[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1601421A2 - Golf club head of ductile or gray iron - Google Patents

Golf club head of ductile or gray iron

Info

Publication number
EP1601421A2
EP1601421A2 EP04715630A EP04715630A EP1601421A2 EP 1601421 A2 EP1601421 A2 EP 1601421A2 EP 04715630 A EP04715630 A EP 04715630A EP 04715630 A EP04715630 A EP 04715630A EP 1601421 A2 EP1601421 A2 EP 1601421A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
club head
golf club
range
iron
ductile iron
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Withdrawn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
EP04715630A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Nathaniel Joel Radcliffe
Daniel Joseph Stone
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.)
Roger Cleveland Golf Co Inc
Original Assignee
Roger Cleveland Golf Co Inc
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
Application filed by Roger Cleveland Golf Co Inc filed Critical Roger Cleveland Golf Co Inc
Publication of EP1601421A2 publication Critical patent/EP1601421A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • A63B53/04—Heads
    • 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
    • A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
    • A63B53/042—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
    • 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
    • A63B53/047—Heads iron-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
    • A63B53/0408—Heads characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
    • 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
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
    • A63B2102/32—Golf
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
    • A63B2209/02—Characteristics of used materials with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
    • 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
    • A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
    • 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
    • A63B53/0487—Heads for putters
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B60/00—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
    • A63B60/54—Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like with means for damping vibrations

