Golf club head with variable face thickness

Abstract

To provide a golf club head with variable face thickness.SOLUTION: A golf club head is provided, including: a striking face having a substantially flat frontal striking surface, and having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge; a topline extending rearward from the upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge; a support bar protruding rearwardly from the striking face; an upper cavity at least partially surrounded by the topline, an upper section of the striking face, and the support bar; and a lower cavity at least partially surrounded by the support bar, a lower section of the striking face, and the sole. The lower section of the striking face includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thick portion between the heel portion and the toe portion. A thickness of the thick portion is greater than a thickness of the heel portion and a thickness of the toe portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf club head. [Background technology]

[0002] A golf club head forms part of a golf club and is used to strike a golf ball during a golf swing. The ball flight characteristics of a golf ball after being struck depend not only on how the golf club is swung, but also on the design and construction of the golf club itself. For example, ball flight characteristics such as launch angle, ball speed, and uniformity of ball speed across the striking face of the golf club head can be influenced by the design of the golf club. Adjusting one or more elements or features of the golf club head can improve the ball flight characteristics of the golf ball, thereby increasing a person's performance during the game of golf. When constructing a golf club head, additional considerations such as the structural integrity and durability of the golf club head can be taken into account. For example, adjusting one element or feature of the golf club head can improve a particular ball flight characteristic, but may jeopardize the structural integrity of the golf club head or reduce the durability of the golf club head.

[0003] It is with respect to these and other general considerations that aspects of the technology disclosed herein have been made, and while relatively specific problems may be addressed, it should be understood that the examples disclosed herein should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background or discussed elsewhere in this disclosure.

[0004] This background section is provided solely for the purpose of introducing certain background material related to the present disclosure and as such is not an admission of prior art. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This summary section introduces some features of non-limiting, non-exhaustive examples of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0006] In one aspect, the technology relates to an iron-type golf club head, the iron-type golf club head comprising: a striking face having a substantially flat, forward striking surface, the striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge; a topline extending rearward from the upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge; a support bar protruding rearward from the striking face and extending in a toe-to-heel direction of the golf club head; an upper cavity at least partially surrounded by the topline, an upper section of the striking face, and the support bar; and a lower cavity at least partially surrounded by the support bar, a lower section of the striking face, and the sole, wherein the lower section of the striking face comprises a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened portion between the heel portion and the toe portion, and a first thickness of the thickened portion is greater than each of a second thickness of the heel portion and a third thickness of the toe portion.

[0007] In some examples, the lower cavity is entirely surrounded by the golf club head, and the upper cavity is exposed to the exterior of the golf club head at a rear of the upper cavity. In some examples, the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the upper region of the striking face at any location in the upper region of the striking face. In some examples, the thickened portion comprises a flat portion having a substantially uniform thickness and a tapered edge at least partially surrounding the flat portion and having a gradually decreasing thickness. In some examples, the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the lower region of the striking face at any location across the heel portion and the toe portion. In some examples, the thickened portion has a shape that extends from the sole toward the support bar. In some examples, the shape of the thickened portion extends to the support bar. In some examples, the shape of the thickened portion extends only partway to the support bar, and the maximum thickness of the thickened portion is greater than the maximum thickness of a portion of the lower region of the striking face between the thickened portion and the support bar. In some examples, the second thickness is measured at the heel portion at a first height from the lower leading edge along a first direction parallel to the front striking face and perpendicular to the toe-to-heel direction, a fourth thickness at the heel portion at a second height from the lower leading edge along the first direction is greater than the second thickness, and the second height is greater than the first height. In some examples, the golf club head defines a rear portion of a body of the golf club head and includes: a receiving part attached to the front portion of the body, the receiving part including at least a portion of the sole and at least a portion of the rear portion connected between the sole and the support bar; a first weight attached to the receiving part and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the heel portion of the striking face; and a second weight attached to the receiving part and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the toe portion of the striking face.

