Golf club with weight adjustment system

Abstract

To provide a golf club head having an adjustable weight system.SOLUTION: A golf club head 100 has a single, relatively compact slot for receiving a weight assembly. The weight assembly comprises a relatively high mass. Small lateral movement of the weight assembly is sufficient to shape a golfer's shot. The small movement also prevents reduction of the total golf club head moment of inertia, thus preserving the forgiveness of a golf club when a ball is miss-hit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 784,190, filed December 21, 2018, and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 855,751, filed May 31, 2019, which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to golf club heads with adjustable weight systems that provide perimeter weighting and trajectory manipulation of golf ball flight at impact. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, there are many important physical parameters (i.e., volume, mass, etc.) that affect the overall performance of a golf club head. One of the most important physical parameters is the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head. The CG of a golf club head directly affects performance characteristics (i.e., moment of inertia, launch, ball speed, etc.). The desired CG location of a golf club head is low and rearward from the strike face to optimally increase the launch angle and MOI of the golf ball. Additionally, the CG location can be moved closer to the toe or heel end of the golf club head to further affect the side spin of the golf ball.

[0004] Many current wood-type golf club heads achieve a desired CG position by using a slidable swing weight on the sole of the golf club head or by using multiple swing weight ports into which one or more weights can be attached. However, slidable swing weights and multiple weight configurations require large internal structures to support the multiple weights and / or different positioning of the weights. Furthermore, because any mass of the club head is allocated to support the weight system, these bulky weight systems can adversely affect CG positioning. There is a need in the art for a weight system that can variably affect the CG of a golf club head without requiring a slidable system or multiple weight ports.

[0005] Moving the center of gravity of a golf club head toward the heel or toe of the golf club head contributes to creating a fade-biased or draw-biased golf ball flight. Such shot shaping is desirable to help golfers improve their shots. However, when an adjustable weight system requires a relatively large movement of the adjustable weight throughout the volume of the golf club head, the center of gravity of the golf club head is moved forward toward the strike face of the golf club head, typically higher in the volume of the golf club head than the sole. Moving the center of gravity toward the strike face and higher in the volume of the club head reduces the compound moment of inertia of the golf club head. Reducing the club head MOI is undesirable because it reduces the tolerance for off-center hits. Therefore, conventional adjustable weight systems force users to choose between shot shaping and forgiveness. Furthermore, in conventional adjustable weight systems, larger or more distributed weight port structures are permanently placed masses that often offset the effects of moving the adjustable weight member to other locations on the golf club head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and more particularly to golf club heads and related methods.

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a golf club head.

[0008] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a golf club head.

[0009] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a rear sole view of a golf club head.

[0010] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the weight assembly slot structure.

[0011] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of a weight assembly slot structure with a variable weight assembly.

[0012] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a horizontal cross section of the variable weight assembly.

[0013] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an external view of the weight member.

[0014] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the weight member.

[0015] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the weight member.

[0016] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a vertical cross section of the weight member.

[0017] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view of the inner rear surface of the golf club.

[0018] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the weight assembly.

[0019] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the weight assembly.

[0020] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a horizontal cross section of the weight assembly.

[0021] [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the golf club head.

[0022] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows a rear bottom view of the golf club head.

[0023] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of a golf club head showing a range of slot configurations.

[0024] Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Described herein is a golf club head with an adjustable weight assembly. The golf club head includes a heavy, large mass weight member mechanically secured within a slot on the sole of the golf club head. The slot is located at the furthest rearward point of the golf club head and is confined to a relatively small arc on the rear of the golf club head. The positioning of the adjustable weight assembly, the large mass of the weight member, and the small arc of motion of the weight member combine to address current issues associated with adjustable weight systems for golf club heads.

[0026] In conventional adjustable weight systems, the mass of the weight moved is relatively small, so a large movement of the adjustable weight is required to affect ball flight. However, a large movement of the weight mass also causes a relatively large decrease in the total moment of inertia of the golf club head. Therefore, in conventional adjustable weight systems, users are forced to accept a reduced tolerance for mishits in order to achieve shot formation.

[0027] The weight assembly slot described herein includes two to six threaded receivers positioned relatively close to each other. Weight elements can be positioned in two to six positions within the slot to affect straighter ball flight, right-to-left ball flight, and left-to-right ball flight. The combination of a single, smaller slot on the sole with a single, heavy weight element leads to improved CG movement and MOI preservation. This is achieved by confining the slot to a relatively small arc on the rear of the golf club head. A smaller arc results in less displacement toward the heel or toe of the golf club head, but the heavier weight offsets the smaller weight element displacement, allowing the user to shape the golf ball flight using the relatively small weight element displacement.

[0028] Furthermore, any mass saved from having only a single smaller weight slot can be allocated to a preferred location to further improve the CG and MOI of the golf club head. The weight member configuration allows for improvement of the heel and toe movement of the CG without significantly affecting the overall CG and overall inertia of the golf club head. Furthermore, the combination of the weight member and slot improves the heel and toe movement of the CG without physically reallocating the mass of the golf club head to an entirely different part of the golf club head. Therefore, the weight member configuration allows the user to change the shot formation of the golf club head without affecting the overall inertia and launch of the golf club head.

[0029] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., in the specification and claims, if any, are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily intended to describe a particular sequential or chronological order. Terms so used should be understood to be interchangeable in appropriate circumstances, such that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in orders other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," and any conjugations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

[0030] If any, the terms "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "above," "below," etc. in this specification and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily to describe permanent relative positions. It should be understood that terms so used are interchangeable in appropriate circumstances such that embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and / or articles of manufacture described herein are operable, for example, in orientations other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

[0031] Before any embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is applicable to other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

[0032] I) Golf Club Head - Preface The golf club head 100, 300 includes a hosel 130, a strike face 108, a crown 110, a sole 116, a heel region 120, a toe region 124, and a rear portion 128. Together, the strike face 108, the crown 110, the sole 116, the heel region 120, the toe region 124, and the rear portion 128 form a hollow interior of the club head 100. The golf club head 100 further includes slots 240 in the rear portion 128 and the sole 116. A weight assembly 380 may be positioned and secured within the slots 240.

[0033] 1 , the strike face 108 of the club head 100 defines a geometric center 140, 340. In some embodiments, the geometric center 140, 340 may be located at the geometric center point of the strike face perimeter 142 and the midpoint of the face height 144. In the same or other examples, the geometric center 140, 340 may also be centered with respect to a designed impact zone 148, which may be defined by the area of ​​grooves 150 on the strike face. As an alternative approach, the geometric center of the strike face may be located based on the definition of a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the geometric center of the striking face may be determined in accordance with Section 6.1 of the USGA Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Club Head (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (http: / / www.usga.org / equipment / testing / protocols / Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf Club-Head / ) ("Flexibility Procedure").

