Golf club head

Abstract

A golf club head includes a striking face and a sole plate coupled to the striking face. At least one support bar extends between the striking face and the sole plate, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, the club head includes a heel and a toe, as well as a striking face and a rear surface opposite the striking face. A support bar extends from the toe to the heel along the rear surface of the club head body, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar. In accordance with yet a further embodiment, a rail extends along the sole plate and a weight member is mount within the rail for movement relative thereto.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/655,879, filed Feb. 25, 2005, entitled “Golf Club Head”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a golf club head employing an adjustable weighting system. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable weighting system incorporating a selectively movable weight adapted for positioning at various locations along the body of a golf club head to optimize the weighting characteristics of the golf club head.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Over the past twenty years, metal wood type golf club heads have replaced solid wood club heads. Metal wood type golf club heads offer the opportunity to enhance the striking characteristics of the club head by shifting the weight distribution within the club head, altering the materials from which the metal wood type golf club head is manufactured and increasing the overall size and “sweet spot” of the club head without substantially increasing the weight of the club head.

Current oversized driver heads commonly exceed 300 cc in volume and are conventionally manufactured from lightweight alloys, for example, titanium alloys. In an effort to enhance the striking characteristics of these relatively large club heads, weights are often added at various internal and external locations along the club head to improve, based upon the personal preferences of a golfer, the launch angle and flight trajectory of a golf ball. The weight members are commonly manufactured from high density materials that add to the weighting characteristics of the club head.

However, mass produced golf clubs are manufactured with weight distributions chosen to accommodate a large range of golfers. The weight distribution of mass produced golf club heads may be too heavy or too light for a specific golfer. In addition, the weight distribution may be positioned too far toward the striking face, too far toward the rear of the club head, too far toward the heel of the club head or too far toward the toe to suit individual golfers.

In addition to designing weight distributions focused upon a large range of golfers, golfers' swings change over time and a specific weight distribution may not suit a golfer while he is developing a new swing or after he has fully developed a new swing.

With the foregoing in mind, a need exists for a golf club head that allows a golfer to fine tune the weight distribution and sole plate characteristics of a golf club head for his or her swing. The present invention provides a golf club head offering a selectively adjustable weighting system that provides reliable and convenient adjustment of weight members such that a golfer may readily customize his or her golf club head to enhance performance by specifically tuning the golf club head for producing desired swing characteristics.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head including a striking face, a sole plate coupled to the striking face and at least one support bar extending between the striking face and the sole plate. A weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the striking face includes an upper edge and a lower edge. The sole plate includes a forward edge and a rear edge, and the at least one support bar extends between the upper edge of the striking face and the rear edge of the sole plate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the striking face and the sole plate form part of a club head body, and the club head body is formed of metal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the club head is substantially crownless.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the club head includes a heel and a toe. First, second and third support bars are also provided. The first support bar extends adjacent the heel of the club head, the second support bar extends adjacent the middle of the club head and the third support bar extends adjacent the toe of the club head.

It is also another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein a weight member is selectively secured to each of the first, second and third support bars.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the weight members are selectively secured to the first, second and third support bars in a manner allowing the weight members to slide therealong so that they may be selectively moved between a position adjacent the striking face and a position adjacent the sole plate, as well as positions therebetween.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein each weight member includes a set screw which selectively secures the weight member along a respective support bar.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar in a manner allowing the weight member to slide therealong so that it may be selectively moved between a position adjacent the striking face and a position adjacent the sole plate, as well as positions therebetween.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the club head is a metal wood type club head.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head including a club head body having a heel and a toe. The club head body includes a striking face and a rear surface opposite the striking face. A support bar extends from the toe to the heel along the rear surface of the club head body, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the weight member is selectively secured to the support bar in a manner allowing the weight member to slide therealong so that it may selectively be moved between a position adjacent the toe and a position adjacent the heel, as well as positions therebetween.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the club head is an iron type club head.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head including a striking face, a sole plate coupled to the striking face, a rail extending along the sole plate and a weight member mounted within the rail for movement relative thereto.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head including a heel and a toe, and the rail extends from the heel to the toe.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the weight member includes a downwardly extending flange shaped and dimensioned to fit within the rail.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the weight member includes a compression lock member for selectively locking the weight member along the rail.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf club head wherein the compression lock member includes a clamping member.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bottom of a club head in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the club head shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line III-III in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the weighting member secured to the sole plate.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an alternate weighting member secured to the sole plate.

FIG. 7 is a further embodiment of a club head in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line VIII-VIII of the club head shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X in FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

With reference to the FIGS. 1 to 6, a golf club head 10 is shown. The golf club head 10 includes a club head body 12 having a selectively adjustable weighting system 14 incorporated therein. The adjustable weighting system 14 is adapted for selective alteration of the weighting characteristics of the club head 10 by movement of a weighting member 16, or weighting members, along the sole plate 18 of the club head body 12.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the club head 10 is a metal wood type club head and the club head body 12 is preferably formed of metal, for example, a titanium alloy, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The club head body 12 includes a striking face 20, a sole plate 18, a crown 22, a toe 24, a heel 26, and a hosel 28 to which a shaft 30 is secured.

