CN117531179A

CN117531179A - Multi-piece golf club head

Info

Publication number: CN117531179A
Application number: CN202311299018.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·格雷尼; S·克劳斯; 郑国桂; 郑凯铭; M·格林史密斯; C·哈伯特; T·比奇; M·D·约翰逊
Original assignee: Taylor Golf Co
Current assignee: Taylor Golf Co
Priority date: 2020-12-16
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Also published as: TWI789121B; JP2023068033A; TW202224728A; TWI852318B; JP7247312B2; JP2022095552A; TW202337531A; CN114699746A; CN114699746B

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a driver golf club head made of at least one first material having a density of between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density of between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density of between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. The first mass of the first material is not greater than 55% and not less than 25% of the total mass of the golf club head. The second mass of the second material is not greater than 65% and not less than 20% of the total mass of the golf club head. The third mass of the third material is equal to the total mass of the golf club head minus the first mass of the first material and the second mass of the second material.

Description

Multi-piece golf club head

The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application 2021115411942 entitled "multi-piece golf club head" filed on day 12 and 16 of 2021.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, to a golf club head constructed of multiple components bonded together with an adhesive.

Background

In the early history of golf, golf club heads were made primarily from a single material such as wood. Later, golf club heads developed from configurations made primarily of wood to configurations made primarily of metal. Golf club heads, originally made of metal, are made of steel alloys. Over time, golf club heads have begun to be made from titanium alloys. Some, but not all, golf club head manufacturers have shifted from using a single material to using multiple materials and multiple piece constructions. The use of multiple pieces and the use of multiple materials may provide various manufacturing and performance advantages. The pieces of the multi-piece golf club head may be bonded together in a variety of ways, such as adhesive bonding and welding.

In general, the bond strength between the bonds of a multi-piece golf club head may affect the durability of the golf club head and thus the performance of the golf club head over time. When a golf club head is used to strike a golf ball, weak bonds tend to accelerate the degradation of bonds. Degradation of the bond between the bonds may result in reduced performance of the golf club head, such as best through reduced stiffness and lack of proper load transfer, and worst through complete failure of the golf club head. Generally, the striking face of a driver golf club head collides with a golf ball thousands of times during its life cycle. Each impact applies a force to the striking face in the range of 10,000g to 20,000g, where g equals the force per unit mass due to gravity. Repeated hits with such high forces tend to result in degradation of the bond forming the golf club head. Thus, a strong initial and durable bond between the bond elements of the golf club head is desired.

Because welding generally provides a stronger initial bond and may exhibit greater durability than other bonding techniques, many conventional components of multi-piece golf club heads use materials that facilitate welding, such as compatible metals. However, many metals used to construct multi-piece golf club heads have higher quality than non-metallic materials. Accordingly, the mass (also referred to as any mass) available for distribution around such golf club heads that may be used to enhance the performance of the golf club heads may be limited. For this reason, it may be difficult to provide a multi-piece golf club head that has a strong and durable bond between the components of the golf club head and that promotes a discretionary mass increase.

Disclosure of Invention

The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the yet unresolved shortcomings of golf club heads having a multi-piece construction. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide a golf club head that overcomes at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of conventional golf club heads.

Disclosed herein is a driver golf club head. The driver golf club head includes a forward portion including a ball striking face, a rearward portion opposite the forward portion, a crown portion, a sole portion opposite the crown portion, a heel portion, and a toe portion opposite the heel portion. The driver golf club head has a volume between 390 cubic centimeters (cc) and 600 cc. The total mass of the driver golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g. The driver golf club head is made of at least one first material having a density of between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density of between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density of between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. The first mass of the at least one first material is not greater than 55% and not less than 25% of the total mass of the driver golf club head. The second mass of the at least one second material is not greater than 65% and not less than 20% of the total mass of the driver golf club head. The third mass of the at least one third material is equal to the total mass of the driver golf club head minus the first mass of the at least one first material and the second mass of the at least one second material. The foregoing subject matter of this paragraph characterizes one example of the present disclosure.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the disclosed subject matter may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation. In other examples, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present in all embodiments or implementations. In addition, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter. The features and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

Drawings

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is another schematic side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom plan view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 5 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of a detail of the golf club head of FIG. 9A in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 11 is another schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of a body of the golf club head of FIG. 1 according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic bottom plan view of a body of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a body of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 15 is another schematic exploded perspective view of a body of the golf club head of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of the golf club head of FIG. 16 taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 16, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic exploded perspective view of another golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a schematic exploded perspective view of yet another golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 19 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a schematic front view of a ring of the golf club head of FIG. 19, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the face portion of FIG. 23, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a schematic rear view of a face portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a schematic front view of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a schematic bottom view of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28A is a schematic bottom cross-sectional view of a heel portion of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 28B is a schematic bottom cross-sectional view of a toe portion of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view of polymer layers of a striking plate of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional bottom plan view of a golf club head taken along a line similar to line 30-30 of FIG. 9B according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of a forward portion and a crown portion of the golf club head of FIG. 30 taken along line 31-31 of FIG. 30 in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of a forward portion and a crown portion of the golf club head of FIG. 30 taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 30 in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a schematic side elevation view of a first portion of a golf club head laser ablated by a first laser according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 34 is a schematic side elevation view of a second portion of a golf club head laser ablated by a second laser according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 35 is a schematic side elevation view of a first portion of a golf club head coupled to a second portion of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of an ablation pattern of peaks and valleys of an ablation surface of a portion of a golf club head in accordance with one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 37 is a schematic side elevation view of an ablation pattern of peaks and valleys of an ablation surface of a portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 38 is a schematic perspective view of a striking plate of a golf club head laser ablated by a laser according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 39 is a schematic perspective view of a body of a golf club head laser ablated by a laser in accordance with one or more examples of this disclosure;

FIG. 40 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a striking plate and a body of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a striking plate and a body of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 42 is a schematic flow chart of a method of manufacturing a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 43 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 44 is a schematic side elevation view of a first portion of a golf club head coupled to a second portion of the golf club head according to one or more examples of the disclosure;

FIG. 45 is a schematic top plan view of an ablation pattern on a portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 46 is a schematic top view of an ablation pattern on a portion of a golf club head according to one or more examples of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Examples of golf club heads are described below in the context of a driver golf club head having a multi-piece construction, but the principles, methods, and designs described may be applicable, in whole or in part, to fairway wood golf club heads, utility golf club heads (also referred to as hybrid golf club heads), iron golf club heads, and the like, as such golf club heads may also be made in multi-piece constructions.

In some examples disclosed herein, a golf club head has a ball striking face formed from a non-metallic material, such as a fiber reinforced polymeric material. Fracture of the bond joint formed between the body of the golf club head and the non-metallic striking plate may result in Characteristic Time (CT) creep. USGA regulations require that the CT of a golf club head remain within prescribed limits, regardless of how many shots the golf club head strikes a golf ball. CT of conventional driver golf club heads tends to increase after multiple hits with a golf ball. The increase in CT due to impact with a golf ball is known as CT creep. In certain examples disclosed herein, the golf club head is configured to strengthen an adhesive joint formed between the body of the golf club head and the non-metallic striking plate, such as by optimizing the surface structure of the golf club head to obtain a stronger adhesive bond.

U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0302946A1 (' 946 application), published on 10.9 of 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a "reference position" similar to an aiming position used to measure various parameters discussed throughout the application. The address or reference location is based on the procedure described in the U.S. golf association and R & a rules, inc. "measurement procedure for club head size of wood club" revision 1.0.0 (11/21/2003). Unless otherwise indicated, all parameters are specified when the club head is in the reference position.

Fig. 3, 4, 5, and 9A are examples of golf club heads 100 shown in an address or reference position. The golf club head 100 is in an address or reference position when the hosel axis 191 of the golf club head 100 is at an angle θ of 60 degrees relative to the ground plane 181 (see, e.g., fig. 5) and the ball striking face 145 of the golf club head 100 is square relative to the imaginary target line 101 (see, e.g., fig. 7). As shown in fig. 3, 4, 5, and 9A, locating the golf club head 100 at an address or reference location facilitates its use by itself of the club head origin coordinate system 185 centered about the geometric center of the striking face 145 (e.g., the center plane 183) for making various measurements. When the golf club head is in an address or reference position, various parameters described throughout this application, including head height, club head Center of Gravity (CG) position, and moment of inertia (MOI), may be measured with respect to the club head origin coordinate system 185 or with respect to another reference or references.

For more details or clarity, the reader is recommended to refer to the measurement methods described in the' 946 application and the USGA procedure. It is noted, however, that the origin and axes associated with the club head origin coordinate system 185 used in this application may not necessarily be aligned or oriented in the same manner as those described in the' 946 application or the USGA procedure. More details regarding locating the club head origin coordinate system 185 are provided below.

In some examples, golf club heads described herein include driver golf club heads that may be at least partially identified as having a total surface area of at least 3,500mm 2, preferably at least 3,800mm 2, and even more preferably at least 3,900mm 2 (e.g., at 3,500mm in one example ² To 5,000mm ² In between, in various examples less than 5,000mm ² And in another example at 3,700mm ² To 4,300mm ² Between) a ball striking face. In some examples, such as when the ball striking face is defined by a non-metallic material, the total surface area of the ball striking face is not largeAt 4,300mm ² And is not less than 3,300mm ² . The total surface area of the ball striking face is the outermost area of the ball striking face, which may be the outermost area of the face insert in some examples. In some examples, the total surface area of the ball striking face is the surface area of the surface of the ball striking face, which is defined at its periphery by all points at which the ball striking face transitions from a substantially uniform convex radius (i.e., the radius of curvature of the ball striking face from heel to toe) and a substantially uniform rolling radius (i.e., the radius of curvature of the ball striking face from crown to sole) to the body of the golf club head. In certain examples, the striking face of the golf club heads disclosed herein is defined in the same manner as one or more of U.S. patent application publication No. 2020/01397208 filed on 10/22/2014, U.S. patent No. 8,801,541 issued 8/12/2014, and U.S. patent No. 8,012,039 issued 9/6/2011, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In other examples, the striking face has a uniform convex radius and a uniform rolling radius, except for portions having a higher toe and a lower heel, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/006,561, issued on day 28 of 8, 2017, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 9,814,944, issued on day 11, and day 23, 2019, U.S. patent application publication No. 10,265,586, issued on day 4, and U.S. patent application publication No. 2019/007605, issued on day 15, 2018, 10, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Furthermore, in some examples, the driver golf club head includes a Center of Gravity (CG) projection parallel to the horizontal (y-axis), in one example, at most 3mm above or below the center plane of the ball striking face, and preferably at most 1mm above or below the center plane, as measured along the vertical axis (z-axis), or in another example, at most 5mm below the center plane of the ball striking face, and preferably at most 4mm below the center plane, as measured along the vertical axis (z-axis). In some examples, the CG protruding portion is in the toe direction of the geometric center of the striking face. Further, in some examples, the driver golf club head is centered about a vertical axis (e.g., through the CG and parallel to the club head origin coordinatesCG z axis of z-axis of system 185) has a relatively high moment of inertia (e.g., izz)>400kg-mm 2, and preferably Izz>450kg-mm 2, and more preferably Izz>500kg-mm 2, but in some embodiments less than 590kg-mm 2), a relatively high moment of inertia (e.g., ixx) about a horizontal axis (e.g., CG x-axis passing through the CG and parallel to the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185)>250kg-mm 2, and preferably Ixx>300kg-mm 2 or 320kg-mm 2, and more preferably Ixx >350kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>375kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>385kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>400kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>415kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>430kg-mm 2, more preferably Ixx>450kg-mm 2, but in some examples does not exceed 4000 kg.mm ² ) And preferably the ratio Ixx/Izz>0.70. Further details regarding inertias Izz and Ixx can be found in U.S. patent application publication No. 2020/01397208, published 5/7/2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to certain examples, the sum of Ixx and Izz is greater than 780kg-mm 2, 800kg-mm 2, 820kg-mm 2, 825kg-mm 2, 850kg-mm 2, 860kg-mm 2, 875kg-mm 2, 900kg-mm 2, 925kg-mm 2, 950kg-mm 2, 975kg-mm 2, or 1000kg-mm 2, but less than 1,100kg-mm 2. For example, the sum of Ixx and Izz may be between 740kg-mm 2 and 1,100kg-mm 2, such as about 869kg-mm 2. In some examples, ixx is at least 65% of Izz, and in some examples even more preferably Ixx is at least 68% of Izz. In some examples, the golf club head mass may range from 190 grams to 210 grams, preferably between 195 grams to 205 grams, and even more preferably no more than 203 grams. Golf club head mass includes the mass of any FCT system and fasteners that fasten the FCT system, but does not include the shaft of the golf club head or the grip of the golf club head. The maximum distance from the front edge to the rear edge of the club head measured parallel to the y-axis is preferably between 112mm and 127mm, preferably between 115mm and 127mm, even more preferably between 119mm and 127 mm.

By including forward and aft weights, a greater inertial value and lower CG protruding portions, e.g., no more than 3mm above the center plane, may be achieved, as discussed in more detail below. The forward weights may be a single forward weight or two or more forward weights. The forward weight may be located near an imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis, or the forward weight may be offset to the toe side or heel side of the imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis, or the toe side and heel side of the imaginary vertical plane passing through the y-axis of the golf club head. The forward weight may be formed separately and attached, welded or bonded to the golf club head by threads, or the forward weight may be a thickened area of the golf club head, or in some cases, the forward weight may be molded or overmolded as a forward portion of the golf club head. See U.S. patent No. 10,220,270 issued below and on 3-5 of 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for further discussion of various locations for forward and rearward weights. The forward weight is located forward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and the rearward weight is located rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head.

In some examples, the golf club heads described herein have a Δ1 value of no more than 25mm, preferably between 20mm and 25 mm. Δ1 of a driver golf club head is the distance between the CG and XZ planes of the golf club head along the y-axis of the club head center plane origin coordinate system 185, through the x-and z-axes of the club head center plane origin coordinate system 185, and through the hosel axis 191. In certain examples, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 335 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is not more than 25mm, and Ixx of the golf club head is at least 345 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is not more than 25mm, and Ixx of the golf club head is at least 355 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is not more than 25mm, and Ixx of the golf club head is at least 365 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is not more than 25mm, or Ixx of the golf club head is at least 375 kg-mm ² And Δ1 does not exceed 25mm.

In some examples, the golf club heads described herein have a Δ1 value between 20mm and 35 mm. In certain examples, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 335 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 22mm and 32mm, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 345 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 22mm and 32mm, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 355 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 22mm and 32mm, ixx of the golf club head is at least365 kg.mm ² And Δ1 is between 22mm and 32mm, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 375 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 23mm and 32mm, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 385 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 24mm and 32mm, the Ixx of the golf club head is at least 395 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 25mm and 32mm, or Ixx of the golf club head is at least 405 kg-mm ² And Δ1 is between 27mm and 32 mm.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, according to some examples, golf club head 100 of the present disclosure includes a toe portion 114 and a heel portion 116 opposite toe portion 114. In addition, the golf club head 100 includes a forward portion 112 (e.g., a face portion) and a rearward portion 112 opposite the forward portion 112. The golf club head 100 additionally includes a sole portion 117 at a sole region of the golf club head 100 and a crown portion 119 opposite the sole portion 117 and at a top region of the golf club head 100. Moreover, the golf club head 100 includes a skirt portion 121 that defines a transition region in which the golf club head 100 transitions between the crown portion 119 and the sole portion 117. Thus, skirt portion 121 is located between crown portion 119 and sole portion 117 and extends around the periphery of golf club head 100. Referring to fig. 9A, golf club head 100 further includes an interior cavity 113 collectively defined and enclosed by forward portion 112, rearward portion 112, crown portion 119, sole portion 117, heel portion 116, toe portion 114, and skirt portion 121.

The striking face 145 extends along the forward portion 112 from the sole portion 117 to the crown portion 119 and from the toe portion 114 to the heel portion 116. Further, the ball striking face 145 and at least a portion of the inner surface 166 of the forward portion 112 opposite the ball striking face 145 are planar in a top-to-bottom direction. As further defined, the striking face 145 faces in a generally forward direction. In some examples, the striking face 145 is formed with the body 102. In such an example, the minimum thickness of the forward portion 112 at the ball striking face 145 is between 1.5mm and 2.5mm and the maximum thickness of the forward portion 112 at the ball striking face 145 is less than 3.7mm. In some examples, the inner surface 166 of the forward portion 112 opposite the ball striking face 145 is not chemically etched and has an alpha shell thickness of no more than 0.30 mm.

Referring to fig. 9B and 41, in some examples, the golf club head 100 includes a striking plate 143 that is not co-formed with the body 102. The striking plate 143 is formed separately from the body 102 and attached to the body 102, such as via bonding, welding, brazing, fastening, etc. As shown, the striking plate 143 defines a striking face 145 of the golf club head 100. In these examples, the body 102 includes a plate opening 149 at the forward portion 112 of the golf club head 100 and a plate opening recessed flange 147 that extends continuously around the plate opening 149. In some examples, the plate opening recess flange 147 is non-flat or curved. The inner periphery of plate opening recess flange 147 defines a plate opening 149. The plate opening recess flange 147 is divided into at least a top plate opening recess flange 147A extending adjacently in the heel-to-toe direction along the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 and a bottom plate opening recess flange 147B extending adjacently in the heel-to-toe direction along the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100. Although not shown, the plate opening recess flange is further divided into a toe plate opening recess flange and a heel plate opening recess flange. Some of the characteristics of the plate opening recessed flange can be found in U.S. patent No. 9,278,267 issued at 3/8 of 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in fig. 9B, the top plate opening recessed flange 147A has a width (TPLW) and a thickness (TPLT). The width TPLW is defined as the distance from the inner periphery of the flange 147A defining the plate opening 149 to the furthest extent of the adhesion surface of the flange 147A away from the inner periphery. The thickness TPLT is defined as the thickness of the material defining the adhesion surface of the flange 147A. In some examples, a recess 190 (e.g., an interior recess) is formed in an interior surface of the body 102 and has a depth that extends in a back-to-front direction such that, in a bottom-to-crown direction, the recess 190 is located between the top plate opening recess flange 147A and the top of the golf club head 100. In other words, the recess 190 overlaps the roof opening recess flange 147A in the crown-to-bottom direction. Notably, the thickness of the crown may be locally increased rearward of the recess 190 such that the thickness of the crown portion near where the crown insert engages the club head is thicker than at the recess 190. Doing so may strengthen the overall structure of the crown joint and relieve stresses in the composite crown joint. Otherwise, the composite crown joint may be prone to cracking in this area, leading to premature failure of the composite crown joint due to casting cracking and/or glue failure.

Referring to fig. 30-32, in some examples, the golf club head 100 further includes an inner mass pad 129 formed in the crown portion 119 at a location adjacent the top plate opening recess flange 168. An inner mass pad 129 is also located between and offset (e.g., spaced apart from) the heel portion 116 and the toe portion 114 of the golf club head 100. In some examples, a portion of recess 190 is formed in inner mass pad 129. The inner mass pad 129 extends along only a portion of the length of the top plate opening recess flange 168. The length of the roof opening recess flange 168 extends in the heel to toe direction. Further, in some examples, the top plate opening recessed flange 168 is non-planar or curved. According to some examples, the thickness (WT) of the crown portion at the recess 190 is thicker at the inner mass pad 129 (see, e.g., fig. 31) than away from the inner mass pad 129 (see, e.g., fig. 32).

In certain examples, the width TPLW of the roof opening recess flange 147A is greater than 4.5mm (e.g., greater than 5.0mm in some examples, and greater than 5.5mm but less than 8.0mm in other examples, preferably less than 7.0mm in some examples). In some examples, the ratio of the width TPLW to the maximum height of the striking plate 143 is between 0.08 and 0.15. In the same or different examples, the ratio of the width TPLW to the maximum height of the plate opening 149 is between 0.07 and 0.15, such as 0.1, with the maximum height of the plate opening 149 in some examples being between 50-60mm, e.g., 53mm.

According to some examples, the thickness TPLT of the top plate opening recess flange 147A is between a minimum of 0.8mm to a maximum of 1.7mm (e.g., between 0.9mm to 1.6mm in some examples, and between 0.95mm to 1.5mm in other examples). As shown, the thickness TPLT of the inner periphery away from the flange 147A is greater than the thickness at the inner periphery of the flange 147A. Thus, in some examples, the thickness TPLT varies along the width TPLW of the flange 147A. For example, as shown, the thickness TPLT tapers or decreases in a crown-to-sole direction (e.g., toward the center of the plate opening 149). In some examples, the top flange thickness TPLT of the top panel opening recess flange 147A varies such that the maximum value of the top flange thickness TPLT is 30% to 60% greater than the minimum value of the top flange thickness TPLT. In some examples, the ratio of the thickness TPLT to the thickness of the striking plate is between 0.2 and 1.2. According to some examples, the ratio of the width TPLW to the thickness TPLT is between 2.6 and 10.

The floor opening recessed flange 147B has a width (BPLW) and a thickness (BPLT). The width BPLW is defined as the distance from the inner periphery of the flange 147B defining the plate opening 149 to the furthest extent of the adhesive surface of the flange 147B away from the inner periphery. The thickness BPLT is defined as the thickness of the material defining the adhesion surface of the flange 147B.

In certain examples, the width BPLW of the floor opening recess flange 147B is greater than 4.5mm (e.g., greater than 5.0mm in some examples, and greater than 5.5mm but less than 8.0mm in other examples, preferably less than 7.0mm in some examples). In some examples, the ratio of the width BPLW to the maximum height of the striking plate 143 is between 0.08 and 0.15. In the same or different examples, the ratio of the width BPLW to the maximum height of the plate opening 149 is between 0.07 and 0.15, such as 0.1, with the maximum height of the plate opening 149 in some examples being between 50-60mm, e.g., 53mm.

According to some examples, the thickness BPLT of the floor opening recess flange 147B is between 0.8mm and 1.7mm (e.g., between 0.9mm and 1.6mm in some examples, and between 0.95mm and 1.5mm in other examples). As shown, the thickness BPLT of the inner periphery away from the flange 147B is greater than the thickness at the inner periphery of the flange 147B. Thus, in some examples, the thickness BPLT varies along the width BPLW of the flange 147B. For example, as shown, the thickness BPLT decreases in the bottom-to-crown direction (e.g., toward the center of the plate opening 149). In some examples, the bottom flange thickness BPLT of the floor opening recess flange 147B varies such that the maximum value of the bottom flange thickness BPLT is 30% to 60% greater than the minimum value of the bottom flange thickness BPLT. In some examples, the ratio of the thickness BPLT to the thickness of the striking plate is between 0.2 and 1.2. According to some examples, the ratio of width BPLW to thickness BPLT is between 2.6 and 10.

As shown, the striking plate 143 is attached to the body 102 by securing the striking plate 143 in seated engagement with at least the top plate opening recessed flange 147A and the bottom plate opening recessed flange 147B. When engaged to the top plate opening recess flange 147A and the bottom plate opening recess flange 147B in this manner, the striking plate 143 covers or closes the plate opening 149. In addition, the top plate opening recessed flange 147A and the striking plate 143 are sized, shaped, and positioned relative to the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 such that the striking plate 143 abuts the crown portion 119 when in seated engagement with the top plate opening recessed flange 147A. The striking plate 143 adjacent the crown portion 119 defines the top line of the golf club head 100. Further, in some examples, the visual appearance of the striking plate 143 is sufficiently contrasted with the appearance of the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 to significantly enhance the crown line of the golf club head 100. Because the striking plate 143 is formed separately from the body 102, the striking plate 143 may be made of a material different from that of the body 102. In one example, the striking plate 143 is made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material, as described below.

Notably, the TPLW, TPLT, BPLW and BPLT dimensions help control the local stiffness of the club head and ensure that there is sufficient bonding area to bond the striking plate to the body 102. If formed of a fiber reinforced polymeric material, the modulus of the striking plate will be substantially different from the modulus of the body formed of a metallic material, such that the stiffness or compliance of the two is different, and the body will move at a different rate during striking of the striking plate and due to the different modulus, unless precautions are taken in the design to account for the stiffness differences. The recess 190, TPLW, TPLT, BPLW and BPLT dimensions all play a role in controlling the overall compliance and rate of the ball striking face and body during a blow. In addition, TPLW and BPLW help ensure adequate bonding area and facial performance. The bond area is too small, the bond will fail, the bond area is too large, the ball striking face will not function, i.e., the coefficient of restitution cannot be optimized, and in some examples too large will result in failure due to stiffness The ball striking face peels off the club head. Thus, the dimensions of TPLW, TPLT, BPLW and BPLT contribute to the overall performance of the club head and help avoid adhesive or cohesive failure. In some examples, the bonding area will be 850mm ² To 1800mm ² Preferably within the range of 1,300mm ² To 1,500mm ² Between them. In some examples, the ratio of the combined area to the internal surface area of the striking plate (the rear surface area of the striking plate) will be in the range of 21% to 45%. In some examples, the total combined area of the striking plate will be less than the total combined area of the crown insert. In some examples, the flange width TPLW and/or BPLW will be less than the flange width (front-to-back measured along the y-axis) of the forward crown opening recessed flange 168A.