Definitions

  • Many conventional golf club heads and striking face inserts used in golf club heads are constructed of various materials such as steel, non-ferrous metallic alloys, titanium, aluminum, composites, plastics, rubbers, and the like.
  • Disadvantages often associated with golf club heads and inserts made of materials conventionally utilized in the golf club making art include a "harsh" feel imparted to the golfer during and immediately after impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, poor durability, poor machinability, poor wear resistance, insufficient weight budget associated with using high-density materials in designing clubs within a specific weight constraint, significant dimensional differences between the master model and the net part resulting from the casting process, and high costs of manufacture.
  • the present invention is a golf club head made from materials designed to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and defects in prior art golf club materials and designs .
  • the advantageous golf club head of the present invention is typically made of a ferrous metal or cast ferrous metal having a specific desired density. More specifically, that ferrous metal may be a ductile iron or gray iron.
  • the advantageous ferrous material may be present throughout the club head, or in a portion of the club head such as an insert in the ball hitting face of a club head, wherein the remainder of the club head may be a similar or different material .
  • Fig. 1A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention
  • Fig. IB is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert;
  • Fig. 2A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention
  • Fig. 2B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert;
  • Fig. 3A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention;
  • Fig. 3B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert;
  • Fig. 4A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention
  • Fig. 4B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert.
  • the present invention relates to iron-type, wedge- type, metal wood-type or putter-type golf club heads, or inserts for such heads, comprising a ferrous metal, more particularly comprising ductile iron or gray iron.
  • a ferrous metal more particularly comprising ductile iron or gray iron.
  • Such metals may include high nickel ductile iron, high- silicon ductile iron, annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron.
  • Ductile iron is a cast iron that has been treated to include magnesium, cerium, or a rare earth alloy (atomic nos . 57-71) during the casting process to cause substantially all of its graphitic carbon to take the form of spheroids or nodules within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition.
  • graphite nodules are suspended in a matrix of ferrite and pearlite, with the occasional presence of carbides.
  • annealing process commonly known to those skilled in the metallurgical arts, pearlite and carbides are transformed to a mostly ferrite microstructure.
  • the newly-formed ferrite surrounds the graphite nodules formed during the casting process, and yields a moderate-strength alloy with high ductility, improved damping capacity, and approximately 10% lower density than ordinary steels.
  • Austempered ductile iron is a ductile cast iron that has been produced by a known controlled thermal process, which results in a matrix microstructure comprising graphite nodules suspended in predominantly acicular ferrite and high carbon austenite. This microstructure provides increased strength over as-cast or annealed ductile iron, while preserving adequate elongatio .
  • Gray iron is a cast iron, untreated with graphite- spheroidizing inoculants, wherein substantially all of the graphitic carbon forms as flakes within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition.
  • This flake graphite structure within the ferrous matrix provides many of the beneficial properties of the material, including outstanding damping capacity, excellent wear resistance and machinability, along with reduced density relative to other errous materials .
  • the damping capacity of gray iron is as much as 125 times greater than that of ordinary steels .
  • Golf club heads of the present invention preferably comprise ductile iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight:
  • Golf club heads of the present invention may also preferably comprise gray iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight:
  • Figs. 1A through 4B may have any of the exemplary forms schematically illustrated in Figs. 1A through 4B.
  • Figs. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A respectively, schematically illustrate substantially integral club heads of the iron-type 10, wedge-type 20, metal wood-type 30, and putter-type 40, respectively.
  • Figs. IB, 2B, 3B, and 4B respectively, schematically illustrate iron-type 12, wedge-type 22, metal wood-type 32, and putter-type 42 club heads, each including ball hitting face insert 14, 24, 34, 44, respectively.
  • a club head body 12, 22, 32, 42 comprises ductile iron
  • face insert 14, 24, 34, or 44 may comprise a different material such as a non-ferrous metal alloy, such as an aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or the like, a ceramic material, stainless steel, hardened steel or the like.
  • the insert may be press fitted into the club head body and may be welded, adhered with adhesive or otherwise bonded thereto.
  • the entire club head body 10, 20, 30 or 40 may comprise ductile iron or gray iron, except the hosel 16, 26, 36 or 46 and/or hosel- club head body junction region 17, 27, 37 or 47, may comprise a bendable, high-elongation stainless steel or low density stainless or carbon steel, to facilitate bending of the hosel to accommodate club fitting to a particular player .
  • hitting face insert 14 , 24 , 34 or 44 comprises ductile iron or gray iron
  • club head body 12, 22 , 32 or 42 may comprise a different material such as stainless steel, carbon steel, composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composite material, non- ferrous metal alloys such as aluminum alloys, copper alloys, manganese alloy, and the like.
  • the ductile iron as cast or heat treated may have an ASTM 897 Grade selected from the group including grades 125/80/10; 150/100/07; 175/125/04; 200/155/01; and 230/185/00.
  • the ductile iron may have an ASTM A536 Grade selected from the group including grades 60-40-18; 65-45-12; 80-55- 06; 100-70-03; and 120-90-02.
  • the gray iron may have an ASTM Tension Grade selected from the group including grades 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60.
