GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH A VARIABLE INTERNAL EDGE RADIUS

Abstract

A golf club head having a variable internal edge radius is disclosed herein. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention has an internal leading edge that is radiused within planes perpendicular to the striking face. The radius of the internal leading edge varies in a heel-to-toe direction. The varying radius may provide localized stiffening or flexing across the striking face.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a golf club head having a variable internal edge radius at the striking face. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a variable internal edge radius along at least a portion of the transition from the rear surface of the striking face to the sole and/or at least a portion of the transition from the rear surface of the striking face to the topline.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern day golf club design has evolved since the early days of golf. The good news of all the technological advancements in golf club technology is that it makes the game of golf easier for golfers of all skill levels. However, all these advancements come with tremendous challenges for the golf club engineer.

With golf clubs getting near their material strength limit, it is getting increasingly difficult to find ways to maximize performance while providing durable clubs that can withstand the high impact force associated with striking a golf ball and can sustain that high performance through many cycles of use.

The present invention focuses on a golf club head having a variable radius along an internal edge between the striking face and the sole and/or topline to further improve the performance and durability of the golf club head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a golf club head including: a striking face; a back portion behind the striking face extending from a topline to a sole; a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel portion of the golf club head, the heel portion located opposite a toe portion; a coordinate system centered at a face center of the striking face, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards the heel portion of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face; wherein the striking face includes a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface; wherein the front surface of the striking face includes a plurality of scorelines having a heelwardmost extent and a toewardmost extent; wherein the golf club head further includes an internal leading edge between the rear surface of the striking face and the sole, the internal leading edge extending in a heel-to-toe direction; wherein the internal leading edge has a localized maximum radius portion within a first plane perpendicular to the striking face; and wherein the internal leading edge has a first localized minimum radius portion within a second plane perpendicular to the striking face.

In another aspect of the present invention is a golf club head including: a striking face; a back portion behind the striking face extending from a topline to a sole; a hosel configured to receive a shaft, the hosel located on a heel portion of the golf club head, the heel portion located opposite a toe portion; a coordinate system centered at a face center of the striking face, the coordinate system including a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to the y-axis and parallel to the striking face, extending towards the heel portion of the golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and the x-axis and extending through the striking face; wherein the striking face includes a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface; wherein the front surface of the striking face includes a plurality of scorelines having a heelwardmost extent and a toewardmost extent; wherein the golf club head further includes an internal leading edge between the rear surface of the striking face and the sole, the internal leading edge extending in a heel-to-toe direction; wherein the internal leading edge has a first localized maximum radius portion within a first plane perpendicular to the striking face; wherein the internal leading edge has a second localized maximum radius portion within a second plane perpendicular to the striking face; and wherein the internal leading edge has a first localized minimum radius portion within a third plane perpendicular to the striking face.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a front view of a golf club head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows a rear cutaway view of the golf club head in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows a section view 3-3 of the golf club head in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings shows a section view 4-4 of the golf club head in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings shows a front view of a golf club head in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows a rear cutaway view of the golf club head in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings shows a section view 7-7 of the golf club head in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a section view 8-8 of the golf club head in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description describes the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken as limiting the invention, but is provided for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below and each can be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

FIGS. 1-4 of the accompanying drawings shows a golf club head 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The golf club head 100 has a striking face 110, a back portion 122, a topline 112, a toe portion 114, a sole 116, a heel portion 118, and a hosel 120 configured to receive a shaft (not shown). The striking face 110 includes a plurality of scorelines 124 having the same length extending in a heel-to-toe direction and a face center FC located midway between a heelwardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 124 and a toewardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 124. The striking face 110 further comprises a front surface 111 configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface 128 opposite the front surface 111.

The golf club head 100 includes a coordinate system centered at the face center FC of the striking face 110. The coordinate system includes a y-axis which extends vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head 100 is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie. The coordinate system includes an x-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis, parallel to the striking face 110, and extending towards the heel portion 118 of the golf club head 100. The coordinate system includes a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and x-axis and extending through the striking face 110.

