Golf club head with pneumatic insert

Abstract

This specification describes a golf club head having a pneumatic insert. The pneumatic insert comprises a membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas. The pneumatic insert occupies at least a portion of the club head cavity and is secured within the cavity by one or more retainers. The pneumatic insert dampens club head vibration and reinforces a portion of the club head, thereby improving the sound, feel, and flight performance of the club head.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-reference priority) This application claims the interests of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 494,763, filed on April 6, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 590,338, filed on October 13, 2023, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to golf clubs, and more specifically to iron-type golf club heads. [Background technology]

[0003] Golf club head design aims to incorporate several performance characteristics, including vibration response at impact. Vibration response corresponds to the sound and feel of the golf club. Excessive, dominant vibrations experienced at impact produce a loud and acoustically unpleasant sound, as well as an irritating and irritating tactile sensation in the golfer's hands. Many prior art golf club heads, particularly iron-type golf club heads, have attempted to dampen such undesirable vibrations by filling the cavity of the club head with insert or filler materials.

[0004] While such inserts or filler materials can improve the vibration response of the clubhead, they often negatively impact ball flight performance by creating undesirable clubhead weight distribution. Specifically, prior art inserts and filler materials are often solid materials such as solid polymer inserts, solid foam inserts, metal inserts, or badges that reduce the discretionary mass of the clubhead, which can be used to improve the clubhead's mass properties, such as moment of inertia (MOI) and / or center of gravity (CG) position, through peripheral weight distribution. In many cases, the attachment of prior art inserts to the clubhead body requires robust retaining features and / or components, such as casings or mechanical fasteners. Such components further reduce the discretionary mass of the clubhead. Therefore, in this technology, there is a need for a lightweight solution to dampen clubhead vibration, which allows the designer to create a desirable clubhead weight distribution. Such a solution results in a golf clubhead that presents a pleasant sound, a soft feel at impact, and increased discretionary mass to improve ball flight performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] To facilitate further explanation of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided.

[0006] [Figure 1] A front perspective view of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown.

[0007] [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of the golf club head.

[0008] [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a front view of the golf club head.

[0009] [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a toe view of the golf club head.

[0010] [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head without a pneumatic insert.

[0011] [Figure 6] Figure 1 shows a front cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a pneumatic insert.

[0012] [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a toe-side cross-sectional view of the pneumatic insert, where the cross-section is taken along line AA in Figure 6.

[0013] [Figure 8A] A front cross-sectional view of a pneumatic insert equipped with multiple sub-chambers is shown.

[0014] [Figure 8B] A front cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a pneumatic insert having multiple sub-chambers is shown.

[0015] [Figure 8C] A front cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a pneumatic insert having multiple sub-chambers is shown.

[0016] [Figure 8D] A front cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a pneumatic insert having multiple sub-chambers is shown.

[0017] [Figure 9] A rear view of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown with the pneumatic insert removed.

[0018] [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0019] [Figure 11] Figure 9 shows a rear view of the golf club head, including the pneumatic insert.

[0020] [Figure 12] Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head, including the pneumatic insert.

[0021] [Figure 13] Figure 9 shows a rear perspective view of the golf club head.

[0022] [Figure 14] A rear view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] [Figure 15] Figure 14 shows a rear perspective view of the golf club head with the badge removed.

[0024] [Figure 16] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head with the pneumatic insert removed.

[0025] [Figure 17] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0026] [Figure 18] Figure 14 shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0027] [Figure 19] A rear view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] [Figure 20] Figure 19 shows a rear view of the golf club head with the badge removed.

[0029] [Figure 21] Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0030] [Figure 22] Figure 19 shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0031] [Figure 23] A rear perspective view of a golf club head according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0032] [Figure 24] Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0033] [Figure 25] Figure 23 shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0034] [Figure 26] A mounting assembly for attaching a pneumatic insert according to the present invention is shown.

[0035] [Figure 27] A front cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a pneumatic insert and one or more top rail bumpers is shown.

[0036] [Figure 28] Figure 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0037] [Figure 29] Figure 27 shows a magnified, detailed view of the golf club head, highlighting the top rail bumper.

[0038] [Figure 30] A front cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a pneumatic insert and one or more sole bumpers is shown.

[0039] [Figure 31] Figure 30 shows a rear perspective view of the golf club head with the pneumatic insert and badge removed.

[0040] [Figure 32] A rear view of a golf club head equipped with a pneumatic insert and one or more backface bumpers is shown.

[0041] [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows a rear view of the golf club head with the pneumatic insert removed.

[0042] [Figure 34] A cross-sectional view of the toe side of a golf club head with one or more full cavity bumpers is shown.

[0043] [Figure 35] A front view of a badge with one or more badge bumpers is shown.

[0044] [Figure 36] An exploded view of a golf club head is shown, comprising a pneumatic insert and a badge with one or more badge bumpers.

[0045] [Figure 37A] A rear view of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0046] [Figure 37B] Figure 37A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0047] [Figure 38A] A rear view of a second embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0048] [Figure 38B] Figure 38A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0049] [Figure 39A] A rear view of a third embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0050] [Figure 39B] Figure 39A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0051] [Figure 40A] A rear view of a fourth embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0052] [Figure 40B] Figure 40A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0053] [Figure 41A] A rear view of a fifth embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0054] [Figure 41B] Figure 41A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0055] [Figure 42A] A rear view of a sixth embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0056] [Figure 42B] Figure 42A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0057] [Figure 43A] A rear view of a seventh embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0058] [Figure 43B] Figure 43A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0059] [Figure 44A] A rear view of an eighth embodiment of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts is shown.

[0060] [Figure 44B] Figure 44A shows a front cross-sectional view of the golf club head.

[0061] [Figure 45] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert is shown.

[0062] [Figure 46] A front perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert is shown.

[0063] [Figure 47] A front perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert is shown.

[0064] [Figure 48] A front perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert is shown.

[0065] [Figure 49] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a wavy pneumatic insert is shown.

[0066] [Figure 50] Figure 49 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0067] [Figure 51] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head, including a pneumatic insert with folds, is shown.

[0068] [Figure 52] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a golf club head including a pneumatic insert with folds is shown.

[0069] [Figure 53] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert having an inward reinforcing feature is shown.

[0070] [Figure 54] Figure 53 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0071] [Figure 55] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert having an inward reinforcing feature is shown.

[0072] [Figure 56] Figure 55 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0073] [Figure 57] A front perspective cross-sectional view of a golf club head equipped with a pneumatic insert having slots is shown.

[0074] [Figure 58] Figure 57 shows a cross-sectional view of the toe side of the golf club head.

[0075] [Figure 59A] A front perspective view of a pneumatic insert having one or more solid sections is shown.

[0076] [Figure 59B]Figure 59A shows a toe-side view of the pneumatic insert.

[0077] [Figure 60A] A front perspective view of a second embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more solid portions is shown.

[0078] [Figure 60B] Figure 60A shows a toe-side view of the pneumatic insert.

[0079] [Figure 61A] A front perspective view of a third embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more solid portions is shown.

[0080] [Figure 61B] Figure 61A shows a toe-side view of the pneumatic insert.

[0081] [Figure 62A] A front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more solid portions is shown.

[0082] [Figure 62B] Figure 62A shows a toe-side view of the pneumatic insert.

[0083] [Figure 63A] A front perspective view of a pneumatic insert having one or more insert ribs is shown.

[0084] [Figure 63B] A front perspective view of a second embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more insert ribs is shown.

[0085] [Figure 63C] A front perspective view of a third embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more insert ribs is shown.

[0086] [Figure 63D] A front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a pneumatic insert having one or more insert ribs is shown.

[0087] [Figure 64] A front perspective view of a pneumatic insert having one or more internal weight members is shown. Definition

[0088] To simplify and clarify the illustrations, the drawings show general structural embodiments, and well-known features, technical descriptions, and details may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Furthermore, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, to facilitate understanding of embodiments of the invention, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated compared to others. The same reference numeral in different drawings refers to the same element.

[0089] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and so on, as used herein and in the claims, are for distinguishing similar elements, if any, and do not necessarily represent a specific order or chronological order. It should be understood that such terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, for example, if the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in an order other than that shown herein or otherwise described. Furthermore, the terms “includes” and “having,” and their variations, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, and a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include elements not expressly enumerated, or other elements inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0090] The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “up,” “down,” “above,” and “below,” used herein and in the claims, are for illustrative purposes only, if any, and do not necessarily describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that these terms are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances where embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

[0091] As used herein, terms such as “connect,” “connected,” and “linked” broadly refer to the electrical, mechanical, and / or otherwise connected connection of two or more elements or signals.

[0092] This specification describes various embodiments of club heads equipped with pneumatic inserts for improving sound and feel while increasing discretionary mass. Figures 1 to 10 schematically illustrate various embodiments of an iron-type golf club head 100 in various diagrams. For the sake of convenience, the features shown on the golf club head 100 are applicable to various embodiments of club heads according to the present invention. One or more of the features described in the following embodiments can be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, different embodiments may have different numbering schemes (i.e., numbering schemes such as 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, etc.), but similar elements are numbered similarly between embodiments (i.e., golf club head 100 may be equipped with a top rail 110 and a sole 112, whereas club head 200 may be equipped with a top rail 210 and a sole 212).

[0093] As illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, the club head 100 includes a club head body 101. The club head body 101 can include a front end 108 that defines a hitting face 102, a top rail 110, a sole 112 opposite the top rail 110, a heel 104, and a toe 106 opposite the heel 104. The club head 100 further includes a rear end 111 that defines a rear wall 116 on the opposite side of the front end 108. The top rail 110, the sole 112, the heel 104, and the toe 106 extend rearward from the hitting face perimeter toward the rear end 111. The rear wall 116 extends upward from the sole 112 at the rear end 111.

[0094] In some embodiments, the body material can be stainless steel such as 17-4 stainless steel. In other embodiments, the body material can be steel or stainless steel alloy such as 15-5 stainless steel, 431 stainless steel, 4140 steel, 4340 steel, or any other suitable material. The body material can have a density between 7.0 g / cm 3 and 10.0 g / cm 3 . In some embodiments, the body material can have a density between 7.0 g / cm 3 and 7.5 g / cm 3 , between 7.5 and 8.0 g / cm 3 , between 8.0 and 8.5 g / cm 3 , between 8.5 and 9.0 g / cm 3 , between 9.0 and 9.5 g / cm 3 , or between 9.5 and 10.0 g / cm 3 .

[0095] Referring now to Figure 5, the iron-type golf club head 100 further comprises a cavity 125 that is at least partially sealed by the club head body 101. The inner surfaces of the striking face 102, the top rail 110, the sole 112, the rear wall 116, the heel 104, and / or the toe 106 can at least partially define one or more cavity walls that form the boundary of the cavity 125. For example, the club head 100 includes the rear striking face 115, the inner surface of the top rail 119, the inner surface of the sole 121, the inner surface of the rear wall 123, the inner surface of the heel 126, and / or the inner surface of the toe 127, which at least partially form the boundary of the cavity 125. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5, the rear wall 116 extends uninterrupted from the sole 112 to the top rail 110, thereby, in combination with the rest of the body 101, sealing the hollow internal cavity 125. Such an embodiment can be referred to as a club head with a "completely sealed hollow body."

[0096] In other embodiments, such as those illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the rear wall 216 may extend only partially between the sole 212 and the top rail 210, forming a rear opening 222 that is in fluid communication with the outside of the club head. In some embodiments, the rear opening 222 is not covered, thereby creating an open cavity 225 exposed to the outside of the club head. Such embodiments may be referred to as a “cavity-back” club head. In other embodiments (which are described and illustrated in more detail below), the rear opening may be covered by a badge, cover, and / or other member, thereby the rear wall and the aforementioned covering member working together to seal a hollow internal cavity. In such embodiments, the club head may be referred to as a “hollow body with cap” club head.

[0097] In some embodiments, the badge (or cover) may be formed from a lightweight metallic material, including but not limited to aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In other embodiments, the badge may include a lightweight polymer, plastic material, or composite material. In some embodiments, the badge is constructed from multiple materials. In some embodiments, the badge has a density less than that of the club head body.

[0098] Any embodiment of the pneumatic insert described herein may be applied to any embodiment of the open cavity and / or hollow internal cavity described herein. Specific clubhead embodiments and cavity configurations are described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “cavity” may refer to a hollow internal cavity that is entirely or partially sealed by the clubhead body, or an open cavity that is in fluid communication with the outside of the clubhead, unless otherwise specified. The term “cavity back” may refer to a clubhead having an open cavity 225 with an uncovered rear opening. The term “fully sealed hollow body” may refer to a clubhead having a hollow internal cavity that is fully or substantially sealed by the clubhead body.

[0099] As used herein, the term "contact surface" may refer to a reference surface relating to the surface on which the golf ball is placed. The contact surface 1010 may be a horizontal plane that is in contact with the sole 112 at the address position (i.e., the position where the club head 100 is oriented at the intended loft and lie angles). The contact surface 1010 is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0100] As used herein, the term “striking face perimeter” may refer to the edge of the striking face. The striking face perimeter may be located along the outer edge of the striking face where the curvature deviates from the bulge and / or roll of the striking face.

[0101] As used herein, the term “geometric center” of the striking face may refer to the geometric center point of the periphery of the striking face. In the same or other examples, the geometric center point may also be the center of the engineering impact zone or scoring area (as defined below), which may be defined by the area of ​​grooves on the striking face. Alternatively, the geometric center point of the striking face may be located according to the regulations of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). The geometric center of the striking face may also refer to the “center of the striking face.”

[0102] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3, the iron-type golf club head 100 may have a scoring area occupied by multiple scorelines 117. The scoring area comprises a scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020 that is in contact with the furthest heel-side limit of the multiple scorelines 117, and a scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025 that is in contact with the furthest toe-side limit of the multiple scorelines 117. Each of the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025 extends parallel to the YZ plane. The scoring area is bounded by the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020, the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025, and the periphery of the striking face.

[0103] The physical properties of the club head 100 can be described in relation to a reference point defined by the club head 100 or the surrounding environment. For example, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the club head 100 can define a principal coordinate system centered on the striking face geometric center 120. The principal coordinate system may include an X-axis 1040, a Y-axis 1050, and a Z-axis 1060. The X-axis 1040 may extend in the heel-toe direction and be parallel to the ground contact surface 1010. The X-axis 1040 may be positive toward the heel 104 and negative toward the toe 106. The Y-axis 1050 may extend in the top rail-sole direction and be perpendicular to both the ground contact surface 1010 and the X-axis 1040. The Y-axis 1050 may be positive toward the top rail 110 and negative toward the sole 112. The Z-axis 1060 can extend in the front-rear direction, be parallel to the ground surface 1010, and be perpendicular to both the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. The Z-axis 1060 can be positive toward the striking face 102 and negative toward the rear end 111.

[0104] A principal coordinate system as described herein defines an XY plane extending via the X-axis 1040 and the Y-axis 1050. This coordinate system defines an XZ plane extending via the X-axis 1040 and the Z-axis 1060. This coordinate system further defines a YZ plane extending via the Y-axis 1050 and the Z-axis 1060. The XY plane, the XZ plane, and the YZ plane are all perpendicular to each other and intersect at the coordinate system origin located at the geometric center 120 of the striking face. In these or other embodiments, the golf club head 100 can be viewed from the front when the striking face 102 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the XY plane. Furthermore, in these or other embodiments, the golf club head can be viewed from a side view or side section view when the heel 104 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the YZ plane.

[0105] As described herein, the “center of gravity” or “CG” of a club head may refer to the point where the mass is located at the center within the club head. The term or phrase “center of gravity position” or “CG position” may refer to the position of the club head’s center of gravity (CG) relative to an XYZ coordinate system, and the CG position is characterized by its position along the X-axis 1040, Y-axis 1050, and Z-axis 1060. X The term "CG" can refer to the CG position along the X-axis 1040, measured from the geometric center 120 of the striking face. The term "CG height" can refer to the CG position along the Y-axis 1050, measured from the geometric center 120 of the striking face. Y The term "CG height" can be synonymous with "CG depth". The term "CG depth" can refer to the CG position along the Z-axis 1060, measured from the geometric center 120 of the striking face. Z The term "CG depth" can be synonymous with "CG depth".

[0106] The golf club head 100 further has a coordinate system centered at its center of gravity 160. This coordinate system has an X' axis 1070, a Y' axis 1080, and a Z' axis 1090. The X' axis 1070 extends in the heel-toe direction. The X' axis is positive towards the heel 104 and negative towards the toe 106. The Y' axis 1080 extends in the sole-top rail direction and is perpendicular to both the contact surface 1010 and the X' axis 1070. The Y' axis 1080 is positive towards the top rail 110 and negative towards the sole 112. The Z' axis 1090 extends in the front-rear direction, is parallel to the contact surface 1010, and is perpendicular to both the X' axis 1070 and the Y' axis 1080. The Z' axis 1090 is positive towards the striking face 102 and negative towards the rear end 111.

[0107] The term or phrase "moment of inertia" (hereinafter referred to as "MOI") may refer to a value derived using the position of the center of mass (CG). XX " or "I xxThe term "MOI" can refer to the MOI measured around the X' axis at 1070. YY " or "I yy The term "MOI" can refer to the MOI measured around the Y' axis at 1080. ZZ " or "I zz The term "MOI" can refer to the MOI measured around the Z' axis at 1090. XX MOI YY , and MOI ZZ This determines how forgiving the Clubhead 100 is regarding off-center impacts by the golf ball.

[0108] Various manufacturing techniques can be used to form pneumatic inserts. For example, the term “vacuum forming” as used herein refers to a thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point, allowing it to be stretched into a sheet or thin layer above a mold. A vacuum is then applied to remove air from between the material and the mold so that the sheet is pressed against the mold. The material is then allowed to cool or is forcibly cooled to a solid state, maintaining the geometric structure of the mold.

[0109] As used herein, the term “pressure forming” refers to a thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point. This material is stretched into a sheet or thin layer above a mold. A vacuum is applied to remove air from between the material and the mold so that the sheet is pressed against the mold. A pressing tool is then applied to the side of the material opposite the mold.

[0110] As used herein, the terms “mechanical forming” or “plug-assisted forming” refer to a thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point. This material is stretched into a sheet or thin layer above a negative die. A core plug presses the flexible sheet into the negative die. In mechanical forming, no positive or negative air pressure is applied to the sheet material.

[0111] As used herein, the term “drape forming” refers to a thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point. This material is stretched into a sheet or thin layer. This material is then draped over a mandrel and lowered onto a mold. A vacuum force may be applied to further stretch the material over the geometric structure of the mold.

[0112] As used herein, the term “matched mold forming” refers to a thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point. The material is stretched into a sheet or thin layer between complementary male and female molds. These molds are pressed against each other so that the material takes on a pattern or shape designed onto the molds.

[0113] As used herein, the term “twin sheet forming” refers to a thermoforming method in which two or more sheets or layers of material are heated to a softening point, kept separated from each other through clamping means, and pressed together at least partially from both the top and bottom sides using a male and female die. This process is often used to form a hollow interior within the initial separation space between two or more layers of material.

[0114] As used herein, the term “billow forming” refers to a freeform thermoforming method in which a material is heated to its softening point. This material is stretched into a sheet or thin layer and then expanded with air pressure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0115] This specification describes various embodiments of iron-type golf club heads equipped with pneumatic inserts. Pneumatic inserts improve the sound and feel of the club head by dampening dominant impact vibrations. Located within the club head cavity, the pneumatic insert dampens vibrations by contacting and / or applying pressure to one or more inner surfaces of the club head. The pneumatic insert comprises a membrane sealing one or more hollow chambers, which are filled with pressurized gas. In addition to dampening impact vibrations, the pneumatic insert can structurally reinforce the striking face. The pneumatic insert applies reinforcing pressure to the rear of the striking face, allowing for a reduction in the thickness of the striking face and increasing the flex and ball speed of the striking face without sacrificing durability. Therefore, pneumatic insert designs can improve both the vibration response and the flex of the striking face of the club head. Insert pressure, insert contact area, membrane material, film thickness, and the presence or absence of reinforcing structures or weight members affect the vibration response and the flexibility of the club head. Therefore, by combining the design of the pneumatic insert with the thickness profile of the hitting face, it is possible to improve vibration damping, hitting face support, and ball speed.

[0116] The hollow nature of pneumatic inserts reduces mass compared to solid inserts or solid filler materials that have the same vibration damping effect. Therefore, pneumatic inserts increase discretionary mass while damping vibrations and improving sound and feel, thereby improving the mass characteristics and flight performance of the club head. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the pneumatic insert is fixed within the internal cavity and / or positioned in the desired position by one or more retainers. Unlike prior art damping systems, these retainers lack robustness, occupying a significant amount of discretionary mass and offsetting the weight savings of the pneumatic insert.

[0117] One or more retainers may include one or more clubhead retainers disposed within the internal cavity. One or more clubhead retainers may be lightweight, integrated clubhead body features specifically designed to secure the pneumatic insert within the cavity, such as one or more protrusions, projections, ledges, shelves, rails, bumpers, grooves, channels, furrows, recesses, or depressions. In other embodiments, one or more clubhead retainers may be one or more internal clubhead geometric structures, such as internal mass pads forming undercuts (described in detail below). Such clubhead retainers, in addition to securing the pneumatic insert within the cavity, can position the mass in an advantageous location. In some embodiments, one or more clubhead retainers may be formed as separate components attached to the clubhead body.

[0118] In some embodiments, one or more retainers may include one or more insert retainers provided on the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers may be one or more of the group consisting of ribs, protrusions, extensions, solid portions, geometric structures, fasteners, slots, grooves, recesses, weight members, or other suitable members, formed integrally with the pneumatic insert or attached separately to the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the shape and / or dimensions of the insert may act as an insert retainer. For example, in some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may be shaped asymmetrically to prevent it from moving around in the cavity during use. One or more insert retainers may engage with one or more club head retainers to secure the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers may be shaped in correspondence with one or more club head retainers, or in a manner opposite to one or more club head retainers.

