Golf club and golf club head structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11577133-B2
Application number	US-202117443104-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 20, 2021
Priority date	Jan 20, 2009
Publication date	Feb 14, 2023
Grant date	Feb 14, 2023

Abstract

A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A golf club head comprising:
a golf club head body comprising:
a crown, a sole, a toe end, a heel end, a rear, a front comprising a ball striking face, and an interface area proximate a central region of the golf club head body,
the golf club head body further comprising a first leg closest to the toe end extending away from the interface area toward the rear, and a second leg closest to the heel end extending away from the interface area toward the rear,
wherein a v-shaped void is defined between the first leg and the second leg,
the golf club head body further defining a cover comprising at least a portion of the crown that extends over the void,
wherein the golf club head body defines an internal cavity, and a center of gravity of the golf club head is positioned within the internal cavity of the golf club head, and
wherein the v-shaped void has a first width proximate the interface area and a second width proximate the rear, the second width being greater than the first width,
wherein the golf club head body defines a breadth dimension measured from the front towards the rear;
the golf club head body further comprises two weight receivers,
wherein a first weight receiver is located more proximate the toe end, and a second weight receiver is located more proximate the heel end;
wherein the golf club head body further comprises windows located on the first and second legs providing visibility to the insides of the first and second weight receivers.

2. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the interface area is positioned at a range of 30%-60% of the breadth dimension, measured from the ball striking face.

3. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the first and second weight receivers are configured to receive first and second weights.

4. The golf club head of claim 3 wherein,
the first and second weights each have a heavier end and a lighter end,
wherein each of first and second weights may be received within the first and second weight receivers respectively such that either the heavier end or the lighter end may be closest to the interface.

5. The golf club head of claim 3 wherein,
the first leg and the second leg each further comprise a recessed area positioned adjacent to the interface area;
wherein an opening of each weight receiver is positioned within each recessed area.

6. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the first and second weight receivers comprise first and second weight receiving tubes.

7. The golf club head of claim 6 wherein,
the first weight receiving tube extends along the first leg towards the rear and the toe end, and
the second weight receiving tube extends along the second leg towards the rear and the heel end.

8. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the first leg defines a first side and the second leg defines a second side;
wherein the first side and the second side are in a confronting relation.

9. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein,
the first side and the second side are generally planar and comprise a flat surface.

10. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein,
the first side and the second side are non-planar and define interrupted non-flat surfaces.

11. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein,
the first side and the second side both depend from an underside of the crown.

12. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein,
the first and second legs and the first and second sides converge towards the ball striking face to the interface area.

13. The golf club head of claim 8 wherein,
the first and second sides and the interface area further comprise internal surfaces and outer surfaces;
wherein the internal surfaces comprise strength-enhancing structures.

14. The golf club head of claim 13 wherein,
the strength-enhancing structures may be gussets or other bracing members.

15. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the cover is formed as a single piece with the rest of the golf club head body.

16. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the cover is formed as a separate piece from the rest of the golf club head body and thereafter attached to the golf club head body.

17. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the golf club head further comprises a channel extending across the sole of the golf club head from the heel end to the toe end;
wherein the channel is generally adjacent to the ball striking face.

18. The golf club head of claim 17 wherein,
the golf club head further comprises a flattened keel on the sole extending rearwardly from the channel to the interface area.

19. The golf club head of claim 1 wherein,
the interface area further comprises a sloping planar central surface located between the first and second legs, and two sloping planar side surfaces located on opposed sides of the central surface at obtuse angles to the central surface.

Assignees

• Karsten Mfg Corp

Inventors

• Taylor Michael G
• Wallans Michael
• Stites John T
• Jones Sherry L

Classifications

• A63B53/0466

  wood-type · CPC title

• A63B60/02

  Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass (A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence) · CPC title

• A63B60/54

  with means for damping vibrations · CPC title

• A63B53/0433

  with special sole configurations · CPC title

• A63B53/06 Primary

  adjustable · CPC title