KR101884107B1 - Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club head and golf club head manufacturing methods are generally described herein. In one example, the golf club head may include a body portion and a plurality of weight portions. The plurality of weight portions may include a first set of weight portions and a second set of weight portions. Each weight portion of the weight portion of the first set may be associated with a first mass and each weight portion of the weight portion of the second set may be associated with a second mass of less than the first mass. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a golf club head,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and more particularly to a golf club head and a golf club head manufacturing method.

This disclosure may be subject to copyright protection. The copyright holder does not object to a copy of this disclosure and any of its related documents if the disclosure and its related documents are published in a patent office patent file or record, but otherwise retains all applicable copyright.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 042,155, filed on August 26, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 048,693, filed September 10, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 101,543 filed January 9, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 105,123, filed January 19, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 109,510, filed January 29, 2015. This is a continuation-in-part of US Non-Provisional Application No. 29 / 507,474 filed on October 28, 2014. The disclosure of the referenced application is incorporated herein by reference.

In golf, a variety of factors can affect the distance and direction in which a golf ball can travel. In particular, the center of gravity (CG) and / or the moment of inertia (MOI) of the golf club head can influence the launch angle, rotation speed and direction of the golf ball at impact. These factors can vary considerably based on the type of golf swing.

According to the present invention there is provided a golf club head comprising: a golf club head comprising a first set of weight portions and a second set of weight portions, wherein each weight portion of the first set of weight portions is associated with a first mass, Wherein each weight portion of the second set of weight portions comprises a plurality of weight portions associated with a second mass that is less than the first mass and a plurality of weight portions associated with the convex outer side associated with the front portion, A bottom portion having a surface, a skirt portion between the top and the bottom portion, and a weight port region located at or adjacent to the bottom and skirt portion, the weight port region having a bottom portion along the edge of the weight port region, And a plurality of weight ports formed on an outer surface curve formed on the convex outer surface of the portion, Wherein each weight port has an opening on the convex outer surface of the bottom portion and wherein the opening of each weight port is configured to receive at least one weight portion of the plurality of weight portions, Wherein the plurality of weight ports include a first set of weight ports adjacent the forward portion and a first set of weight ports disposed between the toe portion and the heel portion and a second set of weight ports adjacent to the rear portion, And each of the second set of weight ports includes at least three adjacent weight ports that are similarly spaced apart, each of the weight ports of the plurality of weight ports being associated with a port diameter and a port axis, Each of the weight ports of at least three adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports being perpendicular to the surface of the first set of weight ports at the intersection of the curves, The weight ports of the at least three adjacent weight ports of the second set of weight ports are separated from the adjacent ones of the weight ports of the first set of weight ports by the port diameter of the weight port of the second set, Wherein at least three adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports and the second set of weight ports are separated from adjacent ones of the weight ports of the second set of weight ports by a distance The golf club head being arranged on the path.

For the sake of simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings illustrate the general manner of construction and the description and details of features and techniques well known to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure may be omitted. In addition, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of certain elements in the figures may be enlarged relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

1 is a plan perspective view of an exemplary golf club head according to an embodiment of the apparatus, method and article of manufacture described herein.
Figure 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a top view of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a front view of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows a rear view of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 7 shows a view from the toe portion of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 8 shows a view from the heel portion of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 9 shows a bottom view of an exemplary body portion of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary body portion of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 11 shows two weight ports of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 12 shows a top view of an exemplary weight portion of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
Figure 13 shows a side view of the exemplary weight portion of Figure 10;
Figure 14 shows an exemplary launch trajectory profile of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 1;
15 shows a first weight configuration of an exemplary weight portion.
Figure 16 shows a second weight configuration of an exemplary weight portion.
Figure 17 shows a third weight configuration of the exemplary weight portion.
Figure 18 shows a fourth weight configuration of an exemplary weight portion.
Figure 19 shows an exemplary launch trajectory profile of the exemplary golf club head of Figure 18;
Figure 20 illustrates a method by which the exemplary golf club head described herein can be made.
Figure 21 shows a bottom view of another exemplary golf club head.
Figure 22 shows a bottom view of yet another exemplary golf club head.