[0119] In some embodiments, the club head is equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts. Multiple pneumatic inserts can adapt to the complex geometric structure of the cavity and increase the insert contact area. Multiple pneumatic inserts can also accommodate variations in damping and performance characteristics across the entire club head.

[0120] In some embodiments, the club head features a localized pneumatic insert that does not occupy the entire cavity. The localized pneumatic insert can be strategically shaped and positioned to dampen high-vibration areas of the club head. Therefore, the localized pneumatic insert can dampen vibrations more efficiently while generating discretionary mass than a similar insert that occupies the entire cavity. In some embodiments, the localized pneumatic insert contacts only a portion of the inner surface of the club head. I. General Overview A. Pneumatic Insert

[0121] The club head is equipped with a pneumatic insert, which is disposed within the cavity to control vibration and improve the sound and feel of the club head. The pneumatic insert is a pressurized hollow insert, constructed from a flexible, moldable, and / or moldable material and comprising a membrane filled with air or another suitable gas. The pneumatic insert occupies at least a portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert is equipped with an insert holder configured to engage with a club head holder and to secure the pneumatic insert within the cavity. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be molded or otherwise molded to conform to the shape of the cavity. The pneumatic insert contacts one or more inner surfaces of the club head, thereby damping club head vibrations. As will be discussed in more detail below, the insert pressure, size, shape, membrane material, and position within the cavity affect the damping properties of the insert.

[0122] As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the pneumatic insert 140 includes a membrane 142 that seals a hollow chamber 144. The hollow chamber 144 is filled with a pressurized gas, such as pressurized air or another preferred gas. The hollow nature of the pneumatic insert 140 results in a discretionary mass compared to a solidly constructed insert or filler material. The pneumatic insert comprises an insert top end 161, an insert bottom end 162, an insert heel end 163, an insert toe end 164, an insert front surface 146, and an insert rear surface 148. When the pneumatic insert 140 is installed as shown in Figure 6, the insert top end 161 is positioned on the top rail 110, the insert bottom end 162 is positioned on the sole 112, the insert heel end 163 is positioned on the heel 104, the insert toe end 164 is positioned on the toe 106, the insert front surface 146 is positioned on the striking face 102, and the insert rear surface 148 is positioned on the rear wall 116.

[0123] The membrane material is selected based on several factors, including durability, pressurized gas retention capacity, and ease of manufacture. The membrane 142 may include moldable, moldable, deformable, or flexible materials. In some embodiments, the membrane material allows the membrane 142 to be pre-formed into a desired depressurized shape and subsequently expanded into a desired pressurized shape. In some embodiments, the membrane material allows the pneumatic insert 140 to deform during use, thereby ensuring that the flexibility and ball speed of the club head are not hindered. The membrane material may be selected to achieve a suitable shape through molding, to have specific properties, or to provide the pneumatic insert 140 with desired flexibility at a particular insert pressure.

[0124] In some embodiments, the membrane 142 comprises a thermoplastic or polymeric material. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE). In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a fluoroelastomer, polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), cellulose acetate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene rubber, natural rubber, silicone rubber, sulfide rubber, or butyl rubber. In some embodiments, the membrane material may include elastic, thermoplastic, and elastomeric barrier films; polyether polyurethanes (e.g., cast or extruded ester-based polyurethane films, e.g., Tetra Plastics' TPW-250); thermoplastic urethanes, and thermoplastic urethanes of polyester, polyether, polycaprolactone, and polycarbonate macrogel systems; thermoplastic films containing crystalline material thermoplastic urethanes of polyester, polyether, polycaprolactone, and polycarbonate macrogel systems; thermoplastic films containing crystalline materials and polyurethanes containing polyester polyols; or multilayer films formed of at least one elastomeric thermoplastic material layer and a barrier material layer formed of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. In some embodiments, the membrane material may be any other suitable material not explicitly listed above. The membrane material may be selected based on the desired flexibility of the membrane, desired membrane-forming properties, and / or desired clubhead vibration damping properties. In some embodiments, the membrane 142 may comprise multiple layers. In such embodiments, one or more of the layers may include any one material or combination of materials selected from the group above.

[0125] The film material can be selected to provide the desired damping effect and flexibility at relatively low densities. In some embodiments, the film 142 includes a low-density material, thereby reducing the mass of the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the film material density is 0.5 to 3.0 g / cm³. 3 It can be between 0.5 and 0.75 g / cm³. In some embodiments, the film material density is 0.5 to 0.75 g / cm³. 3 Between 0.75 and 1.0 g / cm³ 3 Between 1.0 and 1.25 g / cm³ 3 Between 1.25 and 1.50 g / cm³ 3 Between 1.50 and 1.75 g / cm³ 3 Between 1.75 and 2.00 g / cm³ 3 Between 2.00 and 2.25 g / cm³ 3 Between 2.25 and 2.50 g / cm³ 3 Between 2.50 and 2.75 g / cm³ 3 Between 2.75 and 3.0 g / cm³ 3 It can be between these two values. In some embodiments, the film material density is 3.0 g / cm³. 3 Less than 2.75 g / cm³ 3 Less than 2.50 g / cm³ 3 Less than 2.25 g / cm³ 3 Less than 2.0 g / cm³ 3 Less than 1.75 g / cm³ 3 Less than 1.5 g / cm³ 3 Less than 1.25 g / cm³ 3 Less than 1.0 g / cm³ 3 Less than 0.75 g / cm³ 3 Less than 0.5 g / cm³ 3 It can be less than.

[0126] As described above, the film 142 may include a flexible material. In some embodiments, the film 142 includes a low-elasticity material. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the film material may be between 0.5 and 6.0 GPa. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the film material may be between 0.5 and 1.0 GPa, between 1.0 and 2.0 GPa, between 2.0 and 3.0 GPa, between 3.0 and 4.0 GPa, between 4.0 and 5.0 GPa, or between 5.0 and 6.0 GPa. In some embodiments, the elastic modulus of the film material may be less than 6.0 GPa, less than 5.0 GPa, less than 4.0 GPa, less than 3.0 GPa, less than 2.0 GPa, less than 1.0 GPa, or less than 0.5 GPa.

[0127] As shown in Figure 7, the film 142 has a film thickness t measured from the outer surface 147 to the inner surface 149. M It has a film thickness t. In some embodiments, M This can be in the range of 0.001 inches to 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the film thickness t M This includes the ranges between 0.001 inches and 0.005 inches, between 0.005 inches and 0.010 inches, between 0.010 inches and 0.015 inches, between 0.015 inches and 0.020 inches, between 0.020 inches and 0.025 inches, between 0.025 inches and 0.030 inches, between 0.030 inches and 0.035 inches, between 0.035 inches and 0.040 inches, between 0.040 inches and 0.045 inches, between 0.045 inches and 0.050 inches, and 0.05 It can be between 0 inches and 0.055 inches, between 0.055 inches and 0.060 inches, between 0.060 inches and 0.065 inches, between 0.065 inches and 0.070 inches, between 0.070 inches and 0.075 inches, between 0.075 inches and 0.080 inches, between 0.080 inches and 0.085 inches, between 0.085 inches and 0.090 inches, between 0.090 inches and 0.095 inches, or between 0.095 inches and 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, film thickness t MIt can be greater than 0.001 inches, greater than 0.005 inches, greater than 0.010 inches, greater than 0.015 inches, greater than 0.020 inches, greater than 0.025 inches, greater than 0.030 inches, greater than 0.035 inches, greater than 0.040 inches, greater than 0.045 inches, greater than 0.050 inches, greater than 0.055 inches, greater than 0.060 inches, greater than 0.065 inches, greater than 0.070 inches, greater than 0.075 inches, greater than 0.080 inches, greater than 0.085 inches, greater than 0.090 inches, greater than 0.095 inches, or greater than 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the film thickness tM can be less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.090 inches, less than 0.080 inches, less than 0.070 inches, less than 0.060 inches, less than 0.050 inches, less than 0.040 inches, less than 0.030 inches, less than 0.020 inches, or less than 0.010 inches.

[0128] In some embodiments, the film thickness M This is uniform throughout the entire film 142. In other embodiments, film thickness t M The thickness can be variable, and certain regions of the film 142 may have a greater thickness than other regions. M This can depend on the film material and the desired pressure of the pneumatic insert. The film 142 must be thick enough to be durable over the course of use of the club head without being too thick, so as not to make the pneumatic insert 140 too heavy or to impede the flexibility of the golf club head 100. In embodiments where the pneumatic insert 140 is exposed to the outside of the club head, the film 142 has a film thickness greater than the film thickness of the pneumatic insert 140 that is hidden and protected within the hollow internal cavity. M It may have a sufficient film thickness. M This protects the exposed pneumatic insert 140 from penetrating scratches.

[0129] In some embodiments, the membrane 142 is a single piece and has a standalone construction. In some embodiments, the membrane 142 may comprise a multi-piece assembly. Two or more membrane components may be formed separately and then sealed together by heat, adhesive, epoxy, mechanical means, or any other suitable joining method. The membrane components may have complementary geometric structures so that they align when sealed together to form an airtight chamber. In some embodiments, forming a multi-piece membrane 142 may enable the manufacturability of complex membrane geometric structures.

[0130] In some embodiments, the film 142 may comprise multiple layers. These layers may be made of the same material or different materials. In some embodiments comprising a multilayered film, each layer may be formed individually. In such embodiments, each layer may be individually pressurized to contact adjacent layers or to create gaps between adjacent layers. In other embodiments comprising a multilayered film, multiple layers may be formed together to form a single, layered film.

[0131] Chamber 144 is filled with one or more pressurized gases. In some embodiments, chamber 144 is filled with air. In some embodiments, chamber 144 is filled with an inert gas or any other suitable gas. In some embodiments, chamber 144 is filled with a macromolecular gas to prevent gas molecules from permeating through membrane 142 and lowering the insert pressure. In some embodiments, the pressurized gas may be oxygen; nitrogen; argon; hexafluoroethane; sulfur hexafluoride; perfluoropropane; perfluorobutane; perfluoropentane; perfluorohexane; perfluoroheptane; octafluorocyclobutane; perfluorocyclobutane; hexafluoropropylene; tetrafluoromethane; monochloropentafluoroethane; 1,2-dichlorotetrafluoroethane; 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane; chlorotrifluoroethylene; bromotrifluoromethane; or monochlorotrifluoromethane. In some embodiments, chamber 144 may be filled with any combination or mixture of the gases listed above. In some embodiments, the chamber 144 can be fully or partially filled with a liquid, gel, or any other suitable fluid rather than being filled with gas.

[0132] The thin, low-density membrane 142 and hollow chamber 144 result in a substantially lightweight pneumatic insert 140 that dampens vibrations and provides structural reinforcement while solely preserving the discretionary mass of the club head. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 has an insert mass between 0.5 and 10 grams. In some embodiments, the insert mass can be between 0.5 and 5 grams, between 1.0 and 6.0 grams, between 2.0 and 7.0 grams, between 3.0 and 8.0 grams, between 4.0 and 9.0 grams, or between 5.0 and 10.0 grams. In some embodiments, the insert mass can be less than 10.0 grams, less than 9.0 grams, less than 8.0 grams, less than 7.0 grams, less than 6.0 grams, less than 5.0 grams, less than 4.0 grams, less than 3.0 grams, less than 2.0 grams, or less than 1.0 gram. In some embodiments, the insert mass can be about 1.0 gram, 2.0 grams, 3.0 grams, 4.0 grams, 5.0 grams, 6.0 grams, 7.0 grams, 8.0 grams, 9.0 grams, or 10.0 grams.

[0133] Chamber 144 has a fully expanded chamber volume. In some embodiments, the chamber volume ranges from 1.0 to 30.0 cm³. 3 It can be between 1.0 and 5.0 cm³. In some embodiments, the chamber volume is between 1.0 and 5.0 cm³. 3 Between 5.0 and 10.0 cm 3 Between 10.0 and 15.0 cm 3 Between 15.0 and 20.0 cm 3 Between 20.0 and 25.0 cm 3 Between 25.0 and 30.0 cm 3 It can be between . In some embodiments, the chamber volume is 1.0 cm 3 Super, 5.0cm 3 Super, 10.0cm 3 Super, 15.0cm 3 Super, 20.0cm 3 Super, 25.0cm 3 Over, or 30.0cm 3It can be greater than 30.0 cm³. In some embodiments, the chamber volume is 30.0 cm³. 3 Less than 25.0cm 3 Less than 20.0cm 3 Less than 15.0cm 3 Less than 10.0 cm 3 Less than 5.0cm 3 Less than 1.0 cm 3 It can be less than.

[0134] The pneumatic insert 140 has an insert pressure that provides the desired damping effect and clubhead flexibility. The insert pressure can be defined as the pressurized gas "gauge pressure" measured relative to the ambient pressure. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be greater than or equal to the ambient pressure. More specifically, the pressure inside the pneumatic insert can be between 0 psi and 30 psi. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be between 0 and 5 psi, between 5 and 10 psi, between 10 and 15 psi, between 15 and 20 psi, between 20 and 25 psi, or between 25 and 30 psi. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be between 0 psi and 5.0 psi. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be between 0 and 1.0 psi, between 0.5 and 1.5 psi, between 1.0 and 2.0 psi, between 1.5 and 2.5 psi, between 2.0 and 3.0 psi, between 2.5 and 3.5 psi, between 3.0 and 4.0 psi, between 3.5 and 4.5 psi, or between 4.0 and 5.0 psi. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be greater than 0 psi, greater than 0.5 psi, greater than 1.0 psi, greater than 1.5 psi, greater than 2.0 psi, greater than 2.5 psi, greater than 3.0 psi, greater than 3.5 psi, greater than 4.0 psi, greater than 4.5 psi, or greater than 5.0 psi. In some embodiments, the insert pressure can be about 0.5 psi, 1.0 psi, 1.5 psi, 2.0 psi, 2.5 psi, 3.0 psi, 3.5 psi, 4.0 psi, 4.5 psi, or 5.0 psi.

[0135] Insert pressure affects both the flexibility and film thickness of the pneumatic insert. As the film material is pressurized and molded to conform to its surrounding structure, it thins. Therefore, higher insert pressure results in further stretching of the film across the entire surrounding structure. This, in the case of hollow films, results in a thinner, yet more refined, geometric structure. Furthermore, the film material influences the amount of pressure that must be applied to completely mold a hollow film as described.

[0136] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be segmented rather than having a single chamber within the membrane, forming multiple sub-chambers within the entire chamber. Segmentation of the pneumatic insert can vary the damping and performance characteristics of the club head. Figures 8A to 8D illustrate embodiments of a pneumatic insert 140 having multiple sub-chambers 166. The pneumatic insert 140 may have one or more inner walls 165 that divide the entire chamber into multiple sub-chambers 166. One or more inner walls 165 may extend throughout the entire chamber, with either end of a given inner wall 165 connected to the membrane 142. The sub-chambers 166 allow for localized pressure control across different areas of the pneumatic insert 140. In some embodiments, one or more of the sub-chambers 166 may be filled with the same pressurized gas. In other embodiments, one or more of the sub-chambers 166 may be filled with different pressurized gases. In some embodiments, the multiple sub-chambers 166 may have similar geometric structures, so that the inner walls 165 form a repeating pattern of the sub-chambers 166. In other embodiments, one or more of the multiple sub-chambers 166 may have different geometric structures. The multiple sub-chambers 166 may be configured to improve the damping and flex of the club head.

[0137] In some embodiments, one or more sub-chambers 166 may have the same insert pressure. In other embodiments, one or more sub-chambers 166 may have different insert pressures. In some embodiments, one or more sub-chambers 166 may have a greater insert pressure than one or more other sub-chambers 166 to provide localized stiffening or vibration damping in a particular part of the club head. In some embodiments, increasing the insert pressure of one or more sub-chambers 166 may allow the corresponding part of the striking face to be thinned. Any sub-chamber 166 described in the following embodiments may have an insert pressure greater than or less than any other sub-chamber 166.

[0138] In some embodiments, the film 140 can integrally form the inner wall 165. In other embodiments, the inner wall 165 can be formed separately and attached to the film 140, and / or formed from a material other than the film material. As illustrated in Figure 8A, one or more inner walls 165 have an inner wall thickness t measured between opposing inner wall surfaces. IW It can have one or more inner wall thicknesses t of the inner wall 165. In some embodiments, one or more inner wall thicknesses t IW The above film thickness t M It can be substantially the same as the above. In other embodiments, one or more inner wall thicknesses t of the inner wall 165 IW is, film thickness t M It can be less than. In some embodiments, one or more of the inner walls 165 have the same thickness t IW In other embodiments, one or more of the inner walls 165 may have different thicknesses t IW It can have.

[0139] FIG. 8A illustrates a pneumatic insert 140 having a vertical inner wall 165a extending from an insert top end 161 to an insert bottom end 162 via a chamber. The vertical inner wall 165a divides the chamber into a heel side sub-chamber 166a and a toe side sub-chamber 166b.

[0140] FIG. 8B illustrates a pneumatic insert 140 having a horizontal inner wall 165b extending from an insert heel end 163 to an insert toe end 163 via a chamber. The horizontal inner wall 165b divides the chamber into a top sub-chamber 166c and a bottom sub-chamber 166d.

[0141] FIG. 8C illustrates a pneumatic insert 140 having both a vertical inner wall 165a and a horizontal inner wall 165b. The vertical inner wall 165a and the horizontal inner wall 165b intersect each other near the center of the chamber. The vertical inner wall 165a and the horizontal inner wall 165b divide the cavity into four sub-chambers, namely, a top heel side sub-chamber 166e, a top toe side sub-chamber 166f, a bottom heel side sub-chamber 166g, and a bottom toe side sub-chamber 166h.

[0142] Figure 8D illustrates a pneumatic insert 140 having multiple oblique inner walls extending through a chamber. More specifically, the pneumatic insert 140 includes a first oblique inner wall 165c extending from the top end 161 of the insert to the heel end 163, a second oblique inner wall 165d extending from the top end 161 to the toe end 164, a third oblique inner wall 165e extending from the bottom end 162 to the heel end 163, and a fourth oblique inner wall 165f extending from the bottom end 162 to the toe end 164. The multiple oblique inner walls 165c, 165d, 165e, and 165f form a rhomboidally shaped periphery surrounding the central sub-chamber 166i. The pneumatic insert 140 illustrated in Figure 8D comprises four sub-chambers surrounding a central sub-chamber 166i. A first oblique inner wall 165c separates the central sub-chamber 166i from the top heel-side sub-chamber 166e. A second oblique inner wall 165d separates the central sub-chamber 166i from the top toe-side sub-chamber 166f. A third oblique inner wall 165e separates the central sub-chamber 166i from the bottom heel-side sub-chamber 166g. A fourth oblique inner wall 165f separates the central sub-chamber 166i from the bottom toe-side sub-chamber 166h. In some embodiments, the central sub-chamber 166i is located directly behind the geometric center of the striking face. The central sub-chamber 166i allows the insert pressure to be controlled directly behind the geometric center of the striking face, thereby influencing the vibration and flex characteristics of the striking face. In some embodiments, the central subchamber 166i has a smaller insert pressure than the top heel-side subchamber 166e, top toe-side subchamber 166f, bottom heel-side subchamber 166g, and bottom toe-side subchamber 166h. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 increases the flexibility of the striking face.In other embodiments, the input sub-chamber 166i has an insert pressure greater than that of the top heel-side sub-chamber 166e, the top toe-side sub-chamber 166f, the bottom heel-side sub-chamber 166g, and the bottom toe-side sub-chamber 166h. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 can increase vibration damping near the geometric center of the striking face and enable thinning of the striking face.

[0143] Figures 8A-8D illustrate various embodiments of the pneumatic insert 140 having a plurality of sub-chambers 166, but the configuration of the sub-chambers and the configuration of the inner walls are not limited to the above embodiments. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any number of sub-chambers. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can include any number of inner walls or combinations of inner walls that extend vertically, horizontally, obliquely, in an arcuate manner, or in any other configuration.

[0144] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can include a valve that provides selective access into the chamber via a membrane. The valve can be configured to receive an inflation needle (or other inflation device) and seal the membrane when the inflation needle is not present. In such embodiments, the insert pressure can be controlled by inflating the insert via the inflation needle or by releasing gas via the valve to contract the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can include a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, a bellville valve, a duckbill-umbrella composite valve, an X-fragm valve, a miniball valve, a cross slit valve, a dome valve, or any other suitable valve type. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can include any combination of the valve types listed above.

[0145] Any embodiment of the pneumatic insert described herein may include any of the valves described above. Furthermore, a pneumatic insert with a valve can be applied to any of the above-described club types, including cavity-back club heads, hollow-body club heads with caps, or completely sealed hollow bodies. Alternatively, any embodiment of the pneumatic insert described herein may be valve-free. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may include a sacrificial valve that is removed after inflation and permanently sealed before the pneumatic insert is installed. In some embodiments, the membrane may be directly penetrated by an inflation needle or other inflation device and subsequently sealed. The penetration point may be sealed via heat sealing, patching, auto-sealing material, or alternative covering material. B. Relationship between club head and insert

[0146] Pneumatic inserts can provide desired vibration and performance benefits while increasing discretionary mass. While a pneumatic insert illustrated in a particular embodiment may be shown as occupying the entire cavity, in some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may occupy only a portion of the cavity volume (i.e., the volume bounded by the inner surfaces forming the cavity). The pneumatic insert can be configured to precisely identify high-vibration areas, thereby providing the desired damping effect with less mass. Smaller pneumatic inserts that occupy only a portion of the cavity can have several advantages. Smaller pneumatic inserts can generate more discretionary mass than larger pneumatic inserts. In embodiments of cavity backs or capped hollow bodies, smaller pneumatic inserts can be fitted into smaller rear openings, allowing the pneumatic insert to be secured within the cavity by small, lightweight coverings or badges. In some embodiments, smaller pneumatic inserts can be configured to contact parts of the club head body where vibration damping or structural reinforcement is desired, but not parts where the flexibility of the club head may be hindered.

