Golf club head with shell and additional components

Abstract

A club head 1 for a golf club is described, comprising an outer shell 3 and one or more additional members 6, 7, 8 made of metal. The shell 3 is manufactured from a composite material, in particular from fiber-reinforced plastic. The additional members 6, 7, 8 are at least partially embedded in the composite material of the shell 3 by connecting regions 61, 71, 81, respectively. The connecting regions 61, 71, 81 of one or more additional members 6, 7, 8 are each formed by laser-structured surfaces 10 and / or multi-stage surfaces 11. Furthermore, a golf club comprising such a club head 1 and a method for manufacturing the club head 1 are described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a club head for a golf club and a golf club having such a club head. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a club head.

Background Art

[0002] Golf is a widely practiced sport in which both the performance of the golfer and the technical characteristics of the golf club are of central importance. From a technical perspective, it is important that the golf ball can be hit towards the hole as accurately and precisely as possible from a variety of situations. Therefore, in the field of golf club development and design, one of the goals is to improve both the directional accuracy and the achievable distance of the shot. Another important element in the development of golf clubs is the forgiveness of the golf club, particularly the club head, i.e., the ability of the instrument to achieve sufficient directional accuracy or good distance even with shots that are not optimally executed.

[0003] In order to achieve an optimal weight distribution in the club head with respect to the above requirements and have a favorable impact on the dynamic characteristics of the swing, a weight member is often provided on or within the club head of the golf club.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a club head in which a weight member is disposed outside the club head and inside a damping member provided inside.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a golf club head into which a weight member can be inserted.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses a hollow golf club head having a recess on the lower surface for inserting a disc-shaped weight member.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a golf club head comprising a hollow structure filled with foam material and a metal striking plate attached to the outside.

[0008] In recent years, composite materials made of fiber-reinforced plastics have been increasingly used in the manufacture of golf club heads. Such materials offer advantages over conventionally used metals, particularly in terms of weight. Using composite materials, it is possible to manufacture golf club heads that are many times lighter than conventional metal club heads. By using weighting components, the desired weight distribution can be adjusted with even greater precision. In the case of composite materials, the transmission and movement of forces within the club head can also be controlled and optimized by properly oriented the fibers. Furthermore, composite materials can be used to form club heads with a variety of geometric shapes. In club heads made of composite materials, the striking plate is usually formed from a metal plate.

[0009] For example, Patent Document 5 discloses a golf club head comprising a body made of fiber-reinforced material and a metal plate attached thereto. Inside the body is a core formed from a foamed material, and in some embodiments, a weighting member is also present.

[0010] Patent document 6 discloses a golf club head having a hollow body made from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and which can be filled with a foam material. At the front, the internal space formed by the hollow body is closed by a striking plate. At the rear, the hollow body has a recess into which a weighting member is inserted.

[0011] Furthermore, Patent Document 7 discloses a golf club head having a metal base body. The shell-like base body has an opening into which a component made of fiber-reinforced plastic material is inserted.

[0012] One of the challenges associated with club heads with a base made from fiber-reinforced plastic is connecting additional metal components, such as weighting members or striking plates, to the composite material. In golf, the club head often strikes the golf ball with considerable force, so very large forces are usually involved. When a golf ball is struck, according to the rules, the impact occurs within a maximum of 239 microseconds, and the ball is accelerated to a maximum of 30,000 g. The golf club is decelerated by 2,000 g to over 5,000 g. This places a very large load on the connection between the weighting member and the composite material forming the club head structure. The main high load due to deceleration during the swing is superimposed on lateral acceleration occurring in all directions when the ball hits outside the center of gravity of the club head, and further impact stress upon contact with the ground. In addition, the strong vibration of the structure after impact can damage the connection, and thermal stress is also superimposed due to the difference in thermal expansion between the connected parts. Therefore, additional components attached to or installed within the golf club may detach from the composite material over time. As a result, the additional components may gradually or suddenly move relative to the base body, potentially causing undesirable changes in the striking behavior. Ultimately, this could render the club head unusable. There is also a risk of injury to the player from the additional components completely detached from the club head. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0045130 [Patent Document 2] US Patent No. 9,333,390 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 10,213,665 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0085012 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 5,193,811 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 5,547,427 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0056990 [Overview of the Initiative]

[0014] The object of the present invention is to provide a club head for a golf club made of a composite material in which one or more additional components are reliably held in the composite material over a long period of time.

[0015] This problem is solved by a club head having the features described in claim 1. Claim 15 defines a golf club having such a club head, and claim 16 defines a method for manufacturing a club head. Further embodiments are provided in dependent claims.