[0008] In another aspect, the technology relates to an iron-type golf club head having a substantially flat, forward striking surface, comprising: a striking face having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge; and a support bar protruding rearward from the striking face, wherein the striking face comprises an upper section above the support bar and a lower section below the support bar, the lower section of the striking face comprising a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened section between the heel portion and the toe portion, wherein a first thickness of the thickened section when measured at a first height from the lower leading edge is greater than a second thickness of the heel portion when measured at the first height from the lower leading edge, the second thickness of the heel portion being less than a third thickness of the heel portion when measured at the second height from the lower leading edge, and the second height is greater than the first height.

[0009] In some examples, the golf club head includes a topline extending rearward from an upper topline edge of the striking face, a rear portion connected between the sole and a support rod, an upper cavity partially surrounded by the topline, the upper section of the striking face, and the support rod, the upper cavity being exposed to the exterior of the golf club head at a rear portion of the upper cavity, and a lower cavity at least partially surrounded by the support rod, the lower section of the striking face, the rear portion, and the sole. In some examples, the golf club head includes a first weight attached to the rear portion and positioned in the lower cavity rearward of the heel portion, and a second weight attached to the rear portion and positioned in the lower cavity rearward of the toe portion. In some examples, the first thickness of the thick portion is substantially equal to the fourth thickness of the thick portion when measured at a second height from the lower leading edge. In some examples, the thickness of the heel portion gradually increases from the lower leading edge toward the support rod, and the thickness of the toe portion gradually increases from the lower leading edge toward the support rod.

[0010] In one aspect, the technology provides an iron-type golf club head, the golf club head including a hitting face having a substantially flat forward striking surface and having a lower leading edge and an opposite upper topline edge, a receiving portion attached to the front portion of the body, the receiving portion including at least a portion of a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge to a distal edge, and at least a portion of a rear portion extending from the distal edge of the sole, the lower cavity of the golf club head being defined by the lower area of ​​the hitting face, the sole, and the rear portion. a receiving portion at least partially surrounded by a lower cavity; and a first weight in a lower cavity, wherein a lower area of ​​the striking face includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened portion between the heel portion and the toe portion, a first thickness of the thickened portion being greater than each of a second thickness of the heel portion and a third thickness of the toe portion, the first weight being attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity behind the heel portion, and a difference between the first thickness and the second thickness being equal to or greater than a separation distance between the first weight and the heel portion.

[0011] In some examples, the golf club head includes a topline extending rearward from an upper topline edge of the striking face, a support bar protruding rearward from the striking face and extending in a toe-to-heel direction of the golf club head, and an upper cavity partially surrounded by the topline, an upper section of the striking face, and the support bar, the upper cavity being exposed to the exterior of the golf club head at a rear portion of the upper cavity, and the lower cavity being at least partially surrounded by the support bar. In some examples, the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the upper section at any position in the upper section. In some examples, the golf club head includes a second weight attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the toe portion. In some examples, the thick portion includes a flat portion having a substantially uniform thickness.

[0012] The drawings, together with the description, illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a golf club head according to some examples. [Figure 2] 2 is a rear view of the front portion of the golf club head of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 3'-3' in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 4'-4' in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1 taken along line 5'-5' in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a front portion of another golf club head, according to some examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Golf club heads that may have striking faces with variable thicknesses configured to enhance particular golf club and ball flight characteristics will now be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a golf club head 100 according to some examples. In the depicted example, the golf club head 100 is an iron-type golf club head. FIG. 2 is a rear view of a front portion 120 of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 3'-3' in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 4'-4' in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head 100 of FIG. 1 taken along line 5'-5' in FIG. 2.

[0016] 1-5 simultaneously, golf club head 100 comprises a body 102 including a toe 103, a heel 104, a striking face 105 extending between toe 103 and heel 104 and having a lower leading edge 106 and an opposite upper topline edge 107, a sole 110 extending rearward from lower leading edge 106 to a distal edge 111, a topline 112 extending rearward from upper topline edge 107, a support bar 140 projecting rearward from striking face 105 and extending generally along a toe-to-heel direction, and a rear portion 113 connected between distal edge 111 of sole 110 and support bar 140 to form a portion of receiving portion 119. As used herein, the toe-to-heel direction of golf club head 100 includes both the toe-to-heel direction and the heel-to-toe direction of golf club head 100. The striking face 105 may have a substantially flat front striking surface 105FS and an opposite rear surface 105R. One or more grooves 125 may be defined in the front striking surface 105FS of the striking face 105. The golf club head 100 may include a hosel 101 disposed at the heel 104 and configured to attach to a golf club shaft (not shown).