[0034] A) Golf club head coordinate system 1 , the club head 100 further defines a loft plane 1010 tangent to the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108. A face height 144 may be measured parallel to the loft plane 1010 between the top end of the strike face perimeter 142 near the crown 110 and the bottom end of the strike face perimeter 142 near the sole 116. In these embodiments, the strike face perimeter 142 may be located along the outer edge of the strike face 108 where the curvature deviates from the bulge and / or contours of the strike face 108.

[0035] 1 and 2, the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108 defines a coordinate system with its origin at the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108, the coordinate system having an X-axis 1050, a Y-axis 1060, and a Z-axis 1070. The X-axis 1050 extends through the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108 in a direction from the heel 120 to the toe 124 of the club head 100. The Y-axis 1060 extends through the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108 in a direction from the crown 110 to the sole 116 of the club head 100 and is perpendicular to the X-axis 1050. The Z-axis 1070 extends from the front end 112 , 312 to the rear end 114 of the club head 100 through the geometric center 140 of the strike face 108 and is perpendicular to the X-axis 1050 and the Y-axis 1060 .

[0036] 1 and 2, a coordinate system defines an XY plane extending through the X-axis 1050 and the Y-axis 1060, an XZ plane extending through the X-axis 1050 and the Z-axis 1070, and a YZ plane extending through the Y-axis 1060 and the Z-axis 1070, where the XY, XZ, and YZ planes are all perpendicular to one another and intersect at an origin of the coordinate system located at the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108. The XY plane extends parallel to the hosel axis 132 and is positioned from the loft plane 1010 at an angle corresponding to the loft angle of the club head 100. Additionally, the X-axis 1050 is positioned at a 60-degree angle relative to the hosel axis 132 when viewed perpendicular to the XY plane.

[0037] In these or other embodiments, the club head 100 may be viewed from a front view (FIG. 1) with the strike face 108 viewed perpendicular to the XY plane. Additionally, in these or other embodiments, the club head 100 may be viewed from a side view or side cross-sectional view (FIG. 2) with the heel 120 viewed perpendicular to the YZ plane.

[0038] The club head 100, 300 defines a depth 160, 360, a length 162, 362, and a height 164, 364. With reference to Figure 3, the club head depth 160, 360 can be measured as the farthest extent of the club head 100, 300 in a direction parallel to the Z axis 1070, from the front end 112, 312 to the rear end 114.

[0039] The length 162 of the club head 100 may be measured as the farthest extent of the club head 100 from the heel 120 to the toe 124 in a direction parallel to the X-axis 1050 when viewed from the front view ( FIG. 1 ). In many embodiments, the length 162 of the club head 100 may be measured based on definitions from a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the length 162 of the club head 100 may be determined in accordance with the USGA Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs (USGA-TPX3003, Rev. 1.0.0, November 21, 2003) (https: / / www.usga.org / content / dam / usga / pdf / Equipment / TPX3003-procedure-for-measuring-the-club-head-size-of-wood-clubs.pdf) (“Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs”).

[0040] The height 164 of the club head 100 may be measured as the farthest extent of the club head 100 from the crown 110 to the sole 116 in a direction parallel to the Y-axis 1060 when viewed from a front view ( FIG. 1 ). In many embodiments, the height 164 of the club head 100 may be measured based on definitions from a golf governing body, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA). For example, the height 164 of the club head 100 may be determined in accordance with the USGA Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs (USGA-TPX3003, Rev. 1.0.0, November 21, 2003) (https: / / www.usga.org / content / dam / usga / pdf / Equipment / TPX3003-procedure-for-measuring-the-club-head-size-of-wood-clubs.pdf) (“Procedure for Measuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs”).

[0041] 1 and 2 , the club head 100 further comprises a head center of gravity (CG) 180 and a head depth plane 1040 that extends through the geometric center 140, 340 of the strike face 108 in a direction from the heel 120 to the toe 124 of the club head 100 and perpendicular to the loft plane 1010. In many embodiments, the head CG 180 is located at a head CG depth 182 from the XY plane, measured in a direction perpendicular to the XY plane. In some embodiments, the head CG 180 can be located at a head CG depth 182 from the loft plane 1010, measured in a direction perpendicular to the loft plane. The head CG 180 is further located at a head CG height 184 from the head depth plane 1040, measured in a direction perpendicular to the head depth plane 1040. Furthermore, the head CG height 184 is measured as an offset distance from the head depth plane 1040 toward the crown 110 or the sole 116 in a direction perpendicular to the head depth plane 1040. In many embodiments, the head CG height 184 is positive when the head CG is located above the head depth plane 1040 (i.e., between the head depth plane 1040 and the crown 110), and the head CG height 184 is negative when the head CG is located below the head depth plane 1040 (i.e., between the head depth plane 1040 and the sole 116). In some embodiments, the absolute value of the head CG height 184 can describe the head CG 180 being located above or below the head depth plane 1040 (i.e., between the head depth plane 1040 and the crown 110, or between the head depth plane 1040 and the sole 116). In many embodiments, the head CG 180 is strategically located toward the sole 116 and rear end 114 of the club head 100 based on various club head parameters such as volume and loft angle, as described below. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the head CG 180 is strategically located toward the sole 116 and rear end 114 of the club head 100 in combination with reducing air resistance.

[0042] The club head 100 may further include a moment of inertia Ixx (i.e., crown-to-sole moment of inertia) about an axis parallel to the X-axis through the club head CG 180, a moment of inertia Iyy (i.e., heel-to-toe moment of inertia) about an axis parallel to the Y-axis through the club head CG 180, and a moment of inertia Izz about an axis parallel to the Z-axis through the club head CG 180. The sum of Ixx, Iyy, and Izz is the total or combined moment of inertia of the golf club head 100. In many embodiments, the crown-to-sole moment of inertia Ixx and the heel-to-toe moment of inertia Iyy are increased or maximized based on various club head parameters, such as volume and loft angle, as described in more detail below. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the crown-to-sole moment of inertia Ixx and the heel-to-toe moment of inertia Iyy are increased or maximized in combination with reduced air resistance.

[0043] Described herein are various embodiments of a golf club head 100 having a movable weight assembly 380. In many embodiments, the golf club head 100 can be a wood-type golf club head (i.e., a driver, a fairway wood, a hybrid).