Generally, a method of making a golf club head and a golf club head is described herein. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

1 to 13, the golf club head 100 includes a body portion 110 and generally a first set of weight portions 210 (FIG. 2) and a second set of weight portions 220 (also shown in FIG. 2). ≪ / RTI > The body portion 110 may include a top portion 130, a bottom portion 140, a toe portion 150, a heel portion 160, a front portion 170 and a rear portion 180. Bottom portion 140 may extend from the toe portion 150 to the back portion 180 around the circumference of the golf club head 100, excluding the forward portion 170 between the top portion 130 and the bottom portion 140, And a skirt portion 190 defined by a side portion of the golf club head 100 disposed in the heel portion 160. [ The bottom portion 140 may include a transition zone 230 and a weight port region 240. For example, the weight port region 240 may be a D shaped zone. The weight port region 240 may include a plurality of weight ports 900 (FIG. 9) to accommodate a plurality of weight portions 120. The front portion 170 may include a face portion 175 to engage the golf ball (not shown). The body portion 110 may also include a hosel portion 165 to receive a shaft (not shown). Alternatively, the body portion 110 may include a bore instead of the hosel portion 165. For example, the body portion 110 may be fabricated, in part or in whole, of an aluminum-based material, a magnesium-based material, a steel-based material, a titanium-based material, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material. In another example, the body portion 110 may be made of a non-metallic material, such as a ceramic material, partially or totally, of synthetic material, any combination thereof, or any other suitable material.

The golf club head 100 may have a club head volume of 300 cubic centimeters (cm3 or cc) or more. In one example, the golf club head 100 may be approximately 460 cc. Alternatively, the golf club head 100 may have a club head volume of 300 cc or less. In particular, the golf club head 100 may have a club head volume between 100 cc and 200 cc. The club head volume of the golf club head 100 may be determined using a water weight substitution method (i.e., the principle of Archimedes). For example, a method defined by a golf standard authority and / or control body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and / or the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R & Can be used to measure the volume. Although FIG. 1 may illustrate a particular type of club head (e.g., a driver type club head), the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be used with other types of club heads (e.g., fairway wood type clubheads, Club head, iron type club head, putter type club head, etc.). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each of the first set of weight portions 210, shown generally at 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 (FIG. 4), may be associated with a first mass. Each of the second set of weight portions 220, shown generally at 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475 and 480 (FIG. 4), may be associated with a second mass. The first mass may be greater than the second mass, or vice versa. In one example, the first set of weight portions 210 may be made of a tungsten-based material, while the second set of weight portions 220 may be made of an aluminum-based material. As described below, the first and second sets of weight portions 210, 220 can each provide a variety of weight configurations (e.g., Figs. 15-18).

9-11, for example, the bottom portion 140 of the body portion 110 may include a plurality of weight ports 900. [ A plurality of weight ports 900, generally designated as 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, and 980, May be located along the periphery of the mandatory portal zone 240. A plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed across the bottom portion 140. In particular, a plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed across the bottom portion 140 between the toe and heel portions 150, 160, respectively. A plurality of weight ports 900 may also be disposed across the bottom portion 140 between the forward and aft portions 170, 180, respectively. A plurality of weight ports 900 may be arranged along a path that generally defines a D-shaped loop across the bottom portion 140. In one example, a plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed across the bottom portion 140 by more than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 between the toe and heel portions 150, 160, respectively. The maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 of the golf club head 100 can be measured at the toe and heel portions 150 and 160, respectively, from the transition zone between the top and bottom portions 130 and 140, respectively. Alternatively, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 may be the horizontal distance between the vertical projection portions of the outermost points of the toe and heel portions 150, 160, respectively. For example, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 can be measured when the golf club head 100 is at a rough angle of about 60 degrees. The outermost point of the heel portion 160 is offset from the reference surface 530 at the height 520 of approximately 0.875 inches (22.23 millimeters) 100) is elevated). In one example, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 500 may be less than 5 inches (127 millimeters). Thus, a plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed by at least 2.5 inches between the toe and heel portions 150, 160, respectively. The maximum toe-to-heel distance 995 of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be disposed between the weight ports 940, 980. For example, the maximum toe-to-heel distance 995 of a plurality of weigh ports 900 may be approximately 3.7 inches. Since the rules of golf may change over time (e.g., new regulations may be adopted or old rules may be removed or changed by the golf standard authority and / or control group), the maximum toe-toe distance 500 may be measured The lie angle 510 and / or the height 520 for the sake of convenience may also vary. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Each of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be associated with a port diameter Dport (e.g., two of which are shown as 1105 and 1110 in FIG. 11). For example, the port diameter of each weight port of a plurality of weight ports 900 may be approximately 0.3 inches (7.65 millimeters). Alternatively, the port diameters of adjacent weight ports may be different. In one example, the weight port 905 may be associated with a port diameter 1105, and the weight port 910 may be associated with a port diameter 1110. In particular, the port diameter 1105 of the weight port 905 may be greater than the port diameter 1110 of the weight port 910, or vice versa. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The bottom portion 140 may also include an outer surface 990. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a plurality of weight ports 900 may be formed for the outer surface curve 1090 formed by the outer surface 990 on the bottom portion 140. In particular, each of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be associated with a port axis generally designated as 1005, 1010 and 1015. The center of the weight port may define the port axis of the weight port. Each port axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a plane that contacts the outer surface curve 1090 at the intersection of the port axis and the outer surface curve 1090. [ In one example, substantially vertical may refer to deviations of +/- 5 degrees from vertical. In another example, substantially vertical may refer to deviations of +/- 3 degrees from vertical. Deviations from the vertical may depend on fabrication tolerances.

