GOLF CLUB HEAD

Abstract

A golf club head, including a metallic body, a composite panel affixed to the metallic body, the composite panel having a substantially constant thickness, and a composite stiffening member affixed to the composite panel, the composite stiffening member extending into the interior cavity, wherein the composite stiffening member height is at least twice the composite stiffening member width and wherein the composite stiffening member length is at least five times the composite stiffening member height, wherein the composite panel comprises a thermoplastic composite.

Claims

1. A golf club head, comprising: a metallic body comprising: a striking face, an aft portion extending aft from said striking face; said aft portion comprising: a sole defining a lower surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a crown defining an upper surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a skirt extending between said sole and said crown; a hosel extending from said crown; an interior cavity defined by said striking face, said sole, said crown, and said skirt; a composite panel affixed to said metallic body, said composite panel having a substantially constant thickness; and a composite stiffening member affixed to said composite panel, said composite stiffening member extending into said interior cavity; wherein said composite stiffening member comprises a composite stiffening member length measured along the major axis of said composite stiffening member, a composite stiffening member height measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length and extending into said interior cavity, and a composite stiffening member width measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length and said composite stiffening member height, wherein said composite stiffening member height is at least twice said composite stiffening member width and wherein said composite stiffening member length is at least five times said composite stiffening member height; wherein said composite panel comprises a thermoplastic composite.

2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said composite stiffening member comprises continuous carbon fibers running along its entire length.

3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said composite stiffening member is affixed to said metallic body.

4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said length of said composite stiffening member extends beyond said composite panel and said composite stiffening member is affixed to said metallic body at both a first end of said composite stiffening member and a second end of said composite stiffening member.

5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said metallic body comprises a shelf configured to receive said composite panel, and wherein said shelf comprises a shelf aperture, wherein said composite stiffening member resides within said shelf aperture.

6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein said composite stiffening member is affixed to said metallic body.

7. A method of constructing a golf club head, comprising: forming a substantially constant thickness composite body panel out of thermoplastic carbon composite; forming a composite stiffening member comprising a composite stiffening member length measured along the major axis of said composite stiffening member, a composite stiffening member height measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length, and a composite stiffening member width measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length and said composite stiffening member height, wherein said composite stiffening member height is at least twice said composite stiffening member width and wherein said composite stiffening member length is at least five times said composite stiffening member height; affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel; affixing said composite body panel to a metallic body; wherein said metallic body comprises: a striking face, an aft portion extending aft from said striking face; said aft portion comprising: a sole defining a lower surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a crown defining an upper surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a skirt extending between said sole and said crown; a hosel extending from said crown; and an interior cavity defined by said striking face, said sole, said crown, and said skirt.

8. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 7, further comprising affixing said composite stiffening member to said metallic body.

9. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 8, wherein said metallic body comprises a shelf configured to receive said composite body panel, wherein said shelf comprises a shelf aperture configured to receive said composite stiffening member, and wherein said method of constructing a golf club head further comprises installing said composite stiffening member into said shelf aperture.

10. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 8, wherein said composite stiffening member extends beyond said composite panel and said composite stiffening member is affixed to said metallic body at both a first end of said composite stiffening member and a second end of said composite stiffening member

11. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 7, wherein affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel comprises diffusion bonding process said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel.

12. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 7, wherein affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel comprises a compression thermoforming process.

13. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 7, wherein forming a composite stiffening member comprises laying continuous carbon fibers along the length of said composite stiffening member.

14. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 7, wherein said composite body panel covers an aperture formed in said sole of said metallic body.