[0147] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can occupy between 10% and 100% of the cavity volume. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can occupy between 10% and 25%, between 25% and 50%, between 50% and 75%, or between 75% and 100% of the cavity volume. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can occupy between 10% and 20%, between 20% and 30%, between 30% and 40%, between 40% and 50%, between 50% and 60%, between 60% and 70%, between 70% and 80%, between 80% and 90%, or between 90% and 100% of the cavity volume. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may occupy more than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% of the cavity volume. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may occupy less than 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, or 10% of the cavity volume. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert is located at approximately 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 5% of the cavity volume. You may occupy 2%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%.

[0148] As described above, the pneumatic insert dampens clubhead vibration by contacting one or more inner surfaces of the clubhead. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can contact all of the inner surfaces of the clubhead. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert can contact only selected inner surfaces of the clubhead, or only a portion of a given inner surface of the clubhead. The contact area between the pneumatic insert and the inner surface of the clubhead, and which inner surfaces the pneumatic insert contacts, affect the vibration response of the clubhead. Contact between the pneumatic insert and the inner surface of the clubhead limits the vibration of the aforementioned surfaces. Generally, clubhead vibration is most effectively dampened in the area where the pneumatic insert makes contact, and a larger total contact area between the pneumatic insert and the inner surface of the clubhead improves the overall clubhead vibration response. However, a larger contact area between the pneumatic insert and the inner surface of the clubhead may also limit clubhead flex, particularly in the area of ​​the clubhead where the pneumatic insert makes contact. If the pneumatic insert excessively limits clubhead flex, ball speed will be lost. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert contacts only a portion of the inner surface of the club head to strike a balance between vibration damping and club head flexibility.

[0149] The pneumatic insert can contact at least a portion of the rear surface of the striking face, the inner surface of the sole, the inner surface of the top rail, the inner surface of the heel, the inner surface of the toe, the inner surface of the rear wall, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be configured not to contact any portion of the rear surface of the striking face, the inner surface of the sole, the inner surface of the top rail, the inner surface of the heel, the inner surface of the toe, the inner surface of the rear wall, or any combination thereof.

[0150] The club head defines the insert contact area as the area of the inner surface of the club head that the pneumatic insert contacts. In some embodiments, the insert contact area can be between 0.5 and 15.0 in 2 . In some embodiments, the insert contact area is between 0.5 and 1.0 in 2 , between 1.0 and 2.0 in 2 , between 2.0 and 3.0 in 2 , between 3.0 and 4.0 in 2 , between 4.0 and 5.0 in 2 , between 5.0 and 6.0 in 2 , between 6.0 and 7.0 in 2 , between 7.0 and 8.0 in 2 , between 8.0 and 9.0 in 2 , between 9.0 and 10 in 2 , between 10 and 11 in 2 , between 11 and 12 in 2 , between 12 and 13 in 2 , between 13 and 14 in 2 , or between 14 and 15 in 2 . It can be between.

[0151] The insert contact area can also be expressed as a percentage of the total inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the insert contact area can be between 10% and 100% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the contact area can be between 10% and 25%, 25% and 50%, 50% and 75%, or 75% and 100% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the contact area can be between 10% and 20%, 20% and 30%, 30% and 40%, 40% and 50%, 50% and 60%, 60% and 70%, 70% and 80%, 80% and 90%, or 90% and 100% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the contact area can be more than 10%, more than 20%, more than 30%, more than 40%, more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70%, more than 80%, more than 90%, or more than 95% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the contact area can be less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 80%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. In some embodiments, the contact area is approximately 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, and 52% of the inner surface area of ​​the club head. It can be 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%.

[0152] The club head further defines the rear contact area as the area of the rear surface of the hitting face where the pneumatic insert contacts. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be between 0.5 and 7.5 in 2 . In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be between 0.5 and 1.0 in 2 , between 1.0 and 2.0 in 2 , between 2.0 and 3.0 in 2 , between 3.0 and 4.0 in 2 , between 4.0 and 5.0 in 2 , between 5.0 and 6.0 in 2 , between 6.0 and 7.0 in 2 , or between 7.0 and 7.5 in 2 .

[0153] The rear contact area can also be expressed as a percentage of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be between 25% and 100% of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be between 25% and 50%, between 50% and 75%, or between 75% and 100% of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be between 25% and 30%, between 30% and 40%, between 40% and 50%, between 50% and 60%, between 60% and 70%, between 70% and 80%, between 80% and 90%, or between 90% and 100% of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be more than 25%, more than 30%, more than 40%, more than 50%, more than 60%, more than 70%, more than 80%, more than 90%, or more than 95% of the rear area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area can be less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 80%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less than 30%, or less than 25% of the rear area of ​​the striking face. In some embodiments, the rear contact area is approximately 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, 40%, 41%, 42%, 43%, 44%, 45%, 46%, 47%, 48%, 49%, 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, and 60% of the rear area of ​​the striking face. The percentages can be %, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert does not contact the rear surface of the striking face. In such embodiments, the rear contact area is zero.

[0154] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert occupies only the central portion of the cavity. This configuration reduces the insert mass while still achieving the desired vibration damping characteristics. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert does not extend continuously between the heel and toe ends of the cavity and does not contact the inner surface of the heel or toe. In some embodiments, referring to Figure 6, the pneumatic insert 140 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 is positioned entirely or substantially between the scoring area heel-side interface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side interface 1025. Because the scoring area typically experiences dominant impact vibrations, positioning the pneumatic insert 140 behind the scoring area efficiently dampens these vibrations without requiring the entire cavity 125 to be filled.

[0155] In some embodiments, between 50% and 100% of the pneumatic insert 140 lies between the scoring area heel-side interface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side interface 1025. In some embodiments, between 50% and 60%, between 60% and 70%, between 70% and 80%, between 80% and 90%, or between 90% and 100% of the pneumatic insert 140 lies between the scoring area heel-side interface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side interface 1025. In some embodiments, a percentage greater than 50%, greater than 55%, greater than 60%, greater than 65%, greater than 70%, greater than 75%, greater than 80%, greater than 85%, greater than 90%, or greater than 95% of the pneumatic insert 140 lies between the scoring area heel-side interface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side interface 1025. In some embodiments, 100% of the pneumatic insert is located behind the scoring area, so that no portion of the pneumatic insert 140 extends beyond the scoring area heel-side interface 1020 or the scoring area toe-side interface 1025.

[0156] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 contacts a large portion of the rear face 115 behind the scoring area. The club head 100 has a scoring area back defined as a portion of the rear face 115 bounded between the scoring area heel-side boundary 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary 1025. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 contacts a large portion of the scoring area back. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 contacts a proportion between 50% and 100% of the scoring area back. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 contacts a proportion between 50% and 60%, between 60% and 70%, between 70% and 80%, between 80% and 90%, or between 90% and 100% of the scoring area back. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 contacts more than 50%, more than 55%, more than 60%, more than 65%, more than 70%, more than 75%, more than 80%, more than 85%, more than 90%, more than 95%, or 100% of the back of the scoring area.

[0157] As described above, one or more retainers secure the pneumatic insert within the cavity. Securing the pneumatic insert can mean both keeping it within the cavity to prevent it from falling out during use and holding it in its intended position to prevent it from changing position within the cavity during use. One or more retainers can mechanically engage, snap-fit, tuck-fit, bond, or otherwise connect the pneumatic insert to the club head body. While securing the pneumatic insert may require one or more retainers, these retainers lack robustness, occupying a significant amount of discretionary mass and offsetting the weight savings of the pneumatic insert. The club head body may have one or more club head retainers, and the insert may have one or more insert retainers. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers and club head retainers engage with each other to secure the pneumatic insert.

[0158] One or more clubhead holders can be positioned in the cavity to facilitate engagement with one or more insert holders. In some embodiments, one or more clubhead holders may be lightweight and integral clubhead body features whose primary purpose is to secure a pneumatic insert without using a significant amount of mass. In some embodiments, one or more clubhead holders may have projections, protrusions, ledges, shelves, rails, or other preferred features extending outward into the cavity from one or more of the inner surfaces of the clubhead. In other embodiments, one or more clubhead holders may have grooves, channels, fine grooves, depressions, recesses, or other similar features formed within one or more of the inner surfaces of the clubhead. In some embodiments, one or more internal clubhead features provided for purposes other than securing a pneumatic insert may also serve as and / or form a clubhead holder. For example, in some embodiments, the clubhead may have an internal mass pad that affects the clubhead CG position and improves flight performance. In such embodiments, the mass pad can form a mass pad undercut that receives an insert retainer. In some embodiments, any internal mass portion, toe mass pad, heel mass pad, shelf, weight member, internal hosel contour, or undercut can form a club head retainer. One or more club head retainers may be an integral part of the club head body, or they may be formed separately and attached to the club head body.

[0159] In some embodiments, the geometric structure of the cavity can form one or more clubhead holders. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 6, the cavity height HC from the inner sole surface 121 to the inner top rail surface 119 decreases toward the heel 104. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 140 can be shaped to correspond to the geometric structure of the cavity. The pneumatic insert 140 has a minimum insert height H adjacent to the insert heel end 163, which is similar to the cavity height HC at a desired insert heel end position. I This configuration can have the following features. This configuration prevents the pneumatic insert 140 from shifting toward the heel 104 during use. In this example, the shape of the pneumatic insert 140 produces an insert retainer, and the geometric structure of the cavity produces a club head retainer. Further embodiments of the club head retainer are illustrated throughout the figures and discussed in detail below.

[0160] One or more insert retainers may be configured to engage with one or more clubhead retainers to secure a pneumatic insert within the cavity. One or more insert retainers may be disposed on the outer surface of the membrane. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers may be selected from the group consisting of ribs, projections, extensions, fasteners, protrusions, ledges, shelves, rails, and any other preferred features extending outward from the outer surface of the membrane. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers may be selected from the group consisting of grooves, channels, furrows, depressions, recesses, and any other similar features formed into the outer surface of the membrane. In some embodiments, one or more insert retainers may be inward-directing, such as solid portions, weight members, magnets, or other preferred members. In such embodiments, the inward-directing insert retainer may be housed within a portion of the chamber or otherwise occupy a portion of the chamber. In such embodiments, the inward-directing insert retainer may resist deformation or disengagement from its corresponding clubhead retainer.

[0161] In some embodiments, the shaping of the pneumatic insert results in an insert retainer. As described above, the pneumatic insert can be shaped to correspond to one or more internal clubhead geometric structures that form a clubhead retainer. The pneumatic insert itself can be shaped to include one or more protrusions, extensions, recesses, grooves, channels, or other suitable geometric structures for engaging with the clubhead retainer. In some embodiments, the insert dimensions (i.e., the width, height, and / or depth of the insert) can result in an insert retainer. For example, in some embodiments, the pneumatic insert width W I(Illustrated in Figure 6) can be designed to correspond to the distance between the two clubhead holders that restricts the pneumatic insert from shifting laterally within the cavity. Specific embodiments of the insert holder are illustrated throughout the figures and discussed in further detail below.

[0162] The pneumatic insert can be secured solely by one or more retainers, without any additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means. However, in some embodiments, the club head may be provided with additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means for securing the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be attached to the inner surface of one or more club heads via adhesives such as epoxy, adhesive resin, or polymer tapes such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be attached to the inner surface of one or more club heads via mechanical connectors or fasteners.

[0163] The retainer and insert fixing means described above result in a substantially lightweight damping system that improves sound and feel and creates discretionary mass. The damping system can consist of a pneumatic insert and any club head feature or element that secures the pneumatic insert. For example, in some embodiments, the damping system can include a pneumatic insert, a badge, additional coupling members (e.g., adhesives, epoxies, or Berry High Bond VHB (trademark) tape), specifically, any retainer provided to secure the pneumatic insert (e.g., a bumper, or a separate insert rib attached to the pneumatic insert), or any combination thereof. Any club head feature or retainer that is a geometric structure unique to the club head design or provides benefits other than securing the pneumatic insert may not be considered part of the damping system. For example, a top rail undercut or a lower internal undercut formed between the inner surfaces of the club head may not be considered part of the damping system. Similarly, a weight pad that creates a desired CG position and also forms a club head retainer via a weight pad undercut may not be considered part of the damping system.

[0164] The retainer and insert fixing means described herein result in a damping system without any robust insert retaining features or components that reduce discretionary mass. The damping system has a damping system mass defined as the total mass of all components of the damping system (as described above). In some embodiments, the damping system mass can be between 1 and 20 grams. In some embodiments, the damping system mass can be less than 20 grams, less than 19 grams, less than 18 grams, less than 17 grams, less than 16 grams, less than 15 grams, less than 14 grams, less than 13 grams, less than 12 grams, less than 11 grams, less than 10 grams, less than 9 grams, less than 8 grams, less than 7 grams, less than 6 grams, less than 5 grams, less than 4 grams, less than 3 grams, or less than 2 grams.

[0165] In some embodiments, the damping system mass can be between 0.5% and 15% of the total club head mass. In some embodiments, the damping system mass can be less than 15%, less than 13%, less than 10%, less than 8%, less than 5%, less than 3%, or less than 1% of the total club head mass.

[0166] As described above, the pneumatic insert can contact and structurally reinforce a portion of the club head body. In particular, the pneumatic insert can structurally reinforce the striking face, thereby providing control over the flex of the striking face. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert allows for thinning of the striking face without sacrificing durability, thereby increasing the flexibility and ball speed of the striking face. In some embodiments, the striking face can be thinned by approximately 0.020 to 0.030 inches compared to a similar club head without a pneumatic insert.

[0167] Referring to Figure 5, the club head has a striking face thickness t measured between the striking face 102 and the rear surface of the striking face 115. SF The definition is defined. In some embodiments, the club head 100, which has a pneumatic insert 140, has a striking face thickness between 0.050 and 0.250 inches. SF In some embodiments, the club head equipped with the pneumatic insert 140 has a striking face thickness t of less than 0.250 inches, less than 0.225 inches, less than 0.200 inches, less than 0.175 inches, less than 0.150 inches, less than 0.125 inches, less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.075 inches, or less than 0.050 inches. SF It has. The structural reinforcement provided by the Pneumatic Insert 140 is that the striking face thickness t compared to a similar club head without the Pneumatic Insert SF It reduces noise and improves durability.

[0168] Each of the insert pressure and rear contact area affects how much the pneumatic insert reinforces the striking face. Generally, greater insert pressure and a larger rear contact area increase the striking face reinforcement. Therefore, the greater the insert pressure and / or the larger the rear contact area, the thinner the striking face can be without sacrificing durability. Embodiments with high insert pressure (i.e., greater than 5 psi) can have a thinner striking face than embodiments with low insert pressure (i.e., less than 5 psi). The club head's insert pressure affects the striking face thickness t SF It can have a pressure reinforcement ratio defined as divided by 5 lb / in 3 It is excessive. In some embodiments, the pressure reinforcement ratio is 10 lb / in 3 Super, 20lb / in 3 Super, 30lb / in 3 Super, 40lb / in 3 Super, 50lb / in 3 Super, 60lb / in 3 Super, 70lb / in 3 Super, 80lb / in 3 Super, 90lb / in 3 Over, or 100 lb / in 3 It is extremely high. In some embodiments, the pressure reinforcement ratio is about 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 lb / in. 3 , that is.

[0169] Furthermore, the club head has a rear contact area and a striking face thickness t SFIt may have a rear reinforcement ratio defined as divided by . In some embodiments, the rear reinforcement ratio is greater than 2 inches. In some embodiments, the rear reinforcement ratio is greater than 5 inches, greater than 10 inches, greater than 20 inches, greater than 30 inches, greater than 40 inches, greater than 50 inches, greater than 60 inches, greater than 70 inches, greater than 80 inches, greater than 90 inches, or greater than 100 inches. In some embodiments, the rear reinforcement ratio is about 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55 inches. C. Formation of pneumatic inserts (provisional heading)

[0170] The pneumatic inserts described herein can be formed by various methods or processes. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert is formed through a thermoforming process. In such embodiments, the film material is heated to a softening point and pressurized in one mold (or more molds) to achieve the desired film shape. In some embodiments, the thermoforming process used to form the pneumatic insert is a method such as vacuum forming, pressure forming, mechanical forming, drape forming, matched mold forming, twin sheet forming, or billow forming, as defined above. Typically, the film material is preheated and stretched into a thin layer or sheet. Often, one mold (or more molds) is used to apply external force to the sheet and shape the layer into the desired configuration. Excess sheet material can be trimmed from around the desired insert shape.

[0171] In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be formed by processes other than thermoforming. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be molded by plastic molding, injection molding, or any other suitable process. In some embodiments, the membrane can be formed as a two-part membrane. In such embodiments, the membrane can be molded or otherwise formed as a first membrane portion and a second membrane portion, and the first and second membrane portions are joined together before inflation. The two-part membrane anticipates more complex insert shapes.

[0172] Pneumatic inserts can be installed in the cavity in a fully inflated, partially inflated, or fully deflated state. In embodiments where the pneumatic insert is installed in a fully inflated state, the pneumatic insert is pressurized to the desired insert pressure before being installed in the cavity. In such embodiments, the club head may have a post-opening sized to allow the fully inflated insert to be inserted into the cavity. In some such embodiments, the pneumatic insert may be valveless because it does not need to be inflated after installation. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may be formed with a sacrificial valve. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be inflated via the sacrificial valve. The sacrificial valve can be removed after inflation, and the valve opening can be sealed, thereby resulting in a fully inflated, valveless pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the valve opening is heat-sealed.

[0173] In some embodiments where the pneumatic insert is fitted in a partially inflated or fully inflated state, the pneumatic insert may be equipped with a valve. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert can be inflated via the valve after fitting. The pneumatic insert can thereby be inflated within the cavity from a partially inflated or fully deflated state to a fully inflated state at a desired insert pressure. In some embodiments, inflating the pneumatic insert within the cavity anticipates a greater pressure or larger insert than may be possible in other embodiments when the pneumatic insert is inflated before fitting. II. Embodiment of a clubhead equipped with a pneumatic insert

[0174] Figures 11 to 58 illustrate various embodiments of club heads having one or more pneumatic inserts. The following embodiments illustrate and describe pneumatic inserts that are applicable to cavity-back club heads, fully sealed hollow-body club heads, and capped hollow-body club heads. Any particular embodiment of a pneumatic insert, retainer, or other club head feature can be applied to any club head type or used in combination with any club head type, and is not limited to the specific club head types they are illustrated. Similarly, any club head type (i.e., cavity-back, fully sealed hollow-body, or capped hollow-body) may have any one or a combination of the features described herein. D. Cavity back clubhead with pneumatic insert

[0175] Figures 9 to 12 illustrate a cavity-back club head 200 equipped with a pneumatic insert 240. As described above, the cavity-back club head 200 has a rear opening 222 that connects the open cavity 225 to the outside of the club head.

[0176] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the club head 200 includes a pneumatic insert 240 that at least partially fills the open cavity 225. The pneumatic insert 240 may have similar characteristics or properties to any of the other embodiments of pneumatic inserts described herein. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 can be inserted into the open cavity 225 through a rear opening 222. In embodiments illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the rear opening 222 remains uncovered after the pneumatic insert 240 is installed, and a portion of the pneumatic insert 240 is exposed to the outside of the club head. Referring to Figure 12, the front surface 246 of the insert can abut against the rear surface 215 of the striking face, and a portion of the rear surface 248 of the insert can be exposed to the outside of the club head through the rear opening 222.

[0177] The geometric structure of the club head body forms a plurality of club head holders configured to secure the pneumatic insert 240. Referring to Figures 10 and 12, the plurality of club head holders include a top rail undercut 230. The club head 200 forms a top rail peripheral portion 228 extending from the rear end of the top rail 210 toward the sole. The top rail undercut 230 is formed between the top rail peripheral portion 228, the top rail 210, and the inner surface of the striking face 202. The top rail undercut 230 is configured to receive one or more insert holders, which are described in more detail below. The plurality of club head holders further include a lower internal undercut 231. The club head 200 can form a mass pad 280 located in the lower, rear portion of the open cavity 225, close to both the sole 212 and the rear wall 216. The mass pad 280 is positioned toward the striking face 202, but includes a front surface 281 of the mass pad that is spaced rearward from the rear surface 215 of the striking face. A lower internal undercut 231 is formed between the rear surface 215 of the striking face and the front surface 281 of the mass pad. The lower internal undercut 231 is configured to receive one or more insert holders, which are described in more detail below.

[0178] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 13, the multiple clubhead holders may further include a support column 235 spanning at least a portion of the rear opening 222. When the pneumatic insert 240 is fully seated, the support column 235 acts as a stopper against the rear surface 248 of the insert, thereby preventing the pneumatic insert 240 from coming out through the rear opening 222 during use. In the illustrated embodiments, the support column 235 extends between the top rail 210 and the rear wall 216. In some embodiments, the support column 235 may extend obliquely across the entire length of the rear opening 222. In the illustrated embodiments, the support column 235 is angled such that its top end 236 is located further towards the heel than its bottom end 237. In other embodiments, the support column 235 may be provided in any preferred orientation. In some embodiments, the support 235 may extend between the top rail 210 and the toe 206, or between the top rail 210 and the heel 204, rather than between the top rail 210 and the rear wall 216. In some embodiments, the support may extend between any combination of the top rail 210, the heel 204, the toe 206, and the rear wall 216. In some embodiments, the support may extend in a substantially vertical direction (i.e., between the top rail 210 and the sole 206), in a substantially horizontal direction (i.e., between the heel 204 and the toe 206), or in a substantially oblique or angled direction.

