Golf Club Head with Undercut and Insert

Abstract

The invention presented herein relates to a rear cavity insert for an iron-type golf club head with a cavity rear. The rear outer periphery of the iron-type golf club head and the rear surface of the striking face cooperate to form the rear cavity. The rear outer periphery can comprise any edge or percentage of the periphery of the rear cavity. The insert may be positioned within the rear cavity to cover at least 60 percent to 100 percent of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. When attached to the rear surface of the striking face of the iron-type golf club head, the insert interacts with the striking face of the iron-type golf club head as the striking face deforms and rebounds. The thickness, composition, and reinforced outer surface of the insert may excessively restrict deformation or deflection of the striking face, reducing the amount of energy returned to the golf ball.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 108,226, filed October 30, 2020, and also claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 227,938, filed July 30, 2021, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] SUMMARY The present disclosure generally relates to an iron-type golf club head with a rear cavity and a rear cavity insert. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is common to attach an insert to the rear surface of the striking face of an iron-type golf club head. A typical insert attached to the rear surface of the striking face of an iron golf club head has a single-piece continuous hard plastic or metal cover. When the golf club strikes the golf ball, the deflection of the striking face also tends to move the insert rearward, deflecting the insert attached to the rear surface of the striking face. Additionally, designers may wish to thin the striking face of an iron-type golf club head in order to move more mass to the periphery and further increase the flexibility of the striking face. In this iron-type golf club head design (with a thinner striking face), a rear hollow insert attached to the rear surface of the striking face can have a large effect on the deflection of the striking face. The one-piece hard plastic or metal insert cover is in tension as the insert deflects rearward. This tension on the insert cover inhibits the insert from deflecting rearward. This inhibited deflection reduces the energy returned to the golf ball, decreasing the distance the golf ball travels after impact. There is a need in the art for an iron-type golf club head with improved flexibility of the rear cavity insert. Improved deflection of the rear cavity allows the striking face to return more energy to the golf ball upon impact and less energy is lost due to the insert's resistance to deflection of the striking face. A rear cavity insert with features that improve the insert's flexibility is disclosed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of an iron-type golf club head.

[0005] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the golf iron-type club head of FIG. 1.

[0006] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the golf iron-type club head of FIG. 1.

[0007] [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the golf iron-type club head of FIG. 1.

[0008] [Figure 5A] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an insert.

[0009] [Figure 5B] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an insert.

[0010] [Figure 5C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an insert.

[0011] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an insert.

[0012] [Figure 7] 2 illustrates one embodiment of an insert housed within the rear cavity of the golf iron-type club head of FIG. 1.

[0013] [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an insert.

[0014] [Figure 9] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insert received within a rear cavity of an iron-type golf club head.

[0015] [Figure 10] 1A-1C show an embodiment of an insert housed within a rear cavity of an iron-type golf club head.

[0016] [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an insert.

[0017] [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insert received within a rear cavity of an iron-type golf club head.

[0018] [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an insert.

[0019] [Figure 14A] 1 is a chart showing comparative test results of Example 1. [Figure 14B] 1 is a chart showing comparative test results of Example 1. [Figure 14C] 1 is a chart showing comparative test results of Example 1. [Figure 14D] 1 is a chart showing comparative test results of Example 1. [Figure 14E] 1 is a chart showing comparative test results of Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0021] The invention presented herein relates to a rear cavity insert for an iron-type golf club head with a cavity rear. The rear perimeter of the iron-type golf club head and the rear surface of the striking face cooperate to form a rear cavity. The rear perimeter can comprise any edge or percentage of the circumference of the rear cavity. The insert may be disposed within the rear cavity to cover at least 60 percent to 100 percent of the rear surface area of ​​the striking face. When the insert is attached to the rear surface of the striking face of the iron-type golf club head, the insert interacts with the striking face of the iron-type golf club head as the striking face deforms and rebounds. The thickness, composition, and reinforced outer surface of the insert may overly inhibit deformation or deflection of the striking face, reducing the amount of energy returned to the golf ball. Disclosed herein is a rear cavity insert with multiple layers, where one or more of the rear cavity insert layers are split into separate portions. This split provides the insert with an expansion gap and a deflection gap. The iron-type golf club head with rear cavity insert disclosed herein provides an insert that reduces the amount of energy lost to the rear cavity insert when striking a golf ball, thereby returning more energy to the golf ball and providing desirable flight characteristics (lower ball spin rates, higher launch angles, and higher ball velocities), resulting in longer distance for each golf stroke.

[0022] I. Definition A.General terminology In the description and claims, terms such as "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., are used in some cases to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe a particular sequential or chronological order. It is understood that terms used in this manner may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein can, for example, operate in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," and conjugations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, and a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0023] In this description and in the claims, terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "over," "under," and the like, are used in some cases for descriptive purposes and not necessarily used to describe permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that embodiments of the devices, methods, and / or articles described herein can, for example, operate in orientations other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0024] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details and the arrangement of construction of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings, as the disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0025] B. Coordinate System The coordinate system may be defined as an x-axis 1050 defined in a direction parallel to a ground plane 1000. The iron-type golf club head 100 defines a ground plane 1000 that is tangent to the sole 102 when the iron-type golf club head 100 is in an address position. The x-axis 1050 passes through the striking face geometric center 140 from the heel portion 108 to the toe portion 106. The y-axis 1060 is defined as perpendicular to the x-axis 1050 from the sole 102 toward the top portion 104 and passes through the striking face geometric center 140. The z-axis 1070 is defined as perpendicular to both the x-axis 1050 and y-axis 1060 and passes from the front 112 of the striking face 110 through the striking face geometric center 140 and through the rear striking face back surface 118.

[0026] II. Head structure of iron type golf club The iron-type golf club head body includes an upper portion, a sole portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, a front portion further including a striking face, and a rear portion. The iron-type golf club head body further includes a rear circumferential extension portion extending rearwardly around the striking face. The upper portion extends rearwardly from an upper portion of the striking face to form a rear circumferential extension upper portion. The sole portion extends rearwardly from a lower portion of the striking face to form a rear circumferential extension sole portion. The rear end portion extends rearwardly from a rear end portion of the striking face to form a rear circumferential extension rear end portion of the iron-type golf club head. The tip portion extends rearwardly from a tip portion of the striking face to form a rear circumferential extension tip portion. The rear circumferential extension and the striking face rear surface define (at least on the rear surface) an external rear cavity. In many embodiments, an undercut recess surrounds the external rear cavity, thereby forming a continuous or 360-degree undercut. In other embodiments, the undercut recess surrounds only a portion of the external rear cavity.