[0044] B) Driver In some embodiments, golf club head 100 can comprise a driver. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be less than about 16°, less than about 15°, less than about 14°, less than about 13°, less than about 12°, less than about 11°, or less than about 10°. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be greater than about 400 cc, greater than about 425 cc, greater than about 450 cc, greater than about 475 cc, greater than about 500 cc, greater than about 525 cc, greater than about 550 cc, greater than about 575 cc, greater than about 600 cc, greater than about 625 cc, greater than about 650 cc, greater than about 675 cc, or greater than about 700 cc. In some embodiments, the club head volume can be between about 400cc and 600cc, between 425cc and 500cc, between about 500cc and 600cc, between about 500cc and 650cc, between about 550cc and 700cc, between about 600cc and 650cc, between about 600cc and 700cc, or between about 600cc and 800cc.

[0045] C) Fairway Wood In some embodiments, the golf club head may comprise a fairway wood. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the golf club head may be less than about 35°, less than about 34°, less than about 33°, less than about 32°, less than about 31°, or less than about 30°. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head may be greater than about 12°, greater than about 13°, greater than about 14°, greater than about 15°, greater than about 16°, greater than about 17°, greater than about 18°, greater than about 19°, or greater than about 20°. For example, in some embodiments, the loft angle of the club head may be between 12 and 35 degrees, between 15 and 35 degrees, between 20 and 35 degrees, or between 12 and 30 degrees.

[0046] In embodiments where the golf club head comprises a fairway wood, the club head may have a volume of less than about 400cc, less than about 375cc, less than about 350cc, less than about 325cc, less than about 300cc, less than about 275cc, less than about 250cc, less than about 225cc, or less than about 200cc. In these embodiments, the club head may have a volume of between about 160cc and 200cc, between about 160cc and 250cc, between about 160cc and 300cc, between about 160cc and 350cc, between about 160cc and 400cc, between about 300cc and 400cc, between about 325cc and 400cc, between about 350cc and 400cc, between about 250cc and 400cc, between about 250cc and 350cc, or between about 275cc and 375cc.

[0047] D) hybrid In some embodiments, the golf club head can comprise a hybrid. In these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be less than about 40°, less than about 39°, less than about 38°, less than about 37°, less than about 36°, less than about 35°, less than about 34°, less than about 33°, less than about 32°, less than about 31°, or less than about 30°. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the loft angle of the club head can be greater than about 16°, greater than about 17°, greater than about 18°, greater than about 19°, greater than about 20°, greater than about 21°, greater than about 22°, greater than about 23°, greater than about 24°, or greater than about 25°.

[0048] In embodiments where the golf club head comprises a hybrid, the club head has a volume of less than about 200 cc, less than about 175 cc, less than about 160 cc, less than about 125 cc, less than about 100 cc, or less than about 75 cc. In some embodiments, the club head can have a volume of between about 100 cc and 160 cc, between about 75 cc and 160 cc, between about 100 cc and 125 cc, or between about 75 cc and 125 cc.

[0049] In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the strike face 108 of the golf club head 100 can comprise stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, a steel alloy (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), a titanium alloy (e.g., Ti 7-4, Ti 6-4, T-9S), an aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In other embodiments, the golf club head 100 can comprise the same material as the strike face 108. In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 can comprise a different material from the strike face 108.

[0050] II) Golf club head weight assembly 1-7 show an embodiment of a golf club head 100 having a variable weight assembly 380 (also referred to as a weight assembly).

[0051] 1, 2, and 4, the golf club head 100 described above further includes a single slot 240 in the rear portion of the sole 116, and the single slot 240 is a receiving shape for the weight assembly 380. The golf club head 100 does not include multiple slots.

[0052] 4, 5, 6, 7, and 16, the slot 240 in the sole 116 of the golf club head 100 includes a slot inner surface 242 that is approximately perpendicular to the sole 116. The slot inner surface 242 has a slot length 257. The slot 240 has a slot bottom surface 244 that is perpendicular to the slot inner surface 242 and approximately parallel to the sole 116. The slot 240 has a top surface 245 that is perpendicular to the slot inner surface 242 and approximately parallel to the sole 116. The bottom surface 244 of the slot 240 does not extend as far toward the rear of the golf club head 100 as the slot top surface 245. The slot 240 further includes two side walls 246. The two slot side walls 246 are located at the toe and heel ends of the slot inner surface 242. The slot inner surface 242, bottom surface 244, top surface 245, and two side walls 246 define a channel 248 that opens to the rear and bottom of the golf club head 100 such that when the slot 240 receives the weight assembly 380, at least a portion of the outer surface 362 and the lower surface 369 of the weight assembly 380 are both exposed. The outer surface 362 and the lower surface 369 of the weight assembly 380 are not hidden or completely surrounded by the slot bottom surface 244.

[0053] Slot 240 can include between two and six apertures. Slot 240 can include two, three, four, five, or six apertures. In most embodiments, the apertures are evenly spaced, but in some embodiments, the apertures can be unevenly spaced across the inner surface 242 of slot 240. In the exemplary embodiment, slot 240 includes three apertures spaced along the inner surface of slot 242 such that the center of each aperture is between 0.5 inches and 0.6 inches from the adjacent aperture.

[0054] The weight assembly 380 may be positioned and secured within the single slot 240. The position of the weight assembly 380 within the single slot 240 determines the effect that the mass of the weight assembly 380 has on the position of the overall CG 180 of the golf club head 100. Movement of the weight assembly 380 toward the toe 124 or heel 120 of the golf club head 100 moves the CG 180, helping to shape the flight of the golf ball when it is struck by the golf club head 100.

[0055] The single slot 240 may further include at least a central aperture portion 252, a heel aperture portion 254, and a toe aperture portion 256. Each of the apertures includes an attachment point for a weight assembly 380 within the single slot 240. Each of the toe, central, and heel apertures includes a circular cross-section and an aperture center. Each of the toe, central, and heel apertures is threaded to receive a threaded fastener 390.

[0056] The golf club head 100 may further include a shroud 220. The shroud 220 may be part of the sole 116 of the golf club head 100 and may extend across the slot 240. The shroud 220 may include some or all of the bottom surface 244.

[0057] In most embodiments, the shape of the inner surface of slot 242 complements the shape of inner surface 364 of weight member 370. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner surface of slot 242 is convex and complements the concave inner surface 364 of weight member 370.

[0058] The slot length 257 of the slot inner surface 242 can vary between 1.6 inches and 2.0 inches. The slot length 257 can be 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, or 2.0 inches. The slot length 257 of the slot inner surface 242 is 2.0 inches or less.