[0179] In addition to securing the pneumatic insert 240, the support 235 can dampen vibrations within a portion of the club head body 201. The support 235 can structurally reinforce and dampen thin portions of the top rail 210 and / or rear wall 216 that typically exhibit high-frequency vibrations. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the support 235 can act as a peripheral weight that increases the MOI and / or results in a more rearward CG position. In some embodiments, the support 235 can be integrally cast as part of the club head body 201. In other embodiments, the support 235 can be formed separately and then subsequently attached to the club head body 201. In such embodiments, the support 235 can be bonded to the body 201 by any suitable mechanical, chemical, or adhesive means, such as welding, brazing, swaging, or epoxy bonding, or co-molding. In some embodiments, the club head 200 may have multiple support saddles. The club head may have one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any preferred number of supports. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the club head 200 may have no supports.

[0180] The rear opening 222 can be sized to function as a club head retainer. The rear opening 222 is substantially small, which can prevent a larger pneumatic insert 240 from coming out through the open cavity 225 during use. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rear opening area can be reduced to allow the pneumatic insert 240 to be secured by a lightweight badge, thereby resulting in a discretionary mass compared to the robust insert retention features of many prior art club heads. In some embodiments, the rear opening 222 is 1.0 to 2.5 inches. 2 It can have a rear opening area between 2.5 in. In some embodiments, the rear opening area is 2.5 in. 2 Less than 2.25 inches 2Less than 2.0in 2 Less than 1.75in 2 Less than 1.50in 2 Less than 1.25in 2 Less than 1.0 in 2 It can be less than.

[0181] The pneumatic insert 240 comprises multiple insert holders configured to engage with multiple clubhead holders and secure the pneumatic insert 240 within the open cavity 225. As illustrated in Figure 12, the insert top end 261 is configured to extend into the top rail undercut 230 and to contact one or more of the top rail periphery 228, the top rail 210, and the rear face 215. The insert top end 261 engages with the top rail periphery 228 to prevent the pneumatic insert 240 from coming out through the rear opening 222 during use. Furthermore, the insert bottom end 262 is configured to extend into the lower internal undercut 231 and to contact one or more of the mass pad front surface 281, the sole 212, and the rear face 215. The bottom end 262 of the insert engages with the front surface 281 of the mass pad, preventing the pneumatic insert 240 from coming out through the rear opening 222 during use.

[0182] Furthermore, insert height H I It functions as an insert holder. Insert height H I Rear opening height H O Because it is larger than the rear wall 216, the rear wall 216 prevents the pneumatic insert 240 from coming out through the rear opening 222 during use. In some embodiments, the insert height H I The rear opening height H O It is possible to have a substantially larger insert height H I and rear opening height H O The ratio H between I / H O It can be between 1.25 and 3.0. In some embodiments, HI / H O The ratio can be between 1.25 and 1.5, between 1.5 and 1.75, between 1.75 and 2.0, between 2.0 and 2.25, between 2.25 and 2.5, between 2.5 or 2.75, or between 2.75 and 3.0. In some embodiments, the HI / HO ratio can be greater than 1.25, greater than 1.5, greater than 1.75, greater than 2.0, greater than 2.25, greater than 2.5, greater than 2.75, or greater than 3.0. I / H O The larger the ratio, the more stable the pneumatic insert 240 becomes within the open cavity 225.

[0183] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 can be mounted at a certain angle to allow passage through a smaller rear opening 222. In such embodiments, the position of the pneumatic insert can then be manipulated to engage the insert holder with the club head holder and secure the pneumatic insert 240. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 can be inserted into the open cavity 225 in a contracted or partially expanded state, just enough to pass through the small rear opening 222. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 can be fully expanded within the open cavity 225, so that the pneumatic insert 240 cannot be removed from the open cavity 225 without first contracting it. In some embodiments, alignment of an unexpanded pneumatic can be achieved by using one or more insert holders configured to engage with one or more club head holders.

[0184] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 is fixed within the open cavity 225 solely by a retainer and without any additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means. In other embodiments, additional bonding means may further secure the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, an adhesive member may bond the pneumatic insert 240 to the club head body 201. In some embodiments, an adhesive member may bond the front surface 246 of the insert to the rear surface 215 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the adhesive member may be a polymer tape such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In other embodiments, the adhesive member may be any other suitable tape or adhesive means capable of fixing the pneumatic insert 240 within the open cavity 225.

[0185] The pneumatic insert 240 can occupy all or part of the open cavity 225. The pneumatic insert 240 can have any position or orientation as described herein. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 240 can have an insert contact area, a back contact area, and / or a scoring area back contact area within the range disclosed above. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in Figure 3, the pneumatic insert 240 can occupy only the central portion of the open cavity 225 and / or be located mainly behind the scoring area. By configuring the pneumatic insert to occupy only the central portion of the open cavity 225 as described above, the insert mass can be reduced while damping can be improved.

[0186] The cavity back design of the clubhead 200 provides a substantially lightweight damping system. The clubhead 200 requires no badges or coverings to conceal the pneumatic insert 240 within the open cavity 225. Therefore, the damping system of the clubhead 200 consists only of the pneumatic insert 240 and any additional adhesive members or bonding means (i.e., any adhesive, epoxy, or tape). Thus, in some embodiments, the clubhead 200 has a damping system mass of less than 8 grams, less than 7 grams, less than 6 grams, less than 5 grams, less than 4 grams, less than 3 grams, or less than 2 grams. In some embodiments, the clubhead 200 has a damping system mass of less than 3%, less than 2.5%, less than 2.0%, less than 1.5%, less than 1.0%, or less than 0.5% of the total clubhead mass. E. Hollow body clubhead with cap, featuring a pneumatic insert.

[0187] Figures 14 to 18 illustrate a club head 300 with a capped hollow body and a pneumatic insert 340. The club head 300 includes a rear wall 316 that forms a rear opening 322. A badge 350 covers the rear opening 322 and seals the hollow internal cavity 325. The badge 350 includes an inner surface 352 that forms an interface with the sealed internal cavity 325 and an outer surface 354 that is exposed to the outside of the club head 300.

[0188] In some embodiments, the club head body 301 can be substantially the same as the club head body 201 described above.

[0189] Referring to Figures 15 and 16, the rear wall 316 and the top rail 310 combine to form an overlapping joint 324 that circumsects the rear opening 322. The overlapping joint 324 extends from the top rail 310 and the rear wall 316 into the rear opening 322 and provides an adhesive surface configured to receive the badge 350. The overlapping joint 324 can be recessed from the outer surface of the rear wall 316 so that the outer surface 356 of the badge is flush with or substantially flush with the rear wall 316. The overlapping joint 324 can be continuous or discontinuous around the rear opening 322. The overlapping joint 324 has an overlapping joint width W measured from the edge of the rear wall 316 or the top rail 310 to the rear opening 322. L It can have the following characteristics: In some embodiments, the overlapping joint width W L This can range from approximately 0.030 inches to 0.250 inches. In some embodiments, the overlap joint width W L This can be between 0.030 and 0.050 inches, between 0.050 and 0.100 inches, between 0.100 and 0.150 inches, between 0.150 and 0.200 inches, or between 0.200 and 0.250 inches. In some embodiments, the lap joint width WL can be substantially constant around the rear opening 322. In other embodiments, the lap joint width W L It fluctuates.

[0190] In most embodiments, the badge 350 is fixed to the club head 300 by adhesion via epoxy or another adhesive material. In other embodiments, the badge 350 can be fixed to the club head 300 using mechanical fastening means such as screws, snap hooks, press-fits, or any means for securing. In some embodiments, the badge 350 can be fixed using a combination of both adhesive and mechanical fastening means. The badge 350 can be formed from a polymer material or a flexible material (i.e., a soft material) having a low Shore hardness. The pneumatic insert can be formed from a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix may include glass-filled elastomers, stainless steel-filled elastomers, tungsten-filled elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composites, or any other elastomer matrix composites, Kevlar (Kevlar®) (aramid) fiber-reinforced polymers, carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate foam, polymer foams, any combination of suitable resins and suitable reinforcing fibers, or any combination of the above materials. Soft or flexible materials improve the feel and sound of the clubhead 300 through impact.

[0191] Referring to Figures 15, 17, and 18, the club head 300 includes a pneumatic insert 340 that at least partially fills a hollow internal cavity 325. The pneumatic insert 340 may have similar characteristics or properties to the pneumatic insert described above or any other embodiment of the pneumatic insert described herein. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 may be fitted into the internal cavity 325 via a rear opening 322 and subsequently covered with a badge 350. The badge 350 thereby conceals and secures the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 325.

[0192] Figures 15 and 17 illustrate a pneumatic insert 340 equipped with a valve 355 configured to inflate the pneumatic insert. The valve 355 protrudes into the chamber 344 through an opening in the membrane 342. In some embodiments, the valve 355 is located on the rear surface 348 of the insert and above the rear wall 316, allowing access to the valve 355 via the rear opening 322 prior to the mounting of the badge 350. The valve 355 includes an inlet 356 located along the outer surface 347 of the membrane and a nozzle 357 extending into the chamber 344. In some embodiments, the inlet 356 can abut against the inner surface 352 of the badge after mounting. Figures 14 to 18 illustrate a pneumatic insert 340 equipped with a valve 355, but a club head 300 with a capped hollow body may be equipped with a pneumatic insert without a valve.

[0193] The geometric structure of the club head body forms multiple club head holders configured to secure the pneumatic insert 240. The club head 300, like the club head 200, includes a first club head holder in the form of a top rail undercut 330 formed between the inner surfaces of the top rail peripheral portion 328, the top rail 310, and the striking face 302. The club head 300 also includes a mass pad 380 similar to the mass pad 280, and a second club head holder in the form of a lower internal undercut 381 between the rear surface of the striking face 315 and the front surface of the mass pad 381.

[0194] In some embodiments, multiple club head holders may include a support column 335 similar to the support column 235 shown in Figure 13. In some embodiments, the badge 350 may be shaped complementary to the shape of the support column 335. In some embodiments with a support column 335, the badge 350 may have a channel recessed into the inner surface 352 of the badge. The channel may correspond to the size, shape, and position of the support column 335. The badge 350 covers the support column 335 so that it fits into the channel portion and is visible from the rear outside of the club head 300. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the club head 200 may be without a support column. In such embodiments, the badge 350 may not have a channel recessed into the inner surface 352 of the badge.

[0195] The rear opening 322, like the rear opening 222, can function as a club head holder. The rear opening 322 is substantially small and can prevent the larger pneumatic insert 340 from coming out through the hollow internal cavity 325 during use. The rear opening 322 can have similar size and / or dimensions to the rear opening 222.

[0196] Furthermore, the badge 350 can be a club head holder. As described above, the badge 350 covers the rear opening 322 and secures the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 325.

[0197] The pneumatic insert 340 comprises multiple insert holders configured to engage with multiple clubhead holders and secure the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 325. Similar to the pneumatic insert 240, the pneumatic insert 340 comprises a first insert holder at the top end 361 of the insert that engages with the top rail undercut 330. The pneumatic insert 340 further comprises a second insert holder at the bottom end 362 of the insert that engages with the lower internal undercut 331.

[0198] Insert height H I It functions as an insert holder, similar to the pneumatic insert 240, because the insert height H I However, rear opening height H O This is because it is larger than the clubhead 300. The clubhead 300 is within the above range of H relative to the clubhead 200. I / H O It can have a ratio.

[0199] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 can be mounted at a certain angle to allow passage through a smaller rear opening 322. In such embodiments, the position of the pneumatic insert can then be manipulated to engage the insert holder with the club head holder and secure the pneumatic insert 340. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 can be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 325 in a contracted or partially expanded state, just passing through the small rear opening 322 (i.e., a rear opening 322 having the small rear opening area described above). In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 can be fully expanded within the hollow internal cavity 325, so that the pneumatic insert 340 cannot be removed from the open cavity 325 without first contracting it.

[0200] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 is fixed within the hollow internal cavity 325 solely by a retainer and without any additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means. In other embodiments, additional bonding means may further fix the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, an adhesive member can bond the pneumatic insert 340 to the club head body 301. In some embodiments, an adhesive member can bond the front surface 346 of the insert to the rear surface 315 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the adhesive member may be a polymer tape such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In other embodiments, the adhesive member may be any other suitable tape or adhesive means capable of fixing the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 325.

[0201] The pneumatic insert 340 can occupy all or part of the hollow internal cavity 325. The pneumatic insert 340 can have any position or orientation as described herein. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 can have an insert contact area, a back contact area, and / or a scoring area back contact area within the range disclosed above. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 18, the pneumatic insert 340 can occupy only the central portion of the hollow internal cavity 325 and / or be located primarily behind the scoring area. By configuring the pneumatic insert to occupy only the central portion of the hollow internal cavity 325 as described above, the insert mass can be reduced while damping can be improved.

[0202] The capped hollow body design of the club head 300 provides a substantially lightweight damping system. As described above, the rear opening 322 is substantially small and therefore requires only a small badge 350 to cover the aforementioned rear opening 322 and secure the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 325. Thus, the damping system consists of the pneumatic insert 340, the badge 350, and any additional adhesive members or bonding means. Therefore, in some embodiments, the club head 300 has a damping system mass of less than 15 grams, less than 14 grams, less than 13 grams, less than 12 grams, less than 11 grams, less than 10 grams, less than 9 grams, less than 8 grams, less than 7 grams, less than 6 grams, less than 5 grams, less than 4 grams, less than 3 grams, or less than 2 grams. In some embodiments, the club head 300 has a damping system mass of less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of the total club head mass.

[0203] Figures 19 to 22 illustrate another embodiment of a club head 400 with a capped hollow body and a pneumatic insert 440. The club head 400 can be substantially the same as the club head 300 described above, except that the badge 450 and the shape of the pneumatic insert 440 are different.

[0204] Referring to Figure 19, the badge 450 can cover a significant portion of the rear end 411. In the illustrated embodiment, the badge 450 can extend substantially from the top rail 410 to the sole 412. Although the badge 450 covers the rear opening 422, its size gives the club head 400 the appearance of a completely sealed, hollow-body club head, which may be preferred by some players.

[0205] Referring to Figure 20, the rear opening 422 can still be substantially small, creating only a small portion of the rear end 411 of the club head. In some embodiments, the rear opening area is substantially similar to the rear opening area described above with respect to the rear openings 222 and 322. The badge 450 is significantly larger than the rear opening 422, reducing the rear opening area while still giving the appearance of a completely sealed, hollow-body club head. The overlapping joint 424 may include a lower overlapping surface 429 configured to receive a large portion of the badge 450. The lower overlapping surface 429 forms the lower portion of the overlapping joint 424 and extends from the bottom edge of the rear opening 422 to near the sole 412. The lower overlapping surface 429 thereby covers most of the rear wall 416. In some embodiments, the lower overlapping surface 429 is 1.0 to 5.0 in 2 It has a lower overlapping surface area between them. In some embodiments, the lower overlapping surface area is 1.0 in. 2 Ultra, 2.0in 2 Ultra, 3.0in 2 Ultra, 4.0in 2 Ultra, or 5.0in 2 It can be super.

[0206] Referring to Figure 22, the pneumatic insert 440 is shaped to facilitate easy installation. The pneumatic insert 440 may have trimmed corner edges 498 that follow the shape of the struts 435. The trimmed corner edges 498 can connect the insert top end 461 to the insert toe end 464. The trimmed corner edges 498 allow the pneumatic insert 440 to be installed below the struts 435 without the corners of the pneumatic insert 440 interfering with or catching on the struts 435. In the illustrated embodiment, the pneumatic insert 440 is located substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 440 occupies a larger portion of the cavity and extends beyond the scoring area.

[0207] The club head 400 has multiple retainers, similar to those of the club heads 200 and 300. Referring to Figure 21, the top end 461 of the insert engages with the top rail undercut 430, and the bottom end 462 of the insert engages with the lower internal undercut 431 formed between the rear surface of the striking face 415 and the front surface of the mass pad 481. Insert height H I It functions as an insert holder, similar to the pneumatic inserts 240 and 340, because of the insert height H I However, rear opening height H O This is because it is larger than the above. Clubhead 400 is within the above range for clubheads 300 and 400. I / H O A ratio can be obtained. The badge 450 and the support column 435 function as club head holders similar to those described above with respect to club heads 200 and 300.

[0208] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 340 can be mounted at a certain angle to allow passage through the rear opening 422. In such embodiments, the position of the pneumatic insert can then be manipulated to engage the insert holder with the club head holder and secure the pneumatic insert 440. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 440 can be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 425 in a contracted or partially expanded state, just passing through the rear opening 422. In such embodiments, the pneumatic insert 440 can be fully expanded within the hollow internal cavity 425, so that the pneumatic insert 440 cannot be removed from the open cavity 425 without first contracting it. In some embodiments, alignment of an unexpanded pneumatic can be achieved by using one or more insert holders configured to engage with one or more club head holders.

[0209] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 440 is fixed within the hollow internal cavity 425 solely by a retainer and without any additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means. In other embodiments, additional bonding means may further secure the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, an adhesive member can bond the pneumatic insert 340 to the club head body 401. In some embodiments, an adhesive member can bond the front surface 446 of the insert to the rear surface 415 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the adhesive member may be a polymer tape such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In other embodiments, the adhesive member may be any other suitable tape or adhesive means capable of fixing the pneumatic insert 340 within the hollow internal cavity 425. A fully sealed, hollow-body golf club head (#D00) with a pneumatic insert.

[0210] Figures 23–25 illustrate a clubhead 500 with a fully sealed hollow body and a pneumatic insert 540. The clubhead 500 includes a rear wall 516 that extends continuously from the sole 512 to the top rail 510. The striking face 502, top rail 510, heel 504, toe 506, sole 512, and rear wall 516 seal a hollow internal cavity 525. In some embodiments, the clubhead 500 includes a port 518 that provides access to the hollow internal cavity 525. As illustrated in Figure 23, the port 518 may be located at the toe 506, close to the sole 512. In other embodiments, the port 518 may be located on another part of the clubhead body 501, such as the sole 512, rear wall 516, heel 504, top rail 510, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the port 518 is further configured to receive a weight member. The weight member can fill the port 518 and seal the hollow internal cavity 525. The weight member can be inserted into the port 518 after the pneumatic insert 540 has been installed, sealing the pneumatic insert 540 within the hollow internal cavity 525. In some embodiments, the port 518 can be threaded to receive a complementary threaded screw weight.

[0211] Referring to Figures 24 and 25, the club head 500 includes a pneumatic insert 540 that at least partially occupies the hollow internal cavity 525. The pneumatic insert 540 may have similar characteristics or properties to any of the embodiments of the pneumatic insert described herein.

[0212] The club head 500 includes a plurality of retainers that secure the pneumatic insert 540 within the internal cavity 525. Referring to Figure 24, the rear face 515, the top rail 510, and the rear wall 516 combine to form the top rail undercut 530. The top end 561 of the insert forms an insert retainer that engages with the top rail undercut 530. Furthermore, the club head body 501 includes a mass pad 580 that forms a lower internal undercut 531. Specifically, the mass pad 580 includes a mass pad front surface 581 that is angled toward the striking face 502. The lower internal undercut 531 is formed as a space between the mass pad front surface 581 and the inner surface 521 of the sole. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 24, the pneumatic insert 540 includes a lower rear projection 538 that forms an insert retainer and extends away from the front surface 546 of the insert and close to the bottom end 562 of the insert. The lower rear projection 538 engages with the lower internal undercut 531 and secures the pneumatic insert 540. In some embodiments, the lower rear projection 538 occupies the entire lower internal undercut 531. In some embodiments, the lower rear projection 538 can engage with a portion of the mass pad 580.

[0213] Furthermore, the pneumatic insert 540 may include an upper rear projection 539 that forms an insert retainer and extends away from the insert front surface 546. The upper rear projection 539 may be positioned above the lower rear projection 538. The upper rear projection 539 can engage with the mass pad top surface 582, thereby further securing the pneumatic insert 540.

[0214] The pneumatic insert 540 can occupy all or part of the internal cavity 525. The pneumatic insert 540 can have any position or orientation as described herein. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 540 can have an insert contact area, a back contact area, and / or a scoring area back contact area within the range disclosed above. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in Figure 25, the pneumatic insert 540 can occupy only the central portion of the internal cavity 525 and / or be located primarily behind the scoring area. By configuring the pneumatic insert to occupy only the central portion of the internal cavity 525 as described above, the insert mass can be reduced while damping can be improved.

[0215] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 540 is fixed within the internal cavity 525 solely by a retainer and without any additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means. In other embodiments, additional bonding means may further secure the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, an adhesive member may bond the pneumatic insert 540 to the club head body 501. In some embodiments, an adhesive member may bond the front surface 546 of the insert to the rear surface 515 of the striking face. In some embodiments, the adhesive member may be a polymer tape such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In other embodiments, the adhesive member may be any other suitable tape or adhesive means capable of fixing the pneumatic insert 540 within the internal cavity 525.

[0216] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 540 can be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 525 via the port 518. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 540 can be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 525 in a fully contracted state. The pneumatic insert 540 can then be inflated to an expanded state, and the pneumatic insert 540 occupies a portion of the hollow internal cavity 525. Referring next to Figure 26, the pneumatic insert 540 can be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 525 by a mounting assembly 5000. The mounting assembly 5000 comprises a positioning tube 5010 and an expansion tube 5020. The positioning tube 5010 can be sized to fit into the port 518 and guide the mounting of the pneumatic insert 540. The positioning tube 5010 has an outer diameter OD and an inner diameter ID that define the positioning tube hole 5015. The outer diameter OD of the positioning tube 5010 can generally correspond to the diameter of the port 518. In some embodiments, the positioning tube 5010 can be threaded to correspond to the threaded port 518, ensuring that the positioning tube 5010 is properly aligned within the port 518. The positioning tube 5010 allows the pneumatic insert 540 to be inserted into the hollow internal cavity 525 through the port 518 via the positioning tube hole 5015. In some embodiments, the membrane 542 can be completely shrunk and tightly rolled up so that it just passes through the positioning tube hole.

