Iron with a mass pad

Abstract

This specification describes an embodiment of an iron-type golf club head having a floating weight bar within an internal cavity. The weight bar is attached in front of an internal mass pad and may be floating. The weight bar projects above at least a portion of the sole and is spaced apart from the striking face. Thereby, the weight bar provides a forward low location center of gravity (CG) without impeding the deflection of the striking face and the sole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Priority of Cross-References This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 365,942, filed Jun. 6, 2022, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to golf club heads, and more particularly to iron-type golf club heads having internal weight bars.

Background Art

[0003] The position of the center of gravity (CG) is important for imparting optimal spin and launch characteristics to a golf club head. In an iron-type club head, it is often desirable for the center of gravity to be in a forward and low position. This is because such a center of gravity position is known to improve ball speed and spin characteristics. By distributing any mass near the sole and near the hitting face, the center of gravity position can be optimized. However, distributing any mass near the sole and near the hitting face is difficult from a manufacturing constraint perspective and may inhibit the flexibility of the sole and / or face, potentially reducing ball speed.

[0004] Many prior art iron-type club heads utilize various forms of arbitrary mass to achieve a forward and downward CG position. Some prior art iron-type club heads use removable or detachable internal weight members and / or external weight members formed from a high-density material. In other prior art club heads, a complex mass pad shape is cast as an integral part of the club head body. However, such methods can be costly and / or difficult to manufacture.

[0005] The desired (forward and downward) CG position must be achieved so as to maintain the flexibility of the club head. In an iron-type club head, it is desirable to provide a thin striking face and a thin sole adjacent to the striking face. By doing so, energy transfer between the club head and the golf ball at impact is promoted, increasing ball speed. A club head having a large mass pad disposed adjacent to the sole and / or face may inhibit the flexure of the face and sole, and as a result, may reduce ball speed.

[0006] In the art, there is a need for an iron-type club head that is cost-effective, easily manufacturable, and efficiently achieves a forward and downward CG position, and this feature of providing a desired CG position does not compromise the flexibility of the club head.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head having a floating weight bar.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a toe-side view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, with the floating weight bar emphasized.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 1, showing the state where the floating weight bar is removed to emphasize the shape of the internal mass pad.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a front sectional view of FIG. 7 including the floating weight bar.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf club head having a first embodiment of an L-shaped floating weight bar, with the face plate removed.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of FIG. 9, showing the state where the L-shaped floating weight bar is removed to emphasize the shape of the internal mass pad.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 9.

[0019] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head having a second embodiment of an L-shaped floating weight bar, with the face plate removed.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a front view of the golf club head of FIG. 12, with the face plate removed.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 12.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a golf club head having a floating weight bar bridging between the heel mass portion and the toe mass portion, with the face plate removed.

[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a golf club head having a weight bar attached to the upper wall of the mass pad, with the face plate removed.

[0024] FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 16.

[0025] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a golf club head having a floating weight bar and an L-shaped face plate.

[0026] FIG. 19 is a front view of a golf club head having a floating weight bar and a plurality of rear wall ribs, with the face plate removed.

[0027] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Definitions For purposes of making the drawings easy and clear to view, the drawings show aspects of general structure, and well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Further, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, for ease of understanding embodiments of the present invention, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements. The same reference numerals in different figures indicate the same elements.

[0029] In this specification and the claims, when terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. are used, these terms are used to distinguish similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or chronological order. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances where the embodiments described in this specification can operate in an order other than the order illustrated or otherwise described in this specification. Further, “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus having a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, and may include elements not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0030] In this specification and the claims, when terms such as "left", "right", "front", "back", "up", "down", "above", "below" are used, these terms are for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily used to describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that terms used in this way are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances where the embodiments of the invention described in this specification can operate in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described in this specification.

[0031] Terms such as "connect", "connected", "connecting" should be understood broadly and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals electrically, mechanically and / or in other ways.

[0032] As used herein, the term "striking face" refers to the front face of a clubhead configured to strike a golf ball. The term striking face can be used interchangeably with the term "face".

[0033] As used herein, the term "outer edge of the striking face" may refer to the edge of the striking face. The outer edge of the striking face may be located along the outer edge of the striking face where the curvature deviates from the bulge and / or roll of the striking face.

[0034] As used herein, the term "geometric center point" or "geometric center" of the striking face may refer to the geometric center point of the outer edge of the striking face and the geometric center point at the midpoint of the face height of the striking face. In the same or other examples, the geometric center point may be centered with respect to the engineered impact zone that may be defined by a groove region on the striking face. As another approach, the geometric center point of the striking face may be arranged in accordance with the definitions of golf governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0035] As used herein, the term "ground plane" may refer to a reference plane associated with the surface on which the golf ball is placed. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground plane 1010 may be a horizontal plane that contacts the sole at the address position.

[0036] As used herein, the term "loft plane" may refer to a reference plane that contacts the geometric center point of the striking face.

[0037] As used herein, the term "loft angle" may refer to the angle measured between the loft plane and the XY plane (defined below).

[0038] As used herein, the term "face height" may refer to the distance between the upper end and the lower end of the outer edge of the striking face, measured parallel to the loft plane.

[0039] As used herein, the "depth" of the golf club head described herein may be defined as the dimension of the golf club head in the front-to-back direction.

[0040] As used herein, the "height" of the golf club head described herein may be defined as the dimension from the top rail to the sole of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the height of the club head may be measured in accordance with a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0041] As used herein, the "length" of the golf club head described herein may be defined as the dimension from the heel to the toe of the golf club head. In many embodiments, the length of the club head may be measured in accordance with a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 and described herein, the "blade length" (LB) of the golf club head may be defined as the distance between the most toe-side point 1030 of the club head in the direction from the heel to the toe and the intersection point 1035 of the hosel axis 1075 and the sole.

[0043] As used herein, the "geometric center height" of a fairway-type golf club head is the height measured vertically from the ground plane to the geometric center point of the golf club head.

[0044] As used herein, the "leading edge" of a club head may be taken as the portion of the outer edge of the striking face that is the most sole-side.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the club head may define a primary coordinate system centered on the geometric center 120 of the striking face. The primary coordinate system may include an X-axis 1040, a Y-axis 1050, and a Z-axis 1060. The X-axis 1040 may extend in the direction from heel to toe. The X-axis 1040 may be positive toward the heel end 104 and negative toward the toe end 106. The Y-axis 1050 may extend in the direction from the topline to the sole and may be orthogonal to both the Z-axis 1060 and the X-axis 1040. The Y-axis 1050 may be positive toward the topline 110 and negative toward the sole 112. The Z-axis 1060 may extend in the front-rear direction, may be parallel to the ground plane 1010, and may be orthogonal to both the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The Z-axis 1060 may be positive toward the striking face 102 and negative toward the rear end 111.

[0046] The term or phrase "center of gravity position" or "CG position" may refer to the position of the center of gravity (CG) 162 of the club head in the primary coordinate system, and the CG position is characterized by the position along the X-axis 1040, the position along the Y-axis 1050, and the position along the Z-axis 1060. The term "CGx" may refer to the CG position along the X-axis 1040 measured from the geometric center 120. The term "CG height" may refer to the CG position along the Y-axis 1050 measured from the geometric center 120. The term "CGy" may be synonymous with CG height. The term "CG depth" may refer to the CG position along the Z-axis 1060 measured from the geometric center 120. The term "CGz" may be synonymous with CG depth.

[0047] The primary coordinate system of the golf club head described herein defines an XY plane that extends through the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The coordinate system defines an XZ plane that extends through the X-axis 1040 and the Z-axis 1060. The coordinate system further defines a YZ plane that extends through the Y-axis 1050 and the Z-axis 1060. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are all perpendicular to each other and intersect at the origin of the coordinate system located at the geometric center 120 of the striking face. In these or other embodiments, viewing the golf club head in a "front view" may mean viewing the striking face in a direction perpendicular to the XY plane. Further, in these or other embodiments, viewing the golf club head in a "side view" or a side cross-sectional view may mean viewing the heel in a direction perpendicular to the YZ plane.

[0048] Further, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf club head includes a secondary coordinate system centered on the center of gravity 162. This coordinate system includes an X'-axis 1070, a Y'-axis 1080, and a Z'-axis 1090. The X'-axis 1070 extends in the direction from the heel to the toe. The X'-axis 1070 is positive toward the heel 104 and negative toward the toe 106. The Y'-axis 1080 extends in the direction from the sole to the top rail and is orthogonal to both the Z'-axis 1090 and the X'-axis 1070. The Y'-axis 1080 is positive toward the top rail 110 and negative toward the sole 112. The Z'-axis 1090 extends in the front-rear direction, is parallel to the ground contact surface 1010, and is orthogonal to both the X'-axis 1070 and the Y'-axis 1080. The Z'-axis 1090 is positive toward the striking face 102 and negative toward the rear end 111.

[0049] The term or phrase "moment of inertia" (hereinafter, "MOI") may refer to the value measured about CG162. The term "MOIxx" or "Ixx" may refer to the MOI measured about the X' axis 1070. The term "MOIyy" or "Iyy" may refer to the MOI measured about the Y' axis 1080. The term "MOIzz" or "Izz" may refer to the MOI measured about the Z' axis 1090. The MOI values of MOIxx, MOIyy, and MOIzz determine the tolerance of the clubhead to impact with an off-center golf ball.

[0050] As used herein, the term "iron" may, in some embodiments, refer to an iron-type golf clubhead having a loft angle of less than about 50 degrees, less than about 49 degrees, less than about 48 degrees, less than about 47 degrees, less than about 46 degrees, less than about 45 degrees, less than about 44 degrees, less than about 43 degrees, less than about 42 degrees, less than about 41 degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, or less than about 33 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the clubhead is greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees, greater than about 21 degrees, greater than about 22 degrees, greater than about 23 degrees, greater than about 24 degrees, greater than about 25 degrees, greater than about 26 degrees, greater than about 27 degrees, greater than about 28 degrees, greater than about 29 degrees, greater than about 30 degrees, greater than about 31 degrees, or greater than about 32 degrees.

[0051] In some embodiments, the total mass of the iron may be 180 grams to 260 grams, 190 grams to 240 grams, 200 grams to 230 grams, 210 grams to 220 grams, or 215 grams to 220 grams. In some embodiments, the total mass of the clubhead is 215 grams, 216 grams, 217 grams, 218 grams, 219 grams, or 220 grams.

[0052] Description I. Clubhead with a Floating Weight Bar This specification describes an iron-type golf club head having a floating weight bar. The floating weight bar provides a forward and downward CG position to the club head without impairing the flexibility of the club head. The weight bar may be housed within the internal cavity of the club head and may be attached to an internal mass pad. The weight bar may "float" in front of the mass pad so as to protrude above a part of the sole, and move the CG toward the front lower part of the club head. The weight bar is located at the front lower part of the internal cavity, but may be arranged spaced apart from the striking face and the sole (so as not to contact when the club is stationary). The space between the weight bar, the striking face, and the sole allows the striking face and the sole to flex and transfer the maximum amount of energy to the golf ball.

[0053] The weight bar is formed separately from the club head body and attached to the club head body. By forming the weight bar separately, the weight bar can have a complex shape, and thus the CG can be positioned more aggressively forward and downward than an integrally cast weight system. By forming the weight bar and the body separately, the material selection of the weight bar can also be optimized. For example, the weight bar can be formed of a material that is less expensive or has better properties than the material of the body.

