Recess Or Cavity Behind Striking Face Patents (Class 473/350)
-
Patent number: 8449405Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body with a receptacle, and a multi-density weight. The multi-density weight can comprise a first weight component with a first density, an inner portion and a periphery around the inner portion, and a second weight component with a second density and secured to the inner portion of the first weight component. The body, and the first and second weight components can comprise materials different from each other. The receptacle can have a receptacle base and a receptacle wall. The second weight component can comprise a material having a weld-averse trait with respect to the body. The surface of the body can be proximate to at least one of a hosel region, an upper toe region, a lower toe region, a heel region, a backside region, an upper-half region, or a lower-half region of the body. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Marty R. Jertson, John A. Solheim
-
Publication number: 20130130829Abstract: A golf club head is provided with a body that has an address position with a zero degree bounce portion on the sole and a center sole position with a multi-relief surface of the sole having a negative bounce portion. The negative bounce portion may comprise a negative 0.5 to a negative 4.0 degree surface. In one embodiment, the multi-relief surface may comprise the negative bounce portion and a cutaway portion extending to the back of the sole, which may have a depth of about 0.05 to 0.5 inch from a regular sole surface. In another embodiment, the golf club head includes a weight system to adjust the center of gravity. In one embodiment, the weight system is a tube having a weight at one end that may be inserted into the golf club head to move the center of gravity at least forward and backward within 6 mm and up and down within 6 mm. Preferably, the tube is angled downward toward the face by at least 3 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2013Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANYInventor: Acushnet Company
-
Patent number: 8439770Abstract: An iron-type golf club head having a rear cavity with an undercut portion is disclosed herein. The undercut portion is present in less than 360 degrees of the rear cavity. Further, the undercut portion is preferably discontinuous. Further, the under portion preferably has sharp angles at segments of the rear cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Denver Holt
-
Publication number: 20130116064Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITEDInventor: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
-
Patent number: 8435132Abstract: Golf club heads are provided which include an iron type golf club head body including a ball striking face, a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member) and an weight member which is shaped and/or positioned to selectively control features of the golf club head. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, John T. Stites
-
Patent number: 8435136Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
-
Publication number: 20130109500Abstract: Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and (e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.). Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Nike, Inc.
-
Patent number: 8430766Abstract: A golf club may include a front surface, a rear surface having a recess, and an insert at least partially disposed in the recess. The insert may comprise a durometer hardness of less than about 95 Shore A and a cavity having a reinforcement member disposed therein. Preferably, the durometer hardness of the reinforcement member is also less than about 95 Shore A. The insert may further comprise an anterior perimetric boundary having a first length and a posterior perimetric boundary having a second length. The ratio of the first length to the second length may be less than 1 and greater than 0.5. In one example, the insert may have a triangular front profile and a triangular side profile.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Andrew P. Chick, Christopher R. Cooper, Sharon J. Park, Kevin R. Tassistro
-
Patent number: 8425342Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves or openings formed therein. This base may be joined with another material (such as a polymer backing material) to form the insert, wherein the backing material at least partially fills the grooves or openings. In some arrangements, the backing material of the insert may be visible at the top and/or bottom surfaces of the putter structures. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, John T. Stites, N. Franklin David, Donald S. Rahrig
-
Patent number: 8419568Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
-
Patent number: 8419569Abstract: A more efficient triangular shape for metal wood clubs or driver clubs is disclosed. This triangular shape allows the clubs to have higher rotational moments of inertia in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and a lower center of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Thomas Orrin Bennett, Charles E. Golden, Christopher D. Harvell, Stephen S. Murphy, Daniel Stone
-
Publication number: 20130090182Abstract: 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. The face may be defined by a plurality of peripheral edges. The body has a receiver therein, and a weight member is connected to the body and is at least partially received by the receiver. The weight member is formed of a polymer material having a doping material embedded therein, with the doping material having a different density than the polymer material. Additionally, the weight member has connecting structure that engages a portion of the body to retain the weight member to the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert Lukasiewicz, JR.