[0217] The expansion tube 5020 can be attached to the deflated pneumatic insert 540. The expansion tube 5020 can be an elongated tubular member that can serve as an interface with an air pump or other inflation device. A valve 5025 is coupled to the end of the expansion tube 5020 opposite to the end connected to the pneumatic insert 540. The valve 5025 selectively allows fluid communication between the inflation device and the expansion tube 5020, thereby enabling the filling of the pneumatic insert 540. Once the pneumatic insert 540 is inserted into the hollow internal cavity 525, the expansion tube 5020 can protrude from the hollow internal cavity 525 via the port 518 so that the valve 5025 is accessible from outside the club head. The pneumatic insert 540 can then be inflated via the expansion tube 5020. After inflation, the expansion tube 5020 can be clamped near the end connected to the pneumatic insert 540. The clamped end can be sealed, allowing the positioning tube 5010 and the remaining portion of the expansion tube 5020 to be removed from the port 518. In some embodiments, the clamped end of the positioning tube 5010 can be heat-sealed. G. Club head with bumper

[0218] In the illustrated embodiments above, the geometric structure of the internal cavity (i.e., the geometric structure of the internal undercut or mass pad) forms one or more clubhead holders that secure the pneumatic insert within the internal cavity. As discussed above, the geometric structure of the internal cavity can hold the pneumatic insert without requiring any bonding mechanism or adhesive. In some embodiments, the clubhead comprises one or more bumpers that form a clubhead holder. The bumpers can hold the pneumatic insert in the intended position during use. In some embodiments, the bumpers complement the holding effect of the geometric structure of the internal undercut or mass pad. In other embodiments, the bumpers can hold the pneumatic insert without the help of either the geometric structure of the undercut or mass pad. The bumpers allow for more precise positioning of the pneumatic insert during installation and prevent the pneumatic insert from moving within the internal cavity during use.

[0219] In some embodiments, the club head body may have one or more bumpers integrally formed. In such embodiments, the bumpers may protrude into the internal cavity from one or more of the inner surfaces of the club head. In many other embodiments, one or more bumpers may be formed separately from the club head body and attached to the club head body. In some embodiments, the bumpers may be substantially small (described in further detail below). Small bumpers hold the pneumatic insert in the desired position without using a significant amount of discretionary mass. Any one or combination of the bumpers described below may be combined with any embodiment of a golf club head having a pneumatic insert as described herein.

[0220] Figures 27 to 29 illustrate a first embodiment of a club head equipped with bumpers. The club head 600 comprises a pair of top rail bumpers, including a heel-side top rail bumper 672a and a toe-side top rail bumper 672b. The top rail bumpers 672a and 672b protrude from the inner surface of the top rail 619 into the internal cavity 625. As illustrated in Figures 27 and 28, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b can be curved along the transition between the rear surface of the striking face 615, the inner surface of the top rail 619, and the inner surface of the rear wall 623. In some embodiments, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b can be positioned exclusively on the rear surface of the striking face 615, exclusively on the inner surface of the top rail 619, exclusively on the inner surface of the rear wall 623, or on any combination of the aforementioned surfaces.

[0221] In some embodiments, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b have a pneumatic insert width W I They are separated by a distance similar to or slightly greater than that. Therefore, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b define boundaries with respect to the pneumatic insert 640 on both its heel and toe sides, and near the top rail 610. The top rail bumpers 672a and 672b prevent the pneumatic insert 640 from moving laterally within the internal cavity 625. Insert width W I This results in insert retainers that engage with bumpers 672a and 672b.

[0222] The top rail bumpers 672a and 672b precisely position the pneumatic insert 640 in the desired location. The top rail bumpers 672a and 672b can be used as alignment aids to position the pneumatic insert 640 in the correct heel-toe position. In some embodiments, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b can be positioned just outside, but adjacent to, the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. This configuration positions the pneumatic insert 640 directly behind the scoring area. For example, in some embodiments, the heel-side top rail bumper 672a can contact the rear surface of the striking face 615 at a position slightly in the heel direction than the area heel-side boundary surface 1020, while the toe-side top rail bumper 672b can contact the rear surface of the striking face 615 at a position slightly in the toe direction than the toe-side boundary surface 1025. Figures 27 to 30 illustrate two top rail bumpers, but other embodiments may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other preferred number of top rail bumpers.

[0223] The top rail bumpers 672a and 672b can be substantially small, thereby holding the pneumatic insert 640 in the correct position without using a large amount of discretionary mass. Referring to Figure 27, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b have a thickness t measured between the opposing surfaces of a given top rail bumper. TB It has a thickness t. In some embodiments, TB This can be between 0.010 and 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the thickness t TBThe diameter can be less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.090 inches, less than 0.080 inches, less than 0.070 inches, less than 0.060 inches, less than 0.050 inches, less than 0.040 inches, less than 0.030 inches, less than 0.020 inches, or less than 0.010 inches. The top rail bumpers 672a, 672b are substantially thin so that they hold the pneumatic insert 640 in the intended position without imparting a significant amount of mass.

[0224] In some embodiments, the thickness t of the heel-side top rail bumper 672a and the toe-side top rail bumper 672b TB They are substantially the same. In some embodiments, the thickness t of the heel-side top rail bumper 672a TB This can be different from that of the toe-side top rail bumper 672b. In some embodiments, the thickness t TB This can be substantially constant over the entire top rail bumper, whereas in other embodiments, the thickness t TB It can vary along different parts of a given top rail bumper.

[0225] Referring to Figure 29, the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b have a height H measured perpendicular to the inner surface where the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b begin to extend. TB It has a height H TB This can be between 0.050 and 0.500 inches. In some embodiments, the height H TB The length may be less than 0.500 inches, less than 0.400 inches, less than 0.300 inches, less than 0.200 inches, less than 0.100 inches, or less than 0.050 inches. The top rail bumpers 672a, 672b are elongated enough to hold the pneumatic insert 640 in its intended position without being unnecessarily elongated and introducing additional mass.

[0226] In some embodiments, the height H of the heel-side top rail bumper 672a and the toe-side top rail bumper 672b TB They are substantially the same. In some embodiments, the height H of the heel-side top rail bumper 672a TB This can be different from that of the tow-side top rail bumper 672b. In some embodiments, the height H TB This can be substantially constant over the entire top rail bumper, whereas in other embodiments, the height H TB The top rail bumper can vary along different portions of a given top rail bumper. For example, one or more of the top rail bumpers 672a, 672b may have a greater height closer to the inner rear wall 623 than closer to the rear striking face 615. In such embodiments, the top rail bumpers 672a, 672b can hold the pneumatic insert 640 in its intended position without hindering the deflection of the striking face 602.

[0227] Figures 30 and 31 illustrate a second embodiment of a club head equipped with bumpers. The club head 700 comprises a pair of sole bumpers, including a heel-side sole bumper 774a and a toe-side sole bumper 774b. The sole bumpers 774a and 774b may be substantially similar to the top rail bumpers 672a and 672b described above, except that the sole bumpers 774a and 774b are located closer to the sole 712 than to the top rail 710.

[0228] The sole bumpers 774a and 774b protrude from the inner sole surface 721 into the internal cavity 725. As illustrated in Figure 31, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b can curve along the transition between the rear striking face surface 715 and the inner sole surface 721. In such embodiments, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b can contact the rear striking face surface 715. In other embodiments, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b may not contact the rear striking face surface 715. In such embodiments, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b support the pneumatic insert 740 without hindering the flex 702 of the striking face.

[0229] In some embodiments, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b have a pneumatic insert width W I They are separated by a distance similar to or slightly greater than that. Therefore, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b define boundaries with respect to the pneumatic insert 740 on both its heel and toe sides, and near the sole 712. The sole bumpers 774a and 774b prevent the pneumatic insert 740 from moving laterally within the internal cavity 725. Insert width W I This results in an insert retainer that engages with the sole bumpers 774a and 774b.

[0230] The sole bumpers 774a and 774b anticipate the precise positioning of the pneumatic insert 740 at the desired location. The sole bumpers 774a and 774b can be used as alignment aids to position the pneumatic insert 740 in the correct heel-toe position. In some embodiments, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b can be positioned just outside, but adjacent to, the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. This particular arrangement positions the pneumatic insert 740 just behind the scoring area. For example, in some embodiments, the heel-side sole bumper 774a can contact the rear surface of the striking face 715 at a position slightly in the heel direction than the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020, while the toe-side sole bumper 774b can contact the rear surface of the striking face 715 at a position slightly in the toe direction than the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. Figures 30 and 31 illustrate two sole bumpers, but other embodiments may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other preferred number of sole bumpers.

[0231] The sole bumpers 774a and 774b, like the top rail features 672a and 672b described above, can be substantially small, thereby holding the pneumatic insert 740 in the correct position without using a large amount of discretionary mass. Referring to Figure 30, the sole bumpers 774a and 774b have a thickness t measured between the opposing surfaces of a given sole bumper. SB The sole bumpers 774a and 774b further have a height H measured perpendicular to the inner surface from which the sole bumpers 774a and 774b begin to extend. SB It has. Sole bumper thickness t SB and sole bumper height H SB Both of the above top rail bumper thickness t TB and top rail bumper height H TB It can be substantially the same as this.

[0232] Figures 32 and 33 illustrate another embodiment of a club head equipped with bumpers. The club head 800 comprises a pair of backface bumpers, including a heel-side backface bumper 876a and a toe-side backface bumper 876b. The backface bumpers 876a, 876b may be substantially similar to the bumpers described above, except that the backface bumpers 876a, 876b are located on the rear surface 815 of the striking face rather than on the sole 812 or top rail 810.

[0233] The back face bumpers 876a and 876b protrude from the rear striking face 815 into the internal cavity 825. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 32 and 33, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b extend vertically from the sole 812 to the top rail 810. In the illustrated embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b extend continuously from the sole 812 to the top rail 810. In other embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b may extend only a portion of the distance between the top rail 810 and the sole 812, and / or may extend discontinuously between the top rail 810 and the sole 812. In some embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b may extend horizontally, obliquely, or in any preferred orientation. In some embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a, 876b may be localized to the rear surface 815 of the striking face. In other embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a, 876b may extend along the transition between the rear surface 815 of the striking face and the inner surface 819 of the top rail, and / or along the transition between the rear surface 815 of the striking face and the inner surface 821 of the sole.

[0234] In some embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b have a pneumatic insert width W IThey are separated by a distance similar to or slightly greater than that. Therefore, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b define boundaries with respect to the pneumatic insert 840 on both its heel and toe sides, and along at least a portion of the rear striking face 815. The back face bumpers 876a and 876b prevent the pneumatic insert 840 from moving laterally within the internal cavity 825. Insert width W I This results in insert retainers that engage with the back face bumpers 876a and 876b.

[0235] The back face bumpers 876a and 876b anticipate the precise positioning of the pneumatic insert 840 at the desired location. The back face bumpers 876a and 876b can be used as alignment aids to position the pneumatic insert 840 in the correct heel-toe position. In some embodiments, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b can be positioned just outside, but adjacent to, the scoring area heel-side boundary 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary 1025. This particular arrangement positions the pneumatic insert 840 directly behind the scoring area. For example, in some embodiments, the heel-side backface bumper 876a can contact the rear surface of the striking face 815 at a position slightly in the heel direction than the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020, while the toe-side backface bumper 876b can contact the rear surface of the striking face 815 at a position slightly in the toe direction than the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. Figures 32 and 33 illustrate two backface bumpers, but other embodiments may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other preferred number of backface bumpers.

[0236] The back face bumpers 876a and 876b, like the bumpers described above, can be substantially small, thereby holding the pneumatic insert 840 in the correct position without using a large amount of discretionary mass. Referring to Figure 33, the back face bumpers 876a and 876b have a thickness t measured between the opposing surfaces of a given back face bumper. BB The back face bumpers 876a and 876b further have a height measured perpendicular to the rear surface of the striking face 815. The back face bumper thickness t BB Both the rear and rear bumper heights can be substantially the same as the bumper thickness and height described above.

[0237] As described above, in some embodiments, one or more of the top rail bumper, sole bumper, and / or back face bumper can be combined. Figure 34 illustrates a club head 900 having a full cavity bumper comprising a top rail bumper 972, a sole bumper 974, and a back face bumper 976. In the illustrated embodiment, the top rail bumper 972, the sole bumper 974, and the back face bumper 976 are connected to each other and extend continuously around the internal cavity 925. As illustrated in Figure 34, the sole bumper 974 extends upward over most of the rear wall inner surface 923 and terminates near the rear opening 922. Although Figure 34 illustrates a single full cavity bumper, other embodiments may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other preferred number of full cavity bumpers.

[0238] One or more full cavity bumpers provide additional support and retention for the pneumatic insert 940 compared to clubheads with only a top rail bumper, only a sole bumper, or only a back face bumper. Similar to the bumpers described above, one or more full cavity bumpers can be substantially small, thereby holding the pneumatic insert 840 in the correct position without using a large amount of discretionary mass. The dimensions of the full cavity bumpers (including the full cavity bumper thickness and height) can be substantially the same as the bumper thickness and height described above.

[0239] In some embodiments of the capped hollow body, the badge may comprise one or more bumpers in addition to or instead of the above-described bumper. As illustrated by Figures 35 and 36, the club head 1100 comprises a pair of badge bumpers, including a heel-side badge bumper 1178a and a toe-side badge bumper 1178b. The badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may be substantially similar to the above-described bumper, except that the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b are formed by the badge 1150 rather than by the club head body 1101.

[0240] The badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b extend from the inner surface 1152 of the badge, so that when the badge 1150 is coupled to the body 1101, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b protrude into the internal cavity 1125. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 35, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b extend vertically between the lower edge 1151 and the upper edge 1153 of the badge. In the illustrated embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b extend only a portion of the distance between the lower edge 1151 and the upper edge 1153 of the badge. In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b may extend over the entire distance between the lower edge 1151 and the upper edge 1153 of the badge. In other embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may extend discontinuously between the upper edge 1151 and the lower edge 1153 of the badge. In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may extend horizontally, obliquely, or in any preferred direction. In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may be localized to the inner surface 1152 of the badge. In other embodiments, the back face bumpers 1178a, 1178b may extend beyond the periphery of the badge so that when the badge 1150 is coupled to the body 1101, portions of the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b overlap one or more of the inner surfaces of the body.

[0241] In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b have a pneumatic insert width W I They are separated by a distance similar to or slightly greater than that. Therefore, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b define boundaries with respect to the pneumatic insert 1140 on both its heel and toe sides, and along at least a portion of the inner surface of the badge 1152. The badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b prevent the pneumatic insert 1140 from moving laterally within the internal cavity 1125. Insert width W IThis results in an insert retainer that engages with the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b.

[0242] The badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b anticipate the precise positioning of the pneumatic insert 1140 at the desired location. The badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b can be used as alignment aids to fix the pneumatic insert 1140 in the correct heel-toe position. In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b can be positioned just outside, but adjacent to, the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020 and the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. This particular arrangement positions the pneumatic insert 1140 just behind the scoring area. For example, in some embodiments, the heel-side backface bumper 1178a may extend from the inner surface of the badge 1152 to a position slightly in the heel direction beyond the scoring area heel-side boundary surface 1020, while the toe-side badge bumper 1178b may extend from the inner surface of the badge 1152 to a position slightly in the toe direction beyond the scoring area toe-side boundary surface 1025. Figures 35 and 36 illustrate two badge bumpers, but other embodiments may include one, two, three, four, five, six, or any other preferred number of badge bumpers.

[0243] Similar to the bumpers described above, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b can be substantially small, thereby holding the pneumatic insert 1140 in the correct position without using a large amount of discretionary mass. Referring to Figure 35, the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b have a thickness t measured between the opposing surfaces of a given badge bumper. DB The badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b further have a height measured perpendicular to the inner surface 1152 of the badge. The back face bumper has a thickness of t. DBThe length and height of the badge bumper can be substantially the same as the bumper thickness and height described above. Furthermore, the length L measured between the opposing ends of the badge bumpers 1178a and 1178b can also be a given length L. DB It has a badge bumper length L. In some embodiments, DB This can be between 0.25 and 2.0 inches. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 35, one or more badge bumpers have their own length L DB In other embodiments, two or more badge bumpers may have similar or identical lengths L. DB It can have.

[0244] In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may be the only bumpers on the club head. In such embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b hold the pneumatic insert 1140 while imparting a minimal amount of mass, because the badge material (forming the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b) is less dense than the body material. In other embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may be used in addition to and / or in combination with any of the other bumpers described herein. In some embodiments, the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b may be combined with the full-body bumper shown in Figure 34. The combination of the badge bumpers 1178a, 1178b and the full-body bumper can perfectly enclose the internal cavity in the vertical direction, thereby maximally securing the pneumatic insert in its desired position. H. Club head with multiple pneumatic inserts

[0245] Figures 37A and 37B illustrate various embodiments of a golf club head equipped with multiple pneumatic inserts. The club head may have multiple smaller pneumatic inserts rather than a single large pneumatic insert. Multiple smaller pneumatic inserts can improve manufacturability by allowing the aforementioned pneumatic insert to be mounted in narrower or more difficult positions within the cavity. Therefore, in some embodiments, providing multiple pneumatic inserts can increase the insert contact area. Furthermore, each of the multiple inserts can be mounted separately into the cavity through a rear opening. Multiple smaller pneumatic inserts can just pass through a smaller rear opening than a single larger pneumatic insert. Therefore, in some embodiments, the rear opening area can be reduced, allowing the pneumatic insert to be secured by a smaller and lighter badge or covering. Furthermore, providing multiple pneumatic inserts can improve embodiments that have supports spanning the rear opening. Providing multiple smaller pneumatic inserts allows for more challenging strut designs because the pneumatic inserts can be more easily attached around the strut.

[0246] Furthermore, multiple pneumatic inserts enable localized pressure control across all different areas of the club head. In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple pneumatic inserts can be filled with the same pressurized gas as one or more other pneumatic inserts. In other embodiments, one or more pneumatic inserts can be filled with different pressurized gases. In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple pneumatic inserts can have similar shapes. In other embodiments, one or more of the multiple pneumatic inserts can be shaped in different ways. Multiple pneumatic inserts can be configured to improve the damping and flex of the club head.

[0247] In some embodiments, one or more of the pneumatic inserts may have the same insert pressure as one or more other pneumatic inserts. In other embodiments, one or more pneumatic inserts may have different insert pressures. In some embodiments, one or more pneumatic inserts may have a greater insert pressure than one or more other pneumatic inserts to provide localized stiffening or vibration damping in a particular part of the club head. In some embodiments, increasing the insert pressure of one or more pneumatic inserts may allow for thinning of the corresponding part of the striking face. Any of the pneumatic inserts described in the following embodiments may have a greater or less insert pressure than any other pneumatic insert.

[0248] One or more of the pneumatic inserts can be fixed in the cavity by any one or a combination of the retainers described herein. In some embodiments, one or more of the pneumatic inserts can be fixed exclusively by a club head retainer or a combination of insert retainers without any additional adhesive or bonding means. However, in other embodiments, the club head may be provided with additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means for fixing one or more pneumatic inserts. Additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means can ensure that the smaller pneumatic inserts are fixed in their intended positions and prevented from moving within the cavity. In some embodiments, one or more of the pneumatic inserts can be attached to the inner surface of one or more club heads via adhesives such as epoxy, adhesive resin, or polymer tapes such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In some embodiments, because the pneumatic inserts are small in size, one or more pneumatic inserts can be held solely by one of the fastening, fixing, or adhesive means described above, without the use of any additional retainers.

[0249] In some embodiments, multiple pneumatic inserts may have similar characteristics to a larger single pneumatic insert as described herein. For example, in some embodiments, multiple pneumatic inserts may have a total insert contact area (i.e., the total insert contact area of ​​each individual pneumatic insert) within the range described above with respect to a single pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, multiple pneumatic inserts may have a total insert contact area, a total back contact area, and / or a total scoring area back contact area within the corresponding range described above with respect to a single pneumatic insert.

[0250] Figures 37A and 37B illustrate a club head 1200 having multiple vertical pneumatic inserts. The club head 1200 includes a heel-side pneumatic insert 1270 and a toe-side pneumatic insert 1271. Each of the pneumatic inserts 1270 and 1271 can extend substantially from the sole 1212 to the top rail 1210. The toe-side pneumatic insert 1271 has a larger insert height H than that of the heel-side pneumatic insert 1270. I It can have a cavity height H C However, the proximity to the toe 1206 is greater than the proximity to the heel 1204. In some embodiments, the heel-side pneumatic insert 1270 can be located in the heel direction relative to the YZ plane, and the toe-side pneumatic insert 1271 can be located in the toe direction relative to the YZ plane. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1270 and 1271 can be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, a gap can be provided between the pneumatic insert 1270 and the pneumatic insert 1271. In such embodiments, the gap can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the deflection of the striking face at impact.

[0251] In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in Figures 37A and 37B, both pneumatic inserts 1270 and 1271 can be located substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1270 and 1271 can work together to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0252] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 37A, the club head 1200 includes a support column 1235. The support column 1235 can be substantially similar to any of the above-described columns. As discussed above, the support column 1235 can act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1270, 1271 can be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1222. In some embodiments, the toe-side pneumatic insert 1271 can be mounted before the heel-side pneumatic insert 1270. The toe-side pneumatic insert 1271 can be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1222 (i.e., towards the heel beyond the top end 1236 of the support column) and then repositioned towards the toe to its intended final position under the support column 1235. Subsequently, the heel-side pneumatic insert 1270 can be attached and positioned under the support column 1235 to its intended final position.