Referring to fig. 31, a layer of adhesive 144 bonds the striking plate 143 to the body 102. The forward portion 112 includes a sidewall 146, the sidewall 146 defining a depth of the plate opening recess flange 147 and defining a radial outer periphery of the plate opening recess flange 147 away from a center of the plate opening 149. The side walls 146 are angled (e.g., acute, obtuse, or right) relative to the plate opening recess flange 147. In some examples, the angle defined between the side wall 146 and the plate opening recess flange 147 is between 70 ° and 120 °. In some examples, the angle defined between the side wall 146 and the plate opening recess flange 147 is greater than 90 °. The body 102 further includes a transition between the plate opening recess flange 147 and the side wall 146. In some examples, the transition portion defines a radial surface that couples the surfaces of the plate opening recess flange 147 and the sidewall 146 together. The adhesive layer 144 is interposed between the plate opening recessed flange 147 and the striking plate 143 and between the sidewall 146 and the striking plate 143. In some examples, the thickness (LT) of the adhesive layer 144 between the plate opening recessed flange 147 and the striking plate 143 is greater than the thickness (ST) of the adhesive layer 144 between the sidewall 146 and the striking plate 143. According to one specific example, the thickness (LT) of the adhesive layer 144 between the plate opening recessed flange 147 and the striking plate 143 is between 0.25mm and 0.45mm, and the thickness (ST) of the adhesive layer 144 between the sidewall 146 and the striking plate 143 is between 0.15mm and 0.25 mm.

In some examples, the striking plate may have a maximum panel height of no more than 55mm, such as along a pass throughPreferably no more than 55mm and no less than 40mm, and even more preferably between 49mm and 54mm, measured through the z-axis of the club head origin. In some cases, a striking plate formed of a fiber reinforced polymeric material may have a thickness of no more than 4,180mm ² And preferably at 3,200mm ² To 4,180mm ² More preferably 3,500mm ² To 4,180mm ² Front surface area therebetween. According to some examples, the striking face 145 has a first convex radius of at least 300mm and a first rolling radius of at least 250 mm. Generally, a lobe radius greater than 300mm has a better CT creep rate, and a lobe radius of a club head with a lobe is not less than 300mm and a rolling radius performs well in the range of 30-50mm of the lobe radius.

The golf club head 1r00 includes a body 102, a crown insert 108 (or crown panel) attached to the body 102 at the top of the golf club head 100, and a sole insert 110 (or sole panel) attached to the body 102 at the bottom of the golf club head 100 (see, e.g., fig. 10 and 11). Thus, the body 102 effectively provides a frame to which one or more inserts, panels, or plates are attached. The body 102 includes a casting cup 104 and a ring 106 (e.g., a rear ring). The ring 106 is joined to the casting cup 104 at the toe side joint 112A and the heel side joint 112B. The casting cup 104 defines at least a portion of the forward portion 112 of the golf club head 100. The ring 106 defines at least a portion of a rearward portion 112 of the golf club head 100. In addition, the casting cup 104 defines a portion of a crown portion 119, a sole portion 117, a heel portion 116, a toe portion 114, and a skirt portion 121. Similarly, ring 106 defines a portion of heel portion 116, toe portion 114, and skirt portion 121.

The casting cup 104 (or simply the cup) is cup-shaped. More specifically, as shown in fig. 14, the casting cup 104 including the striking face 145 is closed at one end by the striking face 145 and on four sides (e.g., by the crown portion 119, the sole portion 117, the toe portion 114, and the heel portion 116), extending substantially transversely from the striking face 145, and opening at an end opposite the striking face 145. Thus, the casting cup 104 resembles a cup or cup-shaped unit when coupled with the striking face 145.

The ring 106 is not circumferentially closed or forms a continuous annular or circular shape. Instead, the ring 106 is circumferentially open and defines a generally semi-circular shape. Thus, as defined herein, the ring 106 is referred to as a ring because it has an annular, semi-circular shape and, when joined to the casting cup 104, forms a circumferentially closed or annular shape with the casting cup 104.

The casting cup 104 is formed separately from the ring 106 and the ring 106 is then joined to the casting cup 104. Thus, the body 102 has an at least two-piece construction, with the casting cup 104 defining one piece of the body 102 and the ring 106 defining another piece of the body 102. Thus, a seam is defined at each of the toe side joint 112A and the heel side joint 112B where the casting cup 104 and the ring 106 abut. The casting cup 104 and ring 106 are formed separately using any of a variety of manufacturing techniques. In one example, the casting cup 104 and ring 106 are formed using a casting process. Since the casting cup 104 and the ring 106 are formed separately, the casting cup 104 and the ring 106 may be made of different materials. For example, the casting cup 104 may be made of a first material and the ring 106 may be made of a second material different from the first material.

Referring to fig. 14 and 15, the casting cup 104 includes a toe-ring engagement surface 150A and a heel-ring engagement surface 150B. Similarly, the ring 106 includes a toe-cup engagement surface 152A and a heel-cup engagement surface 152B. The toe side joint 112A is formed by abutting and securing together the toe-ring engagement surface 150A of the casting cup 104 and the toe-cup engagement surface 152A of the ring 106 and abutting and securing together the heel-ring engagement surface 150B of the casting cup 104 and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B of the ring 106. The joining surfaces may be secured together via any suitable securing technique, such as welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like.

To help strengthen and strengthen the toe side joint 112A and the heel side joint 112B, complementary mating elements may be incorporated into or coupled to the joint surfaces. In the illustrated example, the casting cup 104 includes a toe tab 154A that protrudes from the toe-ring engagement surface 150A and a heel tab 154B that protrudes from the heel-ring engagement surface 150B. In contrast, in the illustrated example, the ring 106 includes a toe receptacle 156A formed in the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and a heel receptacle 156B formed in the heel-cup engagement surface 152B. When the engagement surfaces abut one another to form a joint, toe tab 154A mates with toe receptacle 156A (e.g., is received within toe receptacle 156A) and heel tab 154B mates with heel receptacle 156B (e.g., is received within heel receptacle 156B). Although in the illustrated example, toe tab 154A and heel tab 154B form part of casting cup 104 and toe receptacle and heel receptacle 156B form part of ring 106, in other examples, mating elements may be reversed such that toe tab 154A and heel tab 154B form part of ring 106 and toe receptacle and heel receptacle 156B form part of casting cup 104. Furthermore, different types of complementary mating elements, such as tabs and notches, may be used in addition to or in place of the projections and receptacles.

In some examples, the toe side joint 112A and the heel side joint 112B are located a sufficient distance from the ball striking face 145 to avoid potential failure due to the severe impact experienced by the golf club head 100 when striking a golf ball. For example, each of the toe side joint 112A and the heel side joint 112B may be spaced at least 20mm, at least 30mm, at least 40mm, at least 50mm, at least 60mm, and/or 20mm to 70mm behind the central plane 183 of the striking face 145, as measured along the y-axis (front-to-rear direction) of the club head origin coordinate system 185. Referring to fig. 14, according to some examples, a first distance D1 from the ball striking face 145 to the heel-and-toe engagement surface 150B is less than a second distance D2 from the ball striking face 145 to the toe-and-toe engagement surface 150A. In other words, in some examples, the casting cup 104 extends rearward from the ball striking face 145 a shorter distance at the heel portion 116 than at the toe portion 114.

Referring to fig. 10-13, the body 102 includes a crown opening 162 and a sole opening 164. Crown opening 162 is located at crown portion 119 of golf club head 100 and provides access to interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 from the top of golf club head 100 when open. In contrast, the sole opening 164 is located at the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100 and when open provides access from the bottom of the golf club head 100 into the interior cavity 113 of the golf club head 100. Corresponding sections of the crown opening 162 and the sole opening 164 are defined by the casting cup 104 and the ring 106. More specifically, referring to fig. 10-15, the forward section 162A of the crown opening 162 and the forward section 164A of the sole opening 164 are defined by the casting cup 104, and the rearward section 162B of the crown opening 162 and the rearward section 164B of the sole opening 164 are defined by the ring 106. Thus, when the casting cup 104 and the ring 106 are joined together, the forward section 162A and the rearward section 162B collectively define the crown opening 162, and the forward section 164A and the rearward section 164B collectively define the sole opening 164.

The casting cup 104 additionally includes a forward crown opening recessed flange 168A and a forward sole opening recessed flange 170A. The ring 106 includes a rearward crown opening recessed flange 168B and a rearward sole opening recessed flange 170B. The forward bottom opening recess flange 170A and the rearward bottom opening recess flange 170B form the bottom opening recess flange 170 of the golf club head 100. Further, in some examples, the bottom opening recessed flange 170 is non-planar or curved. The flange is offset from the outer surface of the body 102 surrounding the flange inwardly toward the interior cavity 113 a distance corresponding to the thickness of the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110. In some examples, the offset of the flange from the outer surface of the body 102 is approximately equal to the corresponding thicknesses of the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 such that the inserts are flush with the corresponding surrounding outer surface of the body 102 when attached to the flange. However, in some examples, the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 need not be flush with (e.g., may be raised or recessed relative to) the surrounding outer surface of the body 102 when in seated engagement with the corresponding flanges. In some examples, the thickness of the bottom insert 110 is greater than the thickness of the crown insert 108. Further, the bottom insert 110 is comprised of a first number of stacked plies, each made of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material, and the crown insert 108 is comprised of a second number of stacked plies, each made of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material. In some examples, the first number of stacked sheets is greater than the second number of stacked sheets.

When the casting cup 104 and the ring 106 are engaged, the forward and rearward crown opening recess flanges 168A, 168B cooperate to define the crown opening recess flange 168 of the body 102, and the forward and rearward bottom opening recess flanges 170A, 170B cooperate to define the bottom opening recess flange 170 of the body 102. The inner circumference of forward crown opening recess flange 168A defines forward section 162A of crown opening 162 and the inner circumference of rearward crown opening recess flange 168B defines rearward section 162B of crown opening 162. Likewise, the inner perimeter of the forward bottom opening recessed flange 170A defines the outer perimeter of the forward section 164A of the bottom opening 164, and the inner perimeter of the rearward bottom opening recessed flange 170B defines the perimeter of the rearward section 164B of the bottom opening 164. Thus, the inner perimeter of the crown opening recess flange 168 defines the perimeter of the crown opening 162 and the inner perimeter of the sole opening recess flange 170 defines the perimeter of the sole opening 164.

Referring to fig. 31, the thickness of the body 102 at the crown portion 119 decreases from the forward extension 132 of the crown opening recess flange 168 in a rearward to forward direction and from the forward extension 132 of the crown opening recess flange 168 in a forward to rearward direction. This results in a localized increase in thickness at the forward extension 132, which helps to strengthen and strengthen the joint between the body 102 and the crown insert 108.

The crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are formed separately from each other and from the body 102. Thus, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are attached to the body 102. In some examples, crown insert 108 is located on and adhered (such as by adhesive) to crown opening recess flange 168 and sole insert 110 is located on and adhered (such as by adhesive) to sole opening recess flange 170. In this manner, crown insert 108 closes or covers crown opening 162 and at least partially defines crown portion 119 of golf club head 100, and sole insert 110 closes or covers sole opening 164 and at least partially defines sole portion 117 of golf club head 100.

The crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 may have any of a variety of shapes. Referring to FIG. 4, in one example, crown insert 108 is shaped such that a location (PCH) corresponding to the peak crown height of golf club head 100 is rearward of hosel 120 of golf club head 100 and rearward of hosel axis 191 of hosel 120 of golf club head 100. The peak crown height is the maximum crown height of the golf club head, where the crown height at a given location along the golf club head is the distance from the ground plane 181 to the highest point of the crown portion at the given location when the golf club head is in the aimed position on the ground plane. In some examples, the crown height of golf club head 100 increases and then decreases in a fore-aft direction away from the ball striking face 145. In some examples, the portion or outer surface of the crown portion defining the peak crown height is made of at least one first material. According to some examples, a first crown height is defined in a forward crown region where the club face connects to a transition region of the club face to the crown of the crown portion of the club head, a second crown height is defined in a crown to skirt transition region of the crown portion to the skirt of the golf club head near a rear end of the golf club head, and a maximum crown height is defined rearward of the first crown height and forward of the second crown height, wherein the maximum crown height is greater than the first crown height and the second crown height. In some examples, the maximum crown height occurs in the toe direction of the geometric center of the striking face. According to some examples, the maximum crown height is formed by a non-metallic composite crown insert.

Referring to fig. 3, the peak skirt height (shown as associated with Position (PSH)) is the maximum skirt height of the golf club head, where the skirt height at a given position along the golf club head is the distance from ground level to the uppermost point of the skirt portion at the rearmost point of the skirt portion on the golf club head when the golf club head is in the aimed position on ground level.

According to some examples, the ratio of peak crown height of crown portion 119 to skirt peak height of skirt portion 121 ranges between about 0.45 and 0.59, preferably 0.49-0.55, and in one example, the skirt height is about 34mm and the peak crown height is about 65mm, which results in a ratio of peak skirt height to peak crown height of about 0.52. The peak skirt height is typically in the range of 28mm to 38mm, preferably 31mm to 36 mm. The peak crown height is generally in the range between 60mm and 70mm, preferably between 62mm and 67 mm. It is desirable to limit the difference between the peak crown height and the peak skirt height to no more than 40mm, preferably between 27mm and 35 mm. The peak skirt height is desirably equal to or greater than the Z-up value of the golf club head, i.e., the vertical distance along the Z-axis from the ground plane 181 to the center of gravity. It is desirable that the crown height be twice (2 x) greater than the Z-up value of a golf club head. A greater peak skirt height may facilitate better aerodynamics and better airflow accessories, especially for faster swing speeds. Also, if the difference between the peak crown height and the peak skirt height is too large, the likelihood of the flow separating from the golf club head earlier, i.e., the likelihood of turbulence, increases.

The construction and material diversity of the golf club head 100 enables the golf club head 100 to have a desired Center of Gravity (CG) position and peak height position. In one example, the y-axis coordinate of the position of the Peak Crown Height (PCH) on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is between about 26mm and about 42 mm. In the same or a different example, the distance from the ground plane 181 to the position of Peak Crown Height (PCH) parallel to the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is in the range of 60mm to 70mm, preferably 62mm to 67mm, when the golf club head 100 is in the aiming position, as described above. According to some examples, the y-axis coordinate of the Center of Gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is between 25mm and 50mm, preferably between 32mm and 38mm, more preferably between 36.5mm and 42mm, the x-axis coordinate of the Center of Gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is between-10 mm and 10mm, preferably between-6 mm and 6mm, and more preferably between-7 mm and 7mm, and the z-axis coordinate of the Center of Gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100 on the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185 is less than 2mm, such as between-10 mm and 2mm, preferably between-7 mm and-2 mm.

In addition, the construction and material diversity of the golf club head 100 enables the golf club head 100 to have desired mass distribution characteristics. Referring to fig. 3, 5 and 6, the golf club head 100 includes a rearward mass and a forward mass. The rearward mass of the golf club head 100 is defined as the mass of the golf club head 100 within an imaginary rearward box 133, the imaginary rearward box 133 having a Height (HRB) of 35mm parallel to the crown-to-sole direction (parallel to the z-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185), a Depth (DRB) of 35mm in the front-to-rear direction (parallel to the y-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185), and a Width (WRB) greater than the maximum width of the golf club head 100 in the toe-to-heel direction (parallel to the x-axis of the golf club head origin coordinate system 185). As shown, when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position on the ground plane 181, the rear side of the imaginary rear cabinet 133 is coextensive with the rearmost end of the golf club head 100 and the bottom side of the imaginary rear cabinet 133 is coextensive with the ground plane 181. The forward mass of the golf club head 100 is defined as the mass of the golf club head 100 within an imaginary forward box 135 having a Height (HFB) of 20mm parallel to the crown-to-sole direction, a Depth (DFB) of 35mm in the front-to-rear direction, and a Width (WFB) in the toe-to-heel direction that is greater than the maximum width of the golf club head 100. As shown, when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position on the ground plane 181, the front side of the imaginary forward box 135 is coextensive with the forward-most end of the golf club head 100, and the bottom side of the imaginary forward box 135 is coextensive with the ground plane 181.

According to some examples, a first vector distance (V1) from a center of gravity (RMCG) of the rearward mass to a CG of the driver golf club head is between 49mm and 64mm (e.g., 55.7 mm), a second vector distance (V2) from a center of gravity (FMCG) of the forward mass to a CG of the driver golf club head is between 22mm and 34mm (e.g., 29.0 mm), and a third vector distance (V3) from a CG (RMCG) of the rearward mass to a CG (FMCG) of the forward mass is between 75mm and 82mm (e.g., 79.75 mm). In some examples, V1 does not exceed 56.3mm. In some examples, V2 is not less than 23.7mm, preferably not less than 25mm, or even more preferably not less than 27mm. Some additional values of V1 and V2 relative to Zup and CGy values for various examples of golf club head 100 are provided in table 1 below. As defined herein, zup measures the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 relative to the ground plane 181 along a vertical axis (e.g., a z-axis parallel to the club head origin coordinate system 185) when the golf club head 100 is in the correct aimed position on the ground plane 181. CGy is the coordinate of the center of gravity of the golf club head 100 on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185.

Example	Zup	CGy	V1	V2
					1	26mm	37mm	55.7mm	29.0mm
2	30mm	37mm	56.3mm	31.8mm
					3	22mm	37mm	55.2mm	27.3mm
4	25mm	32mm	61.0mm	23.7mm
					5	25mm	40mm	52.7mm	30.76mm

TABLE 1

Crown insert 108 has a crown insert outer surface that defines an outwardly facing or outer surface of crown portion 119. Similarly, the bottom insert 110 has a bottom insert outer surface that defines an outwardly facing or outer surface of the bottom portion 117. As defined herein, if multiple crown inserts or multiple sole inserts are used, the crown insert outer surface and the sole insert outer surface comprise the outer surfaces of a combination of multiple crown inserts and multiple sole inserts, respectively. In one example, the total surface area of the bottom insert outer surface is less than the total surface area of the crown insert outer surface. According to one example, the total surface area of the crown insert outer surface is at least 9,480 mm ² . In one example, the total surface area of the bottom insert outer surface is at least 8,750mm ² And the sole insert has a maximum width parallel to the heel-to-toe direction of at least between 80mm and 120 mm. The total surface area of the crown insert outer surface may be in the range of 5,300mm 2 to 11,000mm 2, preferably 9,200mm 2 to 10,300mm 2, preferably 5,300mm 2 to 7,000mm 2. The total surface area of the outer surface of the bottom insert may be in the range of 4,300mm 2 to 10,200mm 2, preferably 7,700mm 2 to 9,900mm 2, preferably 4,300mm 2 to 6,600mm 2.

Preferably, where at least a portion of the sole is formed of a composite material, the total surface area of the sole insert outer surface is greater than the total surface area of the sole insert outer surface. In some examples, the ratio of the total surface area of the outer surface of the crown insert formed from the composite material to the total surface area of the outer surface of the sole insert formed from the composite material may be at least 2:1, in other examples, the ratio may be between 0.95 and 1.5, more preferably between 1.03 and 1.4, even more preferably between 1.05 and 1.3. In this example, the density of the composite is typically between about 1g/cc and about 2g/cc, and preferably between about 1.3g/cc and about 1.7 g/cc.

In some embodiments, the total exposed composite surface area in square centimeters multiplied by CGy in centimeters and the resulting divided by the volume in cubic centimeters may range from 1.22 to 2.1, preferably from 1.24 to 1.65, even more preferably from 1.49 to 2.1, even more preferably from 1.7 to 2.1.

Further, in some examples, the total mass of the crown insert 108 is less than the total mass of the sole insert 110. According to some examples, where the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a fiber-reinforced polymeric material and the body 102 is made of a metallic material, the ratio of the total exposed surface area of the body 102 to the total exposed surface area of the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 (e.g., the surface area of the outward facing surface) is between 0.95 and 1.25 (e.g., 1.08). In some examples, the crown insert 108 has a mass of 9 grams, whether single piece or multiple pieces, while the sole insert 110 has a mass of 13 grams, whether single piece or multiple pieces. Further, in some examples, crown insert 108 is about 0.65mm thick and sole insert 110 is about 1.0mm thick. However, in some examples, the minimum thickness of the crown portion 119 is less than 0.6mm. According to some examples, the area weight of the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100 is less than 0.35g/cm over more than 50% of the entire surface area of the crown portion 119 ² And/or at least a portion of crown portion 119 may be formed with a density of about 1g/cm ³ To about 2g/cm ³ The nonmetallic material therebetween. These and other characteristics of crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 may be common at 23/4/2020Cloth is found in U.S. patent application publication No. 2020/011994, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some examples, the area weight of the bottom portion 117 is less than about 0.35g/cm over more than about 50% of the entire surface area of the bottom portion 117 ² . In some examples, the area weight of the crown insert 108 is less than the area weight of the sole insert 110. In certain examples, at least 50% of the crown portion 119 has a variable thickness that varies by at least 25% along at least 50% of the crown portion 119.

The cast cup 104 of the body 102 also includes a hosel 120, the hosel 120 defining a hosel axis 191, the hosel axis 191 extending coaxially through a bore 193 of the hosel 120 (see, e.g., FIG. 14). The hosel 120 is configured to attach to a shaft of a golf club. In some examples, the hosel 120 facilitates the inclusion of a Flight Control Technology (FCT) system 123 between the hosel 120 and the shaft to control the positioning of the golf club head 100 relative to the shaft.

The FCT system 123 may include a fastener 125 that is accessible through a lower opening 195 formed in the bottom region of the casting cup 104. Additional examples of FCT system 123 are shown in association with golf club head 400 of fig. 19 and 20, golf club head 400 having hosel 420 and lower opening 495 to facilitate FCT system 123 attachment to body 102. The FCT system 123 includes a plurality of movable components mounted within the hosel 120 and extending from the hosel 120. The fastener 125 facilitates adjustability of the FCT system 123 system by loosening the fastener 125 and maintaining the adjustable position of the golf club head relative to the shaft by tightening the fastener 125. The lower opening 195 opens into the bore 193 of the hosel 120. To facilitate any increase in mass, the interior portion 127 of the hosel 120 (i.e., the portion of the hosel 120 located within the interior cavity 113) includes a lateral opening 189 that opens into the interior cavity 113. Due to the transverse opening 189, the interior portion 127 of the hosel 120 only partially surrounds the FCT component extending through the bore 193 of the hosel 120. In some examples, the height of the transverse opening 189 in a direction parallel to the hosel axis 191 is between 10mm and 15mm, the width of the transverse opening 189 in a direction perpendicular to the hosel axis 191 is at least 1 radian and/or the projected area of the transverse opening 189 is at least 75mm ² 。

Referring to fig. 15, in some examples, the casting cup 104 includes a striking face 145. In other words, in some examples, the striking face 145 is co-formed (e.g., co-cast) with all other portions of the casting cup 104. Thus, in these examples, the striking face 145 is made of the same material as the remainder of the casting cup 104. However, in other examples, similar to those associated with the golf club heads of fig. 17-18, the striking face 145 is defined by a striking plate that is formed separately from the casting cup 104 and separately attached to the casting cup 104. According to some examples, the portion of golf club head 100 defining ball striking face 145 or the ball striking plate defining ball striking face 145 includes the same elements as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,060; U.S. patent application No. 6,997,820;6,800,038; and 6,824,475, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Fig. 21 illustrates an exemplary rear surface of a face portion 600 of one or more golf club heads disclosed herein. In fig. 21, the rear surface is seen from the rear with the hosel/heel on the left and the toe on the right. Fig. 22 and 23 illustrate another exemplary face portion 700 having a variable thickness profile, and fig. 24 illustrates yet another exemplary face portion 800 having a variable thickness profile. The variable thickness profile of face portion 700 is formed by a tapered protrusion, which may have a geometric center that is oriented toward the geometric center of the ball striking face in some examples. The face portions disclosed herein may be formed as a result of the casting process and optional post-casting modifications to the face portions. Thus, the face portion may have a variety of novel thickness profiles. For example, in one example, the thickness of the forward portion at the ball striking face varies by at least 25% along the ball striking face. By casting the face into the desired geometry, rather than forming the face from flat rolled sheet metal in conventional processes, the face can be made with a wider variety of geometries and can have different material properties, such as different grain directions and chemical impurity levels, which can provide advantages for golf ball performance and manufacturing.

In the conventional process, the panel is made of a flat metal having a uniform thickness. Such sheet metal is typically rolled along an axis to reduce the thickness to a certain uniform thickness across the sheet. Such a rolling process can impart a grain direction in the sheet material that produces different material properties in the direction of the rolling axis than in a direction perpendicular to the rolling direction. Such variation in material properties may be undesirable and may be avoided by using the disclosed casting method instead to create the facial portion.

Furthermore, because conventional panels are initially flat panels of uniform thickness, the thickness of the entire panel must be at least as great as the maximum thickness of the desired final product panel, which means that most of the starting panel material has to be removed and wasted, thereby increasing material costs. In contrast, in the disclosed casting method, the closer the face portion is initially formed to the final shape and mass, the less material must be removed and wasted. This saves time and costs.

Still further, in conventional processes, the initial flat metal sheet must be bent in a special process to impart the desired convex and rolling curvature to the panel. Such a bending process is not required when using the disclosed casting method.