In one example, the port axis 1010 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular (i.e., normal) to the tangential plane 1012 of the outer surface curve 1090. A plurality of fasteners may be used to create a plurality of weight ports 900 by positioning the golf club head 100 in various positions. Alternatively, a multi-axis machine (not shown) may be used to rotate the golf club head around multiple axes to mill excess material to form a plurality of weigh ports 900 (e.g., by water jet cutting and / or laser delivery) The weighing port can be manufactured by the processing step. In addition, the multi-axis machining process can provide a suitable surface treatment since the milling tool can be moved tangentially around the surface. Thus, the apparatus, method, and article of manufacture described herein can use a multiaxial machining process to form each of the plurality of weight ports 900 on the bottom portion 140. For example, a five-axis milling machine may form a plurality of weight ports 900 such that the port axis 1000 of each of the plurality of weight ports 900 may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the outer surface curve 1090. The tool of the five-axis milling machine can be moved in contact with the outer surface curve 990 around the outer surface curve 1090.

Returning to FIG. 11, for example, two adjacent weight ports can be separated by a port distance 1100, which may be the shortest distance between two adjacent weight ports on the outer surface 990. In particular, port distance 1100 may be less than or equal to the port diameter of any of two adjacent weight ports. In one example, the port distance 1100 between the weight ports 905, 910 may be less than the port diameter 1105 or the port diameter 1110. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The plurality of weight portions 120 may have similar or different physical properties (e.g., density, shape, mass, volume, size, color, etc.). In one example, the first set of weight parts 210 may be black, while the second set of weight parts 220 may be gray color or steel color. Some or all of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be fabricated, either partially or totally, of a steel-based material, a tungsten-based material, a metal material such as an aluminum-based material, any combination thereof, or a suitable type of material. Alternatively, some or all of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be partially or wholly made of a non-metallic material (e.g., synthetic, plastic, etc.).

In the illustrated example shown in Figs. 12 and 13, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may have a cylindrical shape (e.g., a circular cross-section). Although the examples above can describe a weight portion having a particular shape, the apparatus, method, and article of manufacture described herein may be used to form a weight portion of another suitable shape (e.g., a sphere, a cube, a cone, a cylinder, a pyramid, a cube, Frustum, or some or all of other suitable geometric shapes). Each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be associated with a diameter 1200 and a height 1300. In one example, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may have a diameter of approximately 0.3 inches (7.62 millimeters) and a height of approximately 0.2 inches (5.08 millimeters). Alternatively, the weight portions 210 and 220 of the first and second sets may be different in width and / or height, respectively.

