Trusses for golf club heads

Abstract

A golf club head includes a main body having a topline and an opposing sole. The main body includes a striking face extending between the topline and sole, and a rear face in opposed relation to the striking face. A sole body is proximate the rear face and extends at least partially along the sole. A peripheral flange extends at least partially about the rear face and is of a flange height, H.sub.F, relative to the rear face. A truss protrudes from the rear face and includes a at least a first truss arm which is of a first truss arm height, H.sub.T1, relative to the rear face, wherein the difference between H.sub.F and H.sub.T1 is less than about 0.25 mm.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising: a main body having a topline portion, a sole portion opposite the topline portion, a heel portion, and a toe portion opposite the heel portion, the main body including: a striking face extending between the topline portion and sole portion; a sole body including the sole portion, the sole body defining a sole incline having a sole incline surface opposite the striking face; a rear face in opposed relation to the striking face and distinct from the sole incline surface; a peripheral flange extending at least partially along the rear face, the peripheral flange comprising an outer flange surface having a flange height, H.sub.F, relative to the rear face; a truss protruding from the rear face and including a first truss arm comprising an outer first truss arm surface and a first truss arm height, H.sub.T1, relative to the rear face, and a second truss arm comprising an outer second truss arm surface and a second truss arm height, H.sub.T2, relative to the rear face, the first truss arm and the second truss arm segregating the rear face into a first region proximate the heel portion and distal the toe portion, a second region proximate the toe portion and distal the heel portion, and a third region between the first region and the second region, the third region including a step portion; a truss spine extending between the heel portion and the toe portion along the sole incline, the truss spine including an outer truss spine surface; a cavity within the third region and recessed relative to the rear face, the cavity at least partially delimited by the truss spine and the step portion; a first channel extending along the truss spine and recessed relative to the outer truss spine surface and the sole incline surface; wherein: H.sub.F, H.sub.T1, and H.sub.T2 have a differential height of greater than 0 and less than about 0.25 mm.

2. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer flange surface is separated from the first truss arm and the second truss arm by a second channel.

3. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein: the rear face comprises a rear face surface roughness; and the outer flange surface and the outer first truss arm surface and outer second truss arm surface each comprise another surface roughness which is different from the rear face surface roughness such that the outer flange surface and the outer first truss arm surface and outer second arm truss surface are less coarse than the rear face surface roughness.

4. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein: the rear face comprises one light reflectance value; and the outer flange surface and the outer first truss arm surface and outer second truss arm surface each comprise light reflectance values which are different from that of the rear face such that the outer flange surface, the outer first truss arm surface, and the second truss arm surface are more reflective than the rear face.

5. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein the first truss arm and second truss arm are each integrally connected to the truss spine.

6. The golf club head as recited in claim 5, wherein the first truss arm and second truss arm extend from a common side of the truss spine.

7. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer flange surface is separated from the outer truss spine surface nearest the toe portion by a second channel and from the outer truss spine surface nearest the heel portion by a third channel.

8. The golf club head as recited in claim 5, wherein: the rear face is of a first surface roughness; the sole incline surface is of a second surface roughness different from the first surface roughness such that the sole incline surface is less coarse that the rear face; and the outer flange surface, the outer first truss surface, the outer second truss surface, and the outer truss spine surface are each of a third surface roughness different from both the first surface roughness and the second surface roughness such that the outer flange surface, the outer first truss surface, and the outer second truss surface, and the outer truss spine surface are each less coarse that the sole incline surface.

9. The golf club head as recited in claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a loft of between 46 degrees and 64 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Exemplary implementations will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a rear view of an exemplary, prior art iron or wedge-type club head;

(3) FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the prior art club head depicted in FIG. 1, taken along axis 1A-1A;

(4) FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the prior art club head depicted in FIG. 1, taken along axis 1B-1B;

(5) FIG. 2 is a rear view of an exemplary iron or wedge-type club head constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the club head depicted in FIG. 2, taken along axis 2A-2A;

(7) FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the club head depicted in FIG. 2, taken along axis 2B-2B; and

(8) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the club head shown in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B as being polished with a polishing wheel.