15. A method of constructing a golf club head, comprising: forming a substantially constant thickness composite body panel; forming a composite stiffening member comprising a composite stiffening member length measured along the major axis of said composite stiffening member, a composite stiffening member height measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length, and a composite stiffening member width measured perpendicularly to said composite stiffening member length and said composite stiffening member height, wherein said composite stiffening member height is at least twice said composite stiffening member width and wherein said composite stiffening member length is at least five times said composite stiffening member height; affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel; affixing said composite body panel to a metallic body; wherein said metallic body comprises: a striking face, an aft portion extending aft from said striking face; said aft portion comprising: a sole defining a lower surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a crown defining an upper surface of said golf club head and extending aft from said striking face; a skirt extending between said sole and said crown; a hosel extending from said crown; an interior cavity defined by said striking face, said sole, said crown, and said skirt; and a shelf configured to receive said composite body panel, wherein said shelf comprises a shelf aperture configured to receive said composite stiffening member; installing and affixing said composite stiffening member into said shelf aperture.

16. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 15, wherein said composite body panel comprises a thermoplastic carbon composite

17. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 15, wherein affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel comprises a diffusion bonding process.

18. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 15, wherein affixing said composite stiffening member to said composite body panel comprises a compression thermoforming process.

19. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 15, wherein forming a composite stiffening member comprises laying continuous carbon fibers along the length of said composite stiffening member.

20. The method of constructing a golf club head of claim 14, wherein said composite body panel covers an aperture formed in said sole of said metallic body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf club head.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates an additional perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 with a stiffening member and a portion of the crown missing for illustrative purposes.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view A-A′ of the golf club head of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view B-B′ of the golf club head of FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the sole of golf club head of FIG. 1 including a partially installed stiffening member.

[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of the golf club head with the stiffening member not yet installed.

[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an additional perspective view of a golf club head, with a portion of the crown missing for illustrative purposes, the golf club head including an additional embodiment of a stiffening member.

[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of a gold club head including an additional embodiment of a stiffening member.

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates an additional cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 8.

[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates an additional embodiment of a golf club head.

[0044] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of a golf club head.

[0045] FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. 11.

[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 11.

[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 11 including an additional embodiment of a composite sole panel.

[0048] FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 14.

[0049] FIG. 16 illustrates a detail view of the interface of the metallic body and the composite sole panel of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and form part of this disclosure. For example, a system or device may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such a system or device may be implemented or such a method may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Alterations and further modifications of inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0051] Other than in the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moments of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft and draft angles, and others in the following portion of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0052] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

[0053] In describing the present technology, the following terminology may have been used: The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same lists solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to a selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection of only those listed alternative or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.

[0054] Features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the illustrated features serve to explain certain principles of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a golf club head 100 in accordance with the present invention. The golf club head 100 illustrated is a metal wood golf club head, and more specifically a driver with a volume of approximately 460 cc's. However, the inventions described herein can be applied to other metal wood golf club heads including fairways and hybrids. Additionally, the inventions described herein may further be included in iron type golf club heads as well. The golf club head 100 provides only a rough sketch of the external components of the golf club head 100 without illustrating the internal workings of the golf club head 100. More specifically, the golf club head 100 has a striking face 102 at a frontal portion of the golf club head 100, the striking face 102 configured to strike a golf ball (not illustrated). The golf club head also includes a sole 104 extending aft from a lower portion of the striking face 102. The intersection of the striking face 102 and the sole 104 forms the sole return 106. The golf club head 100 also includes a crown 108 extending aft from an upper portion of the striking face 102. The intersection of the striking face 102 and the crown 108 forms the crown return 118. The intersection of the sole 104 and the crown 108 forms a skirt 110 which extends around the aft perimeter of the golf club head 100. The golf club head 100 includes a hosel 112 extending out of the heel portion 114 of the club head 100, the hosel configured to receive a shaft (not illustrated), the heel portion being opposite the toe portion 116. FIG. 1 also includes a coordinate system wherein the z axis extends forward, parallel to a ground plane when the golf club head 100 is in an address position, an x axis perpendicular to the z-axis, and extending heelwards parallel to a ground plane when the gold club head 100 is in an address position, and substantially parallel to the striking face, and a y-axis perpendicular to the z-axis and x-axis.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an additional perspective view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1 with a stiffening member and with a portion of the crown 108 missing for illustrative purposes. The interior 120 of the golf club head 100 is visible in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the golf club head 100 also includes a stiffening member 200 affixed to the sole 104 of the golf club head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, a majority of the golf club head 100, including the sole 104, is formed from a metal material, and more specifically in the illustrated embodiment, titanium. In other embodiments, portions of the golf club head 100 may be formed of non-metal materials such as carbon fiber composites. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening member 200 is formed separately from the sole 104 and subsequently affixed to the sole 104.

