GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH IMPROVED INERTIA PERFORMANCE
A golf club head includes: a body including: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge, and a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, wherein the striking face and the sole form at least part of an outer surface of the body; a weight chamber formed in the outer surface; and a weight including a heavy portion and a light portion, being positionable in the weight chamber with a first orientation, and being positionable in the weight chamber with a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/516,849, filed Nov. 2, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/931,091, filed on May 13, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/780,040, filed on Feb. 3, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/539,622, filed on Aug. 13, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/219,651, filed on Dec. 13, 2018, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a new and improved golf club having improved Moment of Inertia (MOI) characteristics, combined with an improved Center of Gravity (CG) location. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention achieves a relative low Moment of Inertia (MOI) about the Z-axis (MOI-Z), a low MOI about the Shaft Axis (MOI-SA), all combined with a high MOI about the X and Y-axis (MOI-X and MOI-Y) and maintaining a consistently and relatively low CG location measured along a direction normal to the hosel axis along the X-Y plane (CG-B).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWith the development of the modern day oversized metalwoods, the performance capabilities of these types of golf clubs have increased dramatically over their predecessor, “the persimmon wood”. One of the ways these metalwood type golf clubs have been performing better than their predecessors is in the increase in overall distance, generally attributed to the inherent elastic deformation of thin metallic metal materials used by these metalwoods. Another way the metalwood type golf clubs have been outperforming their predecessors is in the increase in overall forgiveness of the golf club head, generally attributed to the increase in the MOI of the golf club head itself.
The MOI of a golf club head generally is a term used to describe the ability of an object to resist rotational movement upon impact with a secondary object. In the case of a golf club head, MOI refers to the ability of the golf club head to resist undesirable twisting upon impact with a golf ball, as such a twisting movement will generally change the face angle of the golf club head away from the intended target line, sending the golf ball away from the intended target.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,055 to MacKeil shows one of the earliest attempts to increase the MOI of a golf club head by placing the Center of Gravity (CG) location rearward. U.S. Pat. No. 6,364,788 to Helmstetter et al. shows the utilization of weighting members to help control the MOI of the golf club head. Both of these patents refer to the MOI-y of the golf club head, as it relates to the ability of the golf club head to stay stable when encountering an off-center impact in the heel and toe direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,542 to Cackett et al. illustrates a further development in the MOI research wherein a recognition of the different axis of rotation of the different MOI's. (Alternatively known as Ixx, Iyy, and Izz instead of MOI-X, MOI-Y, and MOI-Z) Despite the recognition and identification of the difference in MOI values, U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,542 only focuses its attention on Ixx and Iyy (adapted and changes to the current reference nomenclature), without any recognition of the importance of the last MOI number, Izz, nor MOI-SA and how they can affect the performance of the golf club.
Despite the above, none of the references recognizes the importance of the MOI of the golf club head horizontally forward and aft of the face (MOI-Z), and ways to design a golf club that takes advantage of the performance characteristics of golf club with more optimal MOI-Z values along with the minimized MOI-SA values. Moreover, a closer investigation of the MOI-Z values will yield CG locations that will work in conjunction with the above MOI-Z values to create more performance. Hence, it can be seen from the above there is a need for more research and a design of a golf club capable of achieving better performance by investigating the importance of MOI-Z and MOI-SA as well as the CG location and designing a golf club head.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to an example, a golf club head includes: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, wherein the striking face and the sole form at least part of an outer surface of the golf club head; a weight chamber formed by a recess in the outer surface; a weight including a heavy portion and a light portion, and being positionable in the weight chamber with: a first orientation; a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis; and a third orientation rotated from the first orientation about a second axis different from the first axis.
In an example, a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis and from the second axis. In an example, the weight is positionable in the weight chamber with a fourth orientation that is rotated from the third orientation about the second axis. In an example, the light portion has a recess at one end of the light portion, and the heavy portion is adapted to engage with the light portion at the recess in the light portion. In an example, the light portion is elongated between a first end of the weight and a second end of the weight, a rabbet is formed in the light portion at the first end of the weight, and the heavy portion is coupled to the light portion such that the heavy portion occupies at least part of the rabbet. In an example, the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the golf club head, and the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. In an example, the golf club head further includes a cover adapted to releasably secure the weight within the weight chamber.
According to another example, a golf club head includes: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, wherein the striking face and the sole form at least part of an outer surface of the golf club head; a weight chamber formed in the outer surface; a weight including a heavy portion and a light portion, and being positionable in the weight chamber with: a first orientation; a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis; and a third orientation different from the second orientation and that is rotated from the first orientation about the first axis.
In an example, a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis. In an example, the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the golf club head. In an example, the weight is configured such that: when the weight has the first orientation, the heavy portion is proximal to the sole; when the weight has the second orientation, the heavy portion is distal to the sole; and when the weight has the third orientation, the heavy portion is proximal to the striking face. In an example, the light portion has a plurality of long sides, each being elongated along an elongation direction, and is shaped and sized such that, when the weight is positioned in the weight chamber, the elongation direction is substantially parallel to the first axis, and the heavy portion is coupled to at least one of the plurality of long sides of the light portion. In an example, the weight chamber is at least partially in the sole.
According to an example, a metalwood golf club head includes: a body including: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge, a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, and a crown coupled between the sole and the upper topline edge, wherein the striking face, the sole, and the crown form at least part of an outer surface of the body; a weight chamber formed in the outer surface; and a weight including a heavy portion and a light portion, being positionable in the weight chamber with a first orientation, and being positionable in the weight chamber with a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis, wherein a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis when the weight is positioned in the weight chamber.
