Embedded Fiber Composition Patents (Class 473/347)
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Patent number: 12239890Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club head comprising at least one crown opening and at least one crown insert attached to the body and covering the at least one crown opening. The golf club head further comprises at least one sole opening and at least one sole insert attached to the body and covering the at least one sole opening. The golf club head additionally includes at least one weight member configured to clamp first and second ledges at selected locations along a sliding weight track. The golf club head also comprise a coefficient of restitution (COR) feature located on the sole of the golf club head. The at least one crown insert is formed from a composite material having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc. The at least one sole insert is formed from a composite material having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Matthew Johnson, David Bennett, Joseph Hoffman, Joseph R. Nielson, Nathan T. Sargent, Christopher J. Harbert, Jared Guttmann, Christian R. Wester, Jake Feuerstein, Mattieu Bovee
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Patent number: 12214266Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a crown portion covering an opening in the top portion. The crown portion may include an inner composite layer, an outer composite layer, and a toe-side integral rib disposed between the inner composite layer and the outer composite layer. The toe-side integral rib may extend rearward from a toe-side integral rib starting location between a vertical plane of the golf club and a toe-side golf ball plane and terminate at a toe-side integral rib ending location between a toe-side bounding plane and the toe-side golf ball plane. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLCInventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
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Patent number: 12186634Abstract: Disclosed herein is an iron-type golf club head. The iron-type golf club head comprises a body, having a density of less than 8 grams-per-cubic-centimeter (g/cc). The body comprises a heel portion, a toe portion, a sole portion, a top portion, and a front portion. The body also comprises a rear portion, comprising an insert shelf, adjacent the sole portion and extending from the toe portion to the heel portion, and a retention bar, integrally formed with a portion of the insert shelf and circumferentially closing the portion of the insert shelf to define a first insert channel. The iron-type golf club head also comprises a high-density insert, having a density of greater than 7.5 g/cc, supported by the insert shelf, and retained within the first insert channel by the retention bar.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Brian Hill, Bret H. Wahl, Scott Taylor
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Patent number: 12115420Abstract: A golf club head is described having a body defining an interior cavity and comprising a heel portion, a toe portion, and a sole portion positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, and a crown positioned at a top portion. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. A non-metallic striking surface is positioned at the forward portion of the body.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Nathan T. Sargent, Peter T. Larsen, Kraig Alan Willett, Bing-Ling Chao, John Francis Lorentzen
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Patent number: 12053678Abstract: An iron-type golf club head includes a ball striking face and a rear weight member that are engaged through one or more resilient members with a connection structure that creates a mass-damping effect at impact with a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Raymond J. Sander
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Patent number: 12048866Abstract: A golf club head including a face element having a face surface, a rear surface, and a reinforcement device with a reinforcement element that extends out from the rear surface of the face element toward a rear end and away from a front end of a golf club head. The reinforcement element includes a looped rib having an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface. The face surface is nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. The outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element is filleted with the rear surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric V. Cole, Cory S. Bacon
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Patent number: 11969631Abstract: Some embodiments include club heads having reinforced club head faces. Other embodiments of related club heads and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric V. Cole, Cory S. Bacon, Travis D. Milleman
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Patent number: 11911979Abstract: A method for manufacturing a striking plate of a golf club head includes the steps of: a sewing step, in which at least one roving material is sewn onto a base material so as to form a laminate blank with an uneven thickness in a normal direction of the base material; and a forming step, in which the laminate blank is placed in a mold cavity of a mold and is formed into the striking plate with an uneven thickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL MULTITECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Yen-Zhou Xie, Yuan-Jen Hou
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Patent number: 11872454Abstract: A golf club head comprises a sole, a recessed sole port in the sole; and a rotatably adjustable sole piece adapted to be at least partially received within the sole port and comprising a central body having a plurality of contact surfaces adapted to contact the sole port and being offset from each other along a central axis extending through the central body of the sole piece. The sole piece can be positioned at least partially within the sole port at five or more rotational and axial positions with respect to the central axis, wherein at each rotational position, at least one of said contact surfaces of the central body contacts the sole port to set the axial position of the sole piece. The sole port and/or the sole piece can be generally pentagonal in shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Nathan T. Sargent, Joseph Reeve Nielson, Matthew David Johnson, Matthew Greensmith, Todd P. Beach, Michael Franz
