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EP0729768A2 - Tête de club de golf - Google Patents

Tête de club de golf Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0729768A2
EP0729768A2 EP95118434A EP95118434A EP0729768A2 EP 0729768 A2 EP0729768 A2 EP 0729768A2 EP 95118434 A EP95118434 A EP 95118434A EP 95118434 A EP95118434 A EP 95118434A EP 0729768 A2 EP0729768 A2 EP 0729768A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
clubhead
hosel
wall
face
crown
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95118434A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Edward A. Hlinka
Dwight J. Niswander
Carl E. Scheie
Edward A. Schield
James L. Shenoha
Johnny Turner
Thomas A. Wozny
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wilson Sporting Goods Co
Original Assignee
Wilson Sporting Goods Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/393,061 external-priority patent/US5632695A/en
Application filed by Wilson Sporting Goods Co filed Critical Wilson Sporting Goods Co
Publication of EP0729768A2 publication Critical patent/EP0729768A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/02—Joint structures between the head and the shaft
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0466—Heads wood-type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0433—Heads with special sole configurations
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B53/00—Golf clubs
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • A63B53/0445—Details of grooves or the like on the impact surface

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a wood type of golf clubhead comprising a face, a sole, a crown, a toe wall, a heel wall and a hosel portion. More particularly the invention relates to a golf clubhead which has a recessed or inverted hosel portion, a hosel tube which is inserted into an opening in the hosel portion, an alignment groove for aligning the clubhead, a flat sole portion, and an aerodynamic shape.
  • Wood clubs of the wood type are no longer made only from wood. Such clubs are now commonly made from metal such as stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum and from composite material such as fibers of graphite, Kevlar, or boron and resin.
  • Many golf clubheads include a hosel which extends upwardly above the face of the clubhead for attaching the shaft of the clubhead.
  • a conventional hosel increases weight in the high heel area. It is becoming increasingly common for golf club designers to redistribute the weight of the clubhead to the high toe and low heel areas as taught, for example, by US-A-4,471,961 and US-A-5,120,062.
  • Some clubheads have used a shorter hosel to reduce weight in the high heel area.
  • U.S. Patent Nos. 5,042,806 and 5,240,252 describe clubheads in which the hosel does not extend above the face.
  • such a clubhead does not provide the same support for the shaft as does a clubhead with a traditional hosel.
  • the face of a wood type golf club has a low loft angle, and the grooves of the face are not easily apparent and usable for alignment at address.
  • Using the face grooves for alignment is also complicated by the fact that the face of most wood type clubheads is provided with bulge and roll curvature, as explained, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,471,961.
  • Many wood type golf clubs therefore include some alignment indicator such as a line or arrow on the top of the clubhead which indicates the intended line of flight.
  • some golfers prefer to use the face for aligning the clubhead square rather than relying on an indicator on top of the clubhead.
  • the hosel portion is including a recessed portion which extends from the crown and heel wall toward the sole.
  • the recessed portion may include a generally concave wall which is generally U-shaped in cross section in a plane which extends generally parallel to the face.
  • the clubhead may include a hosel tube which extends upwardly from the hosel portion.
  • the face includes inner and outer surfaces, and a boss inside of the clubhead which is integral with the inner surface of the face, the boss having a generally cylindrical bore which extends through the hosel portion, wherein preferably the boss may include a gate portion which is integral with the heel wall for casting the heel wall, the face, and the boss or wherein preferably the clubhead may include a hosel tube which is secured within the bore of the boss and extends upwardly from the hosel portion.
  • the invention relates also to a clubhead in which the face includes a top portion which merges with the crown, the clubhead being provided with an alignment groove adjacent the area of merger between the face and the crown, the alignment groove including a surface which lies in a plane which extends generally vertically when the clubhead is soled at address.
  • metal wood type clubhead comprises inside a boss which is integral with the inner surface of the face, the boss having a generally cylindrical bore which extends through the hosel portion, and a hosel tube which is secured within the bore of the boss and extends upwardly from the hosel portion.
  • the boss may include a gate portion which is integral with the heel wall for casting the heel wall, the face, and the boss.