[0253] Figures 38A and 38B illustrate a club head 1300 having a plurality of horizontal pneumatic inserts. The club head 1300 comprises an upper pneumatic insert 1373 and a lower pneumatic insert 1375. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1373 may be positioned above the XZ plane, and the lower pneumatic insert 1375 may be positioned below the YZ plane. In the illustrated embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1373 has an insert top end 1361 angled with respect to the insert bottom end 1362, so that the top end 1373 follows the contour of the top rail 1310. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375 may be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, a gap may be provided between the pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375. In this embodiment, the gap can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the flex of the striking face at impact.

[0254] In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in Figures 38A and 38B, both pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375 can be located substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375 can work together to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0255] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 38A, the club head 1300 includes a support column 1335. The support column 1335 can be substantially similar to any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1335 can act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1373, 1375 can be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1322. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1373 can be mounted before the lower pneumatic insert 1375. The upper pneumatic insert 1373 can be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1322 (i.e., below the support column 1335) and then repositioned upward to its intended position below the support column 1235 and close to the top rail 1310. Subsequently, the lower pneumatic insert 1375 can be attached and positioned to its intended final position below the support column 1235 and close to the sole 1312.

[0256] Figures 39A and 39B illustrate a club head 1400 equipped with an upper pneumatic insert 1473 and a lower pneumatic insert 1475. The pneumatic inserts 1473 and 1475 can be substantially the same as the pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375, except for variations in the shape of each pneumatic insert. Referring to Figure 39B, the lower pneumatic insert 1475 is equipped with a V-shaped lower insert apex 1461b, the lower insert apex 1461b corresponding to a complementaryly shaped upper insert bottom 1462a. The lower pneumatic insert 1475 is equipped with a heel-side apex 1476a adjacent to the lower insert heel end 1763b and a toe-side apex 1476b adjacent to the lower insert toe end 1464b. The heel-side top edge 1476a and the toe-side top edge 1476b meet at the lowest point 1478. The heel-side top edge 1476a is angled in the sole direction from the lower insert heel end 1463b to the lowest point 1478. The toe-side top edge 1476b is angled in the sole direction from the lower insert toe end 1464b to the lowest point 1478. The upper pneumatic insert 1473 comprises a heel-side bottom edge 1474a adjacent to the upper insert heel end 1463a and a toe-side bottom edge 1474b adjacent to the upper insert toe end 1464a. The heel-side bottom edge 1474a and the toe-side bottom edge 1474b meet at the bottom end vertex 1479. The heel-side bottom edge 1474a is angled in the sole direction from the upper insert heel end 1464a to the bottom edge apex 1479. The toe-side bottom edge 1474b is angled in the sole direction from the upper insert toe end 1464a to the bottom edge apex 1479. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1473 and 1475 can be configured to contact each other. In other embodiments, a gap can be provided between the pneumatic insert 1473 and the pneumatic insert 1475. In such embodiments, the gap can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the flex of the striking face at impact.

[0257] As illustrated in Figures 39A and 39B, both pneumatic inserts 1473 and 1475 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1473 and 1475 can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0258] As illustrated in Figure 39A, the club head 1400 may be equipped with a support column 1435. The support column 1435 may be substantially similar to any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1435 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1473, 1475 may be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1422. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1473 may be mounted before the lower pneumatic insert 1475. The upper pneumatic insert 1473 may be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1422 (i.e., below the support column 1435) and then repositioned upward to its intended position, approaching the top rail 1410. Subsequently, the lower pneumatic insert 1475 can be attached below the support column 1435 and positioned in close proximity to the sole 1412 to reach its intended final position.

[0259] Figures 40A and 40B illustrate a club head 1500 equipped with an upper pneumatic insert 1573 and a lower pneumatic insert 1575. The lower pneumatic insert 1575 has an "L" shape, with a lower insert base 1582 extending along the sole 1512 in the heel-toe direction and a lower insert arm 1583 extending upward from the lower insert base 1582 to the top rail 1510. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower insert arm 1583 extends upward from the heel side of the lower insert base 1582, but in other embodiments, the lower insert arm 1583 can extend upward from the toe side of the lower insert base 1582 or from the center of the lower insert base 1582. The upper pneumatic insert 1573 can be housed within the bend of the "L" shaped lower insert 1575. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom end 1562a of the upper insert is close to the base 1582 of the lower insert, and the heel end 1563a of the upper insert is close to the arm 1583 of the lower insert. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1573 and 1575 can be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, a gap can be provided between the pneumatic insert 1573 and the pneumatic insert 1575. In such embodiments, the gap can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the deflection of the striking face at impact.

[0260] As illustrated in Figures 40A and 40B, both pneumatic inserts 1573 and 1575 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1573 and 1575 can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0261] As illustrated in Figure 40A, the club head 1500 may be equipped with a support column 1535. The support column 1535 may be substantially similar to any of the above-described supports. As discussed above, the support column 1535 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1573, 1575 may be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1522. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1573 may be mounted before the lower pneumatic insert 1575. The upper pneumatic insert 1573 may be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1522 (i.e., below the support column 1535) and then repositioned upward and toe-wise to its intended position, close to the top rail 1510. Subsequently, the lower pneumatic insert 1575 can be fitted and positioned in close proximity to the sole 1512 to its intended final position. The "L" shape of the lower pneumatic insert 1575 allows it to easily pass through the rear opening 1522. As illustrated in Figure 40A, the lower insert base 1582 can pass further towards the heel than the bottom end 1537 of the support, while the lower insert arm 1583 can pass beneath the top end 1536 of the support.

[0262] Figures 41A and 41B illustrate a club head 1600 equipped with an upper pneumatic insert 1673 and a lower pneumatic insert 1675. The pneumatic inserts 1673 and 1675 can be substantially identical to the pneumatic inserts 1373 and 1375, except for variations in the shape of each pneumatic insert. Referring to Figure 39B, the lower pneumatic insert 1675 is equipped with a bow-shaped lower insert apex 1661b, which corresponds to a complementaryly shaped upper insert bottom apex 1662a. The center of the lower insert apex 1661b has a convex surface that projects outward from the rest of the lower pneumatic insert 1675. Conversely, the center of the upper insert bottom apex 1662a has a concave surface shaped to receive the lower insert apex 1661b. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1673 and 1675 can be configured to contact each other. In other embodiments, a gap can be provided between the pneumatic insert 1673 and the pneumatic insert 1675. In such embodiments, the gap can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the flex of the striking face at impact.

[0263] As illustrated in Figures 41A and 41B, both pneumatic inserts 1673 and 1675 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1673 and 1675 can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0264] As illustrated in Figure 41A, the club head 1600 may be equipped with a support column 1635. The support column 1635 may be substantially similar to any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1635 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1673, 1675 may be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1622. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1673 may be mounted before the lower pneumatic insert 1675. The upper pneumatic insert 1673 may be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1622 (i.e., below the support column 1635) and then repositioned upward to its intended position, approaching the top rail 1610. Subsequently, the lower pneumatic insert 1675 can be attached below the support column 1635 and positioned in close proximity to the sole 1612 to reach its intended final position.

[0265] Figures 42A and 42B illustrate a club head 1700 comprising an upper pneumatic insert 1773 and a lower pneumatic insert 1775. The upper pneumatic insert 1773 can be substantially smaller than the lower pneumatic insert 1775. The upper pneumatic insert 1773 can be sized to fit exclusively into the top rail undercut (as described in detail above). The lower pneumatic insert 1775 can be substantially larger and can extend over the remaining distance from the upper pneumatic insert 1773 to the sole 1712. This configuration can be expected to provide greater vibration damping in the top rail 1710, which is a region that typically experiences dominant vibration. In some embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1773 and 1775 can be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, a gap can be provided between the pneumatic inserts 1773 and 1775. In this embodiment, the gap can improve the deflection of the striking face during impact.

[0266] As illustrated in Figures 42A and 42B, both pneumatic inserts 1773 and 1775 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1773 and 1775 can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0267] As illustrated in Figure 42A, the club head 1700 may be equipped with a support column 1735. The support column 1735 may be substantially similar to any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1735 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1773, 1775 may be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1722. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1773 may be mounted before the lower pneumatic insert 1775. The upper pneumatic insert 1773 may be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1722 (i.e., below the support column 1735) and then repositioned upward to its intended position, close to the top rail 1710. Subsequently, the lower pneumatic insert 1775 can be mounted below the support column 1735 and positioned in close proximity to the sole 1712 to reach its intended final position.

[0268] Figures 43A and 43B illustrate a club head 1800 comprising a heel-side pneumatic insert 1870, an upper toe-side pneumatic insert 1871a, and a lower toe-side pneumatic insert 1871b. The upper toe-side pneumatic insert 1871a and the lower toe-side pneumatic insert 1871b are substantially smaller than the heel-side pneumatic insert 1870 and are expected to be easier to install. In some embodiments, one or more of the pneumatic inserts 1870, 1871a, and 1871b can be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, gaps can be provided between one or more of the pneumatic inserts 1870, 1871a, and 1871b. In such embodiments, one or more of the gaps can be located approximately behind the center of the striking face, thereby improving the flex of the striking face at impact.

[0269] As illustrated in Figures 43A and 43B, each of the pneumatic inserts 1870, 1871a, and 1871b can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1870, 1871a, and 1871b can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0270] As illustrated in Figure 43A, the club head 1800 may be equipped with a support column 1835. The support column 1835 may be substantially the same as any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1835 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1870, 1871a, and 1871b may be individually installed into the cavity through the rear opening 1822. In some embodiments, the upper toe-side pneumatic insert 1871a may be installed first, followed by the lower toe-side pneumatic insert 1871b, and finally the heel-side pneumatic insert 1870. The upper toe-side pneumatic insert 1871a can be installed via the widest part of the rear opening 1822 (i.e., below the support 1835), and then repositioned upward and toe-wise to its intended position, approaching the top rail 1810 and the toe 1806. The lower toe-side pneumatic insert 1871b can then be installed below the support 1835, and then repositioned sole-wise and toe-wise to its intended position, approaching the sole 1812 and the toe 1806. Finally, the heel-side pneumatic insert 1870 can be installed below the support 1835 and positioned to its intended final position.

[0271] Figures 44A and 44B illustrate a club head 1900 comprising an upper pneumatic insert 1973, a central pneumatic insert 1977, and a lower pneumatic insert 1975. The upper pneumatic insert 1973 can be sized to fit exclusively into the top rail undercut (as described in detail above). The lower pneumatic insert 1975 can be sized to fit exclusively into the lower internal undercut (as described in detail above). The central pneumatic insert 1977 can be positioned approximately behind the center of the striking face and can extend between the upper pneumatic insert 1973 and the lower pneumatic insert 1975. This configuration can be expected to provide greater vibration damping in the top rail 1910 and / or sole 1912. In some embodiments, one or more of the pneumatic inserts 1973, 1975, and 1977 can be configured to abut each other. In other embodiments, gaps can be provided between one or more of the pneumatic inserts 1973, 1975, and 1977. In such embodiments, one or more gaps can improve the deflection of the striking face at impact.

[0272] As illustrated in Figures 44A and 44B, each of the pneumatic inserts 1973, 1975, and 1977 can be positioned substantially behind the scoring area. In other embodiments, the pneumatic inserts 1973, 1975, and 1977 can combine to occupy a larger portion of the cavity that extends beyond the scoring area.

[0273] As illustrated in Figure 44A, the club head 1900 may be equipped with a support column 1935. The support column 1935 may be substantially similar to any of the above-described support columns. As discussed above, the support column 1935 may act as a vibration damping feature, a club head holder, and / or a periphery weight. The pneumatic inserts 1973, 1975, and 1977 may be individually mounted into the cavity through the rear opening 1922. In some embodiments, the upper pneumatic insert 1973 may be mounted first, followed by the lower pneumatic insert 1975, and finally the central pneumatic insert 1977. The upper pneumatic insert 1973 may be mounted through the widest part of the rear opening 1922 (i.e., below the support column 1935) and then repositioned upward to its intended position, close to the top rail 1810. The lower pneumatic insert 1975 can then be mounted below the support column 1935 and then repositioned toward the sole 1812 to its intended position toward the sole. Finally, the central pneumatic insert 1977 can be mounted below the support column 1935 and repositioned toward the center of the striking face to its intended final position. III. Embodiments of Additional Inserts

[0274] The following describes various embodiments of pneumatic inserts that can be applied to any of the above-described club heads. For example, each of the embodiments of pneumatic inserts described below can be provided on any of the above-described club heads, including cavity back, capped hollow body, and fully sealed hollow body. Furthermore, each of the embodiments of pneumatic inserts described below can be provided in combination with one or more of the retainers or additional coupling members described herein.

[0275] Figures 45 to 48 illustrate various embodiments of a golf club head equipped with a localized pneumatic insert. The localized pneumatic insert is shaped to contact a specific portion of the inner surface of the club head and / or a specific area of ​​the rear surface of the striking face. In some embodiments, the localized insert dampens high-vibration club head areas without having contact areas that experience less significant vibration. The localized pneumatic insert provides damping and reinforcing effects without generating discretionary mass compared to a larger insert that occupies a larger portion of the cavity, and without excessively hindering the flexibility of the club head.

[0276] Any of the localized pneumatic inserts described below can be fixed in the cavity by any one or a combination of the retainers described herein. In some embodiments, the localized pneumatic insert can be fixed solely by a club head retainer or a combination of insert retainers without any additional adhesives or bonding means. However, in other embodiments, the club head may be provided with additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means for fixing the localized pneumatic insert. The additional fastening, fixing, or adhesive means may not be large enough to be completely fixed by the club head or insert retainer, but can ensure that the localized pneumatic insert is fixed in the intended position and prevented from moving within the cavity. In some embodiments, the localized pneumatic insert can be attached to the inner surface of one or more club heads via adhesives such as epoxy, adhesive resin, or polymer tapes such as Very High Bond (VHB®) tape. In some embodiments, the localized pneumatic insert can be held solely by one of the fastening, fixing, or adhesive means described above, without the use of any additional retainer.

[0277] In some embodiments, a localized pneumatic insert may have similar characteristics to the pneumatic inserts described herein. For example, in some embodiments, a localized pneumatic insert may have an insert contact area, a back contact area, and / or a scoring area back contact area within the corresponding ranges described above. I. Pneumatic insert with window

[0278] Figure 45 illustrates a club head 2100 comprising a pneumatic insert 2140 having a central window 2141. The central window 2141 extends in the front-to-back direction throughout the entire pneumatic insert 2140. The central window 2141 extends from the front surface 2146 of the insert to the rear surface 2148 of the insert. In some embodiments, the central window 2141 can correspond to the position of the center of the striking face. The central window 2141 can also be adapted to the striking face, if a variable face thickness or a thickened central portion is provided. The pneumatic insert 2140 can effectively dampen vibrations occurring near the periphery of the striking face, while the central window 2141 allows the striking face to flex near the center of the striking face. Thus, the pneumatic insert 2140 with a central window improves sound and feel and ball flight performance. Although the central window 2141 is shown to have a circular shape, the central window 2141 can be a square, triangle, rectangle, oval, hexagon, octagon, or any other suitable shape.

[0279] The club head 2100 comprises multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 45, the top end 2161 of the insert engages with the top rail undercut 2130, the bottom end 2162 of the insert engages with the lower internal undercut 2131, and the pneumatic insert 2140 further comprises a rear projection 2167 that engages with the top surface 2184 of the mass pad. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 2140 is secured exclusively by the multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 2140 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 2146 of the insert. Pneumatic insert shaped into a J-ring

[0280] Figure 46 illustrates a club head 2200 having a ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240. The ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 has a central window 2241 which can be substantially the same as the central window 2141 described above. Rather than extending continuously from the top rail 2210 to the sole 2212, the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 terminates at an outer periphery 2243 that substantially follows the contour of the central window 2241, thereby forming a ring shape. Although the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 is shown as having a circular shape, the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 can be square, triangular, rectangular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal, or any other preferred shape.

[0281] In some embodiments, the central window 2241 can correspond to the position of the center of the striking face. The ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 can be configured to primarily dampen vibrations occurring near the center of the striking face while using a minimal amount of mass and providing minimal resistance to the deflection of the striking face. The ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 can occupy a very small proportion of the cavity. In some embodiments, the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 can occupy less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the cavity volume.

[0282] The club head 2200 is equipped with multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 46, the bottom end 2262 of the insert engages with the lower internal undercut 2231, and the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 further includes a rear projection 2267 that engages with the top surface 2184 of the mass pad. In some embodiments, the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 is secured exclusively by the multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the ring-shaped pneumatic insert 2240 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 2246 of the insert. K. Arch-shaped pneumatic insert

[0283] Figure 47 illustrates a club head 2300 equipped with an arched pneumatic insert 2340. The arched pneumatic insert 2340 comprises a heel-side leg 2368a and a toe-side leg 2368b connected by a bridge 2369 near the top rail 2310. A gap 2385 is formed between the heel-side leg 2368a and the toe-side leg 2368b, and each of the heel-side leg 2368a and the toe-side leg 2368b has an unconnected free end 2386a, 2386b near the sole 2312. The arched configuration allows the pneumatic insert 2340 to flex so that the legs 2368a, 2368b pivot about the bridge 2369. The arched pneumatic insert 2340 can thus flex during use or while the insert is installed. In some embodiments, the gap 2385 can correspond to the position of the center of the striking face. The pneumatic insert 2340 can effectively dampen vibrations occurring near the periphery of the striking face, while the gap 2385 allows the striking face to flex near the center of the striking face.

[0284] The club head 2300 is equipped with multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 47, the top end 2361 of the insert engages with the top rail undercut 2330, and the free ends 2386a, 2386b of each leg engage with the lower internal undercut 2331. The arched pneumatic insert 2340 is further equipped with rear projections 2367 on each leg 2368a, 2368b that engage with the top surface 2384 of the mass pad. In some embodiments, the arched pneumatic insert 2340 is secured exclusively by the multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the arched pneumatic insert 2340 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 2346 of the insert. LX-shaped pneumatic insert

[0285] Figure 48 illustrates a club head 2400 equipped with an X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440. The X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 comprises a central portion 2469 and multiple legs. The X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 includes an upper heel-side leg 2468a, an upper toe-side leg 2468b, a lower heel-side leg 2488a, and a lower toe-side leg 2488b. The upper heel-side leg 2468a extends from the central portion 2469 toward the top rail 2410 and the heel 2404. The upper toe-side leg 2468b extends from the central portion 2469 toward the top rail 2410 and the toe 2406. The lower heel-side leg 2488a extends from the central portion 2469 toward the sole 2412 and the heel 2404. The lower toe-side leg portion 2488b extends from the central portion 2469 toward the sole 2412 and toe 2406. A gap 2485 can be formed between each adjacent leg portion. The X-shaped configuration allows the legs 2468a, 2468b, 2488a, 2488b to flex, thereby improving the overall insert flexibility both during clubhead use and while the insert is installed. In some embodiments, the central portion 2469 can correspond to the position of the center of the striking face, thereby allowing the X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 to contact a large portion of the rear surface of the striking face around the center of the striking face. The pneumatic insert 2440 improves vibration damping and structural reinforcement in high-vibration and high-strain areas near the center of the striking face.

[0286] The club head 2400 is equipped with multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 48, each of the upper heel-side legs 2468a and upper toe-side legs 2468b engages with the top rail undercut 2330, and each of the lower heel-side legs 2488a and lower toe-side legs 2488b engages with the lower internal undercut 2331. Furthermore, the X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 is equipped with a rear projection 2467 that engages with the top surface 2484 of the mass pad. In some embodiments, the X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 is secured exclusively by the multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the X-shaped pneumatic insert 2440 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 2446 of the insert. M. Waveform pneumatic insert

[0287] Figures 49 and 50 illustrate a club head 2500 equipped with a corrugated pneumatic insert 2540. The corrugated pneumatic insert 2540 comprises a plurality of corrugated sections 2587 extending rearward on the opposite side of the insert's front surface 2546. In the illustrated embodiments, the plurality of corrugated sections may have the same or different lengths (i.e., measured between opposing ends of a given corrugated section) and / or the same or different widths (i.e., measured between opposing surfaces of a given corrugated section). Referring to Figure 50, a gap 2585 can be formed between each adjacent corrugated section 2587. In some embodiments, the gap 2585 may have the same or different widths. The gap 2585 allows the corrugated pneumatic insert 2540 to be bent or deformed during installation, thereby allowing the corrugated pneumatic insert 2540 to be installed through a smaller rear opening 2522. Furthermore, the corrugated portions 2587 can function as localized dampers or localized reinforcements. The corrugated portions 2587 can act as insert ribs that contact discrete, localized areas on the inner surface of the club head. In some embodiments, the chamber 2544 extends continuously across the entire corrugated pneumatic insert 2540, and the chamber 2544 can extend through each of the corrugated portions 2587. In other embodiments, one or more of the corrugated portions 2587 can be constructed solid, so that the corrugated portions 2587 are filled with a solid film material. The figure illustrates that the corrugated portions 2587 extend rearward and are formed on the opposite side of the front surface 2546 of the insert, but one or more corrugated portions can be provided on any insert surface and can extend in any preferred direction.

