WO2007086676A1

WO2007086676A1 - A golf club driver head having helmholtz resonator

Info

Publication number: WO2007086676A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/000413
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heeman Lee; Heebok Lee
Original assignee: Radiant Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-01-26
Filing date: 2007-01-24
Publication date: 2007-08-02

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf club driver head having a Helmholtz resonator that can create sounds at a certain frequency band or various frequency bands by comprising a Helmholtz resonator function in the driver head. The golf club driver head with a Helmholtz resonator includes a cavity that is formed within the golf club driver head so as to be used as a Helmholtz resonator; and a head neck that is formed on an upper face or a lower face of the driver head so that the cavity is connected to the outside.

Description

A GOLF CLUB DRIVER HEAD HAVING HELMHOLTZ

RESONATOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a golf club driver head, and more particularly, to a golf club driver head having a Helmholtz resonator that can create sounds at a certain frequency band or various frequency bands during the swing, by comprising a Helmholtz resonator function in a driver head. Background Art

[2] Usually, a golf club is called a golf rod. A golf club is divided into a "head" that hits a ball and a "shaft" that is a bar portion of the golf rod. Depending on the shape and material of the head, the golf club is divided into "wood," "iron," and "putter" each of which has different uses and functions.

[3] The wood is a club to send a ball as far as it can, and the iron is a club that can be selected depending on distances. Each club such as the wood and the iron is numbered. As the number is lower, a club is longer, and a wood is longer than an iron.

[4] The "shaft," which corresponds to a handle of the golf club, is made of either steel or graphite. The putter is considered as an important club for deciding a score to put a ball into a hole on the green.

[5] The first numbered wood,i.e., the longest one among the woods, is called "driver" and generally used for a tee shot. The driver generates a sound in a certain frequency band due to the long length during the swing. However, the sound, which is generated during the swing of the certain driver, is limited to a certain frequency band. Additionally, since the sounds are not various and the volume is limited, the monotony during a golf practice cannot be broken. Furthermore, there is a problem that a person who practices the golf cannot make a sound as he/she wishes. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club driver head having a Helmholtz resonator that can create sounds at a certain frequency band or various frequency bands during a swing and enables a golfer to sensibly practice his/ her own sounds from the golf club driver during the swing so that a golfer can keep his/her constant swing, by comprising a Helmholtz resonator function in a driver head. Technical Solution

[7] Additional advantages, objects and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. [8] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf club driver head with a Helmholtz resonator, which includes, a cavity which is formed within the golf club driver head so as to be used as a Helmholtz resonator; and a head neck that is formed on an upper face or a lower face of the driver head so that the cavity is connected to the outside.

[9] The head neck may be formed in a circle or a polygonal shape in cross-section.

[10] The golf club driver head may further include a neck diameter adjusting unit for adjusting a diameter of an inlet of the head neck [11] The neck diameter adjusting unit may include an attachment plate that forms at a central portion an opening with smaller diameter than the head neck and is attached to the upper face or the lower face of the head; and screws which fasten the attachment plate to the upper face or the lower face of the head. [12] The opening formed at the attachment plate may be formed in a circle or a polygonal shape to be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the head neck. [13] The neck diameter adjusting unit may include a ring that forms at a central portion an opening with a smaller diameter than the head neck, and at an outer circumferential surface a screw thread that is screw-coupled to a screw groove at the inside of the head neck. [14] The head neck may further include prevention jaws at both ends of the screw groove formed at the inside of the head neck. In other words, when the ring is screw- coupled to the head neck, the prevention jaws prevent the ring from being kept rotating.

Brief Description of the Drawings [15] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

[16] FIG. 1 is a schematic view for explaining a Helmholtz resonator;

[17] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a golf club driver head according to one embodiment of the present invention; [18] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club driver head according to one embodiment of the present invention; [19] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club driver head according to another embodiment of the present invention; and [20] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club driver head according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[21] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[22] A chamber which has a short neck and a volume with regard to a relevant wavelength is called a Helmholtz resonator. The Helmholtz resonator was invented by Helmholtz, who is German acoustician, and has a resonance chamber with a short neck and a volume for the wavelength of sound wave.

[23] Here, the air around the neck operates as quantity, and the volume of resonance chamber operates as a spring. A natural frequency is determined by the quantity and the spring. If the resonator is attached to a certain system, it decreases or increases sound of the natural frequency.