The unique thickness profile illustrated in fig. 22-25 is made possible by using a casting method such as those disclosed in U.S. patent No. 10,874,915 issued 12/29 in 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and which has not previously been possible to achieve using conventional processes, such as starting with a metal sheet having a uniform thickness, mounting the sheet in a lathe or similar machine and turning the sheet to produce a variable thickness profile at the rear of the panel. In such turning processes, the imparted thickness profile must be symmetrical about the central turning axis, which limits the thickness profile to a combination of concentric annular shapes, each having a uniform thickness at any given radius from the center point. In contrast, using the disclosed casting method does not impose such limitations and more complex facial geometries can be created.

By using a casting process, a large number of the disclosed club heads may be manufactured more quickly and efficiently. For example, 50 or more club heads may be cast simultaneously on a single casting tree, while creating novel face thickness profiles on a face plate one at a time using conventional lathe milling methods requires longer time and more resources.

In fig. 22, the back or inner surface of the face portion 600 includes an asymmetric variable thickness profile, illustrating only one example of the variety of variable thickness profiles that may be achieved using the disclosed casting methods. The center 602 of the face may have a center thickness and the face thickness may be progressively moved from the center radially outward through the inner mixing zone 603 to a maximum thickness ring 604, which may be circular. From the maximum thickness ring 604 through the variable mixing zone 606 to the second ring 608, the facial thickness may move progressively less, and the second ring 608 may be non-circular, such as elliptical. The face thickness may move progressively less from the second ring 608 radially outward through the outer mixing region 609 to the heel and toe regions 610 having a constant thickness (e.g., the minimum thickness of the face portion) and/or to the radial perimeter region 612 that defines the extent of the face transition of the face portion 600 to the remainder of the golf club head 100.

The second ring 608 itself may have a variable thickness profile such that the thickness of the second ring 608 varies as a function of circumferential position about the center 602. Similarly, the variable mixing region 606 may have a thickness profile that varies as a function of circumferential position about the center 602 and provides a thickness transition from the maximum thickness ring 604 to the second ring 608 of variable and lesser thickness. For example, the variable mixing zone 606 through the second ring 608 may be divided into eight sectors, labeled a-H in fig. 22, including a top zone a, a top toe zone B, a toe zone C, a bottom toe zone D, a bottom zone E, a bottom heel zone F, a heel zone G, and a top heel zone H. These eight regions may have different angular widths as shown, or may each have the same angular width (e.g., one eighth of 360 degrees). Each of the eight regions may have its own thickness variation, each ranging from a common maximum thickness adjacent to the ring 604 to a different minimum thickness at the second ring 608. For example, the second ring may be thicker in regions a and E, thinner in regions C and G, and have an intermediate thickness in regions B, D, F and H. In this example, the thickness of regions B, D, F and H can vary in the radial direction (moving thinner radially outward) and in the circumferential direction (moving thinner from regions a and E to regions C and G).

One example of the face portion 600 may have the following thickness: at 3.1mm at center 602 and 3.3mm at ring 604, second ring 608 may vary from 2.8mm in zone a to 2.2mm in zone C to 2.4mm in zone E to 2.0mm in zone G and to 1.8mm in heel and toe zone 610.

According to one example, ring 604 may be about 8mm from center 602, and ring 608 may be about 19mm from center 602. The thickness of the face portion 600 at the center 602 may be between 2.8mm and 3.0 mm. The thickness of the face portion 600 along the ring 604 may be between 2.9mm and 3.1 mm. The thickness of the face portion 600 along the ring 608 near region a may be between 2.35mm and 2.55mm, the thickness near region C may be between 2.3mm and 2.5mm, the thickness near region E may be between 2.1mm and 2.3mm, and the thickness near region G may be between 2.6mm and 2.8 mm. The thickness of the face portion 600 at about 35mm from the center 602 may be between 1.7mm and 1.9 mm.

According to yet another example, the thickness of the face portion 600 at the center 602 is between 2.95mm and 3.35mm, between 3.3mm and 3.65mm at about 9mm from the center 602, between 2.95mm and 3.36mm at about 16mm from the center 602, and between 2.03mm and 2.27mm at about 28mm from the center 602. The thickness of the face portion 600 greater than 28mm away from the center 602 may be between 1.8mm and 1.95mm on the toe side of the face portion 600 and between 1.83mm and 1.98mm on the heel side of the face portion 600.

Fig. 23 and 24 illustrate a back surface of another exemplary face portion 700 that includes an asymmetric variable thickness profile. The center 702 of the face may have a center thickness and the face thickness may gradually move from the center radially outward through the interior mixing region 703 to a maximum thickness ring 704, which may be circular. Moving from the maximum thickness ring 704 through the variable mixing zone 705 to an outer zone 706 comprised of a plurality of wedge sectors a-H of different thickness, the face thickness may be progressively reduced. As best shown in fig. 24, sectors A, C, E and G can be relatively thick, while sectors B, D, F and H can be relatively thin. The thickness of the outer mixing zone 708 surrounding the outer zone 706 transitions from a variable sector down to a peripheral ring 710 having a relatively small but constant thickness. The outer region 706 may also include a blend region between each of the sectors a-H that gradually transitions in thickness from one sector to an adjacent sector.

One example of a face portion 700 may have the following thickness: 3.9mm at center 702, 4.05mm at ring 704, 3.6mm at region A, 3.2mm at region B, 3.25mm at region C, 2.05mm at region D, 3.35mm at region E, 2.05mm at region F, 3.00mm at region G, 2.65mm at region H, and 1.9mm at peripheral ring 710.

Fig. 25 illustrates a back side of another exemplary face portion 800 that includes an asymmetric variable thickness profile having a target thickness that is offset toward the heel side (left side). The center 802 of the face has a center thickness and gradually increases in thickness through the interior mixing region 803 to the toe/top/bottom to an inner ring 804 having a greater thickness than at the center 802. The thickness then decreases as one moves radially outward past the second mixing region 805 to a second ring 806 having a thickness less than the thickness of the inner ring 804. The thickness then decreases as one moves radially outward across the third mixing region 807 to a third ring 808 having a thickness less than the thickness of the second ring 806. The thickness then decreases as it moves radially outward across the fourth mixing region 810 to a fourth ring 811 having a thickness less than the thickness of the third ring 808. Toe end region 812 blends across outer blend region 813 to a periphery 814 having a relatively small thickness.

To the heel side, the thickness is offset by a set amount (e.g., 0.15 mm) to be slightly thicker relative to the corresponding region of the toe side. Thickened region 820 (dashed line) provides a transition in which all thickness gradually increases toward thicker offset region 822 (dashed line) at the heel side. In the offset region 822, the ring 823 is thicker than the ring 806 by a set amount (e.g., 0.15 mm) on the heel side, and the ring 825 is thicker than the ring 808 by the same set amount. The mixing regions 824 and 826 taper in thickness as they move radially outward and are each thicker than their respective mixing regions 807 and 810 on the toe side. In thickened region 820, the thickness of inner ring 804 gradually increases moving toward the heel.

One example of a face portion 800 may have the following thickness: 3.8mm at center 802, 4.0mm at inner ring 804 and thickened to 4.15mm across thickened area 820, 3.5mm at second ring 806 and 3.65mm at ring 823, 2.4mm at third ring 808, 2.55mm at ring 825, 2.0mm at fourth ring 811, and 1.8mm at peripheral ring 814.

The target offset thickness profile shown in fig. 25 may help provide a desired CT profile of the entire face. For example, thickening the heel side may help avoid CT spikes in the heel side of the face, which may help avoid inconsistent CT contours across the face, for example. Such an offset thickness profile may be similarly applied to the toe side of the face, or to both the toe side and the heel side of the face, to avoid CT spikes at the heel side and the toe side of the face. In other embodiments, an offset thickness profile may be applied to the upper side of the face and/or toward the bottom side of the face.

As shown in fig. 2, 4, 8, 9A, and 13, in some examples, the casting cup 104 further includes a slot 171 in the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100. Slot 171 opens to the exterior of golf club head 100 and extends longitudinally from heel portion 116 to toe portion 114. More specifically, slot 171 is elongated in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to, but offset from, ball striking face 145. Generally, the slot 171 is a groove or channel formed in the casting cup 104 at the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100. In some embodiments, the slot 171 is a through slot or a slot that opens from the exterior of the golf club head 100 to the interior cavity 113. However, in other embodiments, the slot 171 is not a through slot, but is enclosed on the lumen side or inside of the slot 171. For example, the slot 171 may be defined by a portion of a sidewall of the bottom portion 117 of the body 102 that protrudes into the interior cavity 113 and has a concave outer surface with any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as generally U-shaped, V-shaped, and the like.

In some examples, slot 171 is offset from ball striking face 145 by an offset distance that is the minimum distance between a first vertical plane passing through the center of ball striking face 145 and the slot at the same x-axis coordinate as the center of ball striking face 145, such distance being between about 5mm and about 50mm, such as between about 5mm and about 35mm, such as between about 5mm and about 30mm, such as between about 5mm and about 20mm, or such as between about 5mm and about 15 mm.

Although not shown, the casting cup 104 and/or ring 106 may include rearward slots similar in configuration to the slots 171, but oriented in a front-to-rear direction, rather than a heel-to-toe direction. Casting cup 104 includes a rearward slot, but in some examples does not include slot 171, and in other examples includes a rearward slot and slot 171. In one example, the rearward slot is located rearward of slot 171. In some embodiments, the rearward slot may act as a counterweight rail. Further, the rearward track is offset from the ball striking face 145 by an offset distance that is the minimum distance between a first vertical plane passing through the center of the ball striking face 145 and the rearward track at the same x-axis coordinate as the center of the ball striking face 145, such distance being between about 5mm and about 50mm, such as between about 5mm and about 40mm, such as between about 5mm and about 30mm, or such as between about 10mm and about 30 mm.

In certain embodiments, the slot 171 and the rearward slot (if present) have a particular slot width, which is measured as the horizontal distance between the first slot wall and the second slot wall. For the slot 171 as well as the rearward slot, the slot width may be between about 5mm to about 20mm, such as between about 10mm to about 18mm, or such as between about 12mm to about 16 mm. According to some embodiments, the depth of the slot 171 (i.e., the perpendicular distance between the bottom slot wall and an imaginary plane containing the region of the bottom portion 117 adjacent the opposing slot wall of the slot 171) may be between about 6mm to about 20mm, such as between about 8mm to about 18mm, or such as between about 10mm to about 16 mm.

In addition, slot 171 and the rearward slot (if present) have a particular slot length, which can be measured as the horizontal distance between the slot end wall and the other slot end wall. For slots 171 and rearward slots, their length may be between about 30mm to about 120mm, such as between about 50mm to about 100mm, or such as between about 60mm to about 90 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the slot 171 may be expressed as a percentage of the total length of the ball striking face 145. For example, the slot 171 may be between about 30% to about 100% of the length of the ball striking face 145, such as between about 50% to about 90% of the length of the ball striking face 145, or such as between about 60% to about 80%.

In some examples, slot 171 is a feature that improves and/or increases the coefficient of restitution (COR) across the striking face 145. With respect to COR features, the slot 171 may take various forms, such as a channel or through slot. COR of the golf club head 100 is a measure of the loss or retention of energy between the golf club head 100 and the golf ball when the golf ball is struck by the golf club head 100. Desirably, COR of the golf club head 100 is high to facilitate efficient transfer of energy from the golf club head 100 to the ball during a hit with the ball. Accordingly, the COR feature of the golf club head 100 facilitates an increase in COR of the golf club head 100. Generally, the slot 171 increases COR of the golf club head 100 by increasing or enhancing the ball striking flexibility of the ball striking face 145. In some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein, COR is at least 0.8 for at least 25% of the striking face in the center region, as defined below.

Further details regarding slot 171, which is characteristic of COR of golf club head 100, may be found in U.S. patent application nos. 13/338,197, 13/469,031, 13/828,675, respectively, filed on 2011, 12, 10, 2012, and 14, 3, 15, 5, and 8,235,844, 8,241,143, and 8,241,141, respectively, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The slot 171 can be any of the various Flexible Boundary Structures (FBSs) described in U.S. patent No. 9,044,653 filed on 3, 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additionally or alternatively, the golf club head 100 may include one or more other FBS's at any of a variety of other locations on the golf club head 100. The slot 171 may be composed of a curved section or several sections which may be a combination of curved and straight sections. In addition, the slot 171 may be machined or cast into the golf club head 100. Although shown in the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100, the slot 171 may alternatively or additionally be incorporated into the crown portion 119 of the golf club head 100.

In some examples, the slot 171 is filled with a filler material. However, in other examples, the slots 171 are not filled with filler material, but rather remain open, empty spaces within the slots 171. In some embodiments, the filler material may be made of a non-metal, such as a thermoplastic material, a thermoset material, or the like. When the slot 171 is a through slot, the slot 171 may be filled with a material to prevent dust and other debris from entering the slot and possibly the interior cavity 113 of the golf club head 100. The filler material may be any relatively low modulus material including polyurethane, elastomeric rubber, polymer, various rubbers, foam, and filler. The filler material should not substantially prevent deformation of the golf club head 100 during use, as this would offset the flexibility of the golf club head 100.

According to one embodiment, the filler material is initially a viscous material that is injected or otherwise inserted into slot 171. Examples of materials that may be suitable for use as a filler placed into a slot, channel, or other flexible boundary structure include, but are not limited to: a viscoelastic elastomer; vinyl copolymers with or without inorganic fillers; polyvinyl acetate with or without mineral fillers (such as barium sulfate); acrylic; a polyester; polyurethane; polyether; a polyamide; polybutadiene; a polystyrene; a polyisoprene; polyethylene; a polyolefin; styrene/isoprene block copolymers; hydrogenated styrene thermoplastic elastomer; metallized polyester; metallized acrylic; an epoxy resin; epoxy resin and graphite composite; natural and synthetic rubbers; piezoelectric ceramics; thermosetting compositionSex and thermoplastic rubber; foaming the polymer; an ionomer; a low density glass fiber; asphalt; a silicone; and mixtures thereof. The metallized polyester and acrylic may comprise aluminum as the metal. Commercially available materials include elastomeric polymeric materials such as scotchwell from 3M ^TM (e.g., DP-105) ^TM ) And Scotchdamp ^TM Sorbothane from Sorbothane Inc ^TM DYAD from Soundcoat Inc ^TM And GP ^TM Dynamat from Dynamat Control of North America Inc ^TM NoViFlex from Pole Star Maritime group Co ^TM Sylomer ^TM Isoplast from the Dow chemical company ^TM Legetole from Piqua Technologies Inc ^TM And hybrid from Kuraray Inc ^TM . In some embodiments, the solid filler material may be press fit or glued into the slot, channel, or other flexible boundary structure. In other embodiments, the filler material may be poured, injected, or otherwise inserted into the slot or channel and allowed to cure in place, thereby forming a substantially hardened or resilient outer surface. In other embodiments, the filler material may be placed into a slot or channel and sealed in place with a resilient cap or other structure formed of a metal, metal alloy, metal, composite, hard plastic, resilient elastomer, or other suitable material.

Referring to fig. 4, 8, 9A, and 14, in some examples, the golf club head 100 further includes a weight 173 attached to the casting cup 104. The casting cup 104 includes a threaded port 175 that receives and retains the weight 173. Threaded port 175 opens to the exterior and interior cavity 113 of golf club head 100 and in some examples includes internal threads. In other examples, threaded port 175 is closed to lumen 113. The balance weight 173 includes external threads that threadably engage with internal threads of the threaded port 175 to retain the balance weight 173 within the threaded port 175. When the threaded port 175 is open to the interior cavity 113, the weight 173 effectively closes the threaded port 175 to prevent access to the interior cavity 113 when threadedly attached to the casting cup 104 within the threaded port 175. As shown, when the threaded port 175 is open to the interior cavity 113, a portion of the weight 173 is located outside of the interior cavity 113 and another portion is located within the interior cavity 113. In contrast, in other examples, such as when the threaded port 175 is closed to the interior cavity 113, the entire weight 173 is located outside of the interior cavity 113. Although not shown, in one example, the threaded port 175 may be open to the interior cavity 113 and closed to the exterior of the golf club head 100 (e.g., the threaded port 175 faces inward rather than outward). In such an example, the entire weight 173 would be located inside the interior cavity 113. As defined herein, the balance weight 173 is considered to be inside the interior cavity 113 when any portion of the balance weight 173 is inside relative to the interior cavity 113 or within the interior cavity 113, and the balance weight 173 may alternatively or also be considered to be outside the interior cavity 113 when any portion of the balance weight 173 is outside relative to the interior cavity 113.

In some examples, as shown, the threaded port 175 and thus the weight 173 are located in the bottom portion 117 of the golf club head 100. Further, according to some examples, threaded port 175 and weight 173 are closer to heel portion 116 than toe portion 114. In one example, threaded port 175 and weight are closer to heel portion 116 than slot 171. In some examples, the balance weight 173 has a mass of between about 3g to about 23g (e.g., 6 g).

Referring to fig. 9A, 11 and 14, the casting cup 104 further includes a mass pad 186 attached to or formed with the remainder of the casting cup 104. The thickness of the mass pad 186 is greater than any other portion of the casting cup 104. In the illustrated example, the mass pad 186 is located proximate to the bottom portion 117 of the golf club head 100, and thus proximate to the bottom area of the casting cup 104. Further, in some examples, a portion of the mass pad 186 is located proximate to the heel portion 116 of the golf club head 100, and thus proximate to the heel region of the casting cup 104. As defined herein, the mass pad 186 is considered a bottom mass pad when located at the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100, and the mass pad 186 is considered a heel mass pad when located at the heel portion 116 of the golf club head 100. It should be appreciated that when the mass pad 186 is located at both the bottom portion 117 and the heel portion 116, the mass pad 186 is considered to be a bottom mass pad and a heel mass pad.

Referring to fig. 11 and 14, in some examples, the casting cup 104 further includes an internal rib 187 that is formed with other portions of the casting cup 104. The inner rib 187 can be located at any of a variety of positions within the casting cup 104. In the illustrated example, the internal rib 187 is located (e.g., formed) in a bottom region of the casting cup 104 that is closer to a toe region of the casting cup 104 than a heel region of the casting cup 104. The internal ribs 187 help to strengthen and promote the desired acoustic properties of the golf club head 100.

Referring to fig. 11, 14 and 15, the ring 106 includes a cantilever portion 161, and toe arm portions 163A and heel arm portions 163B extending from the cantilever portion 161. The toe arm portion 163A and the heel arm portion 163B are located on opposite sides of the golf club head 100, beginning at the cantilever portion 161, and ending at a corresponding one of the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B. The cantilever portion 161 defines at least a portion of the rearward portion 118 of the golf club head 100 and further defines the rearmost end of the golf club head 100. Further, in the illustrated example, the cantilever portion 161 extends from the crown portion 119 to the bottom portion 117. Thus, in some examples, the cantilever portion 161 defines a portion of the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100, such as defining an outwardly facing surface of the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100.

In some examples, the cantilever portion 161 is near the ground plane 181 when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position. According to certain examples, the ratio of peak crown height to the perpendicular distance from the peak crown height to the lowest surface of the cantilever portion 161 of the ring 106 is at least 6.0, at least 5.0, at least 4.0, or more preferably at least 3.0. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, the vertical distance from the skirt peak height of the skirt portion to the lowermost surface of the cantilever portion 161 of the ring 106 is not less than between 20mm and 30mm when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position.

Toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B define the toe side of skirt portion 121 and the heel side of skirt portion 121, respectively, and define a portion of toe portion 114 and heel portion 116, respectively, of golf club head 100. The cantilever portion 161 extends downward away from the toe arm portion 163A and the heel arm portion 163B, and the toe arm portion 163A and the heel arm portion 163B extend forward away from the cantilever portion 161. Accordingly, when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position, the cantilever portion 161 is closer to the ground plane 181 than the toe arm portion 163A and the heel arm portion 163B. In other words, referring to fig. 3, 4 and 9A, when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position, the Height (HR) of the lowermost surface of the ring 106 in the vertical direction above the ground plane 181 is smaller at any location along the cantilever portion 161 than at any location along the toe arm portion 163A and heel arm portion 163B.

In some examples, the height HR of the lowest surface of toe arm portion 163A at toe portion 114 of golf club head 100 is different than the height HR of the lowest surface of heel arm portion 163B at heel portion 116 of golf club head 100. More specifically, in one example, the height HR of the lowest surface of toe arm portion 163A at toe portion 114 of golf club head 100 is greater than the height HR of the lowest surface of heel arm portion 163B at heel portion 116 of golf club head 100.

According to certain examples, as shown in fig. 3, 4, and 9A, the Width (WR) of the ring 106, measured in the vertical direction, varies in the fore-aft direction (e.g., along the length of the ring 106) when the golf club head 100 is in the aimed position. In one example, the width WR increases from a minimum width to a maximum width in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, in some examples, the width WR of the ring 106 varies in the front-to-back direction. In some examples, the maximum width WR of the ring 106 is at the rearmost end of the golf club head 100. In one example, the maximum width WR of the ring 106 is at least 20mm. According to some examples, as shown in fig. 14, the width WR of the ring 106 at the toe portion 114 is less than the width WR of the ring 106 at the heel portion 116. According to some additional examples, the thickness of the ring 106 may vary along the ring 106 in the anterior-posterior direction.

Referring to fig. 2-4, 6, 8, 9A, and 11-15, in some examples, the golf club head 100 further includes a mass element 159 attached to the cantilever portion 161 of the hoop 106, such as at the rearmost end of the golf club head 100. The mass element 159 may be selectively removable from the cantilever portion 161 (e.g., interchangeable with a mass element of a different weight) or permanently attached to the cantilever portion 161. According to one example, the mass element 159 and the counterweight 173 are interchangeably coupled to the casting cup 104 and the cantilever portion 161 of the ring 106. Thus, in some examples, the flight control technology components, mass element 159, and weight 173 of the golf club head 100 are adjustable relative to the golf club head 100. In some examples, the flight control technology components, mass element 159, and weight 173 of the golf club head 100 are configured to be adjustable via a single or the same tool.

In one example, the mass element 159 includes external threads. The golf club head 100 may additionally include a mass receptacle 157 attached to the cantilever portion 161 of the ring 106. The mass receptacle 157 may include a threaded bore with internal threads that threadably engage the mass element 159 to secure the mass element 159 to the cantilever portion 161. In some examples, the mass container 157 is welded to the cantilever portion 161, while in other examples is adhered to the cantilever portion 161. In some examples, the mass receptacle 157 is formed with the cantilever portion 161. The cantilever portion 161 also includes a mass pad 155 (see, e.g., fig. 9A, 12 and 15) or a portion of the cantilever portion 161 having a locally increased thickness and thus a locally increased mass. The mass receptacle 157 may be formed in the mass pad 155 of the cantilever portion 161. In some examples, the mass element 159 has a mass of between about 15g to about 35g (e.g., 24 g).

In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral shape of one or both of the mass element 159 and the counterweight 173 is circular. Thus, the orientation of one or both of the mass element 159 and the balance weight 173 may be rotated about the central axis of the mass element 159 and the balance weight 173, respectively, in any of a variety of orientations between 0 degrees and 360 degrees. However, in other examples, the peripheral shape of at least one or both of the mass element 159 and the counterweight 173 is non-circular, such as oval, triangular, trapezoidal, square, or the like. For example, as shown in fig. 16, the counterweight 273 has a trapezoidal or rectangular outer peripheral shape. In certain examples, the mass element 159 and/or the balance weight 173 having a non-circular peripheral shape may be rotated about the central axes of the mass element 159 and the balance weight 173, respectively, in certain embodiments between 0 degrees and at least 90 degrees, and in other embodiments in any of a variety of orientations between 0 degrees and at least 180 degrees.

The construction and material diversity of the golf club head 100 allows flexibility in the location of the weight 173 (e.g., the first weight or the forward weight) relative to the location of the mass element 159 (e.g., the second weight or the rearward weight). In some examples, the relative positions of the counterweight 173 and mass element 159 may be similar to those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/752,397 filed 24 at month 1 of 2020. Referring to fig. 9A, according to one example, the z-axis coordinate of the CG (FWCG) of the first weight is between-30 mm and-10 mm (e.g., -21 mm) on the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185, the y-axis coordinate of the CG (FWCG) of the first weight is between 10mm and 30mm (e.g., 23 mm) on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185, and the x-axis coordinate of the CG (FWCG) of the first weight is between 15mm and 35mm (e.g., 22 mm) on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185. According to the same or different examples, the z-axis coordinate of the CG (SWCG) of the second weight is between-30 mm and 10mm (e.g., -11 mm) on the z-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185, the y-axis coordinate of the CG (SWCG) of the second weight is between 90mm and 120mm (e.g., 110 mm) on the y-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185, and the x-axis coordinate of the CG (SWCG) of the second weight is between-20 mm and 10mm (e.g., -7 mm) on the x-axis of the club head origin coordinate system 185.

In some examples, the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100 includes an inertia generating feature 177 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction is perpendicular or oblique to the striking face 145. According to some examples, the inertia generating feature 177 includes the same features and provides the same advantages as the inertia generator disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/660,561 filed on 10/22 of 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the illustrated example, the bottom insert 110 forms at least a portion of the inertia generating feature 177. More specifically, in some examples, the bottom insert 110 forms all or a majority of the inertia generating feature 177. In some examples, the cantilever portion 161 of the ring 106 also forms a portion of the inertia generating feature 177, such as the rearmost portion. The inertia generating feature 177 helps to increase the inertia of the golf club head 100 and lower the Center of Gravity (CG) of the golf club head 100.

