Golf club head with sole rail

Abstract

To improve club head speed retention throughout a swing and prevent loss of this speed due to interaction with turf.SOLUTION: A golf club head 100, when oriented in a reference position, includes a striking face 112, a top portion 160, and a sole portion 150 opposite the top portion. The sole portion 150 includes a leading edge 152, a trailing edge 154, at least one sole rail generally elongates in a front-to-rear direction, and a sole contact point 158 located on the at least one sole rail. In a virtual vertical plane extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through the sole contact point 158, (i) the sole portion 150 includes a sole length Ls measured in the front-to-rear direction from the leading edge 152 to the trailing edge 154, and (ii) the sole contact point 158 is spaced rearwardly from the leading edge 152 by a distance D1 of at most 0.8*Ls.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [1] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of golf clubs, and more particularly to a golf club head having at least one sole rail. [Background technology]

[0002] [2] Many factors influence the effectiveness of a golf shot. One of the most important of these factors is the speed at which the club head impacts the golf ball. This golf club head speed at impact not only substantially determines the distance of the golf shot, but its predictability and repeatability are crucial for a golfer to hit the shot at the desired distance. Another factor that influences the effectiveness of a golf shot is the trajectory that the golf ball takes to leave the club face following impact. This trajectory substantially influences the distance the ball travels, its ability to clear hazards, and its movement after returning to the ground. DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] [3] One of the biggest influences on the speed at which the club head strikes the golf ball is the effort exerted by the golfer, i.e., how hard the golfer swings. The major influence on the trajectory of the golf ball is the loft angle of the club head itself and the angle at which the club head attacks the ball during the swing. However, the interaction between the golf club head and the grass can also result in an unexpected decrease in club head speed before impact, which can also lead to a decrease in the loft angle, i.e., flattening of the club head prior to impact. This can lead to the aforementioned changes and a decrease in the predictability of the shot distance and the trajectory of the golf ball after impact. This is especially true with respect to hybrid or utility type golf club heads, which are often used in adverse grass conditions, such as rough, which can provide more resistance to the club head and thereby significantly reduce speed retention. Also, these clubs are generally relied upon for longer golf shots than irons and wedges.

[0004] [4] There has therefore been a need for a golf club head that improves the club head's speed retention during the swing and prevents this speed from being lost due to turf interaction. This objective can be achieved by one or more aspects of the present disclosure, including the club head's sole profile, such as its width and leading edge shape, which can be designed for this particular objective through optimization through multiple iterations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] [5] Thus, a golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include, when oriented in a reference position, a striking face, a top portion, and a sole portion opposite the top portion. The sole portion includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, at least one sole rail extending generally in a fore-aft direction, and a sole contact point located on the at least one sole rail. In addition, in an imaginary vertical plane extending in the fore-aft direction and passing through the sole contact point, the sole portion includes a sole length Ls measured in the fore-aft direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and the sole contact point may be located a distance D1 of 0.8*Ls or less rearward from the leading edge.

[0006] [6] A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may also include a striking face, an upper portion, and a sole portion opposite the upper portion when oriented in a reference position. The sole portion may include a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first sole rail generally extending in a front-to-rear direction, a second sole rail generally extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a recess formed between the first sole rail and the second sole rail. The recess may have a step portion defined in the front-to-rear direction.

[0007] [7] Also, the golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a striking face, an upper portion, and a sole portion opposite the upper portion when oriented in a reference position. The sole portion may include a leading edge, a trailing edge, at least one sole rail extending generally in a front-to-rear direction, and a sole contact point located on the at least one sole rail. Also, in an imaginary vertical plane extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through the sole contact point, the leading edge has a height H1 of 5 mm or more, and the sole portion may further include a first radius of curvature R1 at a first position 3 mm or more rearward from the leading edge, and a second radius of curvature R2 at a second position rearward from the first position, where R2 may be 10*R1 or more.

[0008] [8] These and other features and advantages of golf club heads according to various aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description, drawings, and appended claims. The description and drawings set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It should also be understood that for purposes of this application, any disclosed range includes disclosure of all subranges thereof. For example, a range of 1-5 includes disclosure of at least 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 3-4, 3-5, and 4-5. Furthermore, both endpoints of any disclosed range include disclosure of the approximate or near values ​​at those endpoints, as well as disclosure of those exact endpoints. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [9] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a golf club head according to one or more exemplary embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the golf club head of FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the golf club head of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a partial detail of the cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows another cross-sectional view of the golf club head of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating club head speed for golf club heads according to one or more exemplary embodiments and comparative club heads. [Figure 8] 6A and 6B show the dynamic turf movement from interaction with a golf club head of the comparative example and the example, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010]

[18] Illustrated in Figure 1 is a golf club head 100 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The club head 100 may be a hollow-type club head. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the club head may be a hybrid or utility type club head. The club head 100 may generally be formed from metallic and / or non-metallic materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, composite materials, polymeric materials, and any combination of one or more of any other suitable materials.

