a sole; a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel side of the golf club head, the heel side located opposite a toe side; a coordinate system centered at a center of gravity of the golf club head, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards the heel side of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face; a plurality of scorelines having the same length on the striking face; a center face plane parallel to the y-axis and the z-axis, the center face plane located equidistant from a heel-most extent of the plurality of scorelines and a toe-most extent of the plurality of scorelines; a damping element including a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface of the damping element opposite the front surface of the damping element; wherein the striking face includes a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface; wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts against the rear surface of the striking face; wherein the striking face includes a first portion having a substantially constant thickness; wherein the front surface of the damping element contacts the first portion of the striking face; wherein the rear surface of the damping element contacts the back portion of the golf club head; wherein the front surface of the damping element includes a geometric center; and wherein at least a portion of the damping element overlaps the center face plane.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the back portion of the golf club head includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a compression of the damping element against the striking face.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment driver and an adjustment receiver, wherein the adjustment receiver is configured to receive the adjustment driver by threaded engagement.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element has an elastic modulus of about 40 GPa or greater.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element has an elastic modulus of about 70 GPa or greater.

In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology the damping element is made from aluminum, steel, or titanium.