Golf club with reduced air resistance club head

Abstract

A golf club includes a club handle, a club head including a series of spaced apart club head segments having segment forward faces collectively forming a club head forward face for striking a ball and being separated by substantially parallel club head slots oriented relative to the club handle to be substantially parallel to the direction of club swing so that air passes directly into and through the club head slots as a user swings the club, permitting the user to swing the club with greater speed and therefore to strike a ball with greater force, and a spine structure interconnecting the club head segments. The spine structure preferably extends transversely relative to the club head segment. The cross-sectional shape of the spine structure preferably is generally elongate in the direction of a club swing.

Claims

1. A golf club, comprising: a club handle; a club head comprising a series of spaced apart club head segments having segment forward faces collectively forming a club head forward face for striking a ball and being separated by substantially parallel club head slots oriented relative to said club handle to be substantially parallel to the direction of club swing such that air passes directly into and through the club head slots as a user swings the club, permitting the user to swing the club with greater speed and therefore to strike a ball with greater force, and a spine structure interconnecting said club head segments, said spine structure extending transversely relative to said club head segments and having a cross-sectional shape which is generally elongate in the direction of a club swing and substantially elliptical.

2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the overall shape of said club head, and the cross-sectional shape of said spine structure, are selected such that they minimize the resistance of air passing over them.

3. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said club head segments at each lateral end of the series of said club head segments have contoured outward surfaces such that opposing ends of said club head are aerodynamic.

4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said spine structure cross-section has a sharp spine structure leading edge and a sharp spine structure trailing edge.

5. The golf club of claim 1, wherein said spine structure intersects the approximate center of each of said club head segments.

6. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the widths of the individual head segments between said club head segments at opposing ends of said club head are substantially uniform.

7. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the widths of the club head slots are substantially uniform.

8. The golf club of claim 1, wherein the widths of the club head slots are substantially match the widths of said club head segments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present golf club with the upper portion of the handle omitted, where the golf club is in this instance a wood.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the club head of FIG. 1, showing the profile of the spine structure of the preferred embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spine structure and a club head segment having a central port sized and aligned to receive the spine structure for an assembled version of the club head in which separate pieces are glued together, as distinguished from the version that is molded or cut from a single piece of material.

(5) FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the club head of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, where club is an iron, and once again the upper portion of the handle omitted.

(7) FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the club head of FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the club head of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

(10) Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.

(11) The Invention Generally Referring to FIGS. 1-7, a golf club 10 is disclosed having a club handle 20 and a club head 40, the club head 40 including a series of spaced apart club head segments 42 interconnected by a spine structure 60. The club head segments 42 have segment forward faces 42F and are separated by parallel club head slots 44. The club head slots 44 are oriented relative to the club handle 20 and club face 42F to be parallel to the direction of swing. As a result, air directly enters and passes through the club head slots 44 as the user swings the club 10 rather than being deflected around the head 40, thereby reducing air resistance. The segment forward faces 42F collectively form a club head forward face 40F for striking a ball (not shown). The spine structure 60 extends transversely relative to the head segments 42, either through the middle or along the back of the club head 40. The overall shape of the club head 40, and the cross-sectional shape of the spine structure 60 are such that they minimize the resistance of air passing over them. This includes the head segments 42 at each lateral end of the head segment 42 series which preferably have curved, contoured outward surfaces 42S so that the ends of the club head 40 are aerodynamic. The result is that the golfer is able to swing the club 10 with greater speed and therefore to strike the ball with greater force.

The Preferred Embodiment

(12) The cross-sectional shape of the spine structure is generally elongate in the direction of swing and substantially elliptical, much like an airplane wing. The spine structure cross-section preferably has pointed leading and trailing edges. The spine structure passes through the approximate center of each of the head segments. The club head segments 42 optionally each have a central port 42P sized and aligned to receive the spine structure 60 for a version in which the club head 40 is assembled from separate pieces which are glued or otherwise fastened together, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively either the club head 40 or the entire golf club 10 is molded or cut from a single piece of material. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the inventive club head 40 in the form of a wood, and FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the club head 40 in the form of an iron.

(13) The club handle 20 meets the club head 40 in a conventional way, so that the club head can be positioned to be perpendicular to the direction of swing.

(14) The widths of the individual club head segments 42 between the end head segments 42E preferably are substantially uniform. The widths of the club head slots 44 preferably are substantially uniform. Finally, the widths of the club head slots 44 preferably are substantially uniform and preferably substantially match the widths of the head segments 42.

(15) While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.