[0059] Additionally, in some embodiments, slot 240 can include an asymmetrical shape, such that the cross-sectional shape of slot 240 from heel to toe is non-uniform. The shape of slot 240 is essential to the security of the weight assembly within slot 240, as the asymmetrical cross-sectional shape of slot channel 248 allows for three positions for aligning weight assembly 380 with one of heel aperture 254, toe aperture 256, and central aperture 252. Due to the asymmetrical shape of slot 240, weight assembly 380 cannot slide all the way through channel 248. Rather, weight assembly 380 must be removed and placed in one of three alternative positions.

[0060] Additionally, slot 240 may include a height 247 measured from the bottom of slot 244 to sole 116. Here, height 247 of slot 240 is the height of channel 248. In most embodiments, slot 240 may have a variable height 247, which is not consistent in the heel-to-toe direction. The non-uniform height 247 of slot 240 is essential for the security of weight assembly 380 within slot 240 because variable height 247 of channel 248 allows three positions for aligning weight assembly 380 with one of heel-side aperture 254, toe-side aperture 256, and central aperture 252. Due to slot 240's non-uniform height 247, weight assembly 380 cannot slide laterally across channel 248. Rather, weight assembly 380 must be removed and placed in one of three separate positions. This prevents golfers from being presented with unlimited positioning options that could cause confusion when determining golf ball shot formation and flight.

[0061] The variable height 247 of the slot 240 may vary between 0.2 and 0.6 inches. The variable height 247 of the slot 240 can be 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, or 0.6 inches.

[0062] In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 may include a shroud 220, and a portion of the sole 116 of the golf club head may extend over the slot 240. The shroud 220 functions to increase the aerodynamics of the channel 248 and to aid in proper insertion of the weight member 370 into the slot 240. The shroud 220 may have any desired geometric shape to cover a particular portion of the slot or the entire slot 240. In some embodiments, the shroud 220 can cover 5% to 10% of the slots, 10% to 15% of the slots, 15% to 20% of the slots, 20% to 25% of the slots, 25% to 30% of the slots, 30% to 35% of the slots, 35% to 40% of the slots, 40% to 45% of the slots, 45% to 50% of the slots, 50% to 55% of the slots, 55% to 60% of the slots, 60% to 65% of the slots, 65% to 70% of the slots, 70% to 75% of the slots, 75% to 80% of the slots, 80% to 85% of the slots, 85% to 90% of the slots, 90% to 95% of the slots, or 95% to 100% of the slots.

[0063] A) Weight Assembly 6, 7, and 12-14, variable weight assembly 380 (also referred to as a weight assembly) includes a single weight member 370 and a single mechanical fastener 390 (or fastener). Weight member 370 is configured to be disposed within slot 240 of golf club head 100. Weight member 370 includes an outer surface 362, an inner surface 364, a sidewall 366 extending between outer surface 362 and inner surface 364, an upper surface 368, a lower surface 369, and an opening 375 extending through weight member 370 from outer surface 362 to inner surface 364. Opening 375 further includes an opening thread 377 therein. Fastener 390 is retained within weight member 370 by means of opening thread 377 within weight member opening 375 when weight assembly 370 is removed from slot 240. Lower surface 369 of weight member 370 further includes a recess 371 configured to receive slot bottom 244 formed by the extension of sole 116. The extension of sole 116 includes shroud 220. Shroud 220 provides additional stability to weight assembly 380 when weight assembly 380 is threaded into slot 240.

[0064] In some embodiments, two or more weight members 370 may be available for attachment to the golf club head. The two weight members 370 may have different masses. However, only one weight assembly 380 may be secured to the golf club head at a time. More than one weight member 370 or more than one weight assembly 380 may not be secured to the golf club head at a time.

[0065] Weight member 370 can be made from any material, such as metal, polymer (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer), composite material, or any combination thereof. Weight member 370 can also be injection molded with varying amounts of high density material (e.g., metal powder) or materials of varying densities to achieve different masses of rear weight while maintaining the same volume. Injection molded weight members with different densities allow for a wide range of weight members with the same volume and geometry.

[0066] In many embodiments, the weight member has a mass in the range of 14 g to 48 g. In some embodiments, the weight member has a mass in the range of 14 g to 16 g, 16 g to 18 g, 18 g to 20 g, 20.0 g to 22.0 g, 22.0 g to 24.0 g, 24.0 g to 26.0 g, 26.0 g to 28.0 g, 28.0 g to 30.0 g, 30.0 g to 32.0 g, 32.0 g to 34.0 g, 34.0 g to 36.0 g, or 36.0 g to 38.0 g. The mass of the weight assembly can be 14g, 15g, 16g, 17g, 18g, 19g, 20g, 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, 26g, 27g, 28g, 29g, 30g, 31g, 32g, 33g, 34g, 35g, 36g, 37g, 38g, 39g, 40g, 41g, 42g, 43g, 44g, 45g, 46g, 47g, or 48g. In many embodiments, the mass of the weight assembly (weight members and fasteners) ranges from 16 grams to 50 grams. In some embodiments, the mass of the rear weight assembly is in the range of 16g ​​to 18g, 18g to 20g, 20g to 22g, 22.0g to 24.0g, 24.0g to 26.0g, 26.0g to 28.0g, 28.0g to 30.0g, 30.0g to 32.0g, 32.0g to 34.0g, 34.0g to 36.0g, 36.0g to 38.0g, or 38.0g to 40.0g, 40g to 42g, 42g to 44g, 44g to 46g, 46g to 48g, or 48g to 50g. The mass of the weight assembly can be 16g, 17g, 18g, 19g, 20g, 21g, 22g, 23g, 24g, 25g, 26g, 27g, 28g, 29g, 30g, 31g, 32g, 33g, 34g, 35g, 36g, 37g, 38g, 39g, 40g, 41g, 42g, 43g, 44g, 45g, 46g, 47g, 48g, 49g, or 50g.

[0067] The weight member 370 may not have a mass less than 14 grams. The weight assembly may not have a mass less than 16 grams. A lower mass for the weight member 370 or weight assembly 380 would not provide enough mass to affect golf club head performance in a meaningful way, given the movement constraints that the size and location of the slot 240 imposes on the movement of the weight assembly 380.

[0068] 9-11, in the illustrated embodiment, weight member 370 is generally rectangular. In other embodiments, the weight member can include any shape. For example, the shape of the weight member can include a circle, an oval, a triangle, a rectangle, an octagon, or any other polygon or shape that includes at least two curved sides.

