Golf club heads with localized heat-affected zones

Abstract

The present invention provides a golf club head having one or more localized heat-affected zones (HAZs). [Solution] A golf club head, particularly a wood-type golf club head, comprising a faceplate having one or more heat-affected zones (HAZs) to allow constant or reasonable tolerance variations in CT across the entire faceplate. The heat-affected zone may be formed via weld beads that locally modify a specific part, section, or region of the faceplate without altering the features and properties of the faceplate as a whole or as a whole. Local modification of a specific part or region of the faceplate via weld beads (or spot welds) to form the heat-affected zone may modify the microstructure of that region or section. Modification of the microstructure in the region or section in question may modify the characteristic time features of that region or section when impacted by a golf ball.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to golf clubs. In particular, the present disclosure relates to golf club heads having one or more local heat affected zones (HAZs).

[0002] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 900,378, filed September 13, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Background Art

[0003] Characteristic time (CT) is a measure of the amount of time in microseconds that a golf ball is in contact with the faceplate during impact. The characteristic time requirement is one of many rules that the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) impose on golf equipment manufacturers to determine the conformance of club heads. In many cases, the characteristic of the characteristic time of a golf club head is not uniform and varies substantially across the faceplate. This variation can lead to inconsistencies in club head performance and, more particularly, can produce different ball speeds depending on where the ball impact occurs on the faceplate. These small variations in the location of the ball impact across the faceplate can lead to significant variations in the ball speed and ball travel distance generated, thereby making the game unpredictable for the golfer.

[0004] The characteristics of a golf club head can change over time due to the asymmetrical periphery shape and / or the faceplate's variable faceplate features (i.e., thickness, material, texture, face-to-body transition, etc.). Reducing the thickness of the material used to form the faceplate of a golf club head can be beneficial for several reasons. Among these reasons, a thinner faceplate can reduce weight, increase flexibility, and reduce the amount of material used. By reducing weight in a certain area of ​​the golf club head, that weight can be redistributed (if necessary) to improve club head performance.

[0005] Redistributing weight from the faceplate can lead to increased flexibility and increased energy transfer to the golf ball. This increased flexibility (resulting from a thinner faceplate) can result in more variable CT across the faceplate. In this technology, there is a need for a reproducible, efficient, and affordable manufacturing method that allows for localized modification of CT to reduce CT variation across the faceplate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This shows a front view of the golf club head at the address position. [Figure 2] This shows a front view of a golf club head with a CT reference measurement position at the address position. [Figure 3] This shows a front view of a golf club head with a rectangular reference shape at the address position. [Figure 4] This shows a front view of a golf club head with an elliptical reference shape at the address position. [Figure 5] This shows a front view of a golf club head with multiple straight line reference shapes at the address position. [Figure 6]The image shows a front view of a golf club head having an elliptical reference shape and one or more HAZ sections at the address position. [Figure 7] The diagram shows a front view of a golf club head having a straight reference shape and one or more HAZ sections at the address position. [Figure 8] The image shows a front view of a golf club head having a rectangular reference shape and one or more HAZ sections at the address position. [Figure 9] The following shows an exemplary structure of the HAZ section and / or some structural aspects of an embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the process for forming a golf club head assembly. [Figure 11] This chart compares ball speed (in miles per hour) for a test club with a hazma (HAZ) section, a control club without a hazma section, and a control club without a hazma section with a 1-degree loft. [Figure 12] This chart compares the launch angles of a test club with a HAZ section, a control club without a HAZ section, and a control club without a HAZ section with a 1-degree loft. [Figure 13] This chart compares the spin rate (rpm) of a test club with a HAZ section, a control club without a HAZ section, and a control club without a HAZ section with a 1-degree loft.

[0007] Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0008] For the sake of simplification and clarity, the drawings illustrate general types of structures, and well-known features and technical descriptions and details may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring this disclosure. Furthermore, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, some dimensions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to others to help improve understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. The same reference numeral in different drawings represents the same element. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Presented herein are golf club heads, particularly wood-type golf club heads, comprising a faceplate having one or more heat-affected zones (HAZs) to allow constant or reasonable tolerance variations in CT across the entire faceplate. The heat-affected zone may be formed via weld beads that locally modify a specific part, section, or region of the faceplate without altering the features and properties of the faceplate as a whole or as a whole. Local modification of a specific part or region of the faceplate via weld beads (or spot welds) to form the heat-affected zone may modify the microstructure of that region or section. Modification of the microstructure in the region or section in question may modify the characteristic time features of that region or section when impacted by a golf ball.

[0010] Because the characteristics of the characteristic time vary across the faceplate in both the heel-toe and crown-sole directions, the areas of the faceplate subject to heat treatment and / or HAZ may be areas that approximate the characteristic time threshold to avoid the golf club head having hot spots (i.e., portions of the faceplate that are, approximate, or close to, the USGA and R&A CT limits), areas of the club head that potentially have non-compliant CTs due to manufacturing variations, and / or specific areas of the faceplate that deviate from compliance due to repeated use and wear of the club head. As a result of faceplates having localized heat-affected zone treatment (via weld beads or spot welds), the treated areas may have different material properties (i.e., different microstructures for altering CTs) than the non-heat-affected zone areas of the same material. These parts, areas, or portions targeted for adjustment may generally be defined by a reference geometry. Furthermore, the methods for manufacturing the golf club heads described herein are outlined below.

[0011] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc., in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements, where present, and do not necessarily describe a specific order or chronological sequence. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein may be operated in an order other than that illustrated or otherwise described herein, for example. Furthermore, the terms “include” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to include non-exclusive inclusion; therefore, a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus containing a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or specific to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0012] Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” and “down” in the specification and claims are used for descriptive purposes, where applicable, and do not necessarily describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances so that embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and / or articles of manufacture described herein may be operated in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

[0013] The term “driver-type golf club head” as used herein may be defined by one or more of the following: loft angle, club head volume, club head weight, or club head material.

[0014] 1. Loft angle In many embodiments, the loft angle of the driver-type club head may be less than approximately 16 degrees, less than approximately 15 degrees, less than approximately 14 degrees, less than approximately 13 degrees, less than approximately 12 degrees, less than approximately 11 degrees, less than approximately 10 degrees, less than approximately 9 degrees, less than approximately 8 degrees, or less than approximately 7 degrees.

[0015] 2. Volume Furthermore, in many embodiments, the volume of the driver-type club head may be more than approximately 400cc, more than approximately 425cc, more than approximately 450cc, more than approximately 475cc, more than approximately 500cc, more than approximately 525cc, more than approximately 550cc, more than approximately 575cc, more than approximately 600cc, more than approximately 625cc, more than approximately 650cc, more than approximately 675cc, or more than approximately 700cc. In some embodiments, the volume of the driver-type club head may be approximately 400cc to 600cc, approximately 425cc to 500cc, approximately 500cc to 600cc, approximately 500cc to 650cc, approximately 550cc to 700cc, approximately 600cc to 650cc, approximately 600cc to 700cc, or approximately 600cc to 800cc.

[0016] 3. Weight In some embodiments, the driver-type club head may have a weight (or mass) of 170 to 250 grams. In other embodiments, the driver-type club head may have a weight of 170 to 175 grams, 175 to 180 grams, 180 to 185 grams, 185 to 190 grams, 190 to 195 grams, 195 to 200 grams, 200 to 205 grams, 205 to 210 grams, 210 to 215 grams, 215 to 220 grams, 220 to 225 grams, 225 to 230 grams, 230 to 235 grams, 235 to 240 grams, 240 to 245 grams, or 245 to 250 grams. In some embodiments, the weight of the driver-type club head is 170 grams, 171 grams, 172 grams, 173 grams, 174 grams, 175 grams, 176 grams, 177 grams, 178 grams, 179 grams, 180 grams, 181 grams, 182 grams, 183 grams, 184 grams, 185 grams, 186 grams, 187 grams, 188 grams, 189 grams, 190 grams, 191 grams, 192 grams, 193 grams, 194 grams, 195 grams, 196 grams, 197 grams, 198 grams, 199 grams, 200 grams, 201 grams, 202 grams, 203 grams, 204 grams, 205 grams, 206 grams, 207 grams, 208 grams, 2 It may also be 0.9 grams, 210 grams, 211 grams, 212 grams, 213 grams, 214 grams, 215 grams, 216 grams, 217 grams, 218 grams, 219 grams, 220 grams, 221 grams, 222 grams, 223 grams, 224 grams, 225 grams, 226 grams, 227 grams, 228 grams, 229 grams, 230 grams, 231 grams, 232 grams, 233 grams, 234 grams, 235 grams, 236 grams, 237 grams, 238 grams, 239 grams, 240 grams, 241 grams, 242 grams, 243 grams, 244 grams, 245 grams, 246 grams, 247 grams, 248 grams, 249 grams, or 250 grams.

[0017] 4.Material The material of the driver-type golf club head may be constructed from any material used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, the material of the driver-type golf club head may be any one or combination of the following, namely, 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, or any other known metal or composite material for making a driver-type golf club head. In many embodiments, the driver-type golf club head may be constructed from titanium and / or composite materials.

[0018] The term "fairway wood-type golf club head" described herein may be defined by one or more of loft angle, club head volume, club head weight, or club head material.