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Patent number: 11850478Abstract: A crownplate for a golf club head comprises a shell formed from a first plurality of pre-preg plies and a second plurality of pre-preg plies and defines a first thickness area and a second thickness area. The first plurality of pre-preg plies comprise a resin material and a first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of pre-preg plies comprise a resin material and a second plurality of fibers. The second thickness area is thicker than the first thickness area. The first plurality of pre-preg plies comprise a first tensile strength, the second plurality of pre-preg plies comprise a second tensile strength, and the first tensile strength is higher than the second tensile strength. The second plurality of pre-preg plies define an outer periphery of the crownplate and the first plurality of pre-preg plies form a boundary that is disposed entirely within the outer periphery.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Cobra Golf IncorporatedInventors: Ryan L Roach, D. Clayton Evans
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Patent number: 11752398Abstract: A golf club head includes a center of gravity spaced less than 5 mm from a vertical center plane that is perpendicular to a striking face plane and extends through a striking face center. The golf club head also includes a first component having a first melting point and a first density and a second component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density less than the first density. And the second component (i) is at least partially encapsulated by the first component, (ii) extends into a hosel portion below a hosel bore, and (iii) has a mass less than about 5 g.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Dustin Brekke, Jacob Lambeth, Jake Grenier, Joseph Chen
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Patent number: 11707654Abstract: A golf club head including a face element having a face surface, a rear surface, and a reinforcement device with a reinforcement element that extends out from the rear surface of the face element toward a rear end and away from a front end of a golf club head. The reinforcement element includes a looped rib having an outer perimeter surface and an inner perimeter surface. The face surface is nearer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face perimeter. The outer perimeter surface of the reinforcement element is filleted with the rear surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric V. Cole, Cory S. Bacon
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Patent number: 11433284Abstract: A golf club head including a club head body comprising a back portion, a striking face, and an interior cavity formed between the back portion and the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises a front surface configured to strike a golf ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back portion is spaced from the rear surface, wherein an aperture is formed through the back portion, a damping element comprising an exterior portion located behind the back portion of the club head body, a damping portion located within the interior cavity of the golf club head, wherein the damping portion comprises a front surface abutting the rear surface of the striking face and a rear surface abutting the back portion of the club head body.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Oswaldo Gonzalez, Marni D. Ines, Charles E. Golden, John Morin, Jason A. Mata
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Patent number: 11130023Abstract: A golf club head includes a center of gravity spaced less than 5 mm from a vertical center plane that is perpendicular to a striking face plane and extends through a striking face center. The golf club head also includes a first component having a first melting point and a first density and a second component having a second melting point higher than the first melting point and a second density less than the first density. And the second component (i) is at least partially encapsulated by the first component, (ii) extends into a hosel portion below a hosel bore, and (iii) has a mass less than about 5 g.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Dustin Brekke, Jacob Lambeth, Jake Grenier, Joseph Chen
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Patent number: 10881926Abstract: Disclosed herein is an iron-type golf club head. The iron-type golf club head comprises a body, having a density of less than 8 grams-per-cubic-centimeter (g/cc). The body comprises a heel portion, a toe portion, a sole portion, a top portion, and a front portion. The body also comprises a rear portion, comprising an insert shelf, adjacent the sole portion and extending from the toe portion to the heel portion, and a retention bar, integrally formed with a portion of the insert shelf and circumferentially closing the portion of the insert shelf to define a first insert channel. The iron-type golf club head also comprises a high-density insert, having a density of greater than 7.5 g/cc, supported by the insert shelf, and retained within the first insert channel by the retention bar.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Brian Hill, Bret H. Wahl, Scott Taylor
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Patent number: 10286266Abstract: In one embodiment the golf club head includes three main components, a frame component, a rear cap component, and a striking plate. In another embodiment the club head may also comprise a front component, which is manufactured as a single unitary piece, and a rear cap component. The front component may also be overmolded by a thermoplastic polymeric outer portion which may or may not cover the striking face and which provides additional reinforcement at the load bearing sections of the club head and allows a more facile connection to the rear cap component. In another embodiment, a club head having a main body, crown insert, sole insert and metal face plate frame is formed by forming the sole insert and crown insert from a polymeric material using a thermoforming or thermosetting process and then injection molding the main body over the sole insert, crown insert and metal face plate frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Christian Reber Wester, Nathan T. Sargent, Joseph Reeve Nielson, Christopher John Harbert, Hong G. Jeon