  • a metal wood type clubhead the face of which is including a top portion which merges with the crown, the clubhead being provided with an alignment groove adjacent the area of merger between the face and the crown, the alignment groove including a surface which lies in a plane which extends generally vertically when the clubhead is soled at address.
  • a further embodiment of the metal wood type clubhead comprises a sole, the sole including a flat portion which is adapted to support the clubhead when the clubhead is soled on the ground at address, and a concave rear wall whic curves upwardly from the flat portion and away from the face and merges with the crown to form a curved rear edge.
  • the crown of this clubhead may merge with the toe wall and heel wall to form a curved toe edge and a curve heel edge which forms a continuous curved outer periphery with the rear edge, the toe wall and the crown forming an included angle at the toe edge which is no greater than about 90°.
  • the rear wall and the crown may form an included angle at the rear edge which is no greater than about 90°.
  • another clubhead is provided with an inverted or recessed hosel portion.
  • the inverted hosel portion includes a generally concave wall which curves toward the sole of the clubhead and reduces the weight in the high heel area.
  • the shaft is reinforced by a hosel tube which extends upwardly from the inverted hosel portion.
  • the hosel tube is formed from light yet strong material, such as titanium, to minimize the weight in the hosel portion.
  • a portion of the hosel tube coacts with the hosel portion to restrain relative rotation between the hosel tube and the hosel portion.
  • the clubhead is also provided with an alignment groove at the intersection of the face and the crown of the clubhead.
  • a portion of the alginment groove lies in a vertical plane which is perpendicular to the midplane of the clubhead and allows a golfer to align the clubhead square to the line of flight.
  • the sole includes a flat portion which supports the clubhead in the address position.
  • the toe portion and rear portion of the club extend upwardly from the flat portion to merge with the crown in a generally V-shaped aerodynamic profile.
  • the slot may extend diametrically across the bottom wall of the bore.
  • the lugs which have tapered side edges in one embodyment, may extend from the hosel tube at diametrically opposed locations.
  • the hosel tube should include a knurled portion inserted into the bore and/or a bottom edge between the lugs which is supported by the bottom wall of the bore.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a wood type of golf club 15 which includes a clubhead 16 and a shaft 17.
  • the particular clubhead illustrated is formed from metal, but the clubhead can also be formed from other material such as wood and composites.
  • the clubhead includes a face 19, a generally convex top portion or crown 20, and a generally convex bottom portion 21.
  • the top and bottom portions merge to form a curved peripheral edge 22 which is relatively sharp or streamlined ( Figures 2, 4, 5, and 6).
  • the bottom portion of the clubhead includes a sole 24, a toe wall 25 (Figure 2) which merges with the edge 22, a rear wall 26 ( Figures 4 and 5) which merges with the edge 22, and a heel wall 27 ( Figure 2) which merges with the edge 22.
  • Both the toe wall 25 and the rear wall 26 form a relatively sharp included angle with the crown 20 at the edge 22, i.e., an angle which is no greater than about 90°.
  • the sole 24 includes a flat portion or pad 29 ( Figures 2, 6, and 8).
  • the flat portion is designed to support the clubhead on the ground at address in the proper loft and lie orientation. Although individual golfers might hold a particular clubhead differently at address, clubheads are designed with specific loft and lie angles which are measured with respect to one orientation of the club. See, for example, the discussion in U.S. Patent No. 5,150,550.
  • the angle A between the centerline CL of the shaft and a horizontal ground plane G determines the lie of the clubhead.
  • the angle B between the face 19 and a vertical plane V determines the loft of the clubhead. If the face includes bulge and/or roll curvature and is not planar, the loft angle is determined by a plane which is tangent to the center of the face. The tangent plane extends perpendicularly to a vertical midplane MP which extends through the center of the face perpendicular to the ground plane G and the vertical plane V.
  • the flat portion 19 of the sole is coplanar with the ground plane G at address, and the size of the flat portion is preferably sufficient to provide tactile feedback to the golfer to enable the golfer to be aware of the correct address position.
  • a groove 30 ( Figure 8) is provided in the sole pad 29 to facilitate moving the flat portion through turf, soil, or sand as the clubhead impacts the ball, the groove is aligned with the midplane MP and terminates in a flared rear end 31.
  • the rear wall 26 is slightly convex in Figures 4-6 and curves upwardly and rearwardly from the sole pad 29 to the edge 22.
  • the toe wall 25 and heel wall 27 are also generally convex and curve outwardly and upwardly to the edge 22.