[0054] The weight bar is discontinuously attached to the club head body so as to be attached to the body at a limited number of discrete attachment positions. In many embodiments, the weight bar is discontinuously attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment positions. Therefore, one or more gaps may be formed between the mass pad and the weight bar. The discontinuous engagement of the weight bar and the body enables more efficient mass distribution. The provision of the gap reduces the mass near the mass pad and allows more mass to be distributed forward and downward of the club head or the weight bar.

[0055] As described above, by means of the weight bar, the club head can be configured such that the CG position is positively arranged forward and downward. In many embodiments, a club head having a floating weight bar can lower the CG by 10% or more and arrange the CG 10% or more forward compared to a similar club head without a weight bar. In the case of an iron-type club head, this forward and low CG position improves the performance of the club head. In particular, the lower and more forward the CG, the greater the ball speed, launch angle, and backspin (hereinafter referred to as "spin" or "spin speed"). When a large ball speed, a large launch angle, and a large spin speed are combined, it results in a golf shot with a long flight distance and better stopping power.

[0056] A. Club head body This specification describes various embodiments of a club head having a floating weight bar within the internal cavity of a golf club head. The general features and characteristics of the club head are illustrated in the club head 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8. The features described hereinafter with respect to the club head 100 are applicable to various embodiments of the club head according to the present invention. Any one or more of the features described in the following various embodiments can be used in combination with each other.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the club head 100 is an iron-type club head including a body 101. The body 101 has a front end 108 forming a striking face 102, a rear end 111 facing the front end 108 and forming a rear wall 116, and a top rail 110, a sole 112, a heel end 104, and a toe end 106 each extending between the front end 108 and the rear end 111. Further, the club head 100 includes a hosel 105 extending upward from the heel end 104. Referring to FIG. 5, the club head 100 has a hollow body structure, and the striking face 102, the top rail 110, the sole 112, the heel end 104, the toe end 106, and the rear wall 116 are all combined to surround a hollow internal cavity 107. The body 101 forms a mass pad 130 integrated within the internal cavity 107. The mass pad 130 may be present at the lower rear of the internal cavity 107, and the mass pad 130 is integrated with at least a part of the sole 112 and at least a part of the rear wall 116. In many embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the mass pad 130 extends upward from the rear part of the sole 112 and extends outward from the lower part of the rear wall 116. Further, the mass pad 130 may extend over at least a majority of the distance between the heel end 104 and the toe end 106. Since the mass pad 130 concentrates a large mass at the lower part of the club head 100, the position of the center of gravity 160 is lowered.

[0058] In many embodiments, the mass pad 130 may have a relatively simple shape that is easy to cast. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the mass pad 130 includes a front wall 132 facing the front end 108, an upper wall 134 facing the top rail 110, and a transition region 136 between the front wall 132 and the upper wall 134. In some embodiments, the front wall 132 may be inclined toward the front end 108 such that the transition region 136 is closer to the striking face 102 than the base of the front wall 132. By inclining the front wall 132 toward the front end, the CG position can be arranged a little more forward. In other embodiments, the front wall 132 may be substantially parallel to the striking face 102 or may be inclined rearward from the striking face 102.

[0059] As further shown in FIG. 5, the club head 100 may include a sole thin portion 118 having a minimum thickness of 0.035 inches to 0.070 inches. The sole thin portion 118 forms the front portion of the sole 112 between the striking face 102 and the weight pad 130. In the present embodiment, the sole thin portion 118 extends from the leading edge 103 to the base of the weight pad 130. The sole thin portion 118 provides a highly flexible region on the sole 112 close to the striking face 102. By providing a very thin sole thin portion 118, the sole 112 can flex during impact, so that more internal energy is returned to the golf ball and the ball speed is increased.

[0060] The sole thin portion 118 is significantly thinner than the portion of the sole 112 formed by the weight pad 130. The sole thin portion 118 may have a thickness measured from the outer surface of the sole 112 to the inner surface of the sole thin portion 118 facing the internal cavity. In some embodiments, the sole thin portion 118 has a minimum thickness of 0.035 to 0.070 inches. In some embodiments, the minimum thickness of the sole thin portion 118 may be less than 0.070 inches, less than 0.065 inches, less than 0.060 inches, less than 0.055 inches, less than 0.050 inches, less than 0.045 inches, less than 0.040 inches, or less than 0.035 inches.

[0061] The weight pad 130 may be disposed behind the sole thin portion 118 so as not to prevent the sole 112 from flexing. In many embodiments, the base of the weight pad 130 is as far away from the striking face 102 as possible. By moving the base of the weight pad 130 rearward from the striking face 102, the maximum sole thin portion 118 can be provided. By doing so, a balance can be achieved between the advantage of the flexure and ball speed by the sole thin portion 118 and the advantage of the CG position by the weight pad 130. Referring to FIG. 6 here, in many embodiments, the sole thin portion 118 is characterized by the sole thin portion length L TS is characterized. The sole thin portion length L TSis measured as the longitudinal distance between the leading edge 103 and the base of the mass pad 130, parallel to the Z-axis 1060. In many embodiments, the sole thin portion length L TS is greater than 0.050 inches, greater than 0.075 inches, greater than 0.100 inches, greater than 0.125 inches, greater than 0.150 inches, greater than 0.175 inches, greater than 0.200 inches, greater than 0.225 inches, or greater than 0.250 inches.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 7, the mass pad 130 includes a mass pad central portion 140, a heel mass portion 142, and a toe mass portion 144. The mass pad central portion 140 is integrally formed with at least a part of the sole 112 and at least a part of the rear wall 116. The heel mass portion 142 is integrally formed with at least a part of the heel end 104, at least a part of the rear wall 116, and at least a part of the sole 112. Similarly, the toe mass portion 144 is integrally formed with at least a part of the toe end 106, at least a part of the rear wall 116, and at least a part of the sole 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the mass pad central portion 140 occupies only the central portion of the internal cavity 107. The heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 are located on the heel side and the toe side of the mass pad central portion 140, respectively. Thus, the mass pad central portion 140 may be located between the heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144.

[0063] The heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 may extend forward from the central portion 140 of the mass pad. In particular, a part of the heel mass portion 142 and a part of the toe mass portion 144 may extend closer to the striking face 102 than the front wall 132 of the mass pad. The heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 provide outer edge weighting to increase the MOI of the club head and place the CG forward without restricting the flexure of the sole 112. The heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 are each proximate to the heel end 104 and the toe end 106, respectively, and are located at positions away from the center of the club head 100. The heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 do not necessarily need to be as far from the striking face 102 as the central portion 140 of the mass pad. The flexure of the sole 112 near the heel end 104 and the toe end 106 is not as important as the flexure of the sole 112 near the center of the club head 100. In other words, the sole length L TS may be shorter in the vicinity of the heel mass portion 142 and the toe mass portion 144 than in the vicinity of the mass pad 130.

[0064] B. Weight bar Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the club head 100 further includes a weight bar 150. The weight bar 150. In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 is formed separately from the body 101 and is a component attached to the body 101. In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 is completely housed within the internal cavity 107 and cannot be seen from outside the club head 100. The weight bar 150 may be attached to one or more inner surfaces of the club head 100 (i.e., the inner surface of the heel end 104 that defines the internal cavity 107, the inner surface of the toe end 106, the inner surface of the sole 112, the inner surface of the rear wall 116, the inner surface of the top rail 110, or the mass pad 130). In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be attached to the body 101 by welding or brazing. In other embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be attached to the body 101 by mechanical means such as one or more mechanical fasteners or any other suitable joining means. By forming the weight bar 150 separately from the body 101, the weight bar 150 can be formed to achieve the desired shape and tolerances while maintaining manufacturability. For example, the separately formed weight bar 150 may have a shape that is not suitable for casting or forming integrally with the body 101. Thus, forming the weight bar 150 separately allows for more complex shapes than an integral casting system, and as a result, a more aggressive CG placement is possible.

[0065] Furthermore, forming the weight bar 150 and the body 101 separately can be advantageous as it allows for optimization of material selection. In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be formed of the same material or a similar material as the body 101. However, in other embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be formed of a material different from that of the body 101. The material of the weight bar 150 may be selected based on manufacturability, cost, performance considerations, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may include a material having melting or welding characteristics similar to those of the body 101, in which case, welding can be more easily and reliably performed. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may include a lower grade material or alloy than the remainder of the body 101. As described above, since the weight bar 150 is hidden within the internal cavity 107, the lower grade material is not visible to the player. Selecting a lower grade material or alloy for the weight bar 150 can provide clear advantages such as cost reduction and improved material availability without sacrificing manufacturability or aesthetics.

[0066] Alternatively, by providing a separately formed weight bar 150, a material different from that of the body 101 and / or the hitting face 102 can be selected. Forming the weight bar 150 of a different material can provide additional performance advantages. For example, in many embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be formed of a material having a higher density than the body 101. In such embodiments, the weight bar 150 can provide a more forward and downward CG position compared to a similar weight bar formed of the same material as the body 101.

[0067] In many embodiments, the material of the body may be stainless steel such as 17-4 stainless steel. In other embodiments, the material of the body may be steel or a stainless steel alloy such as 15-5 stainless steel, 431 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 4340 steel, or any other suitable material. The material of the body is 7.0 g / cm 3 ~10.0 g / cm 3may have a density. In some embodiments, the material of the body is 7.0 g / cm 3 ~ 7.5 g / cm 3 , 7.5 - 8.0 g / cm 3 , 8.0 - 8.5 g / cm 3 , 8.5 - 9.0 g / cm 3 , 9.0 - 9.5 g / cm 3 , or 9.5 - 10.0 g / cm 3 and may have a density.

[0068] In many embodiments, the material of the weight bar 150 may be the same or a similar steel or stainless steel alloy as the material of the body 101, such as 15 - 5 stainless steel, 431 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 4340 steel, etc. In some embodiments, the material of the weight bar 150 may be tungsten or a tungsten alloy that has a higher density than the material of the body. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be a mixture of tungsten and steel to obtain a desired weight bar density. The material of the weight bar may have a density of 7.0 - 20.0 g / cm 3 . In some embodiments, the density of the weight bar may be greater than 7.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 8.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 9.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 10.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 11.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 12.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 13.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 14.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 15.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 16.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 17.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 18.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than 19.0 g / cm 3 , may be greater than, or 20.0 g / cm 3It may be larger. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may have a density greater than that of the body 101. In other embodiments, the weight bar 150 and the body 101 may have the same density or similar densities.

[0069] In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 may have a mass of 10 to 30 grams. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may have a mass of 10 grams to 15 grams, 11 grams to 16 grams, 12 grams to 17 grams, 13 grams to 18 grams, 14 grams to 19 grams, 15 grams to 20 grams, 16 grams to 21 grams, 17 grams to 22 grams, 18 grams to 23 grams, 19 grams to 24 grams, 20 grams to 25 grams, 21 grams to 26 grams, 22 grams to 27 grams, 23 grams to 28 grams, 24 grams to 29 grams, or 25 grams to 30 grams.