The inertia generating feature 177 includes a raised or raised platform that extends from a position rearward of the hosel 120 to a position proximate the rearward portion 112 of the golf club head 100. The inertia generating feature 177 includes a substantially flat or planar surface that rises above (or protrudes from) the surrounding outer surface of the sole portion 117, depending on the orientation of the golf club head 100. In certain examples, at least a portion of the inertia generating feature 177 rises at least 1.5mm, at least 1.8mm, at least 2.1mm, or at least 3.0mm above the surrounding outer surface of the bottom portion 117. The inertia generating feature 177 also has a width that is less than the entire width of the bottom portion 117 (e.g., less than half the entire width). In view of the foregoing, the inertia generating feature 177 has a complex curved geometry with multiple inflection points. Thus, the bottom insert 110 defining the inertia generating feature 177 has a complex curved surface with a plurality of inflection points.

Referring to fig. 1-3 and 5, in some examples, golf club head 100 includes a through bore 172 in body 102 at toe portion 114. The through-hole 172 extends completely through the wall of the body 102 such that the lumen 113 is accessible through the hole 172. The hole 172 may be used to insert a reinforcement into the cavity 113 against the inner surface of the forward portion 112 to help set the CT of the striking face 145. Further details of the reinforcement, the insertion process, and the impact of the reinforcement on the CT of the striking face 145 may be found in U.S. patent application publication No. 2019/0201754, published 7/4, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As shown, the through-hole 172 is not located in the forward portion 112 (e.g., the ball striking face 145). Thus, in some examples, the striking face 145 has no through-holes that open into the interior cavity 113 or hollow interior region of the golf club head 100. Further, in some examples, no material having a shore D value greater than 10, greater than 5, or greater than 1 contacts the inner surface 166 of the forward portion 112, the inner surface 166 being opposite the ball striking face 145 and opening into the hollow interior region and being at a location in the toe direction and/or the heel direction of the geometric center of the ball striking face 145. In other examples, no material contacts the inner surface 166 of the forward portion 112 opposite the striking face 145 and open to the hollow interior region, regardless of hardness.

The CT characteristics of the golf club heads disclosed herein may be defined as CT values within the central region of the striking face 145. The central region is a forty millimeter by twenty millimeter rectangular region centered on the center of the striking face and elongated in the heel to toe direction. In some examples, the center of the ball striking face 145 may be the geometric center of the ball striking face 145. Within the central region, the striking face 145 has a Characteristic Time (CT) of no more than 257 microseconds. In some examples, at least 60% of the CT of the striking face in the central region is at least 235 microseconds. According to some examples, at least 35% of the CT of the striking face in the central region is at least 240 microseconds.

The CT of the striking face 145 at the geometric center of the striking face has an initial CT value. The initial CT value is the CT value of the striking face 145 prior to any striking with a standard golf ball. As defined herein, a hit with a standard golf ball is a hit with a standard golf ball when the golf ball is traveling at 52 meters per second. According to some examples, the initial CT value is at least 244 microseconds. In some examples, the driver golf club heads disclosed herein, including golf club head 100, are configured such that after 500 strokes of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of face 145, the CT value of the face at any point within the center region is less than 256 microseconds, and the CT at the geometric center of the face differs from the initial CT value (e.g., by no more than 5 microseconds).

In certain examples, the driver golf club heads disclosed herein, including golf club head 100, are configured such that after 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, or 3,000 hits on a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the ball striking face, the CT of the ball striking face at any point within the central region is less than 256 microseconds. According to some examples, after 2,000 shots of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face, the CT value of the striking face 145 at any point within the center area differs from the initial CT by no more than 7 microseconds or 9 microseconds. Further, in some examples, after a standard golf ball is struck 2000 times at the geometric center of the ball striking face, the CT of the ball striking face 145 at the geometric center of the ball striking face differs from the initial CT value by no less than 249 microseconds and no more than 10 microseconds. According to some examples, after 3,000 shots of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the striking face, the CT value of the striking face 145 at any point within the center area differs from the initial CT by no more than 9 microseconds or 13 microseconds. In certain examples, such as those in which the ball striking face 145 is made of a metallic material, the inward surface of the ball striking face 145 progresses less than 0.01 inches after 500 shots of a standard golf ball at the geometric center of the ball striking face.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, and in accordance with another example of a golf club head disclosed herein, a golf club head 200 is shown. Golf club head 200 includes features similar to those of golf club head 100, like numbers (e.g., like numbers but in the 200 series) referring to like features. For example, like golf club head 100, golf club head 200 includes a toe portion 214 and a heel portion 216 opposite toe portion 214. In addition, the golf club head 200 includes a forward portion 212 and a rearward portion 218 opposite the forward portion 212. The golf club head 200 additionally includes a sole portion 217 at a sole region of the golf club head 200 and a crown portion 219 opposite the sole portion 217 and at a crown region of the golf club head 200. Moreover, the golf club head 200 includes a skirt portion 221 that defines a transition region in which the golf club head 200 transitions between the crown portion 219 and the sole portion 217. The golf club head 200 further includes an interior cavity 213 collectively defined and enclosed by a forward portion 212, a rearward portion 218, a crown portion 219, a sole portion 217, a heel portion 216, a toe portion 214, and a skirt portion 221. In addition, the forward portion 212 includes a ball striking face 245 that extends along the forward portion 212 from the sole portion 217 to the crown portion 219 and from the toe portion 214 to the heel portion 216. In addition, the golf club head 200 further includes a body 202, a crown insert 208 attached to the body 202 at the top of the golf club head 200, and a sole insert 210 attached to the body 202 at the bottom of the golf club head 200. The body 202 includes a casting cup 204 and a ring 206. The ring 206 is joined to the casting cup 204 at the toe side joint 212A and the heel side joint 212B. The cast cup 204 of the body 202 also includes a slot 271 in the sole portion 217 of the golf club head 200. In addition, the golf club head 200 additionally includes a mass element 259 and a mass receptacle 257 attached to the ring 206 of the body 202, and a weight 273 attached to the casting cup 204. Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 200 shares some similarities with golf club head 100.

However, unlike golf club head 100, the striking face 245 of golf club head 200 is not formed with cast cup 204. Instead, the striking face 245 forms a portion of the striking plate 243, with the striking face 245 being formed separately from the casting cup 204 and attached to the casting cup 204, such as via bonding, welding, brazing, fastening, or the like. Thus, the striking plate 243 defines a striking face 245. The casting cup 204 includes a plate opening 249 at the forward portion 212 of the golf club head 200 and a plate opening recessed flange 247 extending continuously around the plate opening 249. The inner periphery of the plate opening recess flange 247 defines a plate opening 249. The striking plate 243 is attached to the casting cup 204 by securing the striking plate 243 in seated engagement with the plate opening recessed flange 247. When engaged to the plate opening recess flange 247 in this manner, the striking plate 243 covers or closes the plate opening 249. In addition, the top plate opening recess flange 247 and the striking plate 243 are sized, shaped, and positioned relative to the crown portion 219 of the golf club head 200 such that the striking plate 243 abuts the crown portion 219 when in seated engagement with the top plate opening recess flange 247. The striking plate 243 adjacent the crown portion 219 defines the top line of the golf club head 200. Further, in some examples, the visual appearance of the striking plate 243 is sufficiently contrasted with the visual appearance of the crown portion 219 of the golf club head 200, the visual appearance of the crown portion 219 being defined in part by the casting cup 204 such that the top line of the golf club head 200 is significantly enhanced. Because the striking plate 243 is formed separately from the casting cup 204, the striking plate 243 may be made of a material different from that of the casting cup 204. In one example, the striking plate 243 is made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. In yet another example, the striking plate 243 is made of a metallic material, such as a titanium alloy (e.g., ti 6-4, ti 9-1-1, and ZA 1300).

In addition, unlike golf club head 100, cast cup 204 includes a weighted rail 279 in sole portion 217 of golf club head 200. The weight rails 279 extend longitudinally along the sole portion 217 in the heel-to-toe direction. In examples where the casting cup 204 further includes a slot 271, such as shown, the weight rail 279 is substantially parallel to the slot 271 and offset from the slot 271 in the fore-aft direction. The counterweight track 279 includes at least one flange extending longitudinally along a length of the counterweight track 279. In the illustrated example, the counterweight rail 279 includes a forward flange 297A and a rearward flange 297B that are spaced apart from each other in the fore-aft direction. The counterweight 273 located within the counterweight rail 279 may be selectively clamped to one or more flanges of the counterweight rail 279 to releasably secure the counterweight 273 to the counterweight rail 279. In the illustrated example, the counterweight 273 can be selectively clamped to both the forward flange 297A and the rearward flange 297B. When released to one or more flanges of the weight rail 279, the weight 273 may be slid along the one or more flanges, as indicated by the directional arrow in fig. 16, to change the position of the weight 273 relative to the weight rail 279 and when re-clamped to the one or more flanges, adjust the mass distribution, center of Gravity (CG) and other performance characteristics of the golf club head 200.

According to one example, the counterweight 273 includes a washer 273A, a nut 273B, and a fastening bolt 273C, the fastening bolt 273C interconnecting the washer 273A and the nut 273B to clip onto the flanges 297A, 297B of the counterweight rail 279. The washer 273A has a non-threaded hole and the nut 273B has a threaded hole. The fastening bolt 273C is threaded and passes through the unthreaded hole of the washer 273A to threadably engage the threaded hole of the nut 273B. The threaded engagement between the fastening bolt 273C and the nut 273B allows the gap between the washer 273A and the nut 273B to be narrowed, which facilitates clamping of one or more flanges between the washer 273A and the nut 273B, or widening, which facilitates unclamping of one or more flanges from between the washer 273A and the nut 273B. The fastening bolt 273C may be rotatable with respect to both the washer 273A and the nut 273B, or formed in an integral construction and co-rotatable with one of the washer 273A and the nut 273B.

To reduce the weight of the golf club head 200 and the depth of the weight rail 279, the fastening bolt 273C is short. For example, the length of the fastening bolt 273C, when the counterweight 273 is clamped against the flanges 297A, 297B, extends no more than 3mm beyond the nut 273B (or washer 273A if the positions of the nut 273B and washer 273A are reversed). In some examples, the entire length of the fastening bolt 273C is no more than 15% greater than the combined thickness of the washer 273A, the nut 273B, and one of the flanges 297A, 297B.

As shown, the outer peripheral shape of the gasket 273A is non-circular, such as trapezoidal or rectangular. Similarly, the outer peripheral shape of nut 273B may be non-circular, such as trapezoidal or rectangular. Alternatively, as shown, the outer peripheral shape of the nut 273B is circular, while the outer peripheral shape of the washer 273A is non-circular.

Referring to fig. 18, and in accordance with another example of a golf club head disclosed herein, a golf club head 300 is shown. The golf club head 300 includes features similar to those of the golf club head 100 and the golf club head 200, like numbers (e.g., like numbers but in 300 series) referring to like features. For example, like golf club head 100 and golf club head 200, includes a body 302, a crown insert 308 attached to body 302 at the top of golf club head 300, and a sole insert 310 attached to body 302 at the bottom of golf club head 300. The body 302 includes a casting cup 304 and a ring 306. The ring 306 is joined to the casting cup 304 at the toe side joint and the heel side joint. The casting cup 304 of the body 302 also includes a slot 371 in a sole portion of the golf club head 300. In addition, golf club head 300 additionally includes a mass element 359 and a mass receptacle 357 attached to ring 306 of body 302, and a weight 373 attached to casting cup 379 via fasteners 379. In addition, as with golf club head 200, golf club head 300 includes a striking plate 343 defining a striking face 145, the striking face 145 being formed separately from cast cup 304 and attached to cast cup 304. In some examples, the striking plate 343 is made of a fiber reinforced polymer and includes a base portion 347 and a cover 349 applied to the base portion 347. In some examples, base portion 347 is thicker than cover 349, base portion 347 is made of a fiber reinforced polymer, and cover 349 is made of a fiber free polymer. In some examples, the cover 349 is made of polyurethane. Also, the cover 349 includes grooves 351 or score lines formed in the fiber-free polymer. The surface roughness of the portion of the cover 349 defining the striking face 345 is greater than the surface roughness of the body 302. Thus, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 300 shares some similarities with golf club head 100 and golf club head 200.

However, unlike the illustrated example of the cast cup 104 of the golf club head 100 and the cast cup 204 of the golf club head 200, the cast cup 304 has a multi-piece construction. More specifically, casting cup 304 includes an upper cup 304A and a lower cup 304B. The upper cup 304A is formed separately from the lower cup 304B. Thus, the upper cup 304A and the lower cup 304B are joined or attached together to form the casting cup 304. Since the upper cup 304A and the lower cup 304B are formed separately, the upper cup 304A may be made of a material different from that of the lower cup 304B. The casting cup 304 includes a hosel 320, where a portion of the hosel 320 is formed as an upper cup 304A and another portion of the hosel 320 is formed as a lower cup 304B.

According to some examples, upper cup 304A is made of a different material than that of lower cup 304B. For example, upper cup 304A may be made of a material having a lower density than the material of lower cup 304B. In one example, the upper cup 304A is made of a titanium alloy and the lower cup 304B is made of a steel alloy. According to another example, the upper cup 304A is made of an aluminum alloy, while the lower cup 304B is made of a steel alloy or a tungsten alloy such as 10-17 density tungsten. This configuration helps to increase the mass of the casting cup 304 and lower the Center of Gravity (CG) of the casting cup 304 and the golf club head 300 as compared to the one-piece casting cup 104 of the golf club head 100. In an alternative configuration, according to some examples, upper cup 304A is made of an aluminum alloy, while lower cup 304B is made of a titanium alloy. These latter configurations help to reduce the overall mass of the casting cup 304. According to some examples, upper cup 304A and lower cup 304B are made using different manufacturing techniques. For example, the upper cup 304A may be made by stamping, forging, and/or Metal Injection Molding (MIM), while the lower cup 304B may be made by another or different combination of stamping, forging, and/or Metal Injection Molding (MIM). Various examples of combinations of material and mass characteristics of upper cup 304A and lower cup 304B are shown in table 2 below.

TABLE 2

As shown, the casting cup 304 includes a port 375 that receives and retains the counterweight 373. The port 375 is configured to hold the weight 373 in a fixed position on the sole portion of the golf club head 300. However, in other examples, the port 375 may be replaced with a weight rail similar to the weight rail 279 of the golf club head 200 such that the weight 373 may be selectively adjusted and moved to any of a variety of positions along the weight rail. In this way, the counterweight track and one or more corresponding flanges of the counterweight track may form part of a piece of a multi-piece casting cup.

Although the casting cup 304 is shown as having a two-piece construction, in other examples, the casting cup 304 has a three-piece construction or is constructed with more than three pieces. According to one example, the casting cup 304 has a crown-toe, a crown-heel, and a sole component. In certain embodiments, the crown-toe and crown-heel members are made of a titanium alloy and the sole member is made of a steel alloy. The titanium alloy of the crown-toe member may be the same as or different from the titanium alloy of the crown-heel member.

Referring to fig. 19 and 20, and in accordance with another example of a golf club head disclosed herein, a golf club head 400 is shown. The golf club head 400 includes features similar to those of the golf club head 100, the golf club head 200, and the golf club head 300, like numbers (e.g., like numbers but in the 400 series) referring to like features. For example, like golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300, golf club head 400 includes a body 402, a crown insert 408 attached to body 402 at the top of golf club head 400, and a sole insert 410 attached to body 402 at the bottom of golf club head 400. The body 402 includes a casting cup 404 and a ring 406. The ring 406 is joined to the casting cup 404 at the toe side joint 412A and the heel side joint 412B. In addition, as with golf club head 200 and golf club head 300, golf club head 400 includes a striking plate 443 defining a striking face 445, the striking face 445 being formed separately from cast cup 404 and attached to cast cup 404. Thus, in view of the foregoing, golf club head 400 shares some similarities with golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300.

In addition, the golf club head 400 additionally includes a weight 473 attached to the casting cup 404 via a fastener 479. As shown, the casting cup 404 includes a port 475 that receives and retains a counterweight 473. The port 475 is configured to retain the weight 473 in a fixed position on the bottom portion of the golf club head 400. However, in other examples, the port 475 may be replaced with a weight rail similar to the weight rail 279 of the golf club head 200 such that the weight 473 may be selectively adjusted and moved to any of a variety of positions along the weight rail. In this manner, the counterweight rail and one or more corresponding flanges of the counterweight rail may form part of the casting cup 404.

In addition, as with golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300, golf club head 400 additionally includes a mass element 459 and a mass receptacle 457. However, unlike some examples of the receptacles of golf club heads previously discussed, the mass receptacle 457 of golf club head 400 forms a one-piece unitary construction with the cantilever portion 461 of ring 406. Thus, in some examples, the mass vessel 457 is co-cast with the ring 406. The mass container 457 includes an opening or recess configured to nestably receive the mass element 459. The mass element 459 may be made of a material different (e.g., more dense) than the material of the ring 406, such as tungsten. The mass 459 is bonded to the ring 406, for example, via an adhesive, to secure the mass 459 within the mass container 457. In some examples, the mass element 459 includes a fork 463 that, when coupled to the ring 406, engages a corresponding aperture in the mass container 457. Engagement between prongs 463 and corresponding holes of mass receptacle 457 helps to strengthen and strengthen the coupling between mass element 459 and ring 406.

Referring to fig. 21, the ring 406 includes a toe arm portion 463A defining the toe side of the skirt portion 421 of the golf club head 400 and a heel arm portion 463B defining the heel side of the skirt portion 421. Further, toe arm portion 463A and heel arm portion 463B define portions of toe portion 414 and heel portion 416 of golf club head 400, respectively (see, e.g., fig. 19 and 20). The cantilever portion 461 extends downward away from the toe arm portion 463A and the heel arm portion 463B, and the toe arm portion 463A and the heel arm portion 463B extend forward away from the cantilever portion 461. Thus, when the golf club head 400 is in the aimed position, the boom portion 461 is closer to the ground plane 181 than the toe arm portion 463A and the heel arm portion 463B. In fig. 21, the ring 406 is shown in a position corresponding to the position of the ring 406 when the golf club head 400 is in the aimed position relative to the ground plane 181.

In some examples, the height HR of the lowest surface (and in some examples, the entirety) of the toe arm portion 463A at the toe portion 414 of the golf club head 400 is different from the height HR of the lowest surface (and in some examples, the entirety) of the heel arm portion 463B at the heel portion 416 of the golf club head 400. More specifically, in one example, the height HR of the lowest surface of toe arm portion 463A at toe portion 414 of golf club head 400 is greater than the height HR of the lowest surface of heel arm portion 463B at heel portion 416 of golf club head 100.

According to some examples, a width WR of toe arm portion 463A of ring 406 at toe portion 414 is less than a width WR of heel arm portion 463B of ring 406 at heel portion 416. According to some additional examples, the Thickness (TR) of the ring 406 may vary along the ring 406 in the anterior-posterior direction. For example, in some examples, the thickness TR of the ring 406 varies from a minimum thickness to a maximum thickness in the anterior-posterior direction. In some examples, as shown, the thickness TR of toe portion 463A of ring 406 at toe portion 414 is less than the thickness TR of heel portion 463B of ring 406 at heel portion 416.

The golf club heads disclosed herein include golf club head 100, golf club head 200, and golf club head 300, each having a volume equal to the volumetric displacement of the golf club head, the volume being at 390 cubic centimeters (cm) ³ Or cc) to about 600cm ³ Between them. In a more specific example, each of the golf club heads disclosed herein has a volume of about 350cm ³ Up to about 500cm ³ Between or at about 420cm ³ Up to about 500cm ³ Between them. In some examples, the total mass of each of the golf club heads disclosed herein is between about 145g to about 245g, and in other examples between 185g to 210 g.

The golf club heads disclosed herein have a multi-piece construction. For example, with respect to golf club head 100, cast cup 104, ring 106, crown insert 108, and sole insert 110 each comprise one of a multi-piece construction. Because each piece of the multi-piece structure is formed separately and attached together, each piece may be made of a different material than at least one other piece. This multi-material construction allows flexibility in the material composition of the golf club head, thereby allowing flexibility in the mass composition and distribution.

The following characteristics of the golf club heads disclosed herein are made with reference to golf club head 100. However, unless otherwise noted, the characteristics described with reference to golf club head 100 also apply to golf club head 200, golf club head 300, and golf club head 400. The golf club head 100 is made of at least one first material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. In a first example, the casting cup 104 is made of a third material, the ring 106 is made of a second material, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a first material. In this first example, according to one example, the casting cup 104 is made of a steel alloy, the ring 106 is made of a titanium alloy, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. In a second example, the casting cup 104 is made of the second and third materials, the ring 106 is made of the first or second material, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of the first material. In this second example, according to one example, the casting cup 104 is made of a steel alloy and a titanium alloy, the ring 106 is made of a titanium alloy, an aluminum alloy, or a plastic, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material.

According to some examples, the at least one first material has a first mass that is not greater than 55% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and not less than 25% (e.g., between 50 grams and 110 grams) of the total mass of the golf club head 100. In some examples, the first mass of the at least one first material is not greater than 45% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and not less than 30% of the total mass of the golf club head 100. The first mass of the at least one first material may be greater than the second mass of the at least one second material. Alternatively or additionally, the first mass of the at least one first material may be within 10g of the second mass of the at least one second material.

In some examples, the at least one second material has a second mass that is not greater than 65% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and not less than 20% (e.g., between 40 grams and 130 grams) of the total mass of the golf club head 100. According to some examples, the second mass of the at least one second material does not exceed 50% of the total mass of the golf club head 100. In some examples, the second mass of the at least one second material is less than twice the first mass of the at least one first material. In some examples, the second mass of the at least one second material is between 0.9 times and 1.8 times the first mass of the at least one first material. In one example, the second mass of the at least one second material is less than 0.9 times or less than 1.8 times the first mass of the at least one first material.

The third mass of the at least one third material is equal to the total mass of the golf club head 100 minus the first mass of the at least one first material and the second mass of the at least one second material. In one example, the third mass of the at least one third material is not less than 5% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 and not greater than 50% of the total mass of the golf club head 100 (e.g., between 10g and 100 g). According to another example, the third mass of the at least one third material is not less than 10% and not greater than 20% of the total mass of the golf club head 100.

According to one example, the casting cup 104 of the body 102 of the golf club head 100 is made of at least one first material, and the at least one first material is a first metallic material having a density between 4.0g/cc and 8.0 g/cc. In this example, the ring 106 of the body 102 of the golf club head 100 is made of a material having a density between 0.5g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. According to some embodiments, the first metallic material of the casting cup 104 is a titanium alloy and/or a steel alloy, and the material of the ring 106 is an aluminum alloy and/or a magnesium alloy. In some embodiments, the first metallic material of the casting cup 104 is a titanium alloy and/or a steel alloy, while the material of the ring 106 is a non-metallic material, such as a plastic or polymeric material. Thus, in some examples, the ring 106 is made of any of a variety of materials, such as titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, and fiber-reinforced polymeric materials.

In some examples, the ring 106 is made of one of 6000 series, 7000 series, or 8000 series aluminum, which may be anodized to have the same or a different specific color as the casting cup 104. According to some examples, the ring 106 may be anodized to have any one of a range of colors including blue, red, orange, green, purple, and the like. The contrasting color between the ring 105 and the casting cup 104 may help align or fit the user's preference. In one example, the ring 106 is made of 7075 aluminum. According to some examples, the ring 106 is made of a fiber reinforced polycarbonate material. The ring 106 may be made of plastic with a non-conductive vacuum metallized coating, which may also have any of a variety of colors. Thus, in some examples, the ring 106 is made of a titanium alloy, a steel alloy, a boronized steel alloy, a copper alloy, a beryllium alloy, a composite material, a hard plastic, an elastomeric material, a carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic with short or long fibers. The ring 106 may be made via injection molding, casting, physical vapor deposition, or CNC milling techniques.

As described herein, the ring (e.g., ring 106) of any of the club heads disclosed herein may include a variety of different materials and features, and be made of different materials and have different characteristics than the casting cup (e.g., casting cup 104) that is formed separately and then coupled to the ring. The ring may include metallic materials, polymeric materials, and/or composite materials in addition to or in lieu of other materials described herein, and may include various external coatings.

In some embodiments, the ring comprises anodized aluminum, such as 6000, 7000, and 8000 series aluminum. In one specific example, the ring comprises 7075 grade aluminum. The anodized aluminum can be colored such as red, green, blue, gray, white, orange, violet, pink, mauve, black, transparent, yellow, gold, silver, or metallic. In some embodiments, the ring may have a color that contrasts with a primary color located on other portions of the club head (e.g., crown insert, sole insert, cup, rear weight, etc.).

In some embodiments, the ring may comprise any combination of metals, metal alloys (e.g., titanium alloys, steel, boron impregnated steel, aluminum, copper, beryllium), composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymers with short or long fibers), hard plastics, elastic elastomers, other polymeric materials, and/or other suitable materials. Any material selection of the ring may also be combined with any of a variety of formation methods, such as any combination of the following: casting, injection molding, sintering, machining, milling, forging, extrusion, stamping, and rolling.