  • the toe portion 32 of the face ( Figure 2) is relative sharp and V-shaped, and the included angle of the V is about 90°.
  • a hosel portion 33 is located at the juncture between the crown 20 and the heel portion 34 of the face.
  • the hosel portion includes an inverted or recessed portion 35 which is provided by a generally arcuate or concave wall 36.
  • the concave wall 36 curves inwardly from the edge 22 toward the toe and upwardly toward the crown.
  • the concave wall is generally channel-shaped and extends along an axis 37 ( Figures 3 and 5) which is preferably substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane V at address.
  • the concave wall was circular and had a radius of about 1/2 inch.
  • the wall extended over an arc of about 90°.
  • the maximum depth of the recess measured from a line extending across the recess from the shoulder 38 at the crown to the shoulder 39 at the heel was about 0.15 inch.
  • a hosel tube 41 extends upwardly from the center of the inverted portion 37 beyond the top of the crown 20.
  • the shaft 17 is secured within the hosel tube by epoxy or adhesive.
  • the hosel tube is preferably formed from titanium which is strong yet lightweight. The titanium tube reinforces the shaft without contributing excessive weight to the high heel area.
  • the hosel tube can also be made of the same material as the clubhead, such as stainless steel and can also be formed integrally with the clubhead during the casting process.
  • the inverted portion 35 of the hosel reduces the amount of material and the weight in the hosel area.
  • the reduction in weight in the hosel area enables weight to be redistributed to other areas of the clubhead, for example the high toe and low heel areas.
  • the inverted portion also lowers the center of gravity of the clubhead and reduces drag or air resistance as the clubhead is swung.
  • the combination of the inverted portion and the streamlined or tear drop shaped profile provided by the sharp peripheral edge 22 improves the aerodynamic features of the clubhead.
  • the inverted hosel portion also positions the shaft centerline farther from the heel and closer to the center of gravity CG ( Figure 2) of the clubhead. Since the hosel tube 41 and the shaft extend through the center of the concave wall 36, the shaft is spaced away from the shoulder 39 on the heel.
  • the particular clubhead illustrated in Figures 1-11 is formed from 17-4 stainless steel by investment casting.
  • the investment casting process forms a hollow clubhead with an open bottom.
  • the opening in the bottom is closed by a soleplate which is welded to the periphery of the opening.
  • a generally cylindrical boss or lug 44 is formed integrally with the rear surface 45 of the face.
  • a portion of the boss advantageously extends to the heel wall 27 along the inside surface of the face to form an internal casting gate 46 for the molten metal which forms the clubhead.
  • a mold for casting a metal clubhead conventionally includes an external gate through which the molten metal is poured.
  • molds for large clubheads advantageously also include internal gates to facilitate flow of molten metal throughout the mold cavity.
  • the boss 44 is formed by an internal gate in the mold which communicates with the conventional external gate at the heel portion of the mold. The internal gate facilitates the casting of the boss, the face, and the crown and also provides weight in the low heel area of the clubhead.
  • the boss is cast with an internal cylindrical bore 47 ( Figure 9) for the hosel tube 41.
  • the hosel is permanently secured within the bore by epoxy.
  • the hosel can also be additionally or alternately secured by screw threads, mechanical force fit, interlock mechanism, etc.
  • the bore terminates in a bottom wall 48 which supports the bottom of the hosel tube and the shaft.
  • the bottom wall is provided with an opening 49 to permit the clubhead to be filled with polyurethane foam if desired.
  • the clubhead can also be cast from titanium or other suitable metal. Titanium is lighter than stainless steel and a titanium clubhead can be larger than a steel clubhead of the same weight. Since molten titanium flows more easily than molten steel, a titanium clubhead does not need an internal gate for the boss 44.
  • the boss of a titanium clubhead can be formed integrally with the rear surface of the face 52 of the clubhead but does not need to extend to the heel wall.
  • the front surface of the face 19 of the clubhead 16 is provided with conventional grooves 55 which are substantially parallel to the ground plane G.
  • the specific embodiment of the clubhead which is illustrated in the drawing included bulge and roll curvatures which were oriented about axes 45° from the ground plane as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,471,961.
  • An alignment groove, cut, or recess 56 is provided at the intersection between the face 19 and the crown 20.
  • the alignment groove curves upwardly between the toe portion and the heel portion of the edge 22 and forms the top edge of the face and the front edge of the crown.
  • the alignment groove includes a rear surface 57 which lies in a plane which is parallel to or substantially parallel to the vertical plane V.