[0070] In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may have a multi - material structure. In some embodiments, a portion or portions of the weight bar 150 may be made of a first material having a first density, and another portion may be made of a second material having a second density greater than the first density. In some embodiments, the high - density second material may form the lower and / or front portion of the weight bar 150 to provide a club head where the position of CG160 is more aggressively forward and downward. In other embodiments, the weight bar 150 may have a high - density second material near the heel end 104 and / or the toe end 106 of the weight bar to increase the outer - edge weighting, thereby increasing the MOI. The various densities of the weight bar 150 in such embodiments may be realized by forming separate weight - bar pieces connected by welding or brazing. In other embodiments, the weight bar 150 having different densities by a 3D printing process that creates structures with different densities.

[0071] The weight bar 150 floats within the internal cavity 107 such that the weight bar 150 projects above the sole 112. The weight bar 150 may be disposed at the front lower portion of the internal cavity 107 without contacting any part of the hitting face 102 and the sole 112. The weight bar 150 is provided at the front lower portion of the internal cavity 107. By floating the weight bar 150, the mass of the weight bar can be efficiently and positively distributed, enabling a low-front CG position. The floating weight bar 150 provides a front-lower CG position without impairing the deflection of the hitting face 102 and the sole 112 and without impairing the manufacturability of the club head 100.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 5, the weight bar 150 includes at least a weight bar front face 152 facing the hitting face 102, a weight bar rear face 157 facing rearward, and a weight bar bottom face 159 facing the sole 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the weight bar front face 152 may be spaced apart from the hitting face 102, the weight bar bottom face 159 may be spaced apart from the sole 112, and the weight bar rear face 157 may be at least partially spaced apart from the mass pad 130. The spatial relationship between the weight bar surfaces 152, 157, 159 and the respective parts of the body 101 will be described in more detail below.

[0073] Further, referring to FIG. 8, the weight bar 150 includes a weight bar heel end 154 proximate to the heel end 104 of the club head 100 and a weight bar toe end 156 proximate to the toe end 106 of the club head 100. In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 may extend over most of the internal cavity 107 in the direction from heel to toe. The weight bar 150 has a weight bar length L W The weight bar length L W is measured between the weight bar heel end 154 and the weight bar toe end 156 in the direction from heel to toe, parallel to the X-axis 1040. In many embodiments, the weight bar length L Wmay be from 1.0 to 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the weight bar length L W may be greater than 1.0 inch, may be greater than 1.25 inches, may be greater than 1.50 inches, may be greater than 1.75 inches, may be greater than 2.0 inches, may be greater than 2.25 inches, or may be greater than 2.5 inches. The weight bar length L W occupies a significant portion of the internal cavity 107. In addition to providing a forward low CG, a fairly long weight bar 150 can provide outer edge weighting that increases the MOI of the club head.

[0074] In some embodiments, the weight bar length L W may be characterized in relation to the blade length L B In some embodiments, the club head 100 has a ratio L B defined as the weight bar length divided by the blade length L W / L B In many embodiments, the ratio L W / L B may be from 0.5 to 0.8. In some embodiments, the ratio L W / L B may be greater than 0.5, may be greater than 0.55, may be greater than 0.6, may be greater than 0.65, may be greater than 0.7, may be greater than 0.75, or may be greater than 0.8.

[0075] As described above, the weight bar 150 floats within the internal cavity 107 and protrudes above a portion of the sole 112. In many embodiments, the weight bar 150 is attached only to the mass pad 130, the heel mass portion 142, the toe mass portion 144, or combinations thereof. Referring to FIG. 6, the weight bar 150 may be attached to hang in front of the mass pad 130 (i.e., between the mass pad 130 and the striking face 102). The weight bar 150 hangs between the mass pad 130 and the striking face 102 above the sole thin portion 118. Referring to FIG. 8, the weight bar 150 may extend in the direction from the heel to the toe along most of the length of the mass pad.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the weight bar 150 protrudes above the sole thin portion 118 by an overhang distance Do. The overhang distance Do is the longitudinal distance between the foremost point 155 of the weight bar, which is parallel to the Z-axis 1060, and the base of the mass pad 130 (the position where the sole thin portion 118 terminates). In many embodiments, the overhang distance Do may be from 0.10 inches to 0.50 inches. In some embodiments, the overhang distance Do may be from 0.10 inches to 0.20 inches, from 0.15 inches to 0.25 inches, from 0.20 inches to 0.30 inches, from 0.25 inches to 0.35 inches, from 0.30 inches to 0.40 inches, from 0.35 inches to 0.45 inches, or from 0.40 inches to 0.50 inches. In some embodiments, the overhang distance Do may be greater than 0.10 inches, greater than 0.15 inches, greater than 0.20 inches, greater than 0.25 inches, greater than 0.30 inches, greater than 0.35 inches, greater than 0.40 inches, greater than 0.45 inches, or greater than 0.50 inches. The greater the overhang distance, the more the CG can be positioned lower and further forward without interfering with the deflection of the sole thin portion 118.

[0077] Furthermore, the weight bar 150 floats only at discrete attachment positions. That is, the weight bar 150 is not continuously attached to the body 101. By discretely attaching the weight bar 150 and the body 101, the weight bar 150 and the body 101 engage discontinuously, and one or more gaps 162 are formed between the weight bar 150 and the body 101. In many embodiments, one or more gaps 162 are provided between the weight bar 150 and the front wall 132 of the mass pad 130. The weight bar 150 may be attached to the mass pad 130 at two or more discrete attachment positions 170. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be attached to the body 101 at two discrete attachment positions, three discrete attachment positions, four discrete attachment positions, five discrete attachment positions, or six or more discrete attachment positions. In some embodiments, the number of discrete attachment positions may be limited. In some embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be attached to the body 101 at six or fewer discrete attachment positions, five or fewer discrete attachment positions, four or fewer discrete attachment positions, three or fewer discrete attachment positions, or two or fewer discrete attachment positions. In some embodiments, the discrete attachment positions are spaced along the length L of the weight bar W in a direction from the heel to the toe.

[0078] The number of gaps 162 can typically correspond to the number of discrete attachment locations 170. In many embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the weight bar 150 is attached at its ends 154 and 156. In such embodiments, since each gap 162 is located between two adjacent discrete attachment locations 170, the number of gaps 162 can be one less than the total number of discrete attachment locations 170. In other embodiments, the discrete attachment locations 170 may extend inwardly from the ends 154 and 156 of the weight bar, and the gaps 162 may be formed at the ends 154 and 156 of the weight bar. In such embodiments, one or more gaps 162 may be located between two adjacent discrete attachment locations 170, but the gaps 162 near the ends 154 and 156 of the weight bar may only be adjacent to a single discrete attachment location 170. In such embodiments, the number of gaps 162 can be one more than the total number of discrete attachment locations 170.

[0079] The weight bar 150 may be spaced apart from the mass pad 130 between discrete attachment positions, in which case the weight bar 150 contacts the body 101 only at the discrete attachment positions. Referring to FIG. 6, one or more gaps 162 are formed between the front wall 132 of the mass pad and the weight bar rear surface 157. In many embodiments, the width of the gap 162 may be from 0.005 to 0.1 inches. In some embodiments, one or more of the widths of the gaps 162 may be from 0.005 to 0.01 inches, 0.01 to 0.02 inches, 0.02 to 0.03 inches, 0.03 to 0.04 inches, 0.04 to 0.05 inches, 0.05 to 0.06 inches, 0.06 to 0.07 inches, 0.07 to 0.08 inches, 0.08 to 0.09 inches, or 0.09 to 0.10 inches. In some embodiments, one or more of the widths of the gaps 162 may be greater than 0.005 inches, greater than 0.01 inches, greater than 0.02 inches, greater than 0.03 inches, greater than 0.04 inches, greater than 0.05 inches, greater than 0.06 inches, greater than 0.07 inches, greater than 0.08 inches, greater than 0.09 inches, or greater than 0.10 inches.

[0080] The discontinuous engagement between the weight bar 150 and the body 101 allows for more efficient mass distribution. For example, when comparing two weight bars of the same mass, providing a gap 162 between the front wall 132 of the mass pad and the weight bar rear surface 157 allows the weight bar 150 to extend further forward towards the striking face 102, and the weight can be more concentratedly distributed at the outer edge of the golf club head. A larger outer edge weighting improves the MOI of the golf club head. Thus, the weight bar 150 discontinuously attached to the mass pad 130 can more efficiently utilize the weight bar mass when placing the CG position further forward. Further, a manufacturing advantage can be provided by discontinuously engaging between the weight bar 150 and the body 101. In an embodiment in the case of welding, the weight bar 150 is the weight bar length LW Rather than being continuously welded over, it may only be welded at a plurality of discrete points. By providing discrete attachment positions 170, the welding process is simplified. Furthermore, the structure of the discrete attachment positions 170 (described in more detail below) functions as an installation guide, so that the weight bar 150 can be accurately and consistently positioned.

[0081] One or more attachment portions 180 may be formed at each of the discrete attachment positions 170. The one or more attachment portions 180 may be configured to receive the weight bar 150. In some embodiments, the attachment portion 180 may simplify the manufacturing process by facilitating proper positioning of the weight bar 150 during installation. In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 9 - 11, the attachment portion 180 may be in the form of a mass increase portion that extends slightly outward from the surface of the mass pad 130 at any discrete attachment position 170. In such embodiments, the mass increase portion may form a surface that bulges with respect to the peripheral surface of the mass pad 130. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12 - 14, the attachment portion 180 may be in the form of a recess that is indented from the surface of the mass pad 130 at any discrete attachment position 170. In some embodiments, one or more of the discrete attachment positions 170 may not have an attachment portion 180. In such embodiments, the weight bar 150 may be directly attached to one or more surfaces of the mass pad 130, in which case, at the discrete attachment position 170, the weight bar 150 and the mass pad 130 are flush with each other.

[0082] In some embodiments, the club head 100 may include one or more attachment portions 180 in the form of tack welds. Instead of the attachment portions 180 provided as recesses or protrusions formed as part of the shape of the weight pad 130, one or more tack welds (or spot welds) can be provided after the weight bar 150 is fixed to the weight pad 130. The tack welds may be provided between any portion of the weight bar 150 and any portion of the weight pad 130 (i.e., the weight pad central portion 140, the heel weight portion 142, or the toe weight portion 144). The club head 100 may include any number of tack welds between the weight bar 150 and the weight pad 130. In some embodiments, the club head 100 may include one tack weld, two tack welds, three tack welds, four tack welds, five tack welds, or six tack welds between the weight bar 150 and the weight pad 130. The tack welds may be used in combination with one or more other types of attachment portions 180. In many embodiments, the tack welds can provide vibration advantages to the club head 100. The tack welds reduce the undesirable vibrations generated in the weight bar 150 during impact, improving the sound and feel of the club head 100. Further, by suppressing the undesirable vibrations of the weight bar 150, less energy is dissipated by the vibrations of the weight bar 150, so the energy transfer between the club head 100 and the golf ball during impact can be improved.

[0083] The discontinuous attachment between the weight bar 150 and the mass pad 130 results in a very small contact area between the weight bar 150 and the mass pad 130. When the contact area is very small, the weight that can be strategically moved across the entire golf club head becomes larger, so a better CG position 160 (front low position) and / or a large outer edge weighting can be obtained. The weight bar 150 may define a contact area ratio represented as the ratio of the surface area of the weight bar 150 in contact with the mass pad 130 to the total surface area of the weight bar 150. In many embodiments, the contact area ratio may be from 1% to 10%. In some embodiments, the contact area ratio may be less than 10%, less than 9%, less than 8%, less than 7%, less than 6%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1%. The lower the contact area ratio, the more efficient the weight bar 150 is in providing a front low CG.

