Abstract: A method of manufacturing a face plate for a golf club head is presented to provide face having substantial thickness variation for enhanced performance. The method includes the steps of providing a rolled sheet of metal material having an initial thickness and forming a blank having a prescribed outer shape from the material. The method also includes machining a second side of the blank such that the resulting face plate has a variable thickness. The machining is such that the plate has a first thickness less than or equal to the initial thickness, a second thickness less than the first thickness and a third thickness less than the second thickness. The machining is performed over a substantial portion of the surface area of the second side. Either a CNC lathe or milling machine may be used; however, for an axisymmetric face thickness a CNC lathe is preferred and for an asymmetric face thickness a CNC end mill is preferred. The club head may be a wood-type or iron, and titanium or steel alloys may be used.

Abstract: An improved golf club head is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the head is precisely controlled by installing into a cavity formed in the rear wall of the club head's hollow main body a selected weight cartridge from a group of such cartridges having identical sizes but a range of weights. The selected weight cartridge is installed simply by sliding it into the rear wall cavity, where it is retained by a snap fit, and/or by an interference fit, and/or by a suitable bonding material, without the need for a screw attachment. This greatly simplifies the golf club head's manufacture, thus reducing its cost. The invention is applicable to golf club heads of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Abstract: A golf club head is formed of an alpha-beta titanium alloy body and a beta-type titanium alloy striking plate. The sole and crown of the club head are thin-walled and the striking plate transitions from a 1.7 mm central region to a 1.2 mm periphery adjacent the sole and crown junctions. The measured coefficient of restitution for this club bead is a least 0.90.

Abstract: An improved golf club head is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the head is precisely controlled by installing into a cavity formed in the rear wall of the club head's hollow main body a selected weight cartridge from a group of such cartridges having identical sizes but a range of weights. The selected weight cartridge is installed simply by sliding it into the rear wall cavity, where it is retained by a snap fit, and/or by an interference fit, and/or by a suitable bonding material, without the need for a screw attachment. This greatly simplifies the golf club head's manufacture, thus reducing its cost. The invention is applicable to golf club heads of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a substantially increased sweet spot across its club face. A preferred construction includes an annular area on a rear surface having increased thickness surrounding a central region with a balance point of the club face. The central region of the face has a generally reduced thickness that is less than the maximum of the annular area but greater than a minimum thickness at the peripheral area. The face material may be metallic, but in alternative embodiments the effective bending stiffness profiles represented by this annular area may be achieved by appropriate use of composites, for example. Methods for manufacturing a golf club head having a face with the bending stiffness profiles of the present invention include forging and machining techniques as well as laser deposition and inertia welding.

Abstract: An improved golf club is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the club's head is precisely controlled by installing into a hosel cavity a selected hosel plug from a group of such plugs having identical sizes but a range of weights. After the selected hosel plug has been installed, the shaft is inserted into an upper portion of the hosel cavity, above the hosel plug. The plug is configured to have little effect on important club head parameters such as coefficient of restitution and center of gravity, and it also is configured to remain in its installed position even if the club's shaft is removed and replaced. The invention is applicable to golf clubs of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Abstract: An improved golf club head is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the head is precisely controlled by installing into a cavity formed in the rear wall of the club head's hollow main body a selected weight cartridge from a group of such cartridges having identical sizes but a range of weights. The selected weight cartridge is installed simply by sliding it into the rear wall cavity, where it is retained by a snap fit, and/or by an interference fit, and/or by a suitable bonding material, without the need for a screw attachment. This greatly simplifies the golf club head's manufacture, thus reducing its cost. The invention is applicable to golf club heads of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Abstract: A golf club head insert is disclosed comprising a fiber-reinforced metal matrix. Also disclosed is a golf club comprising a main body member, a strike face of a fiber reinforced metal matrix insert, and a way for joining the fiber reinforced metal matrix composite insert to the main body member.

Abstract: A golf club head for a metalwood includes a body having an upper surface, a central region of which is stiffened by means of two parallel ridges extending perpendicular to the club face. Also, the lower surface of the club head has two ridges to stiffen a central region of the lower surface. A cavity in the lower surface of the club head holds a weight that is collateral with respect to the ridges. The weight does not fill the cavity completely, such that a 0.030" gap borders the weight between the weight and the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: Methods for and preforms for making fiber reinforced composites are disclosed. According to the invention, preforms which allow composites to be machined are provided. Also, preforms with a uniform debulking ratio are provided with non-uniform fiber placement. In addition, methods of forming composites have less material waste and allow more than one composite to be consolidated at one time.

Abstract: Methods for and preforms for making fiber reinforced composites are disclosed. According to the invention, preforms which allow composites to be machined are provided. Also, preforms with a uniform debulking ratio are provided with non-uniform fiber placement. In addition, methods of forming composites have less material waste and allow more than one composite to be consolidated at one time.

Abstract: Impact resistant clad composite armor and method for forming such armor. The impact resistant clad composite armor includes a ceramic core, and a layer of metal surrounding the ceramic material and bonded to the ceramic core. The metal layer is formed by cold isostatically pressing powder metal surrounding the ceramic core to a high initial density followed by vacuum sintering. The composite armor may be hot isostatically pressed to densify the powder metal to approximately 99% full density.

Abstract: A titanium-based metal matrix microcomposite material. About 1% to about 25% by weight TiB.sub.2 is substantially uniformly incorporated in a titanium-based alloy matrix. The microcomposite material is formed by sintering at a temperature selected to preclude diffusion of TiB.sub.2 into the matrix. The microcomposite material may be used in a process for cladding a macrocomposite structure.

Abstract: A titanium-based metal matrix microcomposite material. About 1% to about 25% by weight TiB.sub.2 is substantially uniformly incorporated in a titanium-based alloy matrix. The microcomposite material is formed by sintering at a temperature selected to preclude diffusion of TiB.sub.2 into the matrix. The microcomposite material may be used in a process for cladding a macrocomposite structure.

Abstract: A poppet valve having a valve stem of titanium alloy strengthened by the inclusion of a compound containing titanium such as TiC, TiB or TiB.sub.2. The valve stem is joined to a valve head formed from a powder of a titanium alloy, preferably of the same composition as the alloy of the stem. The head and the stem are joined by cold compaction followed by vacuum sintering and a high temperature compaction.