Wood type golf club head

Abstract

To provide a wood type golf club head that can easily improve directivity of a hit ball.SOLUTION: A wood type golf club head 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a head body 1 having a face part 2 having a face surface 2a, and a crown part 3 extending rearward from an upper edge of the face part 2. The head body 1 has a protrusion part 7 protruding upward from an upper surface of the crown part 3, and long in a front-rear direction. An extending direction of the protrusion part 7 is a direction orthogonal to the face surface 2a in a planar view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wood-type golf club head. [Background technology]

[0002] It is desirable for a wood-type golf club head to be able to hit a ball a long distance. In order to increase the ball's distance, it is effective to hit the ball with the center of the face. From this perspective, it has been proposed to provide a mark on the crown portion indicating the center of the face so that the center of the face can be identified when hitting (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2001-508333 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes providing a mark 120 in a portion located above the center of the face (see FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1). This mark 120 has a point 122 and a semicircular line 123 extending in a semicircular shape around point 122. Patent Document 1 also describes that providing mark 120 in the crown portion makes it easier for the player to hit the ball near the center of the face.

[0005] On the other hand, wood-type golf club heads are desired to be able to hit the ball in the desired direction. To hit the ball in the desired direction, it is effective to swing in the direction you want the ball to fly. To achieve this, it is necessary to be able to align the head body with the target line with high precision.

[0006] However, with the conventional markings such as those described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to identify the center of the face surface, it is difficult to improve the accuracy of alignment.

[0007] The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wood-type golf club head that can easily improve the directionality of a hit ball. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A wood-type golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a head body having a face portion with a face surface and a crown portion extending rearward from the upper edge of the face portion, the head body having a protrusion portion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion and is long in the front-to-rear direction, the extension direction of the protrusion portion being perpendicular to the face surface in a plan view.

[0009] The upper edge of the protrusion is preferably linear and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and the upper edge is preferably positioned horizontally when the head body is positioned to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle.

[0010] The radius of curvature of the upper surface of the crown portion where the protrusion is disposed is preferably 200 mm or less.

[0011] The distance between the protrusion and the face in the front-rear direction is preferably 5 mm or more and 12 mm or less.

[0012] The height of the protrusion may decrease gradually from the front to the rear.

[0013] The maximum height of the protrusions is preferably 4 mm or more.

[0014] The upper part of the protrusion has a flat portion, which is horizontal when the head body is positioned to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle, and which has a straight side extending in the extension direction of the protrusion.

[0015] The length of the protrusion in the front-rear direction is preferably 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and the width of the protrusion is preferably 0.6 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

[0016] The protrusion may be disposed rearward of a center of the face surface in a toe-heel direction.

[0017] In the present invention, "front" refers to the side from which the golf ball is hit, and "rear" refers to the opposite side. "Front-to-rear direction" refers to the front-to-rear direction (the direction perpendicular to the vertical plane including the central axis of the shaft) when the head body is placed on a horizontal plane to achieve a predetermined lie angle and loft angle (specific to the head body). "Toe-heel direction" refers to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction when the head body is placed on a horizontal plane to achieve a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. "The center of the face surface in the toe-heel direction" refers to an area having a width of 5 mm on each of the toe and heel sides, based on the center point in the toe-heel direction, with the toe-side and heel-side end points of the face surface as both ends. "The extension direction of the protrusion is perpendicular to the face surface in a plan view" means that a tangent that can be drawn at the center of the face surface in the toe-heel direction is perpendicular to the extension direction of the protrusion in a plan view. "Horizontal" is most preferably horizontal in the strict sense, but also includes a configuration inclined within a range of 3° or less from horizontal in the strict sense. "The radius of curvature of the upper surface of the crown portion in the area where the protrusion is located" means the radius of curvature in the direction along the front-to-back direction of the upper surface of the crown portion, which is obtained from a virtual curved surface extending the curved surface in the vicinity where the protrusion is located. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] In a wood-type golf club head according to one aspect of the present invention, the head body has a protrusion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The protrusion extends perpendicular to the face surface in a plan view, allowing the head body to be aligned with the target line with high precision. More specifically, since the upper surface of the crown portion of a wood-type golf club head is curved, if a mark is provided on the upper surface of the crown portion as described in Patent Document 1, the mark is curved in three dimensions, making it difficult to recognize the normal direction of the face surface. In contrast, in this wood-type golf club head, the protrusion protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion so that the extension direction of the protrusion can be recognized regardless of the viewing direction. Therefore, the head body can be aligned with the target line with high precision. As a result, the directionality of a hit ball can be easily improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a wood-type golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the wood-type golf club head of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the wood-type golf club head of FIG. 1 as viewed from the toe side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a protrusion of the wood golf club head of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a protrusion of the wood golf club head of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a first modified example of the protrusion of the wood golf club head of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a second modified example of the protrusion of the wood golf club head of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that with respect to the numerical values ​​described in this specification, it is possible to adopt only one of the stated upper and lower limit values, or to arbitrarily combine the upper and lower limit values.

