Co-Molded Golf Putter with Integral Interlocking Features

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/933,800, filed on Sep. 20, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No. 12,383,805, issued on Aug. 12, 2025, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/811,503, filed on Mar. 6, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,452,922, issued on Sep. 27, 2022, which claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/814,770, filed on Mar. 6, 2019, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to golf equipment, and more particularly, to co-molded golf putters with integral interlocking features.

Typically putter type golf club heads are formed from metallic materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or tungsten. These metallic materials are often combined to create a putter head, wherein the peripheral portion of the putter contains a high-density metal to increase the moment of inertia (MOI) of the putter. However, combining two metallic materials can create an extremely heavy putter or high-volume putter, without maximizing the MOI, thus creating an unforgiving or bulky putter. There is a need in the art to combine lightweight composite materials with high-density metallic materials to create a high-MOI putter with a modest weight and volume, no matter the overall design.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Described herein is a putter-type golf club head comprising a high-density chassis made of a first material such as a high density metal (e.g., steel or tungsten, but not limited to) and a low density putter-type body portion, made of a second material, such as a low density thermoplastic composite (i.e., polycarbonate, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA), but not limited to). The chassis comprises a flow aperture, and one or more interlocking features. The putter-type body portion encases the entirety of the at least one interlocking feature(s). Further, the putter-type body encapsulates the chassis such that the body extends through, and completely fills the flow aperture, to interlock the body and chassis, and thus form the club head. This combination of a high density chassis, surrounded by a low density putter-type body portion results, in an increase of MOI about a y-axis of at least 5%, over a putter with the same volume, mass, and an entire metallic material construction (i.e., a putter milled of a single material such as a steel putter or a putter investment cast of a single material). Furthermore, the combination of a low density thermoplastic composite body and a high density chassis, can lead to improvements in the sound of the putter, as well as decreased manufacturing costs.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

In many embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a putter-type golf club head (the putter type golf club head,,,. . . etc.).illustrate multiple embodiments of a putter-type golf club head having a chassis and putter-type body integrally formed together. The putter-type golf club head can be a mallet-type putter head, mid-mallet type putter head, a blade type putter head, a high MOI putter head, or any other type of putter-type golf club head.

The putter-type golf club headcomprises a chassisand putter-type body(can also be referred to as the body). The putter-type bodycan partially or entirely enclose (or encapsulate) the chassisto form the features of the putter-type golf club head. The golf club headcan comprise a toe end, and a heel endopposite the toe end. The golf club headcan comprise a striking surface, and a rear portionopposite the striking surface. Further, the putter-type golf club headcan comprise an alignment feature. The putter-type golf club headcomprises a sole. The solespans from the heel endto the toe end, and from the striking surfaceto the rear portion. The sole isis positioned in a ground plane, when the putteris at an address position (i.e., in a position to strike a golf ball). The putter-type golf club headcomprises a crown, wherein the crownis opposite the sole. The crownspans from the heel endto the toe end, and from the striking surfaceto the rear portion. The crownis visible by the golfer when the putteris at an address position.

The golf club headstriking surfacecomprises a loft plane (not shown). The loft place is tangent to the striking surface. The loft plane intersects the ground plane, such that to form a loft angle. In many embodiments, the putter-type golf club head can have a loft angle less than 10 degrees. In many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be between 0 and 5 degrees, between 0 and 6 degrees, between 0 and 7 degrees, or between 0 and 8degrees. For example, the loft angle of the club head can be less than 10 degrees, less than 9 degrees, less than 8 degrees, less than 7 degrees, less than 6 degrees, or less than 5 degrees. For further example, the loft angle of the club head can be 0 degrees, 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, 5 degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, or 10 degrees.

The golf club headcomprises a golf club head center of gravity that is positioned within the golf club. The center of gravity is average location of a weight of the golf club head. Referring to, the golf club headfurther comprises a y-axis that is positioned within the center of gravity, is perpendicular to the ground plane, in extends in a direction away from the golf club headcrown. The y-axis is the axis that which the heel endand toe endrotate about during a putting stroke with club head. Improving the MOI about the y-axis prevents the golf club head from rotating about the y-axis, thus leading to straighter putts.