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Patent number: 9033822Abstract: A multiple-material golf club and a method for forming said golf club is disclosed herein. The multiple-material golf club preferably is a driver that has a metal face cup and a thin-walled, compression molded, composite aft body with precise IML and OML geometry. The molding composite used to form the compression molded aft body preferably comprises a plurality of randomly oriented, pre-spread carbon fiber bundles and a thermoset or thermoplastic matrix material.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Brandon D. DeMille, Bradley C. Rice, Steven M. Ehlers
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Patent number: 8974317Abstract: The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head formed from multiple materials that increase torsional stiffness of the club and aid in sound performance. In particular, the iron-type golf club head includes a rear flange and a composite component bonded to an external surface of the rear flange. The composite component may cover an entire surface of the rear flange, and may also extend upwards to make contact with a top portion of the club head and thus close off a rear cavity of the club head. The iron-type golf club head may further comprise a face support structure extending from the rear flange, to which the face plate may be affixed via welding or brazing.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Sean Griffin, Steven M. Ehlers
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Patent number: 8968114Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head that includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. A face member formed primarily of a metallic material forms the face, and a body member is connected to the face member and extends rearward from the face member to form at least a portion of the body. The body member is formed at least partially of a polymer material, and has a doped portion containing a doping material dispersed within the polymer material. The doping material may have a different density than the polymer material, such that the doped portion has a different density than the portions of the body member not containing the doping material. A co-molding method may be used to form the ball striking device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Michael E. Finn, David N. Franklin, Raymond J. Sander, Jeremy Snyder
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Patent number: 8936518Abstract: An iron golf club head includes a hosel part embedded member installed in a hosel part thereof, a sole part embedded member installed in a sole part thereof, and a top part embedded member installed in an upper portion of a face part of thereof. In a shank part (neck part) connecting the hosel part to the body part, a connecting embedded member for connecting the hosel part embedded member to the sole part embedded member is installed. These embedded members are covered with a synthetic resin layer. The hosel part embedded member and the connecting embedded member each are preferably made of a metal.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., LtdInventor: Takaharu Takechi
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Patent number: 8926450Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a face portion, a sole portion, a side portion, a crown portion, and a hozel portion. A main portion of the crown portion is made of a fiber reinforced resin. The fiber reinforced resin portion includes a bulk molding compound (BMC) molded body. At least the face portion, a leading edge of the crown portion continuous with the face portion, and a center portion of the sole portion in a toe-heel direction are made of a metal. Alternatively to this configuration, the face portion may be provided with a metal faceplate, a portion subsequent to the face portion may include a BMC molded body, and a rear portion of the crown portion may include a molded laminate of prepreg sheets. The height of center of gravity may be 24 mm or less.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Takahashi, Yasunori Imamoto
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Patent number: 8840490Abstract: A golf club head 2 comprises: a porous part Ps including a porous metal and integrally formed; and a non-porous part NPs. The porous part Ps constitutes at least a part of a sole 8. The porous part Ps has a whole thickness part Pt occupying a whole thickness of the sole 8. Preferably, a rate Ra of an area occupied by the whole thickness part Pt among an area of the sole is equal to or greater than 15%. Preferably, the porous part Ps and the non-porous part NPs are welded mutually. In the disposal of the porous part Ps in the head 2, preferably, a substituted head obtained by substituting the porous part Ps with the same material as that of the non-porous part NPs adjacent to the porous part Ps is considered.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Seiji Hayase, Masahide Onuki, Tomoya Hirano
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Patent number: 8668601Abstract: A golf club head composed of a face component and an aft body composed of a long fiber material. The aft body is composed of a compression molded material. The compression molded aft-body is composed of two pieces which are bonded to a metal face component.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Martin Peralta, William C. Watson
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Patent number: 8632420Abstract: A golf club head enables the initial velocity of a ball to be increased and enables the carry to be lengthened. In some example structures, the golf club includes a face plate formed from metal and club head body (e.g., a crown and sole) formed from fiber reinforced plastic. A weighted body is provided inside the rearmost portion of the golf club head and a low rigidity portion whose width becomes gradually narrower as it approaches the rearmost portion is provided in the crown extending from the vicinity of the face plate to the rearmost portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Michael L. Kelly, Hitoshi Kodama, Tsuneo Takano