[0084] As described above, the weight bar 150 is spaced apart from the striking face 102. To position the CG forward, it is desirable for the weight bar 150 to be as far forward as possible towards the striking face 102. However, to prevent the weight bar 150 from restricting the flexure of the face, a space between the weight bar 150 and the striking face 102 is necessary. Specifically, during impact with a golf ball, the striking face deforms rearward. The front face 152 of the weight bar must be spaced a sufficient distance from the striking face 102 so that the striking face 102 does not contact the weight bar 150 during impact. In many embodiments, the front face 152 of the weight bar may be freely exposed within the internal cavity 107 so that no part of the body 101 contacts the front face 152 of the weight bar.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6, the weight bar 150 may define a striking face offset distance D which is the shortest distance between the front face 152 of the weight bar and the rear face of the striking face 102, measured perpendicular to the loft face. SF In many embodiments, the striking face offset distance D SFmay be from 0.040 inches to 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the impact face offset distance D SF may be from 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches, from 0.050 inches to 0.070 inches, from 0.060 inches to 0.080 inches, from 0.070 inches to 0.090 inches, from 0.080 inches to 0.100 inches, from 0.090 inches to 0.110 inches, from 0.100 inches to 0.120 inches, from 0.110 inches to 0.130 inches, from 0.120 inches to 0.140 inches, from 0.130 inches to 0.150 inches, from 0.140 inches to 0.160 inches, from 0.150 inches to 0.170 inches, from 0.160 inches to 0.180 inches, from 0.170 inches to 0.190 inches, or from 0.180 inches to 0.200 inches. If the weight bar 150 is too close to the impact face 102, the impact face 102 may contact the weight bar 150 during impact, restricting the deflection of the face and potentially reducing the ball speed. However, if the weight bar 150 is too far from the impact face 102, the CG may not be placed at the desired forward position.

[0086] Furthermore, as described above, the weight bar 150 is spaced apart from the sole 112. To lower the CG position, it is desirable for the weight bar 150 to be at the lowest possible position towards the sole 112. However, a space between the weight bar 150 and the sole 112 is necessary so that the weight bar 150 does not limit the deflection of the sole. As described above, the bottom surface 159 of the weight bar may be spaced apart from the sole 112. In many embodiments, the bottom surface 159 of the weight bar may be freely exposed in the internal cavity 107 so that no part of the body 101 contacts the bottom surface 159 of the weight bar.

[0087] Referring again to FIG. 6, the weight bar 150 may define a sole offset distance D, which is the shortest distance between the bottom surface 159 of the weight bar and the inner surface of the sole 112, measured perpendicular to the ground plane 1010. S In many embodiments, the sole offset distance D Smay be from 0.040 inches to 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, the sole offset distance D S may be from 0.040 inches to 0.060 inches, from 0.050 inches to 0.070 inches, from 0.060 inches to 0.080 inches, from 0.070 inches to 0.090 inches, from 0.080 inches to 0.100 inches, from 0.090 inches to 0.110 inches, from 0.100 inches to 0.120 inches, from 0.110 inches to 0.130 inches, from 0.120 inches to 0.140 inches, from 0.130 inches to 0.150 inches, from 0.140 inches to 0.160 inches, from 0.150 inches to 0.170 inches, from 0.160 inches to 0.180 inches, from 0.170 inches to 0.190 inches, or from 0.180 inches to 0.200 inches. If the weight bar 150 is too close to the sole 112, the weight bar 150 may interfere with the deflection of the sole 112 during impact, potentially reducing the ball speed. On the other hand, if the weight bar 150 is too far from the sole 112, the CG may not be placed in the desired lower position. Another embodiment of the weight bar 150, which will be described in more detail below, may have different offset distances D SF , D S to suit the shape and / or position of a particular weight bar 150.

[0088] D. Mass Characteristics The floating weight bar 150 provides a forward and downward CG position. The club head 100 including the floating weight bar 150 has a CGy position of -0.10 to -0.25 inches measured with respect to the primary coordinate system (described above). Note here that the negative CGy value represents the CG distance below the geometric center 120 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the CGy position may be from -0.10 to -0.15 inches, from -0.15 to -0.20 inches, or from -0.20 to -0.25 inches. In some embodiments, the CGy position may be less than -0.10 inches, less than -0.12 inches, less than -0.14 inches, less than -0.16 inches, less than -0.18 inches, less than -0.20 inches, less than -0.22 inches, less than -0.24 inches, or less than -0.25 inches.

[0089] The CGy position of the club head 100 including the floating weight bar 150 is lower than that of a similar club head without a weight bar. In some embodiments, the CGy position of the club head including the floating weight bar 150 may be 0.01 inch or more, 0.02 inch or more, 0.03 inch or more, 0.04 inch or more, 0.05 inch or more, 0.06 inch or more, 0.07 inch or more, 0.08 inch or more, 0.09 inch or more, or 0.10 inch or more lower than the CGy position of a similar club head without a weight bar. Further, the CGy position of the club head including the floating weight bar 150 may be 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, or 30% or more lower than the CGy position of a similar club head without a weight bar.

[0090] The club head 100 including the floating weight bar 150 may have a CGz position measured with respect to the (above-described) primary coordinate system of -0.15 to -0.05 inches. Here, it should be noted that a negative CGz value represents a CG distance behind the geometric center 120 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the CGz position may be -0.15 to -0.13 inches, -0.13 to -0.11 inches, -0.11 to -0.09 inches, -0.09 to -0.07 inches, or -0.07 to -0.05 inches. In some embodiments, the CGz position may be greater than -0.15 inches, less than -0.13 inches, less than -0.11 inches, less than -0.09 inches, less than -0.07 inches, or less than -0.05 inches.

[0091] The CGz position of the club head 100 with the floating weight bar 150 is forward compared to a similar club head without a weight bar. In some embodiments, the CGz position of the club head with the floating weight bar 150 may be 0.01 inch or more, 0.02 inch or more, 0.03 inch or more, 0.04 inch or more, 0.05 inch or more, 0.06 inch or more, 0.07 inch or more, 0.08 inch or more, 0.09 inch or more, or 0.10 inch or more forward than the CGy position of a similar club head without a weight bar. Further, the CGz position of the club head with the floating weight bar 150 may be 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, or 30% or more forward than the CGz position of a similar club head without a weight bar.

[0092] Further, the club head 100 with the floating weight bar 150 may have a high moment of inertia. A high moment of inertia results in a higher tolerance of the club head to mishits. In many embodiments, the club head 100 may have a moment of inertia Ixx of 500 - 800 g*cm 2 about the X’ axis 1070. In some embodiments, the club head 100 may have an Ixx of 500 - 550 g*cm 2 , 550 - 600 g*cm 2 , 600 - 650 g*cm 2 , 650 - 700 g*cm 2 , 700 - 750 g*cm 2 , or 750 - 800 g*cm 2 . In some embodiments, the club head 100 may have an Ixx that exceeds 500 g*cm 2 , exceeds 550 g*cm 2 , exceeds 600 g*cm 2 , exceeds 650 g*cm 2 , exceeds 700 g*cm 2 , exceeds 750 g*cm 2 , or exceeds 800 g*cm 2 .

[0093] In many embodiments, the club head 100 may have a moment of inertia Iyy of 2500 to 3000 g*cm about the Y' axis 1080. 2 In some embodiments, the club head 100 may have an Iyy of 2500 to 2550 g*cm, 2 2550 to 2600 g*cm, 2 2600 to 2650 g*cm, 2 2650 to 2700 g*cm, 2 2750 to 2800 g*cm, 2 2800 to 2850 g*cm, 2 2850 to 2900 g*cm, 2 2900 to 2950 g*cm, 2 or 2950 to 3000 g*cm. 2 In some embodiments, the club head 100 may have an Iyy that exceeds 2500 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2550 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2600 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2650 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2700 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2750 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2800 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2850 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2900 g*cm, 2 exceeds 2950 g*cm, 2 exceeds, or exceeds 3000 g*cm. 2

[0094] In many embodiments, the club head 100 may have a moment of inertia Izz of 2800 to 3400 g*cm about the Z' axis 1090. 2 In some embodiments, the club head 100 may have an Izz of 2800 to 2850 g*cm, 2 2850 to 2900 g*cm, 2 2900 to 2950 g*cm, 2 2950 to 3000 g*cm, 2 3000 to 3050 g*cm, 2 3050 to 3100 g*cm, 2 3100 to 3150 g*cm​2 、3150 - 3200 g*cm 2 、3200 - 3250 g*cm 2 、3250 - 3300 g*cm 2 、3300 - 3350 g*cm 2 、or 3350 - 3400 g*cm 2 may have an Izz of. In some embodiments, the club head 100 is greater than 2800 g*cm 2 greater than, greater than 2850, greater than 2900, greater than 2950, greater than 3000, greater than 3050, greater than 3100, greater than 3150, greater than 3200, greater than 3250, greater than 3300, greater than 3350, or greater than 3400 may have an Izz.

[0095] II. Embodiments A. L-shaped weight bar with a raised attachment part Referring to FIGS. 9 - 11, the club head 200 of the first embodiment has an "L"-shaped floating weight bar 250, and the weight bar 250 includes three different regions: a weight bar heel end 254, a weight bar toe end 256, and a weight bar central region 258. The club head 200 is similar to the club head 100, and the club head 200 is described using the same reference numerals (for example, the club head 200 includes a top rail 210, a sole 212, a heel end 204, a toe end 206, etc.).

[0096] In many embodiments, the weight bar central region 258 is defined as a linear floating weight bar portion extending between the weight bar heel end 254 and the weight bar toe end 256. The weight bar central region 258 may be spaced forward from the mass pad 230, thereby positioning the center of gravity 260 of the club head in a lower and more forward position. When the center of gravity is in a lower and more forward position, it is easier to obtain the high launch and fast ball speed desirable for an iron. The weight bar heel end 254 curves rearwardly toward the front wall 232 of the mass pad and includes an elbow-like bend 263 that forms an "L" shape. Because of this bend 263, the weight bar heel end 254 can extend from the mass pad 230 toward the hitting face 202, allowing the weight bar central region 258 to be spaced forward and away from the mass pad 230. The bend 263 can also provide a flat surface that can be used to attach the weight bar heel end 254 to the mass pad 230. In this embodiment, the weight bar heel end 254 is typically thicker than the other portions of the weight bar 250. Further, the bend 263 and greater thickness of the weight bar heel end 254 increase the mass of the heel end 204 and promote a shot biased toward a draw. The weight bar toe end 256 is a flat tab-like protrusion that extends from the weight bar central region 258 toward the toe side. Since the weight bar toe end 256 is attached to the mass pad 230 at an attachment location near the face (described in more detail below), the weight bar toe end 256 is thinner to provide space for attachment.