[0016] Therefore, the club head for a golf club is The outer shell is made from composite materials, particularly fiber-reinforced plastics, One or more additional members, each made of metal and at least partially embedded in the composite material of the shell by connecting regions, It is identified as having the following characteristics: The connection regions of one or more additional members are each formed by laser-structured surfaces and / or multi-stage surfaces.

[0017] By forming the connection areas of additional members (which may be multiple) with laser-structured surfaces and / or multi-stage surfaces, the metal can be joined to the shell composite material particularly efficiently and permanently. Laser structuring and / or steps increase the total surface area of ​​the connection area, thereby achieving a stronger connection of each additional member to the shell. In particular, the matrix material of the shell engages with the structures provided on the surface of the connection area, and, if necessary, engages from the back and / or below, thereby obtaining a particularly strong connection between the shell and the additional member. In addition, the formation of laser structuring and / or steps can be adapted with respect to the forces that normally act on the club head, thereby reducing the detachment forces acting between the additional member and the shell, particularly shear forces, gravity, and tensile forces. For this purpose, the steps can, for example, form an undercut with respect to the intended main striking direction, or form a surface perpendicular to the main striking direction with a maximum deviation of 40°, preferably a maximum deviation of 20°, to optimally absorb the forces that normally act on the connection area. The surface structure formed by laser structuring can be geometrically adapted to the forces that normally occur, thereby transmitting forces as efficiently as possible with minimal separation force from each additional member to the shell and vice versa. For these reasons in particular, laser-structured surfaces and / or multi-layered surfaces have been found to continuously improve the connection of additional members(s) to the shell, especially in the case of frequent use. Laser structuring or multi-layered surfaces have significantly reduced the number of times additional members detach from the shell during long-term testing.

[0018] The shell typically forms the base of the club head. The club head base refers to the component in the club head that absorbs and transmits forces applied to the striking plate, or in the opposite direction, by the golf club shaft or so-called hosel, and typically forms the main structure of the club head. The striking plate is usually attached to the outer surface of the base body, which generally has an opening for insertion or attachment of the club shaft or hosel. The base body also often forms the main shaping element of the club head.

[0019] The shell is understood as a component that at least partially surrounds the internal space of the club head, that is, it usually forms at least part of the outer shell of the club head. In many cases, the shell has a certain curvature. Alternatively or additionally, the shell can also have corners and / or edges. The shell preferably forms a hollow body.

[0020] It is advantageous for the shell to cover at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, and most preferably at least 75% of the inner outer surface. It has been shown that when the shell covers the inner outer surface in such a large proportion, the forces generated during golf can be particularly advantageously dispersed and transmitted through the club head. It is even more preferable for the shell to essentially completely surround the inside of the club head, which means that, for example, there may be a relatively small opening for attaching the club shaft or hosel, but otherwise the inside is completely surrounded by the shell. This can make the flow of forces across the club head particularly beneficial for golf.

[0021] The club head usually forms a golf club together with the hosel, the golf club shaft, and the golf club grip. The hosel is a connecting component at the top of the club head where the shaft is inserted. The hosel can be designed as a separate component from the club head or can be formed by the club head itself.

[0022] The composite material of the shell can be, in particular, a fiber-reinforced plastic. As the plastic, it may be a thermoplastic, but preferably it is a thermosetting plastic, that is, it can be a duroplastic. Here, the composite material is understood as a bonding material composed of two or more joined materials. Generally, the composite material has properties different from those of each of the individual materials. The composite material usually consists of a base material called a matrix and a reinforcing material such as fibers. Preferred materials as the matrix material include thermoplastic materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), thermosetting materials such as resins, etc. Examples of fibers include materials such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, aramid fibers, Kevlar (registered trademark) fibers, etc. Those skilled in the art recognize a number of composite materials suitable for the shell.

[0023] In order to enable the production of a particularly lightweight club head having a good weight distribution, the weight of the composite material preferably occupies 20% to 50%, more preferably 20% to 30%, and most preferably about 25% of the total weight of the club head.

[0024] In order to further strengthen the connection between the additional member(s) and the composite material of the shell, the composite material of the shell can contain an adhesive, particularly in the connection area. In this case, the composite material preferably consists of a fiber-reinforced plastic that usually forms the base material of the shell and an adhesive. The adhesive, preferably an epoxy resin, is preferably present at least in the area on the outer surface of the shell where the shell is connected to the additional member(s). In tests, the epoxy resin has been shown to form a particularly strong and durable connection of components. The use of an adhesive, particularly an epoxy resin, has been found to be particularly advantageous with respect to the engagement of the composite material with the locally recessed areas on the laser-structured surface and / or multi-step surface of the additional member(s). Even when the recesses are very narrow, the mutual engagement of the materials can be ensured by the adhesive.