[0017] An elongated cavity 190 may be defined in the support bar 140 and may extend generally in a toe-to-heel direction. An elongated polymer 192 (e.g., a polymer strip) may be at least partially (i.e., partially or entirely) positioned in the cavity 190 and may extend generally along the toe-to-heel direction. The polymer 192 may improve various performance characteristics of the golf club head 100, such as providing a firmer feel when striking a golf ball. In some other examples, the cavity 190 and the polymer 192 are omitted. For example, the support bar 140 may be solid and continuous of metal.

[0018] The rear portion of the body 102 can be defined by a receiving portion 119 that is attached to the front portion 120 of the body 102 (e.g., during manufacture of the golf club head 100). The receiving portion 119 can include at least a portion (i.e., some or all) of the sole 110 and at least a portion of the rear portion 113. In some examples, the front portion 120 includes the striking face 105, the support bar 140, and at least a portion of the sole 110.

[0019] The golf club head 100 may have an upper cavity 123 and a lower cavity 121. The upper cavity 123 may be at least partially surrounded by the top line 112, an upper section 155 of the striking face 105, and the support bar 140. The upper cavity 123 is exposed to the exterior of the golf club head 100 at a rear portion of the upper cavity 123. The lower cavity 121 may be at least partially surrounded by the support bar 140, a lower section 151 of the striking face 105, the sole 110, and the rear portion 113. In some examples, the lower cavity 121 is entirely surrounded. For example, the lower cavity 121 may be fluidly sealed or fluidly isolated from the exterior of the golf club head 100. The lower section 151 may be entirely below the support bar 140, and the upper section 155 may be entirely above the support bar 140.

[0020] 2-5 , the lower region 151 of the striking face 105 may include a heel portion 152 adjacent the heel 104, a toe portion 154 adjacent the toe 103, and a thick portion 153 between the heel portion 152 and the toe portion 154. In the depicted example, the lower region 151 also includes an intermediate thin portion 156 positioned between the heel portion 152 and the toe portion 154 and also positioned between the thick portion 153 and the support rod 140. In some examples, the rear surface 105R of the intermediate thin portion 156 is continuous with and adjacent to the rear surfaces 105R of the heel portion 152 and the toe portion 154.

[0021] As described in more detail below, the thickness of lower region 151 may be configured (e.g., varied across lower region 151) to increase and make ball velocity across lower region 151 more uniform, increase golf ball launch angle, and improve flexing of lower region 151 at heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 near sole 110. This may result in improved aerodynamics of the golf club head and improved performance for the person using the golf club head.

[0022] As used herein, the thickness of the striking face 105 may be measured along a first direction perpendicular to the front striking surface 105FS, between the rear surface 105R of the striking face 105 and a front plane 105FP parallel to and tangent to the front striking surface 105FS. In some examples, the front striking surface 105FS is the outermost surface of the striking face 105 (ignoring any grooves in the striking face 105). A second direction, also referred to herein, may be defined as being parallel to the front striking surface 105FS and generally perpendicular to the toe-heel direction. For example, the second direction may be perpendicular to both the first direction and the toe-heel direction. In some other examples, the second direction may be defined as being perpendicular to the ground when the golf club head 100 is in an address position on the ground. The address position, as defined herein, sets up the golf club head 100 in an orientation with a 60-degree lie angle, similar to USGA requirements. When the lie angle is set at 60 degrees, the face angle of the golf club head is set to square, which is defined as having a face angle of 0 degrees.