[24] Referring to FIG. 1, the Helmholtz resonator may include a cavity with a predetermined volume V and a neck with predetermined length 1 and a predetermined cross-sectional area S.

[25] Here, the natural frequency is obtained by Equation.

[26]

[27]

/'=1+ 1 .7a

(in the case where a flange is formed around the outer neck) [28]

/'=/+ 1 .5«

(in the case where a flange is not formed around the outer neck) [29] 2 s — πci [30] Where,

indicates a radius of the neck,

indicates a cross-sectional area of the neck,

C indicates a sound velocity, and

V indicates a volume of the resonator. [31] According to the above equation, a resonant sound at a certain frequency band can be created, and when the Helmholtz resonator is attached to a golf club driver head, the resonant sound can be created during a swing of golf.

[32] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a golf club driver head according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club driver head in FIG.2.

[33] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the golf club driver includes a shaft 10 and a driver head 20 that is connected to an end of the shaft 10. The driver head 20 includes a hitting face 21 that hits a golf ball and a head upper face 23 that is bent at a predetermined degree to form a predetermined shape. The entire shape is similar to a general driver head.

[34] However, the golf club driver head 20 having a Helmholtz resonator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cavity 27 that is formed within the driver head 20 and has a predetermined volume to be used as the Helmholz resonator, and a head neck 25 that is formed at the head upper face 23 or a lower face (not shown) to connect the cavity 27 to the outside.

[35] Referring to FIG. 1, the head neck 25 has a predetermined cross-sectional area S and predetermined length L. The head neck 25 may be formed in various shapes in cross-section. In other words, the cross-section of the head neck may be formed in a circle, or a polygonal shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, a hexagon, and otheres. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the head neck 25 formed on the upper face 23 of the head 20, but the head neck 25 may be formed on the lower face of the head 20 in light of the appearance.

[36] The driver head 20 has the Helmholtz resonator including the cavity 27 with a predetermined volume and the head neck 25 with predetermined length and cross- sectional area.

[37] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club driver head 20 having a

Helmholtz resonator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[38] Referring to FIG. 4, the driver head can create a sound having various frequency bands by adjusting the diameter of an inlet of the head neck 25.

[39] In order to create the sound at various frequency bands as a golfer wishes, the driver head further includes an unit for adjusting the neck diameters 30 on the upper face 23 or the lower face of the head. The diameter of the inlet of the neck 25 is varied by attaching the neck diameter adjusting unit 30 to the head upper face 23 so that resonant sounds at various frequency bands can be created.

[40] The neck diameter adjusting unit 30 may be provided in various types. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the neck diameter adjusting unit 30 is attached to the head upper face 23 or lower face in a contact manner and includes an attachment plate 31 that has an opening 35 at a central portion and screws 33 that fasten the attachment plate 31 to the head upper face 23 or the lower face.

[41] The diameter of the opening 35 at the central portion of the attachment plate 31 may be smaller than that of the head neck 25. In other words, the diameter of the inlet of the head neck 25 becomes maximal before the attachment plate 31 is attached to the head upper face 23 or the lower face, and the diameter of the inlet of the head neck 25 is reduced as the attachment plate 31 is attached to the head upper face 23.

[42] The opening 35 at the central portion of the attachment plate 31 is formed with various diameters to create a resonant sound at various frequency bands, and a plurality of the attachment plates 31 are provided depending on the opening 35 with various diameters. A golfer may select one of the attachment plates 31 that have the opening 35 with various diameters at the central portion, and attach the selected attachment plate 31 to the head upper face 23 or the lower face in order to create resonant sound at a desirable frequency band.

[43] In the present embodiment, two or more first holes 29 are formed around the head neck 25 provided on the head upper face 23 or the lower face, and two or more second holes 37 are formed to correspond to the first holes 29 around the opening 35 of the attachment plate 31, attached to the head upper face 23 or the lower face in a contact manner in order to attach the attachment plate 31 to the head upper face 23 or the lower face.

[44] Accordingly, when the attachment plate 31 is attached to the head upper face 23 or the lower face, the first holes 29 and the second holes 37 are aligned with each other. In this time, when the screws 33 insert through the second holes 37 and the first holes 29 to be coupled, the attachment plate 31 is firmly attached to the head upper face 2 or the lower face.