FIG. 2 is a rear cutaway view of the golf club head 100 in FIG. 1 and shows the rear surface 128 of the striking face 110 and an internal leading edge 131 between the rear surface 128 of the striking face 110 and the sole 116. The internal leading edge 131 is radiused within planes perpendicular to the striking face 110. The radius of the internal leading edge 131 varies in a heel-to-toe direction and includes a localized maximum radius portion 132a and at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b. The internal leading edge 131 may have a smooth blend between the localized maximum radius portion 132a and the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b. Varying the radius along the internal leading edge 131 allows for localized strengthening at the localized maximum radius portion 132a to eliminate cracking on the striking face 110 and the sole 116 and to satisfy durability requirements. Varying the radius along the internal leading edge 131 also allows for more efficient weight distribution in the golf club head 100 than having the same increased radius along the entire length of the internal leading edge 131. In one embodiment, the localized maximum radius portion 132a of the internal leading edge 131 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 110 proximate the face center FC. The localized maximum radius portion 132a of the internal leading edge 131 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 110 going through the face center FC or the localized maximum radius portion 132a may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 110 up to 5 mm toeward of the face center FC or up to 5 mm heelward of the face center FC. As shown in FIG. 2, the radius of the internal leading edge 131 may decrease from the localized maximum radius portion 132a in a heelward direction and/or a toeward direction such that the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b of the internal leading edge 131 is located proximate the heel portion 118 and/or the toe portion 114. Having the localized maximum radius portion 132a located proximate the face center FC and decreasing the internal leading edge 131 radius towards the heel portion 118 and the toe portion 114 provides greater stiffness in the striking face 110 proximate the face center FC and reduces stiffness heelward and toeward to have more consistent ball speed across the striking face 110. The at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b may be located heelward of a heelwardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 124, and/or the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b may be located toeward of a toewardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 124.

In one embodiment, the localized maximum radius portion 132a preferably has a radius between 2.5 mm and 7 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 6 mm, and most preferably between 3.5 mm and 5 mm. The at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b preferably has a radius between 0.2 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 2.0 mm, and most preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. A distance between the localized maximum radius portion 132a and the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b along the internal leading edge 131 may be 4 mm or greater. Additionally, the internal leading edge 131 may have a series of stepped radius decreases between the localized maximum radius portion 132a and the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b. Each stepped radius decrease may have a specified radius dimension and may be spaced apart from an adjacent stepped radius decrease along the internal leading edge 131 by a distance of 2 mm or greater.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the golf club head 100 taken along the section line 3-3 shown in FIG. 1. An increased radius along the internal leading edge 131 is shown at the localized maximum radius portion 132a. FIG. 4 is a section view of the golf club head 100 taken along the section line 4-4 shown in FIG. 1. A decreased radius along the internal leading edge 131 is shown at the at least one localized minimum radius portion 132b. FIGS. 3 and 4 also show an internal topline edge 141 between the rear surface 128 of the striking face 110 and the topline 112. The internal topline edge 141 is radiused within planes perpendicular to the striking face 110. The radius of the internal topline edge 141 may vary in a heel-to-toe direction in the same manner as described above regarding the internal leading edge 131.

FIGS. 5-8 of the accompanying drawings shows a golf club head 200 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The golf club head 200 has a striking face 210, a back portion 222, a topline 212, a toe portion 214, a sole 216, a heel portion 218, and a hosel 220 configured to receive a shaft (not shown). The striking face 210 includes a plurality of scorelines 224 having the same length extending in a heel-to-toe direction and a face center FC located midway between a heelwardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 224 and a toewardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 224. The striking face 210 further comprises a front surface 211 configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface 228 opposite the front surface 211.

The golf club head 200 includes a coordinate system centered at the face center FC of the striking face 210. The coordinate system includes a y-axis which extends vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when the golf club head 200 is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie. The coordinate system includes an x-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis, parallel to the striking face 210, and extending towards the heel portion 218 of the golf club head 200. The coordinate system includes a z-axis, perpendicular to the y-axis and x-axis and extending through the striking face 210.