[0097] The thickness of the weight bar 250 may vary. For example, the thickness of the central region 258 of the weight bar may vary such that the central region 258 is thinner near the center 220 of the hitting face and thicker as it approaches the toe end 206 and the heel end 204. Due to the difference in the thickness of the central region 258 of the weight bar, the deflection of the hitting face upon impact with a golf ball may be non-uniform. For example, the hitting face 202 deflects more at the center of the face during impact. Thus, by thinning the portion of the central region 258 of the weight bar near the center of the hitting face 202, additional space is provided between the front face 252 of the weight bar and the rear face 215 of the hitting face. This additional space can prevent the hitting face 202 from contacting the weight bar 250 even when it deflects, preventing undesirable feel, sound, and performance. Also, by thinning a portion of the central region 258 of the weight bar, the edge weighting can be increased and the MOI can be increased. Further, in some embodiments, the weight bar toe end 256 is generally thinner than the other portions of the weight bar 250, and the weight bar heel end 254 is generally thicker than the other portions of the weight bar 250. In FIG. 11, the weight bar 250 is shown as having a trapezoidal cross-section. The cross-section of the weight bar 250 may be selected from a variety of alternative shapes including an ellipse, rectangle, square, circle, semi-circle, and triangle. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar 250 may be strategically selected to balance the position of the center of gravity 260 (front low position) with manufacturing tolerances and face deflection. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar may vary within the weight bar 250.

[0098] In other embodiments, the weight bar 250 may have a multi-material structure in which a high-density second material forms the weight bar heel end 254 and / or the weight bar toe end 256 (as described above). The weight bar central region 258 may be made of a first material that is less dense than the second material. In such embodiments, this multi-material structure can bias the weight distribution towards the heel end 204 side and the toe end 206 side, increasing the outer edge weighting. As the outer edge weighting increases, the MOI is improved, resulting in a more forgiving golf club head.

[0099] The weight bar 250 is a floating structure fixed at two discrete positions, one position on the heel side and another position on the toe side. Except for these two attachment positions (described in more detail below), the weight bar does not contact any of the sole 212, the back of the striking face 215, and the mass pad 230. In some embodiments, the weight bar 250 may include one or more tack welds with the mass pad 230, thereby providing additional support to the weight bar and facilitating energy transfer. By tack welding the weight bar 250 to the mass pad 230, the energy transfer can be improved due to the vibration damping effect. The additional attachment of the weight bar 250 and the mass pad 230 by tack welding makes the weight bar 250 less flexible and essentially limits the vibration of the weight bar. Therefore, energy is transmitted to the golf ball without being lost due to vibration. The tack welds may be provided between any part of the weight bar 250 and any part of the mass pad 230. In many embodiments, the tack welds are provided between the back surface 257 of the weight bar and the front wall 232 of the mass pad at a position along the weight bar central region 258.

[0100] The weight bar 250 may be attached to the golf club body at two discrete attachment positions. The first attachment position 270 is located on the front surface of the center portion 240 of the mass pad, closer to the heel mass portion 242 than the toe mass portion 244. Referring to FIG. 10, the mass pad 230 may include a first attachment portion 280 at the first attachment position 270. The first attachment portion 280 may have a surface that is raised relative to the flat front surface of the center portion 240 of the mass pad. The raised first attachment portion 280 serves multiple roles. The first attachment portion 280 has a positioning function for accurately placing the weight bar 250 in the correct position. Further, since both the flat surface of the heel end 254 of the weight bar and the flat surface of the raised first attachment portion 280 may be planar, the raised surface of the first attachment portion 280 can also easily engage the heel end 254 of the weight bar and the center portion 240 of the mass pad. The first attachment portion 280 connected to the bent portion 263 of the heel end 254 of the weight bar causes the position of the center of gravity 260 to be more towards the heel side, promoting a shot biased towards a draw.

[0101] The second attachment position 271 may be located on the flat front surface of the toe mass portion 244 and may form a second attachment portion 281. The toe mass portion 244 receives the tab-shaped toe end 256 of the weight bar. Since the toe mass portion 244 is located closer to the face than the center portion 240 of the mass pad, the second attachment position 271 is essentially closer to the rear surface 215 of the striking face than the first attachment position 270. In order to avoid contacting the rear surface 215 of the striking face when the striking face 202 flexes during impact, the toe end 256 of the weight bar needs to be thinner compared to other parts of the weight bar 250, the closer it is to the rear surface 215 of the striking face.

[0102] The tabular structure of the weight bar tip 256 enables the same weight bar 250 to be used with club head bodies having different blade lengths. Thus, the weight bar 250 can be used "universally". Since the different clubs included in an iron set may have slightly different shapes and lengths to accommodate different lofts, this is important in manufacturing. Thereby, the shape of the mass pad 230 and the blade length L B can be changed. For example, when the blade length L B is large, the first attachment position 270 is farther from the toe mass portion 244, so the contact surface area between the toe mass portion 244 and the weight bar tip 256 becomes smaller. Conversely, when the blade length L B is short, the first attachment position 270 is closer to the toe mass portion 244, so the contact surface area between the toe mass portion 244 and the weight bar tip 256 becomes larger.

[0103] Furthermore, since the weight bar 250 is a universal component and the desired position of the weight bar 250 can vary depending on the different lofts within an iron set, the first attachment portion 280 may be modified so that the weight bar 250 is properly positioned. As a result, in certain embodiments, a first attachment portion 280 that is more raised than in other embodiments may be provided. The amount by which the first attachment portion 280 extends from the surface of the mass pad 230 may be changed to facilitate attachment between the different shaped mass pads 230 and the weight bar 250 included in the club head set.

[0104] B. L-shaped Weight Bar with a Recessed Attachment Portion Figures 12 - 14 show a second embodiment of the club head 300 having an "L"-shaped floating weight bar 350. The weight bar 350 is substantially similar to the weight bar 250 and includes three different regions: a weight bar heel end 354, a weight bar toe end 356, and a weight bar central region 358. The club head 300 is similar to the club head 100, and like reference numerals are used to describe the club head 300 (e.g., the club head 300 includes a top rail 310, a sole 312, a heel end 304, a toe end 306, etc.).

[0105] In many embodiments, the weight bar central region 358 is defined as a linear floating weight bar portion extending between the weight bar heel end 354 and the weight bar toe end 356. The weight bar central region 358 may be spaced forward from the mass pad 330, thereby positioning the center of gravity 360 of the club head in a lower and more forward position, which is beneficial for achieving higher launches and faster ball speeds with an iron. The weight bar heel end 354 curves towards the front wall 332 of the mass pad and includes an elbow-shaped bend 363 forming an "L" shape. Due to the bend 363, the weight bar heel end 354 can extend from the mass pad 330 towards the striking face 302, allowing the weight bar central region 358 to be spaced forward from the mass pad 330. The bend 363 can also provide a flat surface that can be used to attach the weight bar heel end 354 to the mass pad 330. In this embodiment, the weight bar 350 has a generally constant thickness. However, the bend 363 in the weight bar heel end 354 increases the mass at the heel end 304, promoting shots that are biased towards a draw. The weight bar toe end 356 may have a shape and thickness similar to that of the weight bar central region 358.

[0106] The weight bar 350 shown in FIGS. 12-14 has a constant thickness, but in other embodiments, the thickness of the weight bar 350 may vary. For example, the thickness of the weight bar central region 358 may vary such that it is thinner near the center 320 of the striking face 302 and thicker as it approaches the toe end 306 and the heel end 304. In such embodiments, the difference in the thickness of the weight bar central region 358 can cause non-uniform deflection of the striking face upon impact with the golf ball. For example, since the striking face 302 deflects more at impact closer to the center of the face, making the portion of the weight bar central region 358 closer to the center of the striking face 302 thinner provides additional space between the weight bar front face 352 and the striking face rear face 315. This additional space can prevent the striking face 302 from contacting the weight bar 350 even when it deflects, preventing undesirable feel, sound, and performance. Further, thinning a portion of the weight bar central region 358 can also increase the outer edge weighting, thereby increasing the MOI. In FIG. 14, the weight bar 350 is shown as having a generally rectangular cross-section. The cross-section of the weight bar 350 may be selected from a variety of alternative shapes including ellipses, trapezoids, squares, circles, semi-circles, and triangles. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar 350 may be strategically selected to balance the position of the center of gravity 360 (front low position) with manufacturing tolerances and face deflection. In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the weight bar may vary within the weight bar 350.

[0107] In other embodiments, the weight bar 350 may have a multi-material structure in which a high-density second material (described above) forms the weight bar heel end 354 and / or the weight bar toe end 356. The weight bar central region 358 may be fabricated from a first material that is less dense than the second material. In such embodiments, this multi-material structure can bias the weight distribution towards the heel end 304 and the toe end 306, increasing the outer edge weighting. As the outer edge weighting increases, the MOI is improved, resulting in a more forgiving golf club head.

[0108] The weight bar 350 is a floating structure fixed at two discrete locations, one on the heel side and one on the toe side, similar to the weight bar 250 of the club head 200. Except for these two attachment locations (described in more detail below), the weight bar is not in contact with any of the sole 312, the back of the striking face 315, or the mass pad 330. In some embodiments, the weight bar 350 may include one or more tack welds with the mass pad 330, thereby providing additional support to the weight bar 350 and facilitating the energy transfer (described above). The tack welds may be provided between any portion of the weight bar 350 and any portion of the mass pad 330.

[0109] The weight bar 350 may be attached to the body 301 at two discrete attachment positions. The first attachment position 370 is located on the front surface of the central portion 340 of the mass pad, closer to the heel mass portion 342 than to the toe mass portion 344. Referring to FIG. 12, the mass pad 330 may include a first attachment portion 380 at the first attachment position 370. The first attachment portion 380 may have a surface recessed from the flat front wall 332 of the central portion 340 of the mass pad. The first attachment portion 380 recessed from the front wall 332 serves multiple functions. The first attachment portion 380 has a positioning function for accurately placing the weight bar 350 in the correct position. Also, since the heel end 354 of the weight bar can easily fit into the recessed first attachment portion 380, the recessed surface of the first attachment portion 380 facilitates the engagement between the heel end 354 of the weight bar and the central portion 340 of the mass pad.

[0110] The second attachment position 371 may be located on the front surface of the toe mass portion 344. The toe mass portion 344 receives the toe end 356 of the weight bar having a recess that matches the shape of the toe end 356 of the weight bar. The recessed second attachment portion 381 may provide a clear placement guide for the weight bar 350 during attachment and may provide a larger surface area for securely welding or brazing the weight bar 350 to the mass pad 330. Since the toe mass portion 344 is located closer to the face than the central portion 340 of the mass pad, the toe end 356 of the weight bar does not require a bend like the heel end 354 of the weight bar. Contrary to the first embodiment, when the second attachment portion 381 is recessed, it is not necessary to thin the toe end 356 of the weight bar to avoid contact with the rear surface 315 of the striking face when the striking face 302 flexes during impact.

[0111] Due to the rod-shaped constant shape structure of the toe end portion 356 of the weight bar 350, the same weight bar 350 can be used for different club head bodies having various blade lengths. Thus, the weight bar 350 can be used in a general-purpose manner. Since different clubs included in an iron set may have slightly different shapes and lengths to correspond to different lofts, the above is important in manufacturing. Thereby, the shape of the mass pad 330 and the blade length L B can be changed. In an embodiment where the blade length L B is short, the second attachment position 371 becomes closer to the first attachment position 370. Therefore, it is necessary to lengthen the recessed second attachment portion 381 of the toe mass portion 344 so as to receive the toe end portion 356 of the weight bar more. In other embodiments where the blade length L B is long, the second attachment position 371 becomes farther from the first attachment position 370. Therefore, the recessed second attachment portion 381 of the toe mass portion 344 may be shortened so as to receive the toe end portion 356 of the weight bar less.

