Golf club head

Abstract

To provide a golf club head having improved carry performance.SOLUTION: A golf head club S100 comprises a head body 20. The head body 20 comprises: a multilayer structure part 30 including an upper layer member 30a extending in the front-rear direction of the golf head club S100, and a lower layer member 30b extending in the front-rear direction below the upper layer member 30a. The upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b generate a repulsive force by elastically deforming so as to bend in the thickness direction of the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b at the time of hitting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf club head.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which a groove portion is formed in the crown portion of a golf club head to make the crown portion easily bendable, thereby improving the launch angle of a hit ball (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique of Patent Document 1, although the crown portion becomes easily bendable, there remains room for improvement in terms of improving the carry distance performance of the golf club head.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with improved carry distance performance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention is a golf club head including a head body having a face portion attached to the front and being hollow inside, wherein the head body has a multilayer structure portion including an upper layer member extending in the front-rear direction of the golf club head and a lower layer member extending in the front-rear direction below the upper layer member, and the upper layer member and the lower layer member generate a repulsive force by elastically deforming so as to bend in the plate thickness direction of the upper layer member and the lower layer member during hitting.

[0007] The multilayer structure constitutes at least a part of the crown portion of the head body and may be positioned on a center line that passes through the center of the face portion and extends in the front-rear direction of the golf club head when viewed from above.

[0008] The head body has a first multilayer structure and a second multilayer structure as the multilayer structure, and the first multilayer structure and the second multilayer structure may be provided at a front position and a rear position, respectively, of the golf club head.

[0009] The upper layer member is bent so as to be convex upward toward the golf club head, and the lower layer member may be bent so as to be convex upward or downward toward the golf club head.

[0010] The surface of the upper layer member may have lattice-shaped or honeycomb-shaped ribs formed on its surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention provides the effect of offering a golf club head with improved distance performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a view of a golf club head from above. [Figure 2] This is a view of a golf club head from the front. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the golf club head in the vertical direction along the center line CL-X in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the function of the multilayer structure. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically illustrates another example of a multilayer structure. [Figure 6] This diagram schematically illustrates yet another example of a multilayer structure. [Figure 7] This diagram shows specific examples of the components of a golf club head. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of a multilayer structure portion of a golf club head in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modified example of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view of a golf club head S100 seen from the upper surface side. FIG. 2 is a view of the golf club head S100 seen from the front side.

[0014] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf club head S100 in the reference state is shown. The "reference state" means a state in which the golf club head S100 is held at the lie angle and loft angle defined for the head and placed on a horizontal plane. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the golf club head S100 is assumed to be in this reference state.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the center line CL-X is a reference line that extends in the front-rear direction passing through the face center, which is the center of the face portion of the golf club head S100. The center line CL-Y is a reference line that is orthogonal to the center line CL-Y and passes through the center of the golf club head S100 in the front-rear direction.

[0016] [Configuration of Golf Club Head] The golf club head S100 is a wood-type head having a hollow portion. The golf club head S100 includes a face portion 10 and a head body 20 so as to surround the hollow portion.

[0017] One of the features of the golf club head S100 of the present embodiment is that a multilayer structure portion 30 for improving the flight distance performance is provided. The multilayer structure portion 30 will be described later with reference to other drawings.

[0018] The face portion 10 is the part that strikes the ball and is formed on the front surface of the golf club head S100. On the face portion 10, for example, a face line (not shown), which is a groove extending in the toe-heel direction, is formed.

[0019] The head body 20 is a member with a hollow interior, to which the face portion 10 is attached at the front. The head body 20 has a crown portion 21, a sole portion 22, a connecting portion 23, and a hosel portion 24. The head body 20 is made of any one of titanium, titanium alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, stainless steel, tungsten, and carbon, or a combination thereof.

[0020] The crown portion 21 is the part that forms the upper surface of the golf club head S100. The crown portion 21 is formed in a curved surface shape that gently curves in the front-rear direction of the head. The sole portion 22 is, as shown in FIG. 2, the part that forms the bottom surface of the golf club head S100. The sole portion 22 extends from near the lower end of the face portion 10 toward the rear of the head.

[0021] The connecting portion 23 is the part that connects the crown portion 21 and the sole portion 22. The hosel portion 24 is a structural portion to which a shaft (not shown) is connected. For example, a shaft insertion hole is formed.

[0022] [Configuration of the multilayer structure portion 30] The multilayer structure portion 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the golf club head S100 along the center line CL-X of FIG. 1.