-
Patent number: 8414423Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head having a body, a ball-striking face member and one or more mass members. The body is configured to releasably accommodate a first mass member in a first region on its back surface and a second mass member in a second region on its back surface. At least one of the first and second mass members may be releasably attached to the back surface. The ball-striking face member may have an average density that is less than the average density of the body. The mass members may have an average density that is more than the average density of the ball-striking face member and/or of the body. The mass distribution of the club head may be customized via the selection and attachment of a particular mass member. The golf club head may be an iron-type golf club head.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow
-
Patent number: 8409031Abstract: Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members removably and/or movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd, David N. Franklin
-
Patent number: 8409028Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is disclosed including a main body including a heel portion, a sole portion, a toe portion, a top-line portion, a front portion, a rear portion, and a striking face. The main body has a recessed region including a relief region in the front portion. A replaceable striking plate is inserted into the recessed region and the relief region. The replaceable striking plate includes a front surface, a first rear surface region and a second rear surface region. A threaded opening is located on the rear surface of the replaceable striking plate and receives a fastener to retain the replaceable striking plate on the front portion of the main body and within the recessed region and relief region.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Chris Schartiger, Marni D. Ines, Peter L. Larsen
-
Patent number: 8409026Abstract: An improved design for a golf putter has a putter head with a back surface formed in an elliptical shape elongated along a transverse axis normal to a swing plane for the putter, enclosing a hollow interior and having a circumferential rim forming an elliptical frame for the putter head. A head striking surface is formed with a sheet of taut, resilient material secured to the elliptical frame providing a trampoline-like drumhead effect when it makes contact with a golf ball that tends to return the ball's rolling trajectory to the target line of the swing axis even if contact is made off-center. The putter body is an elongated tubular body oriented in the direction of the swing axis, so that the peripheral weight of the putter is aligned along the swing axis and creates a pendulum plumb-bob effect of weight moving under gravity aligned in the swing direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Inventor: William A. Riddle
-
Patent number: 8403771Abstract: A golf club providing improved golf ball launch conditions is disclosed herein. The golf club includes a face component and a sole comprising an elongated recess disposed proximate the face component. The elongated recess preferably is tube shaped, and preferably has an opening with a smaller width than an innermost surface of the elongated recess.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Callaway Gold CompanyInventors: Bradley C Rice, William C Watson, Patrick Dawson, Irina Ivanova
-
Patent number: 8403774Abstract: Golf club heads which include an iron type golf club head body including a ball striking face, a rear surface opposite the ball striking face (e.g., including a perimeter weighting member) and an indicator which indicates the location of the center of gravity of the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: John T. Stites
-
Patent number: 8398506Abstract: Golf club heads including first section and a second section that are separate and distinct from one another and are engaged to form at least a portion of the golf club head. The first section may include a first ledge member and the second section may include a second ledge member and the first ledge member may be engaged with the second ledge member to form a junction area. The first ledge member may include a first vertical side and a second vertical side and a horizontal side therebetween and the second ledge member may include a first vertical side and a second vertical side and a horizontal side therebetween. The first and second ledge members may be complementary. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making a golf club and golf club heads also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: John T. Stites
-
Patent number: 8393976Abstract: A golf club head having a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. The recess may be only in the top line of the club head or extend from the heel around the toe. An insert may be placed within the recess. The insert may have a density that is less than the density of the club head body to lower the center of gravity and moment of inertia or greater than the density of the club head body to raise the center of gravity and moment of inertia.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Cobra Golf IncorporatedInventors: Peter L. Soracco, Ryan L. Roach, Thomas C. Morris
-
Publication number: 20130059678Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a crown that extends over the void.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: Nike, Inc.
-
Patent number: 8388464Abstract: An iron-type golf club includes a conventional-weight section, a lightweight section and a heavyweight section. The conventional-weight section includes the hitting face and at least a portion of the hosel. The heavyweight section, made of a denser material than the conventional-weight section, includes the sole and an optional back flange. The lightweight section, made of a material less dense than either of the other sections, includes a core to which the other two sections are secured, such as by co-molding the core to the other two sections. In the co-molding context, the components need not be constrained by their respective weight and density, but could be classified more generically as having a pre-formed component and a molding component irrespective of the densities of the components.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Peter J. Gilbert, James G. Lewis, Ryan L. Roach
-
Patent number: 8382609Abstract: A golf club head has a hollow structure comprising a main body member and a face member. The face member is made of an unidirectionally rolled plate of a titanium alloy having alpha phase crystals. The rolled direction of the unidirectionally rolled plate is inclined at an angle ?1 of not more than 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The face member is provided on the rear face with a ribbed part having its longitudinal direction inclined at an angle ?2 of not more than 30 degrees with respect to the vertical direction. A method for manufacturing the golf club head comprises a step of preparing the face member which comprises the steps of: preparing the unidirectionally rolled plate; cutting out a blank for the face member from the unidirectionally rolled plate; and forming the ribbed part on the cutout blank by machining.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Masatoshi Yokota