[0019] 1. Loft Angle In many embodiments, the loft angle of the fairway wood-type club head may be less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, or less than about 30 degrees. Further, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the club head may be greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 13 degrees, greater than about 14 degrees, greater than about 15 degrees, greater than about 16 degrees, greater than about 17 degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 19 degrees, or greater than about 20 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the fairway wood-type club head may be 12 degrees to 35 degrees, 15 degrees to 35 degrees, 20 degrees to 35 degrees, or 12 degrees to 30 degrees.

[0020] 2. Volume In many embodiments, the volume of the fairway wood type club head may be less than about 400cc, less than about 375cc, less than about 350cc, less than about 325cc, less than about 300cc, less than about 275cc, less than about 250cc, less than about 225cc, or less than about 200cc. In some embodiments, the volume of the club head may be about 150cc to 200cc, about 150cc to 250cc, about 150cc to 300cc, about 150cc to 350cc, about 150cc to 400cc, about 300cc to 400cc, about 325cc to 400cc, about 350cc to 400cc, about 250cc to 400cc, about 250cc to 350cc, or about 275cc to 375cc.

[0021] 3. Weight In many embodiments, the fairway wood club head may have a weight of 170 to 215 grams. In other embodiments, the fairway wood golf club head may weigh 170 to 175 grams, 175 to 180 grams, 180 to 185 grams, 185 to 190 grams, 190 to 195 grams, 195 to 200 grams, 200 to 205 grams, 205 to 210 grams, or 210 to 215 grams. In some embodiments, the weight of the fairway wood-type club head may be 170 grams, 171 grams, 172 grams, 173 grams, 174 grams, 175 grams, 176 grams, 177 grams, 178 grams, 179 grams, 180 grams, 181 grams, 182 grams, 183 grams, 184 grams, 185 grams, 186 grams, 187 grams, 188 grams, 189 grams, 190 grams, 191 grams, 192 grams, 193 grams, 194 grams, 195 grams, 196 grams, 197 grams, 198 grams, 199 grams, 200 grams, 201 grams, 202 grams, 203 grams, 204 grams, 205 grams, 206 grams, 207 grams, 208 grams, 209 grams, 210 grams, 211 grams, 212 grams, 213 grams, 214 grams, or 215 grams.

[0022] 4.Material The material for a fairway wood type golf club head may be any material used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, the material for a fairway wood type golf club head may be any one or combination of the following: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, steel alloy, or any other known metal or composite material for making a fairway wood type golf club head. In many embodiments, the fairway wood type golf club head is constructed from titanium and / or composite material.

[0023] The term “hybrid golf club head” as used herein may be defined by one or more of the following: loft angle, club head volume, club head weight, or club head material.

[0024] 5. Loft angle In many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid golf club head may be less than approximately 40 degrees, less than approximately 39 degrees, less than approximately 38 degrees, less than approximately 37 degrees, less than approximately 36 degrees, less than approximately 35 degrees, less than approximately 34 degrees, less than approximately 33 degrees, less than approximately 32 degrees, less than approximately 31 degrees, or less than approximately 30 degrees. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the loft angle of the hybrid club head may be greater than approximately 16 degrees, greater than approximately 17 degrees, greater than approximately 18 degrees, greater than approximately 19 degrees, greater than approximately 20 degrees, greater than approximately 21 degrees, greater than approximately 22 degrees, greater than approximately 23 degrees, greater than approximately 24 degrees, or greater than approximately 25 degrees.

[0025] 6. Volume In many embodiments, the volume of the hybrid club head may be less than about 200cc, less than about 175cc, less than about 150cc, less than about 125cc, less than about 100cc, or less than about 75cc. In some embodiments, the volume of the club head may be about 100cc to 150cc, about 75cc to 150cc, about 100cc to 125cc, or about 75cc to 125cc.

[0026] 7. Weight In many embodiments, the hybrid club head may have a weight of 190 to 240 grams. In other embodiments, the hybrid golf club head may weigh 190 to 195 grams, 195 to 200 grams, 200 to 205 grams, 205 to 210 grams, 210 to 215 grams, 215 to 220 grams, 220 to 225 grams, 225 to 230 grams, 230 to 235 grams, or 235 to 240 grams. In some embodiments, the weight of the hybrid club head is 190 grams, 191 grams, 192 grams, 193 grams, 194 grams, 195 grams, 196 grams, 197 grams, 198 grams, 199 grams, 200 grams, 201 grams, 202 grams, 203 grams, 204 grams, 205 grams, 206 grams, 207 grams, 208 grams, 209 grams, 210 grams, 211 grams, 212 grams, 213 grams, It may also be 214 grams, 215 grams, 216 grams, 217 grams, 218 grams, 219 grams, 220 grams, 221 grams, 222 grams, 223 grams, 224 grams, 225 grams, 226 grams, 227 grams, 228 grams, 229 grams, 230 grams, 231 grams, 232 grams, 233 grams, 234 grams, 235 grams, 236 grams, 237 grams, 238 grams, 239 grams, or 240 grams.

[0027] 8.Materials The material for a hybrid golf club head may be constructed from any material used to construct conventional golf club heads. For example, the material for a hybrid golf club head may be constructed from any one or combination of the following: 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, steel alloy, or any other known metal or composite for making a hybrid golf club head. In many embodiments, the hybrid golf club head may be constructed from titanium alloy and / or composite material.

[0028] As used herein, the term “spot welding” may be defined as applying a weld bead to a material at a specific location to create a heat-affected zone that changes the physical particle structure from equiaxed circular microstructure to a dendrite microstructure, where the material microstructure deforms to return to an equiaxed circular microstructure when separated from the spot weld.

[0029] Before describing any embodiment of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that in its application, this disclosure is not limited to the structural details and component arrangements described in the following description or shown in the following drawings. Other embodiments of this disclosure are possible and can be implemented or performed in a variety of ways.

[0030] A golf club head having a reference shape to help provide a constant CT across the faceplate is described below. The reference shape comprises a heat-affected zone (HAZ) that provides the ability to reduce / limit the CT properties of a particular area, thereby producing a CT that is within a given tolerance across the face. More specifically, a golf club head, in particular a golf club head (driver, fairway wood, or hybrid) having a faceplate having at least one heat-affected zone (HAZ) to enable a constant (or within a given tolerance) CT across the faceplate of the golf club head is described herein. As described above, the heat-affected zone may be formed via spot welds or weld beads that modify a particular part, portion, or area of ​​the faceplate without changing the features and properties of the faceplate as a whole, in a single unit. Local modification of a particular part or area of ​​the faceplate (via spot welds or weld beads) to form a heat-affected zone may change the microstructure of that area or portion (to a dendritic microstructure) and thus change the characteristic-time properties of the treated location.

[0031] For example, the portion of the golf club head that generally has the largest characteristic time measurement may typically be found (1) toward the geometric center of the faceplate, (2) offset from the geometric center of the faceplate toward the toe of the faceplate, (3) offset from the geometric center toward the top edge of the faceplate, or a combination thereof. These regions may potentially have characteristic time measurements that are, near, or approximate the CT threshold (i.e., the USGA and R&A CT limit).

[0032] To form a faceplate with a more uniform CT (i.e., without "CT hot spots"), the area of ​​interest for localized heat-affected zones may be characterized by a reference geometry. Localized heat-affected zones may be formed inside or on the outer periphery of the reference geometry via spot welds or weld beads. The heat-affected zone within the reference geometry may have different material properties (i.e., different or (dendritic) microstructures) than the non-heat-affected zone outside the reference geometry to locally alter the CT.

[0033] (Golf club head) The golf club heads described herein may be driver-type club heads, fairway wood-type golf clubs, or hybrid-type club heads as defined above. In many embodiments, the golf club head may be a wood-type golf club head (i.e., a driver-type golf club head, a fairway wood-type golf club head, or a hybrid-type golf club head). Driver-type golf club heads, fairway wood-type golf club heads, and hybrid-type golf club heads may be characterized by loft angle, head volume, and / or head weight, as described above.

[0034] In some embodiments, the golf club head may be formed from stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, or a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the face plate of the golf club head may be formed from stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, or a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material.

[0035] (Composition and setup of golf club heads) In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 comprises a club head body 124 (which may also be referred to as the “body”). The club head body 124 forms a toe portion 106, a heel portion 105, an upper portion 108, a sole portion 109, a rear portion 125, and a faceplate opening configured to receive a faceplate 102. The faceplate 102 may provide a surface that conforms to the impact with the golf ball. The rear portion 125 is spaced rearward from the faceplate 102. The sole portion 109 is defined as being between the faceplate 102 and the rear portion 125 and resting on the ground 118 (or playing surface) at the address position. The upper portion 108 may be formed on the opposite side of the sole portion 109. The faceplate 102 is defined by the sole portion 109, the upper portion 108, the heel portion 105, and the toe portion 106 on the opposite side of the heel portion 105.

[0036] As stated above, the golf club head 100 may be configured to be in the “address position.” Unless otherwise noted or stated, the golf club head 100 is in the address position for all reference measurements, ratios, and / or descriptive parameters. The address position may be described as (1) the sole of the golf club head being placed on the ground 118 in contact with and parallel to the playing surface, and (2) the striking surface being substantially perpendicular to the ground.