[0011]

[19] The club head 100 includes a front portion 110 having a striking wall including a striking face 112 for contacting a golf ball, and a rear portion 120. The striking face 112 may include a face center 114, which is a point on the striking face 112 that is equidistant both horizontally and vertically from the periphery of the striking face as described in the United States Golf Association's Procedure for Measuring Golf Club Head Flexibility (Revision 2.0, March 25, 2005), which describes the "face center" as identifiable using a template designated for such purpose. The club head 100 may further include a toe portion 130, a heel portion 140, a sole portion 150, and a top or crown 160. The heel portion 140 may include a hosel 142 configured to receive and secure a golf club shaft (not shown). The club head 100 may also have a club head center of gravity at a location 170.

[0012]

[20] The upper portion 160 of the club head 100 may include a raised peripheral portion 162 that may provide additional structural integrity to the club head. This portion 162 may also increase the moment of inertia ("MOI"), or Izz, of the club head 100 about a vertical axis passing through the center of gravity 170, particularly as compared to conventional club heads. The upper portion 160 may also include a stepped portion 164 that further lowers the center of gravity 170, thus positioning the sweet spot, which is the vertical projection of the center of gravity 170 onto the striking face 112, closer to the intended (e.g., average) point of impact between the golf ball and the golf club head 100. For the same purpose, a weight pad (not shown) may also be located inside the sole portion 150 to further increase the MOI and reduce the height of the center of gravity. Also, for utility-type club heads, the loft angle, i.e., the angle formed between an imaginary vertical hosel plane that includes the axis of the hosel 142 and a striking face plane that is substantially parallel to the striking face 112 of the club head 100, is preferably 26° or less. More preferably, the loft angle may be between 14 and 26 degrees, and even more preferably, between 18 and 24 degrees. In embodiments in which the striking face includes a bulge and / or roll, the imaginary striking face plane may be considered to be a plane tangent to the face center of the striking face.

[0013] [twenty one] As perhaps best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sole portion 150 of the club head 100 may include a plurality of rails 200, each preferably extending in the front-to-rear direction. More specifically, the club head 100 may include a central sole rail 210, a toe sole rail 220, and a heel sole rail 230, which are laterally centered in the heel-toe direction and located at the face center 114. A recess 240 in the sole portion 150 may space the central sole rail 210 and the toe sole rail 220 from one another, and a recess 250 in the sole portion 150 may space the central sole rail 210 and the heel sole rail 230 from one another. Each recess 240, 250 may include a bottom surface at least partially surrounded by a side surface. The recesses 240 and 250 between the guide rails 210, 220, and 230 may guide debris therethrough during a swing, which may reduce interaction and friction between the club head 100 and the turf and improve speed retention. They may also give the golfer the perception that the rails 210, 220 and 230 have a greater volume, potentially increasing the golfer's confidence in the club head 100 and the shots made therewith.

[0014] [twenty two] 4 shows a cross section of the golf club head 100 along an imaginary vertical plane IV that intersects the face center 114 and thus the central sole rail 210. As shown in this figure, the sole portion 150 can include a leading edge 152 and a trailing edge 154, which respectively represent the forward-most and rearward-most extents of the sole portion 150. FIG. 4 shows the golf club head 100 in a reference position, which in this specification refers to the orientation of the club head, for example, the club head 100 is placed relative to a virtual ground plane 300 such that the sole portion 150 of the club head 100 contacts the virtual ground plane at a sole contact point 158 ​​between the edges 152 and 154, and the club head 100 is at a specified loft angle relative to the virtual ground plane 300, and the hosel axis of the hosel 142 is arranged such that the hosel axis is at a specified lie angle of the club head.