[0023] The thickness of lower region 151 is described in more detail below with reference to seven different positions in lower region 151. These seven positions include first position 161 and second position 162 in toe portion 154, third position 163 and fourth position 164 in thick portion 153, fifth position 165 and sixth position 166 in heel portion 152, and seventh position 167 in intermediate thin portion 156. First position 161, third position 163, and fifth position 165 may have the same first height along the second direction from lower leading edge 106 or from the ground, depending on how the second direction is defined. Second position 162, fourth position 164, and sixth position 166 may have the same second height along the second direction from lower leading edge 106 or from the ground, depending on how the second direction is defined. The seventh position 167 may have a third height along the second direction from the lower leading edge 106 or from the ground, depending on how the second direction is defined. The second height may be greater than the first height, and the third height may be greater than the second height. For example, the difference between the first height and the second height may be any value between 20% and 60% of the maximum height of the lower section 151 along the second direction, or any subrange between 20% and 60% of that maximum height. In some examples where the second direction is parallel to the front striking face 105FS, the first position 161 and the second position 162 may be aligned along a line parallel to the second direction, the third position 163, the fourth position 164, and the seventh position 167 may be aligned along a line parallel to the second direction, and the fifth position 165 and the sixth position 166 may be aligned along a line parallel to the second direction.

[0024] Thickened portion 153 may include a flat portion 153F and a tapered portion 153T that at least partially surrounds flat portion 153F. In the depicted example, thickened portion 153 and flat portion 153F each extend only partway from sole 110 toward support rod 140 (e.g., along the second direction), and tapered portion 153T has an inverted U-shape that surrounds a portion of flat portion 153F. By shaping and sizing thickened portion 153 to extend only partway from sole 110 toward support rod 140, the center of gravity (COG) can be controllably shifted downward compared to if the thickened portion extended all the way up to support rod 140. The maximum width of each of thickened portion 153 and flat portion 153F along the toe-heel direction may be at least 5 mm.

[0025] Flat portion 153F can have a substantially uniform thickness, e.g., a thickness that deviates by less than 5%, less than 3%, less than 1%, or less than 0.5% across flat portion 153F. For example, the thickness at third location 163 and the thickness at fourth location 164 can be substantially the same (e.g., within 5%, 3%, 1%, or 0.5% of each other). The thickness of tapered portion 153T can decrease via taper (e.g., gradual taper) in a direction away from flat portion 153F.

[0026] The thickness of thick portion 153 (e.g., the thickness of flat portion 153F) may be greater than each of the thicknesses of heel portion 152 and toe portion 154. For example, thick portion 153 may protrude further rearward compared to heel portion 152 and toe portion 154. The thickness at third position 163 may be greater than each of the thickness at first position 161 and the thickness at fifth position 165. The thickness at fourth position 164 may be greater than each of the thickness at second position 162 and the thickness at sixth position 166. In some examples, the thickness of flat portion 153F may be greater than the thickness at any position across heel portion 152 and toe portion 154.

[0027] The thickness of the thickened portion 153 (eg, the thickness at the third location 163 or the fourth location 164) may be greater than the thickness of the upper section 155 at any location across the upper section 155.

[0028] The thickness of intermediate thin portion 156 can be less than the thickness of thick portion 153 (e.g., the thickness of flat portion 153F). For example, the thickness at seventh position 167 can be less than each of the thickness at third position 163 and the thickness at fourth position 164. In some examples, the thickness at seventh position 167 can be greater than each of the thickness at first position 161, the thickness at second position 162, the thickness at fifth position 165, and the thickness at sixth position 166.

[0029] Heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 may each have a gradually decreasing thickness, with the thickness being greater near support rod 140 than near sole 110. For example, heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 may gradually increase in thickness along a direction from sole 110 to support rod 140 (e.g., along a second direction). In some examples, the thickness at second position 162 at the second height is greater than the thickness at first position 161 at the first height. The thickness at sixth position 166 at the second height may be greater than the thickness at fifth position 165 at the first height. In some examples, the difference between the thickness at fourth position 164 and the thickness at second position 162 is smaller than the difference between the thickness at third position 163 and the thickness at first position 161. The difference between the thickness at fourth position 164 and the thickness at sixth position 166 may be smaller than the difference between the thickness at third position 163 and the thickness at fifth position 165.

[0030] Heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 may each taper at a rate such that the thickness at an upper portion of lower region 151 adjacent support bar 140 is 10% to 40% greater than the thickness at a lower portion of lower region 151 adjacent sole 110. In some examples, heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 each tapers at a rate such that the maximum thickness is 10% to 40% greater than the minimum thickness.