[0112] Furthermore, since the weight bar 350 is a general-purpose component and the desired position of the weight bar 350 can vary according to different lofts included in an iron set, the first attachment portion 380 may be changed to enable proper placement of the weight bar 350. As a result, in a specific embodiment, a more recessed first attachment portion 380 may be provided compared to other embodiments. To facilitate the attachment between the different-shaped mass pads 330 and the weight bar 350 included in the club head set, the depth of the first attachment portion 380 from the surface of the mass pad 330 may be changed.

[0113] C. Weight bar connecting the heel mass portion and the toe mass portion FIG. 15 shows a club head 400 of a third embodiment having a linear floating weight bar 450. The weight bar 450 is substantially similar to the weight bar 250 and includes three different regions: a weight bar heel end 454, a weight bar toe end 456, and a weight bar central region 458. The club head 400 is similar to the club head 100, and like reference numerals are used to describe the club head 400 (e.g., the club head 400 includes a top rail 410, a sole 412, a heel end 404, a toe end 406, etc.).

[0114] In many embodiments, the weight bar central region 458 is defined as a linear floating weight bar portion extending between the weight bar heel end 454 and the weight bar toe end 456. The weight bar central region 458 may be spaced forward from the mass pad 430, thereby positioning the center of gravity 460 of the club head in a lower and more forward position, which is beneficial for achieving higher launches and faster ball speeds with an iron. The weight bar heel end 454 includes a straight portion having a flat rear for attachment. The weight bar toe end 456 is similar to the weight bar heel end 454 in that it includes a straight portion having a flat rear for attachment. In this embodiment, the weight bar 450 may include a rounded weight bar bottom surface 459 that conforms to the curvature of the sole 412 (curved in the heel-to-toe direction), which may further lower the center of gravity 460.

[0115] The weight bar 450 shown in FIG. 15 has a constant thickness, but in other embodiments, the thickness of the weight bar 450 may vary. For example, the thickness of the weight bar central region 458 may vary such that the central region 458 is thinner near the center 420 of the hitting face 402 and thicker as it approaches the toe end 406 and the heel end 404. The difference in the thickness of the weight bar central region 458 can cause non-uniform deflection of the hitting face during impact with the golf ball. For example, since the hitting face 402 deflects more at the center of the face during impact, making the portion of the weight bar central region 458 near the center of the hitting face 402 thinner provides additional space between the front face 452 of the weight bar and the rear face 415 of the hitting face. This additional space can prevent the weight bar 450 from contacting the hitting face 402 even when the hitting face 402 deflects, preventing undesirable feel, sound, and performance. Further, by thinning a portion of the weight bar central region 458, the edge weighting can be increased, thereby increasing the MOI. In FIG. 15, the weight bar 450 is shown as having a substantially semi-circular cross-section. The cross-section of the weight bar 450 may be selected from various alternative shapes including an ellipse, trapezoid, square, circle, rectangle, and triangle. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar 450 may be strategically selected to balance the position of the center of gravity 460 (forward low position) with manufacturing tolerances and face deflection. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar may vary within the weight bar 450.

[0116] In other embodiments, the weight bar 450 may have a multi-material structure in which a second material of higher density (as described above) forms the weight bar heel end 454 and / or the weight bar toe end 456. The weight bar central region 458 may be made of a first material that is less dense than the second material. In such embodiments, this multi-material structure can bias the distribution of weight towards the heel end 404 and the toe end 406, increasing the edge weighting. Increasing the edge weighting improves the MOI and can result in a more forgiving golf club head.

[0117] The weight bar 450 is a floating structure that is fixed at two discrete positions, one on the heel side and another on the toe side, forming a bridge between the heel mass portion 442 and the toe mass portion 444. Except for the two attachment positions (described in more detail below), the weight bar does not contact any of the sole 412, the rear face of the striking face 415, or the mass pad 430. In some embodiments, the weight bar 450 may include one or more tack welds with the mass pad 430, thereby providing additional support to the weight bar and facilitating energy transfer (described above). The tack welds may be provided between any portion of the weight bar 450 and any portion of the mass pad 430.

[0118] The weight bar 450 may be attached to the golf club body at two discrete attachment positions. The first attachment position 470 may be located on the front face of the heel mass portion 442. Referring to FIG. 15, the mass pad 430 may include a first attachment portion 480 at the first attachment position 470. The first attachment portion 480 may include a flat surface on the heel mass portion 442. The flat first attachment portion 480 provides a surface that can easily adhere the flat weight bar heel end 454 to the heel mass portion 442. Since the heel mass portion 442 is located closer to the face than the center portion 440 of the mass pad, the first attachment position 470 is essentially located near the rear face of the striking face 415. In some embodiments, to avoid contact between the weight bar heel end 454 and the rear face of the striking face 415 when the striking face 402 deflects during impact, the weight bar heel end 454 may be thinner compared to the weight bar central region 458, as it is closer to the rear face of the striking face 415.

[0119] The second attachment position 471 may be located on the front surface of the toe mass portion 444. Referring to FIG. 15, the mass pad 430 may include a second attachment portion 481 at the second attachment position 471. The second attachment portion 481 may include a flat surface on the toe mass portion 444. The flat second attachment portion 481 provides a surface that can easily adhere the flat weight bar toe end portion 456 to the toe mass portion 444. Since the toe mass portion 444 is located closer to the face than the mass pad central portion 440, the second attachment position 471 is essentially close to the rear surface 415 of the striking face. In some embodiments, to avoid contact with the rear surface 415 of the striking face when the striking face 402 flexes during impact, the weight bar toe end portion 456 may be thinner compared to the weight bar central region 458, the closer it is to the rear surface 415 of the striking face. By providing the first attachment position 470 and the second attachment position 471 on the front surfaces of the heel mass portion 442 and the toe mass portion 444, the center of gravity 460 can be actively positioned forward by the weight bar 450.

[0120] Due to the generally constant rod-like shape of the weight bar toe end portion 456 and the weight bar heel end portion 454, the same weight bar 450 can be used with different club head bodies having different blade lengths. Thus, the weight bar 450 can be used generically. This is important in manufacturing because the different clubs included in an iron set may have slightly different shapes and lengths to correspond to different lofts. Thereby, the shape of the mass pad 430 and (the above-mentioned) blade length L B can be changed. When the blade length L B is long, the heel mass portion 442 and the toe mass portion 444 can be spaced far apart from each other, but when the blade length L BWhen it is short, the heel mass portion 442 and the toe mass portion 444 can approach each other. Due to the flat characteristics of the weight bar ends 454 and 456, the weight bar 450 can be easily attached to the flat front surface of the heel mass portion 442 and the flat front surface of the toe mass portion 444, regardless of how close or far apart the heel mass portion 442 and the toe mass portion 444 are.

[0121] D. Weight member attached to the upper surface of the mass pad Figures 16 and 17 show a club head 500 of a fourth embodiment having a floating weight bar 550. The weight bar 550 includes three different regions: a weight bar heel end 554, a weight bar toe end 556, and a weight bar central region 558. The club head 500 is similar to the club head 100, and like reference numerals are used to describe the club head 500 (for example, the club head 500 includes a top rail 510, a sole 512, a heel end 504, a toe end 506, etc.).

[0122] In many embodiments, the weight bar central region 558 is defined as a linear floating weight bar portion extending between the weight bar heel end 554 and the weight bar toe end 556. The weight bar central region 558 may be spaced forward from the mass pad 530, thereby positioning the center of gravity 560 of the club head in a lower and more forward position. With the center of gravity 560 in a lower and more forward position, high launches and fast ball speeds desirable for irons are more easily achieved. As shown in FIG. 16, the weight bar heel end 554 includes a tab-shaped protrusion 565. The protrusion 565 extends from the upper surface and projects rearwardly toward the mass pad 530. This protrusion 565 may provide a flat surface that can be used to attach the weight bar heel end 554 to the mass pad 530. Similar to the weight bar toe end 256 of the weight bar 250, the weight bar toe end 556 is a flat tab-shaped protrusion that extends from the weight bar central region 558 toward the toe side. Since the weight bar toe end 556 is attached to the mass pad 530 at an attachment location close to the face (described in more detail below), the weight bar toe end 556 is thinner to provide space for attachment.

[0123] The thickness of the weight bar 550 may vary. For example, the thickness of the central region 558 of the weight bar may vary such that the central region 558 is thinner near the center 520 of the striking face and thicker as it approaches the toe end 506 and the heel end 504. Due to the difference in the thickness of the central region 558 of the weight bar, the deflection of the striking face upon impact with the golf ball may be non-uniform. For example, the striking face 502 may deflect more at the center 520 of the striking face 502 during impact. Thus, by making the portion of the central region 558 of the weight bar near the center 520 of the striking face 502 thinner, additional space is provided between the front face 552 of the weight bar and the rear face 515 of the striking face. This additional space can prevent the striking face 502 from contacting the weight bar 550 even when the striking face 502 deflects, thereby preventing undesirable feel, sound, and performance. By thinning a portion of the central region 558 of the weight bar, the outer edge weighting can also be increased, thereby increasing the MOI. Further, in some embodiments, the weight bar toe end 556 is generally thinner than the other portions of the weight bar 550, and the weight bar heel end 554 is generally thicker than the other portions of the weight bar 550. In FIG. 17, the weight bar 550 is shown as having a triangular cross-section. The cross-section of the weight bar 550 may be selected from a variety of alternative shapes including an ellipse, rectangle, square, circle, semi-circle, and trapezoid. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar 550 may be strategically selected to balance the position of the center of gravity 560 (forward low position) with manufacturing tolerances and face deflection. The cross-sectional shape of the weight bar 550 may vary within the weight bar 550.

[0124] In other embodiments, the weight bar 550 may have a multi-material structure where a high-density second material forms the weight bar heel end 554 and / or the weight bar toe end 556 (as described above). The weight bar central region 558 may be made of a first material that is less dense than the second material. In such embodiments, this multi-material structure can bias the weight distribution towards the heel end 504 and the toe end 506, increasing the outer edge weighting. As the outer edge weighting increases, the MOI improves, resulting in a more forgiving golf club head.

[0125] The weight bar 550 is a floating structure fixed at two discrete positions, one on the heel side and another on the toe side. Except for these two attachment positions (described in more detail below), the weight bar is not in contact with any of the sole 512, the back of the striking face 515, or the mass pad 530. In some embodiments, the weight bar 550 may include one or more tack welds with the mass pad 530, thereby providing additional support to the weight bar 550 and facilitating energy transfer (described above). The tack welds may be provided between any part of the weight bar 550 and any part of the mass pad 530. In many embodiments, the tack welds are provided between the back surface 557 of the weight bar and the front wall 532 of the mass pad at a position along the weight bar central region 558.

[0126] The weight bar 550 may be attached to the golf club body at two discrete attachment positions. The first attachment position 570 is located on the upper wall 534 closer to the heel mass portion 542 than to the toe mass portion 544. Referring to FIG. 16, the mass pad 530 may include a first attachment portion 580 at the first attachment position 570. In some embodiments, the first attachment portion 580 may include a flat surface on the upper wall 534. The upper wall 534 forms a shelf on which the tab-like protrusion 565 of the weight bar heel end 554 can be adhesively bonded in the same plane.