[0025] By forming the shell from composite materials, the club head can be manufactured to be extremely lightweight while being structurally very strong and durable. Its light weight allows for a larger club head volume and a wider striking surface area, which has a particularly positive impact on the club head's forgiveness. In addition, composite materials allow for the manufacture of club heads in virtually any geometric shape.

[0026] The additional metal components (which may be multiple) are preferably one or more load-bearing members, striking plates, and / or base plates. In particular, if the additional components (which may be multiple) relate to striking plates or base plates, the metal used for their manufacture may be iron. In particular, in the case of striking plates and / or base plates, light metals such as titanium may also be used. The striking plates and / or base plates can be formed, in particular, from sheet metal. The striking plates and / or base plates are preferably attached directly to the outer surface of the shell and are particularly likely to be positioned directly on the shell. If the additional components (which may be multiple) are load-bearing members (which may be multiple), the metal is preferably tungsten, lead, iron, or an alloy thereof.

[0027] When one or more additional members are at least partially embedded in the composite material of the shell by their respective connection areas, each additional member is so closely attached to the composite material that the composite material or its components engage with and / or at least partially surround the additional member. Thus, the additional members and the shell not only touch each other in a purely two-dimensional plane, but there is also a degree of mutual locking between the components or their materials. This mutual locking may occur only at a microscopic level. Due to the mutual locking between the additional members and the shell, the connection between the shell and each additional member is generally significantly strengthened. It is preferable that the entire connection area is embedded in the composite material of the shell.

[0028] The shell composite material is preferably molded on top of additional members (which may be more than one). In this way, a particularly close and therefore robust connection can be achieved between the components.

[0029] The composite material plastic forming the shell, preferably a thermosetting plastic, is cast in liquid form under vacuum during manufacturing, thereby flowing into the recesses formed by the multi-stage and / or laser-structured surfaces. The plastic is then preferably chemically crosslinked at a temperature of 70°C to 120°C for about 2 to 20 minutes. The plastic preferably forms both shape-fit and material bonds with respect to the connection areas of each additional member.

[0030] Laser-structured surfaces are formed by precisely treating a portion of the surface material using a laser, typically by ablation. In this process, the surface material can be melted in a controlled manner in a specific area using the laser, and then solidified into a predetermined structure. In particular, the laser irradiation can be applied in pulses. Laser structuring is recognizable in the finished component due to the reproducible geometry provided on the surface, and may be recognizable with the naked eye or, for example, using a microscope. Laser-structured surfaces can form only a portion of the connection area or the entire connection area. Providing laser-structured surfaces is particularly well-suited for joining striking plates and / or base plates to a shell, because these components are typically very thin to reduce material and weight.

[0031] The laser-structured surface preferably has a regular geometric shape. For example, the laser-structured surface may have multiple grooves arranged at regular intervals parallel to each other. Laser-structured surfaces having multiple intersecting grooves, particularly perpendicularly intersecting grooves, have been found to be particularly effective in terms of robust connection.

[0032] When the connection area is formed by a multi-stage surface, the steps in the corresponding additional member are usually easily visible to the naked eye. These steps preferably extend parallel to each other. It is also preferable that these steps be arranged at regular intervals. This type of multi-stage surface, having parallel steps arranged at regular intervals, has proven particularly effective in terms of joining additional members to the shell. The multi-stage surface can form only a portion of the connection area or the entire connection area. The additional members (or multiple members) can be cast, cold-formed, or sintered parts, and for their manufacture, a casting, cold-formed, or sintering mold having the corresponding multi-stage surface is prepared. In this case, the formation of the multi-stage surface usually does not require additional processing steps. Providing a multi-stage surface is particularly well suited for joining a load-bearing member to a shell, especially when the load-bearing member is a cast, cold-formed, or sintered part.

[0033] In addition to embedding the connection area in a composite material, further means can be used to secure one or more additional members so that they do not fall off or slide. For example, if one or more additional members are located in the internal space of the club head, the shell may have projections that protrude into the internal space, each of which forms a stopper for the additional member(s) and prevents the one or more additional members from sliding against the shell.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, at least some or all of the additional members(s) are one or more weighted members, each of which is completely enclosed within the shell. Due to their high weight and the resulting inertia, weighted members are particularly likely to slide or even detach from the shell's composite material. Completely enclosing them within the shell makes it possible to manufacture the club head in such a way that particularly efficient force transfer through the shell is achieved. The force generated during impact can be distributed and transmitted through the shell without being significantly affected by the weighted members(s). Enclosing the weighted members within the shell has the additional advantage of significantly reducing the risk of injury if a weighted member were to detach. It is advantageous that the shell essentially completely encloses the weighted members(s). To achieve an optimal shape with respect to weight distribution, it is advantageous that the weighted members(s) are cast, cold-formed, or sintered parts.

