Golf club head

Abstract

A golf club head which mainly includes a shell and a striking plate is provided. In which, the shell has an opening, and a portion of the edge of the opening of the shell has a first engagement portion. Furthermore, the striking plate is located at the opening, and with the shell forms a golf club head. A portion of the edge of the striking plate has a second engagement portion, which is corresponding to the first engagement portion. The shell and the striking plate are mutually engaged respectively using the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. The golf club head has superior structural strength and manufacturing yield.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefits of U.S. provisional application titled “GOLF HEAD THEREOF” filed on May 5, 2005, Ser. No. 60/678,820, and also claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 94213120, filed on Aug. 2, 2005. All disclosures of this application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particularly, it relates to a golf club head having a bonded structural-engaged shell and striking plate.

2. Description of Related Art

Sports are becoming more and more popular, and golf has already become one of the most widely enjoyed sports. In addition, the number of participants in the sport of golf has risen rapidly. In which, the golf club used for playing golf, because of the varieties in purposes and course geographies, are categorized into different types of clubs such as wood club, iron club, and putter.

With respect to the wood club, the manufacturing of the golf club head is to typically use a metallic material for manufacturing a shell and for forming a striking plate on the shell for use to strike the ball. The conventional manufacturing of the golf club head, due to limitations based upon the differences in the metallic materials of the shell and the striking plate, are mostly using the brazing method for bonding the shell and the striking plate. Although the brazing bonded golf club head possesses base plate structural strength; nevertheless, the bonded surface's shearing strength is poorer. Therefore, after a multitude of ball strikes, the bonding portion between the shell and the striking plate exhibits cracks, which eventually leads to the separation of the striking plate from the shell.

To resolve the above issues, the conventional method proposes the forming of an annular engaged structure on the bonded surface of the shell and the striking plate for providing a method for improved bond rigidity. As illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view of conventional golf club head are respectively illustrated. The conventional method is to respectively set up an annular raised edge 122 and an annular notch 112 that are mutually engaged at the edge of the striking plate 120 and the edge of the opening 110a of the shell 110 for improved bonding strength between the striking plate 120 and the shell 110. However, although this type of annular engaged structure can provide adequate bonding strength, the precision requirement and fabrication cost are correspondingly increased. Otherwise, it is possible that due to manufacturing errors or process temperature variations, the annular notch 112 and the annular raised edge 122 are more likely to have position errors, thus leading to the inability to tightly bond the striking plate 120 and the shell 110. Furthermore, this type of design in conventional manufacturing process is also found to be unfavorable towards the fabrication of thinner club head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the aforementioned, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a golf club head which takes into account of weld rigidity as well as manufacturing yield.

Based on the aforementioned and other purposes, the present invention proposes a golf club head, which mainly includes a shell and a striking plate. In which, the shell has an opening, and a portion of the edge at the opening of the shell has a first engagement portion. Furthermore, the striking plate is disposed at the opening, and together with the shell forms a club head body. A portion of the edge of the striking plate has a second engagement portion, corresponding to the first engagement portion, and the shell and the striking plate are mutually engaged respectively by means of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the location of mutual engagement for the aforementioned shell and the striking plate is, for example, at the top portion of the club head body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the location of mutual engagement for the aforementioned shell and the striking plate for example is at the top portion and the bottom portion of the club head body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the location of mutual engagement for the aforementioned shell and the striking plate is, for example, at the top portion, a side portion, and the bottom portion of the club head body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned first engagement portion includes, for example, at least a raised edge, and the second engagement portion, for example, includes at least a notch.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned first engagement portion includes, for example, at least a notch, and the second engagement portion, for example, includes at least a raised edge.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned golf club head, for example, further includes a bonding layer, and is disposed at the weld portion between the shell and the striking plate for bonding the shell and the striking plate.