[0027] 1-4, the iron-type golf club head 100 may include an iron-type golf club head body 100 having a rear cavity 116, and an insert 200 housed within the rear cavity 116. The iron-type golf club head 100 may include a front portion 112 and a rear portion 114, a striking face including a striking face front surface 117 located at the front portion 112, and a striking face rear surface 118 located opposite the striking face front surface 117 toward the rear portion 114. The striking face 110 may further include a striking face geometric center 140 and a striking face perimeter 142. The iron-type golf club head 100 includes a rear perimeter extension 121 extending rearward from the striking face perimeter 142. The strike includes a striking face thickness 144 measured from the striking face front surface 117 to the striking face rear surface 118. A rear cavity 116 of the iron-type golf club head 100 is defined by the inner surface of the striking face perimeter 142 and the striking face rear surface 118 .

[0028] 1-4, the iron-type golf club head 100 may further include an upper portion 104 and a sole 102. The upper portion 104 has an arcuate upper rail upper portion and an upper rail rear wall extending toward a lower end to form an upper rail wall. The upper portion 104 may further include an upper outer surface and an upper inner surface such that the upper rail rear wall inner surface is substantially parallel to the striking face rear surface and offset rearwardly from the striking face rear surface. The iron-type golf club head 100 may include a bottom portion 101 having a sole 102 and a rear portion 114 integrally formed with the sole 102. The rear portion 114 may extend upwardly toward the upper portion 104. The sole 102 may include a sole inner surface and a sole outer surface. The rear portion 114 may include a rear outer surface and a rear inner surface. The rear inner surface may be offset rearwardly from the striking face rear surface 118.

[0029] The iron-type golf club head has a face height 122 measured between the top of the upper portion 104 and the bottom of the sole 102. In many embodiments, the face height 122 can be measured as the maximum distance between the top rail end and the leading edge of the sole end. The face height 122 is measured parallel to a loft plane 1010 tangent to the striking face 110 at the striking face geometric center 140 between the top of the upper portion 104 and the bottom of the sole 102. The face height 122 can range from 1.4 inches to 2.2 inches. In other embodiments, the face height can range from 1.4 inches to 1.8 inches, or 1.8 inches to 2.2 inches. In still other embodiments, the face height can range from 1.4 inches to 1.9 inches, 1.5 inches to 2.0 inches, 1.6 inches to 2.1 inches, or 1.7 inches to 2.2 inches. For example, the face height 122 may be 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, 2.1 inches, or 2.2 inches.

[0030] The striking face 110 includes a distance measured from the striking face front 117 to the striking face back 118 in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane 1010 or striking face front 117. The multi-component insert 200 allows the striking face 110 to be thinner as compared to an iron without the multi-component insert. The insert 200 further strengthens the striking face 110 and allows the thickness of the striking face to be reduced. In many embodiments, the striking face 110 includes a variable face thickness having a maximum thickness located near the striking face geometric center 140 and a minimum thickness located near the striking face perimeter 142. The striking face thickness can range from 0.065 to 0.14 inches. In other embodiments, the striking face thickness can range from 0.065 to 0.12 inches, 0.07 to 0.13 inches, or 0.075 to 0.14 inches. For example, the striking face thickness may be 0.065, 0.07, 0.075, 0.08, 0.085, 0.09, 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, or 0.14 inches. For example, the striking face thickness near the geometric striking face center 140 may range from 0.10 to 0.13 inches, and the striking face thickness near the striking face perimeter 142 may range from 0.065 to 0.095 inches. The striking face thickness of an iron-type club head 100 without a multi-component insert may require a striking face thickness of more than 0.14 inches and a striking face perimeter thickness of more than 0.10 inches to provide sufficient durability and adequate deflection response. If the striking face thickness is at the lower end of this range, the striking face will deflect more at impact. A rear cavity insert (described below) bonded to the striking face rear surface will affect the striking face deflection regardless of the striking face thickness, but the effect will be greater as the striking face thickness decreases.

[0031] Aspects of the iron-type golf club 100 described herein may be applied to one or more golf clubs in an iron set. In some embodiments, the iron set includes irons having various club head sizes, shaft lengths, lie angles, loft angles, head weights, and / or other parameters. Each club head in the iron set is numbered by a number from 1 to 10 according to a rule. Most commonly, the set is numbered 2 to 9, wedges, utility clubs. Additionally, the iron set may include one or more wedges having a higher loft angle than the numbered irons.

[0032] 9, the loft angle is defined as the angle between the ground plane 1000 and the loft plane 1010. In many embodiments, the iron-type golf club head 100 has a loft angle of less than about 64 degrees, less than about 63 degrees, less than about 62 degrees, less than about 61 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, less than about 59 degrees, less than about 58 degrees, less than about 57 degrees, less than about 57 degrees, less than about 56 degrees, less than about 55 degrees, less than about 54 degrees, less than about 53 degrees, less than about 52 degrees, less than about 51 degrees, less than about 50 degrees, less than about 49 degrees, less than about 48 degrees, less than about 47 degrees, less than about 46 degrees, less than about 45 degrees, less than about 44 degrees, less than about 43 degrees, and the like. , less than about 42 degrees, less than about 41 degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 39 degrees, less than about 38 degrees, less than about 37 degrees, less than about 36 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, less than about 34 degrees, less than about 33 degrees, less than about 32 degrees, less than about 31 degrees, less than about 30 degrees, less than about 29 degrees, less than about 28 degrees, less than about 27 degrees, less than about 26 degrees, less than about 25 degrees, less than about 24 degrees, less than about 23 degrees, less than about 22 degrees, less than about 21 degrees, less than about 20 degrees, less than about 19 degrees, or less than about 18 degrees.

[0033] The volumes of the iron-type golf club heads 100 described herein include volumes between 1.9 cubic inches and 2.7 cubic inches. In some embodiments, the total volume of the iron-type golf club head 100 may be 1.9 cubic inches to 2.4 cubic inches, 2.0 cubic inches to 2.5 cubic inches, 2.1 cubic inches to 2.6 cubic inches, 2.2 cubic inches to 2.7 cubic inches, 2.3 cubic inches to 2.7 cubic inches, or 2.4 cubic inches to 2.7 cubic inches. In other embodiments, the total volume of the iron-type golf club head 100 may be 1.9 cubic inches, 2.0 cubic inches, 2.1 cubic inches, 2.2 cubic inches, 2.3 cubic inches, 2.4 cubic inches, 2.5 cubic inches, 2.6 cubic inches, or 2.7 cubic inches.

