Upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combing with a golf club head body

Abstract

A golf club head includes a golf club head body, a striking plate and a connecting portion. The golf club head body provides with an assembling recession at its front side. The striking plate provides with a main plate, an upright bent edge and a support wall to constitute a U-shaped or L-shaped configuration that can increase elastic deformation of the striking plate. In assembling, the support wall of the striking plate is initially inserted into the assembling recession of the golf club head body. The connection portion is located between the golf club head body and the striking plate, and securely connects the striking plate with the golf club head body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a U-shaped or L-shaped bent edge structure of a striking plate employing a connecting portion adapted to combine the striking plate with a golf club head body. Thereby, the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate enhances striking characteristic and connecting quality for different metals.

2. Description of the Related Art

Two conventional connecting methods for combining a striking plate with a golf club head is disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication Nos. 469,143 and 552,988.

First, TWN469143 discloses a golf club head body and a striking plate connected thereto. The golf club head body includes an assembling recession at its front side. In assembling, the assembling recession of the golf club head body accommodates the striking plate to constitute a golf club head. Before inserting the striking plate, a brazing material is initially inserted into the assembling recession of the golf club head body for braze welding. Once the striking plate is inserted into the assembling recession, the brazing material is sandwiched in between the striking plate and the golf club head body. Subsequently, the brazing material is heated and hardened that the striking plate securely connects to the golf club head body.

On the one hand the braze welding process for the golf club head may increase manufacture cost, and on the other hand it may deteriorate elastic deformation of the striking plate due to directly connecting an annular edge of the striking plate to an inner edge of the assembling recession. Accordingly, it is important that striking characteristic of the golf club head, disclosed in TWN469143, may be poor.

Second, TWN552988 also discloses a golf club head body and a striking plate connected thereto. The golf club head body includes an assembling recession and a shoulder thereof. Correspondingly, the striking plate integrally forms a bent edge and an annular wall. In assembling, a bottom portion of the annular wall of the striking plate connects to the shoulder of the assembling recession of the golf club head body to constitute a golf club head. The annular wall of the striking plate welds to the shoulder of the assembling recession of the golf club head body. Due to the bent edge and the annular wall, the striking plate not only accomplishes to enlarge a maximum striking area thereof but also to obtain a maximum elastic deformation thereof while striking. Accordingly, it is suitable to use for a longer striking distance.

However, there exist several drawbacks of golf club head disclosed in TWN552988. Structurally, a connection portion between the golf club head body and the striking plate is extended and changed in two or three dimensions. Accordingly, an automatically welding process must be run in three dimensions for welding the striking plate to the golf club head body. Consequently, it may sophisticate a welding machine for positioning the combination of the striking plate and the golf club head body. Also, it may cause the welding machine a specific deviation for positioning the golf club head and result in a large number of unqualified golf club heads in manufacture.

Furthermore, the striking plate and the golf club head body disclosed in TWN552988 must be made of different metals with welding-compatibility that is suitable for high-energy welding or gas tungsten arc welding. Namely, if the striking plate and the golf club head body are made of different metals with poor welding-compatibility, stainless steel and titanium alloy for example, it cannot use an inexpensive welding method other than a costly braze welding method. In addition, there is no other combination method for the bent edge structure of the striking plate for combining with the golf club head.

Furthermore, the structure of the striking plate disclosed in TWN552988 has a single pattern that is only suitable for assembling with one single pattern of the golf club head body. Hence, there is a need for a universal pattern of the striking plate for various golf club head bodies of major manufacturers. To accomplish this task, it is necessary that welding quality of the striking plate must be improved.

The present invention intends to provide a U-shaped or L-shaped bent edge structure of a striking plate employing a connecting portion for combining the striking plate with a golf club head body. The golf club head body provides with an assembling recession to accommodate the striking plate in such a way to mitigate and overcome the above problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this invention is to provide an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with an assembling recession of a golf club head body. The striking plate employs a connecting portion corresponding to the upright bent edge structure for increasing design choice.