[0023] The golf club head S100 of the present embodiment has a multilayer structure portion 30 that constitutes a part of the crown portion 21. Specifically, two multilayer structure portions 30, namely a multilayer structure portion 30A which is the first multilayer structure portion and a multilayer structure portion 30B which is the second multilayer structure portion, are provided.

[0024] Both the multilayer structure 30A and the multilayer structure 30B are, for example, positioned on the center line CL-X. In this example, the multilayer structure 30A is positioned forward of the center line CL-Y, and the multilayer structure 30B is, for example, positioned backward of the center line CL-Y.

[0025] The contour shapes of the multilayer structure 30A and the multilayer structure 30B may be any shape, such as a circle, ellipse, triangle, square, or polygon, but in this embodiment they are triangular. Although the arrangement and shape of the multilayer structure 30A and the multilayer structure 30B differ from each other, their basic structure is the same. Therefore, in the following explanation, the multilayer structure 30A will be used as an example, and redundant explanations of the multilayer structure 30B will be omitted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the multilayer structure 30A (hereinafter referred to as the multilayer structure 30) has an upper layer member 30a, a lower layer member 30b, and a connecting member 30c.

[0027] The materials of the components constituting the multilayer structure 30 are, for example, titanium, titanium alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, stainless steel, tungsten, and carbon, or a combination thereof.

[0028] The upper layer member 30a is a member that extends in the front-rear direction of the golf club head S100. The upper layer member 30a may be a flat plate or a curved plate, but in this embodiment it is a curved plate. The upper layer member 30a is located below the upper surface of the crown portion 21. Specifically, as an example, the upper layer member 30a is bent so as to be convex upwards. More specifically, the upper layer member 30a is arranged in such a manner that it is generally parallel to the upper surface of the crown portion 21. The contour of the upper layer member 30a is triangular, as shown in Figure 1.

[0029] The lower layer member 30b, like the upper layer member 30a, extends in the front-to-back direction of the golf club head S100. The lower layer member 30b is located below the upper layer member 30a with a predetermined gap between them. The lower layer member 30b is also, for example, a curved plate. Specifically, the lower layer member 30b is gently curved so as to become convex upwards, similar to the upper layer member 30a.

[0030] The lower layer member 30b, like the upper layer member 30a, is formed in a triangular contour shape, for example. The lower layer member 30b may be the same size as the upper layer member 30a, or it may be smaller than the upper layer member 30a.

[0031] In this embodiment, the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b are arranged such that, as an example, the distance between them is constant. The thickness of the upper layer member 30a and the thickness of the lower layer member 30b may be different, but in this embodiment, as an example, they are the same.

[0032] The connecting member 30c is a member that connects the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b. The upper end of the connecting member 30c is connected to the crown portion 21. Specifically, the connecting member 30c extends in the vertical direction as shown in Figure 3. The upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b do not need to extend strictly along the vertical direction. For example, in the cross-section shown in Figure 3, the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b may be inclined such that the distance between them gradually decreases as you move downward from the crown portion 21.

[0033] The contour shape of the connecting member 30c (shape when viewed from the top side of the golf club head S100) is such that it surrounds the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b, and specifically, in this embodiment, it is formed in a triangular shape. The connecting member 30c may be formed integrally with the members constituting the crown portion 21. Alternatively, the connecting member 30c may be formed separately from the crown portion 21 and fixed to the crown portion 21.

[0034] The multilayer structure 30 has a three-dimensional shape including an upper layer member 30a, a lower layer member 30b, and a connecting member 30c, as described above. The space formed by the upper layer member 30a, the lower layer member 30b, and the connecting member 30c may be a sealed space or an open space. The multilayer structure 30 may be formed, for example, by a 3D printer. In this case, the upper layer member 30a, the lower layer member 30b, and the connecting member 30c are formed as a seamless, integrated structure.

[0035] (Function of the multilayer structure 30) The function of the multilayer structure 30 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the function of the multilayer structure 30, where Figure 4(a) is an enlarged view of the multilayer structure 30 and Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing the deformation when the ball is struck.

[0036] When the ball is struck, the multilayer structure 30 changes from the state shown in Figure 4(a) to Figure 4(b). In the state shown in Figure 4(b), a force is applied to the multilayer structure 30 from the front to the back of the head, as indicated by the white arrows. As a result, the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b undergo elastic deformation, bending in the thickness direction of the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b (up and down direction in the figure). This elastic bending of the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b generates a repulsive force in the direction along the front-to-back direction of the golf club head S100.

[0037] This rebound force is transmitted to the face portion 10 via the crown portion 21 and then to the ball, increasing the distance the ball travels.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates the multilayer structure 30A located on the front side of the golf club head S100, but the multilayer structure 30B on the rear side of the golf club head S100 also generates repulsive force using a mechanism similar to that of the multilayer structure 30A.

