US20160114226A1

US20160114226A1 - Golf club head

Info

Publication number: US20160114226A1
Application number: US14/523,493
Authority: US
Inventors: Gentry Ferguson; Hiroshi Kawaguchi; Charles E. Golden; Grant M. Martens; Stephanie Bezilla; Darryl C. Galvan
Original assignee: Acushnet Co
Current assignee: Acushnet Co
Priority date: 2014-10-24
Filing date: 2014-10-24
Publication date: 2016-04-28
Also published as: JP2016116842A

Abstract

A metalwood golf club head comprising a locally raised crown peak, wherein said crown peak defined as the highest point on an outer surface of the crown when the golf club head is grounded at prescribed lie and loft, a crown peak plane parallel to the ground plane, the crown peak plane passing through the crown peak, a crown cutoff plane parallel to the crown peak plane, the crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane, an upper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown, wherein a volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm³and less than 7 cm³.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present technology generally relates to systems, devices, and methods related to golf clubs, and more specifically to metal wood golf clubs including improved crown constructions as well as improved variable face thickness profiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

In the competitive industry of golf club design, distance and accuracy are two of the most important performance factors that help define the desirability of a metal wood type golf club. Although some may argue that the look, feel, and sound of a golf club may influence their opinion of a golf club; there is no arguing that the performance factors play a major role in determining the desirability of a golf club. The performance factors of maximizing distance while maintaining accuracy becomes even more prevalent in a metal wood type golf club head. Unlike iron type golf club heads where accuracy of a golf shot clearly trumps the distance benefits gained by any individual golf club, metal wood type golf club heads are designed to allow a golfer to hit the golf ball as far as possible and as straight as possible.
In order to maximize distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal wood type golf club head, metal wood type golf clubs have been designed with the objective of maximizing the distance of a golf ball struck by a golf club head close to the geometric center of the golf club head. This geometric center of the golf club head, due to the inherent laws of physics, may generally produce a golf shot that maximizes the distance by reducing the energy loss during impact between the golf ball and the golf club head. In order to quantify this value, the United States Golf Association (USGA), in conjunction with the golfing industry, have come up with various methods such as the calculation the Coefficient of Restitution (COR) or the calculation of the Characteristic Time (CT) as ways to quantify the rebounding characteristic of a golf ball after it impacts a golf club head.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,933 to Galloway et al. ('933 Patent) discusses one of the methods to increase the COR of a golf club head by disclosing a golf club head having a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.845 and a durability to withstand 2000 impacts with a golf ball at 110 miles per hour, wherein the club head may be composed of three pieces, a face, a sole, and a crown. More specifically, the '933 Patent discloses a golf club head that may be composed of a titanium material, having a volume in the range of 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches.
Focusing on accuracy instead of distance, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0116202 to Lin ('202 Patent Publication), discusses a method to increase the accuracy of a golf club head by disclosing a golf club head having a plurality of holes around the periphery of the club head, so that when the club head hits the golf ball, most of the vibration waves and sound waves generated are dispersed out of these holes thus improving accuracy of the direction of the striking golf ball.
However, upon closer examination, we can see that developments in maximizing distance while maintaining accuracy of a metal wood type golf club head are premised upon the fact that the golfer be capable of hitting the golf ball at the sweet spot. It may be difficult for the average golfer to consistently strike a golf ball in the sweet spot. Hence, in addition to the performance factors mentioned above, it may also be desirable to optimize the size and location of this sweet spot, so an average golfer may obtain the design benefits of maximizing the distance and accuracy of the golf club head.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized.
One aspect of the present technology is the realization that conventional golf clubs do not perform as well for off-center hits. Thus, there exists a need for an improved golf club head construction. The present technology is directed to metalwood golf clubs. The present invention provides ball speed enhancing features, including for example, a locally raised crown peak, and a sole biased variable face thickness profile which improve the off-center performance of the golf club head. As a result, a golfer can strike the golf ball with a portion of the face other than the geometric center of the striking face, and still obtain desirable distance.
One non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a metalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heel side; a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face; wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior; wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft; a plurality of points located on said outer surface of said crown, said plurality of points all located along a plane parallel to said y-axis and said x-axis when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft, said plane passing through said crown peak, said plurality of points comprising: a Point A located at said crown peak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point D located 10 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less than or equal to 0.310; and wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and less than or equal to 0.392.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said crown peak is located less than 68 mm above said ground plane, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to 0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than or equal to 0.372.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.133 and less than or equal to 0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.114 and less than or equal to 0.372.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to 0.261, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than or equal to 0.330.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.028 and less than or equal to 0.193, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.046 and less than or equal to 0.148.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to 0.140.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes metalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heel side; a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face; wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior; wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft; a crown peak plane parallel to said ground plane, said crown peak plane passing through said crown peak; a crown cutoff plane parallel to said crown peak plane, said crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane; an upper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown; wherein a volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm3 and less than 7 cm3.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm3 and less than 7 cm3.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 6 cm3.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 5 cm3.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 4 cm3.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.
An additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology includes a metalwood golf club head, comprising: a striking face; a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face; a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head; a toe side located opposite said heel side; a coordinate system comprising: an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head; a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown; a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y-axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face; wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior; wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft; a plurality of points located on said outer surface of said crown, said plurality of points all located along a plane parallel to said y-axis and said x-axis when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft, said plane passing through said crown peak, said plurality of points comprising: a Point A located at said crown peak; a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point D located 10 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; a Point E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis; wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less than or equal to 0.310; wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and less than or equal to 0.392; a crown peak plane parallel to said ground plane, said crown peak plane passing through said crown peak; a crown cutoff plane parallel to said crown peak plane, said crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane; an upper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown; wherein a volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm3 and less than 7 cm3; and a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05; wherein said sole further comprises a flexure spaced from said striking face, said flexure comprising a front wall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein said front wall and said rear wall both extend into said golf club head interior, and wherein said front wall and said rear wall are coupled at said apex.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm3 and less than 5 cm3, and wherein a crown peak depth of said golf club head is at least 26 mm, said crown peak depth measured from a forward most portion of said golf club head to said crown peak along an axis parallel to said z-axis.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to 0.140.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.
In an additional non-limiting embodiment of the present technology said sole further comprises a flexure spaced from said striking face, said flexure comprising a front wall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein said front wall and said rear wall both extend into said golf club head interior, and wherein said front wall and said rear wall are coupled at said apex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates cross section A-A of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 illustrates cross section B-B of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 illustrates the cross section B-B of FIG. 5, including the surface through which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry such as the weight port.