[0069] Weight member 370 has a length 374 measured from toe to heel when weight member 370 is secured within slot 240. Weight member 370 has a width 376 measured from front to rear when weight member 370 is secured within slot 240. Weight member 370 has a maximum lateral height 363 measured from sole to crown along weight lateral side 362 when weight member 370 is secured within slot 240. Weight member 370 has a maximum medial height 365 measured from sole to crown along weight medial side 364 when weight member 370 is secured within slot 240. Weight member 370 includes a weight member center of gravity, or CG500. Weight member 370 is configured such that weight member CG500 is within weight member opening 375.

[0070] The weight member length 374 is measured from the toe to the heel along the inner surface 364 of the weight member 370. The weight member length 374 may vary between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches. The weight member length 374 may be 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, or 2.0 inches. The weight member length 374 may be 2.0 inches or less.

[0071] The weight member width 376 may vary between 0.4 inches and 2.0 inches. The weight member width 376 may be 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, or 2.0 inches.

[0072] The maximum outer surface height 363 of the weight member may vary between 0.2 inches and 0.6 inches. The maximum outer surface height 363 may be 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, or 0.6 inches.

[0073] The maximum interior height 365 of the weight member may vary between 0.1 inches and 0.5 inches. The interior height 365 may be 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, or 0.5 inches.

[0074] When the weight assembly 380 is attached to the golf club head 100, the weight member 370 slopes downward from the medial side 364 to the lateral side 362 such that more of the mass of the weight member 370 is distributed toward the rear 128 and sole 116 of the golf club head 100. This further contributes to the rearward and downward movement of the overall CG 180 of the golf club head 100.

[0075] The outer height 363 is greater than the inner height 365, creating a downwardly sloping shape for the weight member 370. A lower slope or angle 373 is defined by the difference between the outer height 363 and the inner height 365. The lower angle 373 may vary from 1° to 30°. The lower angle 373 can be 1°, 2°, 3°, 4°, 5°, 6°, 7°, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, 15°, 16°, 17°, 18°, 19°, 20°, 21°, 22°, 23°, 24°, 25°, 26°, 27°, 28°, 29°, or 30°.

[0076] Weight member 370 further includes a sloping decrease in its maximum height toward each end along weight member length 374. Two sloping shoulders at the weight member's reduced height further help retain weight member 370 within slot 240. As slot height 247 varies asymmetrically, the location within slot 240 at which weight member 370 can be attached has a greater height. The sloping shoulders of weight member 370 allow either end of weight member 370 to fit within slot 240 as variable height 247 of slot 240 decreases around the location at which weight member 370 can be secured. Thus, the sloping shoulders contribute to retention of weight member 370 within slot 240, and are configured to fit within variable height 247 of slot 240.

[0077] B) Adjusting the weight assembly 12 and 13 , when the weight assembly 380 is secured to the golf club head 100 by threading the weight member 370 with the fastener 390 into one of the heel, central, or toe threaded apertures, the weight assembly 380 includes a fastener axis 510. The fastener axis 510 of the weight assembly 380 is an axis passing through the longitudinal center of the fastener 390 when the weight assembly 380 is secured to one of the heel, central, or toe threaded apertures with the fastener 390. When the weight assembly 380 is secured to the heel aperture 254, the fastener axis defines a heel fastener axis 512. When the weight assembly 380 is secured to the central aperture portion 252, the fastener axis defines a central fastener axis 514. When the weight assembly 380 is secured to the toe aperture 256, the fastener axis defines a toe fastener axis 516.

[0078] The inner surface of the slot 242 is convex so that the toe fastener shaft 516 and the heel fastener shaft 512 each extend in a line toward the golf club head front end 112 such that the extended axes intersect. The intersection of the two axes includes a depth from the loft plane 1010. The fastener shaft intersection depth 540 may vary between 2.8 inches and 3.2 inches. The fastener shaft intersection depth 540 may also be 2.8 inches, 2.9 inches, 3.0 inches, 3.1 inches, or 3.2 inches.

[0079] The toe fastener axis 516 and the heel fastener axis 512 form two radial lines at an angle with an apex at the fastener axis intersection 540. The magnitude of the angle between the toe fastener axis 516 and the heel fastener axis 512 includes the separation angle between the two axes. Furthermore, because the toe and heel apertures are the farthest apart apertures in the slot, the two fastener axes are at the maximum separation angle.

[0080] 15 , in the exemplary golf club head, the toe-side aperture 256 and the heel-side aperture 254 are the apertures furthest from each other within the slot 240. The maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 of the toe-side fastener axis 516 and the heel-side fastener axis 512 varies within a range of 40 degrees and 55 degrees. The maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 may be 40 degrees, 41 degrees, 42 degrees, 43 degrees, 44 degrees, 45 degrees, 46 degrees, 47 degrees, 48 ​​degrees, 49 degrees, 50 degrees, 51 degrees, 52 degrees, 53 degrees, 54 degrees, or 55 degrees. In the exemplary golf club head, the maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 is approximately 45 degrees. The relatively small maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 of the toe-side fastener axis 516 and the heel-side fastener axis 512 further demonstrates the compactness of the slot and weight assembly variable weight system.

[0081] Alternatively, the golf club head depth 160 ranges from 3.0 inches to 6.0 inches. Referring to FIG. 15 , the slot support structure depth 412 includes the difference between the total depth 160 of the golf club head 100 and the distance from the loft plane 1010 to the forward-most portion 411 of the slot support structure 410. A line parallel to the Z-axis 1070 that is tangent to the heel-most portion of the slot structure 410 is the heel-side boundary 416 of the slot structure 410. A line parallel to the Z-axis 1070 that is tangent to the toe-most portion of the slot structure 410 is the toe-side boundary 418 of the slot structure 410. The distance between the heel-side boundary 416 and the toe-side boundary 418 is the slot structure length 414.

[0082] The depth 412 of the slot structure may vary from 0.9 inches to 1.2 inches. The length 414 of the slot structure may vary from 2.2 inches to 2.8 inches.

[0083] The depth 412 of the slot structure may be 0.9 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, or 1.2 inches.

[0084] The length 414 of the slot structure may be 2.2 inches, 2.3 inches, 2.4 inches, 2.5 inches, 2.6 inches, 2.7 inches, or 2.8 inches.

[0085] The depth 412 of the slot structure may be 1.2 inches or less. The length 414 of the slot structure may be 2.8 inches or less.