FIG. 6 is a rear cutaway view of the golf club head 200 in FIG. 5 and shows the rear surface 228 of the striking face 210 and an internal leading edge 231 between the rear surface 228 of the striking face 210 and the sole 216. The internal leading edge 231 is radiused within planes perpendicular to the striking face 210. The radius of the internal leading edge 231 varies in a heel-to-toe direction and includes multiple localized maximum radius portions 232a and multiple localized minimum radius portions 232b. The internal leading edge 231 may have a smooth blend between adjacent localized maximum radius portions 232a and localized minimum radius portions 232b. Varying the radius along the internal leading edge 231 allows for localized strengthening at each localized maximum radius portion 232a to eliminate cracking on the striking face 210 and the sole 216 and to satisfy durability requirements. Varying the radius along the internal leading edge 231 also allows for more efficient weight distribution in the golf club head 200 than having the same increased radius along the entire length of the internal leading edge 231. In one embodiment, a first localized maximum radius portion 232a of the internal leading edge 231 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 110 heelward of the face center FC, and a second localized maximum radius portion 232a of the internal leading edge 231 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 210 toeward of the face center FC with a first localized minimum radius portion 232b located between the first and second localized maximum radius portions 232a and proximate the face center FC. The first localized minimum radius portion 232b of the internal leading edge 231 may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 210 going through the face center FC or the first localized minimum radius portion 232b may be located in a plane perpendicular to the striking face 210 up to 5 mm toeward of the face center FC or up to 5 mm heelward of the face center FC. As shown in FIG. 6, the radius of the internal leading edge 231 may decrease from the first localized maximum radius portion 232a in a heelward direction toward a second localized minimum radius portion 232b, and/or the radius of the internal leading edge 231 may decrease from the second localized maximum radius portion 232a in a toeward direction toward a third localized minimum radius portion 232b. The second localized minimum radius portion 232b may be located proximate the heel portion 218, and the third localized minimum radius portion 232b may be located proximate the toe portion 214. Having the first localized minimum radius portion 232b located proximate the face center FC provides greater flexing in the striking face 210 proximate the face center FC to achieve higher ball speed when striking a golf ball at the face center FC. The second localized minimum radius portion 232b may be located heelward of a heelwardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 224, and/or the third localized minimum radius portion 232b may be located toeward of a toewardmost extent of the plurality of scorelines 224.

In one embodiment, each localized maximum radius portion 232a preferably has a radius between 2.5 mm and 7 mm, more preferably between 3 mm and 6 mm, and most preferably between 3.5 mm and 5 mm. Each localized minimum radius portion 232b preferably has a radius between 0.2 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably between 0.3 mm and 2.0 mm, and most preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. A distance between adjacent localized maximum radius portions 232a and localized minimum radius portions 232b along the internal leading edge 231 may be 4 mm or greater. Additionally, the internal leading edge 231 may have a series of stepped radius decreases between each localized maximum radius portion 232a and localized minimum radius portion 232b. Each stepped radius decrease may have a specified radius dimension and may be spaced apart from an adjacent stepped radius decrease along the internal leading edge 231 by a distance of 2 mm or greater.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the golf club head 200 taken along the section line 7-7 shown in FIG. 5. An increased radius along the internal leading edge 231 is shown at the first localized maximum radius portion 232a. FIG. 8 is a section view of the golf club head 200 taken along the section line 8-8 shown in FIG. 5. A decreased radius along the internal leading edge 231 is shown at the first localized minimum radius portion 232b. FIGS. 7 and 8 also show an internal topline edge 241 between the rear surface 228 of the striking face 210 and the topline 212. The internal topline edge 241 is radiused within planes perpendicular to the striking face 210. The radius of the internal topline edge 241 may vary in a heel-to-toe direction in the same manner as described above regarding the internal leading edge 231.