In an example, the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the metalwood golf club head, and the second orientation is rotated by 90 degrees from the first orientation about the first axis. In an example, the metalwood golf club head further includes a cover adapted to cover at least part of the weight chamber, and a fastener configured to couple the cover to the golf club head and to only indirectly secure the weight within the weight chamber via the cover. In an example, the metalwood golf club head further includes a cover adapted to releasably secure the weight within the weight chamber, and having a window configured to visibly expose at least part of the weight within the weight chamber, wherein the weight has: a first orientation indicator positioned on the weight such that the first orientation indicator is visibly exposed through the window when the weight has the first orientation and the cover secures the weight within the weight chamber; and a second orientation indicator positioned on the weight such that the second orientation indicator is visibly exposed through the window when the weight has the second orientation and the cover secures the weight within the weight chamber. In an example, the weight chamber is positioned at least partially in the sole. In an example, the heavy portion is coupled to the light portion via a fastener. In an example, the second orientation is rotated by 180 degrees from the first orientation about the first axis, and the weight is positionable in the weight chamber with a third orientation that is rotated by 90 degrees from the first orientation along a second axis different from the first axis.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.
The following detailed description describes the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Various inventive features are described below and each can be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any or all of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.
Before beginning the discussion on the current inventive golf club head and its performance criteria, it is worthwhile to note here that the discussion below will be based on a coordinate system 101 and axis of measurement that is critical to the proper valuation of the performance numbers. Hence, it is important to recognize here that although the specific names given for the measurements below are important to the understanding of the current invention, the naming nomenclature should not be viewed in vacuum. Rather, the importance is the numbers presented below needs to be taken in context with how the coordinate system relates to the golf club head itself. In order to provide sufficient information to avoid any ambiguity, each of the figures provided below referencing a golf club head will all be accompanied by a coordinate system that is all consistent with one another.
Pursuant to the above, and to establish the reference coordinate system for the subsequent discussion,
In this embodiment of the present invention, the frontal portion 104 may generally be made out of a steel type material having a density of between about 7.75 g/cc and about 8.00 g/cc, allowing a significant portion of the mass of the golf club head 100 to be concentrated at a frontal bottom region of the golf club head 100. The rear portion 106 of the golf club head 100 in this embodiment of the present invention may generally be made out of the standard titanium material having a density of between about 4.00 g/cc and about 5.00 g/cc, allowing the rear portion 106 of the golf club head 100 to be relatively lightweight. However, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the frontal portion 104 may also be made out of a standard titanium material such as TI-6-4, Ti-8-1-1, beta-titanium, or any other type of titanium material without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
In order to illustrate more specific features of the golf club head 100,
More specifically, in the current invention, the CG location rearward from the striking face, identified here as CG-Z is generally between about 25 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably between about 26 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably between about 27 mm and about 36 mm, all measured rearward from the face center 202 along the Z axis shown by the coordinate system 201. In addition to illustrating the CG-Z 212 numbers, an alternative measurement method is provided to measure how far back the CG 210 is located within the club head 200. In this alternative method, the CG 210 is measured from the shaft axis 215, and this measurement is illustrated as CG-C 214 is generally measured to be between about 10 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm to about 23 mm, and most preferably between about 14 mm to about 21 mm, all measured rearward from the shaft axis 215 along the Z axis shown by the coordinate system 201.
It should be noted that the strategic location of the CG 210 location rearward along the Z axis, irrespective of whether it is measured from the face center 202 or the shaft axis 215, is critical to the proper functionality of the current inventive golf club head 200. If the CG 210 location is too far forward, the golf club head 200 can result in a low MOI-X and MOI-Y as well as too low of a backspin when contacting a golf ball to yield desirable results. However, in the alternative, if the CG 210 location is too far rearward, the golf club head 200 can produce too much spin to yield desirable results. Hence, it can be seen that the criticality of the CG location rearward of along the Z axis is a fine balance of a very specific range of numbers that can severely hinder the performance of the golf club head 200 if it deviates from the ranges articulated above.
In addition to illustrating the very important CG-B measurement of the golf club head,
Now that the CG location of the golf club head 200 has been defined, the other important features associated with the present invention relates to the Moment of Inertia (MOI) of the golf club head 200. The MOI of a golf club head generally depicts the ability of the golf club head to resist twisting when it impacts an object at a location that is not aligned with the CG location previously discussed. More specifically, the MOI of a golf club head relates to the ability of the golf club head to resist twisting relative to the CG location. As is well known in the art, the MOI of the golf club head 200 may generally be broken down to three unique components, relating to the ability of the golf club head 200 to resist rotation along three different axes with the origin of the three axes being coincident with the CG location of the golf club head. The three axes of rotation for which the MOI is generally referred coincides with the coordinate system 101, 201, and 301 (shown in
As the previously discussion already hinted, the current inventive golf club head 200 may generally have a high value for the MOI about the X and Y axis, while maintaining a low MOI about the Z axis. More specifically, the current inventive golf club head 200 may generally have a MOI about the X axis (MOI-X) that is greater than about 300 kg-mm2, more preferably greater than about 310 kg-mm2, and most preferably greater than about 320 kg-mm2 without departing from the scope and content of the present invention. As for MOI about the Y axis (MOI-Y), the present inventive golf club head 200 may generally have a MOI about the Y axis that is greater than about 400 kg-mm2, more preferably greater than about 410 kg-mm2, and most preferably greater than about 420 kg-mm2 all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
While the large MOI number about the X and Y axis discussed previously are not necessarily new in the world of golf club head 200 designs, the ability to maintain those number while decreasing the MOI about the Z axis (MOI-Z) and holding the MOI about the Shaft axis (MOI-SA) to a minimum is what makes the present invention. While the majority of the golf industry are focusing their attention so intently on the ability of the golf club head 200 to offer forgiveness on off center hits by trying to increase the MOI-Y to astronomical numbers, they have failed to recognize the ability of the golf club head 200 to offer more club head speed and more ball speed by decreasing the MOI about the Z axis (MOI-Z) in concert with the minimization of MOI about the Shaft axis (MOI-SA). The present invention focuses its attention on that very specific unrecognized characteristic, and has developed a golf club head 200 design to take advantage and maximize the performance of the golf club head 200 by focusing on the MOI about the Z axis. More specifically, a golf club head 200 in accordance with the present invention may generally have a MOI about a Z axis that is less than about 268 kg-mm2, more preferably less than about 260 kg-mm2, and most preferably less than about 250 kg-mm2. Additionally, the golf club head 200 may generally have a MOI about a Shaft axis that is less than about 850 kg-mm2.