[0031] By increasing the thickness of lower region 151 at thicker portions 153 in the central region and thinning the lower region in heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 near sole 110, the stiffness of lower region 151 can be increased in the central region and decreased in heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 near sole 110. Thus, flexure of lower region 151 can be concentrated in heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 near sole 110 without sacrificing the overall stiffness and structural integrity of lower region 151. This configuration of lower region 151 can increase ball speed in heel portion 152 and toe portion 154, increase ball speed uniformity for golf shots taken across lower region 151 along the toe-to-heel direction, and increase ball launch angle.

[0032] In some other examples, thickened portion 153 is provided, and the thickness of each of heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 is not tapered (e.g., heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 each have a substantially uniform thickness). In such examples, golf club head 100 can still exhibit the performance improvements described above. For example, thickened portion 153 may be provided, and the thickness of heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 may be uniformly tapered such that the resulting heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 each have a uniform thickness. However, as described herein, tapering the thickness of heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 can increase structural integrity and rigidity near support bar 140, which, among other things, can concentrate flexure of lower region 151 closer to sole 110. This can increase the golf ball launch angle compared to when heel portion 152 and toe portion 154 are provided with a uniform thickness.

[0033] The golf club head 100 may include a first weight 142 positioned within the lower cavity 121 rearward of the heel portion 152. In some examples, the first weight 142 is generally spaced apart from any line extending through the thickened portion 153 along the first direction. The golf club head may include a second weight 142 positioned within the lower cavity 121 rearward of the toe portion 154. In some examples, the second weight 142 is generally spaced apart from any line extending through the thickened portion 153 along the first direction.

[0034] The first weight 142 and the second weight 143 can be attached (e.g., brazed, welded, glued, etc.) to the receiving portion 119 and can be spaced apart from the rear surface 105R of the striking face 105. For example, each of the first weight 142 and the second weight 143 can directly contact at least one of the inner surface of the rear portion 113 or the inner surface of the sole 110.

[0035] In some other examples, the first weight 142 and the second weight 143 are attached to the rear surface 105R of the striking face 105. However, this increases stress at the brazed joint between the first weight 142 and the second weight 143 and the striking face 105, potentially limiting the deflection across the striking face 105 and limiting the coefficient of restitution (COR) of the striking face 105. Alternatively, attaching the first weight 142 and the second weight 143 to the receiving portion 119 and spacing them away from the striking face 105 can increase the deflection of the heel portion 152 and the toe portion 154 and increase the COR of the lower area 151.

[0036] In some examples, thickened portion 153 may protrude rearward relative to heel portion 152 by a distance (as measured along the first direction) that is greater than the separation distance (as measured along the first direction) between first weight 142 and rear surface 105R of heel portion 152. For example, the difference between the thickness of thickened portion 153 at third position 163 and the thickness of heel portion 152 at fifth position 165 may be greater than the separation distance between the front surface of first weight 142 and rear surface 105R of heel portion 152, as measured along a line parallel to the first direction and extending through fifth position 165. In some examples, the maximum difference between the thickness of thickened portion 153 and the thickness of heel portion 152 is greater than the maximum separation distance between first weight 142 and rear surface 105R of heel portion 152. In the example, a line drawn in the heel-toe direction tangent to the rearmost point of thick portion 153 (as measured along the first direction) intersects first weight 142 .

[0037] In some examples, thick portion 153 may protrude rearward from toe portion 154 a distance (as measured along the first direction) that is greater than the separation distance (as measured along the first direction) between second weight 143 and rear surface 105R of toe portion 154. For example, the difference between the thickness of thick portion 153 at third position 163 and the thickness of toe portion 154 at first position 161 may be greater than the separation distance, as measured along a line parallel to the first direction and extending through first position 161, between the front surface of second weight 143 and rear surface 105R of toe portion 154. In some examples, the maximum difference between the thickness of thick portion 153 and the thickness of toe portion 154 is greater than the maximum separation distance, as measured along the first direction, between second weight 143 and rear surface 105R of toe portion 154. In the example, a line drawn in the heel-toe direction tangent to the rearmost point of thick portion 153 (as measured along the first direction) intersects second weight 143 .

[0038] 6 is a rear view of a front portion 220 of another golf club head, according to some examples. The golf club head of FIG. 6 may have some features that are similar or the same as the features of the golf club head 100 illustrated and described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-5. Therefore, redundant descriptions may not be repeated.