[0035] Preferably, a first weighting member and a second weighting member are provided, each positioned on the side of the club head, particularly on the side of the striking plate, with respect to the intended primary striking direction. In this case, the striking plate may be positioned between the first weighting member and the second weighting member. The two weighting members may be positioned inside or outside the shell.

[0036] Preferably, one or more weight-bearing members, as a whole, have an irregular geometric shape that is at least partially adapted to the inner surface of the shell. In this way, the weight distribution of the club head can be optimized particularly well.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the additional members is a striking plate attached to the outer surface of the shell and functioning to strike a golf ball. To improve the weight distribution of the club head, the striking plate is often made from thin sheet metal, which presents particular challenges in terms of permanent attachment to the shell. A robust and permanent connection can be achieved by laser structuring the side of the striking plate facing the shell.

[0038] Preferably, all essentially the surfaces of the connection area of ​​the additional member(s), which may be multiple, that are at least partially or completely oriented in the intended primary striking direction in the projection, are formed by multi-stage surfaces and / or laser-structured surfaces. This takes into account that the primary force acting on the club head along the striking direction when the ball is struck.

[0039] When the connection area is formed by a multi-stage surface, it is preferable that the steps of the multi-stage surface form a plane perpendicular to the intended main striking direction with a deviation of 40° or less, preferably 20° or less. Such a stepped design maximizes the connection surface facing the main striking direction. Therefore, the force acting on the club head during impact is distributed more widely in the connection area, thereby having a favorable effect on the strength and durability of the connection.

[0040] In the case of laser-structured surfaces, it is preferable that the grooves formed by the laser have a greater width in the depth direction than in the surface direction. In other words, the grooves are widened in the depth direction from the surface of the material. When the shell composite material is cast, the composite material not only enters and engages with the grooves, but can also undercut into the grooves due to their widening. This makes it possible to achieve particularly strong and durable connections between the components.

[0041] As an additional means to improve the bonding of components, the connection areas can be formed by roughened surfaces, which are preferably achieved by sandblasting, chemical etching, and / or planar laser treatment. By combining laser structuring and / or multiple surface step shapes, it is possible to achieve particularly strong and durable connections of components, thereby maintaining a stable condition over the long term even with frequent use of the club head.

[0042] It may be particularly advantageous if the additional members (or multiple members) have undercuts relative to the intended primary striking direction. Preferably, the undercuts are located on the rear side of the primary striking direction within the region of each additional member. The engagement of the shell's composite material with these undercuts allows for better absorption of forces generated during golf play and further improves the connection between each additional member.

[0043] The club head comprises a core formed from a gaseous material, particularly air, or a foamed material, the core preferably being at least partially, and preferably completely, enclosed by a shell. Foamed material here refers to a substance typically manufactured artificially and having a low-density cellular structure. Suitable foamed and suitable materials for this application include, for example, many plastics as organic polymer solids such as thermoplastics, thermosettings, or elastomers, which can decrease in volume under pressure, i.e., exhibit compressibility. When the core is formed from a gaseous material, particularly air, the shell preferably encloses a cavity, and the gaseous material filling this cavity forms the core. This results in a particularly lightweight core. Club heads having a foamed or gaseous core have been found to have particularly advantageous striking characteristics. It is preferable that the core occupies a larger volume of the club head than the shell. However, it is also conceivable that the club head and shell have similar volumes, for example, in the case of a thin and delicate club head. If a weighting member is located inside the shell, the weighting member may be located inside or outside the core.

[0044] The present invention also relates to a golf club having the club head described above. The golf club may also have a hosel, a golf club shaft, and a golf club grip.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a club head, preferably designed according to the above specifications. The method includes at least the step of embedding one or more additional metal members, each having a connecting region, at least partially into the outer shell of the club head, which is a composite material, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic. The method also includes the step of laser structuring and / or multi-stage machining the connecting regions of the additional members(s) before embedding them into the composite material. Laser structuring is usually performed using a pulsed laser or a non-pulsed laser. Multi-stage machining is preferably performed by a casting process.