It should be noted here that the low MOI-Z numbers mentioned above cannot by itself accurately depict and describe the current invention; as old school golf club heads with much smaller footprint may inherently have a low MOI-Z number, combined with a low MOI-X and MOI-Y number. Hence, it is important to recognize here that the present invention is predicated on the interrelationship between the different numbers achieved by the MOI-X and MOI-Y numbers as it relates to MOI-Z and MOI-SA, in combination with the CG location articulated above.
In order to capture the essence of the present invention, a ratio can be created between the MOI-X, MOI-Y, and MOI-Z to help provide one way to quantify this relationship. In one first example, a MOI-X to MOI-Z Ratio can be created to help quantify the current golf club head 200 as illustrated by Eq. (1) below. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MOI-X to MOI-Z Ratio is greater than about 1.10, more preferably greater than about 1.20, and most preferably greater than about 1.28.
Similarly, a comparable ratio can be established called a MOI-Y to MOI-Z Ratio to quantify the current golf club head 200 as illustrate by Eq. (2) below. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MOI-Y to MOI-Z ratio is greater than about 1.50, more preferably greater than about 1.57, and most preferably greater than about 1.68.
As it can be seen from the relationship established by the Eqs (1) and (2) above, the present invention relates to a specific relationship between the MOI of the golf club head 200 with an extra focus on minimizing the MOI-Z about the Z axis while maintaining a high MOI-Y. In order to further illustrate this, a graphical representation of the relationship is provided as
A closer examination of the prior art data points will show that none of the golf club heads in the prior art are capable of achieving a MOI-Z number of lower than 268 kg-mm2, for all modern day golf club heads that have a MOI-Y of greater than 420 kg-mm2. However, an even closer examination of the graph of
MOI-Z≤(0.47*MOI-Y)+33 Eq. (3)
Alternatively speaking, it can be said that in one embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head 200 may have a MOI-Z that satisfies the relationship MOI-Z≤(0.47*MOI-Y)+33 if the MOI-Y number is greater than 500 kg-mm2, and a MOI-Z that is less than 268 kg-mm2 if the MOI-Y number is between 420 kg-mm2 and 500 kg-mm2.
MOI-Y≥(0.52*MOI-SA)+147 Eq. (4)
MOI-X≥(0.40*MOI-SA)+50 Eq. (5)
In the chart shown in
In the chart shown in
A further examination of the plot shown in
It should be noted that in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, all of the weighting members 1322, 1324, 1326, and 1328 are all made out of the same material having the same heavy density discussed previously. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, different densities of tungsten may be used for different weighting members depending on the design criteria and desired CG location all without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.
More specifically,
In addition to illustrating this toe contour profiling,
Referring to
The golf club head 2000 further has a center of gravity CG that is located a distance back from the face center, CG-z, a vertical distance up from the ground plane, CG-y, a perpendicular distance from the shaft axis, GC-SA, a horizontal distance from the face center toward the heel side, CG-x and a distance back, parallel to the z-axis, from the shaft axis, CG-C. As stated above, in the current invention, the CG-z is generally between about 25 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably between about 26 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably between about 27 mm and about 36 mm, all measured rearward from the face center FC along the z-axis shown by the coordinate system above. In addition to the CG-z numbers, an alternative measurement method is provided to measure how far back the CG is located within the club head 2000. In this alternative method, the CG is measured from the shaft axis SA, and this measurement is illustrated as CG-C is generally measured to be between about 10 mm to about 30 mm, preferably 10 mm to 25 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm to about 28 mm, and more preferably 12 mm to 23 mm and most preferably between about 14 mm to about 21 mm, all measured rearward from the shaft axis SA along the z-axis direction shown by the coordinate system above.
As stated above, it is important that the strategic location of the CG rearward along the z-axis be correct, irrespective of whether it is measured from the face center FC or the shaft axis SA, for the proper functionality of the current inventive golf club head 2000. If the CG location is too far forward, the golf club head 2000 can have a low MOI-X and MOI-Y and low backspin when contacting a golf ball. However, in the alternative, if the CG location is too far rearward, the golf club head 2000 can produce too much spin to yield desirable results. Hence, the CG location rearward along the z-axis is important for the performance of the golf club head 2000.
As shown in
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In one embodiment of the present invention and as shown in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the golf club head's central support member 2010 can be comprised of a plurality of strut members 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 that extend form the crown to the sole of the central body member 2004 between the two weight members 2008 and 2009. Again, the central support member 2010 preferably has a maximum height H parallel to the y-axis and a maximum depth D parallel to the z-axis. The depth D is preferably greater than the maximum height H. Preferably, a first angled strut member 2014 extends from a crown portion of the central body member 2004 to the sole and a second angled strut member 2015 extends from a sole portion of the central body member 2004 to the crown, and the first and second angled strut members 2014 and 2015 preferably cross each other. Preferably, the first and second angled strut members 2014 and 2015 extend at an angle α of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from the y-axis and an angle β of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from the z-axis. More preferably, the first and second angled strut members 2014 and 2015 extend at an angle α of between 15 degrees and 45 degrees from the y-axis and an angle β of between 45 degrees and 75 degrees from the z-axis. The golf club head 2000 can further comprise a third angled strut member 2016 that extends from a crown portion of the central body member 2004 to the sole and a fourth angled strut member 2017 that extends from a sole portion of the central body member 2004 to the crown, and the third and fourth angled strut members cross each other. The third and fourth angled strut members also extend at angles α and β of between 15 degrees and 75 degrees from both the y-axis and the z-axis respectively. Preferably, the third angled strut member 2016 is coupled to the first angled strut member 2014 at the crown and the fourth angled strut member 2017 is coupled to the second angled strut member 2015 at the sole. Furthermore, preferably, the third angled strut member 2016 is substantially parallel to the second angled strut member 2015 and the fourth angled strut member 2017 is substantially parallel to the first angled strut member 2014. The golf club head 2000 can further comprise a vertical strut member 2018 extending vertically, substantially parallel to the y-axis, between the first angled strut member 2014 and the second angled strut member 2015 approximate the first weight member 2008. Even more preferably, the golf club head 2000 can further comprise a second vertical strut member 2019 extending vertically, substantially parallel to the y-axis, between the fourth angled strut member 2017 and the third angled strut member 2016 adjacent to the second weight member 2009.