[0021] [First embodiment] <Wood-type golf club head> The wood-type golf club head 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a head body 1 having a face portion 2 with a face surface 2a and a crown portion 3 extending rearward from the upper edge of the face portion 2. The head body 1 also has a sole portion 4 extending rearward from the lower edge of the face portion 2, side portions 5 extending rearward from the toe-side and heel-side edges of the face portion 2 and positioned between the crown portion 3 and the sole portion 4, and a shaft attachment portion 6 to which a shaft is attached. The head body 1 also has a protrusion 7 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion 3 and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The face surface 2a forms the front surface of the face portion 2. The face surface 2a forms the striking surface of the wood-type golf club head 10. The extension direction of the protrusion 7 is perpendicular to the face surface 2a in a plan view.

[0022] The head body 1 is, for example, hollow. The material of the head body 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metals and alloys containing titanium, stainless steel, maraging steel, aluminum, magnesium, etc. as a main component. The head body 1 can also be made of fiber-reinforced resins such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0023] The wood-type golf club head 10 is used as, for example, a driver, a utility, a fairway wood, etc. Among these, the wood-type golf club head 10 is preferably used as a driver.

[0024] (protrusion) The protrusion 7 may be formed integrally with the crown portion 3, or may be formed separately from the crown portion 3 and fixed to the upper surface of the crown portion 3. Details of the protrusion 7 will be described below with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0025] The protrusion 7 is preferably provided close to the face surface 2a. By providing the protrusion 7 close to the face surface 2a, it becomes easier for the player to recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a. As a result, it becomes easier to improve the directionality of the hit ball.

[0026] The upper limit of the distance D (see FIG. 2) between the protrusion 7 and the face surface 2a in the front-to-rear direction is preferably 12 mm, more preferably 10 mm. If the distance D exceeds the upper limit, it may be difficult for the player to recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a. On the other hand, the lower limit of the distance D can be set to 5 mm from the viewpoint of improving the appearance of the head body 1.

[0027] The protrusion 7 has an upper edge 7a extending in the front-to-rear direction. The upper edge 7a is linear. The upper edge 7a is horizontally positioned when the head body 1 is positioned to achieve a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. In the wood-type golf club head 10, the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7 extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction and is horizontally positioned when the head body 1 is positioned to achieve a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. This makes it easy to use the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7 as an alignment mark. In other words, the lie angle of a golf club head at address can vary depending on the player's height and posture. In contrast, because the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7 is horizontal and extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction, the upper edge 7a is positioned at the same height in the front-to-rear direction, regardless of the lie angle at address, and with the front-to-rear direction as its major axis. Therefore, even when the top surface of the crown portion 3 is three-dimensionally curved, the protrusion 7 can easily improve alignment accuracy.

[0028] A flat surface 7b is provided on the top of the protrusion 7. In the wood-type golf club head 10, the flat surface 7b is located on the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7. In other words, the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7 is formed by the flat surface 7b. Therefore, the length of the flat surface 7b in the front-to-rear direction is equal to the length of the upper edge 7a in the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] The flat surface 7b is horizontal when the head main body 1 is positioned to achieve a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the flat surface 7b has straight sides 7c extending in the direction in which the protrusion 7 extends. More specifically, the flat surface 7b is rectangular with its longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction, and has a pair of sides 7c extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. The wood-type golf club head 10 has a flat surface 7b with a constant width above the protrusion 7. This allows the flat surface 7b to function as an alignment mark. Furthermore, since the flat surface 7b has sides 7c, the outer edge of the flat surface 7b can be easily recognized, making it easier for the flat surface 7b to function as an alignment mark.