FIG. 7 replicates the cross section B-B of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates cross section C-C of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 9 illustrates cross section D-D of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 10 illustrates cross section D-D of FIG. 9, including the surface through which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry such as the hosel and flexure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates cross section E-E of the golf club head of FIGS. 11 and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further and further modifications of inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the following portion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.
In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only those listed alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.
Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems, devices, and methods related to golf club heads. More specifically, some embodiments relate to metalwood golf clubs including improved crown constructions as well as improved variable face thickness profiles.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a golf club head 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toe side of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1. The golf club head 100 shown in FIGS. 1-3 has a striking face 106, a posterior body portion 102, and a hosel 104. The striking face 106 is located at the front of the golf club head 100 and is configured to impact a golf ball when the golf club is swung. The hosel 104 can include a shaft bore configured to receive a portion of the shaft. The hosel 104 is generally located on the heel side 108 of the golf club head, which is opposite the toe side 110. The posterior body portion 102 can further comprise a crown 112, a sole 114, and a skirt 116. The crown 112 portion may generally be connected to an upper portion of the striking face 106 while the sole 114 may generally be connected to a bottom portion of the striking face 106. The skirt 116 can be juxtaposed between the crown 112 and the sole 114 to complete the posterior body portion 102. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the golf club head 100 grounded upon the ground plane 200 at the golf club head's prescribed lie and loft.
The golf club head 100, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3, may generally have a radiused transition region 118 at least partially surrounding the perimeter of the striking face 106. More specifically, the radiused transition region 118 may be further comprised of a crown face transition region 120 located at an upper perimeter of the striking face 106, substantially connecting the striking face 106 and the crown 112, and a sole face transition region 122 located at a bottom perimeter of the striking face 106, substantially connecting the striking face 106 and the sole 122. In other embodiments, the radiused transition region 118 could completely surround the perimeter of the striking face 106. The golf club head 100 can also include a flexure 124, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Several examples of a flexure 124 can be found in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/089,574 to Golden et al., Golf Club with Flexure, filed on Nov. 25, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the golf club head 100 can include a coordinate system. The coordinate system includes an x-axis parallel to the ground plane 200, substantially parallel to the striking face 106, and extending towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head 100. The coordinate system includes a y-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis as well as the ground plane 200 and extending upwards towards the crown 128. The coordinate system includes a z-axis, perpendicular to the x-axis and the y-axis, parallel to the ground plane 200, and extending forwards towards the striking face 106.
Various features of a golf club head 100 can affect the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100 which may include, for example, ball speed after impact at various points on the striking face 106, the size of the sweet spot of the striking face 106, the backspin of the golf ball after impact, etc. Generally, it is a goal of the golf club designer to maximize the size of the sweet spot, or the portion of the striking face which transfers the maximum amount of energy to the golf ball at impact. One advantage of the golf club head 100 described herein is improved performance characteristics provided by a unique construction of the crown 112. The unique construction discussed herein and illustrated in the figures, has a locally raised crown peak 128 compared to a traditional crown. This unique crown construction can be incorporated in a driver as illustrated herein, but can also be incorporated into a fairway or hybrid as well.