[0086] Due to the limited size of the slot structure 240, the mass of the slot structure 240 is very small compared to the total mass of the golf club head 100. The mass of the slot structure 240 may be less than 7.0% of the total mass of the golf club head 100.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 11 , the slot support structure 410 further includes one or more ribs 420. The one or more ribs 420 are located within the hollow interior of the golf club head 100 and are not visible from the exterior of the golf club head 100. The one or more ribs 420 protrude from and are integrally attached to the inner surface of the slot support structure 410 and the sole 116. The one or more ribs 420 are not attached to or protrude from either of the slot aperture housings 450. The one or more ribs 420 can also strengthen the slot structure to prevent vibration of the slot structure during impact of the golf club head with a golf ball, given the high mass of the weight assembly secured within the slot 240. It is understood that the golf club head 100 is not limited to one support rib and may include multiple ribs 420. The illustrated embodiment shows a generally planar rib 420 extending from front to rear. The one or more ribs 420 can have a geometric shape defined by multiple end points and edges.

[0088] 13 and 14, the weight member center of gravity or CG 500 is located on the fastener axis 510 of the weight assembly 380. Therefore, when the weight assembly 380 is secured in the apertures furthest from each other within the slot 240 (the toe aperture 256 and the heel aperture 254), the weight member centers of gravity or CG 500 at each location are also separated by the maximum angular fastener axis separation 520.

[0089] C) Effect of weight assembly displacement The weight assembly 380 is movable into each of the slotted apertures. Each of the slotted apertures is separated from an adjacent aperture by an aperture separation distance 610. The aperture separation distance 610 may vary from 0.5 inches to 0.6 inches. The aperture separation distance 610 may be 0.5 inches or 0.6 inches. In the exemplary embodiment, the aperture separation distance 610 is 0.6 inches. Moving the weight assembly from the central aperture position 252 to either the toe aperture 256 or the heel aperture 254 moves the significant mass of the weight assembly 380, displacing the overall CG 180 of the golf club head 100.

[0090] In one embodiment, the weight assembly 380 can be configured to set up in a neutral position within the slot 240 of the golf club head 100 to hit a straight golf shot. The fastener 390 is secured within the central aperture 252 of the slot 240. The central placement of the weight member 370 within the slot 240 results in a generally straight ball flight because the center of gravity or CG 180 of the overall golf club head 100 is well balanced.

[0091] In another embodiment, the weight assembly 380 can be configured to be set up in a heel-side position within the slot 240 of the golf club head 100 to hit a fade-type golf shot. The fastener 390 is secured within the heel-side aperture 254 of the slot 240. The heel-side placement of the weight portion 370 within the slot 240 results in a generally left-to-right ball flight (or a right-to-left ball flight for a left-handed golfer) since the entire golf club head CG180 is offset from center toward the heel side 120, 320 of the golf club head 100.

[0092] In another embodiment, the weight assembly 380 can be configured to be set up in a toe position within the slot 240 of the golf club head 100 to hit a draw-type golf shot. The fastener 390 is secured within the toe aperture 256 of the slot 240. The toe-side placement of the weight member 370 within the slot 240 results in a generally right-to-left ball flight (left-to-right ball flight for a right-handed golfer) since the entire golf club head CG180 is offset from center toward the toe side 124, 324 of the golf club head 100.

[0093] Table 1 below shows the position of the golf club head CG 180 when the weight assembly 380 is reconfigured within the slot 240. The golf club head CG 180 is displaced for movement parallel to the X-axis 1050, the Y-axis 1060, and the Z-axis 1070. The differential movement CG 180 in inches parallel to the X-axis is CGx 185, the differential movement in inches parallel to the Y-axis is CGy 186, and the differential movement in inches relative to the Z-axis is CGz 187. The results below are compiled for a 35 gram tungsten weight, a golf club head weight of 199 g, and a reconfiguration (or aperture separation distance 610) of 0.6 inches within the slot 240 relative to the central aperture 252 when the weight assembly 380 is moved to either the heel-side aperture 254 or the toe-side aperture 256. [Table 1]

[0094] Referring to Table 1, as noted above, when the weight member 370 is positioned in either the heel aperture 254 or the toe aperture 256, the movement of CGx is approximately 0.04 inches toward the heel or approximately 0.09 inches toward the toe from the starting center position. However, the movement of CGy and CGz is significantly smaller (less than 0.01 inches and 0.04 inches, respectively). Additionally, the total moment of inertia or MOI reduction of the golf club head 100 is minimized. [Table 2]

[0095] Referring to Table 2 above, the change in total MOI for the same golf club head 100 decreases by a very small amount, 3.4%, when the weight assembly 380 is shifted to the heel aperture 254, and the total golf club head MOI actually increases by 1.7% when the weight assembly is shifted to the toe aperture 256. Therefore, the forgiveness of the golf club head 100 is significantly maintained when the CG 180 of the golf club head 100 is moved to the heel or toe side. [Table 3]

[0096] Referring to Table 3 above, a comparison of similar prior art golf club heads has an 11.0% reduction in total golf club head MOI when the weight assembly is moved to the heel-most position and a 3.4% reduction when the weight assembly is moved to the toe-most position.

[0097] Moving the center of gravity (CG) 180 of the exemplary golf club head 100 toward the heel 120 or toe 124 of the golf club head 100 contributes to creating a fade-biased or draw-biased golf ball flight. Such shot shaping is desirable to help improve a golfer's shots. However, when an adjustable weight system requires a relatively large movement of the adjustable weight throughout the volume of the golf club head, the center of gravity (CG) of the golf club head is moved forward toward the strike face of the golf club head, typically higher in the volume of the golf club head than the sole. Moving the CG toward the strike face and higher in the volume of the club head reduces the compound or total moment of inertia of the golf club head. Reducing the club head MOI is undesirable because it reduces the forgiveness of off-center hits. Therefore, as shown in Table 3, conventional adjustable weight systems force users to choose between shot shaping and forgiveness. Additionally, in conventional adjustable weight systems, larger or more distributed weight port structures are permanently located masses that often offset the effects of moving the adjustable weight member to other locations on the golf club head.

[0098] The weight assembly slot 240 described herein includes three threaded receivers positioned relatively close to one another. The weight member 370 can be positioned in three different positions within the slot 240 to affect straight-line ball flight, right-to-left ball flight, and left-to-right ball flight. The combination of a single, small slot 240 and a single weight member 370 in the rear portion 128 leads to improved CG movement and MOI preservation. This is achieved by constraining the slot 240 to a relatively small arc on the rear portion 128 of the golf club head 100. A smaller maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 provides for less displacement of the weight member 370 toward the heel 120 or toe 124 of the golf club head 100, while a heavier weight member 370 offsets the smaller maximum angular fastener axis separation 520 of the weight member 370, allowing the user to shape the golf ball flight by using a smaller weight member displacement while preserving more total MOI and the tolerances of the golf club head 100.