The adjustable weighting system 14 in accordance with the present invention includes a selectively movable weight member 16 formed within, and securely held to, the sole plate 18 of the club head body 12. The weight member 16 is held within a rail 32 extending from the heel 26 to the toe 24 of the club head body 12. Although heel to toe movement is contemplated in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated the rail may be oriented for shifting of weight from the front to the rear of the sole plate.

While a specific weight member shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variety of shapes could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the weight member could be designed to extend in various directions considered to enhance the overall weight characteristics of the club head. In addition, although a preferred embodiment of the present invention places the weight member along the sole plate of the club head body, the weight member and associated rail could certainly be formed along the rear skirt of the club head without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

More particularly, the weight member 16 includes a weight body 39 positioned within the club head body 12 and a downwardly extending flange 34 shaped and dimensioned to fit within the rail 32 formed in the club head body 12. Within the flange 34 is located a compression lock member 36 (such as is commonly used in pipe fixtures for holding adjacent members together). The compression lock member 36 allows for actuation thereof from a position external to the club head body 12 through the simple use of a screwdriver or other rotation tool.

The compression lock member 36 is actuated to lock the weight member 16 in position along the rail 32 when a clamping member 38 located between the flange 34 and the weight body 39 is compressed forcing it outwardly into engagement with the wall of the rail 32 to frictionally hold the weight member 16 in position relative to the rail 32. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the flange 34 is drawn toward the weight body 39 via a screw 35 to compress the clamping member 38 between the weight body 39 and the flange 34 forcing it to expand outwardly into engagement with the wall of the rail 32 to frictionally hold the weight member 16 in position relative to the rail 32. The weight member 16 may be released for adjustment thereof by simply rotating the compression lock member 36 (that is, the screw 35) until the clamping member 38 disengages from the rail 32 and the weight member 16 is free to move. Once the weight member 16 is properly positioned along the sole plate 18, the compression lock member 36 is again tightened to securely hold the weight member 16 at the desired location along the sole plate 18. This design allows for ready adjustment of the weight member 16 to specific locations along the sole plate 18 in a manner providing for the fine tuning of the striking characteristics of the club head 10.

While a securing mechanism is disclosed above in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing mechanism may take a variety of forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, a two-piece assembly may be employed. This embodiment includes a weight member 16′ with a screw 17′ depending therefrom. The weight member 16′ is positioned within the club head body 12′ with the screw 17′ extending downwardly through the rail 32′. A securing member 19′ is mounted along the exterior of the club head body 12′ such that actuation of the screw 17′ will draw the securing member 19′ and the weight member 16′ in toward each other in a manner compressing the sole plate 18′ adjacent to the rail 32′ therebetween. It is further contemplated such an embodiment may be further revised by removing the securing member and allowing the screw and the weight member to simply frictionally engage the sole plate upon actuation of the screw.

In accordance with an alternate embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a golf club head 10 is shown. The club head 110 is substantially crownless but includes a series of support bars 112, 114, 116 extending from the top 118 of the striking face 120 to the rear 122 of the sole plate 124. More particularly, the striking face 120 include an upper edge 118 and a lower edge 119, and the sole plate 124 includes a forward edge 121 and a rear edge 122, and the series of the support bars 112, 114, 116 extend between the upper edge 118 of the striking face 120 and the rear edge 122 of the sole plate 124.

More particularly, the club head body 111 is preferably formed of a metal, for example, a titanium alloy, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The club head body 111 includes a striking face 120, a sole plate 124, a toe 126, a heel 128 and a hosel 130 to which a shaft 132 is secured.

As mentioned above, the club head body 111 does not include a crown but rather includes a series of support bars 112, 114, 116 extending from the upper edge 118 of the striking face 120 to the rear edge 122 of the sole plate 124. A first support bar 112 extends adjacent the heel 128 of the club head body 111, a second support bar 114 extends adjacent the middle of the club head body 111 and a third support bar 116 extends adjacent the toe 126 of the club head body 111.

A weight member 134a, 134b, 134c is selectively secured to each of the first, second and third support bars 112. The weight members 134a-c are selectively secured to the first, second and third support bars 112, 114, 116 in a manner allowing the weight members 134a-c to slide therealong so that they may be selectively moved between a position adjacent the striking face 120 and a position adjacent the rear 122 of the sole plate 124, as well as positions therebetween. In this way, the three weight members 134a-c may be selectively moved along the club head body 111 to adjust the weighting characteristics of the club head 110 in a highly controlled manner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight members 134a-c are selectively secured along the support bars 112, 114, 116 via set screws 136 extending therethrough. The set screws 136 engage the support bars 112, 114, 116 as they are screwed downwardly and allow for adjustment of the weighting members 134a-c when they are momentarily released in a manner permitting movement of the weight members 134a-c along the support bars 112, 114, 116. Once the weight members 134a-c are properly positioned at desired locations along the first, second and third support bars 112, 114, 116, the set screws 136 are tightened and the club head 110 is ready for use.