[0057] The stiffening member 200 can be installed into the interior 120 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the golf club head 100 might have composite portions such as the crown which are affixed to the golf club head 100 after installation of the stiffening member 200, allowing the stiffening member 200 to be installed in interior of the golf club head 100 prior to final assembly of the golf club head 100.

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view A-A′ of the golf club head of FIG. 2. In an additional embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the golf club head 100 can include an aperture 130 configured to receive the stiffening member. More specifically, the sole 104 can include the aperture 130. The stiffening member 200 can be installed through the aperture 130 and reside within the aperture 130 when it is affixed to the golf club head 100. The golf club head 100 can also include a recessed portion 140 to receive a portion of the stiffening member 200. The stiffening member 200 can include a internal portion 210 residing primarily within the interior 120 of the golf club head 100 and an external portion 220 residing primarily within the recessed portion 140 of the golf club head 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the external portion 220 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the internal portion 210. The recessed portion 140 includes a recessed wall 142. The aperture 130 is formed through the recessed wall 142. Additionally, the internal portion 210 of the stiffening member 200 abuts the recessed wall 142. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied between the external portion 220 and the recessed wall 142. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied between the stiffening member 200 and the edges 132 of the aperture 130. As illustrated, the recessed portion 140 can be configured such that the stiffening member 200 does not protrude past the outer extend of the sole 104.

[0059] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view B-B′ of the golf club head of FIG. 2. In an additional embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the golf club head 100 can include one or more receptacles 150 in the interior 120 of the golf club head 100 configured to receive and retain the stiffening member 200. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a receptacle 150 can include a first retention protrusion 151 and a second retention protrusion 152 configured to sandwich the stiffening member 200. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied between the stiffening member 200 and the sole 104. In some embodiments, adhesive can be applied between the stiffening member and the retention protrusions 151, 152 of the receptacle 150. In other embodiments, no adhesive is applied between the stiffening member 200 and the receptacle 150. In other embodiments, the receptacle 150 only includes a single retention protrusion 151. In other embodiments, the first retention protrusion 151 can be offset lengthwise along the stiffening member 200 from the second retention protrusion 152.

[0060] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the golf club head 100 can include an aperture 130, a recessed portion 140, and a receptacle 150 to retain a stiffening member. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the sole 104 of golf club head 100 of FIG. 1 including a partially installed stiffening member 200. The aperture 130 allows the stiffening member 200 to be installed from the exterior of the golf club head 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the stiffening member can include a first portion 201 which includes an internal portion 210 and an external portion 220 and a second portion 202 which only includes an internal portion 210. The first portion 201 of the stiffening member 200 can have a length substantially similar to the length of the aperture 130 and recessed portion 140. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the stiffening member 200 can be rotated relative to its final mounting orientation and the second portion 202 of the stiffening member can be installed through the aperture 130 and then the stiffening member 200 can be rotated into its final mountain orientation such that the second portion 202 resides within the receptacle 150 and the external portion 220 of the first portion 201 resides within the recessed portion 140 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates an additional embodiment of the golf club head 100 with the stiffening member 200 not yet installed. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the aperture 130 can extend the full length of the stiffening member 200. In an additional embodiment, the recessed portion 140 could run the full length of the aperture 130 and the stiffening member 200 could include an external portion 220 which extends along the entire length of the stiffening member 200.