[0034] The mass of the iron-type golf club head 100 described herein includes a total mass between 200 grams and 300 grams. In some embodiments, the iron-type golf club head 100 can include a total mass between 200 grams and 210 grams, 210 grams and 220 grams, 220 grams and 230 grams, 230 grams and 240 grams, 240 grams and 250 grams, 250 grams and 260 grams, 255 grams and 260 grams, 260 grams and 270 grams, 265 grams and 275 grams, 270 grams and 280 grams, 275 grams and 280 grams, or 250 grams and 270 grams. In other embodiments, the total mass may be 200 grams, 205 grams, 210 grams, 220 grams, 225 grams, 230 grams, 235 grams, 240 grams, 245 grams, 250 grams, 255 grams, 260 grams, 265 grams, 270 grams, 275 grams, 280 grams, 285 grams, 290 grams, 295 grams, or 300 grams.

[0035] 1-4, the iron-type club head 100 includes a striking face 110 for contacting a golf ball. The iron-type golf club head body further includes a hosel 130 for receiving a shaft (not shown). The multi-material iron-type golf club head body 100 described herein can be constructed from any material used to construct a conventional iron-type golf club head. For example, the material of the golf club head body 100 can be constructed from any one or combination of 8620 alloy steel, S25C steel, carbon steel, maraging steel, 17-4 stainless steel, 1380 stainless steel, 303 stainless steel, stainless steel alloy, tungsten, aluminum, aluminum alloy, ADC-12, titanium, titanium alloy, or any metal for making an iron-type golf club head.

[0036] III. Rear Cavity Insert 1. General insert structure The iron-type golf club head 100 may further include a rear cavity insert 200 adhesively attached to the rear surface of the striking face. In one embodiment, the multi-material rear cavity insert 200 may be formed from an elastomeric material, plastic, and / or aluminum. In other embodiments, the rear cavity insert 200 may be formed solely from an elastomeric material or other flexible polymeric material. In yet other embodiments, the rear cavity insert 200 may be formed from an adhesive layer and a reinforcing cap. The structure of the rear cavity insert 200 may include two or more layers including different materials permanently affixed to each other.

[0037] The rear cavity insert may cover 100 percent of the rear surface of the striking face. The rear cavity insert may cover less than 100 percent of the rear surface of the striking face. The rear cavity insert may cover between 60 percent and 100 percent of the rear surface of the striking face. The rear cavity insert may cover 60 percent, 65 percent, 70 percent, 75 percent, 80 percent, 85 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent, or 100 percent of the rear surface of the striking face.

[0038] 5A-6, the insert 200 can include up to three layers, with up to two layers separated into portions forming a plurality of insert portions 224. The three layers are adhesive layer 204, elastomeric layer 210, and cap 220. In one embodiment, adhesive layer 204 is a single continuous piece with no divisions. In all embodiments of the insert 200 disclosed herein, the adhesive is not separated into portions or segments. As described here and below, separating one or more other layers of the insert 200 into multiple multiple portions can improve the deflection response of the insert as the striking face deforms under impact with a golf ball. An embodiment of the insert 200 that includes multiple individual portions 224 may include 3 to 12 portions. The insert may include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 individual portions 224.

[0039] In one embodiment, the elastomeric layer 210 and the cap 220 are configured to form a plurality of discontinuous insert portions 224. The elastomeric layer 210 is discontinuous and includes a plurality of elastomeric layer portions 212. The cap 220 is discontinuous and includes a plurality of cap portions 222. Each of the plurality of elastomeric layer portions 212 is bonded to a single one of the plurality of cap portions 222 to form a plurality of insert portions 224. Each of the bonded elastomeric layer portions 212 is shaped to match each of the cap portions 222 to which it is bonded. Each insert portion 224, including the elastomeric portion 212 and the cap portion 222, is affixed to the adhesive layer 204 such that the elastomeric portion 212 is fully affixed to the adhesive layer 204. The plurality of insert portions are discontinuous. The insert portions 224 are disposed on the adhesive layer 204 such that the outer edge of any one insert portion does not directly abut the outer edge of any adjacent insert portion. The adhesive layer 204 is not completely covered by the insert portions 224. Instead, the insert portions 224 are separated by gaps 240 between spaced apart outer edges of the insert portions defined by the uncovered areas of the adhesive layer 204. As explained further below, the gaps 240 increase the flexibility of the insert, which in turn allows it to return more energy to the golf ball when struck with a golf club.

[0040] 5C, in a different embodiment, the insert comprises a plurality of insert portions 224 as described above, but each of the plurality of insert portions 224 consists only of a single cap portion 222 and does not have an elastomeric portion 212 between the adhesive layer 204 and the cap portion 222. The adhesive layer 204 is also a single continuous piece. However, in this embodiment, the insert portion 224 consists only of the cap portion 222 attached directly to the adhesive layer 204. Again, the adhesive layer 204 is not completely covered by the insert portion 224 (cap portion 222). Instead, the insert portions 224 (cap portion 222) are separated by gaps 240 between spaced apart outer edges of the insert portion (cap portion 222) defined by uncovered areas of the adhesive layer 204.

[0041] 5B, in yet another embodiment, the adhesive layer 204 is a single continuous piece and the elastomeric layer 210 is also a single continuous piece that conforms to and completely covers the adhesive layer 204. In this embodiment, the elastomeric layer 210 is not divided into portions. In this embodiment, the insert comprises a plurality of insert portions 224 as described above, but each individual insert portion 224 consists of only a single cap portion 222. In this embodiment, the adhesive layer is not exposed in the gaps 240 between the insert portions 224 because it is covered by the elastomeric layer. Instead, the continuous elastomeric layer 210 is exposed between the gaps 240, separating the insert portions 224 from one another.

[0042] The adhesive layer 204 is applied to and adhered to the striking rear surface 118. If present, the elastomeric layer 210 directly abuts and is attached to the adhesive layer 204. If present, the elastomeric layer 210 is located between the adhesive layer 204 and the cap 220. The insert cap 220 includes an outer surface of the insert 200. The cap 220 constitutes the outermost rear layer of the insert 200, and is adhered to the elastomeric layer 210 on the inside. The cap 220 may function as a reinforcing layer. The insert 200 further includes an inner surface, which includes the exposed portion of the adhesive layer 204 prior to installation of the insert 200 within the rear cavity 116.

[0043] The thickness 230 of the insert includes the sum of the thicknesses of each of the one or more layers. The thickness may be constant for each of the one or more layers. The thickness may vary for each of the one or more layers. With reference to FIGS. 5A-6 , the thickness 230 of the insert includes the sum of the thicknesses of the adhesive layer 204, the elastomeric layer 210, and the cap 220 combined. The thickness 230 of the insert of any one of the multiple insert portions 224 may be constant. The thickness 230 of the insert of any one of the multiple insert portions 224 may vary. The thickness 230 of the insert may be the same for any two portions 224. The thickness 230 of the insert may vary between any two portions 224.