The advantage of the central support member 2010, either in the form of the wall member 2010 or the angled strut members 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is that it prevents the crown portion of the central body member 2004 from deflecting relative to the sole portion of the central body member 2004 in the y-axis and also prevents the portions from shearing with respect to each other in the z-axis.
The advantage of multiple weight members 2008 and 2009 is that the weight members can have equal mass, for example between 10 and 15 grams each, such that the CG of the club head 2000 is in a neutral position. However, the weight members 2008 and 2009 can also be comprised of a heavy weight, for example greater than 15 grams, and a light weight, for example less than 10 grams, such that the CG can be moved forward or back depending on the placement of the weights. With the heavy weight located in the aft weight member 2009, the MOI-Y is increased and is preferably greater than about 450 kg-mm2. Thus, in a preferred golf club head 2000, the MOI-Y is greater than or equal to approximately 2 times the MOI-Z. Conversely, when the heavy weight is in the forward weight member 2008, the CG-C can be significantly decreased. For example, a preferred golf club head 2000 can have a GC-C of between 14 mm to 21 mm.
The advantages of the club head 2000 discussed above can also apply to fairway woods and hybrids. In those embodiments, it is understood that the numerical values for the club properties will be lower and the metal will be generally steels and high strength steels known in the art. However, the construction of the golf club head 2000 can be easily applied to these smaller heads.
Referring to
In a most preferred embodiment, the heel body member 2006 and the toe body member 2007 are preferably formed from a high crystallinity PPS, that is a PPS in which the crystallinity is greater than 40%, and more preferably, greater than about 50% as measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 20° C./min. The crystallinity percentage can be calculated using the following equation:
%crystallinty=ΔHsample/ΔHreference×100
where: ΔHsample is the sample melting enthalpy with unknown crystallinity percentage and ΔHreference is the sample melting enthalpy with the known crystallinity. For PPS, 76.5 J/g may be utilized as the ΔHreference.
In order to increase the crystallinity level in PPS, it is recommended that the material be injection molded into molds that are at a temperature of greater than 115° C. and more particularly in a mold that is between about 125° C. and 135° C. In the most preferred embodiment, the PPS crystallinity is between about 50% and 70%. The material preferably has a uniform thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. However, in one embodiment, the toe body member 2007 has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the heel body member 2006. In another embodiment, the toe body member 2007 and the heel body member 2006 vary such that they are thinnest on the crown portion and thicker on the sole portion. In this embodiment, the crown portions of the toe body member 2007 and the heel body member 2006 have a thickness that is preferably between about 0.5 mm and 1 mm and the sole portions of the toe body member 2007 and the heel body member 2006 are between about 1 mm and 2 mm thick.
The golf club head 2000 further has a center of gravity CG that is located a distance back from the face center, CG-z, a vertical distance up from the ground plane, CG-y, a perpendicular distance from the shaft axis, GC-SA, a horizontal distance from the face center toward the heel side, CG-x and a distance back, parallel to the z-axis, from the shaft axis, CC-C. As stated above, in the current invention, the CG-z is generally between about 25 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably between about 26 mm and about 38 mm, and most preferably between about 27 mm and about 36 mm, all measured rearward from the face center FC along the z-axis shown by the coordinate system above. In addition to the CG-z numbers, an alternative measurement method is provided to measure how far back the CG is located within the club head 2000. In this alternative method, the CG is measured from the shaft axis SA, and this measurement is illustrated as CG-C is generally measured to be between about 10 mm to about 25 mm, more preferably between about 12 mm to about 23 mm, and most preferably between about 14 mm to about 21 mm, all measured rearward from the shaft axis SA along the z-axis shown by the coordinate system above.
As stated above, it is important that the strategic location of the CG location rearward along the z-axis be correct, irrespective of whether it is measured from the face center FC or the shaft axis SA, for the proper functionality of the current inventive golf club head 2000. If the CG location is too far forward, the golf club head 2000 can have a low MOI-X and MOI-Y and low backspin when contacting a golf ball. However, in the alternative, if the CG location is too far rearward, the golf club head 2000 can produce too much spin to yield desirable results. Hence, the CG location rearward along the z-axis is important for the performance of the golf club head 2000.
