Weighted iron set

Abstract

The present invention is direct to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid-irons and short irons. The invention contemplates the use of titanium or steel for the main body portion and significant tungsten weight members at the heel and toe.

Claims

1. A set of golf clubs comprising at least a first club head having a loft between about 15 and 25 degrees, a second club head having a loft of between about 26 and 35 degrees, and a third club head having a loft of about 36 degrees or greater, wherein: the first, second and third club heads each comprise a solid volume, a heel, a toe, a topline, a sole, a hosel and a front face having a face center; wherein the first club head has an overall club head mass and is comprised of a first steel body member and a first steel face insert that together form an enclosed hollow portion and comprise less than 75 percent of the overall club head mass and is further comprised of a first tungsten heel member having a mass of about 30 g to 35 g located in a heel portion of the enclosed hollow portion and a first tungsten toe member located in a toe portion of the enclosed hollow portion, wherein the first tungsten toe member has greater mass than the first tungsten heel member and the first tungsten heel member and the first tungsten toe member together comprise more than 25 percent of the overall club head mass.

2. The set of golf clubs of claim 1, wherein the first steel body member has a mass of between 110 g to 120 g and the first steel face insert has a mass of 30 g to 45 g.

3. The set of golf clubs of claim 2, wherein the second club head has a second club head mass and comprises a second steel body member and a second steel face insert that together form a second enclosed hollow portion and comprise less than 75 percent of the second club head mass, and is further comprised of a second tungsten heel member having a second tungsten heel member mass and located in a heel portion of the second enclosed hollow portion and a second tungsten toe member located in a toe portion of the second enclosed hollow portion that has about twice an amount of mass as the second tungsten heel member mass, wherein the second tungsten heel member plus the second tungsten toe member comprise at least 25 percent of the second club head mass.

4. The set of golf clubs of claim 3, wherein the first tungsten heel member plus the first tungsten toe member form at least about 20 percent of the first club heads' solid volume and the second tungsten heel member plus the second tungsten toe member form at least about 20 percent of the second club heads' solid volume.

5. The set of golf clubs of claim 3, wherein the third club head has a third club head mass is comprised of a third steel body member and a third steel face insert that form a third enclosed hollow portion, and further comprises a third tungsten toe member that comprises at least about 20 percent of the third club head mass.

6. The set of golf clubs in claim 1, wherein there are three first club heads and each of the first club heads comprises a tungsten toe member and mass of the tungsten toe members for the first club heads increases by about 5 g per club head and each of the first club heads has a hosel length and the hosel length increases per club head.

7. The set of golf clubs in claim 6, wherein each of the first club heads includes a tungsten heel member and mass of the tungsten heel members decreases by about 1 to 2 g per club head.

8. A set of golf clubs comprising at least a first golf club, a second golf club, and a third golf club, wherein: the first, second and third golf clubs are each comprising a heel, a toe, an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hosel, and the first golf club further comprising a first loft angle (LA.sub.1) of between 15 and 25 degrees and being formed from a first steel body member having a mass of between 110 g to 120 g, a first steel face insert having a mass of 30 g to 45 g that together form a first enclosed hollow portion, a first tungsten heel member having a mass of about 30 g to 35 g located in a heel side of the first enclosed hollow portion and a first tungsten toe member having a mass of 35 g to 55 g and located in a toe side of the first enclosed hollow portion, and a first blade length; the second golf club further comprising a second loft angle (LA.sub.2) of between 26 and 35 degrees and being formed from a second steel body member having a mass of 115 g to 145 g, a second steel face insert having a mass of 30 g to 45 g that together form a second enclosed hollow portion, a second tungsten heel member having a mass of 35 g or less located in a heel side of the second enclosed hollow portion, a second tungsten toe member having a mass of 50 g to 70 g located in a toe side of the second enclosed hollow portion, and a second blade length; and the third golf club comprising a third loft angle (LA.sub.3) of 36 degrees or greater having a third blade length; wherein the first, second and third blade lengths are approximately constant.