Furthermore, the putter-type golf club headcan comprise a hoselattached to the heel endof the golf club head. In some embodiments, the hoselmay be attached to a center (not shown) of the putter-type golf club head. The hoselmay be integrally formed with the putter-type bodyof the putter-type golf club head. The hoselmay be integrally formed with the chassisof the putter-type golf club head.

The golf club headmay comprise two or more materials. The chassiscan comprise a first material. The putter-type bodycan comprise a second material. The first material is different than the second material. The first material has a first density. The second material has a second density. The first density is not the same as the second density. The first density can be greater than the second density.

In many embodiments, the putter-type golf club headcan have a mass that ranges between 320 and 385 grams. In other embodiments, the mass of the putter-type golf club headcan range between 320 grams-325 grams, 325 grams-330 grams, 330 grams-335 grams, 335 grams-340 grams, 340 grams-345 grams, 345 grams-350 grams, 350 grams-355grams, 355 grams-360 grams, 360 grams-365 grams, 365 grams-370 grams, 370 grams-375 grams, 375 grams-380 grams, or 380 grams-385 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the putter-type golf club head can be 320 grams, 321 grams, 322 grams, 323 grams, 324 grams, 325 grams, 326 grams, 327 grams, 328 grams, 329 grams, 330 grams, 331 grams, 332 grams, 333 grams, 334 grams, 335 grams, 336 grams, 337 grams, 338 grams, 339 grams, 340 grams, 341 grams, 342 grams, 343 grams, 344 grams, 345 grams, 346 grams, 347 grams, 348 grams, 349 grams, 350 grams, 351 grams, 352 grams, 353 grams, 354 grams, 355 grams, 356 grams, 357 grams, 358 grams, 359 grams, 360 grams, 361 grams, 362 grams, 363 grams, 364 grams, 365 grams, 366 grams, 367 grams, 368 grams, 369 grams, 370 grams, 371 grams, 372 grams, 373 grams, 374 grams, 375 grams, 376 grams, 377 grams, 378 grams, 379 grams, 380 grams, 381 grams, 382 grams, 383 grams, 384 grams, or 385 grams.

In many embodiments, the putter type golf club headcan comprise a club head volume ranging between 25 cc and 125 cc. In some embodiments, the club head volume can range between 25 cc-30 cc, 30 cc-35 cc, 35 cc-40 cc, 40 cc-45 cc, 45 cc-50 cc, 50 cc-55 cc, 55 cc-60 cc, 60 cc-65 cc, 65 cc-70 cc, 70 cc-75 cc, 75 cc-80 cc, 80 cc-85 cc, 85 cc-90 cc, 90 cc-95 cc, 95 cc-100 cc, 100 cc-105 cc, 105 cc-110 cc, 110 cc-115 cc, 115 cc-120 cc, or 120 cc-125 cc. In one embodiment, the club head volume can range between 40 cc-110 cc. In some embodiments, the club head volume can be greater than 25 cc, greater than 50 cc, greater than 75 cc, or greater than 100 cc.

In some embodiments, the putter type golf club headcan comprise a striking surface. The striking surfacecan be made of the first material or the second material. In other embodiments, the striking surfacecan be made of a third material. In these embodiments, the third material of the striking surfacecan be any one or combination of the following: a thermoplastic polymer matrix material and a filler. Exemplary thermoplastic polymer matrix materials include polycarbonate (PC), polyester (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA) (e.g. polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 6-6 (PA66), polyamide-12 (PA12), polyamide-612 (PA612), polyamide 11 (PA11)), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyphthalamide (PPA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene ether/oxide (PPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polymethylpentene (PMP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or alloys of the above described thermoplastic materials, such as an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) or an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA).