  • the golf club heads of the present invention may comprise a ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm 3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 .
  • Such golf club heads will preferably have a density in the range greater than about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 , and even more preferably in the range greater than about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 .
  • Still more preferably, such golf club heads will have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 , and most preferably have a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 .
  • the golf club head of the present invention may have a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 . More preferably, that density will be in the range from about 6.5 to about 7.4 g/cm 3 , and even more preferably in the range from about 6.8 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 . Still more preferably, such golf club heads of the present invention will have density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 , and most preferably a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 .
  • the ductile iron will have a tensile strength in the range of up to about 240 ksi.
  • that tensile strength will be a range from about 30 to 240 ksi and more preferably in a range of about 30 to about 140 ksi, still more preferably in a range of about 30 to 100 ksi and even more preferably within a range from about 50 to about 85 ksi .
  • the tensile strength of the ductile iron may also be in a preferable range from about 100 to about 165 ksi.
  • the ductile iron when the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron will preferably have a 0.2% offset yield strength in the range from about 30 to about 210 ksi. More preferably, that 0.2% offset yield strength will be in the range from about 30 to 70 ksi. That 0.2% yield strength may still more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 130 ksi, and even more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 65 ksi. Another preferable 0.2% offset yield strength range is in the range from about 80 to about 185 ksi.
  • the ductile iron may have an elongation in the range up to about 28%.
  • that elongation will be in the range from about 4 to 25%, more preferably in the range from about 7 to about 25%, even more preferably in the range from about 12 to about 25%, and most preferably in the range from about 15 to about 25%.
  • the density of the ductile iron will preferably be in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 , and most preferably will be in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 .
  • the golf club head of the present invention is formed by casting a ductile iron material
  • that ductile iron should have a cast shrink rate in the range between about 0.5% and about 1%, and that cast shrink rate is preferably about 0.7%.
  • the ductile iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 20 to about 25 msi. That modulus of elasticity is preferably in the range from about 22 to about 23.5 msi.
  • the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron
  • that ductile iron should have a Poisson' s ratio in the range from about 0.23 to about 0.27.
  • the ductile iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 120 to about 810. That number will more preferably be in the range from about 300 to about 460. Another preferable range is from about 120 to about 300.
  • the ductile iron material should have a vibratory decay time of 90% or less of that for typical stainless steels .
  • the gray iron should have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.3 g/cm 3 , and preferably in the range from about 7.1 to about 7.2 g/cm 3 .
  • the tensile strength of the gray iron should be in the range up to 80 ksi, preferably in the range from about 15 to about 60 ksi, and even more preferably in the range from about 20 to about 40 ksi.
  • the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron
  • the gray iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 10 to about 25 msi .
  • the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron
  • the gray iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 100 to 350, and preferably in the range from about 100 to about 250.
  • the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron
  • the gray iron should have a vibratory damping capacity that is 2 to 125 times that of ordinary stainless steels .
  • the advantageous materials of the present invention have an increased strength-to-weight ratio, a relatively low density, adequate elongation characteristics and relatively low cost vis-a-vis other club head materials .
  • these materials When used in the desired club head manufacturing techniques, these materials exhibit excellent castability with minimal shrinkage and thus minimal net dimensional differences between the club head master model and the net part resulting from the casting process . They also exhibit good machinability to facilitate final shaping and finishing, and a wide range of mechanical property manipulation capabilities through composition variations and heat treatment techniques. And, these manufacturing advantages are achievable at lower manufacturing costs.
  • the club heads of the present invention manufactured from ductile iron or gray iron material enjoy the advantages of excellent durability and wear resistance presented by those materials.
  • golf clubs according to the present invention possess improved wear-resistance characteristics associated with comparatively-great hardness values of annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron, whose measured hardness is comparable to, and in many cases greater than, that of typical carbon or stainless steels .
  • the excellent damping capacity and other characteristics of these materials provide the inventive club heads made therefrom the ability to exhibit excellent "feel” to the golfer using such clubs , both during and immediately after such an inventive club head impacts a golf ball .
  • the current understanding and expectation in the golf club-making art is that a perceived "soft" feel at impact with the ball is generally related to the measured hardness of the club-head material — the greater the material hardness, the “harsher” the feel, and vice versa.
  • the enhanced material damping capacity and reduced density (which permits advantageous localization of mass) of ductile iron or gray iron provide an unexpected noticeable improvement in feel , at ball impact, to the golfer. This improvement in feel is beyond the typical correlation to measured hardness expected by those skilled in the golf club- making art.