Based on the above, the present invention forms an engaged structure at the welded portion between the shell and striking plate for the sake of weld assisting. Therefore, the shearing strength of the welded portion is effectively improved. Furthermore, because the present invention only forms an engaged structure at the welded portion of a portion of the shell and the striking plate, therefore fabrication is easier, and also effectively reduce the position errors caused by process temperature variation and other factors, thus can effectively increase manufacturing yield.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, which are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are respectively a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional golf club head.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are respectively a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a golf club head, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are respectively a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a golf club head, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are respectively a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view illustrating a golf club head, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is to form an engaged structure on the bonding surface between a portion of a shell and a striking plate, in which the engaged structure is, for example, a matching notch and a raised edge or other suitable structures. And the engagement location has a multitude of variations including, for example, a top portion of a club head body, the top portion and a bottom portion of the club head body, or the top portion, a side portion, and the bottom portion of the club head body, and other different embodiment configurations. The following shall include several concrete embodiments for describing the golf club head proposed in the present invention.

First Embodiment

A three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention respectively illustrates a golf club head, as in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. As illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the golf club head 200 has a club head body 202, in which the club head body 202 is mainly formed from a shell 210 and a striking plate 220. In the present embodiment, the club head body 202 can be, for example, selected from typical metallic materials (such as stainless steel or other metallic materials) to use casting method to form a unibody construction. Furthermore, the shell 210 has an opening 210a. And the edge of the opening 210a at a portion of the shell 210 has a first engagement portion 212. In the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 212, for example, is a notch. And the notch, for example, is from the top portion of the shell 210, along a side portion, and extended to the bottom portion of the shell 210.

Referring again to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the striking plate 220 is at the opening 210a of the shell 210 for forming a club head body 202 with the shell 210. In which, the striking plate 220 corresponding to the edge of a portion of the first engagement portion 212 has a second engagement portion 222 and is, for example, a raised edge, for allowing the shell 210 and the striking plate 220 to be mutually engaged using the first engagement portion 212 and the second engagement portion 222.

In the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 212 and the second engagement portion 222 respectively is, for example, a notch and a raised edge, which are to be mutually engaged. Furthermore, the present invention is to design the first engagement portion 212 as a raised edge, and the second engagement portion 222 designed as a notch. The most important fact is that the aforementioned first engagement portion 212 and the second engagement portion 222 are not necessarily required to be formed from a single continuous notch or raised edge. The first engagement portion 212 and the second engagement portion 222 further can, for example, include a multitude of discontinuous notches or raised edges. Of course, the present embodiment is not to limit the types of the first engagement portion 212 and the second engagement portion 222 within a reasonable scope. The engaged structure adopted by the present invention further can be, for example, a protrusion and a cavity, or other types of structural combinations.

Referring once again to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the present invention is to further use welding (for example, brazing) on the bonding surface between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220 to form a bonding layer 240 for bonding the shell 210 and the striking plate 220. In which, the method of forming the bonding layer 240 is, for example, coating the bonding agent on the bonding surface between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220 prior to the engagement of the shell 210 and the striking plate 220. After the shell 210 and the striking plate 220 are engaged, further welding is conducted for allowing the bonding agent to melt and cool to form the bonding layer 240. Furthermore, the shell 210 can be first engaged with the striking plate 220, and then the bonding agent is spread at the seam of the bonding location between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220. After the bonding agent has melted and seeped into the bonding surface, further cooling and solidifying to forming a bonding layer 240. One thing worth mentioning is that, if the processing environment is well-maintained during welding, the bonding agent not only can cover the bonding surface between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220, but can also seep into the interior of the shell 210. And at the interior side of the bonding surface, the bonding agent is to solidify to form an annular welding support 242 between the welded striking plate 220 and the shell 210 for strengthening the bonding strength between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220.

Based upon the aforementioned, the location of engagement between the shell 210 and the striking plate 220 of the present embodiment is at the top portion of the club head body 202, above the side portion, and the bottom portion. The following embodiment shall propose several golf club heads in which the striking plate and the shell are engaged at different locations.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B respectively illustrates a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view of a golf club head, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The engagement location for the shell and the striking plate of the present embodiment is above the top portion and the bottom portion of the club head body. As illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the club head body 302 of the golf club head 300 of the present embodiment is similarly formed from a shell 310 and a striking plate 320. In comparison to the first embodiment, the first engagement portion 312 is also located at the edge of the opening 310a at a portion of the shell 310, and is also, for example, a notch. However, the difference is that the first engagement portion 312 is at the top portion and the bottom portion of the shell 310.