9. The set of golf clubs of claim 8, wherein the second tungsten toe member has greater mass than the first tungsten toe member and the third golf club has a third tungsten toe member with greater mass than the second tungsten toe member and wherein the first golf club has a first hosel length and the second golf club has a second hosel length that is longer than the first hosel length.

10. The set of golf clubs according to claim 9, wherein the first tungsten toe member has a mass of between 38 g and 50 g and the first tungsten heel member has a mass of between 34 g and 31 g; and the second tungsten toe member has a mass of between 55 g and 60 g and the second tungsten heel member has a mass of between 31 g and 20 g.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a back view of an iron according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the iron in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a front view of a long iron according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view of a long iron body member according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of a mid-iron body member according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a front view of a short iron body member according to the present invention; and;

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of another embodiment of a short iron body member according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) As illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed in detail below, the present invention is directed to an improved set of iron-type golf clubs, wherein the clubs have tungsten weight members that form a significant portion of the club heads' mass.

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an iron 10 has a heel 12, a toe 14, a hosel 16, a back cavity 18 a top line 20 and a sole 22. The iron is comprised of two main components, the main body 24 and the weight members 26. The iron includes a hosel axis 34 and a face center FC. The main body 24 is formed from titanium, or more preferably, a titanium alloy. For at least the long irons and mid irons, the weight members include a toe weight member 28 and a heel weight member 30 that are formed from tungsten or more preferably a tungsten alloy having a specific gravity of 15 g/cm3 or greater. Thus, the main body 24 will have a specific gravity of about 4-5 g/cm3 and the weight members 26 will have a specific gravity of about 15-20 g/cm3.

(10) Table I provides exemplary, non-limiting dimensions for the various measurements of clubs according to the Example of the invention. It is fully intended that all of the dimensions set forth below can be adjusted such that the overall objective of the individual irons is met.

(11) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Club Number 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 P loft 21 24 27 30 34 38 42 46 Mass 238 245 252 259 266 274 282 286 Ti (g) 103 100 102 109 116 94 102 106 W (g) 135 145 150 150 150 Steel (g) 180 180 180 Ti % 43.3 40.8 40.5 42.1 43.6 34.3 36.2 37.1 W % 56.7 59.2 59.5 57.9 56.4 Steel % 65.7 63.8 62.9 Ti vol. (cm.sup.3) 22.9 22.2 22.7 24.2 25.8 20.9 22.7 23.6 W vol. (cm.sup.3) 9.0 9.7 10 10 10 Steel Vol. 24 24 24 (cm.sup.3)

(12) Referring to the data in Table I above, the set of irons according to the present invention can be separated into long irons that have a loft of between about 15 and 25 degrees, mid irons that have a loft of between about 26 and 35 degrees and short irons that have a loft of about 36 or greater. The total mass of the clubs increases throughout the set from about 235 grams to about 290 grams. Each club is preferably about 5 grams or more greater in mass than the previous iron. As shown, for example, the 4 iron is 7 grams greater than the 3 iron. Thus, the mass increases through the set.

(13) Each of the irons includes a titanium body member. The long irons and the mid irons preferably have tungsten weight members 28 and 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the long irons, the titanium body member 24 has a mass that is less than about 120 grams and more particularly, about 100 grams. The toe weight member 28 and heel weight member 30 preferably have a mass of about 130 grams to 150 grams. Thus, the tungsten weight members are greater than 50% of the total club mass.

(14) In the mid irons, the titanium body member 24 has a mass that is less than about 120 grams and more particularly, about 100 grams to about 115 grams. The tungsten toe weight member 28 and heel weight member 30 preferably have a mass of about 140 grams to 160 grams, and more particularly about 150 grams. Thus, the tungsten weight members are greater than 50% of the total club mass. Also, the tungsten weight members 28 and 30 have greater mass than the tungsten weight members 28 and 30 for the long irons.

