Golf club head having complex striking plate structure
A golf club head includes a golf club head body and a striking plate connected thereto. The striking plate includes a first plate, a second plate and elastically deformable spaces. The first plate has a front surface to provide a striking surface, and a rear surface to provide a first connecting surface. The second plate has a front surface to provide a second connecting surface, and a rear surface. The first connecting surface of the first plate is attached to the second connecting surface of the second plate to form the striking plate which is connected to a front portion of the golf club head body. The elastically deformable spaces are formed between the first connecting surface of the first plate and the second connecting surface of the second plate.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head having a complex striking plate structure. Particularly, the present invention relates to the complex striking plate structure of the golf club head formed with multiple metal/nonmetal plates combined together. More particularly, the present invention relates to the complex striking plate structure of the golf club head having elastically deformable spaces provided between two metal/nonmetal plates.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional golf club head, as described in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 550106, entitled “JOINING METHOD FOR GOLF CLUB HEAD,” discloses the following steps:
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- 1. Preparing a first metal plate and a second metal plate made from a first metal and a second metal which are heterogeneous metals;
2. Joining the first metal plate and the second metal plate to form a complex metal plate by explosion welding;
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- 3. Shaping the complex metal plate into a first part (i.e. striking plate) of the golf club head having a first peripheral configuration;
- 4. Removing a central portion (i.e. sweet spot) of the second metal plate from the first part to form a peripheral portion thereof;
- 5. Preparing a second part (i.e. club head body) of the golf club head having a second peripheral configuration corresponding to the first peripheral configuration of the first part of the golf club head, and the second part made from the second metal;
- 6. Abutting the first peripheral configuration of the first part against the second peripheral configuration of the second part by arranging the first metal plate of the first part at an outer surface of the golf club head; and
7. Welding the second metal of the first part to the second metal of the second part to form the golf club head.
Although such a striking plate can be successful in providing a high degree of elastic deformability in the central for impacting a golf ball, it can have several disadvantages. A number of design limitations exist for such a striking plate due to (1) difficulties in manufacturing, and (2) problematic aspects which naturally occur during use. The primary problem with the structure of such a striking plate is the difficulty in forming a recessed hole on the second metal plate of the striking plate since it may sophisticate the steps of manufacture, and increase manufacture cost.
With regard to the problematic aspects which naturally occur during use, such a striking plate susceptible to a number of problems, including: (1) loss of the structural strength of the central portion of the striking plate; and (2) weakness of the combined relationship between the two metal plates of the complex striking plate. The primary problem with the structure of such a striking plate is due to the fact that the central portion (i.e. sweet spot) of the striking plate has a relatively thin thickness. Although it would be advantage to make the central portion of the striking plate from thinner material with a higher degree of elastic deformability, the thinner first plate of the striking plate is susceptible to distortion or crack in the central portion, after long-term use, due to a greater stress or impact in repeatedly striking a golf ball. However, the thin central portion of the striking plate has a thickness substantially identical with that of the first metal plate which may weaken the entire strength of the striking plate.
Another problem with the structure of such a striking plate is weakness of the welding portion due to the fact that only the peripheral portion of the second metal plate is combined with the first metal plate. The first metal plate may peel off or fall off from the second metal plate of the striking plate which is connected with the golf club head body after long-term use. This may reduce the useful life of the golf club head.
As is described in greater detail below, the present invention intends to provide a golf club head having a complex striking plate structure including a first plate and a second plate combined together. Elastically deformable spaces are provided between the first plate and the second plate, and one of which is provided with upraised engaging members. The second plate is further combined with a third plate to enhance the elastic deformability of the complex striking plate structure in such a way as to mitigate and overcome the above problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary objective of this invention is to provide a golf club head having a complex striking plate structure, wherein a first plate and a second plate are combined to form a striking plate. Elastically deformable spaces are formed between the first plate and the second plate so as to provide a high degree of elastic deformability of the striking plate. Accordingly, the complex striking plate structure can enhance the striking stability of the golf club head.