[0039] [Effects of the S100 golf club head] As described above, the golf club head S100 of this embodiment has a multilayer structure 30 including an upper layer member 30a and a lower layer member 30b. The upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b elastically deform to bend in the thickness direction when struck, thereby generating a rebound force. With this configuration, the rebound force is transmitted from the multilayer structure 30 to the ball, thereby improving the distance performance of the golf club head S100.

[0040] In this embodiment, the multilayer structure 30 is also located on the center line CL-X in a top view of the golf club head S100. When the multilayer structure 30 is located along the center line CL-X in this way, the distance the ball travels when the batter hits the ball at the center of the clubface can be effectively improved.

[0041] In this embodiment, since the multilayer structure 30A and the multilayer structure 30B are located on the center line CL-X, the combined action of the two multilayer structures 30 can more effectively improve flight distance performance.

[0042] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the specific shapes and configurations described above. For example, the crown portion 21 may have only one of the multilayer structure portion 30A and the multilayer structure portion 30B. In addition, the crown portion 21 may have one or more other multilayer structure portions 30 in addition to the multilayer structure portions 30A and the multilayer structure portion 30B. One or more multilayer structure portions 30 may be provided on the sole portion 22.

[0043] In Figure 3, the upper layer member 30a and the lower layer member 30b are positioned one level lower than the top surface of the crown portion 21, but these members may be positioned at a higher level. For example, the upper layer member 30a may be positioned at approximately the same height as the top surface of the crown portion 21.

[0044] <Example 1> Figure 5 schematically shows another example of the multilayer structure 30. As shown in Figure 5(a), the multilayer structure 30C of the golf club head has, for example, a rectangular contour shape. The multilayer structure 30D in Figure 5(b) has, for example, an elliptical contour shape. Thus, the contour shape of the multilayer structure is arbitrary. Even with such a configuration, as in the above embodiment, as long as the multilayer structure has a structure in which the upper layer member and the lower layer member bend when the ball is struck and generate a rebound force, the distance performance of the golf club head can be improved.

[0045] <Modification 2> Figure 6 schematically shows yet another example of the multilayer structure 30. The multilayer structure 30E in Figure 6(a) all have a flat upper member 31a and a lower member 31b. The upper member 31a and the lower member 31b are, for example, parallel to each other. In this example, the upper member 31a and the lower member 31b are slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Specifically, the upper member 31a and the lower member 31b are arranged so that the front side is higher than the rear side.

[0046] The multilayer structure 30F in Figure 6(b) each has a bent upper member 32a and a lower member 32b. In this example, the upper member 32a is bent so as to be convex upwards, and the lower member 32b is bent so as to be convex downwards. In the illustrated example, the upper member 32a and the lower member 32b are separated in the vertical direction, but they may be arranged in close proximity to each other, for example, with their ends touching.

[0047] The multilayer structure 30G in Figure 6(c) has a bent upper layer member 33a and a flat lower layer member 33b. For example, the upper layer member 33a has the same shape as the lower layer member 32b in Figure 6(b), and the lower layer member 33b has the same shape as the upper layer member 31a in Figure 6(a).

[0048] In each configuration shown in Figure 6, the upper and lower layers elastically deform to bend when the ball is struck, generating a rebound force, thereby improving the distance performance of the golf club head. In configurations such as those shown in Figure 6(b) and Figure 6(c), for example, both ends of the upper layer and both ends of the lower layer may be connected to each other, eliminating the need for a connecting member to link the two layers.

[0049] <Variation 3> Figure 7 shows a specific example of the configuration of a golf club head. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the multilayer structure of the golf club head S110 shown in Figure 7.

[0050] In the golf club head S110 shown in Figures 7 and 8, the crown portion 121 has a multilayer structure portion 130A on the front side of the head, a multilayer structure portion 130B on the rear side of the head, a rigid portion 121a, a lateral region portion 121b-1, and a lateral region portion 121b-2.

[0051] Since the multilayer structure 130A and multilayer structure 130B have the same basic configuration as the multilayer structure 30A and multilayer structure 30B in the configuration of Figure 1, redundant explanations will be omitted. As shown in Figure 8, the multilayer structure 130A (hereinafter referred to as multilayer structure 130) has an upper layer member 130a and a lower layer member 130b, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0052] In this example, the upper layer member 130a has a plate-like portion 132 and ribs 133 formed on its upper surface. The plate-like portion 132 and the ribs 133 are formed integrally as an example. Specifically, the plate-like portion 132 and the ribs 133 are formed integrally by a 3D printer. In this example, the ribs 133 have a honeycomb shape. Although not shown, the ribs 133 may also have a lattice shape.