[0127] The second attachment position 571 may be located on the flat front surface of the toe mass portion 544. The toe mass portion 544 receives the tab-shaped weight bar toe end 556. Since the toe mass portion 544 is located closer to the face than the center portion 540 of the mass pad, the second attachment position 571 is essentially closer to the rear surface 515 of the striking face than the first attachment position 570. To avoid contact with the rear surface 515 of the striking face when the striking face 502 deflects during impact, the weight bar toe end 556 needs to be thinner compared to other parts of the weight bar 550 as it is closer to the rear surface 515 of the striking face.

[0128] Due to the tab-shaped structure of the weight bar toe end 556, the same weight bar 550 can be used with different club head bodies having different blade lengths. Thus, the weight bar 550 can be used "universally". This is important in manufacturing because the different clubs included in an iron set may have slightly different shapes and lengths to correspond to different lofts. Thereby, the shape of the mass pad 530 and the blade length L (described above) B can be changed.

[0129] Furthermore, since the weight bar 550 is a universal component and the attachment positions 570, 571 of the weight bar 550 desired according to different lofts included in an iron set can vary, the first attachment portion 580 may be modified to enable proper placement of the weight bar 550. As a result, in a particular embodiment, the first attachment portion 580 may be raised or recessed. The amount by which the first attachment portion 580 recesses or protrudes from the upper wall 534 may be changed to facilitate attachment between the different-shaped mass pads 530 and the weight bar 550 included in the club head set.

[0130] III. Other Features Various embodiments of the club head with a floating weight bar described herein may include one or more additional features to improve performance. The various features described below may be arbitrarily combined and applied to any of the club heads of the various embodiments described above.

[0131] A. L-shaped face plate FIG. 18 shows an embodiment of a club head 600 including a weight bar 650 and an L-shaped face plate 614 having a sole return 624. The sole return 624 increases the ball speed of the club head 600. The L-shaped face plate 614 forms a striking face 602 and wraps around a leading edge 603. The sole return 624 extends rearward from the leading edge 603 and forms at least a part of a sole thin portion 618.

[0132] The L-shaped face plate 614 and the body 601 may include different materials. As described above, the body 601 may be formed of a steel alloy or any other suitable material that can be easily cast into the complex shape required to form the body 601. The material of the face plate may be a material with higher strength than the material of the body. In many embodiments, the material of the face plate may be maraging steel such as C300. In other embodiments, the material of the face plate may be high-strength steel, or a steel alloy such as C250, C350, AerMet® 100, AerMet® 310, AerMet® 340, HSR300, K300, or any other high-strength material suitable for forming the shape of the L-shaped face plate 614. By providing the sole return 624 on the L-shaped face plate 614, a part of the sole thin portion 618 can be formed of the material of the face plate with higher strength instead of the material of the body.

[0133] Since the material of the faceplate is high-strength, by providing the sole return 624, the sole thin portion 618 can be thinned without sacrificing durability. Thinning the sole thin portion 618 increases the flexibility of the sole 612 and promotes an increase in ball speed. The sole return 624 may have a sole return thickness measured from the inner surface of the sole return 624 to the outer surface of the sole 612. In many embodiments, the sole return thickness may be from about 0.035 inches to about 0.060 inches. In some embodiments, the sole return thickness may be 0.035 inches to 0.045 inches, 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.045 inches to 0.055 inches, or 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches. In some embodiments, the sole return thickness may be 0.035 inches to 0.040 inches, 0.035 inches to 0.045 inches, 0.035 inches to 0.050 inches, 0.035 inches to 0.055 inches, or 0.035 inches to 0.060 inches. The sole return thickness is selected to provide structural integrity to the leading edge 603 while maximizing the deflection of the L-shaped faceplate 614 and the sole 612.

[0134] Combining the L-shaped faceplate 614 and the floating weight bar 650 forms a flexible clubhead 600 having a desired forward-lower CG position. As shown in FIG. 18, the weight bar 650 projects above the sole return 624 without contacting any part of the sole return 624. The space between the weight bar 650 and the sole return 624 allows the sole return 624 to be lengthened without being obstructed by the weight bar 650. Lengthening the sole return 624 provides more high-strength faceplate material to the sole 612, leading to an increase in ball speed.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 18, the sole return 624 has a sole return length L measured in the front-to-back direction as the maximum distance between the leading edge 703 and the trailing edge 625 of the sole return, parallel to the Z-axis 1060 SR and has. In many embodiments, the sole return length L SRmay be from 0.2 inches to 0.4 inches. In some embodiments, the sole return length L SR may be from 0.2 inches to 0.25 inches, from 0.25 inches to 0.275 inches, from 0.275 inches to 0.3 inches, from 0.3 inches to 0.325 inches, from 0.325 inches to 0.35 inches, from 0.35 inches to 0.375 inches, or from 0.375 inches to 0.4 inches. In many embodiments, the sole return length L SR may be greater than 0.2 inches. In some embodiments, the sole return length L SR may be greater than 0.2 inches, may be greater than 0.225 inches, may be greater than 0.25 inches, may be greater than 0.275 inches, may be greater than 0.3 inches, may be greater than 0.325 inches, may be greater than 0.35 inches, or may be greater than 0.375 inches.

[0136] B. Rear Ribs Figures 19 - 20 illustrate an embodiment of a club head 700 including a floating weight bar 750 and a plurality of rear wall ribs 784. The plurality of rear wall ribs 784 may project from the inner surface 717 of the rear wall into the internal cavity 707. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear wall ribs 784 may be disposed on the surface of the upper portion 722 of the rear wall, which is located above the mass pad 730 and extends from the upper wall 734 of the mass pad to the top rail 710. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of rear wall ribs 784 extend in a direction from the top rail 710 towards the upper wall 734 of the mass pad. In other embodiments, the plurality of rear wall ribs 784 may be disposed anywhere on the inner surface 717 of the rear wall and may extend in any direction including an oblique direction, a vertical direction, or a direction from heel to toe.

[0137] The plurality of rear wall ribs 784 improve the acoustic response of the club head 700 during impact with a golf ball. The rear wall ribs 784 dampen the main vibrations generated at the rear wall 716, particularly at the upper part 722 of the rear wall. Further, since the rear wall ribs 784 can locally reinforce the upper part 722 of the rear wall, it becomes possible to thin the upper part 722 of the rear wall. Thinning the upper part 722 of the rear wall lowers the center of gravity 760 and increases the flexibility of the upper part 722 of the rear wall. When the flexibility increases, the energy transfer between the club head 700 and the golf ball during impact increases, resulting in a higher ball speed. The rear wall ribs 784 provide the advantages of vibration and local reinforcement without hindering the deflection of the upper part 722 of the rear wall.

[0138] In many embodiments, by providing the rear wall ribs 784, it is possible to substantially thin the upper part 722 of the rear wall. In many embodiments, the upper part 722 of the rear wall has a rear wall thickness T RW measured from the inner surface 717 of the rear wall to the outer surface 719 of the rear wall, and the rear wall thickness T RW is less than about 0.070 inches. In some embodiments, the rear wall thickness T RW is less than about 0.065 inches, less than about 0.060 inches, less than about 0.055 inches, less than about 0.050 inches, less than about 0.045 inches, less than about 0.040 inches, less than about 0.035 inches, less than about 0.030 inches, or less than about 0.025 inches. In some embodiments, the rear wall thickness T RW may be between 0.025 inches and 0.050 inches, between 0.035 inches and 0.050 inches, between 0.040 inches and 0.065 inches, or between 0.045 inches and 0.070 inches.

[0139] Example Example 1: Mass Characteristics of a Club Head with a Floating Weight Bar Table 1 below shows the mass characteristics of an exemplary club head according to the embodiments described above. The exemplary club head was substantially similar to the club head 500 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The exemplary club head included a mass pad and an L-shaped floating weight bar within an internal cavity. The floating weight bar was attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment positions including a first attachment position on the upper wall at the center of the mass pad and a second attachment position on the front surface of the toe mass portion.

[0140] [Table 1]

[0141] As is apparent from Table 1, the floating weight bar provided a forward and downward CG position in the exemplary club head. The exemplary club head showed a CGy position 0.12 inches below the face center. Further, the exemplary club head showed a CGz position 0.13 inches behind the face center. Further, the exemplary club head showed a substantially higher MOI value compared to prior art hollow body irons. Thus, the floating weight bar provides a club head in which a desirable CG position can be obtained without sacrificing MOI.

[0142] Example 2: Performance Test of a Club Head with a Floating Weight Bar Performance tests were conducted to compare the performance characteristics of a plurality of exemplary club heads according to the embodiments described herein with the performance characteristics of a control group of club heads.

[0143] In this test, the exemplary clubhead (hereinafter, the "first exemplary clubhead") described above in Example 1, a second exemplary clubhead, and a clubhead to be matched were used. The second exemplary clubhead was substantially the same as the first exemplary clubhead, except that it had a single tack weld between the central region of the weight bar and the front wall of the mass pad. The clubhead to be matched was similar to the first and second exemplary clubheads, but did not have a weight bar.

[0144] In the performance test, the ball speed, launch angle, and spin speed of each clubhead were measured. In the automatic performance test, using a golf swing device, the performance data of each clubhead were acquired under normal conditions. In the performance test, the impact position at the geometric center of the face and the impact position 0.3 inches below the geometric center of the striking face were evaluated. The results of the performance test are shown in Table 2 below.

[0145]

Table 2

[0146] As is apparent from Table 2, the exemplary clubheads showed better results than the clubhead to be matched. Regarding the ball speed, the exemplary clubheads showed a slight gain at the center impact compared to the clubhead to be matched. For the clubhead to be matched, the first exemplary clubhead showed an increase in ball speed of 0.2 mph, and the second exemplary clubhead showed an increase in ball speed of 0.3 mph. Each of the exemplary clubheads showed a more significant gain at the lower impact compared to the clubhead to be matched. At the lower impact, the first exemplary clubhead showed an increase in ball speed of 0.9 mph and the second exemplary clubhead showed an increase in ball speed of 0.6 mph compared to the clubhead to be matched.

[0147] Regarding launch angle, the exemplary clubhead showed better results than the matching clubhead, particularly at lower impact points. The exemplary clubhead showed a slight improvement over the matching clubhead at center impact. Relative to the matching clubhead, the first exemplary clubhead showed an increase in launch angle of 0.1 degrees, and the second exemplary clubhead showed an increase in launch angle of 0.3 degrees. Again, the exemplary clubhead showed a more significant improvement over the matching clubhead at lower impact points. At lower impact points, relative to the matching clubhead, the first exemplary clubhead showed an increase in launch angle of 0.5 degrees, and the second exemplary clubhead showed an increase in launch angle of 0.2 degrees. The increase in launch angle can correlate with an increase in the peak height and / or stopping power of the clubhead. In certain embodiments, a larger launch angle allows the clubhead to be delofted, which can further increase ball speed without sacrificing stopping power.

[0148] Regarding spin speed, the exemplary clubhead showed better results than the matching clubhead, particularly at lower impact points. At center impact, the first exemplary clubhead showed a significant increase in spin of 99 rpm relative to the matching clubhead. At center impact, the second exemplary clubhead showed a decrease in spin speed of 5.7 rpm compared to the matching clubhead, but this decrease is negligible (less than 0.001% decrease). At lower impact points, both exemplary clubheads showed significant improvement compared to the matching clubhead. At lower impact points, relative to the matching clubhead, the first exemplary clubhead showed a spin increase of 99 rpm, and the second exemplary clubhead showed a spin increase of 234.8 rpm. The spin increases shown by the exemplary clubheads relative to the matching clubhead correlate with an improvement in the stopping power of the exemplary clubhead, making it easier to keep a golf shot on the green.

