Method and apparatus for optimizing launch characteristics of a golf club

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed having a body member which includes a face surface and a receiving portion recessed into the face surface. A face insert having a striking surface is also included and is adapted to attach to the recessed receiving portion. The face insert and the striking surface are a single body made from an injection moldable material which provides the striking surface of the face insert with a combination of properties configured to improve performance characteristics of an associated ball. A method of enhancing surface strike performance using the aforementioned apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 491,645, filed Apr. 19, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 325,124, filed Apr. 20, 2016. The disclosure of each of the aforementioned patent applicants is fully incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates to golf clubs and related sports applications. More particularly, it relates to enhanced surface strike performance of a golf club head, which may be achieved by an insert attached to the golf club head. Although a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a golf club head, it is contemplated that other types of sports equipment (e.g., baseball bats, hockey sticks, polo mallets, croquet mallets bocce balls, bowling balls, billiard balls, etc., and the like) may similarly benefit from the enhanced surface strike performance disclosed herein.[...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In the present disclosure a much more significant portion of the kinetic energy is transferred to the propulsion of the golf ball forward / upward and a much lower amount of the energy (than conventional golf clubs) is converted to rotational energy that spins the ball. This results in an improved launch angle and greater carry distance than a conventional golf club for any given clubhead speed at impact and less inadvertent loss of accuracy from off axis spin of the ball.

[0013]In particular, the present disclosure describes a method for producing golf clubs that have design features and characteristics that enhance the directional accuracy, reduce the inadvertent hooking and slicing and improve the distance performance of a golf club of given loft angle.

[0014]The present disclosure overcomes the cost and complexity of such manufacturing techniques and results in a dramatic improvement in golf club performance.

[0015]Specifically, in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, the ball striking surface of the clubface is provided by an insert attached to the clubface. The insert can be substantially smooth or can have surface features as described below. Moreover, the insert provides the ball striking surface having an advantageous combination of properties, such as smoothness, hardness and durability.

[0016]Furthermore, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the insert includes a ball striking surface having surface features configured as one or more ridges or ribs. Alternatively, the one or more surface features can be configured as one or more grooves. The one or more surface features can further be configured as punch marks spaced across the insert. In still a further embodiment, the one or more surface features can be configured as a combination of ridges, grooves, and / or punch marks. The insert and ball striking surface with surface features are made from a material providing an advantageous combination of properties, such as smoothness, hardness and durability, adapted to improve golf club performance. The intrinsic coefficient of friction is not a critical characteristic of the chosen material for the insert and ball striking surface that results in the enhanced performance.

[0017]In one particular embodiment of the disclosure, the insert and its ball striking surface are made from an injection moldable material which provides enhanced performance. The injection moldable material can be a polymeric material which includes Acetal.

Problems solved by technology

The vast majority of golfers are insufficiently skilled in the control of spin on the ball.

Therefore, the inadvertent and errant introduction of spin commonly results in either hooking or slicing the balls flight path in an unintended direction.

These practices, however, are not “legally conforming” to the Rules of Golf issued by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”), as these substances are “temporary modifications.” The removal of grooves on the golf clubface is also widely known in the industry to modify the aforementioned characteristics of golf balls, and clubs having groove-less and highly polished clubfaces are currently marketed today.

While being somewhat effective, this approach of using PTFE had limited functionality and practicality.

As a result, the PTFE coatings on the golf club did not reach the level of performance expectation.

Chang describes the problem as ultimately relating to the softness of the PTFE and that at impact the compression of the golf ball into the layer of PTFE produces a mechanical engagement of the ball against the surface and introduces unexpected and unwanted spin of the golf ball.

However, this limits the degree of mechanical engagement of the PTFE layer with the golf ball.

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