Often during testing, ballspeed after impact is measured at various portions of the striking face 106 in addition to the geometric center. The geometric center of the striking face 106 is defined by the center of the impact spot determined by the Impact Location Template outlined in the Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX3004, Revision 1.0.0, May 1, 2008 by the United States Golf Association. One such portion of the striking face can be high center, defined as a 0.25″ above geometric face center. One embodiment of a golf club head 100 including the unique crown construction described herein achieves approximately 0.3% additional ball speed at high center compared to the same driver without the unique crown construction, all while maintaining the highest possible ballspeed at geometric face center allowed by the United States Golf Association. In addition, the golf club head 100 including the unique crown construction herein was able to achieve a high center ballspeed within 99.56% of ballspeed at geometric face center while the same driver without the unique crown construction was only able to achieve a high center ballspeed within 99.28% of ballspeed at geometric face center. In some embodiments, these performance improvements can be a result of added compliance at points above geometric face center on the striking face 106 of the club head 100 due to the unique crown construction described herein. The significance of increased ballspeed off center, at a location such a high center, is increased distance forgiveness for an off center hit. Even if a golfer doesn't hit the ball exactly at geometric face center, the ball will still travel nearly as far as if they had hit the ball at geometric face center.
FIG. 4 illustrates cross section A-A of the golf club head 100 of FIGS. 1-3. The cross section A-A was cut along a plane parallel to the y-axis and z-axis, the plane passing through the crown peak 128. The crown peak 128 is defined by the portion of the crown 112 located furthest upwards, the highest y coordinate of the crown 112, with the golf club head 100 grounded at the prescribed lie and loft. The crown peak depth CPD, illustrated in FIG. 4, is the distance from the forward most portion of the golf club head 100 to the crown peak 128 along an axis parallel to the z-axis. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greater than 20 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greater than 22 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greater than 24 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greater than 26 mm. In some embodiments, the crown peak depth CPD can be greater than 28 mm. The golf club head 100 includes a golf club head interior 126. The hosel 104 can extend into the golf club head interior 126. The golf club head 100 can also include a weight port 128, as illustrated in FIG. 4, configured to receive an interchangeable weight member to alter the swing weight and/or CG location of the golf club.
FIG. 5 illustrates cross section B-B of the golf club head 100 of FIGS. 1-3. The cross section B-B was cut along a plane parallel to the x-axis and y-axis, the plane passing through the crown peak 128. In an effort to further simplify the construction of the golf club head 100, FIG. 6 illustrates the cross section B-B of FIG. 5, including the surface through which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry such as the weight port 128. FIG. 6 also illustrates points A-E located along the outer surface 130 of the crown 112. Points A-E are all located on a plane parallel to the x-axis and y-axis and passing through the crown peak 128. Point A is located at the crown peak 128. Point B is offset a distance AB along the x-axis from Point A towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head. Point C is offset a distance AC along the x-axis from Point A towards the heel side 108 of the golf club head 100. Point D is offset a distance AD along the x-axis from Point A towards the toe side 110 of the golf club head 100. Point E is offset a distance AE along the x-axis from Point A towards the toe side 110 of the golf club head 100. Each of the points A-E are located a distance H_A,B,C,D,Eabove the ground plane 200 measured along the y-axis when the golf club head 100 is grounded at the prescribed lie and loft upon the ground plane 200. Point A is located a distance H_Aabove the ground plane 200, Point B a distance H_Babove the ground plane 100, etc. Several tables are included below to better describe the geometry of the unique crown construction described herein.
Table 1 below outlines the offset distances between Points A-E for one embodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein. Distance values are measured in millimeters (mm). The distance values included in Table 1 are utilized throughout the specification and in subsequent tables below when defining slopes and relationships between Points A-E.