[0288] The club head 2500 comprises multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 50, the top end 2561 of the insert engages with the top rail undercut 2530, and the bottom end 2562 of the insert engages with the lower internal undercut 2531. Furthermore, the corrugated portion 2587 can form an insert retainer. In some embodiments, the club head 2500 can form one or more club head retainers configured to receive one or more corrugated portions 2587. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the corrugated portions engage with the internal mass pad 2580, thereby helping to secure the corrugated pneumatic insert 2540. In some embodiments, the corrugated pneumatic insert 2540 is secured exclusively by the multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the corrugated pneumatic insert 2540 is further secured by additional bonding means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 2546 of the insert. N. Pleated pneumatic insert

[0289] Figure 51 illustrates a club head 2600 equipped with a pleated pneumatic insert 2640. The pleated pneumatic insert 2640 includes pleats 2689 formed within the insert front surface 2646. The pleats 2689 allow the pleated pneumatic insert 2640 to be bent or deformed during installation, thereby allowing the pleated pneumatic insert 2640 to be installed through a smaller rear opening. The pleats 2689 can extend entirely across the entire front surface of the insert, substantially in the heel-toe direction, from the insert heel end 2663 to the insert toe end 2664. In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 51, the pleats 2689 can be angled to substantially reflect the shape of the top rail 2610. In this configuration, the pneumatic insert 2640 can be folded around the pleat 2689 so that the insert's top end 2661 can be positioned close to the top rail 2610 and fitted below the rear opening. Other embodiments, such as the club head 2700 shown in Figure 52, may have a pleat 2689 extending in a heel-toe direction substantially parallel to the sole 2712. Although the pleat 2689 is shown to extend substantially in the heel-toe direction, the pleated pneumatic insert 2640 can extend in any direction, such as substantially vertical or oblique. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the pleat 2689 may be curved or arched rather than substantially linear, or may have any other preferred shape. Furthermore, although the folds 2689 are shown formed within the front surface 2646 of the insert, one or more folds 2689 can be formed within any suitable surface of the folded pneumatic insert 2640, including but not limited to the rear surface 2648 of the insert.

[0290] The club head 2600 comprises multiple retainers. As illustrated in Figure 51, the insert top end 2661 engages with the top rail undercut 2630, the insert bottom end 2662 engages with the lower internal undercut 2631, and the pneumatic insert 2640 comprises a rear projection 2667 that engages with the mass pad top surface 2684. Furthermore, folds 2689 can form an insert retainer. In some embodiments, the club head 2500 can form one or more club head retainers configured to engage with the folds 2689. For example, in some embodiments, one or more club head inner surfaces can form projections configured to engage with the folds 2689 and secure the folded pneumatic insert 2640. In some embodiments, the folded pneumatic insert 2640 is secured exclusively by multiple retainers. In other embodiments, the pleated pneumatic insert 2640 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as a polymer tape applied to the front surface 2646 of the insert. O. Pneumatic insert with stiffening member

[0291] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may comprise one or more stiffening members. These stiffening members can reinforce the pneumatic insert and control its deformation during use. A pneumatic insert comprising one or more stiffening members can selectively stiffen a portion of the club head, thereby controlling vibration damping and club head flexibility. In some embodiments, one or more stiffening members may be embedded within a membrane. In other embodiments, one or more stiffening members may be formed on the inner surface of a membrane and extend through or occupy a portion of a hollow chamber. In some embodiments, one or more stiffening members may form an insert retainer. The stiffening members can engage with one or more club head retainers. In such embodiments, the stiffening members can reinforce the pneumatic insert and prevent the pneumatic insert from deforming during use and disengaging from the club head retainer.

[0292] One or more stiffeners can be formed from a material more rigid than the membrane material. The stiffener material can be selected based on the desired insert stiffness, desired vibration damping effect, or desired reinforcement effect. The stiffener material can have sufficient stiffness while having low density and increasing discretionary mass. In some embodiments, the stiffener material can be plastic, composite material, spring steel, steel or steel alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, aluminum or aluminum alloy, or any other material with suitable stiffness.

[0293] Figures 53 and 54 illustrate a club head 2800 having a pneumatic insert 2840 comprising a pair of stiffening members 2890a and 2890b. The pneumatic insert 2840 comprises a heel-side stiffening member 2890a and a toe-side stiffening member 2890b. Each of the stiffening members 2890a and 2890b extends substantially vertically from the top edge 2861 of the insert to the bottom edge 2861 of the insert. Referring to Figure 54, the stiffening members 2890a and 2890b are attached to the inner surface 2849 of the membrane and occupy a portion of the chamber 2844. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffening members 2890a and 2890b are located only near the front surface 2846 of the insert and do not extend through the entire chamber 2844 to the rear surface 2848 of the insert. This configuration locally stiffens the striking face 2802, allowing the striking face 2802 to be thinned without sacrificing durability. In some embodiments, the stiffening members 2890a, 2890b can be spaced substantially equally from the YZ plane. This configuration provides balanced reinforcement and damping to the area near the center of the striking face 2802. In some embodiments, one or more of the stiffening members can extend substantially in the heel-toe direction, substantially obliquely, or in any or preferred orientation. The pneumatic insert 2840 can comprise any number of stiffening members. The pneumatic insert 2840 can comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any preferred number of stiffening members.

[0294] Figures 55 and 56 illustrate a club head 2900 having a pneumatic insert 2940 with a central stiffening member 2991. The central stiffening member 2991 extends substantially vertically from the top end 2961 of the insert to the bottom end 2962 of the insert. Referring to Figure 56, the central stiffening member 2991 extends in the longitudinal direction through the entire chamber 2944 and is in close proximity to both the front surface 2946 and the rear surface 2948 of the insert, and contacts the inner surface 2949 of the membrane. The central stiffening member 2991 substantially connects the striking face 2902 to the rear wall 2916, significantly damping vibrations and reinforcing the club head 2900. In some embodiments, the central stiffening member 2991 includes a window 2992 formed through the lateral surface of the central stiffening member 2991. The window 2992 can reduce the mass of the central stiffening member and increase the flexibility of the central stiffening member 2991. The window 2992 can be shaped or sized to control the stiffening effect. A larger window 2992 can reduce the stiffness of the central stiffening member 2991, thereby reducing the overall stiffness of the pneumatic insert 2940. The central stiffening member 2991 can have any number of windows 2992 to control the desired insert stiffness or damping effect. In some embodiments, the central stiffening member 2991 can be located in or near the YZ plane. This configuration increases the reinforcement and vibration damping of the area near the center of the striking face 2902. Pneumatic insert with P. slot

[0295] Figures 57 and 58 illustrate a club head 3100 comprising a pneumatic insert 3140 having one or more slots 3195a, 3195b. The pneumatic insert 3140 comprises an upper insert portion 3158 and a lower insert portion 3165. The upper insert portion 3158 comprises an upper portion bottom wall 3196, and the lower insert portion 3165 comprises a lower portion upper wall 3197. The upper portion lower wall 3196 and the lower portion upper wall 3197 can be at least partially separated by a front slot 3195a and a rear slot 3195b. The upper portion lower wall 3196 and the lower portion upper wall 3197 can be connected by a connecting wall 3194. The connecting wall 3194 can be substantially thin and deformable. In some embodiments, the connecting wall 3194 is a solid film material and therefore does not form part of the chamber. The slots 3195a, 3195b and the connecting wall 3194 allow the pneumatic insert 3140 to be bent or deformed during installation, thereby allowing the pneumatic insert 3140 to be installed through a small rear opening.

[0296] As illustrated in Figure 57, the upper insert portion 3158 comprises an upper chamber 3159, and the lower insert portion 3165 comprises a lower chamber 3166. Slots 3195a and 3195b extend at least partially from the insert toe end 3164 toward the insert heel end 3163. In some embodiments, slots 3195a and 3195b terminate without reaching the insert heel end 3163. In such embodiments, the upper chamber 3159 and the lower chamber 3166 can be continuously connected near the insert heel end 3163. In other embodiments, slots 3195a and 3195b can extend entirely from the insert toe end 3164 toward the insert heel end 3163, and the connecting wall 3194 is the sole part of the pneumatic insert 3140 joining the upper insert portion 3158 and the lower insert portion 3165. In this embodiment, the upper chamber 3159 and the lower chamber 3166 can be separate.

[0297] In some embodiments, slots 3195a and 3195b can form insert retainers. In some embodiments, the club head 3100 can form one or more club head retainers configured to engage with one or more of the slots 3195a and 3195b. For example, in some embodiments, one or more club head inner surfaces can form projections configured to engage with one or more of the slots 3195a and 3195b to secure the pneumatic insert 3140. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 3140 is secured solely by the retainers. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 3140 is further secured by additional fastening means, such as polymer tape applied to the front surface 3146 of the insert. Q. Solid part of the pneumatic insert

[0298] Figures 59A to 62B illustrate various embodiments of a pneumatic insert comprising one or more solid insert portions. The one or more solid insert portions can form an insert retainer. The solid insert portions may have a continuous solid material rather than being hollow and filled with pressurized gas. The one or more solid insert portions can engage with one or more clubhead retainers. In some embodiments, any of the solid insert portions described herein can be configured to engage with any one or a combination of the above-mentioned clubhead retainers. In some embodiments, the solid insert portions can protrude into the clubhead retainer and be fixed within it. In some embodiments, the one or more solid insert portions can mesh with the clubhead retainer. The one or more solid insert portions can provide greater resistance to insert deformation than the hollow portion of the pneumatic insert. This allows the solid insert portions to remain stable within the corresponding clubhead retainer even when the clubhead flexes during impact. In some embodiments, the one or more solid insert portions can be formed integrally with a membrane and may include a membrane material. In other embodiments, one or more solid insert portions may be filled with a material other than the film material.

[0299] Figures 59A and 59B illustrate a pneumatic insert 3240 having a solid top rail insert portion 3268a, a solid sole insert portion 3268b, and a solid rear insert portion 3268c. The solid top rail insert portion 3268a is located close to the top end 3261 of the insert. The solid top rail insert portion 3268a solidly fills the upper portion of the chamber 3244 between the front surface 3246 and the rear surface 3248 of the insert. In some embodiments, when the pneumatic insert 3240 is installed, the solid top rail insert portion 3268a can engage with a club head holder near the top rail 3210. In some embodiments, the solid top rail insert portion 3268a can engage with a club head holder such as a top rail undercut (described in detail above). The solid sole insert portion 3268b is located close to the bottom end 3262 of the insert. The solid portion 3268b of the sole insert solidly fills the lower portion of the chamber 3244 between the front surface 3246 and the rear surface 3248 of the insert. In some embodiments, when the pneumatic insert 3240 is installed, the solid portion 3268b of the sole insert can engage with the club head retainer near the sole, such as the lower internal undercut (described in detail above). In some embodiments, the solid portion 3268b of the sole insert can engage with the club head retainer, such as the lower internal undercut (described in further detail below). The solid portion 3268c of the rear insert protrudes into the chamber 3244 from the rear surface 3248 of the insert. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in Figure 59B, the solid portion 3268c of the rear insert can protrude rearward from the body of the pneumatic insert 3240. In some embodiments, when the pneumatic insert 3240 is installed, the solid portion 3268c of the rear insert can engage with the club head retainer near the rear wall. In some embodiments, the solid portion 3268c of the rear insert can engage with a club head holder formed by a mass pad (described in detail above).

[0300] The pneumatic insert 3240 may comprise a solid top rail insert portion 3268a, a solid sole insert portion 3268b, a solid rear insert portion 3268c, or any combination thereof. For example, Figures 60A and 60B illustrate one embodiment of the pneumatic insert 3340 comprising only the solid rear insert portion 3368c, Figures 61A and 61B illustrate one embodiment of the pneumatic insert 3440 comprising only the solid top rail insert portion 3368a, and Figures 62A and 62B illustrate one embodiment of the pneumatic insert 3540 comprising only the solid sole insert portion 3568b. In other embodiments, one or more insert solid portions may be located at any part of the pneumatic insert. R. Insert Rib

[0301] In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 63A to 63D, the pneumatic insert may comprise one or more insert ribs. The insert ribs can locally dampen or reinforce one or more clubhead surfaces. The insert ribs may be formed integrally with a membrane and may include membrane material. In other embodiments, the insert ribs may be formed separately from the membrane and attached to the membrane. In some embodiments, the insert ribs may function as insert retainers. In some embodiments, the clubhead may comprise one or more clubhead retainers, such as grooves or slots formed within one or more of the clubhead surfaces. One or more insert ribs may be configured to engage with the aforementioned clubhead retainers, thereby securing the pneumatic insert within the cavity. The configuration and number of insert ribs are not limited to those of the illustrated embodiments described below. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may comprise any number of insert ribs. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or any preferred number of insert ribs. One or more insert ribs may be applied to any embodiment of the pneumatic insert described herein.

[0302] Figure 63A illustrates a pneumatic insert 3640 having a plurality of horizontal insert ribs 3638. The insert ribs 3638 extend substantially between the insert heel end 3663 and the insert toe end 3664. The insert ribs 3638 can project outward from the outer surface 3647 of the film. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 63A, the insert ribs 3638 are located on the insert front surface 3646. In other embodiments, one or more insert ribs 3638 may be located on any portion of the pneumatic insert 3640, including but not limited to the insert top end 3661, the insert bottom end 3662, the insert heel end 3663, the insert toe end 3664, the insert front surface 3646, or the insert rear surface 3648.

[0303] Figure 63B illustrates a pneumatic insert 3740 having a plurality of obliquely oriented insert ribs 3738. The insert ribs 3738 can be substantially the same as the insert ribs 3638, except that their orientation is different. As shown, each insert rib 3738 extends from near the insert toe end 3764 and insert bottom end 3762 to near the insert heel end 3763 and insert top end 3761. In other embodiments, the obliquely oriented insert ribs 3738 can extend in the opposite direction (i.e., from near the insert toe end 3764 and insert top end 3761 to near the insert heel end 3763 and insert bottom end 3762).

[0304] Figure 63C illustrates a pneumatic insert 3840 having a plurality of vertical insert ribs 3838. The insert ribs 3838 can be substantially the same as the insert ribs 3638, except that their orientation is different. The insert ribs 3838 can extend substantially between the top end 3661 and the bottom end 3662 of the insert.

[0305] Figure 63D illustrates a pneumatic insert 3940 having a plurality of vertical insert ribs 3938 forming a central pattern. The insert ribs 3938 may include a central insert rib 3938a that is substantially equidistant between the insert heel end 3963 and the insert toe end 3964. Each connected insert rib 3938 moving away from the central insert rib 3938a in the pattern can be shorter than the insert ribs 3938 closer to the central insert rib 3938a. Thus, the insert ribs 3938 collectively form a circular or oval pattern that can be approximately centered on the center of the insert front surface 3946. In some embodiments, when the pneumatic insert 3940 is installed, the insert rib pattern can be configured to coincide with the center position of the striking face. Thus, the insert ribs 3938 can provide local damping or reinforcement to the area near the center of the striking face, which typically experiences high vibration and deflection. S. Pneumatic insert with weight member

[0306] In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert may comprise one or more weight members. The weight members can be directed to concentrate discretionary mass to produce a desired clubhead mass distribution. In some embodiments, the weight members may be sealed by a membrane and occupy a portion of the chamber. In some embodiments, the weight members may be attached to the outer surface of the membrane or may form the outer surface of the pneumatic insert. In some embodiments, the weight members may be embedded within the membrane. One or more insert ribs may be applied to any of the embodiments of the pneumatic insert described herein.

[0307] One or more weight members can be formed from a material having a higher density than the film material and / or the club head body material. In some embodiments, one or more weight members can be formed from materials such as metal alloys including tungsten alloys, tungsten-nickel alloys, and / or copper alloys.

[0308] In some embodiments, one or more weight members may have a mass between 2 and 50 grams. In some embodiments, one or more weight members may have a mass greater than 2 grams, greater than 5 grams, greater than 10 grams, greater than 15 grams, greater than 20 grams, greater than 25 grams, greater than 30 grams, greater than 35 grams, greater than 40 grams, greater than 45 grams, or greater than 50 grams.

[0309] Figure 64 illustrates a pneumatic insert 4140 comprising a plurality of weight members 4199a and 4199b. The pneumatic insert 4140 includes a heel-side weight member 4199a and a toe-side weight member 4199b. A membrane 4142 seals the weight members 4199a and 4199b within the chamber of the pneumatic insert 4140. Both weight members 4199a and 4199b can be positioned toward the bottom end 4162 of the insert. This configuration concentrates mass near the sole, lowering the club head CG. In the illustrated embodiment, the heel-side weight member 4199a is positioned close to the heel end 4163 of the insert, and the toe-side weight member 4199b is positioned close to the toe end 4164 of the insert. This configuration contributes to the peripheral weight distribution of the club head and increases the MOI. In other embodiments, the pneumatic insert 4140 may comprise weight members of any other preferred configuration. In some embodiments, one or more weight members may be located in any part of the pneumatic insert 4140, such as near the top end 4161 of the insert, the bottom end 4162 of the insert, the heel end 4163 of the insert, the toe end 4164 of the insert, the front surface 4146 of the insert, the rear surface 4148 of the insert, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the pneumatic insert 4140 may comprise a single weight member, or any other preferred number of weight members, rather than two weight members 4199a, 4199b. IV. Mass characteristics of clubheads equipped with pneumatic inserts

[0310] The pneumatic inserts and retainers described herein, as described above, result in a lightweight damping system that produces discretionary mass compared to prior art clubheads, including solidly constructed inserts or robust insert retaining features. This discretionary mass can be used to achieve a desirable mass distribution and improve mass properties. As described below, the clubhead may have a high MOI value and / or a low and rearward CG position, which improves ball flight performance.

[0311] In some embodiments, the club head is 500g·cm 2 From 2000g·cm 2 I between XX In some embodiments, I XX It is 500 to 800 g·cm 2 Between 800 and 1100 g·cm 2 Between 1100 and 1400 g·cm 2 Between 1400 and 1700 g·cm 2 Between 1700 and 2000 g·cm 2 It can be between. In some embodiments, I XX It is 500g·cm 2 Super, 600g cm 2 Super, 700g cm 2 Super, 800g cm 2 Super, 900g cm 2 Super, 1000g cm 2 Super, 1100g cm 2 Super, 1200g cm 2 Super, 1300g cm 2 Super, 1400g cm 2 Super, 1500g cm 2 Super, 1600g cm 2 Super, 1700g cm 2 Super, 1800g cm 2 Over, or 1900g·cm 2 It can be super.

[0312] In some embodiments, the club head is 2000 g·cm 2From 4000g·cm 2 I between YY In some embodiments, I YY It ranges from 2000 to 2250 g·cm 2 During this period, 2250g·cm 2 From 2500g·cm 2 Between 2500 and 2750 g·cm 2 Between 2750 and 3000 g·cm 2 Between 3000 and 3250 g·cm 2 Between 3250 and 3500 g·cm 2 Between 3500 and 3750 g·cm 2 Between, between, or 3750 to 4000 g·cm 2 It can be between . In some embodiments, IYY is 2000 g·cm 2 Super, 2100g cm 2 Super, 2200g cm 2 Super, 2300g cm 2 Super, 2400g cm 2 Super, 2500g cm 2 Super, 2600g cm 2 Super, 2700g cm 2 Super, 2800g cm 2 Super, 2900g cm 2 Super, 3000g cm 2 Super, 3100g cm 2 Super, 3200g cm 2 Super, 3300g cm 2 Super, 3400g cm 2 Super, 3500g cm 2 Super, 3600g cm 2 Super, 3700g cm 2 Super, 3800g cm 2 Over, or 3900g·cm 2 It can be super.

[0313] In some embodiments, the club head is 2000 g·cm 2 From 4000g·cm 2 I between ZZ In some embodiments, I ZZIt ranges from 2000 to 2250 g·cm 2 During this period, 2250g·cm 2 From 2500g·cm 2 Between 2500 and 2750 g·cm 2 Between 2750 and 3000 g·cm 2 Between 3000 and 3250 g·cm 2 Between 3250 and 3500 g·cm 2 Between 3500 and 3750 g·cm 2 Between 3750 and 4000 g·cm 2 It can be between. In some embodiments, I ZZ It is 2000g·cm 2 Super, 2100g cm 2 Super, 2200g cm 2 Super, 2300g cm 2 Super, 2400g cm 2 Super, 2500g cm 2 Super, 2600g cm 2 Super, 2700g cm 2 Super, 2800g cm 2 Super, 2900g cm 2 Super, 3000g cm 2 Super, 3100g cm 2 Super, 3200g cm 2 Super, 3300g cm 2 Super, 3400g cm 2 Super, 3500g cm 2 Super, 3600g cm 2 Super, 3700g cm 2 Super, 3800g cm 2 Over, or 3900g·cm 2 It can be super.

[0314] CG of the club head Y The position can be between 0.00 and -0.25 inches. In some embodiments, CG Y The position can be between -0.10 and -0.15 inches, between -0.15 and -0.20 inches, or between -0.20 and -0.25 inches. In some embodiments, CG YThe position may be less than -0.10 inches, less than -0.12 inches, less than -0.14 inches, less than -0.16 inches, less than -0.18 inches, less than -0.20 inches, less than -0.22 inches, less than -0.24 inches, or less than -0.25 inches.

[0315] CG of an iron-type club head Z The position can be between -0.20 and 0.15 inches. In some embodiments, CG Z The position can be between -0.15 and -0.13 inches, between -0.13 and -0.11 inches, between -0.11 and -0.09 inches, between -0.09 and -0.07 inches, or between -0.07 and -0.05 inches. In some embodiments, CG Z The position can be greater than -0.15 inches, less than -0.13 inches, less than -0.11 inches, less than -0.09 inches, less than -0.07 inches, or less than -0.05 inches. V. Example 1 - Sound, feel, and flight performance of a club head equipped with a pneumatic insert

[0316] Various performance, sound, and feel characteristics were tested and compared between an exemplary clubhead with a pneumatic insert and a control standard clubhead. The exemplary clubhead was substantially identical to clubhead 300. In particular, the exemplary clubhead was a capped, hollow-body clubhead with a rear wall that partially extended upward from the sole but did not fully reach the top rail, defining the rear opening. The cavity was occupied by the pneumatic insert. The rear opening was covered by a badge, sealing the pneumatic insert within the internal cavity.