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Patent number: 8568248Abstract: A golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. DeShiell, Kraig Alan Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Henry Hoffman
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Patent number: 8529370Abstract: A golf club head composed of a face component and an aft body composed of a long fiber material. The aft body is composed of a compression molded material. The compression molded aft-body is composed of two pieces which are bonded to a metal face component.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: J. Andrew Galloway, Martin Peralta, William C. Watson
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Publication number: 20130225320Abstract: Golf club heads with improved sound can be provided while implementing an adjustable loft, lie, and face angle adjustment system. A face portion is attached to the front portion of the golf club head. A sleeve is received in the hosel portion having a sleeve bore, a threaded portion, and an anti-rotation portion. A screw inserted into a sole opening in the sole portion configured to engage the threaded portion of the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventor: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
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Patent number: 8460123Abstract: A multiple-material golf club and a method for forming said golf club is disclosed herein. The multiple-material golf club preferably is a driver that has a metal face cup and a thin-walled, compression molded, composite aft body with precise IML and OML geometry. The molding composite used to form the compression molded aft body preferably comprises a plurality of randomly oriented carbon fiber bundles and a thermoset matrix material.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Brandon D. Demille, J. Andrew Galloway, Martin Peralta, D. Clayton Evans, William C. Watson
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Publication number: 20130109502Abstract: A golf club head 2 is provided with a head body h1 and a CFRP member 16. The CFRP member 16 constitutes at least a part of a crown 6 or at least a part of a sole 8. The CFRP member 16 has a UD lamination part 18 having laminated UD layers. Orientation of a fiber is substantially set to three directions in the UD lamination part 18. When the three directions are a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, preferably, an angle of the second direction to the first direction is substantially +60 degrees, and an angle of the third direction to the first direction is substantially ?60 degrees. Preferably, the UD lamination part 18 has a lamination symmetrical property in a fiber orientation angle. Preferably, the number of layers of the UD lamination part 18 is 5 or greater and 12 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.Inventor: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
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Patent number: 8287402Abstract: A golf club head having a high COR (maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80) is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc. The body portion defines front and upper openings, and it includes a sole and a side section. The striking plate encloses the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The striking plate and/or the crown are adhesively attached.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20120077616Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: John T. STITES, Gary G. TAVARES
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Patent number: 8096896Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. De Schiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20110098130Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventor: Bing-Ling Chao
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Publication number: 20110092311Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Drew T. DeShiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20110077102Abstract: The present invention comprises a golf club head comprising a face component comprising a striking plate portion and a return portion extending rearward from the striking plate portion. The golf club head further comprises an aft-body attached to the return portion, wherein the aft-body is composed of an injection molded compound comprising long fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANYInventors: MATTHEW T. CACKETT, MARK MARTIN, KENNETH MEACHAM, ALAN HOCKNELL, EVAN D. GIBBS
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Patent number: 7905799Abstract: The invention prevents a resin member from being broken so as to improve durability. The invention provides a golf club head (1) in which at least a part of a crown portion (4) forming an upper surface of the head is formed by a resin member (FR) made of a fiber reinforced resin in which a fiber is oriented in a matrix resin. The resin member (FR) includes a one-way fiber reinforced resin layer in which the fiber is oriented in one direction, and a fiber intersection lamination portion which is laminated so as to differentiate a direction of the fiber. At least two one-way fiber reinforced resin layers which are adjacent in a thickness direction are intersected at an angle of 30 to 130 degrees of the fiber. Further, a compressive strength of the fiber of the one-way fiber reinforced resin layer which is arranged in an innermost side in the fiber intersection lamination portion is set to be equal to or more than 1.3 GPa.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Masaru Kouno, Tomio Kumamoto
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Patent number: 7874937Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventor: Bing-Ling Chao
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Patent number: 7874936Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventor: Bing-Ling Chao