[0037] The faceplate 102 of the club head 100 defines a geometric center 104. In some embodiments, the geometric center 104 may be located at the geometric center point on the outer circumference of the faceplate and at the midpoint of the face height. In the same or other examples, the geometric center may also be centered relative to the designed impact area, which may be defined by the area of ​​grooves on the faceplate. Alternatively, the geometric center of the faceplate 102 may be located according to the definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center of the faceplate 102 may be determined according to Section 6.1 of the USGA Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Club Head (USGA-TPX3004, Revision 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (available at http: / / www.usga.org / equipment / testing / protocols / Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head / ) ("Flexibility Procedure").

[0038] The club head 100 further defines a loft plane tangent to the geometric center 104 of the face plate 102. The face height may be measured parallel to the loft plane between the upper end of the outer circumference of the face plate near the crown portion 108 and the lower end of the outer circumference of the face plate near the sole portion 109. In these embodiments, the outer circumference of the face plate 102 may be positioned along the outer edge of the face plate, where the curvature is offset from the bulge and / or roll of the face plate 102.

[0039] The geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 further defines a coordinate system having an origin located at the geometric center of the faceplate 102, the coordinate system having an X' axis 103, a Y' axis 107, and a Z' axis. The X' axis 103 extends through the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 in the direction from the heel 105 to the toe 106 of the clubhead 100. The Y' axis 107 extends through the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 in the direction perpendicular to the X' axis 103 in the direction from the crown 108 to the sole 109 of the clubhead 100, and the Z' axis extends through the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 in the direction perpendicular to the X' axis 103 and the Y' axis 107 in the direction from the front end to the rear end of the clubhead 100.

[0040] The coordinate system defines an X'Y' plane 101 extending through the X' axis 103 and the Y' axis 107. The X'Y' plane 101 extends parallel to the hosel axis (not shown) and is positioned at an angle corresponding to the loft angle of the club head 100 from the loft plane. Furthermore, the X' axis 103 may be positioned at an angle of 60 degrees with respect to the hosel axis when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane. In these or other embodiments, the club head may be viewed from the front (Figure 1) when the faceplate 102 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane 101.

[0041] When the golf club head 100 is in the address position, the golf club head 100 may be divided into four quadrants (i.e., the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant) bounded by the outer circumference of the face plate 102, the X' axis 103, and the Y' axis 107. Within one or more quadrants, a reference shape 126 may be projected onto the face plate 102, and the reference shape 126 may include a HAZ (Hazard Aspected Zone) for modifying a region having a characteristic time value generally greater than the characteristic time threshold or the target characteristic time. In many embodiments, the reference shape 126 as a whole may be bounded or positioned within the first, second, third, or fourth quadrant. In alternative embodiments, the reference shape 126 may extend into one or more quadrants, two or more quadrants, or three or more quadrants. In other embodiments, the reference shape 126 may extend into one or more quadrants along the quadrant boundary (i.e., along the X' axis or Y' axis).

[0042] In most embodiments, one or more HAZ zones may be located in the high toe quadrant. In some embodiments, one or more HAZ zones may be located in both the low toe and high toe quadrants. In some embodiments, one or more HAZ zones may be located in both the high toe and high heel quadrants. In some embodiments, one or more HAZ zones may be in both the high toe and low heel quadrants. In alternative embodiments, one or more HAZ zones may be in all quadrants and / or clustered around the geometric center.

[0043] The reference shape 126 may take any shape and preferably does not extend into the body of the club head 100 (i.e., is located only on the face plate 102). For example, in many embodiments, the reference shape 126 may be substantially a triangle, square, rectangle, polygon, semicircle, curve, etc. Generally, the reference shape comprises a region having a characteristic time value that is generally greater than the characteristic time threshold or the target characteristic time value.

[0044] One or more characteristic time values ​​on the faceplate 102 that are greater than the threshold, designed, or subject characteristic time measurement may be detected or located, depending on the manufacturer, by (1) via a standard USGA test method for measuring characteristic time via a thermal exploration process (attempting to identify the location and value of the maximum characteristic time value on the club head by taking measurements at strategically selected locations), or by (2) by identifying relevant known areas through aggregation of CT data. For detection or identification of areas, areas, and / or locations on the golf club head having characteristic time values ​​that approximate the CT threshold, a given area, area, and / or location on the golf club head may be subjected to or constituted by localized weld beads (or spot welds) to generate a heat-affected zone (HAZ).

[0045] This generates a faceplate 102 with a non-uniform microstructure (see Figures 6-9). The CT properties of the treated area may be altered by imposing localized weld beads or spot welds on a given area on the faceplate 102 to generate a heat-affected zone. In other words, a faceplate area (or location) that approximates or is greater than the CT threshold may receive weld beads or spot welds to generate a heat-affected zone that locally alters the microstructure of the treated area (to locally generate higher strength and / or hardened areas) to such an extent that the CT properties of that area decrease according to a value less than or equal to the target CT threshold. Thus, instead of modifying the clubhead contour to accommodate a faceplate area with a high CT region (i.e., increasing the face thickness, modifying the faceplate's changing face thickness contour, introducing clubhead reinforcing elements, etc.), the applied HAZ structure reduces reliance on bulk (or large-scale) design modifications to the clubhead and instead focuses on localized changes to the microstructure (or small-scale) modifications of the faceplate 102.

[0046] I. Implementation In many embodiments of the golf club head 100 described below, the heat-affected zone may be found in a specific area of ​​the face plate 102, and furthermore, the heat-affected zone may be bounded within the reference shape 126 or located entirely within the reference shape 126. As described above and discussed in detail below, the deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference shape generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the area where the CT properties are above a threshold value, a CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference shape generates an outline around and / or over the area to be CT adjusted, which may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT adjustments.

[0047] In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 may also be viewed in a direction perpendicular to the X'Y' plane 101 and faceplate 102, as shown in Figures 1 to 8. When the golf club head is viewed in a direction generally perpendicular to the X'Y' plane 101 and faceplate 102, the golf club head 100 may be defined by a coordinate system having an X' axis 103 extending through the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 in the heel 105-toe 106 direction, and a Y' axis 107 extending through the geometric center 104 in the upper-lower (or crown 108-sole 109) direction.

[0048] The X' axis 103 horizontally divides the golf club head into an upper region 110 and a lower region 111. The upper region 110 of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 103, the crown 108, and the maximum heel-toe width of the club head. The lower region 111 of the golf club head is bounded by the X' axis 103, the sole 109, and the maximum heel-toe width of the golf club head. The Y' axis 107 vertically separates the club head into a left region 112 and a right region 113. The left region 112 may be bounded by the Y' axis and the toe end of the golf club head. The right region may be bounded by the Y' axis 107 and the heel 105 of the golf club head 100. Furthermore, the X' axis 103 and the Y' axis 107 are perpendicular to each other, forming four faceplate quadrant regions.

[0049] The four faceplate quadrant regions may be defined as the center-high toe quadrant 114, the center-low toe quadrant 115, the center-high heel quadrant 116, and the center-low heel quadrant 117 when the golf club head is placed on the ground 118 in the address position. The center-high toe quadrant 114 extends from the geometric center 104 and reaches the upper left faceplate region. The center-low toe quadrant 115 extends from the geometric center 104 and reaches the lower left faceplate region. The center-high heel quadrant 116 extends from the geometric center 104 and reaches the upper right faceplate region. The center-low heel quadrant 117 extends from the geometric center 104 and reaches the lower right faceplate region.

[0050] One or more faceplate quadrant regions 114, 115, 116, 117 may contain characteristic time values ​​that are, exceed, or approximate the target characteristic time value. In many embodiments, the quadrant of interest may be the center-high Tow quadrant 114, because this region can be identified as a critical region having one or more locations that approximate a critical CT threshold due to manufacturing tolerances and / or variability.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, the setup (or address) positions in Figure 1 and Figure 2 are similar. Figure 2 further maps points at multiple potential positions within the center-high toe quadrant 114 to identify whether the faceplate characteristic time values ​​are at, approximate to, or exceed the characteristic time limits of the subject. Generally, CT readings are typically highlighted in the center-high toe quadrant because this is the relevant known quadrant. Table 1, further provided in the Exemplary Section, provides the average of the approximate CT readings (in microseconds) at the corresponding mapping points on the clubhead within the center-high toe quadrant 114 for each faceplate without HAZ. In other words, the faceplate 102 in Figure 2 and Table 1 has a uniform microstructure.

[0052] As further shown in Figure 6, the first spot welds 119 and second spot welds 120 formed on the faceplate 102 locally alter the microstructure of the faceplate 102 within the heat-affected zone described above. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone resulting from the spot welding forms dendrite structures, which are needle-like or finger-like structures that generate smaller grain boundaries to harden or increase the faceplate strength in the weld (or HAZ) region. This local hardening directly correlates to a decrease in the characteristic time in areas where the flexibility of the faceplate is limited. Locations outside the weld pool and heat-affected zone (i.e., locations not affected by spot welding) have a homogeneous microstructure with larger grain boundaries than those in the heat-affected zone. In many embodiments, the HAZ structure defined by the spot welding produces a faceplate with 2% to 6% more dendritic microstructure compared to a non-spot-welded faceplate.