  • the alignment groove is readily visible to the golfer at address and enables the golfer to align the clubhead by squaring the alignment groove to the intended line of flight. Even though the alignment groove follows the curvature of the crown 20, it appears straight or substantially straight to the golfer when viewed at address, particularly because the rear surface of the groove lies in a substantially vertical plane and is therefore substantially straight.
  • the plane of the alignment groove can be angled with respect to the face to provide an open or closed face when the alignment groove is squared in order to compensate for a hook or a slice.
  • the alignment groove is located at the intersection of the face and crown.
  • the alignment groove could also be located on the crown behind the face or on the face below the crown.
  • the alignment groove is preferably formed during the casting process.
  • alignment means could be provided by a painted or cut line or other indicia which extended substantially parallel to the vertical plane V.
  • FIG. 12-14 another embodiment of a clubhead 61 is similar to the clubhead 16.
  • the sole 62 of the clubhead 61 is not provided with a groove. Instead, the sole has a flat portion or pad 63 with a flat surface which supports the clubhead on the ground at address.
  • the hosel portion 64 of the clubhead includes a cylindrical boss 65 (Figure 18) which has a cylindrical bore 66 and a bottom wall 67 ( Figures 19 and 20).
  • the outside surface of the boss can be connected to the face or heel wall of the clubhead, or the boss can be formed independently of the face and heel wall.
  • the bottom wall is provided with a slot 68 which extends diametrically across the bottom of the bore.
  • a hosel tube 70 ( Figures 15-17) includes a cylindrical portion 71 and a pair of lugs 72 which extend from the bottom end of the tube. Each lug is formed as an extension of the cylindrical side wall of the tube and has an arcuate curvature (see Figure 17).
  • the hosel tube also includes a knurled portion 73 which is intended to be positioned in the bore 66 of the hosel portion of the clubhead.
  • the outside diameter of the hosel tube is slightly larger than the bore 66, and the lugs 72 are sized to fit relatively snugly into the slot 68 to substantially prevent rotation of the hosel tube within the bore.
  • the bottom edge 74 of the hosel tube between the lugs is supported by the bottom wall 67 of the bore.
  • the hosel tube can be secured within the bore by epoxy or adhesive.
  • the lugs prevent relative twisting between the hosel tube and the clubhead which could cause the adhesive bond to fracture.
  • the knurled portion 73 further strengthens the attachment between the hosel tube and the clubhead.
  • the hosel tube can bear printing or other indicia 75 which is positioned relative to the lugs 72 so that the lugs are aligned with the slot 68 when the indicia is properly oriented with respect to the clubhead.
  • the indicia can be positioned on the hosel tube so that when the indicia is facing the clubface, the lugs are aligned with the slot. Proper insertion of the hosel tube is thereby facilitated.
  • the side edges 76 of the lugs are also slightly tapered to facilitate insertion of the lugs into the slot.
  • a hosel tube 78 includes a cylindrical side wall 79 and a bottom wall 80 which is provided with a central opening 81.
  • a stainless steel thread-cutting Torx head screw 82 is inserted through the opening 81.
  • the hosel tube 78 is intended to be used with a clubhead of the type illustrated in Figures 9-11 which has an opening 49 in the bottom of the boss which provides the hosel tube bore.
  • the opening is smaller than the screw 82, and the hosel tube is attached to the clubhead by threading the screw into the opening.
  • a hosel tube 84 has a cylindrical side wall 85 and a bottom wall 86.
  • a projection 87 is formed on the bottom wall, and the projection has a non-circular periphery.
  • the projection has a rectangular periphery or side wall 88.
  • the bottom wall may optionally be provided with a central opening 89.
  • Figure 25 illustrates a clubhead boss 90 for the hosel tube 84.
  • the boss includes a cylindrical side wall 91 and a bottom wall 92.
  • a depression or socket 93 is formed in the top surface of the bottom wall and has a shape corresponding to the shape of the projection 87.
  • the bottom wall may also be provided with an opening 94.
  • the hosel tube 84 is inserted into the boss 90 so that the projection 87 is positioned in the socket 93 to prevent relative rotation between the hosel tube and the clubhead.
  • the hosel tube can be secured by adhesive or epoxy. Additional securement can be provided, if desired, by inserting a screw through the openings 89 and 94.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Golf Clubs (AREA)
EP95118434A 1995-03-01 1995-11-23 Tête de club de golf Withdrawn EP0729768A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US494992 1990-03-16
US08/393,061 US5632695A (en) 1995-03-01 1995-03-01 Golf clubhead
US49499295A 1995-07-26 1995-07-26
US393061 2003-03-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0729768A2 true EP0729768A2 (fr) 1996-09-04