In some embodiments, the striking surfacecan be integrally formed to the putter-type body. In most embodiments, the striking surfacecan be integrally formed to the club headby co-molding, injection molding, casting, additive manufacturing or other forming process. In some embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material can include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the thermoplastic polymer matrix material. TPU comprises a chemical structure consisting of linear segmented block copolymers having hard and soft segments. In some embodiments, the hard segments comprise aromatic or aliphatic structures, and the soft segments comprise polyether or polyester chains. In other embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer matrix material comprising TPU can have a hard and soft segments with different chemical structures.

In some embodiments, referring to, the putter-type golf club headcan comprise a strike face insert, positioned on or within the striking surface. In these embodiments, the strike face insert,, is independently formed prior to being coupled to the club head. The side of the strike face insert,, that will contact the club headcan comprise a geometry complementary to the geometry of the corresponding portion (i.e., a cavity in the striking surface of the putter-type golf club head) of the club headthat will contact the striking surface. In some embodiments, the strike face insert,, can be made of the first material, the second material, or the third material. In many embodiments, the putter head, can comprise a chassis, of the first material, a putter-type body, of the second material, and a strike face insert, comprising the third material.

The strike face insert,, can be secured to the club headby being integrally formed to a portion of the club heador by a fastening means. In some embodiments, the strike face insert,, is secured to the putter-type body. In these embodiments, in reference to, the putter-type bodycan comprise an insert cavity, wherein the insert cavityfunctions to receive the strike face insert. In other embodiments (not shown), the strike face insert,, is secured to the chassis. In these embodiments, the chassiscan comprise the insert cavity. The insert cavityfunctions to receive the strike face insert. The strike face insert,, can be secured by an adhesive such as glue, very high bond (VHB™) tape, epoxy or another adhesive. Alternately or additionally, the strike face insert,, can be secured by welding, soldering, screws, rivets, pins, mechanical interlock structure, or another fastening method.

The strike face insert,, can comprise any one or layered combination of the following materials: aluminum, stainless steel, copper, thermoplastic co-polyester elastomer (TPC), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic urethane (TPU), steel, nickel, TPU/aluminum, TPE/aluminum, plastic/metal screen insert, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyisobutylene, polyvinyl chloride, PEBAX®, or any other desired material. PEBAX® is a polyether block amide that is a thermoplastic elastomer made of a flexible polyether and rigid polyamide. The rigid polyamide can comprise Nylon. The PEBAX® can comprise different compounds that correspond to different Shore D hardness values, polyether percentages, and/or polyamide percentages. In many embodiments, the PEBAX® can comprise a PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) or a PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France). The PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) comprises a tetra methylene oxide (53% wt) and a Nylon 12. The PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) comprises a Nylon 11.

The PEBAX® can comprise a percentage of polyether by volume. In some embodiments, the PEBAX® can comprise 0% to 10%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 30%, 20% to 30%, 30% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 30% to 60%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 60%, or 60% to 70% polyether by volume. For example, the PEBAX® can comprise 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70% of polyether by volume. In some embodiments, the PEBAX® can comprise 0% to 10%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 30%, 20% to 30%, 30% to 40%, 40% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 60%, or 60% to 70% of polyamide by volume. For example, the PEBAX® can comprise 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70% of polyamide by volume. As the percentage of polyether percentage increases, the hardness of the PEBAX® decreases. As the percentage of polyamide percentage increases, the hardness of the PEBAX® increases. For example, the PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise 40% to 60% polyether by volume and 15% to 30% polyamide by volume. For example, the PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise 15% to 30% polyether by volume and 40% to 60% polyamide by volume.

In many embodiments, the PEBAX® can comprise a hardness ranging from Shore 25D to Shore 75D. In some embodiments, the hardness of the PEBAX can range from Shore 25D to Shore 35D, Shore 35D to Shore 45D, Shore 36D to Shore 44D, Shore 38D to Shore 42D, Shore 45D to Shore 55D, Shore 55D to Shore 65D, Shore 56D to Shore 64D, Shore 60D to Shore 65D, or Shore 65D to Shore 75D. For example, the hardness of the PEBAX can be Shore D 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 70.