[0062] The stiffening member 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 stiffens the sole 104 it is affixed to and improves the acoustic signature of the golf club head 100 at impact. Additionally, the external portion 220 of the stiffening member 200 can also provide a contrasting color on the exterior of the golf club head 100, improving the aesthetic of the golf club head 100 and providing visible technology for the golfer to enjoy. In one embodiment, the stiffening member 200 could be customized in color or possibly in pattern or text to designate different club characteristics to appeal to different groups or even individual golfers.

[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 the stiffening member 200 has a length L measured along its major axis, a height H measured perpendicular to the length L extending into the interior 120 of the golf club head 100, and a width W measured perpendicularly to the height H and length L. In one embodiment the height H is at least twice the width W and the length L is at least 5 times the height H. In other embodiments, the stiffening member 200 can be affixed to other or additional portions of the golf club head such as the skirt, crown, striking face, hosel, etc. In one embodiment the width W of the stiffening member 200 is approximately 1.0 mm. In another embodiment the width W of the stiffening member 200 is approximately 1.4 mm.

[0064] As mentioned above, the stiffening member 200 can be adhered to the golf club head 100 utilizing adhesive. In other embodiments, the golf club head 100 and the stiffening member 200 can include complementary features such that the stiffening member 200 can snap into the golf club head 100 without the need for additional adhesives or mechanical locking features.

[0065] By manufacturing the stiffening member 200 separately from the rest of the golf club head 100 it can be made from different materials which may have higher stiffness properties and/or a lower density. The stiffening member 200 can be made from, for example, composite, carbon fiber infused polymer, thermoplastic, thermoplastic composite, titanium, steel, stainless steel, magnesium, ceramic, aluminum-boron carbide, boron carbide, aluminum, etc.

[0066] Stiffness of a material depends on its modulus of elasticity, also known as Young's modulus. It is preferable that the stiffening member 200 have a higher modulus of elasticity than the portion of the golf club head 100 it is affixed to, the sole 104 for example. It is also preferable for the stiffening member 200 to have a lower density than the portion of the golf club head 100 it is affixed to. Golf club head 100, for example, can be formed from titanium with a modulus of elasticity of approximately 113 GPa and a density of approximately 4.5 g/cm.sup.3. The stiffening member 200, for example, can be formed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer with a modulus of elasticity of approximately 181 GPa and a density of approximately 1.5 g/cm.sup.3. In one embodiment the stiffening member has a density of less than 4.0 g/cm.sup.3. In one embodiment the stiffening member has a modulus of elasticity of greater than 120 GPa.

[0067] In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a modulus of elasticity at least 20% greater than the modulus of elasticity of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a modulus of elasticity at least 30% greater than the modulus of elasticity of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a modulus of elasticity at least 40% greater than the modulus of elasticity of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a modulus of elasticity at least 50% greater than the modulus of elasticity of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to.

[0068] In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a density that is at least 20% less than the density of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a density that is at least 30% less than the density of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a density that is at least 40% less than the density of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a density that is at least 50% less than the density of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to. In one embodiment the stiffening member 200 has a density that is at least 60% less than the density of the portion of the golf club head it is affixed to.

[0069] It is preferable for a composite stiffening member 200 to have the fibers aligned primarily in a lengthwise direction along its length to resist bending and provide stiffness to the golf club head. The modulus of the stiffening member 200 material should be taken of a sample with fibers oriented and loaded in a similar manner as it is in the golf club head 100.

[0070] FIG. 7 illustrates an additional perspective view of a golf club head 100, with a portion of the crown missing for illustrative purposes, the golf club head 100 including an additional embodiment of a stiffening member 200. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the stiffening member 200 includes a first weight receptacle 231 in a first portion 201 of the stiffening member 200, a second weight receptacle 232 in a second portion 202 of the stiffening member 200, and a weight member 230 residing within the second weight receptacle 232. The weight member 230, first weight receptacle 231, and second weight receptacle 232 are configured such that the weight member 230 can be installed in either the first weight receptacle 231 or the second weight receptacle 232, altering the center of gravity location of the golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 100 could include a plurality of stiffening members 200, further expanding the possibilities of adjusting the center of gravity location of the golf club head.