(9) Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating various aspects of the present disclosure only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B depict a golf club head 110 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, and as depicted by way of example in FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, the golf club head 110 is a head for the category of golf clubs generally characterized as “irons” or “wedges.” Irons are often numbered, for example 2-iron through 9-iron, with higher numbers corresponding to higher loft angles. Wedges are often classified as “pitching,” “gap,” “sand,” and “lob” wedges, depending of the loft angle, i.e., degree of inclination of the striking face thereof, which generally falls in the range of from 46° to 64°. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the principles of the present disclosure, as will be described in more detail below, may be applicable to other types of golf club heads including irons, hybrids, woods, putters, etc.

(11) The golf club head 110 includes a main body 112. When viewed from the perspectives shown in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, the main body 112 includes a top portion 114 defining a top line 115, and a bottom portion 116 which is generally opposite the top portion 114 and defines a sole 117. The main body 112 also includes a heel portion 118, a toe portion 120 which is generally opposite the heel portion 118, a striking face 122, and a rear face 124 which is generally opposite the striking face. Still further, the main body 112 includes a hosel 125 which, as is seen in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, is generally located at the heel side of the top portion 114 proximate the striking face 122. The hosel 125 is used to facilitate the attachment of a club shaft (not shown) to the golf club head 110.

(12) In the golf club head 110, the main body 112 is typically fabricated predominantly from a metallic material, e.g., stainless steel, titanium, or other metals and alloys thereof. In greater detail, it is contemplated that at least the main body 112 may be fabricated from a metal material having an elongation greater than or equal to about 10% so as to facilitate the formation thereof by forging, bending, pressing, stamping or another similar, suitable technique. As employed herein, the phrases “greater than or equal to” and “not less than” may be used interchangeably. Similarly, the phrases “less than or equal to” and “not greater than” may be used interchangeably.

(13) As is typical for iron and wedge type golf clubs, the striking face 122 is generally planar or flat, and suitable for striking a golf ball. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the striking face 122, though being described as generally planar, may possess some degree of bulge and/or roll, depending on the club type. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize that the specific shape or profile of the striking face 122, and the club head 110 in general, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B is exemplary only, and may be selectively varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Along these lines, this specific shape or contour of the top, bottom, heel and toe portions 114, 116, 118, 120 of the main body 112 as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B is also exemplary only, and may itself be selectively varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

(14) According to one implementation, the club head 110 includes a plurality of grooves 128 extending into the club head 110 from the striking face 122. The exemplary grooves 128 are generally parallel to each other and may extend in a horizontal direction when the club head is in a “reference position.” In FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B the golf club head 110 is depicted as being in a “reference position.” When the golf club head 110 is in the reference position, a hosel axis 130 is oriented at a lie angle α of approximately 60° with respect to a horizontal ground plane 132. Unless otherwise indicated, all parameters herein are specified with the golf club head 110 in the reference position.

(15) The club head 110 is uniquely configured to provide enhanced performance and feel when striking a golf ball. The rear face 124 is arranged in generally opposed relation to the striking face 122 and is generally planar and parallel to the striking face 122. In the exemplary embodiment, the rear face 124 may include a first portion 134, a second portion 136 which may be recessed into the club head 110 relative to the first portion 134, and a step portion 138 extending between and thus connecting the first portion 134 and the second portion 136. In the completed club head 110, the rear face 124 may be finished to be of a first surface roughness value, as will be described in more detail below.

(16) The club head 110 includes several features proximate the rear face 124 to impart prescribed performance characteristics. Moving from the sole 117 to the top line 115 along the rear face 124, the club head 110 includes a sole body 140, a truss 142 and a peripheral flange 144. The sole body 140, sometimes referred to as the “muscle” of a wedge or iron type golf club head, which may define at least a portion of the sole 117 of the club head 110, extends between the heel portion 118 and the toe portion 120. The exterior surface of the sole body 140 defines a sole grind 148 and a sole incline 150 which are segregated from each other by a ridge 146. The sole grind 148 has a generally arcuate configuration, while the sole incline 150 is generally planar. The ridge 146 extends between the sole grind 148 and the sole incline 150 between the heel portion 118 and the toe portion 120. In the completed club head 110, the sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 may each be of a second surface roughness value that is less than the first surface roughness value associated with the rear face 124. With greater particularity, the sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 may be smoother than the rear face 124.