The secondary objective of this invention is to provide the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate for combining with the golf club head body. The striking plate forms a U-shaped or L-shaped bent edge structure for increasing elastic deformation of the striking plate that can increase a striking distance of the golf club head.

The third objective of this invention is to provide the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate for combining with the golf club head body. The striking plate further includes a thickness-adjusting portion corresponding to a sweet spot for adjusting a degree of elastic deformation while striking golf ball.

The golf club head in accordance with the present invention includes a golf club head body, a striking plate and a connecting portion. The golf club head body provides with an assembling recession at its front side. The striking plate provides with a main plate, an upright bent edge and a support wall to constitute a U-shaped or L-shaped configuration that can increase elastic deformation of the striking plate. In assembling, the support wall of the striking plate is initially inserted into the assembling recession of the golf club head body. The connection portion is located between the golf club head body and the striking plate, and securely connects the striking plate with the golf club head body.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate combining with the golf club head body in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate welding to the golf club head body by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the upright bent edge structure of the striking plate welding to the golf club head body by laser welding (high-energy welding) in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate welding to a golf club head body by braze welding in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate for combining with a golf club head body in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate with a thickness-adjusting portion in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an upright bent edge structure of a striking plate with a thickness-adjusting portion in accordance with a eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a golf club head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention generally includes a golf club head body member designated numeral 1 and a striking plate member designated numeral 2.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the construction of the golf club head body 1 shall be described in detail. The golf club head body 1 is made of stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel or Fe—Mn—Al alloy by casting, forging or mechanically pressing. The golf club head body 1 includes an assembling recession 11, a hosel 12 and an engaging protrusion 13. The golf club head body 1 forms the assembling recession 11 at its front side while selectively forming a sealing member or an opening at its rear side. The hosel 12 is used to securely receive an end of a shaft (not shown). The assembling recession 11 provides with a shoulder 111 extending on an inner surface.

The golf club head body 1 further includes a heel portion as indicated at region “a” and a toe portion as indicated at region “b”. The term “heel portion” defines an end proximate the hosel 12 and the term “toe portion” defines an end beyond the hosel 12.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the construction of the striking plate 2 shall be described in detail. The striking plate 2 is made of titanium alloy (such as 6A1-4V Ti alloy), stainless steel (such as 174 ph, 355, 455 stainless steel), carbon steel (such as 4130 carbon steel) or high-hardness steel (such as maraging) by stamping, casting or forging. The striking plate 2 includes an upright bent edge 21, a support wall 22 and a notch 23 to constitute a U-shaped sectional configuration along Y-axis or an L-shaped sectional configuration along X-axis. Both of the U-shaped configuration and the L-shaped configuration can perform excellently high COR (Coefficient of Restitution) characteristic. The upright bent edge 21 has an engaging groove to form a filling space as indicated at region “c” on a bottom portion of the support wall 22. The support wall 22 is adapted to insert into the assembling recession 11 of the golf club head body 1 and engaged with the shoulder 111 of the assembling recession 11. Preferably, the notch 23 is located between two ends of the support wall 22. In assembling, the notch 23 is corresponding to the heel portion (a) of the golf club head body 1 and abutting against on a rim of the assembling recession 11 proximate the heel portion (a).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the assembling operation of the golf club head body 1 and the striking plate 2 shall be described in detail. Initially, the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2 is inserted into the assembling recession 11 of the golf club head body 1, and the engaging groove of the striking plate 2 is aligned with the engaging protrusion 13 of the golf club head body 1. Accordingly, the filling space (c) of the striking plate 2 is adjacent to the engaging protrusion 13 of the golf club head body 1. Meanwhile, the support wall 22 is engaged with the shoulder 111 of the assembling recession 11 and the notch 23 is abutted against the rim of the assembling recession 11.