As shown in
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As shown in
More preferably, at least one or both of the weight members 2008 or 2009 are comprised of a light side 2021 and 2026 that includes a hollow portion 2023 and 2028 and a heavy side 2022 and 2027 that is substantially solid or is solid enough that the mass on the heavy side is greater than the mass on the light side. Alternatively, at least one or both of the weight members 2008 or 2009 are comprised of a light side 2021 and 2026 that includes a hollow portion 2023 and 2028 that can be filled with a material having a density of less than 4 g/cc and a heavy side 2022 and 2027 that is a hollow portion that is filled with a material having a density of greater than about 7 g/cc and more preferably greater than or equal to about 15 g/cc. As shown in
The golf club head 3000 also includes weight members 3008 and 3009. In a first embodiment, the weight members 3008 and 3009 can have equal mass, for example between 10 and 15 grams each, such that the CG of the club head 3000 is in a neutral position along the z-axis direction. However, the weight members 3008 and 3009 can also be comprised of a heavy weight, for example greater than 15 grams, and a light weight, for example less than 10 grams, such that the CG can be moved forward or back along the z-axis direction depending on the placement of the weights. With the heavy weight located in the aft weight member 3009, the MOI-Y is increased and is preferably greater than about 450 kg-mm2. Thus, in a preferred golf club head 3000, the MOI-Y is greater than or equal to approximately 2 times the MOI-Z. Conversely, when the heavy weight is in the forward weight member 3008, the CG-C can be significantly decreased. For example, a preferred golf club head 3000 can have a GC-C of between 14 mm to 21 mm.
Referring to
The center of the first weight member 3008 is preferably located a distance DW1 from the leading edge LE of about 15 mm to 25 mm. The center of the second weight member 3009 is preferably located a distance DW2 from the leading edge LE of about 80 mm to 115 mm.
Referring to
Referring to
In a preferred embodiment, the rear portion 4004 is formed from a crown portion 4011 and a sole portion 4012 that can be coupled by a joint connector 4013. The crown portion 4011 and the sole portion 4012 are preferably injection molded separately and then coupled by the joint connector 4013. The materials for the crown portion 4011 and the sole portion 4012 are preferably the same and the material for the joint connector is preferably the same or is at least compatible such that it easily joins to the crown portion 4011 and the sole portion 4012.
In a most preferred embodiment, the rear portion 4004 is preferably formed from a high crystallinity PPS, that is a PPS in which the crystallinity is greater than 40%, and more preferably, greater than about 50% as measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 20° C./min. In order to increase the crystallinity level in PPS, it is recommended that the material be injection molded into molds that are at a temperature of greater than 115° C. and more particularly in a mold that is between about 125° C. and 135° C. In the most preferred embodiment, the PPS crystallinity is between about 50% and 70%. Preferably, the PPS can be formed without any filler or can contain a filler such as glass filler. In the glass filler PPS embodiment, the PPS preferably has greater than about 20% glass filler, more preferably between about 20% and 50% and most preferably between about 30% and 50%. The material preferably has a uniform thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. However, in one embodiment, the heel side 4007 has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the toe side 4006. In another embodiment, the thickness varies such that it is thinnest on the crown portion 4011 and thicker on the sole portion 4012. In this embodiment, the crown portion 4011 has a thickness that is preferably between about 0.5 mm and 1 mm and the sole portion 4012 thickness is between about 1 mm and 2 mm.
In a most preferred embodiment, the rear portion 5004 is preferably formed from a high crystallinity PPS, that is a PPS in which the crystallinity is greater than 40%, and more preferably, greater than about 50% as measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at a heating rate of 20° C./min. In order to increase the crystallinity level in PPS, it is recommended that the material be injection molded into molds that are at a temperature of greater than 115° C. and more particularly in a mold that is between about 125° C. and 135° C. In the most preferred embodiment, the PPS crystallinity is between about 50% and 70%. Preferably, the PPS can be formed without any filler or can contain a filler such as glass filler. In the glass filler PPS embodiment, the PPS preferably has greater than about 20% glass filler, more preferably between about 20% and 50% and most preferably between about 30% and 50%. The material preferably has a uniform thickness of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. However, in one embodiment, the heel side 5007 has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the toe side 5006. In another embodiment, the thickness varies such that it is thinnest on the crown portion 5011 and thicker on the sole portion 5012. In this embodiment, the crown portion 5011 has a thickness that is preferably between about 0.5 mm and 1 mm and the sole portion 5012 thickness is between about 1 mm and 2 mm.
The rear portion 5004 is preferably formed by compression molding, injection molding or 3D printing. Additionally, the golf club head 5000 can include a sole plate member, as discussed above, secured to an outer surface of the rear portion 5004.
In a preferred embodiment, the golf club head 5000 also includes weighting members 5008 and 5009. The weighting members 5008 and 5009 can be fixed the golf club head 5000 using fasteners and/or adhesive tape such as those available from 3M. One of the weighting members 5008 is located near a central portion of said golf club head in a heel-to-toe orientation, substantially in line along the z-axis with said face center, on the sole portion 5012 and near the striking face 5001, that is within 20 mm of the striking face 5001. The second weighting member 5009 is located near a central portion of said golf club head in a heel-to-toe orientation, substantially in line along the z-axis with said face center, near the back edge 5005, that is within 20 mm of the back edge 5005. The weighting members 5008 and 5009 can have equal mass, for example between 4 and 15 grams each, such that the CG of the club head 5000 is in a neutral position along the z-axis direction. However, the weighting members 5008 and 5009 can also be comprised of a heavy weight, for example greater than 15 grams, and a light weight, for example less than 10 grams, such that the CG can be moved forward or back along the z-axis direction depending on the placement of the weights. With the heavy weight located in the aft weighting member 5009, the MOI-Y is increased and is preferably greater than about 450 kg-mm2. Thus, in a preferred golf club head 5000, the MOI-Y is greater than or equal to approximately 2 times the MOI-Z. Conversely, when the heavy weighting member is in the forward weighting member 5008, the CG-C can be significantly decreased. For example, a preferred golf club head 5000 can have a GC-C of between 14 mm to 21 mm.