[0099] The substitution of one or more claimed elements constitutes a rearrangement, not a repair. Furthermore, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may give rise to or make more apparent any benefits, advantages, or solutions should not be construed as key, necessary, or essential features or elements of such claims.

[0100] The Rules of Golf may change from time to time (e.g., new Rules may be adopted, or old Rules may be repealed or modified, by golf's standards bodies and / or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) or the Royal and American Golf Association (R&A)), and golf equipment relating to the devices, methods, and / or articles of manufacture disclosed herein may or may not conform to the Rules of Golf at any given time. Accordingly, golf equipment relating to the devices, methods, and / or articles of manufacture disclosed herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and / or sold as conforming or not conforming to golf equipment. The devices, methods, and / or articles of manufacture disclosed herein are not limited in this respect.

[0101] The above examples may be described in connection with the wood-type golf clubs, devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein, or the devices, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein may be applied to other types of sporting equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.

[0102] Furthermore, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not available to the public under the doctrine of public domain if the embodiment and / or limitation (1) is not explicitly claimed in the claims and (2) is a potential equivalent of an explicit element and / or limitation of the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A golf club head, a crown, a sole, a toe region, a heel region, a rear portion, and a front portion having a strike face; the crown, the sole, the toe region, the heel region, the front portion, and the rear portion define a hollow interior; the strike face further has a strike face geometric center; a loft plane defined tangent to the strike face geometric center; the golf club head defines a coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes that pass through a coordinate system origin located at the strike face geometric center; the x-axis extends from the toe region to the heel region through the strike face geometric center, the y-axis extends along the crown-to-sole direction through the strike face geometric center, and the z-axis extends along the front-to-rear direction through the strike face geometric center; the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are perpendicular to one another; the golf club head further has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the loft plane to a rearmost point of the rear section, and a length measured parallel to the x-axis at a maximum extent between the toe region and the heel region; further comprising a single slot in the rear portion; the single slot has an inner slot surface, a bottom slot surface, a top slot surface, and two side slot walls; the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls cooperate to form a slot channel that opens to the rear portion and the sole of the golf club head; the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls further form a slot structure exposed to the hollow interior; the slot bottom surface does not extend as far toward the rear portion of the golf club head as the slot top surface; The slot inner surface further has three apertures; each of the three apertures having a weight assembly attachment point; any aperture is separated from an adjacent aperture by an aperture separation distance; the aperture separation distance is in the range of 0.5 inches to 0.6 inches (1.27 cm to 1.53 cm); the slot structure further comprises a slot aperture housing for each slot aperture; a slot structure mass is less than 7.0% of the total mass of the golf club head; the slot structure further comprising one or more internal ribs strengthening the slot structure; The golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; the movable weight assembly includes a single weight member and a single fastener; Only one weight member is affixable to the golf club head; Two or more weight members cannot be fixed to the golf club head at the same time; the movable weight assembly is removably fixed to each of the three apertures; The weight member is an inner surface of a weight member configured to fit within the slot; An outer surface of the weight member; An upper surface of the weight member; A lower surface of the weight member; a weight member side wall; a maximum weight member height; a weight member length; the weight member further comprising a tapered decrease in maximum weight member height along the weight member length toward each end; the single fastener is retained within the weight member when the movable weight assembly is removed from the single slot; the movable weight assembly is configured to be removably attached to the single slot in each of the three apertures such that the weight member outer surface is exposed at the rear portion, the weight member lower surface is at least partially exposed at the sole, and the weight member lower surface and outer surface are not hidden or completely enclosed; the single slot has a slot height measured between the slot bottom surface and the slot top surface; the single slot having a slot length measured between the two slot sidewalls; the slot height varies along the slot length; the slot height is reduced at either end of the weight assembly attachment point; The golf club head, wherein the slot height is varied such that the movable weight assembly does not slide along the slot channel but is removed from the golf club head for reattachment to the golf club head at another location.

2. The weight member has a weight member through-opening, the weight member has a weight member center of gravity or weight member CG; The weight member CG is located within the weight member through-opening, the single fastener is received through the weight member through opening; The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the movable weight assembly has a fastener shaft that passes through the length of the single fastener.

3. 3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the movable weight assembly has a mass in the range of 16 grams to 50 grams.

4. the three apertures are a toe-side aperture, a central aperture, and a heel-side aperture; The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the three apertures are weight assembly attachment points.

5. When the movable weight assembly is fixed to the toe side aperture, the movable weight assembly has a toe side fastener shaft; When the movable weight assembly is secured to the central aperture, the movable weight assembly has a central fastener shaft; The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the movable weight assembly has a heel fastener shaft when the movable weight assembly is secured in the heel aperture.

6. the toe-side fastener shaft and the heel-side fastener shaft extend so as to define an intersection point; the toe-side fastener shaft and the heel-side fastener shaft have a separation angle therebetween, with the intersection point as the apex of the angle; 6. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the separation angle is in the range of 40 degrees to 55 degrees.

7. the intersection point defines an intersection point depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the loft plane toward the rear portion; 7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the intersection depth ranges between 2.8 inches and 3.2 inches (2.8 cm and 8.13 cm).

8. the slot structure has a forward-most portion, a toe-most portion, and a heel-most portion; a slot structure depth is defined as the difference between the depth of the golf club head and the distance between the forward-most portion of the slot structure and the loft plane; the depth of said slot structure ranges from 0.9 inches to 1.2 inches (2.29 cm to 3.1 cm); a slot structure toe-side boundary is defined as a line parallel to the z-axis and tangent to the toe-most portion of the slot structure; a slot structure heel-side boundary is defined as a line parallel to the z-axis and tangent to a heel-most portion of the slot structure; a slot structure length is defined as the distance between the slot structure toe-side boundary and the slot structure heel-side boundary; The golf club head of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slot structure length ranges from 2.2 inches to 2.8 inches (5.56 cm to 7.1 cm).

9. the rearward extension of the sole has a shroud; The golf club head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shroud includes at least a portion of the slot bottom surface.

10. 10. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the weight member has a recess configured to receive the bottom surface of the slot.

11. 7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the separation angle is in the range of 40 degrees to 45 degrees.

12. the one or more internal ribs are also integrally attached to the slot interior surface and the sole interior surface; The golf club head of claim 8 , wherein the one or more ribs are not attached to or protrude from any of the slotted aperture housings.

13. the single slot having an asymmetric shape; The golf club head of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the single slot in the heel-to-toe direction is non-uniform.