[0044] 5A, the total thickness 230 of the insert is measured between the exposed surface of the adhesive layer and the exposed surface of the outermost layer. The total thickness 230 of the insert can range from 0.033 inches to 0.620 inches. For example, in many embodiments, the total thickness 230 of the insert is about 0.033 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.110 inches, 0.120 inches, 0.130 inches, 0.140 inches, 0.150 inches, 0.160 inches, 0.170 inches, 0.180 inches, 0.190 inches, 0.200 inches, 0.210 inches, 0.220 inches, 0.230 inches, 0.240 inches, 0.250 inches, 0.260 inches, 0.270 inches, 0.280 inches, 0.290 inches, 0.300 inches, 0.310 inches, 0.320 inches, 0.330 inches, 0.340 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.380 inches, 0.390 inches, 0.400 inches, 0.410 inches, 0.420 inches, 0.430 inches, 0.440 inches, 0.450 inches, 0.460 inches, 0.470 inches, 0.480 inches, 0.490 inches, 0.500 inches, 0.510 inches, 0.520 inches, 0.530 inches, 0.540 inches, 0.550 inches, 0.560 inches, 0.570 inches, 0.580 inches, 0.590 inches, 0.600 inches, 0.610 inches, 0.6 , 0.310 inches, 0.320 inches, 0.330 inches, 0.340 inches, 0.350 inches, 0.360 inches, 0.370 inches, 0.380 inches, 0.390 inches, 0.400 inches, 0.410 inches, 0.420 inches, 0.430 inches, 0.440 inches, 0.450 inches, 0.460 inches, 0.470 inches, 0.480 inches, 0.490 inches, 0.500 inches, 0.510 inches, 0.520 inches, 0.530 inches, 0.540 inches, 0.550 inches, 0.560 inches, 0.570 inches, 0.580 inches, 0.590 inches, 0.600 inches, 0.610 inches, or 0.620 inches. The total thickness 230 of the insert may be constant. The total thickness 230 of the insert may vary.

[0045] The adhesive layer 204 may have an adhesive layer thickness in the range of 0.003 inches to 0.120 inches. The adhesive layer thickness may be 0.003 inches, 0.005 inches, 0.010 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.110 inches, or 0.120 inches. The elastomeric layer 210 may have an elastomeric layer thickness in the range of 0.020 inches to 0.400 inches. The thickness of the elastomer layer is 0.020", 0.030", 0.040", 0.050", 0.060", 0.070", 0.080", 0.090", 0.100", 0.110", 0.120", 0.130", 0.140", 0.150", 0.160", 0.170", 0.180", 0.190", 0.200", 0.21 0 inch, 0.220 inch, 0.230 inch, 0.240 inch, 0.250 inch, 0.260 inch, 0.270 inch, 0.280 inch, 0.290 inch, 0.300 inch, 0.310 inch, 0.320 inch, 0.330 inch, 0.340 inch, 0.350 inch, 0.360 inch, 0.370 inch, 0.380 inch, 0.390 inch, or 0.400 inch. The cap 220 may have a cap thickness ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.100 inch. The thickness of the cap 220 may be 0.010 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.080 inches, 0.090 inches, or 0.100 inches.

[0046] The insert 200 includes an insert top end, a bottom end, a toe end, and a heel end. The insert includes a maximum insert length 252 measured from a toe-most point on the toe end to a heel-most point on the heel end. The insert includes a maximum insert width 254 measured from an uppermost portion of the insert top end to a lowermost portion of the insert bottom end. The maximum insert length 252 may vary from 2.5 inches to 3.2 inches. The maximum insert length may be 2.5 inches, 2.6 inches, 2.7 inches, 2.8 inches, 2.9 inches, 3.0 inches, 3.1 inches, or 3.2 inches. The maximum insert width 254 may vary from 1.0 inches to 1.4 inches. The maximum insert width 254 may be 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, or 1.4 inches.

[0047] 2. General insert functions A typical insert having a single continuous unbroken outer layer (usually made of metal) lacks the ability to fully follow the changing shape of the striking face as it deflects upon impact. Instead, the outer layer of the insert is in tension as it is pushed backward, providing some resistance to the striking face's backward deflection. The disclosed insert reduces the deflection resistance of the insert 200. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, an insert 200 having multiple portions 224 is assembled into an iron-type golf club head by attaching the insert 200 to the rear surface 118 of the striking face. When the iron-type golf club head 100 strikes a golf ball, the striking face 110 deflects backward. As the striking face 110 deflects backward, the adhesive layer 204 also deflects backward and curves to match the backward deflection of the striking face 110. As the adhesive layer 204 flexes backward upon impact, the gaps 240 between the individual insert portions 224 cause the insert portions 224 to spread apart (instead of being in tension), increasing the gap width 242 between the individual insert portions. This preserves energy available to return to the golf ball upon rebound of the striking face 110. Due to the gaps 240 between the insert portions, the insert 200 does not resist deflection of the striking face 110 to the same extent as an insert with a single piece cap or outer layer. As the striking face 110 rebounds, the adhesive layer 204 returns to a flatter shape and the individual composite panels or portions return to their original shape with smaller gaps between them.

[0048] 5A-5C, the gaps 240 between the individual portions 224 prior to impact with a golf ball have a minimum or resting gap width 242 ranging from 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches. The minimum gap width 242 may range from 0.005 inches, 0.006 inches, 0.007 inches, 0.008 inches, 0.009 inches, 0.010 inches, 0.011 inches, 0.012 inches, 0.013 inches, 0.014 inches, 0.015 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.018 inches, 0.019 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.022 inches, The minimum gap width 242 may be 0.023 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.028 inches, 0.029 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.031 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.033 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.039 inches, or 0.040 inches. The minimum gap width 242 is 0.005 inches or greater to prevent interference from the outer edges of the individual portions 224. During deflection of the striking face upon impact, the deflection width or maximum width 244 of the gaps 240 between the individual composite panels may be as much as 0.010 inches greater than the minimum gap width 242 at rest depending on the location of the individual gaps 240 on the insert 200. The maximum gap width 244 is 0.015 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.018 inches, 0.019 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.022 inches, 0.023 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.028 inches, 0.029 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.031 inches, 0.032 inches, The maximum gap width may be 0.033 inch, 0.034 inch, 0.035 inch, 0.036 inch, 0.037 inch, 0.038 inch, 0.039 inch, 0.040 inch, 0.041 inch, 0.042 inch, 0.043 inch, 0.044 inch, 0.045 inch, 0.046 inch, 0.047 inch, 0.048 inch, 0.049 inch, or 0.050 inch. The maximum gap width controls the particle size of dust, dirt, sand, or other matter that may become trapped in the gap by adhering to the surface of adhesive layer 204.The larger the maximum gap width, the larger the size of the trapped particles may be. Therefore, it is preferable to control the maximum gap size to the above range to prevent the trapping of larger particles. The gaps 240 between the individual composite panels closer to the center of the striking face rear surface 118 are significantly increased in width than the gaps 240 further from the striking face center 140 rear surface 118 due to the greater deflection of the striking face near the center of the striking face when striking a golf ball. Again, the increased gaps 240 reduce the deflection resistance of the insert 200, allowing more energy to be returned to the golf ball.