Landscapes

  • 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)

Abstract

A golf club head made of a ferrous metal and having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm3, and such heads made of a cast ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm3. The entire golf club head may be made of such ferrous metal. Or, the ferrous metal is preferably a ductile iron or gray iron. The ferrous metal may be present as an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head, and the body of the club head may be a material different from the ferrous material. Or, the body of the club head may be made of the ferrous metal and the ball hitting face of the club head may be a different material.

Description

GOLF CLUB HEAD OF DUCTILE OR GRAY IRON
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/449,832, filed February 27, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/507,084, filed October 1, 2003, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many conventional golf club heads and striking face inserts used in golf club heads are constructed of various materials such as steel, non-ferrous metallic alloys, titanium, aluminum, composites, plastics, rubbers, and the like. Disadvantages often associated with golf club heads and inserts made of materials conventionally utilized in the golf club making art include a "harsh" feel imparted to the golfer during and immediately after impact between the golf club head and a golf ball, poor durability, poor machinability, poor wear resistance, insufficient weight budget associated with using high-density materials in designing clubs within a specific weight constraint, significant dimensional differences between the master model and the net part resulting from the casting process, and high costs of manufacture.
Hence, the need still exists for golf club materials and designs that minimize the above-recited disadvantages and offer beneficial characteristics such as improved material damping capacity, castability, wear resistance, increased strength-to-weight ratio, reduced density relative to other ferrous materials , adequate elongation, acceptance of surface treatment and plating, a wide range of mechanical-property- manipulation capabilities, low material cost, reduced shrinkage and near-net shape casting.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a golf club head made from materials designed to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings and defects in prior art golf club materials and designs . The advantageous golf club head of the present invention is typically made of a ferrous metal or cast ferrous metal having a specific desired density. More specifically, that ferrous metal may be a ductile iron or gray iron. The advantageous ferrous material may be present throughout the club head, or in a portion of the club head such as an insert in the ball hitting face of a club head, wherein the remainder of the club head may be a similar or different material .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing advantages and further features of the present invention will be further understood from the following drawings, which include illustrations of golf club heads which may comprise preferred embodiments of the advantageous system of the present invention, wherein
Fig. 1A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention;
Fig. IB is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary iron-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert;
Fig. 2A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention;
Fig. 2B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary wedge-type golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert; Fig. 3A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention;
Fig. 3B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary metal wood-type club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert;
Fig. 4A is a front or hitting face view of an exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention;
Fig. 4B is another front or hitting face view of another exemplary putter golf club head which may embody the present invention, wherein the hitting face includes an insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to iron-type, wedge- type, metal wood-type or putter-type golf club heads, or inserts for such heads, comprising a ferrous metal, more particularly comprising ductile iron or gray iron. Such metals may include high nickel ductile iron, high- silicon ductile iron, annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron.
Ductile iron is a cast iron that has been treated to include magnesium, cerium, or a rare earth alloy (atomic nos . 57-71) during the casting process to cause substantially all of its graphitic carbon to take the form of spheroids or nodules within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition. In the as-cast condition, graphite nodules are suspended in a matrix of ferrite and pearlite, with the occasional presence of carbides. Using the annealing process commonly known to those skilled in the metallurgical arts, pearlite and carbides are transformed to a mostly ferrite microstructure. The newly-formed ferrite surrounds the graphite nodules formed during the casting process, and yields a moderate-strength alloy with high ductility, improved damping capacity, and approximately 10% lower density than ordinary steels.
Austempered ductile iron is a ductile cast iron that has been produced by a known controlled thermal process, which results in a matrix microstructure comprising graphite nodules suspended in predominantly acicular ferrite and high carbon austenite. This microstructure provides increased strength over as-cast or annealed ductile iron, while preserving adequate elongatio .
Gray iron is a cast iron, untreated with graphite- spheroidizing inoculants, wherein substantially all of the graphitic carbon forms as flakes within a predominantly iron-silicon matrix in the as-cast condition. This flake graphite structure within the ferrous matrix provides many of the beneficial properties of the material, including outstanding damping capacity, excellent wear resistance and machinability, along with reduced density relative to other errous materials . The damping capacity of gray iron is as much as 125 times greater than that of ordinary steels .
Golf club heads of the present invention preferably comprise ductile iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight:
2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon,
1.5 to 5.5 wt% silicon,
0 to 1 wt% copper, less than 0.1 wt% magnesium, less than 0.15 wt% phosphorous, with most of the remainder being iron.
Golf club heads of the present invention may also preferably comprise gray iron having compositions within the following ranges of percentages by weight:
2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon,
1.5 to 3.5 wt% silicon, less than 1 wt% copper, less than 2 wt% manganese, less than 2.5 wt% nickel, with most of the remainder being iron. Golf club heads of the present invention may have any of the exemplary forms schematically illustrated in Figs. 1A through 4B. Figs. 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A, respectively, schematically illustrate substantially integral club heads of the iron-type 10, wedge-type 20, metal wood-type 30, and putter-type 40, respectively. Figs. IB, 2B, 3B, and 4B, respectively, schematically illustrate iron-type 12, wedge-type 22, metal wood-type 32, and putter-type 42 club heads, each including ball hitting face insert 14, 24, 34, 44, respectively.
Where a club head body 12, 22, 32, 42, comprises ductile iron, face insert 14, 24, 34, or 44 may comprise a different material such as a non-ferrous metal alloy, such as an aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or the like, a ceramic material, stainless steel, hardened steel or the like. Depending on the material composition of the insert, the insert may be press fitted into the club head body and may be welded, adhered with adhesive or otherwise bonded thereto.
In urther embodiments , the entire club head body 10, 20, 30 or 40 may comprise ductile iron or gray iron, except the hosel 16, 26, 36 or 46 and/or hosel- club head body junction region 17, 27, 37 or 47, may comprise a bendable, high-elongation stainless steel or low density stainless or carbon steel, to facilitate bending of the hosel to accommodate club fitting to a particular player .