The secondary objective of this invention is to provide the golf club head having the complex striking plate structure, wherein one of the first plate and the second plate provided with upraised engaging members. Each of the elastically deformable spaces can be defined between any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members. Accordingly, the complex striking plate structure provided with the upraised engaging members can enhance the striking stability of the golf club head.
Another objective of this invention is to provide the golf club head having the complex striking plate structure, wherein a first plate, a second plate and a third plate are combined to form a striking plate. A first series of elastically deformable spaces is formed between the first plate and the second plate while a second series of elastically deformable spaces is formed between the second plate and the third plate. Accordingly, the complex striking plate structure provided with two series of elastically deformable spaces further enhances the striking stability of the golf club head.
The golf club head in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a golf club head body and a striking plate. The striking plate includes a first plate, a second plate and elastically deformable spaces. The first plate has a front surface to provide a striking surface for impacting a golf ball, and a rear surface to provide a first connecting surface for confronting with the second plate. The second plate has a front surface to provide a second connecting surface for confronting with the first plate, and a rear surface exposed in an inner space of the golf club head body. The first connecting surface of the first plate is attached to the second connecting surface of the second plate to form the striking plate which is connected to a front portion of the golf club head body. The elastically deformable spaces are formed between the first connecting surface of the first plate and the second connecting surface of the second plate.
In a separate aspect of the present invention, one of the first plate and the second plate is provide with upraised engaging members, and each of the elastically deformable spaces is defined between any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, a connecting layer existed between the first plate and the second plate separates any two of the adjacent elastically deformable spaces.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the upraised engaging member has a tilt to a side.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, any two of the upraised engaging members tilt to opposite sides or toward each other.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the upraised engaging member includes an upright flat wall and a curved end wall connected thereto.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, each side of the upraised engaging members is formed from an inclined surface having an inclination to the second connecting surface of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members define a V-shaped groove extending across the second connecting surface of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the second plate is made from a single sheet formed with a series of square waves.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the first plate includes a plurality of protruded reinforcing members corresponding to the upraised engaging members of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the protruded reinforcing members and the upraised engaging members are arranged in a staggered manner when the first plate and the second plate are combined together.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the protruded reinforcing member is in contact with the second connecting surface of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the protruded reinforcing members are selected from reinforcing blocks to engage with the upraised engaging members of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, each of the protruded reinforcing members extends into any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members, and is not in contact with the second connecting surface of the second plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the complex striking plate further including a third plate attached to the second plate such that the second plate is sandwiched in-between the first plate and the third plate.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the elastically deformable spaces are further formed between the second plate and the third plate.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
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It will be appreciated that the complex striking plate 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented using two plates which are combined together to form a two-layer striking plate as is described in more detail below. Alternatively, the complex striking plate 2 may be implemented using three plates combined together to form a three-layer striking plate. In the present invention, the term “complex” refers to a multi-layer plate.
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In assembling operation, each of the protruded reinforcing members 216 of the first plate 21 correspondingly extends into any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members 223 of the second plate 22 so as to define the elastically deformable spaces 23 of the complex striking plate 2. In this way, the protruded reinforcing members 216 and the upraised engaging members 223 are arranged in a staggered manner when the first plate 21 and the second plate 22 are combined together. Preferably, the protruded reinforcing members 216 are in contact with the second connecting surface 221 of the second plate 22. Each of the elastically deformable spaces 23 is arranged between the protruded reinforcing members 216 and the upraised engaging members 223.
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In combining operation, the third plate 24 is attached to the rear surface 222 of the second plate 22. Preferably, the third plate 24 is formed from a one-piece flat plate which is in an ordinary or common form. The third plate 24 is made from a material possessing a high degree of elastic deformability or vibration absorbability characteristic. For example, the metal material of the third plate 24 possessing elastic deformability characteristic is preferably selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, Fe—Mn—Al alloy titanium alloy, copper alloy and aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the material of the third plate 24 possessing vibration absorbability characteristic may be selected from the group consisting of carbon steel, low carbon steel, stainless steel (17-4PH stainless steel), alloy steel, nickel-based alloy, cast iron, titanium alloy, copper alloy, aluminum alloy, super alloy steel and nonmetal material such as carbon fiber.