[0053] As is evident from the following example, a golf club head having a faceplate with a uniform microstructure or non-HAZ structure within the center-high toe quadrant may have characteristic time values ​​that vary by up to 20 μs in the crown-sole direction and heel-toe direction. Furthermore, points measured directly adjacent to another point may vary by up to 16 μs. Having a golf club head with a faceplate 102 having a wide range of characteristic time properties depending on the golf ball impact location can adversely affect the generated ball velocity. In many embodiments of golf club heads, it is desirable to have characteristic time properties where a given quadrant is more uniform (i.e., with less variation in the heel-toe and crown-sole directions).

[0054] For the identification of quadrants with a high degree of variation and / or that satisfy or exceed the designed CT parameters, a reference shape may be projected onto the quadrant, more specifically the location of interest, and thus onto the HAZ. The reference shape may surround or partially encompass the location of interest. In many embodiments, as described below, the reference shape may encompass a large or small area of ​​interest, depending on the CT characteristics of the faceplate 102.

[0055] (Rectangular reference shape) In many embodiments, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) may be found in a specific area of ​​the faceplate, and furthermore, the HAZ may be bounded within a reference geometry or located entirely within the reference geometry. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference geometry generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the region where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference geometry may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT corrections because it generates an outline around and / or over the region to be CT corrected.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, in many embodiments, the reference shape 126 encompassing the region of interest (i.e., one or more faceplate CT measurements that satisfy or exceed the designed CT parameters) may be substantially rectangular. Alternatively, the reference shape 126 may be in the form of a square extending from the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 to a point in the center-high tow quadrant 114.

[0057] The rectangular (or square) reference shape 126 may have a height measured in the loft plane that extends about 5% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102 in the crown-sole direction. In many embodiments, the height of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102.

[0058] In alternative embodiments, the rectangular reference shape 126 may have a maximum height of about 0 to 1.05 inches measured in the loft plane in the crown-sole direction. In many embodiments, the maximum height of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be about 0 to 0.25 inches, about 0.25 to 0.5 inches, about 0.5 to 0.75 inches, about 0.75 to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 to 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum height of the rectangular reference shape may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1 inch. In alternative embodiments, the maximum height of the rectangular reference shape may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0059] The rectangular (or square) reference shape 126 may have a width measured in the loft plane of about 5% to about 25% of the overall width of the faceplate 102 in the heel-toe direction. In many embodiments, the width of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, or about 20% to about 25% of the overall width of the faceplate 102.

[0060] In alternative embodiments, the rectangular reference shape may have a maximum width of about 0 inches to 1.05 inches measured in the loft plane in the heel-toe direction. In many embodiments, the maximum width of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be about 0 inches to about 0.25 inches, about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, about 0.75 inches to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 inches to about 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum width of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1 inch. In alternative embodiments, the maximum width of the rectangular reference shape 126 may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0061] (Elliptical reference shape) As described above, the heat-affected zone may be found in a specific area of ​​the faceplate 102, and furthermore, the heat-affected zone may be bounded within the reference shape 126 or located entirely within the reference shape 126. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference shape generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the area where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference shape 126 generates an outline around and / or over the area to be CT adjusted, which may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT adjustments.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, in many embodiments, the reference shape 126 encompassing the region of interest for which the HAZ region is applied (i.e., one or more faceplate CT measurements that satisfy or exceed the designed CT parameters) may be substantially elliptical. The reference shape 126, more specifically the elliptical reference shape 126, may extend from the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 to a point in the center-high tow quadrant 114.

[0063] An exemplary elliptical reference shape may be about 5% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102, measured in the loft plane, and may have a minor axis 127 passing through the center of the ellipse. In many embodiments, the minor axis of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102.

[0064] In alternative embodiments, the elliptical reference shape 126 may have a minor axis 127 that measures about 0 inches to 1.05 inches in the loft plane. In many embodiments, the measured dimension of the minor axis 127 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be about 0 inches to about 0.25 inches, about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, about 0.75 inches to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 inches to about 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the minor axis 127 of the elliptical reference shape may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1 inch. In an alternative embodiment, the minor axis 127 of the elliptical reference shape may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0065] The elliptical reference shape 126 may have a major axis 128 measured in the loft plane, which may be about 5% to about 25% of the total height of the faceplate 102. In many embodiments, the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, or about 20% to about 25% of the total height of the faceplate 102.

[0066] In alternative embodiments, the elliptical reference shape 126 may have a major axis 128 measuring about 0 inches to 1.05 inches in the loft plane. In many embodiments, the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be about 0 inches to about 0.25 inches, about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, about 0.75 inches to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 inches to about 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1 inch. In an alternative embodiment, the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0067] In many embodiments, the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape 126 may be angled with respect to the x-axis 103. The angle between the major axis 128 of the elliptical reference shape and the x-axis 103 may be between 20 and 80 degrees. In many embodiments, the angle formed between the elliptical reference shape 126 and the x-axis 103 may vary depending on the position of interest. In some embodiments, the angles of the major axis and the x-axis may be about 20 to 25 degrees, about 30 to 35 degrees, about 35 to 40 degrees, about 40 to 45 degrees, about 45 to 50 degrees, about 50 to 55 degrees, about 55 to 60 degrees, about 60 to 65 degrees, about 65 to 70 degrees, about 70 to 75 degrees, or about 75 to 80 degrees. In many embodiments, the formed angle may be about 45 degrees.

[0068] (Reference shape of a straight line) As described above, the heat-affected zone may be found in a specific area of ​​the faceplate, and furthermore, the heat-affected zone may be bounded within the reference shape 126 or located entirely within the reference shape 126. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference shape 126 generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the area where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference shape generates an outline around and / or over the area to be CT adjusted, which may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT adjustments.

[0069] As shown in Figure 5, in many embodiments, the reference shape encompassing the region of interest (i.e., one or more faceplate CT measurements that satisfy or exceed the designed CT parameters) may be substantially linear. The reference shape, more specifically a linear reference shape 126, may extend from the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 to a point in the center-high tow quadrant 114. In many embodiments, one or more HAZ sections (or weld beads) are applied along the linear reference shape 126.

[0070] In many embodiments, the linear reference shape 126 may be angled with respect to the x-axis 103. The angle between the linear reference shape 126 and the x-axis 103 may be between 20 and 80 degrees. In many embodiments, the angle formed between the linear reference shape 126 and the x-axis may vary based on the position of interest. In some embodiments, the angle formed between the linear reference shape 126 and the x-axis 103 may be about 20 to 25 degrees, about 30 to 35 degrees, about 35 to 40 degrees, about 40 to 45 degrees, about 45 to 50 degrees, about 50 to 55 degrees, about 55 to 60 degrees, about 60 to 65 degrees, about 65 to 70 degrees, about 70 to 75 degrees, or about 75 to 80 degrees. In many embodiments, the formed angle may be about 45 degrees.

[0071] The linear reference shape 126 may have a height measured in the loft plane, which may have a maximum height of about 5% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102 in the crown-sole direction. In many embodiments, the height of the linear reference shape may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the total height of the faceplate 102.

[0072] In alternative embodiments, the straight reference shape 126 may have a maximum height of about 0 inches to 1.05 inches measured in the loft plane in the crown-sole direction. In many embodiments, the maximum height of the straight reference shape 126 may be about 0 inches to about 0.25 inches, about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, about 0.75 inches to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 inches to about 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum height of the straight reference shape 126 may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1.0 inch. In alternative embodiments, the maximum height of the straight reference shape 126 may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0073] The straight reference shape 126 may have the maximum width measured in the loft plane, which may be about 5% to about 25% of the overall width of the faceplate 102 in the heel-toe direction. In many embodiments, the width of the straight reference shape 126 may be about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 20%, or about 20% to about 25% of the overall width of the faceplate 102.

[0074] In alternative embodiments, the straight reference shape 126 may have a maximum width of about 0 inches to 1.05 inches as measured in the loft plane in the heel-toe direction. In many embodiments, the maximum width of the straight reference shape 126 may be about 0 inches to about 0.25 inches, about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, about 0.75 inches to 1.00 inches, or about 1.00 inches to about 1.05 inches. In other embodiments, the maximum width of the straight reference shape 126 may be greater than about 0 inches, greater than about 0.25 inches, greater than about 0.5 inches, greater than about 0.75 inches, or greater than about 1 inch. In alternative embodiments, the maximum width of the straight reference shape 126 may be less than about 1.05 inches, less than about 1.0 inch, less than about 0.75 inches, less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches.

[0075] As previously mentioned, the reference shape 126 described above is projected onto the faceplate 102 to generate a boundary around the relevant region. These relevant regions are typically those with high CT values ​​and can generally be found in the central-high tow quadrant 114. Within the central-high tow quadrant 114, referring specifically to Figure 2 and Table 1, it can be seen that at a given measurement location point (i.e., the CT measurement area), the CT can change by up to approximately 15 μs within a 1 inch × 1 inch area. Furthermore, at an adjacent faceplate location point, the CT can change by up to 11 μs. This change can increase further over time with repeated impacts (i.e., wear). To reduce the change, within a localized area, without affecting adjacent measurement locations, the HAZ may be formed within the reference shape 126 or at the boundary of the reference shape 126 via spot welding and / or weld beads.

[0076] (Reference shape having one or more HAZ sections) As described above, the heat-affected zone may be found in one or more areas of the faceplate, and furthermore, the heat-affected zone may form a boundary within the reference geometry or be located entirely within the reference geometry. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference geometry generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded areas). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the region where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference geometry generates an outline around and / or over the region to be CT adjusted, which may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT adjustments.