[0039] The lower region 151 of the striking face 105 may include a heel portion 152, a toe portion 154, and a thickened portion 253 between the heel portion 152 and the toe portion 154. The thickened portion 253 includes a flat portion 253F and a tapered portion 253T that at least partially surrounds the flat portion 253F. The thickness of the flat portion 253F is substantially uniform across the flat portion 253F, and the thickness of the tapered portion 253T decreases along a direction away from the flat portion 253F via the taper.

[0040] In the depicted example, thickened portion 253 and flat portion 253F each have a rectangular shape extending from sole 110 toward support bar 140, and tapered portion 253T has a generally inverted U-shape that surrounds three generally flat sides of flat portion 253F. In the depicted example, thickened portion 253 extends all the way to support bar 140.

[0041] Terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, but it is understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed herein may be referred to as a second element without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It is understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," and similar terms, when used herein, specify the presence of stated elements but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more elements. Furthermore, the use of "may" when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure."

[0043] When an element is referred to as being "located on," "connected," "coupled," or "adjacent" another element, it is understood that the element may be directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly adjacent to the other element, or that one or more intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly located on," "directly connected to," "directly coupled," or "immediately adjacent to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Similar terms and phrases should be understood in a similar manner to cover both direct and indirect connections between two or more elements being discussed.

[0044] Additionally, any numerical range proposed herein is intended to include all subranges of the same numerical precision contained within the proposed range. For example, a range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the proposed minimum value of 1.0 and the proposed maximum value of 10.0, i.e., subranges having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit proposed herein is intended to include all subsumed lower numerical limits, and any minimum numerical limit proposed herein is intended to include all subsumed higher numerical limits. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly propose any subranges contained within the ranges explicitly proposed herein.

[0045] Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of the present technology is not limited to those specific embodiments. Furthermore, although different examples and embodiments may be described separately, such embodiments and examples may be combined with each other when implementing the technology described herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that fall within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specific embodiments described herein are provided only as illustrative embodiments. The scope of the present technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100 golf club heads 101 Hosel 102 Main Unit 103 Two 104 Heels 105 hitting face 105FP front plane 105FS Front striking surface 105R rear 106 Lower Leading Edge 107 Upper Top Line Edge 110 soles 111 Distal margin 112 Top Line 113 Rear part 119 Receiving 120 front part 121 Lower cavity 123 Upper cavity 125 Groove 140 Support rod 142 First Weight 143 Second Weight 152 heel part 153 Thick part 153F flat part 153T tapered part 154 Toe part 155 Upper area 156 Middle thin part 161 1st position 162 Second position 163 Third Position 164 Fourth Position 165 5th position 166 6th position 167 7th position 190 Long and narrow cavity 192 Long and thin polymers 220 front part 253 Thick part 253F flat part 253T tapered section

Claims

1. An iron-type golf club head, a hitting face having a substantially flat forward striking surface, the hitting face having a lower leading edge and an opposed upper topline edge; a top line extending rearward from the upper top line edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge; a support rod that protrudes rearward from the hitting face and extends in a toe-to-heel direction of the golf club head; an upper cavity at least partially surrounded by the top line, the upper region of the striking face, and the support bar; a lower cavity at least partially surrounded by the support bar, a lower region of the striking face, and the sole; Equipped with the lower section of the striking face includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened portion between the heel portion and the toe portion; The golf club head, wherein a first thickness of the thickened portion is greater than each of a second thickness of the heel portion and a third thickness of the toe portion.

2. the lower cavity being entirely surrounded by the golf club head; The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the upper cavity is exposed to the exterior of the golf club head at a rear portion of the upper cavity.

3. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the upper section of the striking face at any location in the upper section of the striking face.

4. The thick portion is a flat portion having a substantially uniform thickness; a tapered edge at least partially surrounding the flat portion and having a gradually decreasing thickness; The golf club head of claim 1 , comprising:

5. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the lower region of the striking face at any location across the heel and toe portions.

6. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the thickened portion has a shape that extends from the sole toward the support rod.

