A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A golf club head includes a club face and a body. The club face is formed from a metallic material and includes a first, hitting surface, a second, rear surface that is opposite the first surface, and a flange that is separated from the second surface by a transverse distance. The body is formed from a polymeric material and includes a crown, a sole, a hosel, and a face support. The club face and the body cooperate to define a closed volume, and the face support extends to opposing sides of the flange and is operative to couple the club face to the body.

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a set of golf club heads includes a plurality of golf club heads with ach golf club head having a distinct loft angle ranging from 19.5° to 47°. Each golf club head produces a loudness as a result of striking a golf ball at a predetermined golf club head speed. The loudness is in sone units and is based on a sound pressure measurement performed at a predetermined sampling rate and taken for a fixed duration of time with a microphone placed directly above the golf ball at a fixed vertical distance. For a golf club head speed of 80 mph, the loudness of each golf club head ranges from 82.58 to 92.76 sones and is inversely related to loft angle. For a golf club head speed of 85 mph, the loudness of each golf club head ranges from 86.85 to 97.07 sones and is inversely related to loft angle. For a golf club head speed of 90 mph, the loudness of each of golf club head ranges from 92.90 to 101.82 sones and is inversely related to loft angle. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

In one example, a structure is provided that includes a plastic body having a unitary, single-piece construction. The plastic body further includes a substantially hollow interior, and a parting line that extends around a portion of the perimeter of the structure. The structure also includes a solid compression molded element that is integral with the plastic body. The solid compression molded element is configured and arranged such that the parting line is not connected to the solid compression molded element.

A device (e.g., an article of athletic gear) comprising a post-molded expandable component, which is a part of the device that is configured to be expanded or has been expanded after being molded. This may allow the post-molded expandable component to have enhanced characteristics (e.g., be more shock-absorbent, lighter, etc.), to be cost-effectively manufactured (e.g., by using less material and/or making it in various sizes), and/or to be customized for a user (e.g., by custom-fitting it to the user).

A ball bat includes outer shell segments longitudinally spaced apart from each other to form a gap between them. A joint connects the segments. A first outer shell segment may include a barrel portion of the ball bat and at least part of a tapered portion of the ball bat. A second outer shell segment may include at least part of the tapered portion. The joint may include a tubular element having a first portion positioned within the first outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the first outer shell segment, and a second portion positioned within the second outer shell segment and at least partially overlapping an interior surface of the second outer shell segment. The tubular element may include an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the joint may be formed by an elastomeric material connecting the outer shell segments in the gap.

In one example, a method includes positioning, within a mold, a device with a movable element that defines a portion of a volume, and the volume is contained within the mold, as part of a molding process, at least partly defining a molded watercraft by introducing plastic into the mold, disposing the plastic about the movable element, and with the movable element, excluding the plastic from the portion of the volume that is defined by the movable element so as to define a recess and an undercut that are integral with the watercraft and extend lengthwise with respect to a centerline of the watercraft, and the recess and undercut are integral, and communicate, with each other.

A golf club with a multi-material face is disclosed herein. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention has a striking face portion that is backed by a composite layer. The multi-material face disclosed in accordance with the present invention may generally be manufactured via a bladder molding process that applies hydrostatic forces to the composite layer to create a more consistent bond between the composite material and the metallic material.

A golf club head includes a face, a club head body, and a hosel. The hosel has a tubular hosel body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a bore. The bore is configured to receive a golf club shaft or a shaft adapter. The tubular hosel body is molded from a polymeric material that includes a resin and a plurality of fibers, each fiber has a length of from about 0.01 mm to about 12 mm.

Foamed articles including a foamed thermoplastic elastomeric material, methods of making the foamed articles, and methods for manufacturing articles of footwear, apparel, and athletic equipment incorporating such foamed articles are provided. In one aspect, a method for making a foamed article comprises placing an article comprising a foamable material and carbon dioxide in a vessel, maintaining the vessel at a first pressure and first temperature at which the carbon dioxide is a liquid and carbon dioxide is soluble in the foamable material, optionally exposing the infused article to a second temperature and second pressure, and subjecting the article to a third pressure and third temperature at which the infused carbon dioxide phase transitions to a gas, thereby expanding the foamable material into a foamed material and forming the foamed article.