In many embodiments, the PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a lower hardness than the PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France). In many embodiments, the PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a hardness range of Shore 35D to Shore 55D. In some embodiments, the PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a hardness range of Shore 38D to Shore 42D, or Shore 39D to Shore 41D. For example, the PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) can be comprise a Shore D hardness of 40. In many embodiments, the PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a hardness range of Shore 50D to Shore 75D. In some embodiments, the PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a hardness range of Shore 55D to Shore 70D, or Shore 60D to Shore 65D. For example, the PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) can comprise a Shore D hardness of 63.

In some embodiments,, the strike face insert,, can comprise a two-component system. The two-component system can comprise a ball striking face plate,and a face insert base,. The ball striking face plate,of the strike face insert,, can comprise a fourth material. The face insert base,of the strike face insert,, can comprise a fifth material.

In many embodiments, the fourth material of the ball striking face plate,and the fifth material of the face insert base,can be different. In some embodiments, the fourth material of the ball striking face plate,and the fifth material of the face insert base,can be similar. In many embodiments, the fourth material of the ball striking face plate,can comprise a polymer type material. In some embodiments, the fourth material of the ball striking face plate,can comprise a metallic material. In many embodiments, the fifth material of the face insert base,can comprise a polymer type material. In most embodiments, the putter head, can comprise a chassis, of the first material, a putter-type body, of the second material, and a strike face insert, comprising the fourth and fifth material.

The fourth material can comprise a metal such as steel, steel alloys, tungsten, tungsten alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, vanadium, vanadium alloys, chromium, chromium alloys, cobalt, cobalt alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, other metals, other metal alloys, composite polymer materials or any combination thereof.

The fourth material or the fifth material can comprise a polymer type material. The polymer type material can comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyisobutylene, polyvinyl chloride, or any other polymer type material. In many embodiments, the strike face insert,, can comprise a PEBAX®. More specifically, the PEBAX® is a polyether block amide that is a thermoplastic elastomer made of a flexible polyether and rigid polyamide. The rigid polyamide can comprise Nylon. The PEBAX® can comprise different compounds that correspond to different Shore D hardness values, polyether percentages, and/or polyamide percentages. In many embodiments, the PEBAX® can comprise a PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) or a PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France). The PEBAX® 4033 (Arkema, Paris France) comprises a tetramethylene oxide (53% wt) and a Nylon 12. The PEBAX® 6333 (Arkema, Paris France) comprises a Nylon 11. The fourth material and the fifth material can comprise similar polyether percentages, polyamide percentages, or Shore D hardness values as described above.

The ball striking face plate,of the strike face insert,, can comprise a thickness. In many embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can range from 0.015 to 0.115 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can range from 0.015 to 0.045 inch, 0.020 to 0.050 inch, 0.025 to 0.055 inch, 0.050 to 0.100 inch, 0.055 to 0.105 inch, 0.060 to 0.110, or 0.065 to 0.115 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be at least 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.030, 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, 0.065, 0.070, 0.075, 0.080, 0.085, 0.090, 0.095, 0.10, 0.105, 0.110, or 0.115 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be greater than or equal to 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.030, 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, 0.065, 0.070, 0.075, 0.080, 0.085, 0.090, 0.095, 0.10, 0.105, 0.110, or 0.115 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be less than or equal to 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.030, 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, 0.065, 0.070, 0.075, 0.080, 0.085, 0.090, 0.095, 0.10, 0.105, 0.110, or 0.115 inch. For example, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be 0.015, 0.020, 0.025, 0.030, 0.035, 0.040, 0.045, 0.050, 0.055, 0.060, 0.065, 0.070, 0.075, 0.080, 0.085, 0.090, 0.095, 0.10, 0.105, 0.110, or 0.115 inch.