Furthermore, a second engagement portion 322 corresponding to the first engagement portion 312 is on the edge of a portion of the striking plate 320, which is, for example, a raised edge, for allowing the shell 310 and the striking plate 320 respectively to mutually engage using the first engagement portion 312 and the second engagement portion 322. Furthermore, the bonding location between the shell 310 and the striking plate 320 can be welded (for example using brazing) to form a bonding layer 340 for bonding the shell 310 and the striking plate 320.

An important factor for consideration is that the types, quantities, and locations of the first engagement portion 312 and the second engagement portion 322 of the present embodiment are also as varied as that described for the first embodiment. And the steps for forming the bonding layer 340 is the same as that described in the first embodiment; therefore, no further discussions are warranted.

Third Embodiment

Later, in reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, in which a three dimensional exploded view and a cross-sectional view of a golf club head of a third embodiment of the present invention are respectively illustrated. The engagement location of the shell and the striking plate of the present embodiment is only at the top portion of the club head body. As illustrated in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the golf club head body 402 of the golf club head 400 is formed from a shell 410 and a striking plate 420, in which the first engagement portion 412 is disposed at the edge of the opening 410a at the top portion of the shell 410.

Futhermore, a second engagement portion 422 corresponding to the first engagement portion 412 is on the edge of the top portion of the striking plate 420. The second engagement portion 422, in which for example, is a raised edge, for allowing the shell 410 and the striking plate 420 to mutually engage respectively using the first engagement portion 412 and the second engagement portion 422. Furthermore, the bonding location between the shell 410 and the striking plate 420 can be welded (for example using brazing) to form a bonding layer 440 for bonding the shell 410 and the striking plate 420.

An important factor for consideration is that the types, quantities, and locations of the first engagement portion 412 and the second engagement portion 422 of the present embodiment are also as varied as that described for the first embodiment. And the steps for forming the bonding layer 440 is the same as that described in the first embodiment; therefore, no further discussions are warranted.

Based on the above, the present invention is to form an engaged structure at the bonding location between the shell and the striking plate for improving the welding process. In which, the engaged structure is, for example, the combination of using a notch and a raised edge, or the use of other suitable structures, and the engagement locations can include a multitude of variations. Therefore, the golf club head of the present invention includes at least the following advantages:

• • (1) As a result, the bonding surface between the shell and the striking plate can include improved degree of shearing strength, and the golf club head as a whole is able to possess improved structural strength and reliability.
  • (2) An engaged structure is formed only at the bonding location between a portion of the shell and the striking plate; therefore, a simpler manufacturing process is resulted. Therefore, during bonding between the shell and striking plate, the position errors caused by process temperature variations and other factors are also easily reduced; therefore, manufacturing yield can be effectively increased, and manufacturing costs lowered.

While the present invention has been described with a few embodiments, this description is not intended to limit our invention. Various modifications of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising:

a shell, having an opening, wherein an edge of the opening at a portion of the shell has a first engagement portion; and

a striking plate, disposed at the opening, and with the shell forming a club head body, wherein the edge at a portion of the striking plate has a second engagement portion corresponding to the first engagement portion, and the shell and the striking plate are mutually engaged respectively using the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the location for mutual engagement of the shell and the striking plate is at the top portion of the club head body.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the location for mutual engagement of the shell and the striking plate is at the top portion and the bottom portion of the club head body.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the location for mutual engagement of the shell and the striking plate is at the top portion, a side portion, and the bottom portion of the club head body.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion comprises at least a raised edge, and the second engagement portion comprises at least a notch.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion comprising at least a notch, and the second engagement portion comprising at least a raised edge.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, further comprising a bonding layer, wherein disposed at the bonded portion between the the shell and the striking plate for bonding the shell and the striking plate.