Family

ID=27014144

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95118434A Withdrawn EP0729768A2 (fr) 1995-03-01 1995-11-23 Tête de club de golf

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0729768A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP3023452U (fr)
KR (1) KR960030521U (fr)
AU (1) AU3306395A (fr)
CA (1) CA2157614A1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ280397A (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP3505348B2 (ja) 1997-04-25 2004-03-08 マグレガーゴルフジャパン株式会社 ゴルフクラブ用ヘッドおよびこのヘッドを用いたゴルフクラブ
US8758156B2 (en) 2009-05-13 2014-06-24 Nike, Inc. Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features
US8366565B2 (en) 2009-05-13 2013-02-05 Nike, Inc. Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features
US8702531B2 (en) * 2009-05-13 2014-04-22 Nike, Inc. Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic hosel
US8162775B2 (en) 2009-05-13 2012-04-24 Nike, Inc. Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features
US8821309B2 (en) 2009-05-13 2014-09-02 Nike, Inc. Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features
JP5787594B2 (ja) * 2011-04-25 2015-09-30 ダンロップスポーツ株式会社 ゴルフクラブヘッド及びゴルフクラブ
JP6640328B2 (ja) 2015-08-13 2020-02-05 カーステン マニュファクチュアリング コーポレーション 空力抵抗を低下させる移行領域を備えたゴルフクラブヘッド
JP6708394B2 (ja) 2015-11-06 2020-06-10 ブリヂストンスポーツ株式会社 ゴルフクラブヘッド

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4471961A (en) 1982-09-15 1984-09-18 Pepsico, Inc. Golf club with bulge radius and increased moment of inertia about an inclined axis
US5042806A (en) 1989-12-29 1991-08-27 Callaway Golf Company Golf club with neckless metal head
US5120062A (en) 1990-07-26 1992-06-09 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Golf club head with high toe and low heel weighting
US5150550A (en) 1990-02-09 1992-09-29 Guy Rionde Silo made of suspended sheets
US5240252A (en) 1990-10-16 1993-08-31 Callaway Golf Company Hollow, metallic golf club head with relieved sole and dendritic structure
US5346218A (en) 1993-09-28 1994-09-13 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Metal wood golf club with permanently attached internal gates

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4471961A (en) 1982-09-15 1984-09-18 Pepsico, Inc. Golf club with bulge radius and increased moment of inertia about an inclined axis
US5042806A (en) 1989-12-29 1991-08-27 Callaway Golf Company Golf club with neckless metal head
US5150550A (en) 1990-02-09 1992-09-29 Guy Rionde Silo made of suspended sheets
US5120062A (en) 1990-07-26 1992-06-09 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Golf club head with high toe and low heel weighting
US5240252A (en) 1990-10-16 1993-08-31 Callaway Golf Company Hollow, metallic golf club head with relieved sole and dendritic structure
US5346218A (en) 1993-09-28 1994-09-13 Wilson Sporting Goods Co. Metal wood golf club with permanently attached internal gates

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3306395A (en) 1996-09-05
CA2157614A1 (fr) 1996-09-02
NZ280397A (en) 1997-03-24
JP3023452U (ja) 1996-04-16
KR960030521U (ko) 1996-10-22

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