(15) In the short irons, the titanium body member 24 has a mass that is less than about 120 grams and more particularly, about 90 grams to about 110 grams. The toe weight member 28 and heel weight member 30 are preferably made of steel and preferably have a mass of about 160 grams to 200 grams, and more particularly about 180 grams. Thus, the steel weight members are greater than 50% of the total club mass. Also, the steel weight members 28 and 30 have greater mass than the tungsten weight members 28 and 30 for the long irons and of the mid irons.

(16) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II Club Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 P loft 17 20 23 26 29 33 37 41 45 Total Mass (g) 234 239 246 252 256 267 274 282 286 Body Mass (g) 116 117 118 118 132 139 164 170 240 Face Mass (g) 34 37 38 38 38 39 41 41 41 Toe W (g) 38 45 50 55 61 60 61 63 Heel W (g) 34 32 31 31 20 20 Steel Mass % 70 68 67 66 68 70 78 78 100 W Mass % 30 32 33 34 32 30 22 22 Steel vol. % 80 79 78 77 80 81 86 86 100 W vol. % 20 21 22 23 20 19 14 14

(17) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE III Club Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 P loft 17 20 23 26 29 33 37 41 45 Blade Length (mm) 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 77.6 Toe Height (mm) 51.9 52.3 52.8 53.3 53.8 54.3 54.9 55.4 55.8 Scoreline Width (mm) 53.2 53.0 52.8 52.7 52.5 52.3 52.2 52 51.8 Scoreline to Toe (mm) 17.3 17.5 17.7 17.8 18 18.2 18.3 18.5 18.7 Hosel Length (mm) 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Sole Width (mm) 19.7 19.4 19.0 18.5 18.0 17.4 16.8 16.1 15.4

(18) As shown in FIG. 3 and set forth in Table III above, another embodiment of the present invention includes a set of irons that have a substantially constant Blade Length (BL) throughout the set. The BL is defined at the length from the hosel axis (HA) intersection with the ground plane to the end of the toe. However in this set, the Toe Height (TH) progressively increases through the set. Thus, the TH of the mid iron is greater than the TH of the long iron and the TH of the short iron is greater than the TH of the mid iron and the long iron. The TH is defined as the maximum length from the leading edge to the top of the toe in the plane parallel to the face plane and perpendicular to the scorelines. Preferably, the TH increases by about at least 0.3 mm per club, and most preferably at least 0.4 mm per club. Also, the TH preferably increases at least 1 mm per club (or about 4 degrees of loft) for the short irons and only 0.3-0.6 mm per club for the long and mid irons.

(19) Furthermore, even though the BL remains substantially constant through the set, the scoreline width (SLW) progressively decreases through the set and the scoreline to toe width (SLTW) progressively increases through the set. More particularly, the SLW decreases by at least about 0.1 mm per club (or per 4 degrees of loft). Thus, the SLW for the long iron is greater than the SLW for the mid iron and the SLW for the mid iron is greater than the SLW for the short iron. Moreover, because the SLTW progressively increases through the set, the non-grooved toe area increases throughout the set.

(20) Still further, in this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance of the center of gravity from the face center progressively increases through the set. Thus, CG-Xfc progressively increases from less than 2 mm from the face center in the long irons to about 3 mm from the face center towards the hosel in the short irons.

(21) Another aspect of the present invention is that the hosel length HL increases through the set. Preferably, the hosel length increases by about 1 mm/club (or per 4 degrees of loft) such that the HL of the mid irons is greater than the HL of the long irons and the HL of the short irons is greater than the HL of the mid irons. Also, the sole width, not shown in the figures because it is the width of the sole at the center of the club head perpendicular to the front view shown in FIG. 3, decreases through the set. Thus, the sole width of the mid irons is less than the sole width of the long irons and greater than the sole width of the short irons. Preferably, the sole width decreases by about 0.3 mm/club (or per 4 degrees of loft).