More preferably, at least one or both of the weighting members 5008 or 5009 are comprised of a light side 5021 and 5026 that could include a hollow portion or lighter material and a heavy side 5022 and 5027 that is substantially solid or is formed of a high specific gravity material such that the mass of the heavy side is greater than the mass on the light side. In one embodiment, the weighting members 5008 and/or 5009 are comprised of a light side 5021 and 5026 that is comprised of a material having a density of less than or equal to 4 g/cc and a heavy side 5022 and 5027 that is comprised of a material having a density of greater than about 7 g/cc and more preferably greater than or equal to about 15 g/cc. As shown in
Another aspect of the current inventions is that the weighting members 5008 or 5009 are attached to the golf club head at different angles as shown in
Referring to
A weight chamber 6024 may be formed by a recess in the outer surface 6020 of the body 6000B, for example, at least partially in the sole 6003. The weight chamber 6024 may be elongated along a toe-heel direction of the golf club head 6000 and may have a bottom track 6026 offset from the outer surface 6020. As used herein, reference to the toe-heel direction may include a toe-to-heel direction and a heel-to-toe direction.
The golf club head 6000 may include a weight assembly 6004 that is configured to couple to the body 6000B at the weight chamber 6024. The weight assembly 6004 may include a weight 6028 shaped and sized to be positioned within (e.g., at least partially or entirely within) the weight chamber 6024 with multiple different orientations, a cover 6030 adapted to at least partially cover the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024 and to releasably secure the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024, and a fastener 6032 configured to couple the cover 6030 to the body 6000B. The fastener 6032 may be selectively movable along a fastener axis and configured to secure the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024 only indirectly by the cover 6030.
In some examples, the weight 6028 has a light portion 6042 and a heavy portion 6044 and is shaped and sized such that it is positionable within the weight chamber 6024 with a plurality of different orientations rotated from each other about a first axis 6028A1. The first axis 6028A1 may extend through a center (e.g., geometric center) of the weight 6028, and may extend along a direction substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the golf club head 6000 when the weight 6028 is positioned in the weight chamber 6024. In examples described herein, “substantially parallel” may be defined as within one degree, within two degrees, within three degrees, within four degrees, within five degrees, or within ten degrees of exactly parallel. In examples described herein, “substantially perpendicular” may be defined as within one degree, within two degrees, within three degrees, within four degrees, within five degrees, or within ten degrees of exactly perpendicular. As explained in more detail below, a center of gravity 6028CG of the weight 6028 may be offset from the first axis 6028A1 such that a center of gravity 6000CG of the golf club head 6000 can be controllably adjusted by selecting an orientation of the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024.
In some examples, the heavy portion 6044 may coupled to the light portion 6042, for example, via a fastener, an adhesive, etc. The light portion 6042 may be fabricated separately from the heavy portion 6044 and then coupled to the heavy portion 6044. For example, with reference to
In some examples, the light portion 6042 of the weight 6028 is elongated along the first axis 6028A1, for example, along the toe-heel direction. The light portion 6042 may have a plurality of long sides, each elongated along the first axis 6028A1, and the heavy portion 6044 may be coupled to at least one of the long sides of the light portion 6042. In the non-limiting example illustrated, the light portion 6042 has a rectangular prism shape having four long sides, and the heavy portion 6044 is coupled to one of the four long sides of the light portion 6042.
The light portion 6042 and the heavy portion 6044 may comprise (e.g., be) different materials, and the material of the heavy portion 6044 may have a higher density than the material of the light portion 6042. For example, the light portion 6042 may include a plastic, and the heavy portion 6044 may include a metal. In some examples, a material of the heavy portion 6044 is at least 1.5, 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, or 7.0 times greater in density than a material of the light portion 6042. In some examples, a volume of the heavy portion 6044 constitutes at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 35%, or 40% of the total volume of the weight 6028. In some examples, a total mass of the heavy portion 6044 is greater than a total mass of the light portion 6042.
In some examples, the weight 6028 is positionable within the weight chamber 6024 without being movable within the weight chamber 6024 (except in a direction out of the weight chamber 6024). For example, the weight 6028 may be positionable within the weight chamber 6024 such that the weight 6028 contacts one or more sidewalls of the weight chamber 6024, for example, one or more pairs of opposite sidewalls of the weight chamber 6024.
The weight 6028 may be configured (e.g., the light and heavy portions 6042 and 6044 may have shapes, sizes, materials, and/or relative orientations) such that a center of gravity 6000CG of the golf club head 6000 can be controllably adjusted by selectively orientating the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024. The center of gravity 6000CG of the golf club head 6000 may have a CGX component along an X-axis direction extending in the toe-to-heel direction, a CGY component along a Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis and extending parallel to a direction from the sole 6003 towards the crown 6002, a CGZ component along a Z-axis direction perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Y-axis and extending parallel to a direction from the back edge 6005 toward the striking face 6001, and a CGNA component (or neutral axis CG component) measured as a distance of the center of gravity 6000CG of the golf club head 6000 from a virtual line 6090 intersecting a center of the striking face 6001 and being perpendicular to a striking face plane tangential to the striking face 6001 at the point where the virtual line 6090 intersects the striking face 6001. In some examples, the X-axis and the Z-axis may each be parallel to a ground plane, and the Y-axis may be perpendicular to the ground plane, when, for example, the golf club head 6000 is in an address position. The address position, as defined by the current application, sets up the golf club head at an orientation that has a lie angle of 60 degrees similar to the requirements of the USGA. Once the lie angle is set at 60 degrees, the face angle of the golf club head is set to be square, which is defined as having a face angle of 0 degrees. In some examples, the X-Y-Z coordinate system may be the same as the x-y-z coordinate system described herein with reference to
The weight 6028 may be configured such that at least one of the CGX component, the CGY component, the CGZ component, or the CGNA component depends on the orientation of (e.g., are controllably changeable by selectively orienting) the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024. In some examples, the weight 6028 may be positionable in the weight chamber 6024 in at least a first orientation and a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about the first axis 6028A1. Thus, the center of gravity 6000CG of the golf club head 6000 may be adjusted by changing the orientation of the weight 6028 within the weight chamber 6024 between the first and second orientations. In some examples, the first axis 6028A1 may be substantially parallel to the toe-heel direction (or the X-axis), and the CGY, CGZ, and/or CGNA components of the CG of the golf club head 6000 may be adjusted by changing the orientation of the weight 6028 between the first and second orientations. The CGX, CGY, CGZ, and CGNA components may affect the launch and spin conditions for a golfer, and providing the golfer with control over at least some of such components can enhance the golfer's overall performance by enabling the golfer to controllably adjust such components based on his or her preferences.
