Hybrid metal and elastomer golf club face
A hybrid golf club face comprising: a surface having a metallic outer surface with an elastomeric core supported internally by a backing plate in which the shape placement and durometer of the elastomer is configured in such a way to provide a specific hitting characteristic.
Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention is directed to the field of golf clubs. In particular, the present invention discloses metalwoods and irons utilizing an elastomer interface with a durometer between 10 Shore “A” and 85 Shore “D” and a density of 0.5 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter sandwiched between a metal striking plate and a backing plate in order to achieve or alter a preset coefficient of restitution while reducing undesirable vibrations.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—PRIOR ARTThe Coefficient of Restitution, or “COR,” relates to the energy transfer that occurs when one object collides with another. In terms of golf clubs, COR is directly related to the speed of a golf ball as it rebounds from a clubface. Generally, a club with a higher COR will generate greater ball velocity, equaling more distance.
COR is expressed as a percentage. To measure a club's COR, balls are fired at a clubface at a fixed speed, known as initial speed. The speed at which the balls rebound is known as rebound speed. The COR is generally equal to the rebound speed divided by the initial speed. For example, if the initial speed is 100 mph, and the rebound speed is 81 mph, the COR would be approximately 0.810. The Rules of Golf maintained by the USGA limits the COR on driving clubs to 0.830.
In terms of distance, a player with a swing speed from 100 to 120 mph should gain about two yards for every one point increase in COR. Players with slower swing speeds will generally gain less yardage.
Maximizing the area of 0.830 COR and remaining within the constraints set forth by the USGA has long been the principal goal of golf club manufacturers. Golf head manufacturers and developers have long since had to contend with the appropriate mix of materials and constructions to maximize the 0.830 COR zone.
Golf club heads have been constructed from a wide variety of materials over the years. A number of patents have issued in the area of golf clubs.
While there have been previous attempts at maximizing the 0.830 COR zone on golf club faces, those solutions have been directed to decreasing the face material thickness around the perimeter and increasing the face material thickness in the higher stress center region of the golf club face, including the use of variable face thickness and cone technologies. Those technologies do not allow the face reflex at impact to be precisely tuned.
There is a long felt need for a golf club head which can maximize a club's 0.830 COR zone at the legal limit.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a metal wood golf club head which incorporates the use of elastomeric materials to control the flex of the golf club face at impact.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head in which the use of elastomers reduce the negative feel of a mis-hit shot with iron golf clubs.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head in which the COR can be varied and tuned.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description as follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, a hybrid metal wood golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface completely contacts the elastomer.
In a further embodiment, a hybrid metal wood golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface partially contacts the elastomer.
In still a further embodiment, a hybrid metal wood golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface does not contact the elastomer while not in use.
In yet another embodiment, a hybrid iron golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface completely contacts the elastomer.
In yet a further embodiment, a hybrid iron golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface partially contacts the elastomer.
In yet a further embodiment, a hybrid iron golf club face comprising: an interior face area backing plate with an elastomeric material which is attached through molding directly or secondarily bonding to the surface of the backing plate covered by the metallic striking plate that's interior surface does not contact the elastomer while not in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention is described with reference to the enclosed detailed embodiment, wherein the same numbers are used. In particular, the present invention is directed to improved golf clubs, which incorporate an elastomer material such as urethane. The elastomer can be cast or molded directly to the components, or precured and secondarily bonded during assembly.
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Claims
1. A hybrid golf club face comprising:
- an elastomeric material sandwiched between a metallic striking plate and a backing plate in such a configuration to provide a preset hitting characteristic.
2. A hybrid golf club face comprising:
- a shaped elastomeric insert placed between the metallic striking plate and a backing plate.
3. The hybrid golf club of claim 1 wherein the golf club is a metal wood type club.
4. The hybrid golf club of claim 1 wherein the golf club is an iron type club.
5. A hybrid golf club face comprising:
- a face insert comprising a metallic striking plate and a backing plate with elastomeric material sandwiched between the metallic striking plate and the backing plate.
6. A hybrid golf club face comprising:
- a formed striking plate placed on a golf club head sandwiching the uncured elastomer with the elastomer being cured after placement of the formed striking plate.
7. A hybrid golf club face comprising:
- A body with a recessed area designed for the elastomer and striking plate to be assembled to it in which the elastomer and striking plate are assembled to it.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 6, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 6, 2006
Inventor: James Murphy (Oceanside, CA)
Application Number: 10/959,806
International Classification: A63B 53/04 (20060101);