Plastic rings (fiber reinforced polycarbonate rings) can provide both mass savings, such as about 5 grams compared to aluminum rings, and cost savings, as the process used to form the rings, such as injection molded thermoplastic, provides greater design flexibility, performance in abuse testing similar to aluminum rings, such as putting the club head into a concrete lane (extreme abuse) or shaking it in a bag where other metal clubs may be repeatedly hit (normal abuse).

In some embodiments, the ring may comprise a polymeric material (e.g., plastic) with a non-conductive vacuum metallization (NCVM) coating. For example, in some embodiments, the ring may include a primer layer having an average thickness of about 5-11 micrometers (μm) or about 8.5 μm, and a basecoat layer having an average thickness of about 5-11 μm or about 8.5 μm on top of the primer layer, an NCVM layer having an average thickness of about 1.1-3.5 μm or about 2.5 μm on top of the undercoating layer, a color coating having an average thickness of about 25-35 μm or about 29 μm on top of the NCVM layer, and an topcoat (UV protective coating) outer layer having an average thickness of about 20-35 μm or about 26 μm on top of the color coating. Typically, for NCVM coated parts or rings, the NCVM layer is the thinnest, the color and top coats are the thickest, and the thickness is typically about 8-15 times that of the NCVM layer. Typically, all layers will combine to have a total average thickness of about 60-90 μm or about 75 μm. The layers and NCVM coatings described may be applied to other parts than the ring, such as crown, sole, forward cup, and removable weights, and may be applied prior to assembly.

In some embodiments, the ring may include a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating or film. In some embodiments, the ring may include a paint layer or other external coloring layer. Traditionally, painting golf club heads has been done manually and requires masking of various components to prevent unwanted painting on unwanted surfaces. However, manual painting can result in significant inconsistencies between clubs. The separate formation of the ring not only allows more access to the rearward portion of the face for milling operations to remove unwanted alpha shells and allow machining in various face patterns, but also eliminates the need to mask various components. The rings may be painted separately prior to assembly. Or in the case of anodized aluminum, paint spraying may not be required, eliminating a step in the process so that the ring can simply be glued or attached to a cup that can also be fully completed. Similarly, if the ring is coated using PVD or NCVM, such coating can be applied to the ring prior to assembly, again eliminating several steps. This also allows for the attachment of various color rings that can be selected by the end user to provide alignment or aesthetic benefits to the user. Whether the ring is an NCVM coated ring or a PVD coated ring, as described above, it can be coated with a range of colors, such as red, green, blue, gray, white, orange, purple, pink, mauve, black, transparent, yellow, gold, silver, or metallic.

The following characteristics of the golf club heads disclosed herein are made with reference to golf club head 100. However, unless otherwise noted, the characteristics described with reference to golf club head 100 also apply to golf club head 200, golf club head 300, and golf club head 400. The golf club head 100 is made of two of at least one first material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc. In a first example, the casting cup 104 is made of a second material, while the ring 106, crown insert 108, and sole insert 110 are made of a first material. In this first example, according to one example, the casting cup 104 is made of a titanium alloy, the ring 106 is made of an aluminum alloy, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. In this first example, according to another example, the casting cup 104 is made of titanium alloy, the ring 106 is made of plastic, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of fiber-reinforced polymeric material. According to a second example, the casting cup 104 is made of a second material, the ring 106 is made of the second material, and the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of the first material. In this second example, according to one example, the casting cup 104 and ring 106 are made of a titanium alloy, while the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 are made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material.

In some examples, the at least one first material is a fiber reinforced polymeric material comprising continuous fibers embedded in a polymer matrix (e.g., an epoxy or resin), in some examples the polymer matrix is a thermoset polymer. Continuous fibers are considered continuous because each fiber is continuous in length, width, or diagonal of the portion formed of the fiber-reinforced polymeric material. The continuous fibers may be long fibers having a length of at least 3mm, 10mm or even 50 mm. In other embodiments, shorter fibers between 0.5mm and 2.0mm in length may be used. The addition of the fiber reinforcement increases the tensile strength, however, it may also reduce the elongation at break, so careful balancing may be performed to maintain sufficient elongation. Thus, one embodiment includes 35-55% long fiber reinforcement, and in a further embodiment 40-50% long fiber reinforcement. The continuous fibers and generally the fiber reinforced polymeric material may be the same as or similar to that described in section 295 of U.S. patent application publication number 2016/0184662, published 6/30 of 2016, of U.S. patent number 9,468,816, now granted 10/18 of 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In several examples, the crown insert 108 and the sole insert 110 are made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. Thus, in some examples, each of the continuous fibers of the fiber-reinforced polymeric material does not extend from the crown portion 119 to the sole portion 117 of the golf club head 100. Alternatively or additionally, in some examples, each of the continuous fibers of the fiber-reinforced polymeric material does not extend from the crown portion 119 to the forward portion 112 of the golf club head 100. In one example, the crown insert 108 is made of a material having a density between 0.5g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. In one example, the bottom insert 110 is made of a material having a density between 0.5g/cc and 4.0 g/cc.

In some examples, the first material is a fiber reinforced polymeric material as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/006,561, filed 8/28/2020. Composite materials that may be used to make club head components include a fiber portion and a resin portion. Typically, the resin portion serves as a "matrix" in which the fibers are embedded in a defined manner. In a composite material for a club head, the fiber portion is configured as a plurality of fiber layers or plies impregnated with a resin component. The fibers in each layer have their own orientation, typically from one layer to the next, and are precisely controlled. The typical number of layers of the striking face is quite large, for example forty or more. However, for the base or crown, the number of layers may be significantly reduced to, for example, three or more layers, four or more layers, five or more layers, six or more layers, examples of which will be provided below. During the manufacture of the composite material, the layers (each layer comprising individually oriented fibers impregnated in an uncured or partially cured resin; each such layer is referred to as a "prepreg" layer) are placed on top of each other in a "lay-up" manner. After the prepreg layup is formed, the resin is cured to a rigid state. If of interest, a particular strength may be calculated by dividing the tensile strength by the density of the material. This is also referred to as the strength to weight ratio or strength to weight ratio.

In tests involving certain club head constructions, it has been found that composite portions formed from prepreg plies having relatively low Fiber Area Weight (FAW) have excellent properties in several respects, such as impact resistance, durability, and overall performance of the club. FAW is the weight of the fiber portion of a given amount of prepreg in g/m ² . FAW value lower than 100g/m ² More preferably less than 70g/m ² May be particularly effective. As mentioned above, one fibrous material that is particularly suitable for use in making the prepreg plies is carbon fiber. More than one fibrous material may be used. However, in other embodiments, a composition having a weight of less than 70g/m may be used ² And higher than 100g/m ² Is a prepreg sheet having FAW value. Typically, the cost is a FAW value below 70g/m ² Is a major limiting factor of the prepreg plies.

In certain embodiments, multiple low FAW prepreg plies may be stacked and still have a relatively uniform fiber distribution across the thickness of the stacked plies. In contrast, at comparable resin content (R/C in percent) levels, stacked plies of prepregs with higher FAW tend to have more significant resin rich areas than stacked plies of low FAW material, especially at the interfaces of adjacent plies. The resin rich regions tend to reduce the efficacy of the fibrous reinforcement, particularly because the forces generated by a golf ball strike are generally oriented transverse to the fibers of the fibrous reinforcement. The prepreg layers used to form the panel desirably comprise carbon fibers impregnated with a suitable resin such as an epoxy resin.

Fig. 26 is a front view of a striking plate 943, which may be substituted for any of the striking plates disclosed herein. The striking plate 943 is made of a composite material and may be referred to as a composite striking plate in some examples. The non-metallic or composite material of the striking plate 943 includes a fiber-reinforced polymer that includes fibers embedded in a resin. The percentage composition of the resin in the fiber-reinforced polymer is between 38% and 44%. Further details regarding the construction and manufacturing process of the composite striking plate 943 are described in U.S. patent No. 7,871,340 and U.S. published patent application nos. 2011/0275451, 2012/008361, and 2012/0199282, which are incorporated herein by reference. The composite striking plate 943 is attached to an insert support structure, such as disclosed herein, at an opening in a front portion of a golf club head.

In some examples, the striking plate 943 may be machined from a composite plate machine. In one example, the composite panel may be generally rectangular with a panel size and dimension of between about 90mm to about 130mm or between about 100mm to about 120mm, preferably about 110mm + -1.0 mm, and a width of between about 50mm to about 90mm or between about 6mm to about 80mm, preferably about 70mm + -1.0 mm. The striking plate 943 is then machined by a plate machine to produce the desired facial contour. For example, the facial contour length 912 may be between about 80mm to about 120mm or between about 90mm to about 110mm, preferably about 102mm. The facial contour width 911 may be between about 40mm to about 65mm or between about 45mm to about 60mm, preferably about 53mm. The height 913 of the preferred striking area 953 on the striking face defined by the striking plate 943 and centered about the geometric center of the striking face may be between about 25mm and about 50mm, between about 30mm and about 40mm, or between about 17mm and about 45mm, such as preferably about 34mm. The length 914 of the preferred striking area 953 may be between about 40mm and about 70mm, between about 28mm and about 65mm, or between about 45mm and about 65mm, preferably about 55.5mm or 56mm. In some examples, the preferred striking area 953 of the striking face defined by the striking plate 943 has a striking area of between 500mm ² To 1,800mm ² Area between them. Alternatively, the striking plate 943 may be molded to provide the desired face size and contour.

Additional features may be machined or molded into the face of the striking plate 943 to create a desired facial profile. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, a recess 920 may be machined or molded into the back of the heel portion of the striking plate 943. In some examples, the recess 920 in the back of the striking plate 943 allows the golf club head to utilize Flight Control Technology (FCT) in the hosel. The recess 920 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a hosel within the striking plate 943. Alternatively or additionally, the recess 920 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the club head body within the striking plate 943. By receiving at least a portion of the hosel and/or at least a portion of the club body within the striking plate 943, the recess may allow for a reduced center plane y-axis position (CFY), thereby allowing the preferred striking area 953 of the striking plate 943 to be positioned closer to a plane passing through the center point location of the hosel. The striking plate 943 may be configured to provide a CFY of no greater than about 18mm and no less than about 9mm, preferably between about 11.0mm and about 16.0mm, more preferably no greater than about 15.5mm and no less than about 11.5 mm. The striking plate 943 may be configured to provide facial advancement of no more than about 21mm and no less than about 12mm, preferably no more than about 19.5mm and no less than about 13mm, and more preferably no more than about 18mm and no less than about 14.5 mm. In some embodiments, the difference between CFY and facial advancement is at least 3mm and not more than 12mm.

In another example, the back bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D may be machined or molded into the back of the striking plate 943. The back bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D may be configured to provide a bonding gap. The bond gap is a void space between the club head body and the striking plate 943 that is filled with adhesive during manufacture. When the striking plate 943 is bonded to the club head body during manufacture, the back bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D protrude to separate the face from the club head body. In some examples, too large or too small a bond gap may cause durability problems for the club head, the striking plate 943, or both. Furthermore, too much bonding gap may allow for the use of too much adhesive during manufacture, adding undesirable additional mass to the club head. The back bumps 4230A, 4230B, 4230C, 4230D may protrude between about 0.1mm to 0.5mm, preferably about 0.25mm. In some embodiments, the backside bump is configured to provide a minimum bond gap, such as a minimum bond gap of about 0.25mm to a maximum bond gap of about 0.45 mm.

In addition, one or more edges of the striking plate 943 may be machined or molded with chamfers. In one example, the striking plate 943 includes a chamfer generally around the inner peripheral edge of the striking plate 943, such as a chamfer of between about 0.5mm to about 1.1mm, preferably 0.8 mm.

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the striking plate 943. The striking plate 943 has a heel portion 941 and a toe portion 942. The recess 920 is machined or molded into the heel portion 941. In this example, the striking plate 943 has a variable thickness, such as a peak thickness 947 within the preferred striking area 953. Peak thickness 947 may be between about 2mm to about 7.5mm, between about 4.3mm to 5.15mm, between about 4.0mm to about 5.15 or 5.5mm, or between about 3.8mm to about 4.8mm, preferably 4.1mm + 0.1mm, 4.25mm + 0.1mm or 4.5mm + 0.1mm. The peak thickness 947 may be located at the geometric center of the striking face defined by the striking plate 943. In some examples, the minimum thickness of the striking plate 943 is between 3.0mm and 4.0 mm.

Further, in some examples, the preferred striking area 953 is eccentric or offset with respect to the geometric center of the striking face and may be thicker toward the geometric center of the striking face. In some examples, the thickness of the striking plate 943 within the preferred striking area 953 is variable (e.g., between about 3.5mm and about 5.0 mm) and the thickness of the striking plate 943 outside of the preferred striking area 953 is constant (e.g., between 3.5mm and 4.2 mm) and less than within the preferred striking area 953. In some examples, the striking plate 943 has a thickness of between 3.5mm to 6.0 mm.

The striking plate 943 has a toe edge area and a heel edge area outside of the preferred striking area 953 such that the preferred striking area is between the toe edge area and the heel edge area. The toe edge region is closer to the toe portion than the heel edge region. The heel edge area is closer to the heel portion than the toe edge area. The toe edge region thickness is less than the maximum thickness. The thickness of the striking plate 943 transitions from a maximum thickness in the preferred striking area 953 to a toe edge area thickness in the toe edge area of between 3.85mm and 4.5 mm.

In some examples, the striking plate 943 is made of a multi-layer composite material. Exemplary composite materials and methods of making the same are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/452,370 (published as U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0199282), which is incorporated by reference. In some examples, the inner and outer surfaces of the composite face may include a scrim layer, such as to reinforce the striking plate 943 with glass fibers that make up the scrim fabric. A plurality of quasi-isotropic panels (Q) may also be included, each Q panel using a plurality of plies of unidirectional composite panels that are offset from one another. In the exemplary four ply Q panel, the unidirectional composite panels are oriented at 90 °, -45 °, 0 °, and 45 °, which provides structural stability in each direction. A cluster of unidirectional stripes (C) may also be included, each C using a plurality of unidirectional composite stripes. In the exemplary four strips C, four 27mm strips are oriented at 0 °, 125 °, 90 ° and 55 °. C may be provided to increase the thickness of the striking plate 943 in localized areas, such as in the center plane of the preferred striking area. Some Q and C may have additional or fewer slices (e.g., three slices instead of four), such as trimming thickness, mass, partial thickness, and providing other characteristics of the striking plate 943, such as increasing or decreasing COR of the striking plate 943.

In some examples, the striking face of some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein, such as striking plate 243, is made of a multi-layer composite material. Exemplary composite materials and methods of making the same are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/452,370 (published as U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0199282), which is incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the inner and outer surfaces of the composite face may include a scrim layer, such as to reinforce the striking face with glass fibers that make up the scrim fabric. A plurality of quasi-isotropic panels (Q) may also be included, each Q panel using a plurality of plies of unidirectional composite panels that are offset from one another. In the exemplary four ply Q panel, the unidirectional composite panels are oriented at 90 °, -45 °, 0 °, and 45 °, which provides structural stability in each direction. A cluster of unidirectional stripes (C) may also be included, each C using a plurality of unidirectional composite stripes. In the exemplary four strips C, four 27mm strips are oriented at 0 °, 125 °, 90 ° and 55 °. C may be provided to increase the thickness of the striking face or other composite feature in a localized area, such as in the center plane of a preferred striking area. Some Q and C may have additional or fewer slices (e.g., three slices instead of four), such as trimming thickness, mass, local thickness, and providing other characteristics of the ball striking face, such as increasing or decreasing the COR of the ball striking face.

Additional composite materials and methods of making the same are described in U.S. patent nos. 8,163,119 and 10,046,212, which are incorporated by reference. For example, the number of typical layers of a striking plate is substantial, such as fifty or more. However, improvements in the art have been made such that the number of layers can be reduced to between 30 and 50 layers.

Table 3 below provides examples of possible laminates of one or more composite components of the golf club heads disclosed herein. These laminates show possible unidirectional sheets unless noted as woven sheets. The configuration shown is applicable to quasi-isotropic stacks. For a standard FAW of 70gsm with a resin content of about 36% to about 40%, the single ply layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.065mm to about 0.080 mm. The thickness of each individual ply can be varied by adjusting the FAW or resin content, and thus the thickness of the overall laminate can be varied by adjusting these parameters.

TABLE 3 Table 3

The Area Weight (AW) is calculated by multiplying the density by the thickness. For the sheet made of composite material shown above, the density was about 1.5g/cm ³ While the density of titanium is about 4.5g/cm ³ 。

Typically, the composite panel or composite face insert may have a peak thickness that varies between about 3.8mm to 5.15 mm. Typically, composite panels are formed from multiple composite plies or layers. The typical number of layers of the composite striking face is substantial, for example, forty or more, preferably between 30 and 75 sheets, more preferably between 50 and 70 sheets, and even more preferably between 55 and 65 sheets.

In one example, the first composite face insert may have a peak thickness of 4.1mm and an edge thickness of 3.65mm, including 12Q and 2C, resulting in a mass of 24.7 grams. In another example, the second composite face insert may have a peak thickness of 4.25mm and an edge thickness of 3.8mm, including 12Q and 2C, resulting in a mass of 25.6 grams. The additional thickness and mass is provided by including additional slices in one or more of Q or C, such as by using two 4 slices Q instead of two 3 slices Q. In yet another example, the third composite face insert may have a peak thickness of 4.5mm and an edge thickness of 3.9mm, including 12Q and 3C, resulting in a mass of 26.2 grams. Additional and different combinations of Q and C may be provided for a composite face insert 110 having a mass of between about 20g to about 30g, or between about 15g to about 35 g. In some examples, the striking plate, such as striking plate 943, has a total mass of between 22 grams and 28 grams.

Fig. 28A is a cross-sectional view of the heel portion 41 of the striking plate 943. The heel portion 941 may include a recess 920. In embodiments having a chamfer on the inboard edge of the striking plate 943, no chamfer 950 is provided on the recess 920. The recess 920 may have a recess edge thickness 944 that is less than an edge thickness 945 of the face insert 110 (see, e.g., fig. 28B). For example, the notch edge thickness 944 may be between 1.5mm and 2.1mm, preferably 1.8mm.

Fig. 28B is a cross-sectional view of the toe portion 942 of the striking plate 943. Toe portion 942 includes a chamfer 951 on the inboard edge of striking plate 943. In some embodiments, edge thickness 945 may be between about 3.35mm to about 4.2mm, preferably 3.65mm ± 0.1mm, 3.8mm ± 0.1mm, or 3.9mm ± 0.1mm.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the polymer layer 900 of the striking plate 943. The polymer layer 900 may be disposed on an outer surface of the striking plate 943 to provide better performance of the striking plate 943, such as under wet conditions. Exemplary polymer layers are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/330,486 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,979,669), which is incorporated by reference. The polymer layer 900 may include polyurethane and/or other polymer materials. The polymer layer may have a polymer maximum thickness 960 of about 0.2mm to 0.7mm or about 0.3mm to about 0.5mm, preferably 0.40mm + -0.05 mm. The polymer layer may have a polymer minimum thickness 970 of between about 0.05mm to 0.15mm, preferably 0.09mm + -0.02 mm. The polymer layer may be configured with alternating maximum 960 and minimum 970 thicknesses to create a score line on the striking plate 943. Further, in some embodiments, teeth and/or another texture may be provided between score lines on thicker regions of the polymer layer 900.

In some examples, the crown insert, such as crown insert 108, and the sole insert, such as sole insert 110, are made of a carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material. In one example, the crown insert is made from layers of unidirectional tape, woven cloth, and composite sheet.

Referring to fig. 4, the golf club head 100 has a face-back dimension (FBD) defined as the distance between an imaginary plane 169 passing through the center face 183 of the ball striking face 145 and parallel to the ball striking face 145 and the last point on the golf club head 100 in a face-back direction 165 perpendicular to the imaginary plane 169. As defined herein, the central facet 183 is located at 0% of the back-of-the-facet dimension (FBD) and the rearmost point is located at 100% of the back-of-the-facet dimension (FBD). Under this definition, golf club head 100 may be divided into a face section extending in face-back direction 165 from 0% of the face-back dimension (FBD) to 25% of the face-back dimension (FBD), a mid section extending in face-back direction 165 from 25% to 75% of the face-back dimension (FBD), and a back section extending in face-back direction 165 from 75% to 100% of the face-back dimension (FBD). According to some examples, at least 95% of the weight of the intermediate section is made of a material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 4.0 g/cc. In certain examples, at least 95% of the weight of the intermediate section is made of a material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 2.0 g/cc. In some examples, at least 95% of the weight of the middle section and at least 95% of the weight of the back section are made of a material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 2.0g/cc, excluding any additional weights and any housing for the additional weights. According to various examples, no more than 20% by weight of the intermediate section and no more than 20% by weight of the back section are made of a material having a density between 4.0g/cc and 20.0 g/cc.

In some examples, the golf club head 100 includes one or more of the following materials: carbon steel, stainless steel (e.g., 17-4PH stainless steel), alloy steel, ferro-manganese-aluminum alloy, nickel-base iron alloy, cast iron, superalloy steel, aluminum alloy (including but not limited to 3000 series alloy, 5000 series alloy, 6000 series alloy such as 6061-T6 and 7000 series alloy such as 7075), magnesium alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy (including but not limited to 6-4 titanium, 3-2.5, 6-4, SP 700, 15-3-3-3, 10-2-3, ti 9-1-1, ZA 1300 or other alpha/near alpha, alpha-beta and beta/near beta titanium alloys), or mixtures thereof.

In one example, the titanium alloy is a 9-1-1 titanium alloy when forming part of a golf club head disclosed herein, such as when forming part of a striking plate. Titanium alloys comprising aluminum (e.g., 8.5% -9.5% Al), vanadium (e.g., 0.9% -1.3% V), and molybdenum (e.g., 0.8% -1.1% Mo), optionally with other minor alloying elements and impurities, collectively referred to herein as "9-1-1Ti", may have a less pronounced alpha shell, which makes HF acid etching unnecessary or at least less desirable than faces made from conventional 6-4Ti and other titanium alloys. In addition, 9-1-1Ti may have the lowest mechanical properties of 820MPa yield strength, 958MPa tensile strength, and 10.2% elongation. These minimum properties are clearly superior to typical cast titanium alloys, such as 6-4Ti, which have minimum mechanical properties of 812MPa yield strength, 936MPa tensile strength and 6% elongation. In some examples, the titanium alloy is 8-1-1Ti.

In another example, when forming part of a golf club head disclosed herein, such as when forming part of a striking plate, the titanium alloy is an alpha-beta titanium alloy comprising 6.5% to 10% aluminum by weight, 0.5% to 3.25% molybdenum by weight, 1.0% to 3.0% chromium by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% vanadium by weight, and/or 0.25% to 1% iron by weight, the balance comprising titanium (one example is sometimes referred to as "1300" or "ZA1300" titanium alloy). The alpha-beta titanium alloy or ZA1300 titanium alloy has a first ultimate tensile strength of at least 1,000mpa in some examples and at least 1,100mpa in other examples. In addition to the striking face 145, the ultimate tensile strength of the material forming the body 102 may be at least 10% less than the first ultimate tensile strength. In another representative example, the alloy may include 6.75% to 9.75% Al by weight, 0.75% to 3.25% or 2.75% Mo by weight, 1.0% to 3.0% Cr by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 1% Fe by weight, with the remainder including Ti. In yet another representative example, the alloy may include 7% to 9% by weight Al, 1.75% to 3.25% by weight Mo, 1.25% to 2.75% by weight Cr, 0.5% to 1.5% by weight V, and/or 0.25% to 0.75% by weight Fe, with the remainder including Ti. In further representative examples, the alloy may include 7.5% to 8.5% Al by weight, 2.0% to 3.0% Mo by weight, 1.5% to 2.5% Cr by weight, 0.75% to 1.25% V by weight, and/or 0.375% to 0.625% Fe by weight, with the remainder including Ti. In another representative example, the alloy may include 8% by weight Al, 2.5% by weight Mo, 2% by weight Cr, 1% by weight V, and/or 0.5% by weight Fe, with the remainder including Ti (such titanium alloy having the formula Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5 Fe). As used herein, reference to "Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe" refers to a titanium alloy that includes any of the reference elements in any of the proportions given above. Some examples may also contain trace amounts of K, mn and/or Zr, and/or various impurities.

Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe may have the lowest mechanical properties of 1150MPa yield strength, 1180MPa tensile strength and 8% elongation. These minimum properties may be significantly better than other cast titanium alloys, including 6-4Ti and 9-1-1Ti, which may have the minimum mechanical properties described above. In some examples, ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe may have a tensile strength of about 1180MPa to about 1460MPa, a yield strength of about 1150MPa to about 1415MPa, an elongation of about 8% to about 12%, an elastic modulus of about 110GPa, about 4.45g/cm ³ And a hardness of about 43 on the Rockwell C scale (43 HRC). In a particular example, the Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy may have a tensile strength of about 1320MPa, a yield strength of about 1284MPa, and an elongation of about 10%. The Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy, particularly when used to cast golf club head bodies, promotes less deflection at the same thickness due to its higher ultimate tensile strength as compared to other materials. In some embodiments, in the sameProviding less deflection at thickness is advantageous to golfers having higher swing speeds because the face of the golf club head will retain its original shape over time.