Where hitting face insert 14 , 24 , 34 or 44 comprises ductile iron or gray iron, club head body 12, 22 , 32 or 42 may comprise a different material such as stainless steel, carbon steel, composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced composite material, non- ferrous metal alloys such as aluminum alloys, copper alloys, manganese alloy, and the like.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron as cast or heat treated may have an ASTM 897 Grade selected from the group including grades 125/80/10; 150/100/07; 175/125/04; 200/155/01; and 230/185/00. Similarly, the ductile iron may have an ASTM A536 Grade selected from the group including grades 60-40-18; 65-45-12; 80-55- 06; 100-70-03; and 120-90-02.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron may have an ASTM Tension Grade selected from the group including grades 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60.
The golf club heads of the present invention may comprise a ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm3. Such golf club heads will preferably have a density in the range greater than about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm3, and even more preferably in the range greater than about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3. Still more preferably, such golf club heads will have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3, and most preferably have a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm3.
When the golf club head of the present invention comprises a cast ferrous metal, it may have a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm3. More preferably, that density will be in the range from about 6.5 to about 7.4 g/cm3, and even more preferably in the range from about 6.8 to about 7.2 g/cm3. Still more preferably, such golf club heads of the present invention will have density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3, and most preferably a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm3.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron will have a tensile strength in the range of up to about 240 ksi. Preferably, that tensile strength will be a range from about 30 to 240 ksi and more preferably in a range of about 30 to about 140 ksi, still more preferably in a range of about 30 to 100 ksi and even more preferably within a range from about 50 to about 85 ksi . The tensile strength of the ductile iron may also be in a preferable range from about 100 to about 165 ksi. Further, when the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron will preferably have a 0.2% offset yield strength in the range from about 30 to about 210 ksi. More preferably, that 0.2% offset yield strength will be in the range from about 30 to 70 ksi. That 0.2% yield strength may still more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 130 ksi, and even more preferably be in the range from about 40 to about 65 ksi. Another preferable 0.2% offset yield strength range is in the range from about 80 to about 185 ksi.
When the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron may have an elongation in the range up to about 28%. Preferably, that elongation will be in the range from about 4 to 25%, more preferably in the range from about 7 to about 25%, even more preferably in the range from about 12 to about 25%, and most preferably in the range from about 15 to about 25%.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the density of the ductile iron will preferably be in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3, and most preferably will be in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm3.
When the golf club head of the present invention is formed by casting a ductile iron material, that ductile iron should have a cast shrink rate in the range between about 0.5% and about 1%, and that cast shrink rate is preferably about 0.7%.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 20 to about 25 msi. That modulus of elasticity is preferably in the range from about 22 to about 23.5 msi.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, that ductile iron should have a Poisson' s ratio in the range from about 0.23 to about 0.27.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 120 to about 810. That number will more preferably be in the range from about 300 to about 460. Another preferable range is from about 120 to about 300.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises ductile iron, the ductile iron material should have a vibratory decay time of 90% or less of that for typical stainless steels .
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.3 g/cm3, and preferably in the range from about 7.1 to about 7.2 g/cm3.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the tensile strength of the gray iron should be in the range up to 80 ksi, preferably in the range from about 15 to about 60 ksi, and even more preferably in the range from about 20 to about 40 ksi.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 10 to about 25 msi .
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 100 to 350, and preferably in the range from about 100 to about 250.
Where the golf club head of the present invention comprises gray iron, the gray iron should have a vibratory damping capacity that is 2 to 125 times that of ordinary stainless steels .
The advantageous materials of the present invention have an increased strength-to-weight ratio, a relatively low density, adequate elongation characteristics and relatively low cost vis-a-vis other club head materials . When used in the desired club head manufacturing techniques, these materials exhibit excellent castability with minimal shrinkage and thus minimal net dimensional differences between the club head master model and the net part resulting from the casting process . They also exhibit good machinability to facilitate final shaping and finishing, and a wide range of mechanical property manipulation capabilities through composition variations and heat treatment techniques. And, these manufacturing advantages are achievable at lower manufacturing costs.
Thus , the club heads of the present invention manufactured from ductile iron or gray iron material enjoy the advantages of excellent durability and wear resistance presented by those materials. Furthermore, golf clubs according to the present invention possess improved wear-resistance characteristics associated with comparatively-great hardness values of annealed ductile iron, austempered ductile iron, and gray iron, whose measured hardness is comparable to, and in many cases greater than, that of typical carbon or stainless steels .
Ultimately, the excellent damping capacity and other characteristics of these materials provide the inventive club heads made therefrom the ability to exhibit excellent "feel" to the golfer using such clubs , both during and immediately after such an inventive club head impacts a golf ball . The current understanding and expectation in the golf club-making art is that a perceived "soft" feel at impact with the ball is generally related to the measured hardness of the club-head material — the greater the material hardness, the "harsher" the feel, and vice versa. However, in spite of comparatively-great hardness values, the enhanced material damping capacity and reduced density (which permits advantageous localization of mass) of ductile iron or gray iron provide an unexpected noticeable improvement in feel , at ball impact, to the golfer. This improvement in feel is beyond the typical correlation to measured hardness expected by those skilled in the golf club- making art.
Those skilled in the art of golf club manufacture will appreciate that minor changes in the details of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention which is de ined by the following claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A golf club head comprising a cast ferrous metal having a density in the range from about 5 to about 7.4 g/cm3.
2. A golf club head comprising a ferrous metal and having a density in the range from about 5 to about 6.8 g/cm3 and from about 7.0 to about 7.4 g/cm3.
3. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2 , wherein the ferrous metal is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
4. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material di ferent from the ferrous material .
5. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2 , wherein the body of the club head comprises the ferrous metal and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material .
6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the ball hitting face includes an insert which comprises a material selected from the group consisting of non- ferrous metal alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, copper alloys, manganese alloys, ceramic materials, stainless steel, carbon steel, hardened steel, non-metallic composite materials, and carbon fiber reinforced materials .
7. The golf club head of claim 5 , wherein the ball hitting face includes an insert which comprises the different material, and at least one of the hosel portion and club head body/hosel junction portion of the club head comprises a material that is more bendable than the remainder of the club head body.
8. The golf club head of claim 2 , having a density in the range greater than 7.0 to 7.4 g/cm3.
9. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2 , having a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3.
10. The golf club head of either of claims 1 or 2, having a density in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm3.
11. A golf club head comprising ductile iron.
12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the ductile iron is selected from the group consisting of high-nickel ductile iron, high-silicon ductile iron, annealed ductile iron, and austempered ductile iron.
13. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material different from the ductile iron.
15. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the body of the club head comprises ductile iron and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material .
16. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a tensile strength in the range up to about 240 ksi.
17. The golf club head of claim 16, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 240 ksi.
18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 140 ksi.
19. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 30 to about 100 ksi.
20. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 50 to about 85 ksi.
21. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the tensile strength is in the range of from about 100 to about 165 ksi.
22. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a 0.2% offset yield strength in the range from about 30 to about 210 ksi.
23. The golf club head of claim 22 , wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 30 to about 70 ksi.
24. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 40 to about 65 ksi.
25. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 40 to about 130 ksi.
26. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the 0.2% offset yield strength is in the range from about 80 to about 185 ksi.
27. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an elongation in the range up to 28%.
28. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 4 to about 28%.
29. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 7 to about 25%.
30. The golf club head of claim 27, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 12 to about 25%.
31. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the elongation is in the range from about 15 to 25%.
32. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an ASTM 897 Grade selected from the group consisting of 125/80/10; 150/100/07; 175/125/04; 200/155/01; and 230/185/00.
33. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has an ASTM A536 Grade selected from the group consisting of 60-40-18; 65-45- 12; 80-55-06; 100-70-03; and 120-90-02.
34. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a density in the range rom about 7.0 to about 7.2 g/cm3.
35. The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the density is in the range from about 7.06 to about 7.1 g/cm3.
36. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a vibratory decay time of 90% or less of that for stainless steel.
37. A golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a cast shrink rate of between about 0.5% and about 1%.
38. A golf club head of claim 37, wherein the cast shrink rate is about 0.7%.
39. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12 , wherein the ductile iron has a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 20 to about 28 msi .
40. The golf club head of claim 39, wherein the modulus of elasticity is in the range from about 22 to about 26 msi.
41. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a Poisson's ratio in the range from about 0.23 to about 0.27.
42. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a Brinell Hardness Number in range from about 120 to about 810.
43. The golf club head of claim 42, wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 300 to about 460.
44. The golf club head of claim 42, wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 120 to about 300.
45. The golf club head of either of claims 11 and 12, wherein the ductile iron has a chemical composition by weight within the ranges :
2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 5.5 wt% silicon, 0 to 1 wt% copper, less than 0.1 wt% magnesium, less than 0.15 wt% phosphorous , with most of the remainder being iron.
46. A golf club head comprising gray iron.
47. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron is present in the form of an insert in the ball hitting face of the club head.
48. The golf club of claim 47, wherein the ball hitting face insert comprising gray iron is attached to a recessed or open portion of the golf club head.
49. The golf club head of claim 48, wherein the face insert is attached to the club head by a means selected from the group consisting of: a weld, a mechanical locking fit, an adhesive bond, an adhesive tape bond, and any combination thereof.
50. The golf club head of claim 47, wherein the body of the club head comprises a material different from the gray iron.
51. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the body of the club head comprises gray iron and the ball hitting face of the club head comprises a different material .
52. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range up to 80 ksi .
53. The golf club head of claim 52 , wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range from about 15 to about 60 ksi .
54. The golf club head of claim 52 , wherein the gray iron has a tensile strength in the range from about 20 to about 40 ksi.
55. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has an ASTM Tension Grade selected from the group consisting of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60.
56. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a density in the range from about 7.0 to about 7.3 g/cm3.
57. The golf club head of claim 49, wherein the density is in the range from about 7.1 to about 7.2 g/cm3.
58. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a damping capacity that is 2 to 125 times that of stainless steel .
59. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a modulus of elasticity in the range from about 10 to about 25 msi.
60. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a Brinell Hardness Number in the range from about 100 to about 350.
61. The golf club head of claim 60 , wherein the Brinell Hardness Number is in the range from about 100 to about 250.
62. The golf club head of claim 46, wherein the gray iron has a chemical composition by weight within the ranges :
2.8 to 4.3 wt% carbon, 1.5 to 3.5 wt% silicon, less than 1 wt% copper, less than 2 wt% manganese, less than 2.5 wt% nickel, with most of the remainder being iron.
EP04715630A 2003-02-27 2004-02-27 Golf club head of ductile or gray iron Withdrawn EP1601421A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44983203P 2003-02-27 2003-02-27
US449832P 2003-02-27
US50708403P 2003-10-01 2003-10-01
US507084P 2003-10-01
PCT/US2004/005702 WO2004076002A2 (en) 2003-02-27 2004-02-27 Golf club head of ductile or gray iron