	TABLE 1

	Offset Distance

	AB	AC	AD	AE

	Distance Value	10 mm	20 mm	10 mm	20 mm

Table 2 below outlines the heights of Points A-E to further illustrate one embodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein.

	TABLE 2

	Height Distance

	H_A	H_B	H_C	H_D	H_E

Height Value	64.39 mm	63.72 mm	61.64 mm	63.78 mm	62.05 mm

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a crown peak 128 located less than 68 mm from the ground plane 200. In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a crown peak 128 located less than 66 mm from the ground plane 200.
Table 3 below outlines the slopes between various Points A-E to further illustrate one embodiment of the golf club head 100 described herein. For example, the slope between Point A and Point B, would be calculated by dividing the difference in height between Point A and Point B by the offset distance between Point A and Point B. Each of the slope values are the absolute value of the calculated slope. Thus, whether the heel-most point or toe-most point is further from the ground plane 200, does not affect the value of the slope.

TABLE 3

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Slope (ΔY/ΔX)	0.067	0.138	0.208	0.061	0.117	0.173

Table 4 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E within which an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 4

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Upper Slope	0.193	0.252	0.310	0.148	0.271	0.392
Limit
Lower Slope	0.028	0.072	0.117	0.046	0.074	0.100
Limit

Table 5 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E within which an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 5

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Upper Slope	0.183	0.239	0.293	0.140	0.257	0.372
Limit
Lower Slope	0.030	0.076	0.122	0.048	0.077	0.105
Limit

Table 6 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E within which an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 6

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Upper Slope	0.162	0.212	0.261	0.125	0.228	0.330
Limit
Lower Slope	0.030	0.076	0.122	0.048	0.077	0.105
Limit

Table 7 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E within which an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 7

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Upper Slope	0.183	0.239	0.293	0.140	0.257	0.372
Limit
Lower Slope	0.032	0.083	0.133	0.053	0.084	0.114
Limit

Table 8 below illustrates a range of slopes between Points A-E within which an embodiment of the golf club head 100 could reside.

TABLE 8

Point→Point	A→B	A→C	B→C	A→D	A→E	D→E

Upper Slope	0.101	0.206	0.312	0.091	0.176	0.260
Limit
Lower Slope	0.054	0.110	0.166	0.049	0.094	0.138
Limit