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Publication number: 20110009211Abstract: A golf club head with a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening is described. A face insert support structure is located at the front opening. The support structure includes a peripheral member and a rear support member. The rear support member has a front surface and a rear surface. A face insert is attached at the front opening and closes the front opening of the body. An undercut fill structure is attached to a portion of the rear surface of the rear support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, John Francis Lorentzen, Hsiang Lee
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Patent number: 7846038Abstract: A golf club head (42) having a substantially square or rectangular body is disclosed herein. The golf club head (42) preferably has a volume ranging from 420 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (42) preferably has a face component (60), a mid-body (61) and an aft-weight component (65). The golf club head (42) preferably has a moment of inertia about the Izz axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 4000 grams-centimeters squared.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Philip G. Foster, Evan D. Gibbs, J. Andrew Galloway, Michael Hallack, Luke R. Williams, Alan Hocknell, Matthew T. Cackett
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Publication number: 20100234136Abstract: A weight material is provided on a heel side of a hosel portion in a golf club head. A convex portion E is provided on the heel side of the head. The weight material is disposed within the convex portion. The weight material is made of high specific gravity metal such as tungsten, and welded on both a lower column and a skirt portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.Inventor: Masafumi NISHITANI
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Publication number: 20100151960Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Peter L. Larsen, Chris Schartiger, Xinhui Deng, Bing-Ling Chao
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Publication number: 20100113176Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a removable wrapping element proximal to the ball striking face.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Mark J. Perry
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Patent number: 7621823Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman, Joseph Henry Hoffman
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Patent number: 7607992Abstract: A hollow golf club head comprises: a hollow main body made of a fiber-reinforced plastic; and a face member made of a metal material and forming at least a part of the club face, wherein the hollow main body is single-piece and comprises a front portion of which outer surface is covered with the face member bonded thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Masayoshi Nishio
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Patent number: 7556571Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head body having a striking face, a soleplate, a toe, a heel and a hosel. The club head body includes a body shell composed of the striking face, soleplate, toe and heel, wherein at least a portion of the body shell is composed of a flexible material having a density of less than approximately 2.5 g/cm3 and tensile strength of at least approximately 465 MPa/(g/cm3). An internal cavity of the body shell is pressurized.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Adams Golf IP, L.P.Inventor: Edwin H. Adams
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Patent number: 7540812Abstract: A golf club head includes a front body formed of a metal material, an FRP body, a metallic sole plate, and a weight member. The front body has a face portion, a metal sole portion, a metal side portion (toe), a metal crown portion, a metal side portion (heel), and a hosel portion. A slight gap in a range of 4 mm to 12 mm is formed between a front side of the sole plate and the metal sole portion. This part is formed of the FRP body. Preferably, the metal material of the front body includes a titanium-based alloy or a zirconium-based amorphous alloy. The sole plate is made of stainless steel.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Sidel ParticipationsInventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Hisashi Yamagishi
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Patent number: 7530901Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a fiber-reinforced-plastic body and a metal body. The fiber-reinforced-plastic body includes a main portion of a crown portion. The metal body includes a face portion, a front edge portion of the crown portion continuous with the face portion, and a central portion of a sole portion in a toe-heel direction. The front edge portion of the crown portion made of a metal defines a recess portion in an upper surface thereof. A front edge portion of the fiber-reinforce-resin body overlaps and is joined to the front edge portion of the crown portion made of the metal.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Hisashi Yamagishi
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Patent number: 7530903Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a face portion made of metal, a sole portion, a side portion, a crown portion, and a hosel portion. The crown portion includes a main portion made of a fiber reinforced resin, and a front edge portion made of the metal. The front edge portion of the crown portion is continuous with the face portion. The sole portion comprises a center portion made of the metal in a toe-heel direction. A weight of a portion made of the fiber reinforced resin including the main portion of the crown portion is in a range of 5% to 30% of a total weight of the golf club head.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Hisashi Yamagishi
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Patent number: 7520822Abstract: A golf club head includes a front body formed of a titanium-based metal material, an FRP body, a metallic sole plate, and a weight member. The front body has a face portion, a metal sole portion, a metal side portion (toe), a metal crown portion, a metal side portion (heel), and a hosel portion. A slight gap is formed between a front side of the sole plate and the metal sole portion. Preferably, the front body is made of a titanium alloy, while the sole plate is made of stainless steel. The height of center of gravity (mm) and the head volume V have a relationship of H?0.05V+7.5.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasunori Imamoto