In other embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can range from 0.115 to 0.40 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can range from 0.115 to 0.20 inch, 0.15 to 0.30 inch, 0.20 to 0.30 inch, 0.25 to 0.35 inch, or 0.30 to 0.40 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be at least 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, or 0.40 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be greater than or equal to 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, or 0.40. In some embodiments, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be less than or equal to 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, or 0.40 inch. For example, the thickness of the ball striking face plate,can be 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, or 0.40 inch.

The face insert base,of the strike face insert,, can comprise a thickness. In many embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can range from 0.05 to 0.20 inch. In some embodiment, the thickness of the face insert base,can range from 0.05 to 0.10 inch, or 0.10 to 0.20 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can be at least 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can be greater than or equal to 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can be less than or equal to 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 inch. For example, the thickness of the face insert base,can be 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, or 0.20 inch.

In other embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can range from 0.20 to 0.80 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can range from 0.20 to 0.50 inch, 0.30 to 0.60 inch, 0.40 to 0.70 inch, or 0.50 to 0.80 inch. In some embodiment, the thickness of the face insert base,can range from 0.20 to 0.40 inch, 0.30 to 0.50 inch, 0.40 to 0.60 inch, 0.50 to 0.70 inch, or 0.60 to 0.80 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can be at least 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,of the strike face insert,, can be greater than or equal to 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inch. In some embodiments, the thickness of the face insert base,can be less than or equal to 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inch. For example, the thickness of the face insert base,can be 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inch.

In many embodiments, the chassisof the putter-type golf club headcomprises the first material. The first material comprises a first density. The chassiscan range between 7.0 g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. In some embodiments, the first density can range between 7.0-7.5 g/cc, 7.5-8.0 g/cc, 8.0-8.5 g/cc, 8.5-9.0 g/cc, 9.0-9.5 g/cc, 9.5-10.0 g/cc, 10.0-10.5 g/cc, 10.5-11.0 g/cc, 11.0-11.5 g/cc, 11.5-12.0 g/cc, 12.0-12.5 g/cc, 12.5-13.0 g/cc, 13.0-13.5 g/cc, 13.5-14.0 g/cc, 14.0-14.5 g/cc, 14.5-15.0 g/cc, 15.0-15.5 g/cc, 15.5-16.0 g/cc, 16.0-16.5 g/cc, 16.5-17.0 g/cc, 17.0-17.5 g/cc, 17.5-18.0 g/cc, 18.0-18.5 g/cc, 18.5-19.0 g/cc, or 19.0-19.5 g/cc, or 19.5-20.0 g/cc. In one embodiment, the first density of the first material in the chassiscan range between 8.0-9.0 g/cc. In some embodiments, the first density can be 7.0 g/cc, 7.5 g/cc, 8.0 g/cc, 8.5 g/cc, 9.0 g/cc, 9.5 g/cc, 10.0 g/cc, 10.5 g/cc, 11.0 g/cc, 11.5 g/cc, 12.0 g/cc, 12.5 g/cc, 13.0 g/cc, 13.5 g/cc, 14.0 g/cc, 14.5 g/cc, 15.0 g/cc, 15.5 g/cc, 16.0 g/cc, 16.5 g/cc, 17.0 g/cc, 17.5 g/cc, 18.0 g/cc, 18.5 g/cc, 19.0 g/cc, 19.5 g/cc, or 20.0 g/cc.

The chassisof the putter-type golf clubhaving the first material can be made from any one or more combination of the following materials (densities provided): 8620 alloy steel (7.83 g/cc), S25C steel (7.85 g/cc), carbon steel (7.85 g/cc), maraging steel (8.00 g/cc), 17-4 stainless steel (7.81 g/cc), 303 stainless steel (8.03 g/cc), 304 stainless steel (8.00 g/cc), stainless steel alloy (7.75 g/cc-8.05 g/cc), tungsten (19.25 g/cc), manganese (7.43 g/cc) or any metal suitable for creating a golf club head. In many embodiments, the chassisis made of 304 stainless steel, 8620 alloy steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, tungsten, or a combination of stainless steel and tungsten. However, the chassisand putter type bodyare not made from the same one material or the same combination of materials.