[0317] The reference standard clubhead was similar to the exemplary clubhead, except for a different damping structure. The reference standard clubhead had a badge directly applied to the rear of the striking face, rather than a pneumatic insert. The reference standard clubhead had an open cavity exposed to the outside of the clubhead, rather than a sealed internal cavity, with the badge located within the open cavity. The exemplary pneumatic insert resulted in a discretionary mass of 5.5 grams compared to the reference standard clubhead, which required a heavier badge for vibration damping.

[0318] Multiple players hit representative samples of golf shots using both exemplary and control standard club heads. All participants then qualitatively assessed the sound and feel of each club on a scale from "undesirable" to "desirable," as summarized in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0319] As shown in Table 1, participants, on average, preferred the sound produced at impact by the exemplary clubhead with a pneumatic insert. Specifically, 60% of players described the sound of the exemplary clubhead as "moderately desirable," "somewhat desirable," or "desirable." In comparison, only 40% of participants described the sound of the control standard clubhead as "moderately desirable," "somewhat desirable," or "desirable." Furthermore, 50% more participants (12 out of 8) positively rated the sound of the exemplary clubhead compared to those who positively rated the sound of the control standard clubhead. This indicates a strong preference for exemplary clubheads with pneumatic inserts.

[0320] Similarly, as shown in Table 1, participants generally preferred the feel of the exemplary clubhead. Specifically, 80% of participants described the feel of the exemplary clubhead as "moderately desirable," "somewhat desirable," or "desirable." In comparison, only 55% of participants described the feel of the control standard clubhead as "moderately desirable," "somewhat desirable," or "desirable." Furthermore, 45% more players (16 out of 11) positively rated the feel of the exemplary clubhead compared to those who positively rated the feel of the control standard clubhead. This indicates a strong preference for the exemplary clubhead with a pneumatic insert.

[0321] The results presented in Table 1 demonstrate the effectiveness of the pneumatic insert in damping impact vibrations compared to clubheads with prior art badges. The vibration damping effect of the pneumatic insert results in a more desirable sound and feel. These results indicate that a significant number of players prefer the sound and feel of the exemplary clubhead with the pneumatic insert to the control standard clubhead with a conventional prior art badge.

[0322] Furthermore, the ball flight characteristics of the exemplary clubhead and the control standard clubhead were tested and compared. Various ball flight characteristics were recorded from representative samples of shots using both the exemplary and control standard clubheads. Table 2 below shows the average ball flight characteristics for both the exemplary and control standard clubheads. [Table 2]

[0323] Table 2 provides average flight data for each clubhead regarding ball speed, spin rate, carry distance, and off-line distance. Overall, the exemplary clubhead and the control standard clubhead performed comparably. The exemplary clubhead and the control standard clubhead produced ball speeds of 122.0 mph and 122.6 mph, respectively (a negligible difference of 0.49%). The exemplary clubhead exhibited a spin rate of 6256 rpm, while the control standard clubhead exhibited a spin rate of 6047 rpm. Therefore, the exemplary clubhead with a pneumatic insert had, on average, 3.39% more spin than the control standard clubhead without a pneumatic insert. Furthermore, the exemplary clubhead displayed an average carry distance of 173.4 yards, while the control standard clubhead displayed an average carry distance of 174.9 yards (a difference of 0.86%). Table 2 further shows that the percentage difference in carry distance between the exemplary clubhead and the control standard clubhead was less than 1.0%, indicating similar performance. Furthermore, the exemplary clubhead displayed an average offline distance of 1.2 yards, while the control standard clubhead displayed an average offline distance of 1.3 yards. Therefore, the difference in average offline position between the clubheads was only 0.1 yards, which was negligible. Thus, ball speed, spin rate, carry distance, and offline distance for each club were all similar for both the exemplary clubhead with the pneumatic insert and the standard clubhead without the pneumatic insert (and with the prior art badge). The results in Tables 1 and 2 indicate that the pneumatic insert improves the sound and feel of the clubhead compared to the control standard clubhead without sacrificing performance. VI. Example 2 - Comparison of sound and feel between a club head with a pneumatic insert and a club head with an injectable filler material

[0324] The sound and feel were tested and compared between a first exemplary clubhead and a second exemplary clubhead equipped with a pneumatic insert and valve, and a control standard clubhead equipped with an injectable filler material. Each of the exemplary and control standard clubheads was a clubhead with a capped hollow body similar to clubhead 300. Each clubhead included a rear wall that defined a rear opening, partially extending upward from the sole but not reaching the top rail completely. A badge covered the rear opening of each clubhead, thereby sealing the internal cavity. Furthermore, each clubhead included a support strut spanning the rear opening.

[0325] Each of the first and second exemplary club heads had a pneumatic insert occupying an internal cavity, and there was no filler material other than the pneumatic insert. The first exemplary club head had a pneumatic insert with a "duckbill" type valve (as described above) on the rear surface of the insert, whereas the second exemplary club head had a "dome" type valve (as described above). The first and second exemplary club head inserts were substantially the same except for the type of valve.

[0326] As discussed above, the control standard club head was similar to the exemplary club head, except that it had an injectable filler rather than a pneumatic insert in its internal cavity. Four grams of the aforementioned injectable filler material were applied to the back of the striking face of the control standard club head through the rear opening.

[0327] Multiple players hit representative samples of golf shots using both exemplary and control standard club heads. The players then qualitatively assessed the sound and feel of each club on a scale from "undesirable" to "desirable," as further outlined in Tables 3 and 4 below. [Table 3]

[0328] As shown above, players, on average, preferred the sound produced by the exemplary clubheads at impact over the control standard clubhead. Specifically, 85% of players gave a positive rating (i.e., "moderately desirable," "somewhat desirable," or "desirable") to the sound of the first exemplary clubhead, and 90% gave a positive rating to the second exemplary clubhead. In contrast, 70% of players gave a positive rating to the control standard clubhead. Therefore, more players preferred the sound produced by the first and second exemplary clubheads over the control standard clubhead. [Table 4]

[0329] As shown above, players generally preferred the feel of the exemplary clubheads at impact over the control standard clubheads. Specifically, 85% of players rated the feel of the first exemplary clubhead positively, and 95% rated the feel of the second exemplary clubhead positively. In contrast, only 75% of players rated the control standard clubhead positively.

[0330] The results presented in Tables 3 and 4 demonstrate the damping capabilities of the pneumatic insert. These results indicate that, all other conditions being equal, both the sound and feel of an exemplary clubhead with a pneumatic insert are preferred over those of a clubhead with prior art damping means (i.e., injectable filler material). Furthermore, these results show that improvements in sound and feel are not hindered by the pneumatic insert including a valve. Both "duckbill" and "dome" type valves are feasible options that allow the pneumatic insert to re-expand without gradually reducing the damping effect. VII. Example 3 - Comparison of ball flight performance between a club head with a pneumatic insert and a club head with an injectable filler material.

[0331] The ball flight characteristics of an exemplary clubhead equipped with a pneumatic insert were tested and compared to a control standard clubhead. The exemplary clubhead was a hollow-bodied clubhead with a cap, substantially similar to Clubhead 300. In particular, the exemplary clubhead had a rear wall that partially extended upward from the sole but did not fully reach the top rail, thereby defining the rear opening. The pneumatic insert occupied the cavity and had an insert pressure of approximately 1.0 psi and an insert mass of 4.5 grams. A badge covered the rear opening and sealed the pneumatic insert within the internal cavity. Furthermore, the exemplary clubhead included a support strut spanning the rear opening.

[0332] The control standard club head was identical to the exemplary club head, except that it lacked a pneumatic insert. Instead, the control standard club head had an injectable filler material in its internal cavity. Five grams of the aforementioned injectable filler material were applied to the back of the striking face of the control standard club head via a rear opening.

[0333] Multiple players hit representative samples of golf shots using both an exemplary clubhead and a control standard clubhead. The flight characteristics of each shot were recorded. Table 5 below shows the average flight data for this test. [Table 5]

[0334] Overall, the exemplary clubhead and the control standard clubhead performed comparably, with the exemplary clubhead showing slight improvements in launch angle and spin rate. Both the exemplary and control standard clubheads produced the same ball speed (122.5 mph). The exemplary clubhead exhibited a launch angle of 15.0°, while the control standard clubhead exhibited a launch angle of 14.8° (a difference of 1.3%). The exemplary clubhead exhibited a spin rate of 6205 rpm, while the control standard clubhead exhibited a spin rate of 6137 rpm (a difference of 1.1%).

[0335] These results demonstrate that replacing the injectable filler material commonly found in the prior art with a pneumatic insert leads to a slight improvement in performance (a combination of higher launch and higher spin is preferable to lower launch and lower spin). As discussed above in Example 2, the pneumatic insert improves sound and feel compared to similar clubheads with injectable filler material. Furthermore, the hollow nature of the pneumatic insert provided a discretionary mass of 0.5 grams that could be used to further improve flight performance. This embodiment demonstrates that a clubhead with a pneumatic insert reduces vibration and improves sound and feel without solely sacrificing flight performance. VIII. Example 4 - Modal frequency analysis of a clubhead equipped with a pneumatic insert

[0336] The vibration responses of a first exemplary clubhead and a second exemplary clubhead, each equipped with a pneumatic insert, were compared with the vibration response of a control standard clubhead via modal analysis. Both the exemplary and control standard clubheads were hollow-bodied clubheads with caps similar to clubhead 300. Each clubhead included a rear wall that partially extended upward from the sole but did not fully reach the top rail, defining a rear opening. A badge covered the rear opening of each clubhead, thereby sealing the internal cavity. Both the first and second exemplary clubheads were equipped with a pneumatic insert occupying the internal cavity. The first exemplary clubhead had an insert pressure equal to the ambient pressure, while the second exemplary clubhead had an insert pressure of 1 psi. The control standard clubhead was substantially similar to the exemplary clubheads, except that it lacked a pneumatic insert. The internal cavity of the control standard clubhead remained unoccupied.

[0337] All three club heads exhibited a dominant vibration mode located close to the center of the rear of the striking face. The control standard club head exhibited a dominant frequency of 6444 Hz in the aforementioned vibration mode. The first exemplary club head exhibited a dominant frequency of 6640 Hz in the aforementioned vibration mode. The second exemplary club head exhibited a dominant frequency of 6743 Hz in the aforementioned vibration mode. The increase in dominant frequency between the control standard club head and the exemplary club heads correlates to a more acoustically pleasing high-pitched sound at impact, rather than a low, dull sound. This comparison indicates that the inclusion of a pneumatic insert improves the vibration response of the club head.

[0338] The replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction, not repair. In addition, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to specific embodiments. However, these benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any one or more elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or be more significantly manifested should not be interpreted as essential, required, or intrinsic features or elements of such claims unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in any or all of the claims.

[0339] Furthermore, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not made available to the public under the doctrine of dedication if (1) such embodiments and / or limitations are equivalents or potential equivalents to express the elements and / or limitations in the claims, even though they are not expressly claimed in the claims, under the doctrine of equivalents. term

[0340] Item 1. An iron-type golf club head comprising: a body having a front end defining a striking face, a top rail, a sole opposite the top rail, a heel, and a toe opposite the heel; a rear end opposite the front end and defining a rear wall; a cavity at least partially defined by the striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, and the rear wall, wherein the rear wall partially extends between the sole and the top rail; and a club head holder disposed toward the cavity, wherein the rear wall is the cavity An iron-type golf club head comprising: a badge forming a rear opening that fluidly communicates with the outside of the club head having a tee, the golf club head further comprising a badge that is coupled to the rear wall and covers the opening, thereby sealing the cavity; a pneumatic insert disposed within the cavity, the pneumatic insert comprising a membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas at insert pressure, and an insert holder that mechanically engages with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity.

[0341] Item 2. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the club head holder comprises a weight pad integrally formed with both the sole and the rear wall, the weight pad having a front surface angled toward the striking face, thereby forming a lower internal undercut between the front surface of the weight pad and the inner surface of the sole, and the insert holder engages with the lower internal undercut.

[0342] Item 3. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 2, wherein the insert retainer is configured to have a protruding portion that at least partially occupies the lower internal undercut.

[0343] Item 4. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 2, wherein the insert retainer occupies the entire lower internal undercut.

[0344] Item 5. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the insert holder engages with the club head holder.

[0345] Item 6. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the club head holder comprises a top rail undercut formed between the inner surfaces of the striking face, the top rail, and the rear wall.

[0346] Item 7. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 6, wherein the insert retainer comprises an insert top end configured to engage with the top rail undercut.

[0347] Item 8. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the pneumatic insert is fixed within the cavity without the use of any adhesive or other fastening member.

[0348] Item 9. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the insert pressure is between 0 and 5 psi.

[0349] Item 10. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the insert pressure is between 0.5 and 1.5 psi.

[0350] Item 11. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 1, wherein the film is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of thermoforming, vacuum forming, pressure forming, mechanical forming, drape forming, matched mold forming, twin sheet forming, and billow forming.

[0351] Item 12. An iron-type golf club head comprising a body, the body comprising a front end defining the striking face, the striking face comprising a front end defining the rear surface of the striking face and the scoring area, a top rail defining the inner surface of the top rail, a sole opposite the top rail and defining the inner surface of the sole, a heel defining the inner surface of the heel, a toe opposite the heel and defining the inner surface of the toe, a rear end opposite the front end and defining the rear wall, the rear wall partially extending between the sole and the top rail and defining the inner surface of the rear wall, and a cavity at least partially bounded by the rear surface of the striking face, the inner surface of the top rail, the inner surface of the sole, the inner surface of the heel, the inner surface of the toe, and the inner surface of the rear wall, An iron-type golf club head comprising: a club head holder disposed toward the cavity, the rear wall of which forms a rear opening that fluidly communicates with the outside of the club head having the cavity, the golf club head further coupled to the rear wall and covering the opening, thereby sealing the cavity; a pneumatic insert disposed within the cavity, the pneumatic insert being a membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas, with more than 80% of the pneumatic insert located behind the scoring area; and an insert holder that mechanically engages with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity.

[0352] Item 13. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 12, wherein the striking face further comprises a scoring area back opposite to the scoring area, and the pneumatic insert contacts more than 80% of the scoring area back.

[0353] Item 14. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 12, wherein the scoring area is defined by a scoring area heel boundary and a scoring area toe boundary, and the pneumatic insert does not extend beyond the scoring area heel boundary or the scoring area toe boundary.

[0354] Item 15. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 14, wherein the pneumatic insert is not in contact with the inner surface of the heel or the inner surface of the toe.

[0355] Item 16. An iron-type golf club head comprising a body, the body comprising a front end defining a striking face, a top rail, a sole opposite the top rail, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a rear end opposite the front end and defining a rear wall, the rear wall being at least partially bounded by the rear end, the striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, and the rear wall, the cavity comprising a cavity defining a cavity volume, and a club head holder disposed toward the cavity, the rear wall being the cavity having the cavity An iron-type golf club head comprising: a rear opening forming fluid communication with the outside of the club head, the golf club head further comprising: a badge coupled to the rear wall and covering the opening, thereby sealing the cavity; and a pneumatic insert disposed within the cavity, wherein the pneumatic insert comprises a membrane sealing a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas; and an insert holder mechanically engaging with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity, the pneumatic insert occupying more than 80% of the cavity volume and having an insert mass of less than 5 grams.

[0356] Item 17. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 16, wherein the film has a thickness of less than 0.050 inches.

[0357] Item 18. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 16, wherein the pneumatic insert, the badge, and the club head holder cooperate to form a damping system, the damping system having a damping system mass of less than 10 grams.

[0358] Item 19. The iron-type golf club head according to Item 16, wherein the striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, the rear wall, and the badge collectively define a cavity wall surface area, the cavity wall surface area has an insert contact area in contact with the pneumatic insert, and the insert contact area is greater than 80% of the cavity wall surface area.

[0359] Item 20. The insert contact area is 8.0 in 2 The iron-type golf club head described in item 19 is superior.

[0360] Item 21. A method for installing a pneumatic insert inside a golf club head, comprising the steps of: attaching the pneumatic insert to a first end of an expansion tube, wherein the pneumatic insert is in a fully contracted state; inserting the pneumatic insert into the internal cavity of the club head through a club head port; inflating the pneumatic insert through the expansion tube; clamping the portion of the expansion tube adjacent to the first end of the expansion tube to create a clamped end; sealing the clamped end; removing the expansion tube from the port; and sealing the port using a weight member.

Claims

1. It is an iron-type golf club head, A body comprising a front end defining the striking face, a top rail, a sole opposite the top rail, a heel, and a toe opposite the heel, The rear end is located on the opposite side of the aforementioned front end and defines the rear wall, A cavity at least partially defined by the striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, and the rear wall, wherein the rear wall partially extends between the sole and the top rail, A club head holder positioned toward the cavity, Equipped with, The rear wall forms a rear opening that fluidly communicates with the outside of the club head having the cavity. The aforementioned golf club head further A badge is attached to the rear wall and covers the opening, thereby sealing the cavity. A pneumatic insert is disposed within the cavity, Equipped with, The aforementioned pneumatic insert, A membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas at insert pressure, An insert holder that mechanically engages with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity, An iron-type golf club head equipped with these features.

2. The club head holder comprises a weight pad integrally formed with both the sole and the rear wall, the weight pad having a front surface angled toward the striking face, thereby forming a lower internal undercut between the front surface of the weight pad and the inner surface of the sole. The insert retainer engages with the lower internal undercut. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1.

3. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the insert holder is configured to have a protruding portion that at least partially occupies the lower internal undercut.

4. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 2, wherein the insert holder occupies the entire lower internal undercut.

5. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the insert holder engages with the club head holder.

6. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the club head holder comprises a top rail undercut formed between the inner surfaces of the striking face, the top rail, and the rear wall.

7. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 6, wherein the insert holder comprises an insert top end configured to engage with the top rail undercut.

8. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatic insert is fixed within the cavity without the use of any adhesive or separate bonding member.

9. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the insert pressure is between 0 and 5 psi.

10. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the insert pressure is between 0.5 and 1.5 psi.

11. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the film is formed by a process selected from the group consisting of thermoforming, vacuum forming, pressure forming, mechanical forming, drape forming, matched mold forming, twin sheet forming, and billet forming.

12. It is an iron-type golf club head, A body is provided, and the body is The front end defining the hitting face, wherein the hitting face defines the rear surface of the hitting face and the scoring area, The top rail defines the inner surface of the top rail, A sole located on the opposite side of the aforementioned top rail and defining the inner surface of the sole, The heel defines the inner surface of the heel, The toe, which is located on the opposite side of the heel and defines the inner surface of the toe, A rear end located opposite the aforementioned front end and defining the rear wall, wherein the rear wall partially extends between the sole and the top rail and defines the inner surface of the rear wall, A cavity whose boundaries are at least partially defined by the rear surface of the striking face, the inner surface of the top rail, the inner surface of the sole, the inner surface of the heel, the inner surface of the toe, and the inner surface of the rear wall, A club head holder positioned toward the cavity, Equipped with, The rear wall forms a rear opening that fluidly communicates with the outside of the club head having the cavity. The aforementioned golf club head further A badge is attached to the rear wall and covers the opening, thereby sealing the cavity. A pneumatic insert is disposed within the cavity, Equipped with, The aforementioned pneumatic insert, A membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas, wherein more than 80% of the pneumatic insert is located behind the scoring area, An insert holder that mechanically engages with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity, An iron-type golf club head equipped with these features.

13. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the striking face further comprises a scoring area back opposite to the scoring area, and the pneumatic insert contacts more than 80% of the scoring area back.

14. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 12, wherein the scoring area is defined by a scoring area heel-side boundary surface and a scoring area toe-side boundary surface, and the pneumatic insert does not extend beyond the scoring area heel-side boundary surface or the scoring area toe-side boundary surface.

15. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 14, wherein the pneumatic insert is not in contact with the inner surface of the heel or the inner surface of the toe.

16. It is an iron-type golf club head, A body is provided, and the body is The front end defining the striking face, the top rail, the sole opposite the top rail, the heel, and the toe opposite the heel, A rear end located opposite the aforementioned front end and defining the rear wall, wherein the rear wall partially extends between the sole and the top rail, A cavity at least partially defined by the striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, and the rear wall, wherein the cavity defines the cavity volume, and A club head holder positioned toward the cavity, Equipped with, The rear wall forms a rear opening that fluidly communicates with the outside of the club head having the cavity. The aforementioned golf club head further, A badge is attached to the rear wall and covers the opening, thereby sealing the cavity. A pneumatic insert is disposed within the cavity, Equipped with, The aforementioned pneumatic insert, A membrane that seals a hollow chamber filled with pressurized gas, An insert holder that mechanically engages with the club head holder, thereby fixing the pneumatic insert within the cavity, Equipped with, An iron-type golf club head in which the pneumatic insert occupies more than 80% of the cavity volume and has an insert mass of less than 5 grams.

17. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 16, wherein the film has a thickness of less than 0.050 inches.

18. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 16, wherein the pneumatic insert, the badge, and the club head holder cooperate to form a damping system, the damping system having a damping system mass of less than 10 grams.

19. The striking face, the top rail, the sole, the heel, the toe, the rear wall, and the badge collectively define the surface area of ​​the cavity wall. The cavity wall surface area has an insert contact area that is in contact with the pneumatic insert, The insert contact area is greater than 80% of the cavity wall surface area. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 16.

20. The insert contact area is 8.0 in ２ The iron-type golf club head described in claim 19, which is superior.

21. A method for installing a pneumatic insert inside a golf club head, A step of attaching the pneumatic insert to the first end of the expansion tube, wherein the pneumatic insert is in a fully contracted state. The process of inserting the pneumatic insert into the internal cavity of the club head through the club head port, The steps include: inflating the pneumatic insert via the expansion tube; A step of clamping the portion of the expansion tube adjacent to the first end of the expansion tube to create a clamped end, The step of sealing the clamped end, The steps include removing the expansion tube from the port, A step of sealing the port using a weight member, A method that includes [a certain feature].

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