[0077] As described above, the HAZ (Heat-Absorbing Zone) is the region created by the weld bead that alters the microstructure of the faceplate. As shown in Figure 6, two spot welds (i.e., the first spot weld may also be referred to as the “first weld bead” and the second spot weld may also be referred to as the “second weld bead”) are formed on the outer surface of the faceplate 102. In other words, the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld 120 may be applied to the (outer) surface of the faceplate 102 that directly contacts the golf ball during impact. In other embodiments, the first and second spot welds 119, 120 do not need to be formed / applied to the outer surface of the faceplate 102; conversely, the first and second spot welds 119, 120 may be applied to the rear surface of the faceplate 102 in an open crown or open sole design (i.e., the body of the golf club head provides access to the inside of the club head). In many embodiments, the first spot weld 119 may be located at the geometric center of the faceplate, while the second spot weld 120 is spaced away from the geometric center and located independently in the center-high tow quadrant.

[0078] As described above, one or more spot welds locally affect the microstructure of a specific area on the faceplate 102 without changing the microstructure across the faceplate 102 as a whole. One or more spot welds in Figure 6 may generally be defined by their diameter. The diameter of one or more spot welds in contact with the faceplate 102 may be about 0.125 inches to about 0.75 inches. In many embodiments, the diameter of one or more spot welds may be about 0.125 inches to about 0.225 inches, about 0.225 inches to about 0.325 inches, about 0.325 inches to about 0.425 inches, about 0.425 inches to about 0.525 inches, about 0.525 inches to about 0.625 inches, or about 0.625 inches to about 0.75 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of one or more spot welds may be approximately 0.1 inches, 0.150 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.250 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.450 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.550 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.650 inches, 0.7 inches, or 0.750 inches. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of one or more spot welds may be less than approximately 0.750 inches, less than approximately 0.7 inches, less than approximately 0.65 inches, less than 0.6 inches, less than approximately 0.55 inches, less than approximately 0.50 inches, less than approximately 0.45 inches, less than approximately 0.40 inches, less than approximately 0.35 inches, less than approximately 0.30 inches, less than approximately 0.20 inches, or less than approximately 0.15 inches.

[0079] The heat-affected zone formed by a spot weld may be about 20% to about 50% of the diameter of the spot weld. In many embodiments, a spot weld may form a heat-affected zone (i.e., a location where the microstructure changes) of about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the diameter of the spot weld. In other embodiments, a spot weld may form a heat-affected zone of less than about 50%, less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, or less than about 25% of the diameter of the spot weld. The heat-affected zone is a non-melting region of the faceplate 102 where the microstructure changes as a result of the portion of the metal matrix being exposed to a high welding temperature. The remaining area of ​​the spot weld may be defined as a weld pool region (i.e., the region where the faceplate 102 can reach its melting point and be ready for filler material injection), as shown in the example in Figure 9. Figure 9 simply illustrates a reference between a weld bead (or spot weld) and the HAZ (Heat-Avoided Zone). The weld bead may be positioned outside the faceplate surface via heating. The bead is removed via finishing techniques (such as grinding, abrasion, or polishing), but the formed HAZ remains readily present within the structure.

[0080] As described above, Figure 6 shows a first spot weld 119 and a second spot weld 120 applied to the faceplate 102 to locally alter the microstructure of the faceplate 102 within the heat-affected zone described above. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone resulting from the spot welds forms dendrite structures, which are needle-like or finger-like structures that generate smaller grain boundaries to harden or increase the faceplate strength in the welded (or HAZ) region. This local hardening directly correlates to a decrease in the characteristic time in areas where the flexibility of the faceplate is limited. Locations outside the weld pool and heat-affected zone (i.e., locations not affected by spot welds) have a homogeneous microstructure with larger grain boundaries than those in the heat-affected zone. In many embodiments, the HAZ structure defined by the spot welds produces a faceplate with 2% to 6% more dendritic microstructure compared to a non-spot-welded faceplate.

[0081] In this particular embodiment, the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld are positioned on and / or within the reference shape 126 described above, spaced apart and not touching each other. In many embodiments, the centers of the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld 120 are spaced about 0.1 inches to 1 inch apart. For example, in many embodiments, the centers of the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld 120 may be spaced 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1.0 inch apart from each other. In other embodiments, the distance between the center of the first spot weld and the center of the second spot weld 120 may be less than 1.0 inch, less than 0.95 inches, less than 0.90 inches, less than 0.85 inches, less than 0.80 inches, less than 0.75 inches, less than 0.70 inches, less than 0.65 inches, less than 0.60 inches, less than 0.55 inches, less than 0.50 inches, less than 0.45 inches, less than 0.40 inches, less than 0.35 inches, less than 0.30 inches, less than 0.20 inches, or less than 0.150 inches.

[0082] In many embodiments, the second spot weld 120 may be offset from the geometric center by up to approximately 0.84 inches along the X-axis and / or toward the toe. In alternative embodiments, the second spot weld 120 may be offset by approximately 0.01 inches, 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.06 inches, 0.07 inches, 0.08 inches, 0.09 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.11 inches, 0.12 inches, 0.13 inches, 0.14 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.16 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.04 inches along the X-axis and / or toward the toe. 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.27 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.29 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0. 41 inches, 0.42 inches, 0.43 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.46 inches, 0.47 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.49 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.51 inches, 0.52 inches, 0.53 inches, 0.54 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.63 inches, 0.6 The offset from the geometric center may be 4 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.81 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.83 inches, or 0.84 inches.

[0083] In the same or other embodiments, the second spot weld 120 may be offset from the geometric center by up to approximately 0.42 inches toward the upper edge of the crown or faceplate. The second spot weld 120 may be offset along the Y-axis and / or toward the crown by approximately 0.01 inches, 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.06 inches, 0.07 inches, 0.08 inches, 0.09 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.11 inches, 0.12 inches, 0.13 inches, 0.14 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.16 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, and 0.20 inches. The offset from the geometric center may be 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.27 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.29 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches, or 0.42 inches. In many embodiments, the first and second spot welds are spaced apart and do not contact or abut the face-body transition area.

[0084] In many embodiments, as shown in Figure 6, the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld 120 are collinear to each other. In alternative embodiments, the first spot weld 119 and the second spot weld do not need to be collinear. Based on the faceplate surface area of ​​the club head shown, approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of the faceplate surface area may be in contact with a single weld bead. 16.5% or less of the outer faceplate surface area may be in contact with any weld.

[0085] (Reference shape of a straight line having one or more HAZ sections) The heat-affected zone (HAZ) may be found in a specific area of ​​the faceplate, and furthermore, the HAZ may be bounded within the reference geometry or located entirely within the reference geometry. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference geometry generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the region where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference geometry may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT corrections because it generates an outline around and / or over the region to be CT corrected.

[0086] As described above, the HAZ area may also be linearly positioned along a reference shape. As described above, the reference shape 126 may be projected onto the faceplate 102, and more specifically, the linear reference shape 126 may be projected onto several relevant points on the faceplate 102. These relevant points are typically areas with high CT values ​​and can generally be found in the central-high tow quadrant 114. Within the central-high tow quadrant 114, referring specifically to the following example, it can be seen that the CT can change by up to approximately 15 μs within a 1 inch × 1 inch area at a point in the faceplate measurement position (i.e., the CT measurement area). Furthermore, at adjacent faceplate position points, the CT can change by up to 11 μs. This change can increase further over time with repeated impacts (i.e., wear). To reduce the change, the HAZ area may be formed via spot welds and / or weld beads within a localized area without affecting adjacent measurement positions.

[0087] As shown in Figure 7, multiple spot welds 121 (i.e., multiple spot welds may also be referred to as "multiple weld beads") are formed on the outer surface of the faceplate 102. In other words, the multiple spot welds 121 may be applied to the (outer) surface of the faceplate 102 that directly contacts the golf ball during impact. In other embodiments, the multiple spot welds 121 do not need to be formed / applied to the outer surface of the faceplate 102; conversely, the multiple spot welds 121 may be applied to the rear surface of the faceplate 102 in an open crown or open sole design (i.e., the body of the golf club head provides access to the inside of the club head).

[0088] In many embodiments, the multiple spot welds may be referred to as two or more spot welds, three or more spot welds, four or more spot welds, five or more spot welds, six or more spot welds, seven or more spot welds, eight or more spot welds, nine or more spot welds, ten or more spot welds, eleven or more spot welds, or twelve or more spot welds. The multiple spot welds may generally be formed along a straight reference shape. In some embodiments, due to precision errors, the multiple spot welds may be slightly offset from the straight reference shape 126.

[0089] As described above, the multiple spot welds 121 locally affect the microstructure of specific areas on the faceplate 102 without changing the microstructure across the faceplate 102 as a whole. The multiple spot welds shown in Figure 7 may generally be defined by their diameter. The diameter of the multiple spot welds 121 in contact with the faceplate 102 may be about 0.125 inches to about 0.75 inches. In many embodiments, the diameter of the multiple spot welds may be about 0.125 inches to about 0.225 inches, about 0.225 inches to about 0.325 inches, about 0.325 inches to about 0.425 inches, about 0.425 inches to about 0.525 inches, about 0.525 inches to about 0.625 inches, or about 0.625 inches to about 0.75 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the multiple spot welds 121 may be about 0.1 inches, 0.150 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.250 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.450 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.550 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.650 inches, 0.7 inches, or 0.750 inches. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the multiple spot welds 121 may be less than about 0.750 inches, less than about 0.7 inches, less than about 0.65 inches, less than 0.6 inches, less than about 0.55 inches, less than about 0.50 inches, less than about 0.45 inches, less than about 0.40 inches, less than about 0.35 inches, less than about 0.30 inches, less than about 0.20 inches, or less than about 0.15 inches.