A press machine (not shown) presses the engaging protrusion 13 of the golf club head body 1 to fill the filling space (c) of the striking plate 2 that forms a connecting portion 3 of the golf club head adjacent to the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2. The connecting portion 3 results in the support wall 22 of the striking plate 1 to tightly engage with the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1. After the pressing step, a precision finishing is applied to the golf club head to remove remaining burrs. In striking golf ball, since the support wall 22 tightly engages with the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1, the striking plate 2 can prevent from cracking due to stress concentration. Furthermore, the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the U-shaped or L-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, reference numerals of the second embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, in comparison with the first embodiment, the golf club head of the second embodiment applies gas tungsten arc welding (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, GTAW) or tungsten insert gas welding (Tungsten Insert Gas Welding, TIGW) to form a connecting portion 4. The golf club head body 1 has a first inclined surface 112 on the assembling recession 11. Correspondingly, the striking plate 2 has a second inclined surface on the upright bent edge 21. In assembling, the first inclined surface 112 of the golf club head body 1 and the second inclined surface of the striking plate 2 commonly constitutes a filling space as indicated at region “d”. Meanwhile, the notch 23 is abutted against the rim of the assembling recession 11. In welding operation, a welding material 40 is initially filled into the filling space (d) and thus heated to weld the golf club head body 1 to the striking plate 2. After hardening, the connecting portion 4 securely connects the striking plate 2 to the golf club head body 1. The connecting portion 4 may deeply extend into a slit between the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1 and the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2. After the welding step, a precision finishing is applied to the golf club head to remove remaining burrs.

The connecting portion 4 performs excellent welding-compatibility for different metals and suitable for an inexpensive welding method of GTAW. In striking golf ball, since the support wall 22 tightly engages with the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1, the striking plate 2 can prevent from cracking due to stress concentration. Furthermore, in this embodiment the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the U-shaped or L-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numerals of the third embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, in comparison with the first embodiment, the golf club head of the third embodiment applies high-energy welding of laser welding to form a connecting portion 5. In assembling, the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2 tightly engages with the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1. Meanwhile, the notch 23 is abutted against the rim of the assembling recession 11. In welding operation, a laser beam is projected on a welding material inserted between the golf club head body 1 and the striking plate 2 to form the connecting portion 5. Alternatively, without using the welding material, the golf club head body 1 provides with a protrusion on the assembling recession 11. In welding operation, a laser beam is projected on the protrusion of the golf club head body 1 to weld to the striking plate 2. The laser welding can minimize a heat-affected zone on the golf club head and suitable for poor welding-compatibility for different metals.

The connecting portion 5 can increase connection reliability of the golf club head body 1 with the striking plate 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the U-shaped or L-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 7, reference numerals of the fourth embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 7, in comparison with the third embodiment, the golf club head of the fourth embodiment applies braze welding to form a connecting portion 6. The inner surface of the assembling recession 11 of the golf club head body 1 and the outer surface of the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2 commonly defines a filling gap as indicated at region “e”. The shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1 further includes a barrier 113 for positioning the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2. Before braze welding, the support wall 22 of the striking plate 2 is initially inserted into a space defined by the shoulder 111 and the barrier 113. In braze welding, a brazing ring 60 is placed on the filling gap (e) and heated. The melting brazing material may permeate through the filling gap (e) by capillary attraction. After braze welding, the connecting portion 6 connects the poor welding-compatibility for different metals of the golf club head body 1 and the striking plate 2. It would be apparent that the golf club head body 1 and the striking plate 2 are also suitable for braze welding. Furthermore, in this embodiment the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the U-shaped or L-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 8, reference numerals of the fifth embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 8, in comparison with the third embodiment, the striking plate 2 of the fifth embodiment includes a pair of support walls 22, a first notch 23 and a second notch 24. The support walls 22 run between the heel portion (a) and the toe portion (b). The first notch 23 and the second notch 24 are proximate the heel portion (a) and the toe portion (b) respectively. Preferably, the striking plate 2 connects to the assembling recession 11 of the golf club head body 1 by pressing, GTAW, high-energy welding or braze welding. Also, the striking plate 2 is suitable for inexpensive pressing method. Furthermore, in this embodiment the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the U-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 9, reference numerals of the sixth embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 9, in comparison with the fifth embodiment, the striking plate 2 of the sixth embodiment includes a single upright bent edge 21 and a single support wall 22. The single support wall 22 can be selectively formed on a sole portion, a top portion, a heel portion or a toe portion of the striking plate 2. Desirably, in this embodiment the single support wall 22 is formed on the sole portion of the striking plate 2. In addition to the single upright bent edge 21, the outer periphery of the striking plate 2 forms an open space 25. In assembling, the single support wall 22 of the striking plate 2 initially engages with the shoulder 111 of the golf club head body 1. Preferably, the striking plate 2 selectively combines with the assembling recession 11 of the golf club head body 1 by pressing, GTAW, high-energy welding or braze welding. Furthermore, in this embodiment the striking plate 2 can perform excellent striking characteristic for a longer striking distance due to the L-shaped configuration.