[0071] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of a gold club head 300 including an additional embodiment of a stiffening member 400. FIG. 9 illustrates an additional cross-sectional view of the golf club head 300 of FIG. 8. The golf club head 300 of FIGS. 8 and 9 include a stiffening member 400 which extends around the golf club head 300 in a loop and is affixed to the sole 304, the skirt 310, and the crown 308. In one embodiment, the stiffening member 400 can be formed in one piece and extending around a majority of the golf club head 300. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the stiffening member 400 can reside within a receptacle 350.

[0072] FIG. 10 illustrates an additional embodiment of the golf club head 300. The golf club head 300 illustrated in FIG. 10 also includes stiffening members 400A, 400B affixed to both the sole 304 and the crown 308, however rather than one continuous stiffening member, this embodiment includes a first stiffening member 400A and a second stiffening member 400B. Each of these stiffening members 400A, 400B are similar in design to the stiffening member 200 of FIGS. 2-4. The first stiffening member 400A is affixed to the sole 304 and the second stiffening member 400B is affixed to the crown 308. As illustrated, the first stiffening member 400A and the second stiffening member 400B can be arranged parallel to one another such that they are substantially coplanar. The golf club head includes apertures 330 to receive the internal portions 410 of the stiffening members 400A, 400B and recessed portions 340 to receive the external portions 420 of the stiffening members 400A, 400B. In another embodiment the first stiffening member 400A could be affixed to the heel side of both the sole 304 and crown 308 and the second stiffening member 400B could be affixed to the toe side of both the sole 304 and the crown 308.

[0073] In some embodiments, golf club heads can include both metallic portions and composite portions. The composite portions may replace portions of the golf club head such as the crown and/or the sole. The composite portions are generally lighter than a metallic portion and allow for more discretionary mass for the golf club head designer to optimize center of gravity properties and moments of inertia. The composite portions can be formed from a variety of materials, which may include for example, pre-preg carbon composite, injection molded carbon composite, traditionally laid carbon composite, thermoplastic carbon composite, thermoset material, injection molded carbon composite, a polymer, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyamide (PA). The composite portions can be formed from a variety of processes, which may include for example, wet layups, pre-preg layup cured in an autoclave, resin infusion, compression molding, injection molding, thermoforming, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the composite portions are thermoformed thermoplastics which offer superior strength and durability performance as compared with injection molded thermoplastics and chopped fiber constructions allowing for panels to be very thin. One limitation to thermoforming composite portions of the golf club head is that you cannot vary the thickness of the panel. Thus if a feature with height is required on one side of a panel, a corresponding depression on the opposite side of the panel is required. Often, golf club heads with composite portions require stiffening members to improve the acoustic signature of the golf club head, which offers a unique challenge when utilizing thermoformed thermoplastic composite portions. The golf club head 500 described below, which incorporates a metallic body 560 with thermoformed composite panels, offers a unique solution to that challenge.

[0075] FIGS. 11-16 illustrates a golf club head incorporating a composite crown panel 600 and a composite sole panel 700. FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an additional embodiment of a golf club head 500. FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the golf club head 500 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the golf club head of FIG. 11. FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a cross-section of the golf club head 500 of FIG. 11 including an additional embodiment of a composite sole panel 700. FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a cross-section of the golf club head 500 of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 illustrates a detail view of the interface of the metallic body 560 and the composite sole panel 700 of FIG. 15.

[0076] As illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 the golf club head 500 includes a striking face 502 at a frontal portion of the golf club head 500, the striking face 502 configured to strike a golf ball (not illustrated). The golf club head also includes a sole 504 extending aft from a lower portion of the striking face 502. The intersection of the striking face 502 and the sole 504 forms the sole return 506. The golf club head 500 also includes a crown 508 extending aft from an upper portion of the striking face 502. The intersection of the striking face 502 and the crown 508 forms the crown return 518. The intersection of the sole 504 and the crown 508 forms a skirt 510 which extends around the aft perimeter of the golf club head 500. The golf club head 500 includes a hosel 512 extending out of the heel portion 514 of the golf club head 500, the hosel configured to receive a shaft (not illustrated), the heel portion being opposite the toe portion 516.