[0090] The heat-affected zone formed by the multiple spot welds 121 may be about 20% to about 50% of the diameter of each of the multiple spot welds. In many embodiments, the spot welds may form a heat-affected zone (i.e., a location where the microstructure changes) of about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the diameter of the spot weld. In other embodiments, the multiple spot welds 121 may form a heat-affected zone of less than about 50%, less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, or less than about 25% of the diameter of the spot weld. The heat-affected zone is a non-melted region of the faceplate 102 where the microstructure has changed as a result of being exposed to a high welding temperature. The remaining area of ​​the spot weld may be defined as the weld pool area (i.e., the area where the faceplate 102 can reach its melting point and be prepared for the injection of filler material), as shown in the example in Figure 9.

[0091] As further illustrated by Figure 7 and described above, the multiple spot welds formed on the faceplate 102 locally alter the microstructure of the faceplate 102 within the heat-affected zone. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone resulting from the spot welds forms dendrite structures, which are needle-like or finger-like structures that generate smaller grain boundary sizes to harden or increase the strength of the faceplate 102 in the weld (or HAZ) region. This local hardening directly correlates to a decrease in the characteristic time of areas where the flexibility of the faceplate is reduced. Locations outside the weld pool and heat-affected zone (i.e., locations not affected by spot welds) have a homogeneous microstructure with larger grain boundaries relative to the grain boundaries of the heat-affected zone.

[0092] In this particular embodiment, the multiple spot welds 121 are positioned along a linear reference shape 126, extending from the geometric center 104 of the faceplate 102 to a point in the center-high toe quadrant, and not extending into the body of the clubhead. In this exemplary embodiment, each of the multiple spot welds 121 is in contact with or touching another spot weld of the multiple spot welds. In other embodiments, the multiple spot welds do not need to be in contact with or touching another spot weld. In these embodiments, the multiple spot welds may be spaced about 0.1 inches to 1 inch apart from each other. For example, in many embodiments, multiple spot welds may be spaced apart from each other by 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1.0 inch.

[0093] Of the multiple spot welds 121, the spot weld furthest from the geometric center (along the X-axis and / or toward the toe) may be spaced at a maximum of approximately 0.84 inches apart. In an alternative embodiment, the furthest spot welds 121 may be spaced at approximately 0.01 inches, 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.06 inches, 0.07 inches, 0.08 inches, 0.09 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.11 inches, 0.12 inches, 0.13 inches, 0.14 inches, 0.15 inches, and 0.1 inches apart along the X-axis 103 direction and / or toward the toe. 6 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, 0.20 inches, 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.27 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.29 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches, 0.42 inches, 0.43 inches, 0.44 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.46 inches, 0.47 inches, 0.48 inches, 0.49 inches, 0.50 inches, 0.51 inches, 0.52 inches, 0.53 inches, 0.54 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.56 inches, 0.57 inches, 0.58 inches, 0.59 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.61 inches, 0.62 inches, 0.6 The distance from the geometric center may be 3 inches, 0.64 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.66 inches, 0.67 inches, 0.68 inches, 0.69 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.71 inches, 0.72 inches, 0.73 inches, 0.74 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.76 inches, 0.77 inches, 0.78 inches, 0.79 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.81 inches, 0.82 inches, 0.83 inches, or 0.84 inches.

[0094] In the same or other embodiments, the spot weld 121 furthest from the geometric center along the Y-axis 107 may be spaced up to approximately 0.42 inches from the geometric center toward the upper edge of the crown or faceplate. The furthest spot welds may be spaced approximately 0.01 inches, 0.02 inches, 0.03 inches, 0.04 inches, 0.05 inches, 0.06 inches, 0.07 inches, 0.08 inches, 0.09 inches, 0.10 inches, 0.11 inches, 0.12 inches, 0.13 inches, 0.14 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.16 inches, 0.17 inches, 0.18 inches, 0.19 inches, 0.20 inches toward the crown. The spacing from the geometric center may be inches, 0.21 inches, 0.22 inches, 0.23 inches, 0.24 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.26 inches, 0.27 inches, 0.28 inches, 0.29 inches, 0.30 inches, 0.31 inches, 0.32 inches, 0.33 inches, 0.34 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.36 inches, 0.37 inches, 0.38 inches, 0.39 inches, 0.40 inches, 0.41 inches, or 0.42 inches. In many embodiments, the multiple spot welds 121 are spaced apart and do not contact or abut the face-body transition area.

[0095] In many embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, multiple spot welds are collinear to one another. In alternative embodiments, multiple spot welds do not need to be collinear and are slightly offset from a straight reference line (i.e., non-collinear). Based on the faceplate surface area of ​​the club head shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 7, approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of the faceplate surface area may be in contact with a single weld bead. 16.5% or less of the outer faceplate surface area may be in contact with any weld.

[0096] (A rectangular reference shape having one or more HAZ sections) The heat-affected zone may be found in a specific area of ​​the faceplate, and furthermore, the heat-affected zone may be bounded within the reference shape 126 or located entirely within the reference shape 126. The deposition of weld beads or spot welds within the reference shape 126 generates a HAZ region that forms a dendritic microstructure (different from the non-spot-welded area). By placing spot welds at the relevant locations in the area where the CT properties are above a threshold value, CT reduction due to the dendritic microstructure properties is achieved. The reference shape 126 generates an outline around and / or over the area to be CT adjusted, which may help to more easily identify the location of individual CT adjustments.

[0097] As described above, the reference shape 126 is projected onto the faceplate 102 to generate a boundary around the relevant area. These relevant areas are typically regions with high CT values ​​and can generally be found in the central-high tow quadrant 114. Within the central-high tow quadrant 114, referring specifically to Figure 2, it can be seen that the CT can change by up to approximately 15 μs within a 1 inch × 1 inch area at a point in the faceplate position (i.e., the CT measurement area). Furthermore, at adjacent faceplate position points, the CT can change by up to 11 μs. This change can increase further over time with repeated impacts (i.e., wear). To reduce the change, the HAZ area may be formed via spot welds and / or weld beads within a localized area without affecting adjacent measurement positions.

[0098] As shown in Figure 8, at least four spot welds (i.e., the first spot weld 119, the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 may also be referred to as the first weld bead, the second weld bead, the third weld bead, and the fourth weld bead, respectively) are formed on the outer surface of the faceplate 102. In other words, the first spot weld 119, the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 may be applied to the (outer) surface of the faceplate 102 that directly contacts the golf ball during impact. In other embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth spot welds 119, 120, 122, and 123 do not need to be formed / applied to the outer surface of the faceplate 102, and conversely, the first, second, third, and fourth spot welds 119, 120, 122, and 123 may be applied to the rear surface of the faceplate 102 in an open crown or open sole design (i.e., the golf club head provides access to the inside of the club head).

[0099] As described above, spot welds 119, 120, 122, and 123 can locally affect the microstructure of specific areas on the faceplate 102 without changing the microstructure across the faceplate 102 as a whole. The four or more spot welds illustrated in Figure 8 may generally be defined by their diameter. The diameters of the four or more spot welds 119, 120, 122, and 123 in contact with the faceplate 102 may be between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.75 inches. In many embodiments, the diameters of one or more spot welds may be between approximately 0.125 inches and approximately 0.225 inches, approximately 0.225 inches and approximately 0.325 inches, approximately 0.325 inches and approximately 0.425 inches, approximately 0.425 inches and approximately 0.525 inches, approximately 0.525 inches and approximately 0.625 inches, or approximately 0.625 inches and approximately 0.75 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the four or more spot welds may be approximately 0.1 inches, 0.150 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.250 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.450 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.550 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.650 inches, 0.7 inches, or 0.750 inches. In alternative embodiments, the diameter of the four or more spot welds may be less than approximately 0.750 inches, less than approximately 0.7 inches, less than approximately 0.65 inches, less than 0.6 inches, less than approximately 0.55 inches, less than approximately 0.50 inches, less than approximately 0.45 inches, less than approximately 0.40 inches, less than approximately 0.35 inches, less than approximately 0.30 inches, less than approximately 0.20 inches, or less than approximately 0.15 inches.

[0100] The heat-affected zone formed by a single spot weld may be about 20% to about 50% of the diameter of the spot weld. In many embodiments, a spot weld may form a heat-affected zone (i.e., a location where the microstructure changes) of about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 35%, about 35% to about 40%, about 40% to about 45%, or about 45% to about 50% of the diameter of the spot weld. In other embodiments, a spot weld may form a heat-affected zone of less than about 50%, less than about 45%, less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, or less than about 25% of the diameter of the spot weld. The heat-affected zone is the non-melted region of the faceplate 102 where the microstructure has changed as a result of being exposed to a high welding temperature. The remaining region of the spot weld may be defined as the weld pool region (i.e., the region where the faceplate 102 can reach its melting point and be ready for filler material to be injected), as shown in the example in Figure 9.