[0049] 5A-5C, the flexure of the insert 200 facilitated by the gaps 240 between the individual insert portions 224 causes the striking surface to flex less during impact than an insert 200 with a single, continuous, unbroken outer surface layer. This allows more energy to be returned to the golf ball. More specifically, the lower flexure resistance of the insert 200 allows the launch velocity of the golf ball to be 1-2 miles per hour faster (assuming a swing speed of 85 miles per hour) with multiple insert portions compared to the same iron-type golf club head with an insert including a single outer surface layer. Furthermore, the increased launch velocity of the golf ball allows the golf ball to fly 1-3 yards farther. The benefit to the golfer is the ability to use higher lofted irons, which further allows for a higher arcing flight trajectory of the golf shot.

[0050] The striking face 110 of an iron-type golf club head typically deflects most near the geometric center 140. Therefore, it is advantageous for the insert portions 224 to be positioned such that the gap between the insert portions is on or very close to the area of ​​the striking face 110 that immediately surrounds the striking face geometric center 140. The outer edges of the insert portions 224 are advantageously within 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches of the striking face geometric center. The outer edges of the insert portions 224 can be 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, or 0.5 inches from the striking face geometric center to obtain a more advantageous deflection effect. The insert portions 224 can be positioned in various configurations. In some embodiments, the polygonal insert portions can be positioned around the striking face geometric center such that the vertices of each polygonal insert are on or near the geometric center 140. In other embodiments, the long edges of two or more insert portions of any shape can be positioned on or near the geometric center 140. Providing gaps at or near the geometric center 140 allows the insert 200 to expand in the area where deformation of the striking face is greatest upon impact. The gaps 240 have a gap width 242 and a gap depth equal to the thickness of the insert portion surrounding each gap 240. Because the deflection of the striking face 110 upon impact is three-dimensional, the deflection of the rear cavity insert attached to the rear surface of the striking face is also three-dimensional. As a result, rearward deflection of the badge causes the gap width to expand at the outer surface of the rear cavity insert more than at the surface of the adhesive layer 204. Thus, the gap 240 should expand in the same manner as the jaws of a pair of pliers expand. When the jaws open, the bottom portion expands less than the top portion.

[0051] The insert 200 with the insert portion 224 is designed to flex with the striking face 110 when the ball is struck, minimizing the dissipation of energy imparted by impact with the golf ball. However, some impact energy is still lost within the insert 200. Thus, the insert 200 also serves to reinforce the striking face 110 to some extent. The striking face 110 has a striking face thickness 119 measured between the striking face front surface 117 and the striking face rear surface 118. The striking face thickness 119 contributes to the durability of the striking face 110 upon impact. The impact energy absorbed by the insert 200 allows the striking face thickness 119 to be as thin as possible while still maintaining sufficient durability without the insert 200 attached to the striking face rear surface 118.

[0052] First and second embodiments of the rear cavity insert disclosed herein are shown below. However, the claimed rear cavity insert is not limited to the first and second disclosed embodiments. Other rear cavity insert configurations are disclosed in the description of the general insert structure and general insert function. These include, but are not limited to, rear cavity inserts having a different number of insert parts, different insert part shapes, and any combination of the range of attributes disclosed herein.

[0053] C) First embodiment of rear cavity insert 6-9, the adhesive layer 304 of the rear cavity insert 300 may include VHB tape, the elastomeric layer 310 includes multiple flexible polymer or rubber portions affixed to the VHB tape, and the cap 320 is comprised of multiple metallic outer portions attached to each of the multiple elastomeric layer 310 portions. In this first embodiment, the multiple flexible portions of the elastomeric layer 310 paired with the outer portions of the metal cap 320 form multiple individual insert portions 324. The individual insert portions 324 are positioned over the VHB tape of the adhesive layer 304 (as described in more detail above) with gaps 340 between each of the individual insert portions such that the VHB tape of the adhesive layer 304 is visible through the gaps 340.

[0054] 6-9, a first embodiment of the insert includes seven distinct and separate insert portions 324. Each of the seven elastomeric layer 310 polymeric material portions is adhesively secured to both the VHB tape of adhesive layer 304 and the metallic outer material portion of metal cap 320.

[0055] 6-9, each of the seven separate individual portions includes a multi-sided shape such that the side of each portion adjacent to another individual portion is straight and parallel to the side of the adjacent portion or portions. Insert 300 further includes two aft insert portions (one upper aft portion 351 and one lower aft portion 352), two tip composite portions (one upper tip portion 353 and one lower tip portion 354), and three center composite portions (upper center portion 355, lower aft center portion 356, and lower tip center portion 357).

[0056] Upper rear portion 351 is adjacent to the upper rail, lower rear portion 352, upper central portion 355, and lower rear central portion 356. Lower rear portion 352 is adjacent to upper rear portion 351 and lower rear central portion 356. Upper leading portion 353 is adjacent to the upper rail, lower leading portion 354, upper central portion 355, and lower leading central portion 357. Lower leading portion 354 is adjacent to upper leading portion 353 and lower leading central portion 357. Upper central portion 355, lower rear central portion 356, and lower leading central portion 357 are all adjacent to each other such that each central portion has parallel sides with each of the other two central portions. Additionally, upper central portion 355, lower back central portion 356, and lower tip central portion 357 all form an intersection point where one corner or apex of each central portion is adjacent at insert center 358. Insert 300 is oriented within rear cavity 116 such that insert center 358 is located on striking face rear surface 118 generally opposite striking face geometric center 140. The three central portions completely surround insert center 358 such that each shared corner of the three central portions defines an angle of approximately 120 degrees with the walls of the two central portions that intersect at that corner.

[0057] 6 to 9, upper rear portion 351, upper tip portion 353, upper central portion 355, lower tip portion 354, and lower rear portion 352 each have one or more side surfaces adjacent to the inner circumference of the rearward protrusion. The one or more side surfaces of each portion adjacent to the inner circumference of the rearward protrusion may be straight or curved to follow the shape of the inner circumference of the rearward protrusion.

[0058] D) Second embodiment of rear cavity insert 10-13, an iron-type golf club head 100 includes a multi-piece insert 400 to help increase ball speed and launch angle. The multi-piece insert 400 allows gaps 440 between insert portions 424 to minimize the effect of the insert on deflection of the striking face. A second embodiment of the multi-piece insert 400 is described below.