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1601421A2 true EP1601421A2 (en) 2005-12-07

Family

ID=32930528

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04715630A Withdrawn EP1601421A2 (en) 2003-02-27 2004-02-27 Golf club head of ductile or gray iron

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US20040171434A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1601421A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2006519065A (en)
KR (1) KR20050103309A (en)
AU (1) AU2004216125A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2517342A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2414192B (en)
TW (1) TWI270395B (en)
WO (1) WO2004076002A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7771288B2 (en) * 2003-08-13 2010-08-10 Acushnet Company Golf club head with face insert
US8858364B2 (en) * 2005-03-04 2014-10-14 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. Welded iron-type clubhead with thin high-cor face
US7491136B2 (en) * 2005-03-04 2009-02-17 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. Low-density FeAlMn alloy golf-club heads and golf clubs comprising same
SE531107C2 (en) * 2006-12-16 2008-12-23 Indexator Ab Method
US7794333B2 (en) 2008-02-21 2010-09-14 Sri Sports Limited Strike face insert
US8366566B1 (en) * 2009-12-07 2013-02-05 Callaway Golf Company Iron-type golf club with vibration damping
US9802089B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-10-31 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc Iron type golf club head and set
GB201310278D0 (en) * 2013-06-10 2013-07-24 Golphin Ltd Golf club
US9283448B2 (en) * 2013-08-20 2016-03-15 Nike Inc. Golf club head with polymeric face
US9427636B1 (en) * 2015-09-04 2016-08-30 Callaway Golf Company Golf club head manufacturing method
US10537770B2 (en) * 2015-12-27 2020-01-21 Karsten Manufacturing Corporation Golf club heads with stronger, more flexible, and lighter materials
US11123614B2 (en) * 2019-06-24 2021-09-21 Sacks Parente Golf Company, LLC Magnesium golf clubhead insert