[0101] As further shown in Figure 8, the first spot welds 119, second spot welds 120, third spot welds 122, and fourth spot welds 123 formed on the faceplate 102 locally alter the microstructure of the faceplate 102 within the heat-affected zone described above. The microstructure of the heat-affected zone resulting from the spot welds forms dendrite structures, which are needle-like or finger-like structures that generate smaller grain boundaries to harden or increase the strength in the welded (or HAZ) region of the faceplate 102. This local hardening directly correlates to a decrease in the characteristic time of regions where the flexibility of the faceplate is reduced. Locations outside the weld pool and heat-affected zone (i.e., locations not affected by spot welds) have a homogeneous microstructure with larger grain boundaries relative to the grain boundaries in the heat-affected zone (i.e., regions with lower rigidity and higher flexibility).

[0102] In this particular embodiment, the first spot weld 119, the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 are located on and / or within the rectangular reference shape 126 at their respective locations, and may be spaced apart from each other but not touching each other. In many embodiments, the distance between the centers of the first spot weld 119, the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 may vary. In many embodiments, the distance may be about 0.1 inches to 1 inch. For example, in many embodiments, the distance between the center of the first spot weld 119 and at least one of the centers of the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 may be 0.1 inches, 0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.25 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.35 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.45 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.55 inches, 0.60 inches, 0.65 inches, 0.70 inches, 0.75 inches, 0.80 inches, 0.85 inches, 0.90 inches, 0.95 inches, or 1.0 inch. In other embodiments, the distance between the center of the first spot weld 119 and at least one of the centers of the second spot weld 120, the third spot weld 122, and the fourth spot weld 123 may be less than 1.0 inch, less than 0.95 inches, less than 0.90 inches, less than 0.85 inches, less than 0.80 inches, less than 0.75 inches, less than 0.70 inches, less than 0.65 inches, less than 0.60 inches, less than 0.55 inches, less than 0.50 inches, less than 0.45 inches, less than 0.40 inches, less than 0.35 inches, less than 0.30 inches, less than 0.20 inches, or less than 0.150 inches. In many embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth spot welds are spaced apart and do not contact or abut the face-body transition area.

[0103] In many embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, at least two spot welds are collinear to each other. In the same or alternative embodiments, at least two spot welds are not collinear to each other. Based on the faceplate surface area of ​​the club head shown in the example in Figure 8, approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of the faceplate surface area may be in contact with a single weld bead. Up to 16.5% of the outer faceplate surface area may be in contact with any weld.

[0104] (Manufacturing method) Figure 10 shows the process for forming and / or assembling a golf club head 100. In the first step 200, the faceplate 102 may be aligned with the body of the golf club head 100. The second step 300 involves welding the faceplate 102 to the body of the club head 100. In the third step 400, the club head and faceplate may be heated through a series of melting and / or aging steps to the sorbus temperature of the faceplate material, a temperature higher than the sorbus temperature, or a temperature lower than the sorbus temperature. In the fourth step 500, the club head and faceplate are air-cooled.

[0105] Once the club head has cooled, the fifth step 600 involves identifying at least one relevant area on the faceplate. This relevant area may typically be identified or found by determining the position where the golf ball remains on the faceplate at impact for a longer period than intentionally designed. Its location may be identified or found by (1) by a standard USGA test method for measuring characteristic time via a thermal exploration process (attempting to identify the location and value of the club head's maximum characteristic time value by taking measurements at strategically selected locations), or by (2) by identifying a relevant known area through club head aggregation of CT data.

[0106] Once at least one relevant area on the faceplate is identified, spot welding via plasma welding or laser welding may be applied to the relevant area at a predetermined temperature of 500°C to 650°C for a time range of 1 to 5 seconds, thereby forming a HAZ area. This step 700 may be completed before any faceplate finishing step. For example, localized heat treatment may be completed before smoothing or texturing processes, coating / aesthetic processes, and heat polishing processes for the faceplate and / or the entire clubhead.

[0107] Finally, in the seventh step 800, the filler material formed by the spot welds may be polished, smoothed, and / or removed from the faceplate to produce a smooth faceplate surface. In other words, any excess material on the faceplate as a result of the spot welds may be removed before polishing so that no mass is added to the faceplate. After the removal of the spot welds as described above, the faceplate appears unchanged from a macroscopic perspective, but from a microscopic perspective, parts of the faceplate microstructure have been modified to have a dendritic structure.

[0108] (Example 1) To analyze the effectiveness of the golf club head embodiments described herein and to obtain quantifiable information regarding the club head's characteristic time, ball velocity, launch angle, and spin characteristics, robotic test experiments were conducted on three clubs. Specifically, the embodiment shown in Figure 7 was benchmarked against a control club without a HAZ (Hazard Absorbing Zone) and a control club without a HAZ but with a 1-degree loft.

[0109] The golf club head tested in Figure 7 was a driver-type golf club head with a loft angle of approximately 8.95 degrees, a swing weight of D4.2, a total club head weight (grip + shaft + head) of 317.9 grams, and a finished head weight of 204.5 grams. The control club was a driver-type golf club head with a loft angle of approximately 9.1 degrees, a swing weight of D4.1, a total club head weight (grip + shaft + head) of 317.6 grams, and a finished head weight of 204.6 grams.

[0110] The lofted control club was lofted (via the adjustable hosel) to have a club head with a loft angle of approximately 8.1 degrees, a swing weight of D4.1, a total club head weight of 317.6 grams (grip + shaft + head), and a finished head weight of 204.6 grams.

[0111] Furthermore, various characteristic time measurements in the center-high toe quadrant were recorded at various positions on the control club. The following table (Table 1) summarizes the recorded values. The measurement position at the point (0 inches, 0 inches) is defined as the geometric center (or origin) of the golf club head. Moving from right to left in the table adjusts the horizontal reference position, and therefore moves closer to the toe of the club head. Moving from bottom to top in the table adjusts the vertical reference position, and therefore moves towards the crown of the club head.

[0112] [Table 1]

[0113] For comparative purposes, center-high toe characteristic time values ​​were also measured in the tested embodiment shown in Figure 7 and are shown in Table 2. Comparing Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the characteristic time measurements before (Table 1) and after (Table 2) spot welding decreased by an average of approximately 4% or 12 μs at key locations on the faceplate (i.e., the center-high toe quadrant).

[0114] [Table 2]

[0115] Typically, a decrease in characteristic time results also leads to a decrease in ball velocity. However, this was not the case here. Specifically, referring to Figure 11, we can see that the ball velocity of the tested clubs increased across center, toe, and heel impacts compared to the control club and the control club with upright loft. Furthermore, in Figures 12 and 13, we can see that the tested clubheads launched approximately 8% lower with approximately 9% lower spin.

[0116] It was concluded that this phenomenon was due to both impact velocity and localized faceplate hardening. Characteristic time tests are low (or slow) impact tests that measure the time a golf ball remains in contact with the faceplate at impact. Alternatively, ball velocity data are typically taken with high-speed impacts with the golf ball. For this reason, the clubheads described herein, having a HAZ (more specifically, faceplate response), vary according to low-impact and high-impact settings.

[0117] For example, at a characteristic time measurement location where a heat-affected zone (HAZ) exists, the heat-affected zone is stiffer than adjacent (non-HAZ) locations due to smaller grain boundaries. The heat-affected zone prevents the faceplate from bending significantly, and the stiffer region leads to a reduction in CT (coefficient of tension) (at specific locations). As a result, the golf ball does not remain in contact with the faceplate for as long as possible upon impact. However, when the system as a whole is stiffer, at high impacts (such as a full swing), the heat-affected zone generates increased ball velocity, and therefore, with reduced face bending and / or curvature in specific areas, energy transfer to the golf ball at impact is not lost during face bending.

[0118] The replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes a reconstruction, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to specific embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may give rise to or make more apparent any benefits, advantages, or solutions should not be construed as material, essential, or intrinsic features or elements of any or all of the claims.

[0119] Because the rules of golf are often subject to change (for example, new rules may be applied or old rules may be deleted or modified by golf standards organizations and / or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Advanced Golf Club of St. Louis (R&A)), golf equipment relating to the apparatus, methods, and manufactured articles described herein may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment relating to the apparatus, methods, and manufactured articles described herein may be advertised, marketed, and / or sold as golf equipment that conforms or does not conform to the rules of golf. The apparatus, methods, and manufactured articles described herein are not limited to this.

[0120] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not made available to the public under the doctrine of dedication if (1) the embodiments and / or limitations are not expressly claimed in the claims and (2) are equivalent or potentially equivalent under the doctrine of equivalents to elements and / or limitations expressly made in the claims.

[0121] Various features and advantages of this disclosure are described in the following claims.

[0122] Item 1. A faceplate and body, wherein the body comprises a sole, a crown, a heel end, and a toe end, the sole being on the ground at address, the crown being on the opposite side of the sole, the heel end being on the opposite side of the toe end and perpendicular to the sole and the crown, the faceplate having a geometric center equidistant from the crown and the sole and equidistant from the heel end and the toe end, the faceplate defining a loft plane, the loft plane intersecting the ground and tangent to the geometric center, and a reference shape having height and width, the reference shape extending from the geometric center A golf club head comprising: a reference shape extending toward the crown and the toe end, the height of the reference shape being approximately 25% of the total height of the face plate as measured in the loft plane in the crown-sole direction, the width of the reference shape being approximately 25% of the total width of the face plate as measured perpendicular to the loft plane in the heel-toe end direction, the reference shape further comprising a characteristic time threshold, wherein one or more positions within the reference shape include characteristic time values ​​higher than the characteristic time threshold, and a first heat-affected zone is formed at or near the one or more positions, wherein the position of each heat-affected zone after formation includes characteristic time values ​​less than or equal to the characteristic time threshold.