[0149] The results of the performance tests demonstrate the performance advantages of the floating weight bar. The floating weight bar provides a low forward CG (as discussed in Example 1), which results in increased ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate. The combination of increased ball speed, increased launch angle, and increased spin rate results in a high-performance club head that can maximize carry distance and stopping power.

[0150] Since the rules of golf may sometimes change (for example, new rules may be adopted or old rules may be repealed or modified by golf standard organizations and / or governing bodies), the golf equipment related to the methods, apparatuses, and / or articles of manufacture described herein may or may not comply with the rules of golf at any given point in time. Accordingly, the golf equipment related to the methods, apparatuses, and / or articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and / or sold as compliant or non-compliant golf equipment. The methods, apparatuses, and / or articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0151] As previously explained, the above embodiments may have been described with respect to iron-type golf clubs, but the apparatuses, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs, such as fairway wood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, wedge-type golf clubs, or driver-type golf clubs. In other embodiments, the apparatuses, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of sports equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.

[0152] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to illustrate the scope of the invention and not to limit it.

[0153] A plurality of items Item 1 A golf club head comprising a striking face, a mass pad, a sole, a topline, a rear wall, and a body including a hosel, the body surrounding a hollow internal cavity, the mass pad being disposed within the hollow internal cavity adjacent to the sole and the rear wall, the mass pad including a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a mass pad central portion between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion, a body, and a weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body, the weight bar being completely housed within the internal cavity, the weight bar engaging the mass pad discontinuously such that the weight bar is attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment positions, the mass pad being the only portion of the body that contacts the weight bar, the plurality of discrete attachment positions including a first attachment position on the front surface of the mass pad central portion and a second attachment position on the toe mass portion.

[0154] Item 2 The golf club head according to item 1, wherein the weight bar and the body comprise the same material.

[0155] Item 3 The golf club head according to item 1, wherein the weight bar has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of trapezoidal, elliptical, rectangular, square, circular, semi-circular, and triangular.

[0156] Item 4 The golf club head according to item 1, wherein the weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by brazing.

[0157] Item 5 The golf club head according to item 1, wherein the weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by welding.

[0158] Item 6 The weight bar has a weight bar length L measured in the direction from the heel to the toe W and the weight bar length L WThe golf club head according to claim 1, which is larger than 2.0 inches.

[0159] Claim 7 A hosel axis extending through the hosel and concentric with the hosel, and a blade length L defined as the distance from heel to toe between the intersection of the hosel axis and the sole and the most toe-side point of the golf club head B And the weight bar length L W Divided by the blade length L B And a ratio L defined as such W / L B Further comprising, and the ratio L W / L B The golf club head according to claim 6, wherein L / L is greater than 0.6.

[0160] Claim 8 The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the mass pad forms a first attachment portion at a first attachment position, and the first attachment portion protrudes with respect to the front surface of the central mass pad portion.

[0161] Claim 9 The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first attachment position is located closer to the heel mass portion than the toe mass portion.

[0162] Claim 10 A golf club head comprising a body including a striking face, a weight pad, a sole, a topline, and a back wall, the body surrounding a hollow internal cavity, wherein at address, the ground contact surface contacts the sole and the loft surface contacts the striking face, the weight pad being disposed within the hollow internal cavity proximate to the sole and the back wall, the weight pad including a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a weight pad central portion between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion, a weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body, the weight bar being completely housed within the internal cavity, the weight bar engaging the weight pad discontinuously such that the weight bar is attached to the weight pad at a plurality of discrete attachment locations, the weight bar having a weight bar front face facing the striking face and a weight bar bottom face facing the sole, the weight bar front face being spaced from the striking face and the weight bar bottom face being spaced from the sole, and the body not contacting any portion of the weight bar front face and the weight bar bottom face.

[0163] Item 11 A sole offset distance D measured as the shortest distance between the weight bar bottom face and the inner surface of the sole perpendicular to the ground contact surface S further comprising, the sole offset distance D S is between 0.040 inches and 0.200 inches, the golf club head according to Item 10.

[0164] Item 12 A striking face offset distance D measured as the shortest distance between the weight bar front face and the back surface of the striking face perpendicular to the loft surface SF further comprising, the striking face offset distance D SF is between 0.040 inches and 0.200 inches, the golf club head according to Item 10.

[0165] Item 13 The golf club head according to Item 10, wherein the weight bar engages the weight pad by brazing.

[0166] Item 14 The golf club head according to item 10, wherein the weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by welding.

[0167] Item 15 A golf club head, comprising a striking face having a leading edge of the striking face, a mass pad, a sole, a top rail, and a rear wall, the body surrounding a hollow internal cavity, the mass pad being disposed in the hollow internal cavity proximate to the sole and the rear wall, the mass pad including a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a central portion of the mass pad between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion, a body, a weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body, the weight bar being completely housed within the internal cavity, the weight bar engaging the mass pad discontinuously such that the weight bar is attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment positions, a sole thin portion between the striking face and the mass pad, the weight bar being positioned forward of the mass pad and overhanging above the sole thin portion, an overhang distance Do measured as a distance in the front-rear direction between the foremost point of the weight bar and the base of the mass pad, the overhang distance Do being between 0.10 inches and 0.50 inches, and a golf club head comprising the overhang distance Do.

[0168] Item 16 The golf club head according to item 15, wherein the sole thin portion has a minimum sole thin portion thickness measured between the outer surface of the sole and the inner surface of the sole thin portion, and the minimum sole thin portion thickness is less than 0.070 inches.

[0169] Item 17 Sole thin portion length L TS is measured as a distance in the front-rear direction between the leading edge of the striking face and the base of the mass pad, and the sole thin portion length L TS is greater than 0.100 inches, the golf club head according to item 15.

[0170] Item 18 The golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by brazing.

[0171] Claim 19 The golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by welding.

[0172] Claim 20 The golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the weight bar comprises a material different from the body.

[0173] The replacement of one or more of the claimed elements constitutes a reconstruction and not a repair. Further, with respect to particular embodiments, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and elements that may cause or make more prominent such benefits, advantages, or solutions are not to be construed as important, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are so recited in the claims. 3 Moreover, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not provided to the public under the doctrine of equivalents where the embodiments and / or limitations are (1) not expressly recited in the claims and (2) are equivalent or may be equivalent to the expressly recited elements and / or limitations in the claims.

[0174] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not provided to the public under the doctrine of equivalents where the embodiments and / or limitations are (1) not expressly recited in the claims and (2) are equivalent or may be equivalent to the expressly recited elements and / or limitations in the claims.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising a striking face, a mass pad, a sole, a topline, a back wall, and a hosel, wherein the body surrounds a hollow internal cavity, the mass pad is disposed within the hollow internal cavity proximate to the sole and the back wall, the mass pad includes a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a mass pad central portion between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion, a weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body, and the weight bar is completely housed within the internal cavity, the weight bar engages the mass pad discontinuously such that the weight bar is attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment locations, the mass pad is the only portion of the body in contact with the weight bar, and the plurality of discrete attachment locations includes a first attachment location on a front surface of the mass pad central portion and a second attachment location on the toe mass portion.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight bar and the body comprise the same material.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight bar has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of trapezoidal, elliptical, rectangular, square, circular, semi-circular, and triangular.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight bar engages the mass pad by brazing.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the weight bar engages the mass pad by welding.

6. The weight bar has a weight bar length L measured in a direction from the heel to the toe. Ｗ and the weight bar length L Ｗ is greater than 2.0 inches, the golf club head according to claim 1. **Claim 7** extends through the hosel and has a hosel axis concentric with the hosel, a blade length L defined as the distance from the intersection of the hosel axis and the sole to the most toe-side point of the golf club head, Ｂ and the weight bar length L Ｗ divided by the blade length L Ｂ to define a ratio L Ｗ / L Ｂ and further includes, the ratio L Ｗ / L Ｂ is greater than 0.6, the golf club head according to claim 6. **Claim 8** The mass pad forms a first attachment portion at the first attachment position, the first attachment portion is raised with respect to the front surface of the central mass pad portion, the golf club head according to claim 1. **Claim 9** The first attachment position is located closer to the heel mass portion than the toe mass portion, the golf club head according to claim 1. **Claim 10** A golf club head, a body including a striking face, a mass pad, a sole, a topline, and a rear wall, the body surrounds a hollow internal cavity, at the address position, the ground contact surface contacts the sole, the loft surface contacts the striking face, the mass pad is disposed in the hollow internal cavity close to the sole and the rear wall, The body, wherein the mass pad includes a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a central portion of the mass pad between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion. A weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body. Comprising: The weight bar is completely housed within the internal cavity. The weight bar engages the mass pad discontinuously such that the weight bar is attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment locations. The weight bar includes a weight bar front face facing the striking face and a weight bar bottom face facing the sole. The weight bar front face is spaced apart from the striking face, and the weight bar bottom face is spaced apart from the sole. The body is a golf club head that does not contact any portion of the weight bar front face or the weight bar bottom face.

11. A sole offset distance D measured as the shortest distance between the weight bar bottom face and the inner surface of the sole perpendicular to the ground contact surface. Ｓ Further comprising: The sole offset distance D Ｓ is between 0.040 inches and 0.200 inches, the golf club head according to claim 10.

12. A striking face offset distance D measured as the shortest distance between the weight bar front face and the rear face of the striking face perpendicular to the loft face. ＳＦ Further comprising: The striking face offset distance D ＳＦ is between 0.040 inches and 0.200 inches, the golf club head according to claim 10.

13. The weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by brazing, the golf club head according to claim 10.

14. The weight bar is engaged with the mass pad by welding, the golf club head according to claim 10.

15. A golf club head, A hitting face having a hitting face leading edge, a mass pad, a sole, a top rail, and a rear wall, a body including, The body surrounds a hollow internal cavity, The mass pad is disposed in the hollow internal cavity adjacent to the sole and the rear wall, The mass pad includes a toe mass portion, a heel mass portion, and a mass pad central portion between the toe mass portion and the heel mass portion, the body, A weight bar formed separately from the body and coupled to the body, The weight bar is completely housed within the internal cavity, The weight bar engages the mass pad discontinuously so as to be attached to the mass pad at a plurality of discrete attachment positions, the weight bar, A sole thin portion between the hitting face and the mass pad, The weight bar is located in front of the mass pad and overhangs above the sole thin portion, the sole thin portion, An overhang distance Do measured as a front-rear direction distance between a foremost point of the weight bar and a base of the mass pad, Comprising, The overhang distance Do is between 0.10 inches and 0.50 inches, the golf club head.

16. The sole thin portion has a sole thin portion minimum thickness measured between an outer surface of the sole and an inner surface of the sole thin portion, The sole thin portion minimum thickness is less than 0.070 inches, the golf club head according to claim 15.

17. Sole thin portion length L ＴＳis measured as the longitudinal distance between the hitting face leading edge and the base of the mass pad, the sole thickness length L ＴＳ is greater than 0.100 inches, the golf club head according to claim 15. **Claim 18** The weight bar is brazed to engage with the mass pad, the golf club head according to claim 15. **Claim 19** The weight bar is welded to engage with the mass pad, the golf club head according to claim 15. **Claim 20** The weight bar includes a material different from that of the body, the golf club head according to claim 15.

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