In some examples, the golf club head 100 is composed of a density of less than about 2g/cm ³ Such as at about 1g/cm ³ To about 2g/cm ³ The non-metallic material in between. The non-metallic material may include a polymer, such as a fiber reinforced polymeric material. The polymers may be thermoset or thermoplastic, and may be amorphous, crystalline, and/or semi-crystalline structures. The polymer may also be formed from an engineering plastic, such as a crystalline or semi-crystalline engineering plastic or an amorphous engineering plastic. Potential engineering plastic candidates include polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyethylene glycol (PEI), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), polyoxymethylene (POM), nylon 6-6, nylon 12, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyethylene terephthalate (PBT), polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or mixtures thereof. Organic fibers, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, or metal fibers, may be added to the engineering plastic to enhance structural strength. The reinforcing fibers may be continuous long fibers or short fibers. One of the advantages of PSU is that it is relatively stiff, relatively low damping, which can produce a better sound or a more metallic sound golf club than other polymers that may be overdamped. In addition, the PSU requires less post-processing because it does not require polishing or painting to obtain the final finished golf club head.

One exemplary material from which any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking face (such as striking plate 243) may be made is a thermoplastic continuous carbon fiber composite laminate having aligned long carbon fibers in a PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) matrix or binder. Commercial examples of fiber reinforced polymers are those made fromFabricated->DYNALITE 207 from which the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking face are made.DYNALITE 207 is a high strength, lightweight material arranged in a sheet form with multiple layers of continuous carbon fiber reinforcement in a PPS thermoplastic matrix or polymer to embed the fibers. The material may have a fiber volume of 54%, but may have other fiber volumes (such as 42% to 57% by volume). According to one example, the weight of the material is 200g/m ² . Another commercial example of a fiber-reinforced polymer from which the sole insert 110, crown insert 108 and/or ball striking face are made is +.>DYNALITE 208. The carbon fiber volume of this material also ranges from 42% to 57%, one example of which is 45% volume and 200g/m weight ² . DYNALITE 208 differs from DYNALITE 207 in that it has a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) matrix or binder instead of a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix.

For example, the processing steps may be performed,the fibers of each sheet of DYNALITE 207 sheet (or other fiber-reinforced polymer material, such as DYNALITE 208) are oriented in the same direction, while the sheets are oriented in different directions relative to each other, and the sheets are placed in a two-piece (male/female) matched mold, heated above the melting temperature, and formed upon mold closure. This process may be referred to as thermoforming and is particularly suitable for forming the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or ball striking face. After the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or ball striking face are formed (individually in some embodiments) by a thermoforming process, each is cooled and removed from the mating mold. In some embodiments, the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or striking face have a uniform thickness, which facilitates the use and manufacture of receptacles for the thermoforming processEase of use. However, in other embodiments, the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, and/or ball striking face may have a variable thickness to strengthen selected localized areas of the insert, such as by adding additional plies in selected areas to improve durability, acoustic properties, or other properties of the corresponding insert.

In some examples, any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or ball striking face (such as ball striking plate 243) may be made by a process other than thermoforming, such as injection molding or thermosetting molding. In a thermosetting process, any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, casting cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking face (e.g., striking plate 243) may be made from a "prepreg" sheet of a woven or unidirectional composite fiber fabric (such as a carbon fiber composite fabric) that is pre-impregnated with a resin and curing agent formulation that is activated when heated. The prepreg sheet layers are placed in a mold suitable for use in a thermosetting process, such as a balloon mold or compression mold, and stacked/oriented with carbon or other fibers oriented in different directions. The sheet is heated to activate the chemical reaction and form the crown insert 126 and/or the sole insert. Each insert is cooled and removed from its respective mold.

The carbon fiber reinforced material for any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, casting cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking face (such as striking plate 243), which may be carbon fibers referred to as "34-700" fibers, is made by a thermosetting manufacturing process and is available from Grafil corporation of saxophone, calif., having a tensile modulus of 234Gpa (34 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4500Mpa (650 Ksi). Another suitable fiber, also available from Grafil, is carbon fiber known as "TR50S" fiber, having a tensile modulus of 240Gpa (35 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4900Mpa (710 Ksi). Exemplary epoxy resins for forming the prepreg plies of the thermoset crown and sole inserts include Newport 301 and 350, and are available from Newport Adhesives & Composites, euler, california. In one example, the prepreg sheet has a quasi-isotropic fiber reinforcement of 34-700 fibers with an areal weight of between about 20g/m 2 to about 200g/m 2, preferably about 70g/m 2, impregnated with an epoxy resin (e.g., newport 301), resulting in a resin content (R/C) of about 40%. For ease of reference, the plastic composition of the prepreg sheet may be designated in abbreviated form by identifying its fiber area weight, fiber type (e.g., 70FAW 34-700). The abbreviations may further identify the resin system and resin content, e.g., 70FAW 34-700/301, R/C40%.

In some examples, polymers used to make golf club head 100 may include, but are not limited to, synthetic and natural rubbers, thermoset polymers such as thermoset polyurethanes or thermoset polyureas, and thermoplastic polymers including thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyureas, metallocene-catalyzed polymers, unimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers, unimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid copolymers, bimodal ethylene/carboxylic acid ester terpolymers, polyamides (PA), polyketones (PK), copolyamides, polyesters, copolyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COC), polyolefins, halogenated polyolefins [ e.g., chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) ], halogenated polyalkylenes, polyolefins, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides, diallyl phthalate polymers, polyimides, polyvinyl chlorides, polyamide ionomers, polyurethane ionomers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyarylates, polyacrylates, polyphenylene oxides, impact modified polyphenylene oxides, polystyrenes, high impact polystyrenes, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylonitrile, styrene-maleic anhydride (S/MA) polymers, styrene block copolymers including styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS), styrene terpolymers, functionalized styrene block copolymers include hydroxylated, functionalized styrene copolymers, and terpolymers, cellulosic polymers, liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP), ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene-propylene copolymers, propylene elastomers (such as U.S. patent No. 6,525,157 to Kim et al, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), ethylene vinyl acetate, polyureas, and polysiloxanes, and any and all combinations thereof.

Among them, preferred are Polyamide (PA), polyphthalimide (PPA), polyketone (PK), copolyamide, polyester, copolyester, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC), polyphenylene oxide, diallyl phthalate polymer, polyarylate, polyacrylate, polyphenylene oxide and impact modified polyphenylene oxide. A particularly preferred polymer for golf club heads of the present invention is the so-called high performance engineering thermoplastic family, which is known for its toughness and stability at high temperatures. These polymers include polysulfones, polyether esters and polyamide-imides. Among them, polysulfone is most preferred.

Aromatic polysulfones are a class of polymers formed by polycondensation of 4,4' -dichlorodiphenyl sulfone with itself or one or more dihydric phenols. Aromatic polysulfones include thermoplastics sometimes referred to as polyethersulfones, the general structure of the repeating units of which has a diaryl sulfone structure, which may be referred to as-arylene-SO 2-arylene-. These units may be interconnected by carbon-carbon bonds, carbon-oxygen-carbon bonds, carbon-sulfur-carbon bonds, or via short alkylene bonds to form a thermally stable thermoplastic polymer. The polymers in this family are completely amorphous, have high glass transition temperatures, and provide high strength and stiffness properties even at high temperatures, making them useful in demanding engineering applications. The polymers also have good ductility and toughness and are transparent in their natural state due to their completely amorphous nature. Other key attributes include resistance to hot water/steam hydrolysis and excellent acid and base resistance. Polysulfones are completely thermoplastic, allowing fabrication by most standard methods such as injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming. They also have a wide range of high temperature engineering applications.

Three commercially important polysulfones are a) Polysulfones (PSU); b) Polyethersulfone (PES also known as PESU); and c) polyphenylsulfone (PPSU).

Particularly important and preferred aromatic polysulfones are those composed of repeating units of the structure-C6H 4SO2-C6H 4-O-wherein C6H4 represents an meta-or para-phenylene structure. The polymer chain may also comprise repeating units, such as-C6H 4-, C6H4-O-, -C6H4- (lower alkylene) -C6H4-O-, -C6H4-O-C6H4-O- -C6H4-S-C6H 4-O-and other thermally stable, essentially aromatic difunctional groups known in the field of engineering thermoplastics. Also included are so-called modified polysulfones in which a single aromatic ring is further substituted with one or more substituents including

Wherein R is independently at each occurrence a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group or a combination thereof. Halogen atoms include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine atoms. Hydrocarbyl groups include, for example, C1-C20 alkyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkenyl, and C6-C20 aryl. These hydrocarbyl groups may be partially substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or may be partially substituted with polar groups or groups other than one or more halogen atoms. As specific examples of C1-C20 alkyl groups, there may be mentioned methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl and dodecyl. As specific examples of C2-C20 alkenyl groups, there may be mentioned propenyl, isopropyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, pentenyl and hexenyl. As specific examples of C3-C20 cycloalkyl, there may be mentioned cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. As specific examples of C3-C20 cycloalkenyl groups, cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl may be mentioned. As specific examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group, phenyl and naphthyl groups or a combination thereof may be mentioned.

The individual preferred polymers include (a) polysulfones prepared by polycondensation of bisphenol A and 4,4' -dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of a base and having a predominantly repeating structure

And PSF under the trade nameS、RTPPSU is sold, (b) polysulfone base prepared by polycondensation of 4,4 '-dihydroxydiphenyl and 4,4' -dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of a base and having a main repeating structure>

And PPSF under the trade nameSelling the resin; (c) Polycondensates prepared from 4,4' -dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of a base and having a predominantly repeating structure

And PPSF, sometimes referred to as "polyethersulfone", and is under the trade nameE、LNP ^TM 、PESU, sumikaexce and->Resins are sold, as well as any and all combinations thereof.

In some examples, one exemplary material from which any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, casting cup 103, ring 106, and/or striking face (such as striking plate 243) may be made is a composite material made of a composite material, such as a carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material, that includes multiple sheets or layers of fibrous material (e.g., graphite, or carbon fibers including vortex layers, or graphite carbon fibers, or a hybrid structure having both graphite and vortex layer components). Some examples of these composites and their manufacturing procedures are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/442,348 (now U.S. patent No. 7,267,620), 10/831,496 (now U.S. patent No. 7,140,974), 11/642,310, 11/825,138, 11/998,436, 11/895,195, 11/823,638, 12/004,386, 12,004,387, 11/960,609, 11/960,610, and 12/156,947, which are incorporated herein by reference. The composite material may be manufactured according to the method described in at least U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/825,138, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, short or long fiber reinforced formulations of the previously mentioned polymers may be used. Exemplary formulations include nylon 6/6 polyamide formulations that are 30% carbon fiber filled and are commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 285. The tensile strength of this material was 35000psi (241 MPa) as measured according to ASTM D638; a tensile elongation of 2.0 to 3.0% as measured according to ASTM D638; tensile modulus of 3.30X106 psi (22754 MPa) measured according to ASTM D638; flexural strength of 50000psi (345 MPa) measured according to ASTM D790; and a flexural modulus of 2.60x106 psi (17927 MPa) measured according to ASTM D790.

Other materials also include polyphthalamide (PPA) formulations, which are 40% carbon fiber filled, commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 4087 UP. The tensile strength of this material was 360MPa, measured according to ISO 527; tensile elongation measured according to ISO 527 was 1.4%; tensile modulus measured according to ISO 527 is 41500MPa; flexural strength measured according to ISO 178 is 580MPa; and a flexural modulus of 34500MPa measured according to ISO 178.

Other materials include polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) formulations, which are 30% carbon fiber filled and are commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 1385 UP. The tensile strength of this material was 255MPa, measured according to ISO 527; tensile elongation measured according to ISO 527 was 1.3%; a tensile modulus of 28500MPa measured according to ISO 527; flexural strength measured according to ISO 178 is 385MPa; and a flexural modulus of 23,000mpa measured according to ISO 178.

Particularly preferred materials include Polysulfone (PSU) formulations, which are 20% carbon fiber filled, commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 983. The tensile strength of this material was 124MPa, measured according to ISO 527; tensile elongation measured according to ISO 527 was 2%; tensile modulus measured according to ISO 527 is 11032MPa; flexural strength measured according to ISO 178 is 186MPa; and a flexural modulus of 9653MPa measured according to ISO 178.

In addition, preferred materials may include Polysulfone (PSU) formulations, which are 30% carbon fiber filled and commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 985. The tensile strength of this material was 138MPa, measured according to ISO 527; tensile elongation measured according to ISO 527 was 1.2%; tensile modulus measured according to ISO 527 is 20685MPa; flexural strength measured according to ISO 178 is 193MPa; and a flexural modulus of 12411MPa measured according to ISO 178.

Further preferred materials include Polysulfone (PSU) formulations, which are 40% carbon fiber filled, commercially available from RTP company under the trade name RTP 987. The tensile strength of this material was 155MPa, measured according to ISO 527; tensile elongation measured according to ISO 527 was 1%; a tensile modulus measured according to ISO 527 of 24132MPa; flexural strength measured according to ISO 178 is 241MPa; and a flexural modulus of 19306MPa measured according to ISO 178.

Any one or more of the sole insert 110, crown insert 108, cast cup 103, ring 106, and/or ball striking face (such as ball striking plate 243) may have a complex three-dimensional shape and curvature that generally corresponds to the desired shape and curvature of the golf club head 100. It will be appreciated that other types of club heads, such as fairway wood-type club heads, hybrid club heads, and iron-type club heads, may be manufactured using one or more of the principles, methods, and materials described herein.

Referring to fig. 33, 34, and 42, according to some examples, a method 550 of manufacturing a golf club head of the present disclosure, such as golf club head 100, includes laser ablating (block 552) a first component surface 520 of a first component 502 of the golf club head such that a first component ablated surface 522 is formed in the first component 502. The method 550 further includes laser ablating (block 554) a second component surface 524 of the second component 504 of the golf club head 100 such that a second component ablated surface 526 is formed in the second component 504. The method 550 additionally includes (block 556) bonding the first component ablation surface 522 and the second component ablation surface 526 together. Generally, the method 550 facilitates creating a bonding surface (i.e., an overlap surface) of a golf club head having features that promote a secure and reliable bond between the bonding surfaces. More specifically, the features formed by ablating the bonding surfaces of the golf club head with a laser promote increased pattern uniformity and surface energy of the bonding surfaces, which helps to strengthen the bond between the bonding surfaces and improve the overall reliability and performance of the golf club head. In addition, the repeatability of the surface characteristics of the multiple parts and batches of parts can be achieved by ablating the bonding surfaces with a laser. As defined herein, each of the first component ablation surface 522 and/or the second component ablation surface 526 can be a single continuous surface or a plurality of spaced apart (e.g., intermittent) surfaces.

Conventional methods for bonding surfaces of golf club heads together, including surface preparation via non-laser ablation methods, may not provide sufficient pattern uniformity and surface energy to produce a strong and reliable bond. For example, chemical ablation and media jet ablation processes fail to achieve the pattern uniformity and surface energy of the bonding surfaces achievable by laser ablation of the present disclosure. The pattern of peaks and valleys on the bonding surfaces ablated via a chemical ablation process or a media jet ablation process is irregular and non-uniform, which results in a low and non-uniform bond strength across the bond between the bonding surfaces.

As shown in fig. 33, the first component laser 506 is configured to generate a first component laser beam 508 and direct the first component laser beam 508 at a first component surface 520 of the first component 502. The first component laser beam 508 impinges on the first component surface 520, which sublimates a portion of the first component surface 520 to a desired depth. More specifically, the energy of the first component laser beam 508 is sufficient to directly transform a portion of the first component surface 520 from a solid state to a gaseous state. In some examples, the desired depth is between 5 microns and 100 microns, between 20 microns and 50 microns, or about 30 microns. The sublimated gas from the first component surface 520 may be pumped away, such as by a vacuum pump (not shown).

The depth of the portion of the first component surface 520 that is sublimated (e.g., removed) depends on the material of the first component surface 520 and the characteristics of the first component laser beam 508. Characteristics of the first component laser beam 508 include the intensity of impact of the first component laser beam 508 on the first component surface 520 (e.g., optical power per unit area), the pulse frequency, and the duration. After a portion of the first component surface 520 is removed, the first component ablated surface 522 is exposed. Thus, in general, first component laser beam 508 removes the top surface of first component 502, thereby exposing the fresh surface of first component 502. The first component ablated surface 522 (e.g., fresh surface or exposed surface) is relatively free of contaminants (e.g., oxides, moisture, etc.) present on the first component surface 520.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 34, the second component laser 510 is configured to generate the second component laser beam 510 and direct the second component laser beam 512 at a second component surface 524 of the second component 504. The second component laser beam 512 impinges on the second component surface 524, which sublimates a portion of the second component surface 524 to a desired depth. More specifically, the energy of second component laser beam 512 is sufficient to directly transform a portion of second component surface 524 from a solid state to a gaseous state. The sublimated gas from the second component surface 524 may be pumped away, such as by a vacuum pump (not shown). The depth of the sublimated portion of the second component surface 524 depends on the material of the second component surface 524 and the characteristics of the second component laser beam 512. As with the first component laser beam 508, the characteristics of the second component laser beam 512 include the intensity of impact (e.g., optical power per unit area), pulse frequency, and duration of the second component laser beam 512 on the second component surface 524. Typically, the first component laser beam 508 and the second component laser beam 512 are highly focused laser radiation beams. After a portion of the second component surface 524 is removed, the second component ablated surface 526 is exposed. Thus, in general, second component laser beam 512 removes the top surface of second component 504, thereby exposing the fresh surface of second component 504. The second component ablated surface 526 is relatively free of contaminants present on the second component surface 524.

In some examples of method 550, first component laser beam 508 moves along first component surface 520 at a first component rate to form first component ablated surface 522 in first component 502. Similarly, in some examples, second component laser beam 510 moves along second component surface 524 at a second component rate to form second component ablated surface 526 in second component 504. In this way, a laser beam having a relatively small footprint may be used to form an ablated surface having a relatively large surface area. Further, in various examples, optics may be used to divide the laser beam into separate sub-beams to move along the ablation surface and form separate portions of the ablation surface. Moreover, according to some examples, multiple laser beams generated from multiple lasers may be used to form an ablated surface in a single component. The rate at which the laser beam moves along the corresponding component depends on the type of material of the component. For example, when a given component sublimates more rapidly than another component, the given laser beam may need to move along the given component at a faster rate than the other component. Conversely, when a given component's material sublimates more slowly than another component's material, the given laser beam may need to move along the given component at a slower rate than the other component.

The sublimation rate, and thus the rate of movement of the laser beam along the component, is dependent on the type of laser that generates the laser beam and the characteristics of the generated laser beam. Different types of lasers generate different types of laser beams. For example, a carbon dioxide laser generates a laser beam that is different from a laser beam generated by a fiber laser. Also, the laser beam generated by an Nd-YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser is different from those generated by a carbon dioxide laser and a fiber laser, respectively. Further, in some examples, the laser may be selectively controlled to adjust characteristics of the generated laser light. For example, the laser may be selectively controlled to adjust one or both of the intensity or pulse frequency of the generated laser light. In general, the higher the intensity of the laser beam or the higher the pulse frequency of the laser beam, the higher the sublimation rate.

After laser ablation of the first component 502, a first component ablated surface 522 is formed, and laser ablation of the second component 504, a second component ablated surface 526 is formed, the first component ablated surface 522 and the second component ablated surface 526 being bonded together. Referring to fig. 35, the first component ablation surface 522 and the second component ablation surface 526 are bonded together along a bond line 528 when facing each other to form a bond joint. Bond line 528 is defined as a structure between first component ablation surface 522 and second component ablation surface 526, including but not limited to a material. Thus, in some examples, the first component ablation surface 522 and the second component ablation surface 526 are directly bonded together along a bond line 528. In other words, in such an example, no other intermediate layer is interposed between the first component ablation surface 522 and the second component ablation surface 526, other than the material of the bond line 528. In some examples, bond line 528 includes adhesive 530 when first component ablation surface 522 and second component ablation surface 526 are adhesively bonded. The adhesive 530 may be any of a variety of adhesives known in the art, such as glue, epoxy, resin, and the like. In addition, the adhesive 530 has a maximum thickness and a minimum thickness along the bond line 528, or alternatively has an average thickness.

In some examples, the type of first component laser 506, the rate of movement of first laser beam 508 (i.e., first component rate), and/or the characteristics of first component laser beam 508 depend on the type of material of first component 502. Similarly, in some examples, the type of second component laser 510, the rate of movement of second component laser beam 512 (i.e., second component rate), and/or the characteristics of second component laser beam 512 depend on the type of material of second component 504.

According to some examples, the first component 502 is made of a first material and the second component is made of a second material, wherein the first material is different from the second material. In one example, the first component 502 is made of a first type of metallic material and the second component 504 is made of a second type of metallic material. In another example, the first component 502 is made of a first type of non-metallic material and the second component 504 is made of a second type of non-metallic material. In yet another example, the first component 502 is made of a non-metallic material and the second component 504 is made of a metallic material. In the above example, at least one of the type of first component laser 506, the rate of movement of first component laser beam 508, or the characteristic of first component laser beam 508 is different from the type of second component laser 510, the rate of movement of second component laser beam 512, or the characteristic of second component laser beam 512, respectively. According to some examples, the type of first component laser 506 is different from the type of second component laser 510 (e.g., such that the first component laser 506 is different from the second component laser 510 and is separate from the second component laser 510). In some examples, the first component rate is different than the second component rate. In one example, the intensity of first component laser beam 508 is different from the intensity of second component laser beam 512. Additionally or alternatively, according to some examples, the pulse frequency of first component laser beam 508 is different than the pulse frequency of second component laser beam 512.

According to some examples, the first material is a fiber reinforced polymeric material and the second material is a metallic material. In one example, the fiber reinforced polymeric material is at least one of a glass fiber reinforced polymeric material or a carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material, such as one of those described above, and the metallic material is a titanium alloy, such as a cast titanium material. In these examples, at least one of the following: the first component laser 506 is a carbon dioxide laser and the second component laser 510 is a fiber laser; the first component rate is slower than the second component rate; the intensity of first component laser beam 508 is less than the intensity of second component laser beam 512; or the pulse frequency of first component laser beam 508 is less than the pulse frequency of second component laser beam 512. In some examples, when the first component rate is slower than the second component rate, the first component rate is between 600mm/s and 800mm/s (e.g., 700 mm/s) and the second component rate is between 600mm/s and 800mm/s (e.g., 700 mm/s). In some examples, when the intensity of first component laser beam 508 is less than the intensity of second component laser beam 512, the intensity of first component laser beam 508 is between 40 watts and 60 watts, and the intensity of second component laser beam 512 is between 40 watts and 60 watts. In some examples, when the pulse frequency of first component laser beam 508 is less than the pulse frequency of second component laser beam 512, the pulse frequency of first component laser beam 508 is between 40kHz and 60kHz and the pulse frequency of second component laser beam 512 is between 40kHz and 60 kHz.

When the first material of the first component 502 or the second material of the second component 504 is a fiber reinforced polymeric material (including a plurality of reinforcing fibers embedded in a resin or epoxy matrix), the corresponding first component surface 520 or second component surface 524 is entirely defined by the resin or epoxy matrix of the fiber reinforced polymeric material. Thus, either the first component laser beam 508 or the second component laser beam 512 impinges and ablates only the resin or epoxy matrix, and does not ablate the reinforcing fibers embedded therein. Further, in some examples, the first component 502 or the second component 504 is made from multiple sheets of carbon fiber reinforced polymeric material sandwiched between opposing outer sheets of glass fiber reinforced polymeric material. In such examples, the corresponding laser beam merely impinges on and ablates the resin or epoxy matrix of glass fiber reinforced polymeric material.

As previously described, laser ablation of a surface can produce a fresh (e.g., relatively uncontaminated) surface with highly uniform peaks and valleys, as well as high surface energy, due to the ability to precisely control the energy, pulse frequency, and directionality of the laser. Typically, each pulse of the laser beam sublimates and removes a localized portion of the ablated surface. The removed portion of the surface defines a valley (e.g., a pit or depression) having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the laser beam and a depth corresponding to the intensity and frequency of the laser beam. Because the laser beam moves relative to the surface being ablated, each pulse of the laser beam contacts a different portion of the surface, which results in a different and spaced apart valley corresponding to the portion being removed. Because the surface portions between the removed portions are not removed, the non-removed portions of the surface define peaks between the diagonals of the valleys. In this way, as the laser beam moves relative to the surface, a pattern of peaks and valleys is formed in the surface.

Referring to fig. 33, sublimation of the first feature surface 520 produces a first feature ablated surface 522 of the first feature ablation pattern having peaks and valleys. Similarly, referring to fig. 34, sublimation of second feature surface 524 produces second feature ablated surface 526 having a second feature ablated pattern of peaks and valleys. Examples of ablation patterns that may represent the valleys of the first feature ablation pattern and the second feature ablation pattern are shown in fig. 36, 37, 45-46.