(22) As shown in FIGS. 4-7 and set forth in the table above, the set includes a long iron 100, a mid iron 200, a first short iron 300 and a second short iron 400. In FIG. 4, the long iron 100 includes a body member 110, heel 112, a toe 114, a hosel 116 and a sole 118. The iron body 110 includes an insert aperture 120 and a hollow portion 122. A face insert, not shown, is welded to the insert aperture 120 to enclose the hollow portion 122. Both the body member 110 and the face insert are preferably formed of steel. Inside the hollow portion 122, a tungsten toe weight member 124 and a tungsten heel weight member 126 are located proximate the toe 114 and the heel 112, respectively, to create a high moment of inertia. As shown in Table II above, the body member 110 preferably has a mass of about 110 grams to 120 grams and the face insert has a mass of about 30 grams to 45 grams. In the long irons 100, the toe weight member 124 preferably has a mass of about 35 to 55 grams. Preferably, the toe weight member 124 mass increases with each club by about 5 grams per club. The heel weight member 126 is preferably about 30 grams to 35 grams and preferably decreases by about 1 or 2 grams per club. Preferably, the tungsten mass of the toe weight member 124 and the heel weight member 126 are at least 25% of the total club head mass and at least 15% of the total club head solid volume. More particularly, the toe weight member 124 and the heel weight member comprise about 30% of the total mass or more and 20% of the total solid volume. Preferably, the toe weight member 124 has greater mass than the heel weight member 126.

(23) As shown in FIG. 5 and set forth in Table II above, the set includes a mid iron 200 that includes a body member 210, heel 212, a toe 214, a hosel 216 and a sole 218. The iron body 210 includes an insert aperture 220 and a hollow portion 222. A face insert, not shown, is welded to the insert aperture 220 to enclose the hollow portion 222. Both the body member 210 and the face insert are preferably formed of steel. Inside the hollow portion 222, a tungsten toe weight member 224 and a tungsten heel weight member 226 are located proximate the toe 214 and the heel 212, respectively, to create a high moment of inertia. As shown in Table II above, the body member 210 preferably has a mass of about 115 grams to 145 grams and the face insert has a mass of about 30 grams to 45 grams. In the mid irons 200, the toe weight member 224 preferably has a mass of about 50 to 70 grams. Preferably, the toe weight member 224 mass increases with each club by about 5 grams per club. The heel weight member 226 is preferably about 35 grams or less and preferably decreases per club. Preferably, the tungsten mass of the toe weight member 224 and the heel weight member 226 are at least 25% of the total club head mass and at least 15% of the total club head solid volume. More particularly, the toe weight member 224 and the heel weight member 226 comprise about 30% of the total mass or more and about 20% of the total solid volume. Preferably, the toe weight member 224 has greater mass than the heel weight member 226, and more preferably, is about twice the amount of mass.

(24) As shown in FIG. 6 and as set forth in Table II above, the set can include a short iron 300 that includes a body member 310, heel 312, a toe 314, a hosel 316 and a sole 318. The iron body 310 includes an insert aperture 320 and a hollow portion 322. A face insert, not shown, is welded to the insert aperture 320 to enclose the hollow portion 322. Both the body member 310 and the face insert are preferably formed of steel. Inside the hollow portion 322, a tungsten toe weight member 324 is located proximate the toe 314, to create a high moment of inertia. As shown in Table II above, the body member 310 preferably has a mass of about 150 grams to 200 grams and the face insert has a mass of about 30 grams to 45 grams. In the short iron 300, the toe weight member 324 preferably has a mass of about 55 to 70 grams. Preferably, the tungsten mass of the toe weight member 324 is at least 20% of the total club head mass and at least 10% of the total club head solid volume.

(25) As shown in FIG. 7 and as set forth in Table II above, the set can include a short iron 400 that includes a body member 410, heel 412, a toe 414, a hosel 416 and a sole 418. The iron body 410 includes an insert aperture 420. A face insert, not shown, is welded to the insert aperture 420. The short iron 400 is preferably substantially solid and does not contain tungsten weight members.

(26) While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein fulfill the objectives stated above, it is appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and embodiments which would come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.