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only of these preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a driver according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a fairway wood according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partially transparent clubhead in the form of a 7-iron according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a 9-iron according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a pitching wedge according to the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a sand wedge according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a partially transparent club head in the form of a putter according to the present invention. [Figure 8a] Figure 8a is a perspective view of the club head shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8b] Figure 8b is a perspective view of the weighting member, striking plate, and base plate of the club head shown in Figure 8a. [Figure 8c] Figure 8c is a perspective view of the weighting member of the club head shown in Figure 8a. [Figure 9a] Figure 9a is a perspective view of the club head shown in Figure 4. [Figure 9b] Figure 9b is a perspective view of the weighting member, striking plate, and base plate of the club head shown in Figure 9a. [Figure 9c] Figure 9c is a perspective view of the weighting member of the club head shown in Figure 9a. [Figure 10a] Figure 10a is a perspective view of the club head shown in Figure 5. [Figure 10b] Figure 10b is a perspective view of the weighting member of the club head shown in Figure 10a. [Figure 10c] Figure 10c is a cross-sectional view of the club head in plan AA of Figure 10a. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view of the laser-structured rear surface of the striking plate of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a microscopic cross-sectional image of the laser-structured connection region of the striking plate of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a microscopic cross-sectional image of the laser-structured connection region of the striking plate of another club head according to the present invention. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a microscopic plan view of the laser-structured connection area of ​​the club head's striking plate shown in Figure 13. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laser-structured surface of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 16a]Figure 16a is a microscopic cross-sectional image of the laser-structured connection region of the striking plate of another club head according to the present invention. [Figure 16b] Figure 16b is a schematic diagram of the outline of the image in Figure 16a. [Figure 17a] Figure 17a is a microscopic cross-sectional image of a laser-structured connection region of a striking plate of yet another club head according to the present invention. [Figure 17b] Figure 17b is a schematic diagram of the outline of the image in Figure 17a. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a schematic plan view of a preferred first modified example of the laser-structured connection region of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic plan view of a second modified example of the laser-structured connection region of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a schematic plan view of a third modified example of the laser-structured connection region of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 21] Figure 21 is a schematic plan view of a fourth modified example of the laser-structured connection region of the club head according to the present invention. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a club head according to the present invention. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a magnified perspective view of the inside of the club head shown in Figure 7. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] Figures 1 to 22 show various preferred embodiments of the golf club head 1 and its components according to the present invention. Elements that perform the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they belong to the same or different embodiments.

[0049] Figures 1 to 7 show various types of club head 1 according to the present invention, and when combined, they form a complete set of golf club heads. For illustrative purposes, club head 1 is depicted as partially transparent to allow visibility of its internal mechanism.

[0050] Regardless of the type of club head 1, each club head 1 has a shell 3 made of a composite material, which forms most of the outer surface of the club head 1 and encloses the internal space of the club head 1. Thus, the shell 3 forms the base body of the club head 1, which absorbs and transmits the main forces generated during golf play and forms the main structure of the club head 1. The internal space forms a core formed of a gaseous material, particularly air. Therefore, the club head 1 is hollow, and the shell 3 forms a hollow body. By designing the shell 3 as a hollow body filled with gas, particularly air, a particularly lightweight club head with good striking characteristics can be obtained.

[0051] The composite material of shell 3 is preferably a fiber-reinforced plastic material, particularly a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic material. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or epoxy resin (EP) is preferably used as the plastic material.

[0052] Each club head 1 has a hosel 2 used to attach the club head 1 to a club shaft (not shown). The club shaft can be inserted into the hosel 2 and, consequently, into the club head 1.

[0053] The striking plate 6 is mounted on the front of the shell 3 in all types of clubs shown in Figures 1 to 7. The striking plate 6 forms an additional member preferably made from a thin-walled metal sheet of a light metal such as iron, steel, stainless steel, or titanium, and may have grooves on the front to improve striking characteristics, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 7. The rear surface of the striking plate 6, not shown in Figures 1 to 7 but shown in Figure 11, has a laser-structured surface 10 for mounting to the shell 3. The laser-structured surface 10 forms a connection area 61 of the striking plate 6, thereby allowing the striking plate 6 to contact the outer surface of the shell 3.

[0054] The internal space of the club head 1, enclosed by the shell 3 and having a boundary with the outside, is arranged with two weight members 7 of each type shown in Figures 1 to 7. The weight members 7 form additional members and are preferably made of metal such as tungsten, lead, brass, iron, or alloys thereof. Each weight member 7 typically weighs 20 g or more. The total weight of all weight members 7 provided on the club head 1 is preferably 60 g or more, and more preferably 100 g or more. In the embodiments shown here, the weight members 7 are each positioned on the sides of the club head 1. This arrangement of weight members 7 has been found to achieve a particularly good weight distribution and also to provide good force transmission within the shell 3.