[0015] [twenty three] The edges 152 and 154 may define a sole length 156 therebetween, which may be otherwise indicated by "Ls". The sole length 156 may preferably be 35 mm or more, more preferably 45 mm or more, and even more preferably 45-65 mm. A setback length 180 (also referred to as "D1") of the sole contact point 158 ​​from the leading edge 152 in the fore-aft direction may also be defined. For example, the setback length 180 may preferably be 0.8*Ls or less, more preferably 0.5*Ls or less, and even more preferably 0.25*Ls or less. In terms of absolute value, the setback length 180 may be 5-15 mm, and even more preferably 8-12 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, the leading edge 152 may also define a height 182 or "H1" and a bounce angle 184. The height 182, which is the distance between the leading edge 152 and the virtual ground plane 300, may be preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 6 mm or more, and even more preferably 7 mm or more. And, the bounce angle, which is the angle between the virtual ground plane 300 and a virtual line extending through the leading edge 152 and the sole contact point 158, may be 2 to 18°, and preferably 10 to 18°.

[0016] [twenty four] FIG. 5 shows further details of the radius of curvature of the sole portion 150 along the imaginary vertical plane IV. The radius of curvature of the sole portion 150 varies in the front-to-rear direction of the club head. The use of various radii of curvature has perhaps the greatest effect on the ability of the sole to minimize speed loss due to turf interaction. At a position 3 mm or less forward from the leading edge 152, the radius of curvature 190 or "R1" of the sole portion 150 may preferably be 30 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or less, and even more preferably 16 mm or less. Most preferably, the radius of curvature 190 of the sole portion 150 may be 10-16 mm. At a more rearward position spaced at least 3 mm rearward from the leading edge, the radius of curvature 192 or "R2" of the sole portion 150 may preferably be 100 mm or more, more preferably 200 mm or more, and even more preferably 250 mm or more. Preferably, the radius of curvature 192 is greater than 10 times the radius of curvature 190, more preferably greater than 15 times the radius of curvature 190, and most preferably 18-25 times the radius of curvature 190. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the sole portion 150 may decrease rearwardly toward an intermediate minimum radius of curvature 194 or "R3" or "Rmin" relative to the radius of curvature 192 near the sole contact point 158 ​​and at a point closer to the leading edge 152 than the trailing edge 154. In some embodiments, R3 corresponds to the sole contact point of the sole portion. The radius of curvature of the sole portion 150 may then increase toward the trailing edge 154 to a maximum radius of curvature 196 or "R4", and then decrease to a radius of curvature 198 or "R5" near the trailing edge 154. Thus, the radius of curvature of sole portion 150 can vary in a central region of sole portion 150 bounded by a front end spaced 3 mm rearward of leading edge 152 and a rear end spaced 3 mm forward of trailing edge 154, such that radius of curvature 194<radius of curvature 192<radius of curvature 196.

[0017] [twenty five] Referring to FIG. 3, the widths 212, 222, 232 of the central sole rail 210, the toe side sole rail 220 and the heel side sole rail 230 in the heel-toe direction may preferably vary in the front-to-rear direction. In particular, the width 212 of the central sole rail 210 may preferably taper in the front-to-rear direction. It tapers to a minimum at a position 214 between the leading edge 152 and the trailing edge 154 of the sole part 150, whereby its maximum width is preferably at a position 216 at the rear of the sole part. This position 214 of minimum width may preferably be located closer to the leading edge 152 of the sole part 150 than the trailing edge 154. More specifically, its distance 218 may preferably be 5 to 15 mm from the leading edge 152, more preferably 6 to 12 mm from the leading edge. The position 214 may also be less than 50% of the sole length 156 from the leading edge 152 of the sole portion 150, more preferably 10% to 25% of the sole length 156 from the leading edge, and even more preferably 15% to 22% of the sole length 156 from the leading edge. Furthermore, the maximum value of the width 212 at the position 216 may be preferably 7 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, even more preferably 12 to 18 mm, and most preferably equal to or about 15 mm. The minimum value of the width 212 at the position 214 may be preferably 5 to 12 mm, more preferably 7 to 10 mm, and most preferably equal to or about 9 mm.

[0018]

[26] FIG. 6 shows another cross section of the golf club head 100 along the imaginary vertical plane VI shown in FIG. 1. As shown in this figure, each of the sole rails 210, 220, and 230 is elevated relative to the adjacent portions of the sole portion 150. For example, the portion of the central sole rail 210 closest to the imaginary ground plane 300 in the reference position extends from the surface of the adjacent recesses 240 and 250 by a height 218. This height 218 may be preferably 3 mm or more. It may be more preferably 3 to 6 mm. Also, it may be more preferably equal to or about 4 mm. This height 218 may be formed by steps 260 and 270 (FIG. 3) at the front of the sole portion 150. These steps 260 and 270 lead to the recesses 240 and 250, respectively, and therefore they are responsible for increasing the clearance and perceived depth of the sole rails 210, 220, and 230. The vertical depth of the steps 260 and 270 relative to the front of the sole portion 150 may preferably be 2 mm or more, and more preferably 3 mm or more.