FIG. 7 replicates the cross section B-B of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 includes a crown peak plane 132, which is parallel to the ground plane 200 and passes through the crown peak 128 when the golf club head 100 is grounded at prescribed lie and loft upon the ground plane 200. The crown peak plane 132 is located above the ground plane 200 the same distance H_Aas the crown peak 128. FIG. 7 also includes a crown cutoff plane 134 parallel to the crown peak plane 132, and offset downwards from the crown peak plane 132 a distance D_CPalong the y-axis towards the ground plane 200. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, distance D_CPis 5 mm. The portion of the crown 112 located above the crown cutoff plane 134 is defined as the upper crown portion 135. In one embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135, defined by the crown cutoff plane 134 and the outer surface 130 of the upper crown portion 135, is greater than 2 cm³and less than 7 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 2 cm³and less than 6 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 2 cm³and less than 5 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 2 cm³and less than 4 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³and less than 7 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 4 cm³and less than 7 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³and less than 6 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³and less than 5 cm³. In another embodiment, when D_CPis 5 mm, the volume of the upper crown portion 135 is greater than 3 cm³and less than 4 cm³.
In some embodiments, the golf club head 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, can include both a locally raised crown peak 128 and a flexure 124. The combination of these two features can further increase the size of the sweet spot of the striking face 106. The flexure 124 is particularly effective at increasing ball speeds at impact locations below geometric face center, while the unique crown construction is particularly effective at increasing ball speeds at impact locations above geometric face center. The combination of the two can offer a distinct advantage over a golf club head which does not offer both of these features.
FIG. 8 illustrates cross section C-C of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3. The cross section C-C was cut along a plane parallel to the x-axis and y-axis, just behind the striking face 106. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the striking face includes a variable face thickness profile 136 behind the striking face 106. The variable face thickness profile 136, can include a thick central portion 138 surrounded by a transition portion 140, which is then surrounded by a thin perimeter portion 142 of the striking face 106, further illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates cross section D-D of the golf club head of FIGS. 1-3. The cross section D-D was cut along a plane parallel to the y-axis and z-axis, the plane passing through the center of the thick central portion 138 of the variable face thickness profile 136 of the striking face 106. Because the striking face 106 of a golf club head 100 deforms like a trampoline when striking a golf ball, having a variable face thickness profile 136 allows the thin perimeter portion 142 of the striking face 106 to be thin enough to provide a trampoline effect while the thick central portion 138 of the variable face thickness profile 136 provides sufficient thickness to endure the stresses associated with a golf ball impact. More detailed disclosure regarding using variable face thickness to improve the performance of a golf club head may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,403 to Rice et. al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIG. 10 illustrates cross section D-D of FIG. 9, including the surface through which the section was cut, but excluding internal geometry such as the hosel 104 and flexure 124. Performance of the golf club head incorporating the unique crown construction described herein can further benefit from the variable face thickness profile 136 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, particularly when the golf club head 100 incorporates a flexure 124. In some embodiments, locating the thick central portion 138 of the variable face thickness profile 136 closer to the sole 114 then the crown 112 can increase the performance of the golf club head 100. In some embodiments, locating the transition portion 140 closer to the sole 114 then the crown 112 can increase the performance of the golf club head 100.
During testing, a golf club head 100 including the unique crown construction and the unique sole biased variable face thickness profile 136 described herein achieves approximately 0.15% additional ball speed at high center compared to the same golf club head without the unique sole biased variable face thickness profile 136 described herein. Additionally, when a golf club head 100 combines the unique crown construction and the unique sole biased variable face thickness profile 136 described herein, the driver achieves approximately 0.45% additional ball speed at high center compared to the same golf club head without the unique crown construction and unique sole biased variable face thickness profile 136 described herein.
Distances D1-D4 are included in FIG. 10 to further illustrate the variable face thickness profile 136. Distances D1-D4 are measured along a measurement axis formed by the intersection of a second plane parallel to the y-axis and z-axis which also passes through the center of the thick central portion 138 of the variable thickness profile 136 and a third plane parallel to the front surface of the striking face 106 at geometric face center. The center of the thick central portion 138 defined as the midpoint between the heel-most portion and toe-most portion of the thick central portion 138 measured along an axis parallel to the x-axis. Distance D1 represents the height of the upper thin perimeter portion 142 above the variable face thickness profile 136. Distance D2 represents the height of the lower thin perimeter portion 142 below the variable face thickness profile 136. Distance D3 represents the height of the upper thin perimeter portion 142 and the upper transition portion 140 above the thick central portion 138. Distance D4 represents the height of the lower thin perimeter portion 142 and the lower transition portion 140 below the thick central portion 138. The endpoints of the thin perimeter portion 142, transition portion 140, and thick central portion 138 may not be easily identified due to radiuses, rounds, chamfers etc. Distances D1-D4 shall be measured from the center of the radius, round, chamfer, etc., which form the connection between various portions of the variable thickness profile 136 and striking face 106 such as the thick central portion 138, transition portion 140, thin perimeter portion 142, transition region 140, etc.
In one embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.01. In one embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.05. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.15. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.4. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.3. In another embodiment, the ratio of D1 over D2 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.2.
In one embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.05. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.15. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.4. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.3. In another embodiment, the ratio of D3 over D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.2.
The unique crown construction and unique sole biased variable face thickness profile described herein can be used in a driver. In other embodiments, the features can be used in a fairway or a hybrid as well. In some embodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique sole biased variable face thickness profile can be included in a golf club head having a volume greater than 250 cubic centimeters (cc). In some embodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique sole biased variable face thickness profile can be included in a golf club head having a volume greater than or equal to 130 cc and less than 250 cc. In some embodiments, the unique crown construction and/or unique sole biased variable face thickness profile can be included in a golf club head having a volume less than 130 cc. Volumes are measured according to the Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs, USGA-TPX3003, Revisions 1.0.0, Nov. 21, 2003, United States Golf Association.
FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an additional golf club head incorporating a unique striking face construction. FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a golf club head. FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates cross section E-E of the golf club head of FIGS. 11 and 12. The cross section cut along a plane parallel to the x-axis and y-axis and passing through the crown peak 128. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the golf club head 100 can have a more pronounced locally raised crown peak 128 compared to a traditional crown. In addition, the striking face 106 can be extended, creating an upper face extension 144, to take advantage of the locally raised crown peak 128. Additionally, the golf club head can include a locally lowered sole base 146. Additionally, the striking face 106 can be extended, creating a lower face extension 148, to take advantage of the locally lowered sole base 146. The unique crown and sole constructions along with the upper face extension 144 and lower face extension 146 increase the compliance of the striking face 106, increasing ballspeeds after impact and increasing the size of the sweet spot.
In describing the present technology herein, certain features that are described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.
Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