[0055] Each of the weight-bearing members 7 is a cast, cold-formed, or sintered component, and as a whole, has an irregular geometric shape that is at least partially adapted to the inner surface of the shell 3. Thus, the weight distribution achieved by the weight-bearing members 7 is optimally adapted to the shape of each type of club.

[0056] Each load-bearing member 7 has a connecting region 71 having a multi-stage surface 11, which is clearly shown, for example, in Figures 9c and 10b. Each load-bearing member 7 is attached to the inner surface of the shell 3 via the connecting region 71.

[0057] Figures 8a-8c, 9a-9c, and 10a and 10b show, respectively, exemplary club head types and enlarged views of their components.

[0058] Figures 8a and 9a, together with Figures 8b and 9b, show that the base plate 8 is attached to the underside of the club head 1. The base plate 8, which is installed on the outer surface of the shell 3, typically serves to reinforce the club head 1, particularly the underside which is exposed and therefore susceptible to damage during golf play. The base plate 8 forms an additional component of the club head 1 and is preferably made from thin sheet metal. The base plate 8 includes a connection area 81 having a laser-structured surface, which serves to permanently attach the base plate 8 to the shell 3.

[0059] The aforementioned additional components, each made of metal, are embedded in the composite material of the shell 3 by connecting regions 61, 71, and 81, respectively, in the form of a striking plate 6, a weighting member 7, and a base plate 8. Therefore, there is a certain degree of engagement between the shell 3 and each of the additional components 6, 7, or 8. For this reason, during the manufacture of the club head 1, the composite material of the shell 3 is cast onto each of the additional components 6, 7, or 8. Thus, the additional components 6, 7, and 8 are cast in a material-bonded state together with the composite material of the shell 3. In an alternative manufacturing method, it is also conceivable that the composite material of the shell 3 be injection-molded onto the additional components 6, 7, and 8.

[0060] To further strengthen the connection, the composite material of the shell 3 may include adhesive in the connection areas 61, 71, and 81. In this case, the substrate of the shell 3 is coated with adhesive in the corresponding areas, and the adhesive can be considered a component of the composite material. Subsequently, the metal parts or additional members 6, 7, and 8 are bonded to the shell 3 over a wide area, respectively. This bonding is particularly advantageous when performed in situ using a low-viscosity reactive epoxy resin, and also when performed under vacuum and heating conditions so that the adhesive has a low viscosity (preferably 50 mPas to 10,000 mPas, particularly 100 mPas to 500 mPas) and can optimally wet the surface.

[0061] Due to laser structuring and / or multiple steps in the connection area, the surface area related to joining the additional members 6, 7, and 8 is significantly increased. When the composite material is cast, the composite material fills the local recesses formed by the steps or laser structuring, thereby embedding the additional members 6, 7, and 8 into the material of the shell 3 and forming particularly close and strong joints between the components. This significantly increases the strength of the connection between the additional members 6, 7, and 8 and the shell 3, and greatly reduces the risk of the additional members 6, 7, and 8 sliding or even detaching from the shell 3.

[0062] Furthermore, it is preferable that the connection areas 61, 71, and 81 of the striking plate 6, the load member 7, and the base plate 8 be roughened. This allows the materials of the additional members 6, 7, 8 and the shell 3 to interlock more effectively, thereby making the connection even stronger. The roughening of the surfaces of each connection area 61, 71, and 81 is preferably achieved by sandblasting, chemical etching, and / or planar laser treatment.

[0063] In the cross-sectional view of Figure 10c, the stepped portion of the multi-step surface 11 of one of the connection regions 71 of the weight-bearing member 7 is clearly shown. The stepped portions of the stepped surface 11 provided on the front surface of the weight-bearing member 7 each form a surface perpendicular to the intended main striking direction H, with a maximum deviation of 40°, preferably 20°. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10c, the angle α of deviation in which each surface of the stepped portion of the stepped surface 11 is perpendicular to the intended main striking direction H is approximately 14°. In this way, the force acting on the club head 1 during impact can be absorbed particularly well in the connection region 71. Tests have shown that the connection of the weight-bearing member 7 can be further improved by arranging the stepped portions to each form a surface perpendicular to the intended main striking direction H. In fact, very good results have already been obtained using a stepped configuration in which the surface of each stepped portion is perpendicular to the intended main striking direction H with a maximum deviation of 40°, preferably 20°.

[0064] In projection, it is preferable that all surfaces of the connection area of ​​the load member 7 facing the intended main striking direction form multi-stage surfaces and / or laser-structured surfaces. In this case, it is advantageous that the steps of all these surfaces are arranged such that each has a surface perpendicular to the intended main striking direction H with a maximum deviation of 40°, preferably a maximum deviation of 20°.