(17) The peripheral flange 144 extends from the rear face 124, away from the striking face 122 and along the top line 115 of the club head 110 between the heel portion 118 and the toe portion 120. The peripheral flange 144 defines an outer flange surface 152. The peripheral flange 144 is of a flange height H.sub.F relative to the rear face 124. As seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B the flange height H.sub.F is measured between the outer flange surface 152 of the peripheral flange 144 and the first portion 134 of the rear face 124. The flange height H.sub.F may vary between a flange height minimum H.sub.Fmin and a flange height maximum H.sub.Fmax according to acceptable tolerance ranges. According to one embodiment, the flange height H.sub.F is equal to about 1.8 mm. The peripheral flange 144 is also of a flange thickness T.sub.F as defined by the distance between an outer flange edge 154 and an inner flange edge 156. Stated another way, the flange thickness T.sub.F can generally be characterized as the width of the outer flange surface 152 of the peripheral flange 144 which extends between the outer and inner flange edges 154, 156. In the exemplary embodiment, the flange thickness T.sub.F may be substantially uniform along the length of the peripheral flange 144; in other embodiments, however, the flange thickness T.sub.F may vary from one point to another along the perimeter of the peripheral flange 144. In the completed club head 110, the outer flange surface 152 may be finished to be of a third surface roughness value that may be different than the first and second surface roughness values associated with the rear face 124 and sole body 140, respectively. In this respect, the outer flange surface 152 may be smoother than the sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 of the sole body 144, and the first, second and step portions 134, 136, 138 of the rear face 124.

(18) The club head 110 further includes the aforementioned truss 142 which protrudes outwardly relative to the rear face 124. As will be described in more detail below, a portion of the truss 142 may create a transition between each of the opposed ends of the peripheral flange 144 and the sole body 140. The truss 142 is configured to provide structural support to the striking face 122 such that when the club head 110 strikes the golf ball, the vibrations resulting from such impact are dampened to provide a desirable feel and sound. As will be discussed in more detail below, in the completed club head 110, prescribed surfaces of the truss 142 and the outer flange surface 152 may be finished though a polishing operation to be of substantially the same surface roughness (i.e., the third surface roughness value) and hence substantially the same appearance.

(19) According to one embodiment, and referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the truss 142 may comprise a truss spine 162 which extends between the heal portion 118 and the toe portion 120 of the club head 110, generally along the sole body 140 thereof. The truss spine 162 as illustrated is itself comprised of a truss heal segment 164, a truss toe segment 166, and a truss cavity segment 168 extending between and connecting the truss toe segment 166 and truss heal segment 164. The truss 142 further comprises one or more, for example a pair of truss arms 158, 160 which may be integrally connected to and protrude from a common side of the truss spine 162, the distal ends of the each of the truss arms 158, 160 extending to the inner flange edge 156 of the peripheral flange 144.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment of the truss 142 shown in FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, the pair of truss arms 158, 160 extend along the rear surface 124 and segregate the rear surface 124 into three discrete rear surface regions 170, 172, 174. The first rear surface region 170, which may be defined solely by the first portion 134, is located adjacent the heal portion 118 of the club head 110 and is bounded by the first truss arm 158, the truss heal segment 164 and the heel segment of the peripheral flange 144. The second surface region 172, which is defined by the second portion 136 and at least a part of the first portion 134, is bounded by both truss arms 158, 160, the truss cavity segment 168, and the middle segment of the peripheral flange 144. The third surface region 174, which may also be defined solely by the first portion 134, is located near the toe portion 120 of the club head 110 and is bounded by the second truss arm 160, the truss toe segment 166, and the toe segment of the peripheral flange 144.