Family Cites Families (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3155498A (en) * 1961-12-27 1964-11-03 Bethlehem Steel Corp Ductile iron and method of making same
JPH01176467U (en) * 1988-05-31 1989-12-15
US5855525A (en) * 1992-11-23 1999-01-05 Turner; Terry S. Golf club
US6183381B1 (en) * 1995-04-13 2001-02-06 Textron Systems Corporation Fiber-reinforced metal striking insert for golf club heads
US5833551A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-11-10 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. Iron golf club head
US5839975A (en) * 1997-01-22 1998-11-24 Black Rock Golf Corporation Arch reinforced golf club head
US6527650B2 (en) * 1997-10-23 2003-03-04 Callaway Golf Company Internal weighting for a composite golf club head
JPH11216205A (en) * 1997-11-21 1999-08-10 Daiwa Juko Kk Golf putter
US5954596A (en) * 1997-12-04 1999-09-21 Karsten Manufacturing Corporation Golf club head with reinforced front wall
US6093112A (en) * 1998-02-09 2000-07-25 Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc. Correlated set of golf clubs
US6723279B1 (en) * 1999-03-15 2004-04-20 Materials And Electrochemical Research (Mer) Corporation Golf club and other structures, and novel methods for making such structures
US6464599B1 (en) * 1999-04-20 2002-10-15 California Institute Of Technology Golf club putter
US6273831B1 (en) * 1999-09-03 2001-08-14 Callaway Golf Company Golf club head with a polymer insert
US6491592B2 (en) * 1999-11-01 2002-12-10 Callaway Golf Company Multiple material golf club head
US6431993B1 (en) * 2000-02-23 2002-08-13 The Nirvana Group, L.L.C. Golf club hosel interface having bendable section for customizing lie and face angles
US6386991B1 (en) * 2000-09-15 2002-05-14 Callaway Golf Company Dual density polymer putter
TW460591B (en) * 2000-11-09 2001-10-21 Ota Precision Ind Co Ltd Low-density and high-ductility of iron based materials for golf head
GB2373733B (en) * 2001-03-15 2004-08-18 Douglas Boyd Buchanan Putter head with pre-machined insert
US6517445B1 (en) * 2001-08-14 2003-02-11 O'neill Mike Combination golf club and weeding device

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2004076002A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2004216125A1 (en) 2004-09-10
GB2414192A (en) 2005-11-23
CA2517342A1 (en) 2004-09-10
GB0517611D0 (en) 2005-10-05
US20040171434A1 (en) 2004-09-02
TW200422075A (en) 2004-11-01
TWI270395B (en) 2007-01-11
JP2006519065A (en) 2006-08-24
KR20050103309A (en) 2005-10-28
WO2004076002A2 (en) 2004-09-10
GB2414192B (en) 2007-10-03
WO2004076002A3 (en) 2005-01-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6334817B1 (en) Golf club head
US7491136B2 (en) Low-density FeAlMn alloy golf-club heads and golf clubs comprising same
US20040171434A1 (en) Golf club head of ductile or gray iron
TWI321592B (en) High strength and high toughness alloy with low density
US20100178996A1 (en) Titanium alloy for golf-club heads, and clubheads comprising same
JP2012147950A (en) Iron golf club head
WO1998046312A1 (en) Golf club head
JP2013159857A (en) Fe-Cr-Ni-based ALLOY FOR GOLF CLUB HEAD
TW527426B (en) Martensitic stainless steel for golf club head
US20100003159A1 (en) Low-density high-toughness alloy and the fabrication method thereof
US7041002B2 (en) Golf club head
JP3961788B2 (en) Golf club head
US20030082067A1 (en) Low-density iron based alloy for a golf club
US20050006007A1 (en) Low density iron based alloy for a golf club head
US20090111607A1 (en) Golf Club Head and Method of Making Same
CN102041408A (en) High-elasticity titanium alloy material for golf head
TW460591B (en) Low-density and high-ductility of iron based materials for golf head
JP4005200B2 (en) Golf club manufacturing method
JP4025046B2 (en) Golf club head
TWI235677B (en) Low density and high ductility ferric-based alloy material for golf iron club head
CN1771074A (en) Golf club head of ductile or gray iron
TW506845B (en) The low-density iron based materials for golf head
JP2002000776A (en) Maraging steel plate for golf club head and golf club head using the steel plate
JPH11276647A (en) Putter head or iron head of golf club and its production
JP2004190062A (en) Low-density iron-based alloy material for golf club head

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20050830

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: STONE, DANIEL, JOSEPH

Inventor name: RADCLIFFE, NATHANIEL, JOEL

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20070901