The ablation pattern 540 includes a plurality of peaks 542 separated by a plurality of valleys 544. Typically, the laser beam is moved and pulsed so that the valleys are positioned relative to each other to form the desired pattern. The pattern of valleys may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Furthermore, the spacing between valleys may be uniform or non-uniform. In one example, such as shown in fig. 36, 45-46, the ablation pattern 540 is symmetrical and the spacing between the valleys of the ablation pattern 540 is uniform. As shown in fig. 36, in one example of a symmetrical pattern, the valleys of the ablative pattern 540 are uniformly spaced and closely spaced together, meaning that each valley is adjacent to at least one adjacent valley and at least one adjacent peak of the peak-and-valley pattern. In the illustrated example of fig. 36, some of the valleys of the peak-and-valley ablation pattern 540 are adjacent to four adjacent valleys and four adjacent peaks. Also, in the illustrated example of fig. 36, some of the peaks of the peak and valley ablation pattern 540 are adjacent to four adjacent peaks and four adjacent valleys.

In some examples, each of the valleys 544 is separated from an adjacent one of the valleys 544 by a valley-to-valley distance Dvv across one of the peaks 542 and along the length L (or width) of the component. The valley-to-valley distance Dvv is defined as the distance from the center point of one of the valleys 544 to the center point of an adjacent one of the valleys 544. Further, each of the valleys 544 has a valley depth dv measured from a hypothetical boundary 546, the hypothetical boundary 546 being generally coplanar with the surface prior to being laser ablated. Referring to fig. 45 and 46, each of the valleys 544 has a major dimension D1 (e.g., a maximum dimension) and a minor dimension D2 (e.g., a minimum dimension). The major dimension D1 is equal to or less than the minor dimension D2. For example, referring to fig. 45, when each of the valleys 544 is substantially circular, the major dimension D1 is equal to the minor dimension D2. However, in other examples, as shown in fig. 46, each of the valleys 544 has a non-circular shape (e.g., oval) such that the major dimension D1 is greater than the minor dimension D2. In some examples, such as when the surface ablated by the laser beam is planar, the resulting ablation pattern includes rounded valleys 544. However, according to some examples, such as when a surface ablated by a laser beam is curved or shaped, the curvature of the surface is such that the valleys 544 of the resulting ablation pattern have an elliptical shape.

In some examples, a major dimension D1 of at least one of the valleys 544 is between 40 microns and 80 microns, and a minor dimension D2 is equal to the major dimension D1 or may vary by up to 10% or 20% or by 10-20 microns. Additionally or alternatively, the valley-to-valley distance Dvv between two valleys 544 may be in the range of 80% -200% (preferably at least 120%) of the major dimension Dl of any one of the two valleys 544. As defined herein, with respect to the valley 544, a first valley is adjacent to a second valley when the second valley is the nearest neighbor of the first valley. Further, in some examples, such as those with uniform spacing between the valleys, a given valley may be considered adjacent to multiple valleys. The center point of a valley 544 is defined as the location of the maximum depth of the valley 544, which is typically half the major dimension inward from the outer circumference of the valley 544. The periphery (e.g., perimeter) of the valleys 544 is defined as a transition region where the valley depth dv of the valleys 544 varies by no more than 5 microns relative to the non-ablated surface, preferably between 0 and 2 microns relative to the non-ablated surface.

According to one example, uniformity of an ablation pattern of peaks and valleys as used herein may be defined in terms of variations in the valley size of the ablation pattern. As previously described, some ablation processes (such as media jet ablation processes) leave a substantially uncontrollable ablation pattern including valleys that vary widely in size, shape, and spacing. The ability to precisely control the energy, pulse frequency, and directionality of the laser produces an ablated pattern with all valleys of the pattern having a uniform size. The uniformity of the size of the valleys of the ablation pattern formed by the laser beam may be represented by the difference in the percentage of the size of one valley of the ablation pattern relative to any other (e.g., all other) valleys of the ablation pattern. The percentage difference in relation to the size of the valleys is equal to the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the size of one valley in the pattern to the size of any other valley in the pattern. The smaller the percentage difference in the valley sizes of the ablation patterns, the higher the uniformity of the ablation patterns. In some examples, the size of one valley of a given pattern differs by no more than 20% from the size of any other valley of the given pattern. In other words, the size of one valley is within 20% of the size of any or all of the other valleys. In other examples, the size of one valley of a given pattern does not differ by more than 10% from the size of any other valley of the given pattern.

The size of the valleys may be expressed as a cross-sectional area, a major dimension D1, a minor dimension D2, a depth dv, or other characteristic of the size of the valleys. In some examples, the major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 of one valley is within 20% of the corresponding major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 of any or all of the other valleys. According to one example, the major dimension D1 of one valley is within 20% of the major dimension D1 of any or all of the other valleys, and the minor dimension D2 of one valley is within 20% of the minor dimension D2 of any or all of the other valleys. In some examples, the major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 of one valley is within 10% of the corresponding major dimension D1 or minor dimension D2 of any or all of the other valleys. According to one example, the major dimension D1 of one valley is within 10% of the major dimension D1 of any or all of the other valleys, and the minor dimension D2 of one valley is within 10% of the minor dimension D2 of any or all of the other valleys. Although the above examples refer to major dimension D1 and minor dimension D2 of the valleys, other features of the size of the valleys, such as cross-sectional area and depth, may be interchanged with major dimension D1 and minor dimension D2.

Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, uniformity of an ablation pattern of peaks and valleys as used herein may be defined in terms of variations in the distance between adjacent valleys of the ablation pattern. The ability to precisely control the energy, pulse frequency, and directionality of the laser produces an ablative pattern in which all of the valleys of the pattern are uniformly spaced apart from one another. The uniformity of the distance between the valleys of the ablation pattern formed by the laser beam may be expressed in terms of the percentage difference in the distance between two adjacent valleys of the ablation pattern relative to the distance between any other two adjacent valleys of the ablation pattern (e.g., all adjacent valleys). The percentage difference in relation to the distance between the valleys is equal to the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the distance between two adjacent valleys in the pattern to the distance between any other two adjacent valleys in the pattern. The smaller the percentage difference in distance between the valleys of the ablation pattern, the higher the uniformity of the ablation pattern. In some examples, the distance between two adjacent valleys of a given pattern differs by no more than 20% from the percentage of the difference between any other two adjacent valleys of the given pattern. In other words, the distance between two adjacent valleys is within 20% of the distance between any other two adjacent valleys. In other examples, the distance between two adjacent valleys of a given pattern does not differ by more than 10% from the percentage of the difference between any other two adjacent valleys of the given pattern.

The uniformity of peaks and valleys corresponding to the ablation pattern on the ablated surface of the components disclosed herein also promotes higher surface energy for the surface of the components of the laser ablated golf club head than surfaces treated using other types of ablation processes. As described above, the higher surface energy of the surfaces to be bonded can make bonding between the surfaces stronger and more reliable. The surface energy of a surface is inversely proportional to the water contact angle of the surface. In other words, the smaller the water contact angle of a surface, the higher the surface energy of the surface. The water contact angle is defined as the angle (through water) a drop of water on a surface forms with the surface. The lower the water contact angle, the higher the wettability of the surface, which promotes the adhesion of the adhesive and the bonding ability of the adhesive to the surface. Thus, the lower the water contact angle, the better the bond, and the higher the bond strength. In some examples, the water contact angle may be measured using a goniometer or other measurement device. According to table 4 below, the water contact angles of various laser ablated surfaces of several examples of golf club heads are shown prior to forming the bond joint.

TABLE 4 Table 4

In Table 4, the crown-hosel surface is a portion of the front flange ablation surface 179A of the body 102 that is closer to the crown portion 119 than the sole portion 117 and closer to the hosel 120 than the toe portion 114; the crown-toe surface is a portion of the front flange ablated surface 179A of the body 102 that is closer to the crown portion 119 than the sole portion 117 and to the toe portion 114 than the hosel 120; the sole hosel surface is a portion of the front flange ablation surface 179A of the body 102 that is closer to the sole portion 117 than the crown portion 119 and closer to the hosel 120 than the toe portion 114; and the bottom toe surface is a portion of the front flange ablation surface 179A of the body 102 that is closer to the bottom portion 117 than the crown portion 119 and closer to the toe portion 114 than the hosel 120. Thus, referring to table 4, in some examples, the second component ablation surface 526 or any laser ablation surface of the golf club head 100 has a water contact angle between 2 ° and 25 ° or between 5 ° and 18 °. According to certain examples, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is less than 50 °, less than 45 °, less than 40 °, less than 35 °, less than 30 °, less than 25 °, or less than 20 °. In some examples, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is greater than zero degrees and less than 30 ° or greater than zero degrees and less than 25 °. In some examples, the water contact angle of the ablated surface of golf club head 100 is between 1 ° and 18 °.

Referring to fig. 38, 40, and 41, in some examples, the first component 502 is the striking plate 143 of the golf club head 100, and the second component 504 is the body 102 of the golf club head 100. In some examples, the striking plate 143 may be made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material and the body 102 may be made of a different material, such as a cast titanium material, a non-cast titanium material, an aluminum material, a steel material, a tungsten material, a plastic material, and the like. In some examples, the striking plate 143 is made from a plurality of stacked sheets of fiber reinforced polymeric material. In one example, the striking plate 143 is made of 35-70 stacked sheets of fiber reinforced polymeric material (each sheet having continuous fibers at a given angle) and has a thickness between 3.5mm and 6.0mm inclusive. The angle of the fibers of the plies may vary from ply to ply. Alternatively, the striking plate 143 may be made of a metallic material, such as a titanium alloy, while the body 102 may be made of the same metallic material or a different metallic material, such as a different titanium alloy. Also, as described above, the body 102 may be made of multiple separately formed and subsequently attached components, with each component being made of a different material.

When the first member 502 is the striking plate 143 of the golf club head 100, the first member surface 520 includes an inner surface 166 or a rear surface of the striking plate 143 opposite the striking surface 145 of the striking plate 143. Thus, as shown in fig. 38, the first laser 506 generates a first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge the interior surface 166 at least partially on the interior surface 166 within a designated first component bonding area 548 and along the designated first component bonding area 548 to form a striking plate interior ablation surface 179C. Thus, only a portion (e.g., the outer peripheral portion) of the entire inner surface 166 of the striking plate 143 is laser ablated, while the remainder of the inner surface 166 is not ablated. The first component ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, a striking plate inner ablation surface 179C. In some examples, the first component surface 520 further includes a peripheral edge surface 167 of the striking plate 145 and the first laser 506 generates the first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge (e.g., the entire) the peripheral edge surface 167, thereby forming a striking plate edge ablation surface 179D. Accordingly, the first component ablation surface 522 may further include a striking plate edge ablation surface 179D and the designated first component bonding area 548 may further include a peripheral edge surface 167. In some examples, the striking plate inner ablation surface 179C and the striking plate edge ablation surface 179D have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of the striking plate 143 relative to the first component laser 506 is adjusted as the outer peripheral edge surface 167 is laser ablated due to the angle of the outer peripheral edge surface 167 relative to the inner surface 166 as compared to when the inner surface 166 is laser ablated.

When the second member 504 is the body 102, the second member surface 524 includes the plate opening recessed flange 147 of the body 102. Thus, as shown in fig. 39, the second laser 510 generates a second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge the plate opening recess flange 147 within and along a designated second component bonding area to form a front flange ablation surface 179A. The second component ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, a front flange ablation surface 179A. In some examples, the second component surface 524 also includes sidewalls 146 extending around the plate opening recess flange 147, and the second laser 510 generates the second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge (e.g., all) the sidewalls 146 such that a front sidewall ablated surface 179B is formed. Accordingly, the second component ablation surface 526 can further include a front sidewall ablation surface 179B and the designated second component bonding area can further include sidewalls 146. In some examples, the front flange ablation surface 179A and the front sidewall ablation surface 179B have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of the body 102 relative to the second component laser 510 is adjusted due to the angle of the sidewall 146 relative to the plate opening recess flange 147 when the sidewall 146 is laser ablated as compared to when the plate opening recess flange 147 is laser ablated.

In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, such as golf club head 300 of fig. 18, second component ablation surface 526 is defined by the ablation surfaces of two sub-components (e.g., upper cup 304A and lower cup 304B) made of different materials. Thus, as the second component ablation surface 526 is laser ablated, the different materials defining the second component ablation surface 526 can be laser ablated in a single continuous step. A first material of the different materials may define a first surface area of the second component ablation surface 526 and a second material of the different materials may define a second surface area of the second component ablation surface. In some examples, the first surface area and the second surface area may be different. According to some examples, the first surface area is greater than the second surface area, and the first material defining the first surface area has a lower density than the second material defining the second surface area. Upper cup 304A and lower cup 304B each include a front flange and a sidewall (similar to plate opening recess flange 147 and sidewall 146) that can be laser ablated to define a second component ablation surface 526.

Referring to fig. 10-13, in some examples, the first component 502 is one of the crown insert 108 or the sole insert 110, and the second component 504 is the body 102. In some examples, the crown insert 108 and/or the sole insert 110 may be made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material and the body 102 may be made of a different material, such as a cast titanium material, a non-cast titanium material, an aluminum material, a steel material, a tungsten material, a plastic material, or the like. Alternatively, the crown insert 108 and/or the sole insert 100 may be made of a metallic material, such as a titanium alloy, while the body 102 may be made of the same metallic material or a different metallic material, such as a different titanium alloy.

When the first component 502 is the crown insert 108, the first component surface 520 includes the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108. Thus, the first laser 506 generates a first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 at least partially over the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 within and along a specified first component bonding area 548 to form a crown insert ablated surface 108B. The first component ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, the crown insert ablation surface 108B. Thus, only a portion (e.g., an outer peripheral portion) of the entire inner surface of crown insert 108 is laser ablated, while the remainder of the inner surface of crown insert 108 is not ablated. In some examples, the bonding area on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 will be 2,000mm ² To 2,500mm ² Such as at least 2,248mm ² . Further, in some examples, the total surface area of the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is 7,000mm ² To 12,000mm ² Between or at 9,000mm ² To 11,000mm ² Between (e.g. minimum surface area of 7,000mm ² To 9,000mm ² Between), such as at 9,379mm ² To 10,366mm ² Between (e.g., about 9,873mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 108A that is occupied by the combined area on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is no greater than 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% and no less than 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%. According to some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 108A that is occupied by the combined area on the inner surface 108A of the crown insert 108 is between 20% and 25%, such as 22%,between 20% and 27% or between 22% and 25%.

In some examples, the bonding area on the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110 will be 1,800mm ² To 2,200mm ² Such as at least 2,076mm ² . Further, in some examples, the total surface area of the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110 is 7,000mm ² To 12,000mm ² Between or at 9,000mm ² To 11,000mm ² Between (e.g. minimum surface area of 7,000mm ² To 9,000mm ² Between), such as at 8,182mm ² To 9,043mm ² Between (e.g., about 8,313 mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 110A that is occupied by the combined area on the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110 is no greater than 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% and no less than 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%. According to certain examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the inner surface 110A that is occupied by the bonded area on the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110 is between 20% and 27%, between 22% and 25%, or between 21% and 26%, such as 24%.

In some examples, the bonding area on the inner surface of the striking plate 143 will be 1,770mm ² To 2,170mm ² Within a range of, for example, at least 1,976mm ² . Further, in some examples, the total surface area of the interior surface of the striking plate 143 is less than 7,000mm ² Such as at 1,500mm ² To 7,000mm ² Between 3,200mm ² To 4,700mm ² Between, or at 3,572mm ² To 3,949mm ² Between (e.g., about 3,761mm ² ). In some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the interior surface of the striking plate 143 that is occupied by the combined area on the interior surface of the striking plate 143 is no more than 55%, 60%, 65%, or 70% and no less than 30%, 35%, 40%, or 45%. According to some examples, the percentage of the total surface area of the interior surface of the striking plate 143 that is occupied by the combined area on the interior surface of the striking plate 143 is between 47% and 58%, such as 52%.

In some examples, the first component surface 520 further includes a peripheral edge surface of the crown insert 108 and the first laser 506 generates the first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge on the (e.g., integral) peripheral edge surface of the crown insert 108, thereby forming the crown insert edge ablated surface 108C. Accordingly, the first component ablation surface 522 may further include a crown insert edge ablation surface 108C and the designated first component bonding area 548 may further include a peripheral edge surface of the crown insert 108. In some examples, crown insert ablation surface 108B and crown insert edge ablation surface 108C may have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of crown insert 108 relative to first component laser 506 is adjusted as the outer peripheral edge surface of crown insert 108 is laser ablated due to the angle of the outer peripheral edge surface relative to inner surface 108A as compared to when laser ablating inner surface 108A.

When the first component 502 is the crown insert 108, the second component surface 524 includes the top plate opening recessed flange 168. Thus, the second laser 510 generates the second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge the top plate opening recess flange 168 at least partially over and along the designated second component bonding area to form the top flange ablation surface 141A. The second component ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, a top flange ablation surface 141A. In some examples, the second component surface 520 further includes a top recessed flange sidewall that circumferentially surrounds and defines the depth of the top plate open recessed flange 168, and the second laser 510 generates the second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge (e.g., entirely) the top recessed flange sidewall, thereby forming the top sidewall ablation surface 141B. Thus, the second component ablation surface 526 can further include a top sidewall ablation surface 141B, and the designated second component bonding area can further include a top recessed flange sidewall. In some examples, the top flange ablation surface 141A and the top sidewall ablation surface 141B may have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of the body 102 relative to the second component laser 506 is adjusted when laser ablating the top recessed flange sidewall as compared to when laser ablating the top plate opening recessed flange 168 due to the angle of the top recessed flange sidewall relative to the top plate opening recessed flange 168.

In view of the foregoing, according to some examples, the second component ablation surface 526 is defined by the ablation surfaces of two sub-components (e.g., the casting cup 104 and the ring 106) made of different materials. Thus, as the second component ablation surface 526 is laser ablated, the different materials defining the second component ablation surface 526 can be laser ablated in a single continuous step.

When the first component 502 is the bottom insert 110, the first component surface 520 includes the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110. Thus, the first laser 506 generates a first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge the inner surface 110A of the bottom insert 110 at least partially over the inner surface 110A of the crown insert 110 within and along a specified first component bonding area 548 to form a bottom insert ablated surface 110B. The first component ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, the bottom insert ablation surface 110B. Thus, only a portion (e.g., an outer peripheral portion) of the entire inner surface of the bottom insert 110 is laser ablated, while the remainder of the inner surface of the bottom insert 110 is not ablated. In some examples, the first component surface 520 further includes a peripheral edge surface of the bottom insert 110 and the first laser 506 generates the first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge on the (e.g., integral) peripheral edge surface of the bottom insert 110, thereby forming the bottom insert edge ablated surface 110C. Accordingly, the first component ablation surface 522 may further include a bottom insert edge ablation surface 110C and the designated first component bonding area 548 may further include a peripheral edge surface of the bottom insert 110. In some examples, bottom insert ablation surface 110B and bottom insert edge ablation surface 110C may have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of the bottom insert 110 relative to the first component laser 506 is adjusted as the outer peripheral edge surface of the bottom insert 110 is laser ablated due to the angle of the outer peripheral edge surface relative to the inner surface 110A as compared to when the inner surface 110A is laser ablated.

Further, when the first component 502 is the bottom insert 110, the second component surface 524 includes the bottom opening recessed flange 170. Thus, the second laser 510 generates the second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge the bottom opening recess flange 170 at least partially over and along the specified second component bonding area within the specified second component bonding area to form the bottom flange ablation surface 142A. The second component ablation surface 526 includes, at least in part, a bottom flange ablation surface 142A. In some examples, second component surface 524 also includes a bottom recess flange sidewall that circumferentially surrounds and defines the depth of bottom opening recess flange 170, and second laser 510 generates second component laser beam 512 and directs second component laser beam 512 to impinge (e.g., entirely) the bottom recess flange sidewall, thereby forming bottom sidewall ablation surface 142B. Thus, the second component ablation surface 526 can further include a bottom sidewall ablation surface 142B, and the designated second component bonding area can further include a bottom recessed flange sidewall. In some examples, bottom flange ablation surface 142A and bottom sidewall ablation surface 142B may have the same ablation pattern. In some examples, the orientation of the body 102 relative to the second component laser 510 is adjusted when the bottom recess flange sidewall is laser ablated due to the angle of the bottom recess flange sidewall relative to the bottom opening recess flange 170 as compared to when the bottom opening recess flange 170 is laser ablated.

As described above, in some examples, the orientation of the component being laser ablated may be adjusted relative to the laser that ablates the component. In one example, as indicated by the dashed directional arrow in fig. 39, the component remains stationary and the orientation of the laser or the directionality of the laser beam changes relative to the component. The orientation of the laser may be changed by moving the laser, such as via a digitally controlled robot, or the directionality of the laser beam generated by the laser may be adjusted, such as by using electronically controllable optical elements.

According to another example, as shown by the solid line directional arrow, in fig. 39, the laser remains stationary (or the directionality of the laser beam remains unchanged) and the orientation of the component is adjusted or the component is moved relative to the laser beam. The orientation of the component may be adjusted by fixing the component to an adjustable platform that may translate or rotate to translate or rotate the component relative to the laser beam.

While in some examples, the methods disclosed herein may be performed manually, in other examples, the methods are performed automatically. As used herein, automated means operated at least in part by an automated device, such as a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine. In some examples, the process of controlling the laser, including the directionality and/or characteristics of the laser beam, and/or the orientation/position of the control component relative to the laser beam, is automated. For example, an electronic controller may control the laser and component adjustment elements (e.g., motors, cylinders, gears, rails, etc.) to maintain and adjust the orientation/position of the component.

Because the golf club head 100 has the crown insert 108 and sole insert 110 attached to the body 102, in some examples, the method 550 may be performed to manufacture a golf club head having more than one first component 502 coupled to the second component 504. In other words, in at least one example, the golf club head 100 includes at least two first members 502 coupled to a second member 504. Further, because the golf club head 100 also includes a striking plate 148 attached to the body 102, in some examples, the method 550 may be performed to manufacture a golf club head having at least three first members 502 coupled to the second member 504.

As described above, the body 102 of the golf club head 100 includes multiple pieces that are attached together to form a multi-piece construction. For example, referring to fig. 14 and 15, the body 102 of the golf club head 100 includes a casting cup 104 and a ring 106. Thus, in some examples, the method 550 may be performed to manufacture a body of a golf club head that includes the first component 502 and the second component 504. In some examples, the first component 502 is the ring 106 and the second component 504 is the casting cup 104. As described above, the ring 106 and the casting cup 104 may be made of different materials. For example, the ring 106 may be made of a metallic material or a plastic material having a density that is relatively lower than the density of the material of the casting cup 104, and the casting cup 104 may be made of a cast titanium material.

When the first component 502 is the ring 106 and the second component 504 is the casting cup 104, the first component surface 520 includes the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B. Accordingly, the first laser 506 generates the first component laser beam 508 and directs the first component laser beam 508 to impinge the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B at least partially over the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B within and along the designated first component engagement area to form the toe-cup engagement ablated surface 148C and the heel-cup engagement surface 148D, respectively. The first component ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, a toe-cup engagement ablation surface 148C and a heel-cup engagement surface 148D. In some examples, the toe-cup engagement ablation surface 148C and the heel-cup engagement surface 148D may have the same ablation pattern.

Accordingly, when the first component 502 is the ring 106 and the second component 504 is the casting cup 104, the second component surface 524 includes the toe-ring engagement surface 150A and the heel-ring engagement surface 150B. Accordingly, the second laser 510 generates the second component laser beam 512 and directs the second component laser beam 512 to impinge the toe-ring engagement surface 150A and the heel-ring engagement surface 150B at least partially over the toe-ring engagement surface 150A and the heel-ring engagement surface 150B within and along a designated second component engagement area to form the toe-ring engagement ablated surface 148A and the heel-ring engagement surface 148B, respectively. The first component ablation surface 522 includes, at least in part, a toe-ring engagement ablation surface 148A and a heel-ring engagement surface 148B. In some examples, the toe-ring engagement ablation surface 148A and the heel-ring engagement surface 148B may have the same ablation pattern.

After the ring 106 is bonded to the casting cup 104, the ring 106 and the casting cup 104 may collectively define a second component 504, with the first component 502 being bonded to the second component 504 according to the method 550. In other words, the second component 504 may have a multi-piece construction. In fact, referring to FIG. 18, the casting cup may have a multi-piece construction such that one piece of the casting cup is the first piece 502 and the other piece of the casting cup is the second piece 504 such that the pieces of the casting cup (e.g., made of the same or different materials) have ablated surfaces bonded together after the manner of method 550.

As used herein, a dashed pinout is used to indicate a feature in a previous state. For example, a surface referenced by a dashed pinout represents a surface prior to being modified to a surface referenced by a solid pinout. This approach helps to understand the correlation between the front and back surfaces of the ablation.

In some examples, the step of laser ablating the first component surface 520 or the step of laser ablating the second component surface 524 is performed to remove an alpha shell from a respective one of the first component 502 or the second component 504. In such examples, the respective one of the first component 502 or the second component 504 is made of a titanium alloy that facilitates formation of an alpha shell layer on the first component surface 520 or the second component surface 524, respectively, during manufacture (e.g., casting) of the respective component (see, e.g., U.S. patent No. 10,780,327 issued 9/22, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference). A respective one of the first component surface 520 or the second component surface 524 is ablated to a depth sufficient to remove the alpha shell layer from the corresponding component. The use of the laser ablation methods disclosed herein enables removal of the alpha shell in a manner that is more accurate, efficient, and less wasteful of material than conventional methods such as chemical etching, computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, or abrasion techniques.