[0059] 10-13, the rear cavity insert 400 can be formed from an adhesive layer 404 including a foam-based very high bond tape (i.e., VHB), an elastomeric layer 410 including a plurality of flexible polymer portions 412v (e.g., ABS plastic having a Shore D hardness ranging from 70 to 100), and a cap 420 including a plurality of metallic outer portions 422 (e.g., aluminum). The plurality of flexible polymer portions 412 of the elastomeric layer 410 are attached to the VHB tape of the adhesive layer 404, and the plurality of metallic outer portions 422 of the cap 420 are attached to the plurality of flexible polymer portions 412 of the elastomeric layer 410. The combination of the plurality of flexible polymer portions 412 of the elastomeric layer 410 and the plurality of metallic outer portions 422 of the cap 420 forms a plurality of insert portions 424. The insert portions 424 are positioned over the VHB tape of the elastomeric layer 410 with gaps 440 between each insert portion 424, as described above. The VHB tape of the adhesive layer 404 is visible through the gaps 440. The insert 400 is affixed to the striking rear surface 118.

[0060] 10-13, the insert 400 may include four insert portions 424. Each of the four insert portions 424 may include a multi-sided shape with curved, curved, arcuate, or rounded sides or edges between adjacent insert portions. The ends of the insert portions 424 converge, blend, or connect at or near the geometric center 140 of the striking face 110. The ends of the insert portions 424 converge into a central gap 441 located adjacent or near the striking face geometric center 140. As described in more detail below, the central gap 441 may improve deflection of the striking face during impact with a golf ball.

[0061] 10 to 13, the insert 400 includes a rear end portion 451, a tip end portion 452, an upper portion 453, and a lower portion 454. The rear end portion 450 is adjacent to the rear end portion 108, the tip end portion 452 is adjacent to the tip portion 104, the upper portion 453 is adjacent to the upper portion 104, and the lower portion 454 is adjacent to the bottom portion 101. The rear end portion 451 can be adjacent to the rear end portion 108, the upper portion 453, and the lower portion 454. The tip end portion 452 can be adjacent to the tip portion 104, the upper portion 453, and the lower portion 454. The upper portion 453 can be adjacent to the upper portion 104, the rear end portion 451, and the tip end portion 452. The lower portion 454 can be adjacent to the bottom portion 101, the rear end portion 451, and the tip end portion 452. Each of the portions 424 includes at least one curved end, with adjacent portion ends having complementary curvatures.

[0062] Also, the rear end portion 451, the tip portion 452, the upper portion 453, and the lower portion 454 form an intersection, and one corner, apex, or end of each portion can be adjacent to the geometric center 140 of the striking surface 110. The rear end portion 451, the tip portion 452, the upper portion 453, and the lower portion 454 form a central gap 441 adjacent to the geometric center 140 of the striking surface 110. Here, each corner, apex, or edge of the portion 424 forms the perimeter of the central gap 441. Referring to Figures 10 to 13, the portion 424 that forms the central gap 441 and the gap perimeter are shown. In particular, the curved edge of the upper portion 453, the curved edge of the lower portion 454, the apex of the rear end portion 451, and the apex of the tip portion 452 form the central gap 441 and the perimeter of the gap.

[0063] 10-13, the multi-part insert 400 is assembled with the iron-type golf club head 100 by attaching the insert 400 to the striking face rear surface 118. When the iron-type golf club head strikes a golf ball, the striking face 110 deflects rearward. As the striking face 110 deflects rearward, the adhesive layer 404 also deflects rearward and curves to match the rearward deflection of the striking face 110. As the adhesive layer 404 deflects rearward upon impact, the gaps 440 between the insert portions 424 allow the insert portions 424 to expand (instead of being in tension) and the gap width 442 between the insert portions 424 increases up to 0.010 inches. In this second embodiment, the insert 400 does not resist the deflection of the striking face 110. When the striking surface 110 rebounds, the adhesive layer 404 returns to its original flatter shape and the insert portion 424 returns to its original shape with smaller gaps 440 having a gap width as described below.

[0064] 10-13, gap width 442 prior to golf ball impact may be less than or equal to gap width 442 during golf ball impact. Gap width 442 increases due to deflection of striking face 110 under the force of the golf ball, where striking face 110 deflects and insert 400 deflects. Gap 440 between the portions prior to impact with the golf ball includes gap widths ranging from 0.005 inches to 0.040 inches. For example, the pre-impact gap width 442 can be 0.005 inches, 0.006 inches, 0.007 inches, 0.008 inches, 0.009 inches, 0.010 inches, 0.011 inches, 0.012 inches, 0.013 inches, 0.014 inches, 0.015 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.018 inches, 0.019 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.022 inches, 0.023 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.028 inches, 0.029 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.031 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.033 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.039 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.041 inches, 0.042 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.044 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.047 inches, 0.048 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.052 inches, 0.053 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.056 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.058 inches, 0.059 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.061 inches, 0.062 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.064 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.066 inches The width of the gap between the portions may be 0.023 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.028 inches, 0.029 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.031 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.033 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.039 inches, or 0.040 inches. During impact deflection of the striking face, the width of the gap between the portions may increase by up to 0.010 inches, depending on the location of the gap on the insert, and may range from 0.015 to 0.050 inches. For example, the gap width during golf ball impact may be 0.015 inches, 0.016 inches, 0.017 inches, 0.018 inches, 0.019 inches, 0.020 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.022 inches, 0.023 inches, 0.024 inches, 0.025 inches, 0.026 inches, 0.027 inches, 0.028 inches, 0.029 inches, 0.030 inches, 0.031 inches, 0.032 inches, 0.033 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.039 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.041 inches, 0.042 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.044 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.047 inches, 0.048 inches, 0.049 inches, 0.050 inches, 0.051 inches, 0.052 inches, 0.053 inches, 0.054 inches, 0.055 inches, 0.056 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.058 inches, 0.059 inches, 0.060 inches, 0.061 inches, 0.062 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.064 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.066 inches, 0.067 inches, 0.068 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.070 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.072 inches, 0.073 inches, 0.074 inches, 0.075 inches, 0.076 inches, 0. It may be 2 inches, 0.033 inches, 0.034 inches, 0.035 inches, 0.036 inches, 0.037 inches, 0.038 inches, 0.039 inches, 0.040 inches, 0.041 inches, 0.042 inches, 0.043 inches, 0.044 inches, 0.045 inches, 0.046 inches, 0.047 inches, 0.048 inches, 0.049 inches, or 0.050 inches.The gaps 440 between the insert portions 424 closer to the striking face geometric center 140 increase in width to a greater extent than the gaps 440 further from the striking face geometric center 140 . EXAMPLES

[0065] 14A-14E, a comparison of two inserts was performed. The first insert was the flexible insert 300 described in the first embodiment above. The second (control) insert was identical to the first insert 300 except that there were no gaps forming separate sections or panels. The first embodiment insert 300 having multiple insert portions 324 with gaps 340 between them showed improved performance (as discussed below) compared to an identical comparative insert (in the control club) having continuous unbroken adhesive, elastomer, and cap layers. Both were placed in identical 7-iron golf club heads with a loft of 29 degrees. The testing incorporated player testing, robot testing, and FEA simulations. In the player testing, 20 players hit 10 shots with each of two 7-iron golf clubs. In the robot testing, a robot hit a golf ball with each of two 7-iron golf clubs for five shots, or nine different face positions. For each hit, ball initial velocity, ball spin, launch angle, flight distance, and maximum trajectory height were measured. Data referenced in this example was extracted from all of the above tests.