The putter-type bodyof the golf clubhaving the second material can be made from any one or combination of the following: polycarbonate (PC), polyester (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA) (e.g. polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 6-6 (PA66), polyamide-12 (PA12), polyamide-612 (PA612), polyamide 11 (PA11)), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyphthalamide (PPA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene ether/oxide (PPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polymethylpentene (PMP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or alloys of the above described thermoplastic materials, such as an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) or an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA).

In many embodiments, the putter-type bodyof the putter-type golf club headhaving the second material comprises a second density ranging between 1.0 g/cc and 6.0 g/cc. The density of the second material is a second density to the first density of the first material in the chassis. The second density can range between 2.0 g/cc to 5.0 g/cc. In some embodiments, the second density can range between 1.0-1.25 g/cc, 1.25-1.5 g/cc, 1.5-1.75 g/cc, 1.75-2.0 g/cc, 2.0-2.25 g/cc, 2.25-2.5 g/cc, 2.5-2.75 g/cc, 2.75-3.0 g/cc, 3.25-3.5 g/cc, 3.5-3.75 g/cc, 3.75-4.0 g/cc, 4.0-4.25 g/cc, 4.25-4.5 g/cc, 4.5-4.75 g/cc, 4.75-5.0 g/cc, 5.0-5.25 g/cc, 5.0-5.25 g/cc, 5.25-5.5 g/cc, 5.5-5.75 g/cc, or 5.75-6.0 g/cc. In one embodiment, the second density of the putter-type body can range between 2.0-3.0 g/cc. In some embodiments, the second density can be less 6.0 g/cc, less than 5.0 g/cc, less than 4.0 g/cc, less than 3.0 g/cc, or less than 2.0 g/cc. In some embodiments, the second density can be 1.25 g/cc, 1.50 g/cc, 1.75 g/cc, 2.0 g/cc, 2.25 g/cc, 2.50 g/cc, 2.75 g/cc, 3.0 g/cc, 3.25 g/cc, 3.50 g/cc, 3.75 g/cc, 4.0 g/cc, 4.25 g/cc, 4.50 g/cc, 4.75 g/cc, 5.0 g/cc, 5.25 g/cc, 5.50 g/cc, 5.75 g/cc, or 6.0 g/cc.

In some embodiments, the first density of the chassis can be at least 2 times greater than the second density, at least 3 times greater than the second density, at least 4 times greater than the second density, or at least 5 times greater than the second density. In some embodiments, the first density can be greater than 7.0 g/cc, greater than 9.0 g/cc, greater than 10.0 g/cc, greater than 11.0 g/cc, or greater than 12.0 g/cc.

In many embodiments, the putter-type bodyof the putter-type golf club headhaving the second material can be formed from a thermoplastic composite material that comprises a thermoplastic polymer matrix material and a filler. Exemplary thermoplastic polymer matrix materials include polycarbonate (PC), polyester (PBT), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide (PA) (e.g. polyamide 6 (PA6), polyamide 6-6 (PA66), polyamide-12 (PA12), polyamide-612 (PA612), polyamide 11 (PA11)), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyphthalamide (PPA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene ether/oxide (PPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polymethylpentene (PMP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polystyrene (PS), polysulfone (PSU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or alloys of the above described thermoplastic materials, such as an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polycarbonate (PC) or an alloy of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA).

For example, in some embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material can include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) as the thermoplastic polymer matrix material. TPU comprises a chemical structure consisting of linear segmented block copolymers having hard and soft segments. In some embodiments, the hard segments comprise aromatic or aliphatic structures, and the soft segments comprise polyether or polyester chains. In other embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer matrix material comprising TPU can have a hard and soft segments with different chemical structures. For further example, in some embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material can include polyamine 6-6 (PA66) or polyamide 6 (PA6) as the thermoplastic polymer matrix material. PA66 is a type of polyamide made of two monomers, including hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, each containing 6 carbon atoms.