Referring to fig. 43 and 44, in an alternative example, only one of the two surfaces forming bond line 528 is laser ablated. According to one example, a method 560 of manufacturing a golf club head of the present disclosure, such as golf club head 100, includes (block 562) laser ablating a second component surface 524 of a second component 504 of the golf club head 100 such that a second component ablated surface 526 is formed in the second component 504. The method 560 additionally includes (block 564) bonding the first component surface 520 of the first component 502 and the second component ablated surface 526 of the second component 504 of the golf club head 100 together. In other words, rather than bonding the second component ablation surface 526 to the first component ablation surface of the first component 502, the second component ablation surface 526 of the second component 504 is bonded to the non-ablation surface of the first component 502 (i.e., the first component surface 520).

In some examples, the second component 504 in the method 560 is made of a titanium alloy, such as a cast alloy, while the first component 502 in the method 560 is made of a fiber reinforced polymeric material. For example, the first component 502 may be the striking plate 143, the second component 504 may be the body 102, and the second component ablated surface 526 may define a plate opening recessed flange 147 of the body 102. However, unlike the striking plate 143 shown in fig. 38, the inner surface 166 of the striking plate 143 used in the method 560 is not laser ablated. Instead, the inner surface 166 of the striking plate 143 is untreated or treated with a different type of surface treatment, such as media blasting or chemical etching. According to another example, the first component 502 may be one of the crown insert 108 or the sole insert 110, the second component 504 may be the body 102, and the second component ablated surface 526 may define one of a top plate opening recess flange or a sole opening recess flange.

According to some examples, method 560 is used to manufacture a golf club head similar to golf club head 100 except that striking plate 143, crown insert 108, and/or sole insert 110 do not have a laser ablated surface. Instead, in some examples, the body 102, which may only be made of cast titanium alloy, includes a laser ablated surface. According to one example, the body 102 includes a top flange ablation surface 141A, a bottom flange ablation surface 141B, and a front flange ablation surface 179A, but the crown insert 108 does not include a crown insert ablation surface 108B, the bottom insert 110 does not include a bottom insert ablation surface 110B, and the striking plate 143 does not include a striking plate interior ablation surface 179C.

Each bond joint of golf club head 100 is defined by two bonding surfaces (e.g., overlapping surfaces). Since the bonding joints have two equal and opposite bonding surfaces, the surface area of each bonding joint (i.e., the bonding area of each bonding joint) is defined as the surface area of one of the two bonding surfaces. In other words, as defined herein, the bonding area of each bonding joint does not include the surface areas of the two bonding surfaces of the bonding joint. Thus, as used herein, the bond area of a bond joint defined between two surfaces of a golf club head disclosed herein is the surface area of the portion of either (but only one) of the two surfaces of the bond joint that is covered by or in direct contact with the adhesive between the two surfaces. In view of this definition, the bonding area is equal to the surface area of one of the two surfaces of the adhesive (e.g., adhesive 530) defining the bonding joint.

In some examples, at least one of the two bonding surfaces of at least one bonding joint of golf club head 100 is a laser ablated surface. Thus, the bonding area of the bonding joint defined by the laser ablated surface may be the surface area of the laser ablated surface. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, the surface area of the ablated surface is equal to the bonding area of the bond joint defined by the laser ablated surface. Further, the bonding area of the bonding joint defined by the non-ablated surface (e.g., first component surface 520 of fig. 44) and the ablated surface is the surface area of the portion of the non-ablated surface bonded to or covered by or in direct contact with adhesive 530 of the ablated surface. Thus, the total surface area of the non-ablated surface may be greater than the surface area of the portion of the non-ablated surface that is bonded to the ablated surface of the bonding joint.

As defined herein, the surface area of a laser ablated surface is the area of the surface portion covered by the pattern of peaks and valleys formed by the laser beam. Thus, the surface area of the laser ablated surface can be calculated as the length times the width of the surface portion comprising the pattern of peaks and valleys, or by the combined surface area of the peaks and valleys of the pattern of peaks and valleys. Furthermore, because in some examples the bonding surface of the bonding joint is contoured, to provide a more convenient way of calculating the area of the bonding surface, as defined herein, the surface area of the surface is the projected surface area, which is the surface area of the surface projected onto a hypothetical plane that substantially faces the surface.

Generally, the total combined area of the golf club head 100 is higher than that of a conventional golf club head. In addition, a high percentage of the total combined area of the golf club head 100, such as 50% -100%, is defined by the laser ablated surface. According to one example, the second portion of the golf club head 100The element ablation surface 526 has a surface thickness of 800mm ² To 2,880mm ² Surface area therebetween. In this example or other examples, the second component ablation surface 526 of the golf club head 100 has at least 1,560mm ² At least 1,770mm ² At least 2,062mm ² Or at least 2,600mm ² Is a surface area of the substrate. As previously described, the first component surface 520 or the first component ablation surface 522 of the golf club head 100 may have a corresponding surface area, as they will define a side of the bond joint opposite the second component ablation surface 526. Referring to Table 5 below, this table shows areas of some of the features of several examples of golf club heads disclosed herein and bonding areas (in mm) of bonding surfaces of bonding joints ² Unit), which may be the same as or different from the example of table 4.

TABLE 5

In some examples, the forward bottom opening recessed flange 170A (e.g., cup bottom flange ablated surface area of table 5) defines about 1,054 mm ² The forward crown opening recessed flange 168A (e.g., cup top flange ablated surface area of Table 5) defines about 1,910 mm ² Is about 98 mm, the toe-ring engagement surface 150A and the heel-ring engagement surface 150B (e.g., the ring engagement ablated surface area of table 5) or the toe-cup engagement surface 152A and the heel-cup engagement surface 152B (e.g., the cup engagement ablated surface area of table 5) ² The plate opening recess flange 147 and the sidewall 146 (e.g., front flange ablated surface area and front sidewall ablated surface area) define about 2,240 mm ² Is 5,300 mm defined by the casting cup 104 ² . According to the same or alternative examples, the rearward crown opening recessed flange 168B (e.g., the ring top flange ablated surface area of table 5) defines about 928 mm ² Is recessed with respect to the combined area of the flange and the rear bottom opening170B (e.g., ring bottom flange ablated surface area of table 5) define about 1,222 mm ² And the combined area defined by the rings 106 is 2,250 mm ² 。

In view of the foregoing, in some examples, the golf club head 100 includes a single element or piece (e.g., the ring 106) bonded to three other elements or pieces of the golf club head 100, wherein the total combined area between the four elements or pieces of the golf club head 100 is 1,950 mm ² To 2,500 mm ² Between, or more preferably between 2,100 mm ² To 2,400 mm ² Between them. According to some examples, the golf club head 100 includes a single element or piece (e.g., a cast cup) that is bonded to three other elements or pieces of the golf club head 100, wherein the total combined area between the four elements or pieces of the golf club head 100 is 2,250 mm ² To 3,400 mm ² Between, or more preferably at 2,900 mm ² To 3,200 mm ² Between them. According to yet other examples, the golf club head 100 includes a single element or piece (e.g., cast cup 104) bonded to four other elements or pieces of the golf club head 100, wherein the total combined area between the five elements or pieces of the golf club head 100 is 4,750 mm ² To 6,200 mm ² Between, or more preferably at 4,900 mm ² To 5,500mm ² Between them. In some examples, the golf club head includes a single element or piece (e.g., upper cup 304A) bonded to five other elements or pieces of the golf club head 100, wherein the total combined area between the six elements or pieces of the golf club head 100 is 5,500mm ² To 7,000mm ² Between, or more preferably at 5,700mm ² To 6,300mm ² Between them.

The golf club heads of the present disclosure have a high bond area between multiple golf club heads relative to the volume of the golf club head. In other words, for a given size golf club head, the amount of combined area is significantly higher than for a conventional golf club head. According to some examples, the volume of a golf club head disclosed herein (such as golf club head 100) is between 450cc and 600cc, and more preferably between 450cc and 470cc And (3) the room(s). Further, in some examples, the ratio of the combined volume or combined area of the plurality of bond joints of the golf club head to the volume of the golf club head is at least 3.75mm ² /cc and at most 15.5mm ² /cc (e.g., at least 9.1mm ² /cc and at most 14.0mm ² /cc). In some examples, at least some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein have a combined volume ratio of at least 7.9mm ² /cc and at most 13.7mm ² /cc (e.g., at least 8.1mm ² /cc and at most 12.2mm ² /cc). In still other examples, at least some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein have a combined volume ratio of at least 3.75mm ² /cc and at most 7.5mm ² /cc (e.g., at least 4.8mm ² /cc and at most 7.1mm ² /cc)。

According to some alternative examples, the ratio of the combined volume or combined area of the plurality of bond joints of the golf club head to the volume of the golf club head is at least 10mm ² /cc and at most 18.8mm ² /cc (e.g., at least 10mm ² /cc and at most 15.5mm ² /cc or at least 11.6mm ² /cc and at most 17.7mm ² /cc). In some examples, at least some examples of golf club heads disclosed herein have a combined volume ratio of at least 10.5mm ² /cc and at most 15.3mm ² /cc, at least 11.6mm ² /cc and at most 18.8mm ² /cc, or at least 12.1mm ² /cc and at most 17.5mm ² /cc。

The golf club heads disclosed herein are made of multiple pieces bonded together. Thus, in some examples, the golf club heads disclosed herein include multiple pieces coupled together via an adhesive such that no portion or piece of the golf club head is welded together.

The bonding area of the bonding joint is defined by the width (W) _BA ) And length (L) _BA ) Definition (see, e.g., fig. 15). Width W _BA Can be along the length L of the joint _BA And (3) a change. In general, the length L of the bonding area of the bonding joint _BA Width W greater than the bonding area of the bonding joint _BA . The joint can be combined withIs continuous such that the length L of the bonding area of the bonding joint _BA Is continuous. However, in some examples, the bond joint is discontinuous or intermittent such that the length L of the bond region of the bond joint _BA Is the sum of the lengths of the spaces of the binding tabs. Although only the width W of the bonding area of two bonding joints is shown in fig. 15 _BA And length L _BA (e.g., the bonding areas associated with forward crown opening recess flange 168A and rearward crown opening recess flange 168B), it should be appreciated that although not specifically noted, the bonding areas of each bonding joint of golf club head 100 have corresponding widths W similar to those shown in FIG. 15 _BA And length L _BA Other features of the golf club head 100 are not labeled and labeled for ease of illustration. Further, regarding length L _BA Length L of the binding area of the binding linker, as defined herein _BA Is the maximum length of the combined area. Thus, where the bonded area can be considered to have two different lengths, such as a maximum length (e.g., along the outer perimeter of the bonded area, as shown in fig. 15) and a minimum length (e.g., along the inner perimeter of the bonded area), the length L of the bonded area _BA Defined herein as the maximum length of the maximum or combined area.

According to some examples, the bonding area of at least one bonding joint of golf club head 100 has a continuous length L between 174mm and 405mm _BA Such as at least 250mm. For example, the combined bonding area defined by the forward and rearward crown opening recess flanges 168A, 168B has a continuous length L of at least 268mm, at least 300mm, at least 316mm, at least 353mm, or at least 370mm _BA . As another example, the combined bonding area defined by the forward bottom opening recessed flange 170A and the rearward bottom opening recessed flange 170B has a continuous length L of at least 281mm, at least 314mm, at least 331mm, at least 350mm, or at least 367mm _BA . According to yet another example, the bonding area defined by the plate opening recessed flange 147 has a continuous length L of at least 174mm, at least 194mm, at least 205mm, at least 250mm, or at least 262mm _BA . According to some examples, a plurality ofThe combined length of the binding joints is at least 723mm and at most 1,094mm, such as between 852mm and 953 mm.

In some examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by forward crown opening recess flange 168A and aft crown opening recess flange 168B is equal to length L _BA A ratio to a bonding area of the bonding joint, the ratio being between 0.13 and 0.16, such as about 0.15. In still other examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by forward bottom opening recessed flange 170A and rearward bottom opening recessed flange 168B is between 0.13 and 0.16, such as about 0.15.

In still other examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by forward bottom opening recessed flange 170A and rearward bottom opening recessed flange 168B is between 0.13 and 0.16, such as about 0.15.

In still other examples, the combined length-to-area ratio defined by the plate opening recessed flange 147 is between 0.10 and 0.13, such as about 0.11.

Although not specifically shown, the golf club head 100 of the present disclosure may include other features to improve the performance characteristics of the golf club head 100. For example, in some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a structure similar to that of U.S. patent No. 6,773,360;7,166,040;7,452,285;7,628,707;7,186,190;7,591,738;7,963,861;7,621,823;7,448,963;7,568,985;7,578,753;7,717,804;7,717,805;7,530,904;7,540,811;7,407,447;7,632,194;7,846,041;7,419,441;7,713,142;7,744,484;7,223,180;7,410,425; and 7,410,426, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, for example, the golf club head 100 includes the same general principles as those described in U.S. patent nos. 7,775,905 and 8,444,505; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/898,313 filed on 5/20/2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/047,880, filed on 7/10/2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/702,667, filed 9/18/2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,325, filed on day 15 of 3 in 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/946,918, filed on 7/19 in 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/789,838, filed on 7 months 1 2015; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/020,972, filed on 7.3.2014; patent application number 62/065,552 filed on 10/17 in 2014; and those similar slidable weight features described in more detail in the application Ser. No. 62/141,160 filed 3/31/2015, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

According to some embodiments, golf club head 100 includes aerodynamic shape features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. patent application publication No. 2013/012340 A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In certain embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes removable shaft features similar to those described in more detail in U.S. patent No. 8,303,431, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

According to still other embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a structure similar to that of U.S. patent No. 8,025,587; U.S. patent No. 8,235,831; U.S. patent No. 8,337,319; U.S. patent application publication No. 2011/0312437A1; U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0258518 A1; U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0126201 A1; U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/007074 A1; and adjustable crown/sole features of those described in more detail in U.S. patent application No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Further, in some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a structure similar to that of U.S. patent No. 8,337,319; U.S. patent application publication nos. 2011/0152000A1, 2011/0312437, 2012/012601 A1; and adjustable bottom features of those features described in more detail in U.S. patent application No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 includes a structure similar to that of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/998,435;11/642,310;11/825,138;11/823,638;12/004,386;12/004,387;11/960,609;11/960,610; and composite facial portion features of those described in more detail in U.S. patent No. 7,267,620, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf club head (such as golf club head 100) includes one or more of the following steps: (1) Forming a body having a sole opening, forming a composite laminate sole insert, injection molding a thermoplastic composite club head element over the sole insert to form a sole insert unit, and joining the sole insert unit to the body; (2) Forming a body having a crown opening, forming a composite laminate crown insert, injection molding a thermoplastic composite club head element over the crown insert to form a crown insert unit, and joining the crown insert unit to the body; (3) Forming a counterweight track in the body capable of supporting one or more slidable counterweights; (4) Forming the sole insert and/or crown insert from a thermoplastic composite material having a matrix compatible with the bonding of the body; (5) Forming the bottom insert and/or the crown insert from a continuous fiber composite having continuous fibers selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, and any combination thereof, and having a thermoplastic matrix comprised of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurea, polyamide-amide (PAI), polyether amide (PEI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and any combination thereof; (6) Forming both the bottom insert and the counterweight rail from a thermoplastic composite material having a compatible matrix; (7) Forming a bottom insert from a thermoset material, coating the bottom insert with a heat activated adhesive, and forming a counterweight rail from a thermoplastic material capable of being injection molded onto the bottom insert after the coating step; (8) Forming the body from a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, one or more titanium alloys, aluminum, one or more aluminum alloys, steel, one or more steel alloys, polymers, plastics, and any combination thereof; (9) Forming a body having a crown opening, forming a crown insert from a composite laminate material, and joining the crown insert to the body such that the crown insert covers the crown opening; (10) Selecting a composite club head element from the group consisting of one or more ribs for stiffening the golf club head, one or more ribs for adjusting the acoustic properties of the golf club head, one or more weight ports for receiving a fixed weight in a sole portion of the golf club head, one or more weight rails for receiving a slidable weight, and combinations thereof; (11) Forming the bottom insert and the crown insert from a continuous carbon fiber composite material; (12) Forming the bottom insert and the crown insert by thermosetting using a material suitable for thermosetting, and applying a heat activated adhesive to the bottom insert; and (13) forming a body having a crown opening, a sole insert, and a counterweight rail from titanium, a titanium alloy, or a combination thereof, the body being made from a thermoplastic carbon fiber material having a matrix selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide, polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurea, polyamide-amide (PAI), polyether amide (PEI), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and any combination thereof; and (14) forming a frame having a crown opening, forming a crown insert from a thermoplastic composite material, and joining the crown insert to the body such that the crown insert covers the crown opening.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, use of the term "an embodiment" means an implementation having the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure, however, an implementation may be associated with one or more embodiments if not explicitly associated therewith.

In the above description, certain terms may be used, such as "upper", "lower", "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "above", "below", "and the like. These terms are used to provide some clear description when applicable in addressing relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, an "upper" surface may be changed to a "lower" surface by simply flipping the object over relative to the object. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "comprising," including, "" having, "and variations thereof mean" including but not limited to. The listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also mean "one or more" unless expressly specified otherwise. Furthermore, the term "plurality" may be defined as "at least two". In some embodiments, the term "about" may be defined as being within +/-5% of a given value.

In addition, examples of "coupling" one element to another element in this specification may include direct and indirect coupling. A direct coupling may be defined as one element being coupled to and making some contact with another element. An indirect coupling may be defined as a coupling between two elements that are not in direct contact with each other but have one or more additional elements between the coupled components. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element may include direct securing and indirect securing. In addition, as used herein, "immediately adjacent" does not necessarily mean in contact. For example, one element may be in close proximity to another element without contacting the element.

As used herein, the phrase "at least one," when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, "at least one" means that an item or any combination of items may be used from a list, but not all items in the list may be necessary. For example, "at least one of item a, item B, and item C" may mean item a; item a and item B; item B; item a, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, "at least one of item a, item B, and item C" may be, for example, but not limited to, two of item a, one of item B, and ten of item C; four items in item B and seven items in item C; and other suitable combinations.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose order, position, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms relate. Furthermore, references to items such as "second" do not require or exclude the presence of items such as "first" or lower numbered items and/or items such as "third" or higher numbered items.

As used herein, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured to" perform a specified function is actually able to perform that specified function without any change, rather than merely having the potential to perform the specified function upon further modification. In other words, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware "constructed" to perform a specified function is specially selected, created, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the specified purpose. As used herein, "configured to" means an existing characteristic of a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enables the system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform a specified function without further modification. For the purposes of this disclosure, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as "configured to" perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "adapted" and/or "operable to" perform that function.

The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a golf club head, the method comprising the steps of:

laser ablating a second component surface of a second component of the golf club head such that a second component ablated surface is formed in the second component; and

bonding together a first component surface of a first component of the golf club head and the second component ablation surface of the second component of the golf club head, wherein the second component ablation surface has a water contact angle greater than zero degrees and less than 30 degrees prior to bonding together the first component surface and the second component ablation surface.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

a second feature ablation pattern of peaks and valleys on the second feature ablation surface;

the major dimension of each of the Gu Juyou second feature valleys and the minor dimension of the second feature valleys of the second feature ablation pattern; and

At least one of the major dimension of the second feature valley or the minor dimension of the second feature valley of any one of the valleys in the second feature ablation pattern is within 20% of the corresponding at least one of the major dimension of the second feature valley or the minor dimension of the second feature valley of all other of the valleys in the second feature ablation pattern.

3. A golf club head comprising:

a hollow interior comprising at least a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, and a fourth portion;

a first piece comprising a first piece inner surface directly defining the first portion of the hollow interior cavity;

a second piece bonded to the first piece along a first bond joint and including a second piece inner surface directly defining the second portion of the hollow interior cavity;

a third piece bonded to the first piece along a second bond joint and including a third piece inner surface directly defining the third portion of the hollow interior cavity; and

a fourth piece bonded to the first piece along a third bond joint and including a fourth piece inner surface directly defining the fourth portion of the hollow interior cavity,

Wherein:

the golf club head has a volume of at least 120 cubic centimeters (cc) and at most 600cc;

the first joint has a first joint area;

the second joint has a second joint bonding area;

the third joint has a third joint bonding area; and

the sum of the first joint bonding area, the second joint bonding area, and the third joint bonding area is at least 1950mm ² And at most 3400mm ² 。

4. The golf club head of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of pieces, each piece comprising an inner surface directly defining the hollow cavity, and the golf club head comprising a plurality of bond joints bonding the plurality of pieces together, wherein:

the plurality of pieces includes at least the first piece, the second piece, the third piece, and the fourth piece;

the plurality of binding linkers includes at least the first binding linker, the second binding linker, and the third binding linker;

the combined bonding area of the plurality of bonding joints is at least 6200mm ² ；

The total mass of the golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g;

the golf club head is made from at least one first material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc;

The at least one first material has a first mass that is not greater than 55% and not less than 25% of the total mass of the golf club head;

the at least one second material has a second mass that is not greater than 65% and not less than 20% of the total mass of the golf club head; and

the at least one third material has a third mass equal to the total mass of the golf club head minus the first mass of the at least one first material and the second mass of the at least one second material.

5. A driver golf club head comprising:

a forward portion including a striking face;

a rearward portion opposite the forward portion;

a crown portion;

a base portion opposite the crown portion;

a heel portion;

a toe portion opposite the heel portion;

a body comprising a cup, a ring coupled to the cup via a first joint, a crown insert coupled to the cup and the ring via a second joint; and a sole insert coupled to the cup and the ring via a third joint, wherein the cup defines the forward portion of the driver golf club head and the ring is formed separately with respect to the cup, the crown insert, and the sole insert;

Wherein:

the driver golf club head has a volume between 390 cubic centimeters (cc) and 600 cc;

the total mass of the driver golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g;

the driver golf club head is made of at least one first material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc and at least one second material having a density between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc;

the at least one first material has a first mass that is not less than 45% of the total mass of the driver golf club head;

the at least one second material has the second mass not less than 20% of the total mass of the driver golf club head;

the first mass is greater than the second mass; an upper portion of the cup is made of the at least one first material and a lower portion of the cup is made of the at least one second material;

the at least one second material defines a forward-most portion of the driver golf club head and a rearmost point of a lowermost portion of the driver golf club head; and is also provided with

The ratio of the moment of inertia about an x-axis (Ixx) of the center of gravity of the golf club head substantially parallel to the x-axis of origin to the moment of inertia about a z-axis (Izz) of the center of gravity of the golf club head substantially parallel to the z-axis of origin of the head is at least 0.70, the sum of Ixx and Izz being 780kg-mm ² And 1100kg-mm ² And Izz is not more than 590kg-mm ² 。

6. The driver golf club head of claim 5, wherein:

the upper portion of the cup is formed separately from the lower portion of the cup;

the upper portion of the cup is joined to the lower portion of the cup;

the lower portion of the cup has a lower cup mass and the upper portion of the cup has an upper cup mass, and the lower cup mass is greater than the upper cup mass; and is also provided with

The upper portion of the cup includes a hosel having a bore and the lower portion of the cup includes a lower opening to the bore.

7. The driver golf club head of claim 5, wherein:

the lower portion of the cup includes a port configured to hold a weight.

8. A driver golf club head comprising:

a forward portion including a striking plate defining a striking face;

a rearward portion opposite the forward portion;

a crown portion;

a base portion opposite the crown portion;

a heel portion;

a toe portion opposite the heel portion;

a body including a cup defining a portion of the forward portion and a ring engaged with the cup via a joint, the cup including a plate opening and the ring defining a portion of the rearward portion, the heel portion and the toe portion;

A crown insert defining a portion of the crown portion;

a bottom insert defining a portion of the bottom portion;

wherein:

the striking plate is coupled to the cup and closes the plate opening of the cup;

the total mass of the driver golf club head is between 185 grams (g) and 210 g;

the driver golf club head is made from at least one first material having a density between 0.9g/cc and 3.5g/cc, at least one second material having a density between 3.6g/cc and 5.5g/cc, and at least one third material having a density between 5.6g/cc and 20.0 g/cc;

the crown insert, the sole insert, the striking plate, and the ring are made of the at least one first material;

the at least one first material has a first mass that is not greater than 55% and not less than 25% of the total mass of the driver golf club head;

the at least one second material has the second mass not greater than 65% of the total mass of the driver golf club head;

The at least one third material has a third mass equal to the total mass of the driver golf club head minus the first mass of the at least one first material and the second mass of the at least one second material; and is also provided with

9. The driver golf club head of claim 8, wherein the driver golf club head is formed using a method comprising:

10. The driver golf club head of claim 8, wherein the ring, crown insert, and sole insert are bonded to the cup at respective bonds, and wherein the bonds have a combined area of at least 1950mm ² And at most 3400mm ² 。

11. The driver golf club head of claim 8, wherein:

an upper portion of the cup is made of the at least one first material and a lower portion of the cup is made of the at least one third material; and is also provided with

The at least one third material defines a forward-most portion of the driver golf club head and a rearmost point of a lowermost portion of the driver golf club head.