Although specific embodiments and aspects were described herein and specific examples were provided, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments and examples. One skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising:

a striking face;

a back portion behind said striking face extending from a topline to a sole;

a hosel configured to receive a shaft, said hosel located on a heel portion of said golf club head, said heel portion located opposite a toe portion;

a coordinate system centered at a face center of said striking face, said coordinate system comprising a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when said golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to said y-axis and parallel to said striking face, extending towards said heel portion of said golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to said y-axis and said x-axis and extending through said striking face;

wherein said striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite said front surface;

wherein said front surface of said striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having a heelwardmost extent and a toewardmost extent;

wherein said golf club head further comprises an internal leading edge between said rear surface of said striking face and said sole, said internal leading edge extending in a heel-to-toe direction;

wherein said internal leading edge has a localized maximum radius portion within a first plane perpendicular to said striking face; and

wherein said internal leading edge has a first localized minimum radius portion within a second plane perpendicular to said striking face.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said first plane is located between 5 mm heelward of said face center and 5 mm toeward of said face center.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said first plane in located at said face center.

4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said localized maximum radius portion is located 4 mm or greater from said first localized minimum radius portion.

5. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said internal leading edge further comprises a second localized minimum radius portion within a third plane perpendicular to said striking face.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein said second plane is located heelward of said first plane, and

wherein said third plane is located toeward of said first plane.

7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein said second plane is located heelward of said heelwardmost extent of said plurality of scorelines, and

wherein said third plane is located toeward of said toewardmost extent of said plurality of scorelines.

8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said localized maximum radius portion has a radius between 2.5 mm and 7 mm.

9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein said localized minimum radius portion has a radius between 0.2 mm and 2.2 mm.

10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said internal leading edge comprises a smooth blend between said localized maximum radius portion and said first localized minimum radius portion.

11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said internal leading edge comprises a series of stepped radius decreases between said localized maximum radius portion and said first localized minimum radius portion.

12. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising an internal topline edge between said rear surface of said striking face and said topline,

wherein said internal topline edge is radiused within planes perpendicular to said striking face, and

wherein a radius of said internal topline edge varies in said heel-to-toe direction.

13. A golf club head comprising:

a striking face;

a back portion behind said striking face extending from a topline to a sole;

a hosel configured to receive a shaft, said hosel located on a heel portion of said golf club head, said heel portion located opposite a toe portion;

a coordinate system centered at a face center of said striking face, said coordinate system comprising a y-axis extending vertically, perpendicular to a ground plane when said golf club head is in an address position at a prescribed loft and lie, an x-axis perpendicular to said y-axis and parallel to said striking face, extending towards said heel portion of said golf club head, and a z-axis, perpendicular to said y-axis and said x-axis and extending through said striking face;

wherein said striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite said front surface;

wherein said front surface of said striking face comprises a plurality of scorelines having a heelwardmost extent and a toewardmost extent;

wherein said golf club head further comprises an internal leading edge between said rear surface of said striking face and said sole, said internal leading edge extending in a heel-to-toe direction;

wherein said internal leading edge has a first localized maximum radius portion within a first plane perpendicular to said striking face;

wherein said internal leading edge has a second localized maximum radius portion within a second plane perpendicular to said striking face; and

wherein said internal leading edge has a first localized minimum radius portion within a third plane perpendicular to said striking face.

14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein said third plane is located between said first plane and said second plane.

15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein said internal leading edge further comprises a second localized minimum radius portion within a fourth plane perpendicular to said striking face, and

wherein said internal leading edge further comprises a third localized minimum radius portion within a fifth plane perpendicular to said striking face.

16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein said third plane is located between 5 mm heelward of said face center and 5 mm toward of said face center.

17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein said first plane is located heelward of said third plane, said fourth plane is located heelward of said first plane, said second plane is located toeward of said third plane, and said fifth plane is located toeward of said second plane.

18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein said internal leading edge has a smooth blend between said second localized minimum radius portion, said first localized maximum radius portion, said first localized minimum radius portion, said second localized maximum radius portion, and said third localized minimum radius portion.

19. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein each of said first localized maximum radius portion and said second localized maximum radius portion has a radius between 2.5 mm and 7 mm.

20. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein each of said first localized minimum radius portion, and said second localized minimum radius portion, and said third localized minimum radius portion has a radius between 0.2 mm and 2.2 mm.