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It will be apparent from the aforementioned discussions that although it would be advantageous to design a conventional striking plate provided with the separate second plate, thereby successfully reducing the thickness of the first plate, the structure of the complex striking plate is weakened or the elastic deformability of the complex striking plate is affected. Conversely, the second plate 22 of the present invention can enhance performing a high degree of the elastic deformability of the first plate 21. Furthermore, the third plate 24 of the present invention can be used to adjust the elastic deformability and vibration absorbability of the complex striking plate 2 in striking the golf ball. Meanwhile, the third plate 24 of the present invention can also reinforce the strength of the entire structure of the complex 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;
- a first plate having a front surface to provide a striking surface, and a rear surface to provide a first connecting surface;
- a second plate having a second connecting surface, a rear surface and a plurality of upraised engaging members, the second connecting surface being attached to the first connecting surface of the first plate to form a complex striking plate; and
- at least one elastically deformable space formed between the first connecting surface of the first plate and the second connecting surface of the second plate;
- wherein the complex striking plate connects with the golf club head body to provide a degree of elastic deformability while striking a golf ball.
2. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of upraised engaging members formed on the second connecting surface of the second plate to engage with the first connecting surface of the first plate.
3. The golf club head as defined in claim 2, wherein formed between the first connecting surface of the first plate and the upraised engaging member of the second plate is a connecting layer selectively formed from one of a braze welding layer, an explosion welding layer, a press rolling layer and an adhesive layer.
4. The golf club head as defined in claim 2, wherein the upraised engaging member formed from an upright rib, a tilted rib or a saw-toothed member.
5. The golf club head as defined in claim 2, wherein the second plate is made from a single sheet formed with sine waves, square waves, triangular waves or zigzag shapes.
6. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of protruded reinforcing members formed on the first connecting surface of the first plate.
7. The golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the protruded reinforcing members are formed from upright ribs or upright blocks.
8. The golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the protruded reinforcing members and the upraised engaging members are arranged in a staggered manner when the first plate and the second plate are combined together.
9. The golf club head as defined in claim 6, wherein the protruded reinforcing members engage with the upraised engaging members when the first plate and the second plate are combined together.
10. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the protruded reinforcing members extends into any two of the adjacent upraised engaging members, and is not in contact with the second connecting surface of the second plate.
11. The golf club head as defined in claim 1, further including a third plate attached to the rear surface of the second plate.
12. The golf club head as defined in claim 11, wherein another elastically deformable space is formed between the second plate and the third plate.
13. The golf club head as defined in claim 11, wherein the third plate is made from a material possessing a high degree of elastic deformability.
14. The golf club head as defined in claim 11, wherein the third plate is made from a material possessing a high degree of vibration absorbability.
15. A golf club head, comprising:
- a golf club head body;
- a complex striking plate connected with the golf club head body, the complex striking plate having a first plate and a second plate;
- a plurality of elastically deformable spaces formed between the first plate and the second plate; and
- a plurality of connecting layers formed between the first plate and the second plate, the connecting layer separating any two of the adjacent elastically deformable spaces;
- wherein the elastically deformable spaces of the complex striking plate provides a degree of elastic deformability while striking a golf ball.
16. The golf club head as defined in claim 15, wherein the connecting layer is selectively formed from one of a braze welding layer, an explosion welding layer, a press rolling layer and an adhesive layer.
17. The golf club head as defined in claim 15, wherein the complex striking plate further including a third plate attached to a rear surface of the second plate.
18. The golf club head as defined in claim 15, wherein another elastically deformable spaces are formed between the second plate and the third plate.
19. The golf club head as defined in claim 15, wherein the third plate is made from a material possessing a high degree of elastic deformability.
20. The golf club head as defined in claim 15, wherein the third plate is made from a material possessing a high degree of vibration absorbability.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 27, 2008
Applicants: ,
Inventors: Yuan-Hung Lai (Kaohsiung City), Yao-Chang Huuang (Kaohsiung County)
Application Number: 11/526,779
International Classification: A63B 53/00 (20060101);