-
Patent number: 8376878Abstract: The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club head with one or more passages travelling through a portion of the body. The passages may be accessible in the toe, heel, rear, or sole, or any combination thereof. The passages may be substantially vertical, substantially horizontal or a combination thereof. Weight inserts may be placed in one or more of the passages. In addition, one or more weight inserts may be coupled to the rear of the club head. The weight inserts may have varying densities. The present invention may also include a removable face insert. A plurality of weight inserts may be attached to the rear surface of the face insert.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Thomas O. Bennett, Doug Roberts
-
Patent number: 8366566Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head which comprises a body member with a central cavity therein, a damping member and a face member disposed within the central cavity. Further, the rear surface of the body member includes an opening, preferably circular in shape. The body member is composed of a first metal material and the face member is composed of a second metal material. The damping member is preferably composed of a EPDM material.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Augustin W. Rollinson
-
Patent number: 8366567Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Sharon J. Park, Douglas E. Roberts, Andrew P. Chick
-
Patent number: 8353784Abstract: A cavity back golf club and golf club head having one or more support brackets is disclosed. Each support bracket includes a first portion engaged with the rear surface of the striking face, a second portion engaged with the perimeter weighting member, and a third portion that is curved. The one or more of the support brackets are engaged with a rear surface of a striking face and a perimeter weight member of the golf club head. The one or more support brackets are at least partially located in a rear cavity of the golf club head. The support brackets provide structural integrity to a thin striking face on the golf club head. Additionally, a discretionary weight is engaged with the at least one of the support brackets at the toe portion of the golf club head.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Adam D. Liber
-
Patent number: 8348786Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is assembled from a front component (4) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?1, a rear component (5) made of a fiber reinforced resin having a specific gravity ?2 lower than the specific gravity ?1, a toe-side component (6) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?3 higher than the specific gravity ?1, and a heel-side component (7) made of a metal material having a specific gravity ?4 higher than the specific gravity ?1.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Takashi Nakano
-
Patent number: 8342985Abstract: An iron-type golf club head 1 having excellent durability and weight distribution design and comprising a metallic head body 1A having a face 2 for hitting a golf ball and a recess portion 13, and a metallic weight member 1B having a larger specific gravity than the head body 1A, the member 1B being fitted to and welded to the recess portion to form a part of the outer surface of the head body 1A, wherein at least one closed space 14 surrounded by the weight member 1B and the surface of the recess portion 13 is formed inside the head body.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Tomoya Hirano
-
Patent number: 8337325Abstract: Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and (e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.). Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Byron C Slaughter, Charles Jack Green, III
-
Publication number: 20120322575Abstract: Golf club heads include: (a) a club head body having a ball striking face and defining a rear cavity; (b) a fluid-filled bladder in the cavity; and (c) a retaining member holding the fluid-filled bladder in the cavity. Other club heads include: (a) a club head body having a ball striking face and defining a rear cavity; and (b) an insert member in the rear cavity, wherein the insert member interior includes one or more chambers facing the rear surface of the ball striking face. The chamber(s) may cover at least 30% of a total surface area of the interior surface of the insert member and/or at least 30% of a total interior major surface area of the rear cavity. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, John T. Stites, Eric A. Larson, Chia-Chyi Cheng
-
Patent number: 8328660Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
-
Patent number: 8317635Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
-
Publication number: 20120289358Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, and a filling material, which may be in the form of an insert, connected to a rear surface of the face. The filling material may fill in a thinned portion of the face, which may form a recess on the rear surface of the face that receives the filling material. The filling material has a density that is lower than the density of the face material. Depending on the size, shape, and location of the filling material, the weight distribution, the moment of inertia, and/or the center of gravity of the face may change.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Adam D. Liber, Robert Boyd
-
Publication number: 20120289360Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head with a truss member that attenuates unwanted vibration while allowing for precise control of mass distribution. In certain aspects, the invention provides a club head with a perimeter body including a top line and a sole portion coupled to a face and a hosel. The club head further includes at least one truss member extending between and coupling two portions of the perimeter body, for example, from the top line to the sole.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATEDInventors: Joshua G. Breier, Ryan L. Roach, Denise T. Herman
-
Patent number: 8298095Abstract: The present invention is directed to a number of customized sets of iron-type golf clubs selected from a relatively small number of clubs. The multiple custom-fitted iron sets can be achieved by pivoting these sets off a common 6-iron. In a preferred embodiment, a portfolio of clubs contains seventeen forged iron-type golf clubs, wherein the clubs are a blended collection of oversized cavity back-type clubs, mid-sized clubs, and standard-sized muscle back-type clubs, which can be configured to create at least four custom-fitted iron sets pivoted off a common 6-ion.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone
-
Publication number: 20120258821Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head having a body, a ball-striking face member and one or more mass members. The body is configured to releasably accommodate a first mass member in a first region on its back surface and a second mass member in a second region on its back surface. At least one of the first and second mass members may be releasably attached to the back surface. The ball-striking face member may have an average density that is less than the average density of the body. The mass members may have an average density that is more than the average density of the ball-striking face member and/or of the body. The mass distribution of the club head may be customized via the selection and attachment of a particular mass member. The golf club head may be an iron-type golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G.V. Oldknow