The fillers of the thermoplastic composite material can include fibers, beads, or other structures comprising various materials (described below) that are mixed with the thermoplastic polymer. The fillers can provide structural reinforcement, weighting, lightening, or various other characteristics to the thermoplastic composite material. In many embodiments, the fillers can comprise carbon or glass. However, in other embodiments, the fillers can comprise other suitable materials. For example, the fillers of one or more lamina layer can comprise aramid fibers (e.g. Nomex, Vectran, Kevlar, Twaron), bamboo fibers, natural fibers (e.g. cotton, hemp, flax), metal fibers (e.g. titanium, aluminum), glass beads, tungsten beads, or ceramic fibers (e.g. titanium dioxide, granite, silicon carbide).

The fillers or fibers can be short (less than approximately 0.5 mm in length or diameter), long (ranging in length or diameter between approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 40 mm, or more preferably between approximately 5 mm and approximately 12 mm), or continuous (greater than approximately 40 mm in length). In many embodiments, the front body and the rear body comprise short and/or long fibers. In other embodiments, the front body and the rear body can comprise continuous fibers instead of, or in addition to the short and long fibers.

In many embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material can comprise 30-40% fillers by volume. In other embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material can comprise up to 55%, up to 60%, up to 65%, or up to 70% fillers by volume.

In many embodiments, the thermoplastic composite comprises a specific gravity of approximately 1.0-2.0, which is significantly lower than the specific gravity of metallic materials used in golf (e.g. the specific gravity of titanium is approximately 4.5 and the specific gravity of aluminum is approximately 2.7). Further, in many embodiments, the thermoplastic composite material comprises a strength to weight ratio or specific strength greater than 1,000,000 PSI/(lb/in3), and a strength to modulus ratio or specific flexibility greater than 0.009. The specific gravity, specific strength, and specific flexibility of the thermoplastic composite material enable significant weight savings in the club head, while maintaining durability.

Referring to, the putter-type golf club headfurther, comprises a high density chassis, along with a putter-type body. The chassisis configured and positioned to be molded to the putter-type body, to form the putter-type golf club head. The chassiscomprises at least one interlocking featureand a flow aperture. The at least one interlocking feature, allows for the light-weight material (second density material) of the putter-type bodyto encase the entirety of the at least one interlocking feature. Further, the flow aperture, allows the light-weight material of the putter-type bodyto extend through and completely fill the flow aperture, to interlock the bodyand the chassis, and form the putter-type golf club head. Furthermore, the chassisprovides a high-density peripheral structure, that a low-density putter-type bodycan be formed around, to create a putterwith an extremely high MOI putter, while keeping the golf club head at a desirable overall weight.

The chassis, in some embodiments, comprises less than 50% of a total volume of the putter. In other embodiments, the chassiscomprises less than 70% of the total volume of the putter, less than 65% of the total volume of the putter, less than 60% of the total volume of the putter, less than 55% of the total volume of the putter, less than 50% of the total volume of the putter, less than 45% of the total volume of the putter, less than 40% of the total volume of the putter, or less than 35% of the total volume of the putter. In some embodiments, the chassiscan range between 20%-25% of the total volume of the putter, 25%-30% of the total volume of the putter, 30%-35% of the total volume of the putter, 35%-40% of the total volume of the putter, 40%-45% of the total volume of the putter, 45%-50% of the total volume of the putter, 50%-55% of the total volume of the putter, 55%-60% of the total volume of the putter, 60%-65% of the total volume of the putter, or 65%-70% of the total volume of the putter.