The second orientation may be an orientation rotated from the first orientation about the first axis 6028A1 by any degree within a range of greater than 0 and less than 360 degrees, for example, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 150 degrees, 180 degrees, 210 degrees, 240 degrees, 270 degrees, 300 degrees, or 330 degrees. The weight 6028 may be positionable in the weight chamber 6024 with any number of orientations based on the geometry of the weight 6028. In some examples, the weight 6028 may be geometrically rotationally symmetric about the first axis 6028A1 at the plurality of different orientations that the weight 6028 may have in the weight chamber 6024. For example, the weight 6028, having the different orientations within the weight chamber 6024, may be generally geometrically identical relative to the golf club head 6000.
In the non-limiting example depicted, the weight 6028 may have a first orientation (or high orientation) as shown in
In the first (or high) orientation (e.g.,
In some other examples, the weight may have an equilateral triangular prism shape such that the weight is positionable in the weight chamber in three different orientations, or the weight may have an octagonal prism shape such that the weight is positionable in the weight chamber in eight different orientations. In examples, any shape that may be rotated about first axis (e.g., 6028A1) to alter the center of gravity of the golf club head 6000 may be used for the weight.
The cover 6030 may have a cover main body 6033 adapted to cover at least part of the weight chamber 6024 when the cover 6030 is coupled to the body 6000B, and a cover protrusion 6034 protruding from the cover main body 6033. The cover protrusion 6034 may have an opening shaped and sized to receive at least part of the fastener 6032 so that the fastener 6032 can couple the cover 6030 to the body 6000B. The body 6000B may have an indent 6071 in the outer surface 6020 that is shaped and sized to receive at least part of the cover protrusion 6034. In some examples, the indent 6071 is adjacent to the weight chamber 6024 and has a depth such that the cover 6030 is substantially level with an adjacent portion of the outer surface 6020 when the cover 6030 is coupled to the body 6000B. The cover main body 6033 may hang over at least part of the weight chamber 6024 from the indent 6071 in a cantilever manner. A fastener receiver 6072 may be positioned in the indent 6071 and may be shaped and sized to receive at least part of the fastener 6032.
Referring to
The golf club head 7000 may include a body 7000B having an outer surface 7020 and including a toe, a heel, a striking face, a sole 7003, a crown coupled between the striking face and the sole, and a back edge coupled between the sole 7003 and the crown. A weight chamber 7024 may be formed by a recessed channel in the outer surface 7020 of the body 7000B, for example, in at least part of the sole 7003. The golf club head 7000 may include a weight assembly 7004 including a cover, a fastener, and a weight 7028. The weight chamber 7024 and the weight assembly 7004 may respectively include some features similar to, or the same as, the features of the weight chamber 6024 and the weight assembly 6004. The cover of the weight assembly 7004 may include a cover main body and a cover protrusion. The body 7000B may have an indent 7071 that is shaped and sized to receive at least part of the cover protrusion, and a fastener receiver 7072 in the indent 7071 that is shaped and sized to receive at least part of the fastener.
The weight 7028 may be positionable in the weight chamber 7024 with a plurality of different orientations, which may be rotatable relative to each other about a first axis 7028A1 and/or a second axis 7028A2. In examples, the first and second axes 7028A1 and 7028A2 may be substantially perpendicular to each other and may each intersect a center (e.g., geometric center) of the weight 7028. For example, the first axis 7028A1 may be substantially parallel to the toe-heel (or an X-axis) direction when the weight 7028 is positioned in the weight chamber 7024, and the second axis 7028A2 may be substantially perpendicular to the toe-heel direction and may extend substantially parallel to a direction (e.g., a Y-axis direction) extending from the sole 7003 to the crown when the weight 7028 is positioned in the weight chamber 7024. An X-Y-Z coordinate system may be defined for the golf club head 7000 in a similar, or same, manner as the X-Y-Z coordinate system may be defined for the golf club head 6000.
A center of gravity of the weight 7028 may be offset from each of the first and second axes 7028A1 and 7028A2. Accordingly, a player may have increased control over the center of gravity of the golf club head 7000. For example, the different orientations of the weight 7028 may enable the player to controllably adjust each of CGX, CGY, and CGZ components of the center of gravity of the golf club head 7000.
The weight 7028 may be positionable in the weight chamber 7024 with a first orientation, a second orientation rotated from the first orientation about the first axis 7028A1, and a third orientation rotated from the first orientation about the second axis 7028A2. In some examples, the weight 7028 is positionable in the weight chamber 7024 with a fourth orientation rotated from the second orientation about the second axis 7028A2.
The weight 7028 may be positionable in the weight chamber 7024 in any number of different orientations based on the geometry of the weight 7028. In the non-limiting example illustrated, the weight 7028 has an elongated rectangular prism shape that may be positionable in eight different orientations, as shown in
In the non-limiting example illustrated, the first axis 7028A1 may be substantially parallel to the toe-heel direction and, thus, provide a player with adjustable control over the CGY and CGZ components of the CG of the golf club head 7000, as described in more detail above with respect to the weight 6028 of the golf club head 6000. The second axis 7028A2 may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis 7028 to enable the player to also adjustably control the CGX component of the CG of the golf club head 7000 by changing the orientation of the weight 7028 between two orientations that differ by a 180 degree rotation about the second axis 7028A2.