14. A golf club head, a crown, a sole, a toe region, a heel region, a rear portion, and a front portion having a strike face; the crown, the sole, the toe region, the heel region, the front portion, and the rear portion define a hollow interior; the strike face further has a strike face geometric center; a loft plane defined tangent to the strike face geometric center; the golf club head defines a coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes that pass through a coordinate system origin located at the strike face geometric center; the x-axis extends from the toe region to the heel region through the strike face geometric center, the y-axis extends along the crown-to-sole direction through the strike face geometric center, and the z-axis extends along the front-to-rear direction through the strike face geometric center; the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are perpendicular to one another; the golf club head further has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the loft plane to a rearmost point of the rear section, and a length measured parallel to the x-axis at a maximum extent between the toe region and the heel region; further comprising a single slot in the rear portion; the single slot has an inner slot surface, a bottom slot surface, a top slot surface, and two side slot walls; the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls cooperate to form a slot channel that opens to the rear portion and the sole of the golf club head; the slot bottom surface does not extend as far toward the rear portion of the golf club head as the slot top surface; The slot inner surface further has three apertures; any aperture is separated from an adjacent aperture by an aperture separation distance; the aperture separation distance is in the range of 0.5 inches to 0.6 inches (1.27 cm to 1.53 cm); each of the three apertures having a weight assembly attachment point; a slot structure mass is less than 7.0% of the total mass of the golf club head; the slot structure further comprises one or more internal ribs strengthening said slot structure; The golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; the movable weight assembly includes a single weight member and a single fastener; Only one weight member is affixable to the golf club head; Two or more weight members cannot be fixed to the golf club head at the same time; the weight member lower surface and the weight member outer surface are not hidden or completely surrounded by said slot structure; the weight member has a maximum weight member height and a weight member length; the weight member further comprising a tapered decrease in maximum weight member height along the weight member length toward each end; the single fastener is retained within the weight member when the movable weight assembly is removed from the single slot; the movable weight assembly is removably fixed to each of the three apertures; the single slot has a slot height measured between the slot bottom surface and the slot top surface; the single slot having a slot length measured between the two slot sidewalls; the slot height varies along the slot length; the slot height is reduced at either end of the weight assembly attachment point; The golf club head, wherein the slot height is varied such that the movable weight assembly does not slide along the slot channel but is removed from the golf club head for reattachment to the golf club head at another location.

15. The golf club head of claim 14 , wherein the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot sidewalls further form a slot structure exposed to the hollow interior.

16. the slot structure has a forward-most portion, a toe-most portion, and a heel-most portion; a slot structure depth is defined as the difference between the depth of the golf club head and the distance between the forward-most portion of the slot structure and the loft plane; the depth of said slot structure is in the range of 0.9 inches to 1.0 inches (2.29 cm to 3.1 cm); a slot structure toe-side boundary is defined as a line parallel to the z-axis and tangent to the toe-most portion of the slot structure; a slot structure heel-side boundary is defined as a line parallel to the z-axis and tangent to a heel-most portion of the slot structure; a slot structure length is defined as the distance between the slot structure toe-side boundary and the slot structure heel-side boundary; The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the slot structure length ranges from 2.2 inches to 2.5 inches (5.56 cm to 7.1 cm).

17. the single slot having an asymmetric shape; The golf club head of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the single slot in the heel-to-toe direction is non-uniform.

18. A golf club head, a crown, a sole, a toe region, a heel region, a rear portion, and a front portion having a strike face; the crown, the sole, the toe region, the heel region, the front portion, and the rear portion define a hollow interior; the strike face further has a strike face geometric center; a loft plane defined tangent to the strike face geometric center; the golf club head defines a coordinate system having x-, y-, and z-axes that pass through a coordinate system origin located at the strike face geometric center; the x-axis extends from the toe region to the heel region through the strike face geometric center, the y-axis extends along the crown-to-sole direction through the strike face geometric center, and the z-axis extends along the front-to-rear direction through the strike face geometric center; the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis are perpendicular to one another; the golf club head further has a depth measured parallel to the z-axis from the loft plane to a rearmost point of the rear section, and a length measured parallel to the x-axis at a maximum extent between the toe region and the heel region; further comprising a single slot in the rear portion; the single slot has an inner slot surface, a bottom slot surface, a top slot surface, and two side slot walls; the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls cooperate to form a slot channel that opens to the rear portion and the sole of the golf club head; the slot inner surface, the slot bottom surface, the slot top surface, and the two slot side walls further form a slot structure exposed to the hollow interior; the slot bottom surface does not extend as far toward the rear portion of the golf club head as the slot top surface; The slot inner surface further has three apertures; any aperture is separated from an adjacent aperture by an aperture separation distance; the aperture separation distance is in the range of 0.5 inches to 0.6 inches (1.27 cm to 1.53 cm); each of the three apertures having a weight assembly attachment point; a slot structure mass is less than 7.0% of the total mass of the golf club head; the slot structure further comprising one or more internal ribs strengthening the slot structure; The golf club head further comprises a movable weight assembly; the movable weight assembly includes a single weight member and a single fastener; Only one weight member is affixable to the golf club head; Two or more weight members cannot be fixed to the golf club head at the same time; The weight member lower surface and the weight member outer surface are not hidden or completely enclosed; the movable weight assembly is removably fixed to each of the three apertures; the weight member has a maximum weight member height and a weight member length; the weight member further comprising a tapered decrease in maximum weight member height along the weight member length toward each end; the single fastener is retained within the weight member when the movable weight assembly is removed from the single slot; The weight member has a weight member through-opening, the weight member has a weight member center of gravity or weight member CG; The weight member CG is located within the weight member through-opening, the single fastener is received through the weight member through opening; the movable weight assembly has a fastener shaft passing through the length of the single fastener; the toe-side fastener shaft and the heel-side fastener shaft extend so as to define an intersection point; When the movable weight assembly is fixed to the toe side aperture, the movable weight assembly has the toe side fastener shaft, When the movable weight assembly is fixed to the central aperture, the movable weight assembly has a central fastener shaft, When the movable weight assembly is fixed to the heel side aperture, the movable weight assembly has the heel side fastener shaft, the toe-side fastener shaft and the heel-side fastener shaft have a separation angle therebetween, with the intersection point as the apex of the angle; The separation angle is in the range of 40° to 50°, the single slot further has a slot height measured between the slot bottom surface and the slot top surface; the slot height is reduced at either end of the weight assembly attachment point; the single slot having a slot length measured between the two slot sidewalls; The golf club head, wherein the slot height is varied such that the movable weight assembly does not slide along the slot channel but is removed from the golf club head for reattachment to the golf club head at another location.

19. the single slot having an asymmetric shape; The golf club head of claim 18 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the single slot in the heel-to-toe direction is non-uniform.

Images