[0066] The design of the iron-type golf club head and insert was the same between the flexible (with gap) insert and the rigid (without gap) insert, except that the flexible insert 300 had the gap 340 and the insert portion 324 as described in the first insert 300 embodiment. With reference to FIG. 14A, the iron-type golf club head with the flexible insert 300 with the gap 340 and the insert portion 324 provided about 1 mph higher initial ball velocity than the iron-type golf club head with the insert without the gap. The flexibility provided by the insert gap results in less energy lost during ball impact, improving ball speed at impact. With reference to FIG. 14B, the iron-type golf club head with the flexible insert 300 with the gap 340 and the insert portion 324 added 2 yards of distance. With reference to FIG. 14C and FIG. 14D, the iron-type golf club head with the flexible insert 300 with the gap 340 and the insert portion 324 provided a slightly higher launch angle and maximum height. 14E, the iron-type golf club head having the flexible insert 300 with the gap 340 and the insert portion 324 produced a spin rate that was approximately 80 rpm lower. The 7-iron golf clubs tested in this Example 1 were similar in construction, except for the gap in the rear cavity insert that was applied to only one of the 7-irons. The 7-iron with the gapped insert surprisingly produced an improved average flight distance, which was due solely to the gap provided in the rear cavity insert that was applied to the 7-iron.

[0067] In summary, the iron-type golf club of Example 1 having an iron-type golf club head with a flexible insert 300 having a gap 340 and an insert portion 324 differed from the rear cavity insert of the control iron-type golf club head only in having an insert with a gap 340. All other factors were controlled to be the same. In this Example 1, the improved flight characteristics of a higher launch angle, a maximum ball flight height, a higher ball speed, and a lower launch spin rate worked together to provide an improvement in distance of 2 yards.

[0068] Because the rules of golf may change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be adopted and old rules may be eliminated or modified by golf standards and / or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and / or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this respect.

[0069] The replacement of one or more elements recited in a claim constitutes a reconstruction, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to certain embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and elements by which the benefits, advantages, or solutions may be provided or made more pronounced should not be construed as critical, essential, or required features or elements of any or all of the claims.

[0070] Moreover, the embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiment and / or limitation (1) is not expressly claimed in the claims, or (2) is equivalent or potentially equivalent to an explicit element and / or limitation of the claims under the doctrine of equivalents. The features of the technology disclosed in this specification are listed below. (Item 1) An iron-type golf club head, An iron type golf club head body, The insert, Equipped with The iron type golf club head body is The front and The rear and an upper portion including a top rail; A bottom portion including a sole; With the hitting surface, Equipped with The hitting surface includes a hitting surface front surface located in the front portion and a hitting surface rear surface located on the opposite side of the hitting surface front surface toward the rear portion, The striking surface further includes a striking surface geometric center, a striking surface perimeter, and a thickness measured from the striking surface front surface to the striking surface rear surface; A rear outer peripheral extension portion extends rearward from the periphery of the striking surface, The striking surface rear surface and the rear peripheral extension cooperate to define a rear cavity; The insert is An adhesive layer; An elastomer layer; Cap and Equipped with The insert is configured to be received within the rear cavity and adhesively attached to the rear striking face; the adhesive layer comprises a single, uninterrupted portion; the elastomeric layer comprises a first plurality of portions; the cap includes a second plurality of portions; a first plurality of portions of the elastomeric layer aligned with a second plurality of portions of the cap; an elastomeric layer portion and a cap portion form an insert portion, each of a plurality of said elastomeric layer portions being paired with a different cap portion, and each of said plurality of cap portions being paired with a respective elastomeric core portion such that said insert comprises a third plurality of insert portions; the third plurality of insert portions being separated from one another by gaps such that none of the third plurality of portions are directly connected to one another; Iron type golf club head. (Item 2) the insert further comprising a maximum insert length measured from the tip portion to the rear portion and a maximum insert height measured from the bottom portion to the top portion; the maximum insert length is in the range of 2.80 inches to 3.00 inches; the maximum insert height is in the range of 1.20 inches to 1.30 inches; 2. An iron-type golf club head as described in item 1. (Item 3) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein each of the insert portions is affixed to the adhesive layer. (Item 4) Item 2. The iron-type golf club head of item 1, wherein the insert further comprises a gap width comprising a minimum gap width in a rest state and a maximum gap width in an expanded state. (Item 5) 5. The iron-type golf club head according to item 4, wherein the minimum gap width is in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches. (Item 6) When the golf club head strikes a golf ball, the striking surface is deflected backward and displaced, When the striking surface is deflected backward, the insert attached with an adhesive is also deflected backward by the rear surface of the striking surface, and the gap width increases. the maximum gap width being up to 0.010 inches greater than the minimum gap width; Item 5. An iron-type golf club head according to item 5. (Item 7) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein the plurality of portions includes seven portions. (Item 8) 8. The iron-type golf club head according to item 7, wherein the seven portions further include two tip portions, three central portions, and two rear portions. (Item 9) the two distal portions include an upper distal portion and a lower distal portion; the two rear end portions include an upper rear end portion and a lower rear end portion, 9. The iron-type golf club head according to item 8, wherein the three central portions include an upper central portion, a bottom rear end central portion, and a bottom tip end central portion. (Item 10) the two rear end portions are adjacent to the central top portion and the bottom rear end central portion; 10. The iron-type golf club head according to item 9, wherein the two tip side portions are adjacent to the central top portion and the bottom tip side central portion. (Item 11) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein the adhesive layer is formed from a foam-based very high bond (VHB) tape. (Item 12) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein the elastomer layer portion has a Shore D hardness in the range of 70 to 100. (Item 13) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein the cap portion is made of metal. (Item 14) 2. The iron-type golf club head according to item 1, wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a flexible polymeric or rubber material. (Item 15) An iron-type golf club head, An iron type golf club head body, The insert, Equipped with The iron type golf club head body is The front and The rear and an upper portion including a top rail; A bottom portion including a sole; With the hitting surface, Equipped with The hitting surface includes a hitting surface front surface located in the front portion and a hitting surface rear surface located on the opposite side of the hitting surface front surface toward the rear portion, The striking surface further includes a striking surface geometric center, a striking surface perimeter, and a thickness measured from the striking surface front surface to the striking surface rear surface; A rear outer peripheral extension portion extends rearward from the periphery of the striking surface, The striking surface rear surface and the rear peripheral extension cooperate to define a rear cavity; The insert is An adhesive layer; Cap and Equipped with The insert is configured to be received within the rear cavity and adhesively attached to the rear surface of the striking face; the adhesive layer comprises a single continuous piece; the cap comprises a plurality of portions; the cap portions are separated from one another by gaps such that the portions are not directly connected to one another; Iron type golf club head. (Item 16) Item 16. The iron-type golf club head of item 15, wherein the insert further comprises a gap width comprising a minimum gap width in a rest state and a maximum gap width in an expanded state. (Item 17) 17. The iron-type golf club head according to item 16, wherein the minimum gap width is in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches. (Item 18) When the golf club head strikes a golf ball, the striking surface is deflected backward and displaced, When the striking surface is deflected backward, the insert attached by the adhesive is also deflected backward by the rear surface of the striking surface, and the gap width increases. the maximum gap width being up to 0.010 inches greater than the minimum gap width; Item 18. An iron-type golf club head as described in item 17. (Item 19) Item 16. The iron-type golf club head according to item 15, wherein the plurality of cap portions includes four cap portions. (Item 20) 20. The iron-type golf club head according to item 19, wherein the plurality of cap portions include an upper cap portion, a tip cap portion, a lower cap portion, and a rear end cap portion.