[0030] The protrusion 7 has an edge extending in the front-to-rear direction. In this embodiment, this edge is formed by the side 7c of the flat portion 7b. Therefore, the edge is located at the upper end of the protrusion 7. The length of the edge is equal to the length of the upper edge 7a. In the wood-type golf club head 10, the edge is provided on the protrusion 7, which makes it easy for the player to recognize the extension direction of the protrusion 7.

[0031] The protrusion 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the lower surface thereof cut out to match the upper surface of the crown portion 3. Therefore, the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7 extends to both ends of the protrusion 7 in the front-to-rear direction. The width of the protrusion 7 is uniform.

[0032] The lower limit of the front-to-rear length L of the protrusion 7 (i.e., the front-to-rear length of the upper edge 7a in this embodiment) is preferably 10 mm, more preferably 15 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the front-to-rear length L is preferably 50 mm, more preferably 40 mm. If the front-to-rear length L is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult for the protrusion 7 to function as an alignment mark. Conversely, if the front-to-rear length L exceeds the upper limit, the effect of improving the function of the protrusion 7 as an alignment mark may not be obtained, or the protrusion 7 may make the head body 1 heavy.

[0033] The lower limit of the width W of the protrusion 7 (i.e., the width of the flat portion 7b in this embodiment) is preferably 0.6 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the width W is preferably 8 mm, more preferably 5 mm. If the width W is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult for the player to recognize the protrusion 7. Conversely, if the width W exceeds the upper limit, it may be difficult for the protrusion 7 to function as an alignment mark.

[0034] The lower limit of the ratio L / W of the front-to-rear length L of the protrusion 7 to the width W (i.e., in this embodiment, the ratio of the front-to-rear length of the upper edge 7a to the width of the flat portion 7b) is preferably 5, and more preferably 7. On the other hand, the upper limit of the ratio L / W is preferably 50, and more preferably 20. If the ratio L / W is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult for the protrusion 7 to function as an alignment mark. Conversely, if the ratio L / W exceeds the upper limit, the front-to-rear length L of the protrusion 7 may be larger than necessary, or the width W of the protrusion 7 may be too small, making it difficult for the player to recognize the protrusion 7.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the height of the protrusion 7 gradually decreases from the front to the rear. This configuration of the protrusion 7 makes it easier for the player to recognize the upper edge 7a of the protrusion 7, which is closer to the face surface 2a. This allows the player to more easily recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a. As a result, the protrusion 7 can more easily function as an alignment mark.

[0036] The lower limit of the maximum height H of the protrusion 7 is preferably 4 mm, and more preferably 4.5 mm. If the maximum height H is less than the lower limit, it may be difficult for the player to recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a. The upper limit of the maximum height H is not particularly limited, but can be set based on the Rules of Golf, for example, 6.35 mm.

[0037] The upper limit of the radius of curvature (maximum radius of curvature) of the upper surface of the crown portion 3 where the protrusion 7 is located is preferably 200 mm, and more preferably 180 mm. If the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the crown portion 3 is equal to or less than the upper limit, it would be difficult to grasp the normal direction of the face surface 2a due to the curved shape of the crown portion 3 if the protrusion 7 were not present. In contrast, the wood-type golf club head 10 has the protrusion 7 on the upper surface of the crown portion 3, which allows the player to easily recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a. In the wood-type golf club head 10, since the protrusion 7 allows the player to recognize the normal direction of the face surface 2a, the lower limit of the radius of curvature is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 130 mm.

[0038] The position of the protrusion 7 in the toe-heel direction is not particularly limited. Therefore, the protrusion 7 may be positioned, for example, behind the toe side or heel side of the face 2a. However, it is preferable that the protrusion 7 be positioned behind the center of the face 2a in the toe-heel direction. By positioning the protrusion 7 in this manner, the player can recognize the center of the face 2a in the toe-heel direction. As a result, it becomes easier for the player to hit the ball at the center of the face 2a.