[0123] Item 2. The golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the geometric center of the faceplate further defines an origin with respect to a coordinate system having an X' axis and a Y' axis, the X' axis extending through the geometric center of the faceplate in the direction from the heel to the toe of the club head, and the Y' axis extending through the geometric center of the faceplate in a direction perpendicular to the X' axis from the crown to the sole of the club head, forming four faceplate quadrant regions including the center-high toe quadrant, and the reference shape is a straight line reference shape extending from the geometric center of the faceplate and bounded only in the center-high toe quadrant.

[0124] Item 3. The golf club head described in Item 2, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

[0125] Item 4. The golf club head described in Item 3, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 45 to 50 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

[0126] Item 5. The golf club head according to Item 2, wherein at least the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones are located along the straight line reference shape, and the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones have a different microstructure from that of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

[0127] Item 6. The golf club head according to Item 5, wherein the microstructure of the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones is a needle-like or finger-like structure having smaller grain boundaries than the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

[0128] Item 7. The golf club head described in Item 1, wherein the first heat-affected zone extends to 16.5% or less of the surface area of ​​the external faceplate.

[0129] Item 8. The golf club head according to Item 5, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are substantially collinear with each other.

[0130] Item 9. The golf club head as described in Item 8, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are not located at any position along the faceplate-body transition region.

[0131] Item 10. A faceplate and body, wherein the body comprises a sole, a crown, a heel end, and a toe end, the sole being on the ground at address, the crown being on the opposite side of the sole, the heel end being on the opposite side of the toe end and perpendicular to the sole and the crown, the faceplate having a geometric center equidistant from the crown and the sole and equidistant from the heel end and the toe end, the faceplate defining a loft plane, the loft plane intersecting the ground and tangent to the geometric center, and a reference shape having height and width, the reference shape extending from the geometric center to the crown A golf club head comprising: a reference shape and extending toward the toe end, the height of the reference shape being about 5% to about 25% of the total height of the face plate as measured in the loft plane in the crown-sole direction, the width of the reference shape being about 5% to about 25% of the total width of the face plate as measured perpendicular to the loft plane in the heel-toe end direction, the reference shape further comprising a characteristic time threshold, wherein one or more positions within the reference shape include characteristic time values ​​higher than the characteristic time threshold, and a first heat-affected zone is formed at or near the one or more positions, wherein the position of each heat-affected zone after formation includes characteristic time values ​​less than or equal to the characteristic time threshold.

[0132] Item 11. The golf club head according to Item 10, wherein the geometric center of the faceplate further defines an origin with respect to a coordinate system having an X' axis and a Y' axis, the X' axis extending through the geometric center of the faceplate in the direction from the heel to the toe of the club head, the Y' axis extending through the geometric center of the faceplate in a direction perpendicular to the X' axis from the crown to the sole of the club head, forming four faceplate quadrant regions including the center-high toe quadrant, and the reference shape is a reference shape of a straight line extending from the geometric center of the faceplate and bounded only in the center-high toe quadrant.

[0133] Item 12. The golf club head described in Item 11, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

[0134] Item 13. The golf club head described in Item 12, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 45 to 50 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

[0135] Item 14. The golf club head according to Item 11, wherein at least the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones are located along the straight line reference shape, and the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones have a different microstructure from the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

[0136] Item 15. The golf club head according to Item 14, wherein the microstructure of the heat-affected zone is needle-like or finger-like and forms smaller grain boundaries than the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

[0137] Item 16. The golf club head described in Item 10, wherein the first heat-affected zone extends to 16.5% or less of the surface area of ​​the external faceplate.

[0138] Item 17. The golf club head according to Item 14, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are collinear with respect to each other.

[0139] Item 18. The golf club head as described in Item 17, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are not located at any position along the faceplate-body transition region.

[0140] Item 19. The golf club head is a driver-type club head, as described in Item 11.

[0141] Item 20. The golf club head described in Item 11, wherein the golf club head is a driver-type club head having a loft angle of less than 10 degrees.

Claims

1. A faceplate and a body, wherein the body comprises a sole, a crown, a heel end, and a toe end. The sole is on the ground at address. The crown is located on the opposite side of the sole. The heel end is located on the opposite side of the toe end and is perpendicular to the sole and the crown. The face plate has a geometric center that is equidistant from the crown and the sole, and equidistant from the heel end and the toe end. The faceplate defines a loft plane, and the loft plane intersects the ground and is tangent to the geometric center, the faceplate and the main body, A reference shape having height and width, The aforementioned reference shape extends from the geometric center toward the crown and the toe end, The height of the reference shape is approximately 25% of the total height of the faceplate as measured within the loft plane in the crown-sole direction. The width of the reference shape is approximately 25% of the total width of the faceplate measured perpendicular to the loft plane in the heel-toe direction. The reference shape further comprises a characteristic time threshold, wherein one or more positions within the reference shape include a characteristic time value higher than the characteristic time threshold. A golf club head comprising: a first heat-affected zone formed at or near one or more of the aforementioned locations, wherein the location of each heat-affected zone after formation includes a characteristic time value less than or equal to the characteristic time threshold, and the reference shape.

2. The geometric center of the faceplate is defined by further defining the origin of a coordinate system having the X' axis and the Y' axis. The X' axis extends from the heel to the toe of the club head through the geometric center of the face plate, and the Y' axis extends from the crown to the sole of the club head through the geometric center of the face plate in a direction perpendicular to the X' axis, forming four face plate quadrant regions including the center and high toe quadrant. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the reference shape is a straight line reference shape that extends from the geometric center of the face plate and is bounded only in the center-toe quadrant.

3. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

4. The golf club head according to claim 3, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 45 to 50 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

5. The golf club head according to claim 2, wherein at least the first heat-affected zone, second heat-affected zone, third heat-affected zone, and fourth heat-affected zone exist along the linear reference shape, and the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones have a microstructure different from the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

6. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the microstructures of the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones are needle-like or finger-like structures having smaller grain boundaries than the microstructures of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first heat-affected zone extends to 16.5% or less of the surface area of ​​the external face plate.

8. The golf club head according to claim 5, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are substantially collinear with respect to each other.

9. The golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are not located at any position along the faceplate-body transition region.

10. A faceplate and a body, wherein the body comprises a sole, a crown, a heel end, and a toe end. The sole is on the ground at address. The crown is located on the opposite side of the sole. The heel end is located on the opposite side of the toe end and is perpendicular to the sole and the crown. The face plate has a geometric center that is equidistant from the crown and the sole, and equidistant from the heel end and the toe end. The faceplate defines a loft plane, and the loft plane intersects the ground and is tangent to the geometric center, the faceplate and the main body, A reference shape having height and width, The aforementioned reference shape extends from the geometric center toward the crown and the toe end, The height of the reference shape is approximately 5% to approximately 25% of the total height of the faceplate as measured within the loft plane in the crown-sole direction. The width of the reference shape is approximately 5% to approximately 25% of the total width of the faceplate measured perpendicular to the loft plane in the heel-toe direction. The reference shape further comprises a characteristic time threshold, wherein one or more positions within the reference shape include a characteristic time value higher than the characteristic time threshold. A golf club head comprising: a first heat-affected zone formed at or near one or more of the aforementioned locations, wherein the location of each heat-affected zone after formation includes a characteristic time value less than or equal to the characteristic time threshold, and the reference shape.

11. The geometric center of the faceplate is defined by further defining the origin of a coordinate system having the X' axis and the Y' axis. The X' axis extends from the heel to the toe of the club head through the geometric center of the face plate, and the Y' axis extends from the crown to the sole of the club head through the geometric center of the face plate in a direction perpendicular to the X' axis, forming four face plate quadrant regions including the center and high toe quadrant. The golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the reference shape is a straight line reference shape that extends from the geometric center of the face plate and is bounded only in the center-toe quadrant.

12. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 20 to 80 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

13. The golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the reference shape of the straight line is angled at approximately 45 to 50 degrees with respect to the X' axis.

14. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein at least the first heat-affected zone, second heat-affected zone, third heat-affected zone, and fourth heat-affected zone exist along the linear reference shape, and the first, second, third, and fourth heat-affected zones have a microstructure different from the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

15. The golf club head according to claim 14, wherein the microstructure of the heat-affected zone is needle-shaped or finger-shaped and forms smaller grain boundaries than the microstructure of the non-heat-affected faceplate region.

16. The golf club head according to claim 10, wherein the first heat-affected zone extends to 16.5% or less of the surface area of ​​the external face plate.

17. The golf club head according to claim 14, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are collinear with respect to each other.

18. The golf club head according to claim 17, wherein the first heat-affected zone, the second heat-affected zone, the third heat-affected zone, and the fourth heat-affected zone are not located at any position along the face plate-body transition region.

19. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the golf club head is a driver-type club head.

20. The golf club head according to claim 11, wherein the golf club head is a driver-type club head having a loft angle of less than 10 degrees.

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