While a specific weight member shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variety of shapes could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the weight member could be designed to extend in various directions considered to enhance the overall weight characteristics or aesthetic appearance of the club head.

While the embodiments disclosed above are described for use in conjunction with metal woods, the underlying concepts may be applied to a variety of club head constructions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the underlying concepts described above could certainly be extended for use in conjunction with irons, iron-woods, hybrids, fairway woods and other golf club constructions without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, use of the present weighting system in conjunction with an iron 210 is disclosed with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In accordance with this embodiment, club head 210 has a traditional iron club head body 212 but includes a support bar 214 extending from the toe 216 to the heel 218 along the rear surface 220 of the club head body 212. As those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the club head body 212 is preferably formed of a metal, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of materials may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The club head body 212 includes a striking face 222, a sole 224, a toe 216, a heel 218 and a hosel 226 to which a shaft 228 is secured.

As mentioned above, the club head body 212 includes a support bar 214 extending from the toe 216 to the heel 218 along the rear surface 220 of the club head body 212. A weight member 230 is selectively secured to the support bar 214. The weight member 230 is selectively secured to the support bar 214 in a manner allowing the weight member 230 to slide therealong so that it may selectively be moved between a position adjacent the toe 216 and a position adjacent the heel 218, as well as positions therebetween. In this way, the weight member 230 may be selectively moved along the club head body 212 to adjust the weighting characteristics of the club head 210 in a highly controlled manner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight member 230 is selectively secured along the support bar 214 via a set screw 232 extending therethrough. The set screw 232 engages the support bar 214 as it is screwed downwardly and allows for adjustment of the weighting member 230 when it is momentarily released in a manner permitting movement of the weight member 230 along the support bar 214. Once the weight member 230 is properly positioned at a desired location along the support bar 214, the set screw 232 is tightened and the club head 210 is ready for use.

While a specific weight member shape is disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variety of shapes could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the weight member could be designed to extend toward the sole of the iron so that it ends at a position adjacent the sole thereof.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

a sole plate coupled to the striking face;

at least one support bar extending between the striking face and the sole plate, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar.

2. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the striking face include an upper edge and a lower edge, and the sole plate includes a forward edge and a rear edge, and the at least one support bar extends between the upper edge of the striking face and the rear edge of the sole plate.

3. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the striking face and the sole plate form part of a club head body, and the club head body is formed of metal.

4. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the club head is substantially crownless.

5. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the club head includes a heel and a toe, and first, second and third support bars are provided, the first support bar extends adjacent the heel of the club head, the second support bar extends adjacent the middle of the club head and the third support bar extends adjacent the toe of the club head.

6. The golf club according to claim 5, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to each of the first, second and third support bars.

7. The golf club according to claim 6, wherein the weight members are selectively secured to the first, second and third support bars in a manner allowing the weight members to slide therealong so that they may be selectively moved between a position adjacent the striking face and a position adjacent the sole plate, as well as positions therebetween.

8. The golf club according to claim 7, wherein each weight member includes a set screw which selectively secures the weight member along a respective support bar.

9. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar in a manner allowing the weight member to slide therealong so that it may be selectively moved between a position adjacent the striking face and a position adjacent the sole plate, as well as positions therebetween.

10. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the club head is a metal wood type club head.

11. A golf club head, comprising:

a club head body including a heel and a toe, the club head body including a striking face and a rear surface opposite the striking face;

a support bar extending from the toe to the heel along the rear surface of the club head body, wherein a weight member is selectively secured to the at least one support bar.

12. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the weight member is selectively secured to the support bar in a manner allowing the weight member to slide therealong so that it may selectively be moved between a position adjacent the toe and a position adjacent the heel, as well as positions therebetween.

13. The golf club according to claim 12, wherein the weight member includes a set screw which selectively engages to the support bar to lock the weight member in position along the support bar.

14. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the weight member includes a set screw which selectively engages the support bar to lock the weight member in position along the support bar.

15. The golf club according to claim 11, wherein the club head is an iron type club head.

16. A golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

a sole plate coupled to the striking face;

a rail extending along the sole plate and a weight member mounted within the rail for movement relative thereto.

17. The golf club head according to claim 16, further including a heel and a toe, and the rail extends from the heel to the toe.

18. The golf club head according to claim 16, wherein the weight member includes a downwardly extending flange shaped and dimensioned to fit within the rail.

19. The golf club head according to claim 18, wherein the weight member includes a compression lock member for selectively locking the weight member along the rail.

20. The golf club head according to claim 19, wherein the compression lock member includes a clamping member.