[0019]

[27] FIG. 7 shows a comparison of club head speeds at impact between an exemplary golf club head according to the present disclosure (e.g., golf club head 100) and a conventional comparative club head lacking a sole rail 200. Thus, the head speeds are initially the same for the two club heads, but the interaction with the grass beginning at about 0.002 seconds causes the comparative club head to lose significantly more speed than the exemplary club head. Next, FIGS. 8(A) and (B) show the dispersion of grass at impact with a golf ball between the comparative club head and the exemplary club head, respectively. The comparative club head disperses more grass and creates a larger path along the areas near the toe and heel of the club head than the exemplary club head. Thus, the exemplary club head according to the present disclosure improves speed retention, resulting in more consistent and predictable distance and trajectory of the ball.

[0020]

[28] In the foregoing discussion, the present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings should be considered as merely illustrative of the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0021] 100 Golf Club Heads 112 hitting face 114 Face Center 150 Sole 152 Leading Edge 154 Trailing Edge 158 sole contact points 160 Top 200 Sole Rail 210 Central Sole Rail 220 Toe side sole rail 230 Heel side sole rail 240 Recess 250 Recess 260 Step

Claims

1. A golf club head, when oriented in a reference position, A striking face and The top and a sole portion opposite the upper portion, The sole portion includes a leading edge located at the front end of the sole portion, a trailing edge located at the rear end of the sole portion, and at least one sole rail extending generally in a front-to-rear direction. a sole contact point located on the at least one sole rail; In a virtual vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction and passing through the sole contact point, The sole portion includes a sole length Ls measured in the fore-and-aft direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, the sole contact point is located a distance D1 rearward from the leading edge that is equal to or less than 0.8*Ls; the sole portion includes a forward position that is no more than 3 mm rearward from the leading edge, and a more rearward position that is spaced at least 3 mm rearward from the leading edge, The radius of curvature at the front position is 10 to 30 mm; the rear location is forward of the sole contact point; the radius of curvature at the rearward location decreases toward the sole contact point; In the virtual vertical plane, The leading edge has a height H1 of 5 mm or more; The radius of curvature at the rear position is greater than 10 times the radius of curvature at the front position. Golf club head.

2. 10. The golf club head of claim 1, having a loft of 14 to 26 degrees.

3. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the sole length Ls is 35 mm or more.

4. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the distance D1 is equal to or less than 0.5*Ls.

5. The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the distance D1 is equal to or less than 0.25*Ls.

6. 2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the distance D1 is 5 to 15 mm.

7. the striking face includes a face center; The at least one sole rail includes at least three sole rails including a central sole rail, a heel side sole rail, and a toe side sole rail; The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the central sole rail is substantially aligned with the face center in a heel-to-toe direction.

8. 8. The golf club head of claim 7, wherein the central sole rail includes a front end which is an end of the central sole rail on the leading edge side, a rear end which is an end of the central sole rail on the trailing edge side, and a width in the heel-toe direction, the width varying such that a minimum width of the central sole rail corresponds to a position between the front end and the rear end.

9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the at least one sole rail has a height of 3 mm or more.

10. The at least one sole rail includes a first sole rail and a second sole rail, the sole portion includes a recess formed between the first sole rail and the second sole rail, The recess has a step portion defined in the front-rear direction. The golf club head of claim 1 .

11. A golf club head as described in claim 10, wherein the step portion has a depth of 2 mm or more.

12. The recess further comprises a bottom surface and a side surface at least partially surrounding the bottom surface, The golf club head according to claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first sole rail and the second sole rail is elevated from the bottom surface of the recess by a distance of 3 mm or more.

13. The golf club head further includes a third sole rail extending generally in the fore-and-aft direction; the striking face further includes a face center; The first, second and third sole rails are a central sole rail, a heel side sole rail and a toe side sole rail, respectively; The golf club head of claim 10 , wherein the central sole rail is substantially aligned with the face center in a heel-to-toe direction.

14. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein within an imaginary vertical plane extending in the fore-and-aft direction and passing through a sole contact point of at least one of the first and second sole rails, the leading edge has a height H1 of 5 mm or more.

15. In the imaginary vertical plane, a central region of the sole portion is defined by a front end 3 mm rearward of the leading edge and a rear end 3 mm forward of the trailing edge, 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature varies along the central region such that a minimum radius of curvature Rmin is located at a third location closer to the leading edge than to the trailing edge.

16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the third position is one of intermediate positions having a radius of curvature greater than the minimum radius of curvature Rmin.

Images