(21) The truss arm 158 defines an outer truss arm surface 176, and the truss arm 160 defines an outer truss arm surface 178. The truss spine 162 defines an outer truss spine surface 180 which spans the heel, toe and cavity segments 164, 166, 168 thereof. The outer truss spine surface 180 is preferably substantially flush or co-planar with the sole incline 150 defined by the sole body 140. However, the club head 110 may preferably include an elongate groove or channel 182 formed therein which follows the contour of the truss spine 162 and creates a visual line of demarcation between the outer truss spine surface 180 and the sole incline 150. By virtue of the co-planar relationship between the outer truss spine surface 180 and the sole incline 150, only a single “step” is defined between the sole body 140 and each of the first and second portions 134, 136 of the rear face 124, such step being defined by the truss spine 162 of the truss 142. In greater detail, the truss heel segment 164 of the truss spine 162 defines a single step between the sole incline 150 and the first portion 134 of the rear face 124 at the first surface region 170, with the truss toe segment 166 of the truss spine 162 defining a single step between the sole incline 150 and the first portion 134 of the rear face 124 at the third surface region 174. The truss cavity segment 168 of the truss spine 162 defines a single step between the sole incline 150 and the second portion 136 of the rear face 124 at the third surface region 172.

(22) The truss heel segment 164 of the truss spine 162 creates a transition between one end of the peripheral flange 144 and the sole body 140, with the truss toe segment 166 of the truss spine 162 creating a transition between the opposite end of the peripheral flange 144 and the sole body 140. Along these lines, the club head 110 further preferably includes a groove or channel 188 formed therein which creates a visual line of demarcation between the outer flange surface 152 and the outer truss spine surface 180 as defined by the truss heel segment 164 of the truss spine 162. A groove or channel 190 is also formed in the club head 110 and creates a visual line of demarcation between the outer flange surface 152 and the outer truss spine surface 180 as defined by the truss toe segment 166 of the truss spine 162. In a similar fashion, the club head 110 also preferably includes a groove or channel 184 formed therein which creates a visual line of demarcation between the outer truss arm surface 176 of the truss arm 158 and the outer flange surface 152, as well as a groove or channel 186 (also seen in FIG. 2A) formed therein which creates a visual line of demarcation between the outer truss arm surface 178 of the truss arm 160 and the outer flange surface 152.

(23) In the club head 110, the truss arm 158 is of a truss arm height H.sub.T1 as measured between the outer truss surface 176 and the first portion 134 of the rear face 124. Similarly, the truss arm 160 is of a truss arm height H.sub.T2 as measured between the outer truss surface 178 and the first portion 134 of the rear face 124. The truss arm heights H.sub.T1 and H.sub.T2 may vary between respective truss height maximums, H.sub.T-MAX and truss height minimums, H.sub.T-MIN depending on acceptable tolerances. Furthermore, the outer truss arms surfaces 176, 178 are each of a prescribed truss width W.sub.T as defined by the distance between the opposed edges thereof.

(24) According to one embodiment, the truss width W.sub.T is equal to about 3.3 mm and the truss arm heights H.sub.T1 and H.sub.T2 are equal to about 1.8 mm, which is substantially equal to the peripheral flange height H.sub.F. As will be described in more detail below, the generally co-planar relationship between the outer truss arm surfaces 176, 178 and the outer flange surface 152 allows for polishing of the outer truss arm surfaces 176, 178 using a polishing wheel 192 (see FIG. 3). It is understood that the outer truss arm surfaces 176, 178 and the outer flange surface 152 may be slightly offset from each other; however, any offset will be minimal and allow the conventional polishing wheel 192 to operatively engage both the outer flange surface 152 and the outer truss arm surfaces 176, 178 to polish those surfaces 152, 176, 178 to a prescribed finish or surface roughness.

(25) According to one embodiment, the club head 110 further includes a cavity 194 extending into a prescribed portion of the club head 110. The cavity 194 is collectively defined by the recessed second portion 136 and step portion 138 of the rear face 124 in combination with the truss cavity segment 168 of the truss spine 162. An insert (not shown) may be placed within the cavity 194 to alter the weight distribution and center of gravity of the club head 110 to tune the performance of the club head 110 and/or to provide branding indicia.