Although the chassiscomprises less than half of the volume of the putter, the chassiscomprises at least 60% of an overall mass of the putter. In some embodiments, the chassiscomprises at least 60% of the overall mass of the putter, at least 65% of the overall mass of the putter, at least 70% of the overall mass of the putter, or at least 75% of the overall mass of the putter. In other embodiments, the chassis can range between 45%-50% of the overall mass of the putter, 50%-55% of the overall mass of the putter, 55%-60% of the overall mass of the putter, 60%-65% of the overall mass of the putter, 65%-70% of the overall mass of the putter, 70%-75% of the overall mass of the putter, 75%-80% of the overall mass of the putter, or 80%-85% of the overall mass of the putter.

The beneficial shift of mass to the periphery of the putter head, through the use of a high density, low volume chassis, increases the MOI of the putter, over a putter with the same volume, mass, and single material construction (or multi-metal construction) (i.e., a putter milled of a single stainless steel block, or a putter investment cast of two metals).

In most embodiments, the chassiscomprises a heel portion. The chassiscomprises a toe portion, opposite the heel portion. The chassiscomprises a rear. The rearis adjacent the heel portionand the toe portion. In some embodiments, the chassiscan comprise a central strut. The central strutspans from the heel portionto the toe portion, opposite the rear. The chassiscomprises a front. The frontis formed by the toe portion, the heel portion, and the central strut. The frontis opposite the rear, adjacent the heel portion, and adjacent the toe portion.

Further, the chassiscan comprise an upper surface. The upper surfaceis adjacent the rear, the front, the toe portion, and the heel portion. The chassiscomprises a lower surface. The lower surface is opposite the upper surface, and is adjacent the rear, the front, the toe portion, and the heel portion. In many embodiments, the chassiscan be “U-shaped,” horseshoe shaped, parabolically shaped, ring shaped, dumbbell shaped, trapezoidal, polygonal, hourglass shaped, semi-circular, asymmetrical, symmetrical, spade shaped, “H-shaped,” “I-shaped,” or any other desirable chassisshape.

In most embodiments, the chassisshape fosters the desirable shift of mass towards the peripheries (toe, heel, rear, front) of the chassisand the peripheries of the putter-type golf club head. Certain chassisshapes can be used for certain types of putter heads, to drastically increase the MOI of the resulting co-molded putter. For example, a dumbbell shaped, “I-shaped,” or asymmetrical chassiscan be used for a blade style putter, wherein mass needs to only be moved toward the heel endand the toe end, in order to increase the MOI. In another example, a “U-shaped,” horseshoe shaped, or parabolic shaped chassiscan be used for a mid-mallet or mallet style putter, wherein mass needs to be moved toward the heel end, the toe end, the striking surface, and the rear portion, in order to increase the MOI. In yet another example, a semi-circular, asymmetrical, symmetrical, spade shaped, or “H-shaped” chassiscan be used for a mid-mallet or mallet style putter, wherein mass needs to be moved toward the heel end, the toe end, the striking surface, and the rear portion, in order to increase the MOI. The shape and weight allocation of the chassis, drastically increases the MOI of the putter head, when the high-density chassisis combined with the low density, lightweight putter-type body. Although certain chassisshapes are used for certain putter types, any chassisshape can be used for any type of putter (i.e., blade, mi-mallet, mallet).

Referring to, the heel portion, toe portion, rear, and central strutform the flow aperture. The flow apertureextends entirely through the chassis, in a direction from the upper surfaceto the lower surface. When the putter-type bodyis molded to the chassis, the flow apertureallows the lightweight, low density material that eventually form the putter-type body, to encapsulate the chassissuch that the bodyextends through and completely fills the flow aperture. The flow apertureallows the putter bodyto integrally interlock the bodyand the chassis, to form the club head. Furthermore, the flow apertureallows the lightweight, low density material of the putter-type bodyto flow in a direction perpendicular to the striking surfaceof the golf club head. In some cases, when the putter-type bodyis formed from a thermoplastic composite material with a fibrous filler, the flow apertureallows the fibers to settle in a direction perpendicular to the striking surface, thereby increasing the strength and durability of the club head. Further still, the flow apertureallows a thermoplastic composite material with a fibrous filler to closely surround the chassis, with minimal porosity, thereby forming a solid and durable club head.