Instead of the rear-to-front direction as in other golf club heads, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may couple one of the plurality of weight ports 400 in a bottom-to-top direction. The plurality of weight portions 120 may include threads to secure the weight ports. For example, each weight portion of the plurality of weight portions 120 may be a screw. The plurality of weight portions 120 can not be easily removed from the body portion 110 with or without a tool. Alternatively, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be easily removed (e.g., by a tool) so that a relatively heavier or lighter weight portion may replace one or more of the plurality of weight portions 120, respectively have. In another example, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be secured to the weight portion of the body portion 110 by an epoxy or adhesive, such that each of the plurality of weight portions 120 can not be easily removed. In another example, the plurality of weight portions 120 may be secured to the weight portion of the body portion 110 by both epoxy and threaded portions such that the plurality of weight portions 120 are not easily removable, respectively. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Unlike other golf club heads, the golf club head 100 may accommodate at least four different types of golf swing. As shown in FIG. 14, for example, each weight configuration may be associated with one of a plurality of launch trajectory profiles 1400, generally shown as 1410, 1420 and 1430. Referring to FIG. 15, for example, a first weight configuration 1500 may be associated with a configuration of a first set of weight ports 1510. 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, and 935 shown in FIG. 9) of the first set of weight ports 1510 may be located at or adjacent the forward portion 170. For example, . In the first weight configuration 1500, the first set of weight portions may be disposed toward the front portion 170 according to the configuration of the first set of weight ports 1510, The weight portion of the first set may form a cluster according to the configuration of the first set of weight ports 1510 at or near the front portion 170 Weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 may define a weight portion of the first set and weight portions 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, Weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 480 may define weight portions of the second set and weight portions 940, 945, 950 , 955, 960, 965, 9 The first weight configuration 1500 may be associated with the first launch trace profile 1410 (Figure 14), and the first weight configuration 1500 may be associated with the first launch profile 1410 (Figure 14) (E. G., A first set of weight portions) to a forward portion of the golf club head 100 in accordance with the configuration of the first set of weight ports 1510 The gravity center CG of the golf club head 100 can move relatively forward and lower so as to produce relatively low launch and spin trajectories. As a result, the first launch trajectory profile 1410 ) Can be associated with a relatively larger cloud distance (i.e., distance to ground and post-impact distance). While the above example may describe a weight portion disposed at a given weight port, the weight portion 210 of the first set Any portion of the weight of the first set of weight ports 1510 It can be placed in the port.

Returning to Figure 16, for example, the second weight configuration 1600 may be associated with the configuration of the second set of weight ports 1610. [ The second set of weight ports 1610 may be located at or adjacent the rear portion 180 (e.g., the weight ports 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, and 975 shown in FIG. 9) ). In the second weight configuration 1600 shown in Figure 16, for example, the first set of weight portions can be disposed toward the rear portion 180, while the second set of weight portions can be disposed toward the front portion 170 . In particular, the first set of weight portions may form a cluster 1610 at or adjacent the rear portion 180, depending on the configuration of the second set of weight ports 1610. The weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 may define a weight portion of the first set and may include weight portions 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, Respectively. The weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 480 may define a weight portion of the second set and the weight ports 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, and 980, respectively. The second weight configuration 1600 may be associated with the second launch trajectory profile 1420 (Figure 14). In particular, the second weight configuration 1600 may increase the angle of launch of the golf ball and maximize forgiveness. By positioning the relatively heavy weight portion (i.e., the weight portion of the first set) towards the rear portion 180 of the golf club head 100 according to the configuration of the second set of weight ports 1610, May move relatively backwards and upwards to produce relatively high launch and spin trajectories. In addition, the moment of inertia of the golf club head 100 may increase in both the horizontal (front-to-back) and vertical (top-to-bottom) off-center hits. As a result, the second launch trajectory profile 1420 can be associated with a relatively larger carry distance (i.e., in-air distance).

Returning to Fig. 17, for example, the third weight configuration 1700 may be associated with the configuration of the third set of weight ports 1710. In the third weight configuration 1700, for example, the weight portion of the first set may be disposed toward the heel portion 160, but the weight portion of the second set may be disposed toward the toe portion 150. [ In particular, the first set of weight portions may form a cluster of weight portions at or adjacent to the heel portion 160, depending on the configuration of the third set of weight ports 1710. The weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 may define a weight portion of the first set and may include a plurality of weight portions 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, and 955 Respectively. The weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475, and 480 may define a weight portion of the second set and the weight ports 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, and 980, respectively. The third weight configuration 1600 may be associated with the third launch trajectory profile 1430 (FIG. 14). In particular, the third weight configuration 1700 may allow an individual to turn over the golf club head 100 more easily (i. E., To square up the face portion 175 to impact the golf ball) square up). By placing the relatively heavy weight portion (i.e., the weight portion of the first set) toward the heel portion 160 of the golf club head 100, the gravity center CG of the golf club head 100 is relatively relative to the axis of the shaft As shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 18, for example, a fourth weight configuration 1800 may be associated with a configuration of a fourth set of weight ports 1810. In the fourth weight configuration 1700, for example, a weight portion of the first set may be disposed toward the toe portion 150, while a weight portion of the second set may be disposed toward the heel portion 160. [ In particular, the weight portion of the first set may form a cluster of weight portions in or adjacent to the toe portion 150 according to the configuration of the fourth set of weight ports 1810. The weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 may define a weight portion of the first set and may include weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, Respectively. The weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475 and 480 may define a weight portion of the second set and the weight portions 920, 925, 930, 935, 940, 945, 950, 955, and 960, respectively. The fourth weight configuration 1800 may be associated with the third launch trajectory profile 1430 (FIG. 14). In particular, the fourth weight configuration 1800 may prevent the individual from reversing the golf club head 100 (i.e., the face portion 175 may be more open to impact the golf ball). By placing the relatively heavy weight portion (i.e., the weight portion of the first set) toward the toe portion 150 of the golf club head 100, the gravity center CG of the golf club head 100 is relatively relative to the axis of the shaft As shown in FIG. A fade golf shot may be made by the fourth weight configuration 1800 (as shown in FIG. 19, for example, for a right-hand individual, the golf ball moves to the left of the target 1910 and the Curving back trajectory or ball flight). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