Claims

1. An iron-type golf club head, An iron type golf club head body, The insert, Equipped with The iron type golf club head body is The front and The rear and an upper portion including a top rail; A bottom portion including a sole; With the hitting surface, Equipped with The hitting surface includes a hitting surface front surface located in the front portion and a hitting surface rear surface located on the opposite side of the hitting surface front surface toward the rear portion, The striking surface further includes a striking surface geometric center, a striking surface perimeter, and a thickness measured from the striking surface front surface to the striking surface rear surface; A rear outer peripheral extension portion extends rearward from the periphery of the striking surface, The striking surface rear surface and the rear peripheral extension cooperate to define a rear cavity; The insert comprises: An adhesive layer; An elastomer layer; Cap and Equipped with The insert is configured to be received within the rear cavity and adhesively attached to the rear striking face; the adhesive layer comprises a single, uninterrupted portion; the elastomeric layer includes a first plurality of portions; the cap includes a second plurality of portions; a first plurality of portions of the elastomeric layer aligned with a second plurality of portions of the cap; an elastomeric layer portion and a cap portion form an insert portion, each of a plurality of said elastomeric layer portions being paired with a different cap portion, and each of said plurality of cap portions being paired with a respective elastomeric core portion such that said insert comprises a third plurality of insert portions; the third plurality of insert portions being separated from one another by gaps such that none of the third plurality of insert portions are directly connected to one another; Iron type golf club head.

2. the insert further comprising a maximum insert length measured from the tip portion to the rear portion and a maximum insert height measured from the bottom portion to the top portion; the maximum insert length is in the range of 2.80 inches to 3.00 inches; the maximum insert height is in the range of 1.20 inches to 1.30 inches; 2. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1.

3. 3. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein each of said insert portions is affixed to said adhesive layer.

4. An iron-type golf club head as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insert further includes a gap width including a minimum gap width in a static state and a maximum gap width in an expanded state.

5. An iron-type golf club head as described in claim 4, wherein the minimum gap width is in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches.

6. When the golf club head strikes a golf ball, the striking surface is deflected backward and displaced, When the striking surface is deflected backward, the insert attached with an adhesive is also deflected backward by the rear surface of the striking surface, and the gap width increases. the maximum gap width being up to 0.010 inches greater than the minimum gap width; 6. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 5.

7. 7. The iron-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of portions and the second plurality of portions includes seven portions.

8. 8. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 7, wherein the seven sections further include two tip sections, three middle sections, and two rear sections.

9. the two distal portions include an upper distal portion and a lower distal portion; the two rear end portions include an upper rear end portion and a lower rear end portion, 9. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 8, wherein the three central portions include an upper central portion, a bottom rear end central portion, and a bottom tip end central portion.

10. the two rear end portions are adjacent to the top central portion and the bottom rear end central portion; 10. The iron-type golf club head of claim 9, wherein the two tip portions are adjacent to the top central portion and the bottom tip central portion.

11. 11. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is formed from a foam-based very high bond (VHB) tape.

12. The iron-type golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the elastomer layer portion has a Shore D hardness in the range of 70-100.

13. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the cap portion is made of metal.

14. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric layer comprises a flexible polymeric or rubber material.

15. An iron-type golf club head, An iron type golf club head body, The insert, Equipped with The iron type golf club head body is The front and The rear and an upper portion including a top rail; A bottom portion including a sole; With the hitting surface, Equipped with The hitting surface includes a hitting surface front surface located in the front portion and a hitting surface rear surface located on the opposite side of the hitting surface front surface toward the rear portion, The striking surface further includes a striking surface geometric center, a striking surface perimeter, and a thickness measured from the striking surface front surface to the striking surface rear surface; A rear outer peripheral extension portion extends rearward from the periphery of the striking surface, The striking surface rear surface and the rear peripheral extension cooperate to define a rear cavity; The insert is An adhesive layer; Cap and Equipped with The insert is configured to be received within the rear cavity and adhesively attached to the rear surface of the striking face; the adhesive layer comprises a single continuous piece; the cap comprises a plurality of portions; the portions are separated from one another by gaps such that the portions are not directly connected to one another; Iron type golf club head.

16. An iron-type golf club head as described in claim 15, wherein the insert further includes a gap width including a minimum gap width in a static state and a maximum gap width in an expanded state.

17. An iron-type golf club head as described in claim 16, wherein the minimum gap width is in the range of 0.005 inches to 0.010 inches.

18. When the golf club head strikes a golf ball, the striking surface is deflected backward and displaced, When the striking surface is deflected backward, the insert attached by the adhesive is also deflected backward by the rear surface of the striking surface, and the gap width increases. the maximum gap width being up to 0.010 inches greater than the minimum gap width; 18. The iron-type golf club head according to claim 17.

19. 19. The iron-type golf club head of claim 15, wherein the plurality of portions includes four cap portions.

20. 20. The iron-type golf club head of claim 19, wherein the plurality of portions includes a top cap portion, a tip cap portion, a bottom cap portion, and a rear cap portion.

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