Turning now to FIG. 10, reference numerals of the seventh embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 10, in comparison with the third embodiment, the striking plate 2 of the seventh embodiment includes a sweet spot 26 and a thickness-adjusting portion 27 corresponding thereto. The thickness-adjusting portion 27 has a relatively thicker thickness used to adjusting elastic deformation of the striking plate 2 while striking golf ball. Consequently, the thickness-adjusting portion 27 may improve striking characteristic of the striking plate 2.

Turning now to FIG. 11, reference numerals of the eighth embodiment of the present invention have applied the identical numerals of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1. The construction of the golf club head structure in accordance with the eighth embodiment of the present invention has similar configuration and same function as that of the golf club head structure of the first embodiment and detailed descriptions may be omitted.

Referring again to FIG. 10, in comparison with the seventh embodiment, the striking plate 2 of the eighth embodiment includes a sweet spot 26 and a thickness-adjusting portion 27′ corresponding thereto. The thickness-adjusting portion 27′ has a relatively thinner thickness used to adjusting elastic deformation of the striking plate 2 while striking golf ball. Consequently, the thickness-adjusting portion 27′ may improve striking characteristic of the striking plate 2.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a golf club head body including an assembling recession at its front side, and a hosel;

a striking plate adapted to connect to the assembling recession of the golf club head body, the striking plate further including at least one upright bent edge and at least one support wall engaging with the assembling recession of the golf club head body; and

a connecting portion located between the golf club head body and the striking plate adjacent to the support wall;

wherein said connecting portion securely connects the striking plate with the golf club head body;

wherein said support wall correspondingly adjacent to the connecting portion increase elastic deformation of the striking plate while striking golf ball.

2. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the assembling recession of the golf club head body includes a shoulder adapted to engage with the support wall of the striking plate.

3. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the striking plate includes a notch located between two ends of the support wall.

4. The golf club head as defined in claim 3, wherein the notch has a position selectively formed proximate a heel portion, proximate a toe portion, or extending from a heel portion to a toe portion.

5. The golf club head as defined in claim 4, wherein the support wall is formed on a sole portion, a top portion, a heel portion or a toe portion of the striking plate.

6. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is made from a connecting structure by means of pressing.

7. The golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the upright bent edge of the striking plate includes an engaging groove to form a filling space, and the golf club head body correspondingly includes an engaging protrusion which is pressed to fill into the filling space of the engaging groove to constitute the connecting portion.

8. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is welded by gas tungsten arc welding.

9. The golf club head as defined in claim 8, wherein the upright bent edge of the striking plate includes a first inclined surface, and the golf club head body correspondingly includes a second inclined surface that the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface commonly form a filling space for filling welding material.

10. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is welded by laser welding or high-energy welding.

11. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is welded by braze welding.

12. The golf club head as defined in claim 11, wherein the assembling recession of the striking plate includes a shoulder and a barrier thereof, the barrier positions the support wall of the striking plate.

13. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein the striking plate includes a thickness-adjusting portion corresponding to a sweet spot for adjusting a degree of elastic deformation while striking golf ball, the thickness-adjusting portion has a relatively thicker thickness with respect to that of the striking plate.

14. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein wherein the striking plate includes a thickness-adjusting portion corresponding to a sweet spot for adjusting a degree of elastic deformation while striking golf ball, the thickness-adjusting portion has a relatively thinner thickness with respect to that of the striking plate.