20 shows a method by which the golf club head 100 can be manufactured. In the example of FIG. 20, process 2000 may begin with providing a plurality of weight parts (block 2010). The plurality of weight portions may include a first set of weight portions and a second set of weight portions. Each weight portion of the weight portion of the first set may be associated with a first mass, while each weight portion of the weight portion of the second set may be associated with the second mass. The first mass may be greater than the second mass. In one example, each weight portion of the weight portion of the first set may be made of a tungsten-based material having a mass of 2.6 grams, while each weight portion of the weight portion of the second set may be made of an aluminum- have. The weight portion of the first set may have gray color or steel color, but the weight portion of the second set may have black color.

Process 2000 may provide a body portion of a golf club head (block 2020). The body portion may include a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a bottom portion having an outer surface associated with the outer surface curve, and a skirt portion between the top and bottom portions.

Process 2000 may form a weight port area located at or adjacent to the bottom and skirt portions (block 2030). The transition zone may surround the weight port area.

Process 2000 may form a plurality of weight ports along the periphery of the weigh port zone (block 2040). Each weight port of the plurality of weight ports may be associated with a port diameter and may be configured to receive at least one weight portion of the plurality of weight portions. Two adjacent weight ports can be separated by a port diameter or less. In addition, each weight port of a plurality of weight ports may be associated with a port axis. The port axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the tangential plane of the outer surface curve of the bottom portion of the golf club head.

The exemplary process 2000 of FIG. 20 is only provided and described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 19 as an example of a method of manufacturing the golf club head 100. Although a specific sequence of operations is illustrated in FIG. 20, these operations may be performed in different time sequences. For example, the two or more operations shown in Fig. 20 can be executed successively, together, or simultaneously. Although Figure 20 shows a specified number of blocks, a process may not execute more than one block. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

As shown in the above example, the plurality of weight portions 120 and the plurality of weight ports 900 generally have a path that defines a generally D-shaped loop formed of two arcs, shown generally at 490 and 495 in FIG. As shown in FIG. For example, the plurality of weight ports include sixteen weight ports. For example, the weight portions 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435 (FIG. 4) and the weight ports 905, 910, 915, 920, 925, 930, and 935 An arc 490 can be formed. In particular, the first arc 490 may be disposed across the bottom portion 140 between the toe and heel portions 150, 160, respectively. The weight portions 440, 445, 450, 455, 460, 465, 470, 475 and 480 (FIG. 4) and the weight ports 940, 945, 950, 955, 960, 965, 970, 975, and 980 9) may form the second arc 495. [ The second arc 495 can generally follow the contour of the rear portion 180 of the body portion 110. Alternatively, the first and second arcs 490 and 495 may define a loop having a different shape disposed across the bottom portion 140 (e.g., generally an O-shaped loop). The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Although the examples above may illustrate a plurality of weight portions 120 and a plurality of weight ports 900 that form a particular geometric shape, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be used to form other geometric shapes, And a weight port and weight portion positioned along the periphery of the zone. 21, for example, the golf club head 2100 may include a bottom portion 2110, and a plurality of weight portions 2120 disposed in a plurality of weight ports 2130. A plurality of weight ports 2130 may be positioned along the periphery of the weight port region 2140 of the bottom portion 2110 (i.e., the plurality of weight ports 2130 may be located between the toe and heel portions 2112, 2114) Each may be disposed across the bottom portion 2110). 4 and 9), a plurality of weight ports 2130 are disposed generally between 2150 and 2155 (not shown) disposed across the bottom portion 2110. The plurality of weight ports 120 and the plurality of weight ports 900 As shown in FIG. The plurality of weight ports 2130 may be disposed by more than 50% of the maximum toe heel distance 2190 of the golf club head 2100. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

22, for example, the golf club head 2200 can include a bottom portion 2210, and a plurality of weight portions 2220 disposed in the plurality of weight ports 2230. A plurality of weight ports 2230 located along the periphery of the weight port region 2240 may be arranged along a path that defines an arc generally designated 2250 disposed across the bottom portion 2210 A plurality of weight ports 2230 may be disposed across the bottom portion 2210 between the toe and heel portions 2212, 2214). The plurality of weigh ports 2230 may be disposed by more than 50% of the maximum toe-to-heel distance 2290 of the golf club head 2200. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

The apparatus, method, and article of manufacture described herein may be implemented in various embodiments, and the description of some of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Instead, the description of the drawings and the drawings themselves illustrate at least one embodiment and disclose alternative embodiments.