-
Patent number: 8282506Abstract: An iron-type golf club head having a rear cavity with an undercut portion is disclosed herein. The undercut portion is present in less than 360 degrees of the rear cavity. Further, the undercut portion is preferably discontinuous. Further, the under portion preferably has sharp angles at segments of the rear cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Denver Holt
-
Publication number: 20120252601Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball-striking surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, and at least one weight element connected to the body. The head has a total weight that is higher than a target weight of the head, and the at least one weight element is configured to be at least partially removed by a material removal technique to lower the total weight of the head to approximately equal the target weight. The at least one weight element may be integrally connected to the body, such as being integrally formed with at least a portion of the body. The material removal technique may constitute milling, machining, or other material removal techniques or combination of such techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: James S. Thomas
-
Publication number: 20120252598Abstract: Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONInventors: Eric V. Cole, Randall B. Noble, David L. Petersen
-
Patent number: 8277337Abstract: An iron head is provided with a recess portion provided in an upper portion of a backside surface thereof, and a protruding portion provided at a lower portion of the backside surface. A first hollow portion is provided on a heel side from a bottom surface of a recess portion to a sole surface; and a second hollow portion is disposed on a toe side. The first hollow portion and the second hollow portion do not exist behind a sweet area. The first hollow portion and the second hollow portion may be filled with a shock absorber formed of a rubber or an elastomer.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Shimazaki
-
Publication number: 20120244959Abstract: A golf club head designed to act under impact load as a bridge comprising a face; an inertial support system; a rear structure; and a force transfer system, under impact load the force transfer system, in cooperation with the inertial support system, elongating the rear structure and controlling the bending of the face, the pattern of bending of the face being a substantially bridge-like pattern of bending or a substantially modified bridge-like pattern of bending.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: DEWHURST SOLUTION LLCInventors: Peter Dewhurst, Michael C. Apostal
-
Patent number: 8267807Abstract: An iron golf club head has a faceplate for hitting a golf ball, the faceplate having a back face; a viscoelastic body fixed onto the back face of the faceplate; and a backplate for sandwiching the viscoelastic body with the faceplate, the backplate having a flange that extends out of the periphery of the viscoelastic body and is fixed onto the back face of the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaharu Takechi, Daisuke Horii
-
Patent number: 8262505Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member and a damping element is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a damping element extends from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member to define a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the damping element extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member. The damping element may reduce the vibration and sound of the golf club head upon impact with a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: John T. Stites, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron C. Slaughter
-
Patent number: 8262503Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
-
Patent number: 8262495Abstract: A golf club head, golf club and a set of golf heads and clubs is provided with a center of gravity indicator mechanism housed on the rear side that may include a latitudinal strip and a center of gravity locator structure positioned on an axis transverse to the rear side and extending through the center of gravity of the body. The center of gravity locator structure may be fixed on a golf club head or may be variable. Additionally, a set of golf club heads is provided in which the center of gravity indicator mechanism is varied for each club in the set as the position of the center of gravity locator structure is varied for each of the golf club heads. The golf club heads may be coupled to shafts and grips and other features to form a golf club or golf club set.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: John T. Stites
-
Publication number: 20120220390Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITEDInventors: Sharon J. Park, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Andrew P. CHICK
-
Publication number: 20120214612Abstract: An iron golf club is one made of metal material, which is manufactured integrally through press working and gives dedication to improvement of golf club design. The head (1) has a concave portion (4) surrounded by a convex portion (6) in the backside portion (3) behind the face portion (2). Treatment for making a mirror surface is applied to the bottom portion (5) of this concave portion through press working with a fixed die (11) having a surface roughness finer than the mirror surface for which treatment for making a mirror surface is to be performed and a movable die (10). Press working of this bottom portion can be also performed through treatment for making a mirror surface with a liner member (17).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: K. K. ENDO SEISAKUSHOInventors: Rui Kondo, Tamotsu Hasegawa
-
Patent number: 8246487Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is disclosed herein. The iron-type golf club head has multiple movable mass members which allow for the center of gravity to be moved at least 0.170 inch in a feel to toe direction and 0.070 inch in a crown to sole direction. Each of the movable mass members is preferably composed of a material having a density ranging from 12 g/cm3 and 14 g/cm3.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Matthew T. Cackett, William C. Watson, D. Clayton Evans, Alan Hocknell
-
Patent number: 8246486Abstract: A golf club head having a striking wall having a front surface, and a rear surface, a top surface, and a sole portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, the sole portion having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the rear surface defines an interior sole line. The intersection of the upper surface and the rearward end defines a trailing edge. A region on the upper surface includes variation of the height of the trailing edge or exterior sole line relative to the height of the interior sole.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Jesse D. Sukman