(26) With the basic structural features of the club head 110 having been described above, the following discussion will focus on one exemplary finishing process for the club head 110, particularly the process of creating a desired texture scheme having prescribed surface roughness values on prescribed regions of the club head 110. The club head 110 may be cast or forged to include the structural attributes described above. After the casting or forging, the rear face 124 of the club head 110 is textured to the first surface roughness value. The rear face 124 may be textured by blasting the rear face 124 with steel shot and then glass bead, although other texturing techniques known by those skilled in the art may also be used.

(27) After the rear face 124 has been textured, the remaining outermost surfaces of the club head 110 are polished using the polishing wheel 192. In particular, the polishing wheel 192 is used on the striking face 122, the sole 117, the sole grind 148 and the sole incline 150 of the sole body 140, the truss 142, and the peripheral flange 144. In greater detail, though the polishing wheel 192 is able to engage and thus polish the outer flange surface 152, the outer truss arm surfaces 176, 178, and the outer truss spine surface 180, it generally does not contact the inner flange edge 156 of the peripheral flange 144, or any side surface of the truss 142, and in particular the side surfaces of the truss arms and spine 158, 160, 162. As noted above, the generally co-planar relationship between the outer flange surface 152 and the outer truss surfaces 176, 178 of the truss arms 158, 160 allows the polishing wheel 192 to operatively engage therewith, in addition to the polishing wheel 192 engaging the outer truss spine surface 180. In the event there is a slight offset between the outer flange surface 152 and the outer truss surfaces 176, 178, the polishing step may reduce the offset by reducing the greater one of the truss arm height H.sub.T1, H.sub.T2 or peripheral flange height H.sub.F. The outer flange surface 152, the outer truss surfaces 176, 178, and the outer truss spine surface 180 are each preferably polished to the aforementioned third surface roughness value, which is preferably less than the first surface roughness value associated with the rear face 124.

(28) After completing the polishing process using the polishing wheel 192, the texturing process further includes texturing the sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 to the second surface roughness value, which is less than the first surface roughness value associated with the rear face 124, but greater than the third surface roughness value associated with the outer flange surface 152, outer truss surfaces 176, 178, and outer truss spine surface 180. After masking off areas of the club head 110 other than the sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 which have been previously blasted or polished as to impart the first and third surface roughness values thereto, the unmasked sole grind 148 and sole incline 150 are textured by blasting the same with glass bead as imparts the second surface roughness value thereto.

(29) After the club head 110 has been textured, the different surface roughness values formed on the various portions of the club head 110 produce different light reflection characteristics, with the surfaces that are of the third surface roughness value being highly reflective, the surfaces that are of the first surface roughness value being least reflective, and the surfaces that are of the second surface roughness value having intermediate reflective properties. The highly reflective nature of the outer flange surface 152, outer truss surfaces 176, 178, and outer truss spine surface 180 creates unique aesthetic attributes, particularly since those surfaces are contrasted with less reflective surfaces. Enhancing these aesthetic attributes are the channels 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, and in particular the channel 182 which separates the highly reflective outer truss spine surface 180 of the third surface roughness value from the less reflective sole incline 150 of the second surface roughness value. As will now be readily appreciated, the outer flange surface 152, outer truss surfaces 176, 178, and the outer truss spine surface 180 need not always have the same surface roughness or the same degree of reflectivity. As will also be appreciated, the other surfaces of the club, i.e., the reflective sole incline 150, sole grind 148, and rear face 124 need not have the same roughness or same degree of reflectivity. But in a preferred embodiment, the respective surface roughnesses of the outer flange surface 152, outer truss surfaces 176, 178, and the outer truss spine surface 180 may each be less course and/or more reflective than the respective surface roughnesses of the adjoining surfaces, i.e., the sole incline 150, rear face 124 surfaces, etc.

(30) This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.