Since the rules of golf may change over time (for example, new rules may be employed or old rules may be removed or modified by a golf standard authority and / or control body such as USGA, R & A, etc.) The golf equipment associated with the devices, methods, and articles of the invention may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be provided for sale, commercialized, and / or sold as a combined or incompatible golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

Further, although the above examples may be described for golf clubs, the apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture described herein may be applied to other suitable types of sports equipment such as fishing rods, hockey sticks, ski poles, tennis racquets,

Although certain exemplary fabrication apparatus, methods, and articles have been described herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not so limited. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers all fabrication apparatus, methods and articles which are reasonably included literally or evenly within the scope of the appended claims.

100: Golf club head
110: body portion
210: a first set of weight portions
220: second set of weight parts
130: Top portion

Claims (20)

As a golf club head,
A first set of weight portions 210 and a second set of weight portions 220 wherein each weight portion of the first set of weight portions is associated with a first mass and each weight of the second set of weight portions Portion includes a plurality of weight portions associated with a second mass that is less than the first mass,
A bottom portion (not shown) having a convex outer surface 990 associated with the front portion 170, the rear portion 180, the toe portion 150, the heel portion 160, the top portion 130 and the outer surface curve 1090 140), a skirt portion (190) between the top and bottom portion, and a weight port region (240) located at or adjacent to the bottom and skirt portion,
The weight port area 240 includes a plurality of weight ports 900 formed on an outer surface curve 1090 formed on the convex outer surface 990 of the bottom portion 140 along the edge of the weight port area. and,
The outer surface curve 1090 is formed as a first arc 490 and a second arc 495 adjacent the transition region 230 at the top and bottom of the port region edge, respectively,
Each weight port has an opening on a convex outer surface 990 of the bottom portion 140 and the opening of each weight port is configured to receive a weight portion of at least one of the plurality of weight portions 120,
The plurality of weight ports may include a first set of weight ports 1510 disposed between the toe portion 150 and the heel portion 160 adjacent the forward portion 170 and a second set of weight ports 1510 adjacent the rear portion, (1610), wherein the first set of weight ports and the second set of weight ports each include at least three adjacent weight ports that are similarly spaced apart,
Each of the weight ports of the plurality of weight ports has a port diameter and a port axis, the port axis is perpendicular to the surface in contact with the outer surface curve at the intersection of the port shafts 1005, 1010, 1015 and the outer surface curve 1090,
Each of the weight ports of at least three adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports 1510 are connected to adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports by a port diameter of the first set of weight ports 1105, Lt; / RTI >
Each of the weight ports of the at least three adjacent weight ports of the second set of weight ports 1610 is connected to the adjacent set of weight ports of the second set of weight ports by the port diameters 1105, Lt; / RTI >
Wherein at least three adjacent weight ports of the first set of weight ports and the second set of weight ports are arranged on a curve (1090) path extending on the bottom portion (140). The golf club of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weight ports comprise a first set of weight ports and a weight port disposed adjacent the toe portion and the heel portion along a path defining the loop by the second set of weight ports, Club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weigh ports include weight ports disposed across the bottom portion by more than 50% of the maximum distance between the toe and heel portions. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weigh ports comprises at least one weigh port having a cylindrical shape. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first set of weight ports is associated with a first set of weight portions and the second set of weight ports is associated with a second set of weight portions. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of weight ports is associated with a first set of weight portions, the second set of weight ports is associated with a second set of weight portions, The weight of the golf club head is less than or equal to the total number of weight ports of the second set. 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weigh ports comprises sixteen weigh ports. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weigh port section comprises a D-shaped section. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of weight portions comprises at least one weight portion made of a tungsten-based material and the second set of weight portions comprises at least one weight portion made of an aluminum- Golf club head. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head comprises at least one of a driver type golf club head, a fairway wood type golf club head, or a hybrid type golf club head. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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