[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 11, a majority of the crown 508 is a composite crown panel 600. The golf club head 500 includes a crown aperture configured to receive the composite crown panel 600. As illustrated in FIG. 12 a majority of the sole 504 is a composite sole panel 700. The golf club head 500 includes a sole aperture configured to receive the composite sole panel 700. The metallic portion of the golf club head 500 can be referred to as the metallic body 560. FIG. 16 illustrates how the metallic body 560 of the golf club head 500 can include a shelf 570 configured to accept the composite sole panel 700. The crown 508 can share a similar construction. The composite panels 600, 700 can be adhered to the metallic body of the golf club head 500 in a variety of ways, which may include for example, adhesives, co-molding, compression molding, etc. In another embodiment, the metallic body may include the striking face and a sole return and crown return while the aft body is formed from composite panels.

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the golf club head 500 can include a stiffening member 800 affixed to the composite sole panel 700. In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening member 800 extends substantially parallel to the striking face 502 from a heel portion 514 towards a toe portion 516 of the golf club head 500. The stiffening member 800 includes a first portion 801 extending towards the heel portion 514 and a second portion 802 extending towards the toe portion 516. In other embodiments, the stiffening member 800 may extend fore-aft substantially perpendicularly to the striking face 502. In additional embodiments, the stiffening member 800 may extend obliquely relative to the striking face 502. In additional embodiments, the stiffening member 800 may include curves or bends such that it does not extend in a substantially straight line.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the composite sole panel 700 is a thermoformed thermoplastic and the stiffening member 800 is affixed to the composite sole panel 700. In one embodiment, the stiffening member 800 is diffusion bonded to the composite sole panel 700. In another embodiment, the stiffening member 800 is compression thermoformed to the composite sole panel 700. The composite sole panel 700 and the stiffening member 800 can be formed from materials which are thermally compatible with one-another. The components may be heated in a variety of techniques which may include, an oven, infrared heating, ultrasonic heating, etc, before they are joined together. In another embodiment, the stiffening member 800 is affixed to the composite sole panel 700 via ultrasonic welding. In another embodiment, the stiffening member 800 is affixed to the composite sole panel 700 with an adhesive. In another embodiment, the stiffening member 800 is can be co-molded to the composite sole panel 700. The stiffening member 800 can be formed from a variety of materials, which may include for example, pre-preg carbon composite, injection molded carbon composite, traditionally laid carbon composite, thermoplastic carbon composite, thermoset material, injection molded carbon composite, a polymer, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a polyamide (PA), titanium, steel, aluminum, magnesium, etc. In one embodiment, the composite stiffening member includes continuous carbon fibers running along its entire length. In another embodiment, the stiffening member could be affixed to another composite panel such as the composite crown panel.

[0080] As illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the metallic body 560 of the golf club head 500 can include a shelf 570 configured to accept the composite sole panel 700. The stiffening member 800 can extend past the ends of the composite sole panel 700. In one embodiment the stiffening member 800 can bridge the interface between the composite sole panel 700 and the metallic body 560 of the golf club head 500. In one embodiment, the metallic body 560 of the golf club head 500 can include one or more receptacles 550 extending into the interior of the golf club head 500 configured to receive and retain the stiffening member 800. In some embodiments the stiffening member 800 can be adhered to the metallic body 560. In some embodiments, the stiffening member 800 can be adhered to the receptacles 550. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the shelf 570 can include a slot 580 in which the stiffening member 800 resides and wherein the shelf 570 acts as a receptacle 550 for the stiffening member 800.

[0081] In describing the present technology herein, certain features that are described in the context of separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination.

[0082] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure as well as the principle and novel features disclosed herein.