a posterior body portion comprising a crown and a sole, wherein said crown is connected to an upper portion of said striking face and said sole is connected to a lower portion of said striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising:

an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to the prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head;

a y-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said y-axis perpendicular to said ground plane, said y-axis extending in a positive direction upwards toward said crown;

a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;

wherein said golf club head comprises a golf club head interior, wherein said crown comprises an outer surface, said outer surface opposite said golf club head interior;

wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded at a prescribed lie and loft;

a plurality of points located on said outer surface of said crown, said plurality of points all located along a first plane parallel to said y-axis and said x-axis when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft, said first plane passing through said crown peak, said plurality of points comprising:

a Point A located at said crown peak;

a Point B located 10 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis;

a Point C located 20 mm heel-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis;

a Point D located 10 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis;

a Point E located 20 mm toe-ward from said Point A along an axis parallel to said x-axis;

wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less than or equal to 0.310;

wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and less than or equal to 0.392;

wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than the absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B; and

wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than the absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said crown peak is located less than 68 mm above said ground plane, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to 0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than or equal to 0.372.

3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.133 and less than or equal to 0.293, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.114 and less than or equal to 0.372.

4. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.122 and less than or equal to 0.261, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.105 and less than or equal to 0.330.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.028 and less than or equal to 0.193, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.046 and less than or equal to 0.148.

6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to 0.140.

7. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis, passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.

8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.

9. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising:

an x-axis parallel to a ground plane when said golf club head is grounded upon said ground plane according to a prescribed lie and loft of said golf club head, said x-axis substantially parallel to said striking face, said x-axis extending in a positive direction towards said heel of said golf club head;

wherein said crown comprises a crown peak, said crown peak defined as the highest point on said outer surface of said crown when said golf club head is grounded at said prescribed lie and loft;

a crown peak plane parallel to said ground plane, said crown peak plane passing through said crown peak;

a crown cutoff plane parallel to said crown peak plane, said crown cutoff plane offset downwards towards said ground plane 5 mm along said y-axis from said crown peak plane;

an upper crown portion located above said crown cutoff plane and defined by said crown cutoff plane and said outer surface of said crown;

wherein a volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 2 cm³and less than 7 cm³;

a Point A located at said crown peak;

10. (canceled)

11. The golf club head of claim 9, wherein said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm³and less than 6 cm³.

12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm³and less than 5 cm³.

13. The golf club head of claim 12, wherein said volume of said upper crown portion is greater than 3 cm³and less than 4 cm³.

14. The club head of claim 9, further comprising a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane, parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis, passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.05.

15. The club head of claim 14, wherein said ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.

16. A metalwood golf club head, comprising:

a striking face;

a hosel located on a heel side of said golf club head;

a toe side located opposite said heel side;

a coordinate system comprising:

a z-axis perpendicular to said x-axis, said z-axis perpendicular to said y-axis, said z-axis parallel to said ground plane, said z-axis extending in a positive direction forwards towards said striking face;

a Point A located at said crown peak;

17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point B and said Point C is greater than or equal to 0.117 and less than or equal to 0.310 and wherein the absolute value of the slope between said Point D and said Point E is greater than or equal to 0.100 and less than or equal to 0.392.

18. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point B is greater than or equal to 0.030 and less than or equal to 0.183, and wherein said absolute value of the slope between said Point A and said Point D is greater than or equal to 0.048 and less than or equal to 0.140.

19. The club head of claim 16, further comprising a variable face thickness profile on an inside of said striking face, said variable face thickness profile comprising a thick central portion surrounded by a transition portion, said transition portion surrounded by a thin perimeter portion of the striking face, wherein a second plane is parallel to said y-axis and said z-axis passes through a center of said thick central portion, wherein a third plane is parallel to said striking face at geometric face center, wherein a measurement axis is formed at the intersection of said second plane and said third plane, wherein a distance D3 represents the distance measured between the top of said thin perimeter portion to the top of said thick central portion along said measurement axis and a distance D4 represents the distance measured between the bottom of said thin perimeter portion to the bottom of said thick central portion along said measurement axis, wherein a ratio of said distance D3 over said Distance D4 is greater than 1.1 and less than 1.5.

20. The club head of claim 16, wherein said sole further comprises a flexure spaced from said striking face, said flexure comprising a front wall, an apex, and a rear wall, wherein said front wall and said rear wall both extend into said golf club head interior, and wherein said front wall and said rear wall are coupled at said apex.