The weight 7028 may have two opposite ends and may be elongated between the two opposite ends of the weight 7028, for example, along the toe-heel (or X-axis) direction. In some examples, the light portion 7042 has a rabbet 7043 formed in one of the two ends, and the heavy portion 7044 is coupled to the light portion 7042 such that the heavy portion 7044 occupies at least part of the rabbet 7043. In some examples, a recess may be formed in the light portion 7042 at one of the two opposite ends, and the heavy portion 7044 may be configured to engage with the light portion 7042 at the recess in the light portion 7042. In some examples, the heavy portion 7044 is positioned more on one side (e.g., entirely on the one side) of the first axis 7028A1 along the second axis 7028A2 than on the opposite side of the first axis 7028A1 along the second axis 7028A2 and/or more on one side (e.g., entirely on the one side) of the second axis 7028A2 along the first axis 7028A1 than on the opposite side of the second axis 7028A2 along the first axis 7028A1.
The cover may have a cover window configured to visibly expose at least a portion of the weight 7028 when the weight 7028 is positioned within the weight chamber 7024 and the cover is coupled to the body 7000B. The weight 7028 may have a plurality of orientation indicators on an outer surface of the weight 7028, each indicating a corresponding orientation of the weight 7028 within the recessed channel and/or an anticipated effect of the orientation on the trajectory of a shot played with the golf club head 7000. The plurality of orientation indicators may be positioned on the weight 7028 such that, when the weight 7028 is positioned in the weight chamber 7024 with one of the different orientations and the cover is coupled to the body 7000B, the corresponding one of the orientation indicators is visibly exposed through the cover window. For example, in the non-limiting example depicted, the weight 7028 may have orientation indicators that recite, “low heel,” “mid forward heel,” “high heel,” “mid rear heel,” “low toe,” “mid forward toe,” “high toe,” and “mid rear toe,” and that respectively correspond to the orientations shown in
Other than in the operating example, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft, draft angles, various performance ratios, and others in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising:
- a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge;
- a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, wherein the striking face and the sole form at least part of an outer surface of the golf club head;
- a weight chamber formed by a recess in the outer surface;
- a weight comprising a heavy portion and a light portion, and being positionable in the weight chamber with: a first orientation; a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis; and a third orientation rotated from the first orientation about a second axis different from the first axis.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis and from the second axis.
3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weight is positionable in the weight chamber with a fourth orientation that is rotated from the third orientation about the second axis.
4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the light portion has a recess at one end of the light portion, and the heavy portion is adapted to engage with the light portion at the recess in the light portion.
5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the light portion is elongated between a first end of the weight and a second end of the weight, a rabbet is formed in the light portion at the first end of the weight, and the heavy portion is coupled to the light portion such that the heavy portion occupies at least part of the rabbet.
6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the golf club head, and the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head further comprises a cover adapted to releasably secure the weight within the weight chamber.
8. A golf club head comprising:
- a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge;
- a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, wherein the striking face and the sole form at least part of an outer surface of the golf club head;
- a weight chamber formed in the outer surface;
- a weight comprising a heavy portion and a light portion, and being positionable in the weight chamber with: a first orientation; a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis; and a third orientation different from the second orientation and that is rotated from the first orientation about the first axis.
9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis.
10. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the golf club head.
11. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the weight is configured such that:
- when the weight has the first orientation, the heavy portion is proximal to the sole;
- when the weight has the second orientation, the heavy portion is distal to the sole; and
- when the weight has the third orientation, the heavy portion is proximal to the striking face.
12. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the light portion has a plurality of long sides, each being elongated along an elongation direction, and is shaped and sized such that, when the weight is positioned in the weight chamber, the elongation direction is substantially parallel to the first axis, and
- wherein the heavy portion is coupled to at least one of the plurality of long sides of the light portion.
13. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the weight chamber is at least partially in the sole.
14. A metalwood golf club head comprising:
- a body comprising: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge, a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge, and a crown coupled between the sole and the upper topline edge, wherein the striking face, the sole, and the crown form at least part of an outer surface of the body;
- a weight chamber formed in the outer surface; and
- a weight comprising a heavy portion and a light portion, being positionable in the weight chamber with a first orientation, and being positionable in the weight chamber with a second orientation that is rotated from the first orientation about a first axis, wherein a center of gravity of the weight is offset from the first axis when the weight is positioned in the weight chamber.
15. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to a toe-heel direction of the metalwood golf club head, and the second orientation is rotated by 90 degrees from the first orientation about the first axis.
16. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, further comprising a cover adapted to cover at least part of the weight chamber, and a fastener configured to couple the cover to the golf club head and to only indirectly secure the weight within the weight chamber via the cover.
17. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, further comprising a cover adapted to releasably secure the weight within the weight chamber, and having a window configured to visibly expose at least part of the weight within the weight chamber, and
- wherein the weight has: a first orientation indicator positioned on the weight such that the first orientation indicator is visibly exposed through the window when the weight has the first orientation and the cover secures the weight within the weight chamber; and a second orientation indicator positioned on the weight such that the second orientation indicator is visibly exposed through the window when the weight has the second orientation and the cover secures the weight within the weight chamber.
18. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, wherein the weight chamber is positioned at least partially in the sole.
19. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, wherein the heavy portion is coupled to the light portion via a fastener.
20. The metalwood golf club head of claim 14, wherein the second orientation is rotated by 180 degrees from the first orientation about the first axis, and the weight is positionable in the weight chamber with a third orientation that is rotated by 90 degrees from the first orientation along a second axis different from the first axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2023
Publication Date: Jul 27, 2023
Inventors: Kyle A. CARR (Carlsbad, CA), Peter SORACCO (Carlsbad, CA), Stephen MURPHY (Carlsbad, CA)
Application Number: 18/190,749