[0039] <Advantages> In the wood-type golf club head 10, the head main body 1 has a protrusion 7 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion 3 and is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. The extension direction of the protrusion 7 is perpendicular to the face surface 2a in a plan view, so the head main body 1 can be aligned with the target line with high precision. More specifically, since the upper surface of the crown portion of a wood-type golf club head is curved, if a mark is provided on the upper surface of the crown portion as described in Patent Document 1, the mark will be curved in three dimensions, making it difficult to recognize the normal direction to the face surface. In contrast, in the wood-type golf club head 10, the protrusion 7 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion 3 so that the extension direction of the protrusion 7 can be recognized regardless of the viewing direction. Therefore, the head main body 1 can be aligned with the target line with high precision. As a result, the directionality of hits can be easily improved.

[0040] [Other embodiments] The above-described embodiments do not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiments may include omissions, substitutions, or additions of components based on the description in this specification and common general technical knowledge, and all of these should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0041] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the upper edge of the protrusion is a flat portion has been described. However, the wood-type golf club head may also be configured without the flat portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper edge 17a of the protrusion 17 of the wood-type golf club head may be arched. In FIG. 6, the upper edge 17a of the protrusion 17 is curved so as to be convex upward. The upper edge 17a of the protrusion 17 is linear and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, this upper edge 17a is positioned horizontally when the head body is positioned to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. Even with this configuration, the wood-type golf club head can accurately align the head body with the target line.

[0042] 7, the upper edge 27a of the protrusion 27 of the wood-type golf club head may protrude upward in a V-shape. In FIG. 7, the upper edge 27a of the protrusion 27 is pointed upward at an acute angle. The upper edge 27a of the protrusion 27 is linear and extends in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, this upper edge 27a is positioned horizontally when the head body is positioned to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle. Furthermore, this upper edge 27a has a linear side (edge) extending in the extension direction of the protrusion 27. With this configuration, the wood-type golf club head can also accurately align the head body with the target line.

[0043] Furthermore, even if the wood-type golf club head has the flat portion on the top of the protrusion, the flat portion may be provided in a portion other than the upper edge of the protrusion. For example, in the configuration of Figure 6 or Figure 7, the flat portion may be located near the upper edge 17a, 27a, with a step from the upper edge 17a, 27a.

[0044] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which one protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the crown portion has been described. However, the wood-type golf club head may have two or more protrusions on the upper surface of the crown portion.

[0045] As described in the above embodiment, the upper edge of the protrusion is preferably linear and extends in the front-to-rear direction. However, in the wood-type golf club head, as long as the protrusion itself is elongated in the front-to-rear direction, the upper edge of the protrusion may be, for example, partially or entirely serpentine.

[0046] The protrusion may have a portion whose height increases from the front to the rear. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] As described above, a wood-type golf club head according to one aspect of the present invention is suitable for aligning the head body with respect to the target line with high precision. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Head body 2 Face section 2a Face 3 Crown 4 Sole 5 Side part 6 Shaft mounting part 7, 17, 27 Protrusion 7a, 17a, 27a upper edge 7b Plane part 7c side 10 Wood type golf club head D Distance between the protrusion and the face in the front-to-back direction H Maximum height of protrusion L Length of the protrusion in the front-to-rear direction W Width of the protrusion

Claims

1. a head body having a face portion having a face surface and a crown portion extending rearward from an upper edge of the face portion; the head body has a protrusion that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the crown portion and is elongated in the front-rear direction, an extending direction of the protrusion is a direction perpendicular to the face surface in a plan view, an upper edge of the protrusion is linear and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and the upper edge is horizontally disposed in a state where the head body is disposed so as to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle; A wood-type golf club head in which the upper surface of the crown portion where the protrusion is located is curved, and the height of the protrusion gradually decreases from the front to the rear.

2. 2. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the crown portion where the protrusion is located is 200 mm or less.

3. 3. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the protrusion and the face in the front-rear direction is 5 mm or more and 12 mm or less.

4. 4. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the maximum height of the protrusion is 4 mm or more.

5. The protrusion has a flat portion on the top thereof, 5. A wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the flat surface is horizontal when the head body is positioned to have a predetermined lie angle and loft angle, and has a straight side extending in the extension direction of the protrusion.

6. 6. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the length of the protrusion in the front-rear direction is 10 mm or more and 50 mm or less, and the width of the protrusion is 0.6 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

7. 7. The wood-type golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is disposed rearward of a center portion of the face surface in a toe-heel direction.

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