[0065] As a result, sliding and even detachment of the load-bearing member 7 were further reduced during long-term testing.

[0066] In the rear region, i.e., the outer surface of each load member 7 that is at least partially opposite to the intended main striking direction H in the projection, the multi-stage surface 11 preferably forms an undercut with respect to the main striking direction H. Such an undercut is provided, for example, in the region indicated by the dashed arrow of the load member 7 shown in Figure 9c. In this way, the strength of the connection of the load member 7 can be improved, particularly with respect to the main force generated during impact.

[0067] The laser-structured surface 10 of the connection region 61 of the striking plate 6, as seen in Figure 11, has a regular geometric shape in which multiple parallel grooves intersect perpendicularly and are arranged at regular intervals. This pattern enables a particularly strong connection of the striking plate 6 to the shell 3. Due to the regular pattern, the laser structuring of the connection region 61 is easily recognizable to the naked eye. The distance between the parallel grooves is preferably in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, particularly about 0.2 mm, and this distance has been found to be a good compromise between the strength of the connection and the amount of work during energy input and the thermal deformation of the plate.

[0068] Figure 11 shows a microscopic image of the connection area between the composite material of the striking plate 6 and the shell 3, which have laser-structured surfaces 10. The grooves of the laser-structured surfaces 10, which are arranged at regular intervals, and the interlocking of the materials of the two components are clearly shown. Thus, components 6 and 3 are connected to each other by shape fitting and material bonding.

[0069] Figure 13 also shows a microscopic image of the connection area between the striking plate 6 and the shell 3 of another club head 1 according to the present invention. Here, the laser-structured surface 10 includes an additional structure having small localized ridges and depressions in the intermediate region 13 located between the grooves. The additional structure in the intermediate region 13 can be obtained by welding metal sputtering. The same laser-structured surface 10 is shown in the plan view of Figure 10. Figure 15 schematically shows the corresponding contour image. The additional structuring in the intermediate region 13 further increases the total surface area of ​​the connection area, thereby strengthening the connection between the components.

[0070] Figure 15 shows that the groove formed by the laser-structured surface 10 may be widened downwards and / or form an undercut 12. Preferably, by using suitable parameter settings for pulsed laser input to the groove, it is possible to easily widen the groove downwards and induce the formation of an undercut. The undercut 12 is also formed by localized bulges on the intermediate surface 13. This allows the material of the striking plate 6 to be gripped by the composite material of the shell 3, thereby forming a particularly strong bond.

[0071] From the viewpoint of manufacturability and effectiveness, the grooves of the laser-structured surface 10 preferably have a width in the range of 30 μm to 100 μm, particularly 30 μm to 50 μm. The groove depth is preferably in the range of 20 μm to 100 μm, particularly 30 μm to 100 μm. Grooves with a width of less than 30 μm, for example in the range of 15 μm to 30 μm, and / or a depth of less than 20 μm, for example in the range of 10 μm to 20 μm, may prove advantageous in the future depending on the manufacturability using lasers.

[0072] Figure 16a shows a cross-sectional microscopic image of the laser-structured surface 10 of the striking plate 6 of another club head according to the present invention. Figure 16b shows the contour lines in the interface region for improved visibility. Here again, it is clearly shown how the composite material of the shell 3 engages with the grooves of the laser-structured surface 10 and even bites into the grooves in the undercut region 12. Mutual engagement also occurs in the region of the intermediate surface 13, where it also engages with the undercut 12.

[0073] Another modification of the laser-structured surface 10 having undercuts 12 is shown as a microscopic image in Figure 17a and as a traced contour line in Figure 17b. Compared to the embodiments shown in Figures 16a and 16b, the structuring of the intermediate surfaces 13 is significantly more pronounced here, i.e., it is about the same size as the grooves positioned between the intermediate surfaces 13.

[0074] Figures 18 to 21 show various possible geometric designs of the laser-structured surface 10. Figure 18 shows the preferred arrangement of perpendicularly intersecting grooves as described above. Figures 19 and 20 show the laser-structured surface 10 having parallel or staggered cross-shaped depressions or ridges. In the embodiment shown in Figure 21, the laser-structured surface 10 has circular depressions or ridges. All of the laser-structured surfaces 10 shown in the modifications of Figures 18 to 21 have a regular geometric shape with localized ridges or depressions arranged at uniform intervals.

[0075] To avoid adversely affecting the desirable elastic and natural frequency properties of the composite material of the shell 3, the striking plate 6 and base plate 8 are designed to be as thin as possible. The preferred thickness of the striking plate 6 is in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, particularly about 0.5 mm. The preferred thickness of the base plate 8 is in the range of 0.8 mm to 1.25 mm.