7. The golf club head of claim 6 , wherein the shape of the thickened portion extends into the support bar.

8. the thickened portion shape extends only partway to the support rod; 7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the maximum thickness of the thickened portion is greater than the maximum thickness of a portion of the lower region of the striking face between the thickened portion and the support bar.

9. the second thickness is measured in the heel portion at a first height from the lower leading edge along a first direction parallel to the front striking face and perpendicular to the toe-to-heel direction; 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein a fourth thickness in the heel portion at a second height from the lower leading edge along the first direction is greater than the second thickness, and the second height is greater than the first height.

10. a receiving portion that defines a rear portion of a body of the golf club head and is attached to a front portion of the body, the receiving portion including at least a portion of the sole and at least a portion of the rear portion that is connected between the sole and the support bar; a first weight attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the heel portion of the striking face; a second weight attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the toe portion of the striking face; The golf club head of claim 1 , comprising:

11. An iron-type golf club head, a hitting face having a substantially flat forward striking surface, the hitting face having a lower leading edge and an opposed upper topline edge; a sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge; a support rod protruding rearward from the hitting face; Equipped with the striking face having an upper section above the support bar and a lower section below the support bar; the lower section of the striking face includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened portion between the heel portion and the toe portion; a first thickness of the thickened portion as measured at a first height from the lower leading edge is greater than a second thickness of the heel portion as measured at the first height from the lower leading edge; an iron-type golf club head, wherein the second thickness of the heel portion is less than a third thickness of the heel portion as measured at a second height from the lower leading edge, and the second height is greater than the first height.

12. a top line extending rearward from the upper top line edge of the striking face; a rear portion connected between the sole and the support bar; an upper cavity partially surrounded by the top line, the upper region of the striking face, and the support rod, the upper cavity being exposed to an exterior of the golf club head at a rear portion of the upper cavity; a lower cavity at least partially enclosed by the support bar, the lower region of the striking face, the rear portion, and the sole; The golf club head of claim 11 , comprising:

13. a first weight attached to the rear portion and positioned in the lower cavity rearward of the heel portion; a second weight attached to the rear portion and positioned in the lower cavity rearward of the toe portion; The golf club head of claim 12 further comprising:

14. 12. The golf club head of claim 11, wherein the first thickness of the thickened portion is substantially equal to a fourth thickness of the thickened portion when measured at the second height from the lower leading edge.

15. the thickness of the heel portion gradually increases from the lower leading edge toward the support bar; The golf club head of claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the toe portion gradually increases from the lower leading edge toward the support bar.

16. An iron-type golf club head, a hitting face having a substantially flat forward striking surface, the hitting face having a lower leading edge and an opposed upper topline edge; a receiving portion defining a rear portion of a body of the golf club head and attached to a front portion of the body, at least a portion of the sole extending rearward from the lower leading edge to a distal edge; and at least a portion of a rear portion extending from the distal edge of the sole; Equipped with a lower cavity of the golf club head at least partially enclosed by a lower area of ​​the striking face, the sole, and the rear portion; With the receiver, a first weight in the lower cavity; Equipped with the lower section of the striking face includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and a thickened portion between the heel portion and the toe portion; a first thickness of the thickened portion greater than each of a second thickness of the heel portion and a third thickness of the toe portion; the first weight is attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity rearward of the heel portion; The golf club head, wherein the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is equal to or greater than the separation distance between the first weight and the heel portion.

17. a top line extending rearward from the upper top line edge of the striking face; a support rod that protrudes rearward from the hitting face and extends in a toe-to-heel direction of the golf club head; an upper cavity partially surrounded by the top line, the upper area of ​​the striking face, and the support rod, the upper cavity being exposed to an exterior of the golf club head at a rear portion of the upper cavity; Equipped with The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the lower cavity is at least partially surrounded by the support bar.

18. The golf club head of claim 17 , wherein the first thickness is greater than the thickness of the upper section at any location in the upper section.

19. The golf club head of claim 16, further comprising a second weight attached to the receiving portion and positioned in the lower cavity spaced rearward of the toe portion.

20. The golf club head of claim 16 , wherein the thickened portion comprises a flat portion having a substantially uniform thickness.

Images