[45] Meanwhile, the opening 35 at the central portion of the attachment plate 31 may be formed in the circle or polygonal shape to be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the head neck 25. The attachment plate 31 which has at the central portion the opening 35 with the same shape as the cross-section of the head neck 25 may be attached to the head upper face 23 or the lower face.

[46] Referring to FIG. 4, the neck diameter adjusting unit 30 includes the attachment plate 31 and the screws 33. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the neck diameter adjusting unit 30 may be provided in a ring 41 form.

[47] The ring 41, as the neck diameter adjusting unit 30, includes an opening 45 that is formed at a central portion and has a smaller diameter than the head neck 25, and a screw thread 43 at the outer circumferential surface. The ring 41 with the screw thread 43 at the outer circumferential surface is screw-coupled to the head neck 25. Accordingly, the head neck 25 has a screw groove 25a at the inside to be screw-coupled to the ring 41. For your reference, the drawing illustrated in the circle of FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ring 41.

[48] The head neck 25 further includes prevention jaws 25b at both ends of the screw groove 25a formed at the inside of the head neck 25 so that the ring 41 can not get into the cavity 27 in the head 20 when the ring 41 is screw-coupled to the head neck 25. The opening 45 at the central portion of the ring 41 may be formed in the circle or polygonal shape, preferably in the same shape as the cross-section of the head neck 25.

[49] The diameter of the opening 45 at the central portion of the ring 41 may be smaller than that of the head neck 25. In other words, the diameter of the inlet of the head neck 25 is maximal before the ring 41 is screw-coupled to the head neck 25, and the diameter of the inlet of the head neck 25 is reduced when the ring 41 is screw-coupled to the head neck 25.

[50] The opening 45 at the central portion of the ring 41 has various diameters to create resonant sounds at various frequency bands, and the plurality of the rings 41 are provided depending on the openings 45 with various diameters. A golfer may select one among the rings 41, which have the opening 45 with various diameters at the central portion, and screw-couple the selected ring to the head neck 25 to use the golf club driver.

[51] Meanwhile, the opening 45 at the central portion of the ring 41 may be formed in a circle or polygonal shape to be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the head neck 25. The ring 41 which has at the central portion the opening 45 with the same shape as the cross-section of the head neck 25 may be coupled to the head neck 25.

Industrial Applicability

[52] As described above, the golf club driver head according to the embodiments of the present invention produces the following effect.

[53] First, the golfer can memorize the sound resonating during the stable swing since the golfer can adjust the sound created during the swing to the certain frequency band. Additionally, the golfer can hear and sense the sound of his/her swing so that the stable swing can be performed.

[54] Second, the golfer can practice his/her own sound created from the golf driver during the swing so that his/her constant own swing can be maintained.

[55] It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various replacements, modifications and changes in the form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Therefore, it is to be appreciated that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limitations of the invention.

Claims

[1] A golf club driver head with a Helmholtz resonator, comprising: a cavity that is formed within the golf club driver head so as to be used as a

Helmholtz resonator; and a head neck that is formed on an upper face or a lower face of the driver head so that the cavity is connected to the outside. [2] The golf club driver of claim 1, wherein the head neck is formed in a circle or a polygonal shape in cross-section. [3] The golf club driver of claim 2, further comprising a unit for adjusting a neck diameter to adjust a diameter of an inlet of the head neck [4] The golf club driver head of claim 3, wherein the neck diameter adjusting unit comprises: an attachment plate that forms at a central portion an opening with smaller diameter than the head neck and is attached to the upper face or the lower face of the head in a contact manner; and a plurality of screws which fasten the attachment plate to the upper face or the lower face of the head. [5] The golf club driver head of claim 4, wherein the opening in the attachment plate is formed in a circle or a polygonal shape to be the same as the cross-sectional shape of the head neck. [6] The golf club driver head of claim 3, wherein the the neck diameter adjusting unit comprises a ring that forms at a central portion an opening with a smaller diameter than the head neck, and at an outer circumferential surface a screw thread that is screw-coupled to a screw groove formed at the inside of the head neck. [7] The golf club driver head of claim 6, further comprising a prevention jaw at both ends of the screw groove formed at the inside of the head neck. [8] The golf club driver head of claim 6, wherein the opening at the central portion of the ring is formed in a circle or polygonal shape to be the same as the cross- sectional shape of the head neck.