[0076] Figure 22 shows that the striking plate 6 preferably has an edge surface 14, i.e., the edge of the striking plate 6 is chamfered. The thickness of the sheet preferably decreases by 30% to 50% towards the edge. Typically, the edge surface 14 is 1 mm to 4 mm wide. However, it is advantageous for the grooves of the laser-structured surface 10 to extend to the outer edge. The edge region of the striking plate 6, particularly the edge surface 14, can also be laser-structured to a higher density to further strengthen the bond in this region.

[0077] In addition to laser-structured surfaces and / or multi-stage processed and optionally roughened surfaces, further preferred means used to prevent the load member 7 from sliding or falling off can be seen in Figure 23. The shell 3 has a plurality of inwardly projecting protrusions 15, each of which abuts against the outer edge of the load member 7, thereby restricting the mobility of the load member 7. Figure 23 also clearly shows the core 4 of the club head 1, which is essentially completely enclosed by the shell 3 and is formed from a gaseous material such as air. Thus, the shell 3 forms a hollow body. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1 Club Head 2 hosel 3 Shells 4 cores 6. Striking plate 61 Connection Area 7 Loading members 71 Connection Area 8 Base Plate 81 Connection Area 10 Laser-structured surface 11 steps 12 Undercut 13 Intermediate surface 14 Edge surface 15 Protrusions H Main striking direction α angle

Claims

1. A club head (1) for a golf club, An outer shell (3) made from composite materials, particularly fiber-reinforced plastics, One or more additional members (6, 7, 8) formed from metal and at least partially embedded in the composite material of the shell (3) by connecting regions (61, 71, 81), Equipped with, The club head is characterized in that the connection regions (61, 71, 81) of one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) are each formed by a laser-structured surface (10) and / or a multi-stage surface (11).

2. The club head (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more additional members is one or more weighting members (7), and each of the weighting members (7) is completely disposed inside the shell (3).

3. The club head (1) according to claim 2, wherein a first weighting member and a second weighting member among one or more weighting members (7) are respectively positioned on the side of the club head (1) with respect to the intended main striking direction (H).

4. The club head (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one or more of the weighting members (7) have a geometric shape that is irregular as a whole and at least partially conforms to the inner surface of the shell (3).

5. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the composite material includes an adhesive, particularly in the form of an epoxy resin, for joining one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) to the composite material of the shell (3).

6. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the additional members (6, 7, 8) is a striking plate (6) attached to the outer surface of the shell (3) and functions for striking a golf ball.

7. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein all essentially all surfaces of the connection regions (61, 71, 81) of one or more additional members (6, 7, 8) that are at least partially facing the intended primary striking direction (H) are formed by multi-stage surfaces (11) and / or laser-structured surfaces (10).

8. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting regions (61, 71, 81) are each formed by multi-stage surfaces (11), and the stepped portions of the multi-stage surfaces (11) each form a surface perpendicular to the intended main striking direction (H), the deviation in this case being a maximum of 40°, preferably a maximum of 20°.

9. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting regions (61, 71, 81) are each formed by a laser-structured surface (10), and the laser-structured surface (10) each comprises a plurality of grooves formed by a laser, preferably parallel and / or perpendicular to each other.

10. A club head (1) according to claim 9, wherein the groove has a width in the depth portion that is greater than the width on the surface portion.

11. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connecting regions (61, 71, 81) are each formed by a roughened surface, the roughening of which is preferably achieved by sandblasting, chemical etching, and / or planar laser treatment.

12. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) each have an undercut (12) with respect to the intended primary striking direction (H), and the undercut (12) is preferably provided in the rear region of each of the additional members (6, 7, 8) with respect to the primary striking direction (H).

13. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) are each completely disposed inside the shell (3), and the shell (3) is provided with inwardly projecting projections (15) that prevent one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) from shifting relative to the shell (3).

14. A club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a core (4) formed from a gaseous material, particularly air, or a foamed material, wherein the core (4) is at least partially, preferably completely, enclosed by the shell.

15. A golf club comprising a club head (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for manufacturing a club head (1), wherein the club head (1) is preferably designed according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising at least the step of embedding one or more additional metal members (6, 7, 8) each having a connecting region (61, 71, 81) at least partially in the composite material, particularly fiber-reinforced plastic, of the outer shell (3) of the club head (1), The method, characterized in that the connection regions (61, 71, 81) of one or more of the additional members (6, 7, 8) are laser-structured and / or multi-stage processed before being embedded in the composite material.

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