[0053] As shown in the example in Figure 7, the rigidity of the upper layer member 130a is improved by forming ribs 133 on the upper layer member 130a. Since the upper layer member 130a is a component that generates rebound force by bending when the ball is struck, the shape of the ribs 133 is designed so as not to impair this function.

[0054] In this example, the rigid portion 121a is a portion formed in an X shape when viewed from above, and is formed to have higher bending rigidity than the other parts of the crown portion 121. The lateral regions 121b-1 and 121b-2 are provided on the toe side and heel side of the head, respectively. The lateral regions 121b-1 and 121b-2 do not have a structure in which multiple members are arranged vertically, as in the multilayer structure portion 30, but rather, as an example, have a structure in which honeycomb-shaped ribs are formed on a single curved plate material.

[0055] <Modification 4> Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a golf club head according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the multilayer structure is formed on a part of the crown portion 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 9(a), the multilayer structure 230 may be formed on the entire surface of the crown portion 21 of the golf club head. Note that Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the multilayer structure 230, and the position and extent of the multilayer structure 230 relative to the entire golf club head can be changed as appropriate. Thus, even with a configuration in which the multilayer structure 230 is formed on at least a part of the crown portion 21, the same effects as described above can be achieved.

[0056] The multilayer structure 230 has an upper layer member 231 and a lower layer member 232, which are supported, for example, by a connecting member 233. Since the technical concepts related to other upper layer members, lower layer members, and connecting members described herein can be applied to the upper layer member 231, the lower layer member 232, and the connecting member 233, redundant explanations are omitted. The same applies to the upper layer member 241 and the lower layer member 242, which will be described later.

[0057] In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the multilayer structure was formed in the crown portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 9(b), the multilayer structure 240 may be provided at any position in the internal space of the golf club head. The multilayer structure 240 does not necessarily have to be provided in the crown portion 21.

[0058] The multilayer structure 240 has an upper layer member 241 and a lower layer member 242, which are supported by, for example, a connecting member 243. In the cross-sectional view of Figure 9, a first connecting member 243 on the front side of the head and a second connecting member 243 on the rear side are shown. Both connecting members 243 extend vertically to connect, for example, the crown portion 21 and the sole portion 22.

[0059] In the configuration shown in Figure 9(b), the multilayer structure 240 is not limited to one; multiple multilayer structures 240 may be arranged in the internal space of the golf club head. For example, one or more multilayer structures 240 may be provided in the crown portion 21, and another one or more multilayer structures 240 may be provided in the sole portion 22.

[0060] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0061] 10 Face section 20 Head Body 21 Crown section 22 Sole 23 Connection part 24 Hosel section 30 Multilayer structure part 30a Upper layer member 30b Lower layer member 30c connecting member 30A multilayer structure section 30B Multilayer structure part 30C Multilayer structure part 30D multilayer structure 30E Multilayer structure part 30F multilayer structure section 30G multilayer structure 31a Upper layer member 31b Lower layer member 32a Upper layer member 32b Lower layer member 33a Upper layer member 33b Lower layer member 121a Rigid part 121b-1 Lateral area 121b-2 Lateral area 130 Multilayer structure part 130a Upper layer member 130b Lower layer member 130A Multilayer structure part 130B Multilayer structure part 132 Plate-like part 133 Rib 230 Multilayer structure part 231 Upper layer member 232 Lower layer member 233 Connecting Member 240 Multilayer structure part 241 Upper layer member 242 Lower layer member 243 Connecting Member CL-X center line CL-Y center line S100 Golf Club Head S110 Golf Club Head

Claims

1. A golf club head having a head body with a face attached to the front and a hollow interior, The head body is, The golf club head has a multilayer structure comprising an upper layer member extending in the front-rear direction, and a lower layer member extending in the front-rear direction below the upper layer member, the lower layer member being located below the upper layer member with a predetermined gap between them, The upper and lower members generate a repulsive force when struck by elastically deforming so as to bend in the thickness direction of the upper and lower members. Golf club head.

2. The aforementioned multilayer structure is It constitutes at least a part of the crown portion of the head body, In a top view of the golf club head, the following are positioned on a center line that passes through the center of the face and extends in the front-to-back direction of the golf club head: The golf club head according to claim 1.

3. The head body is, The multilayer structure comprises a first multilayer structure and a second multilayer structure. The first multilayer structure and the second multilayer structure are provided at the front and rear positions of the golf club head, respectively. The golf club head according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The upper layer member is bent so as to be convex upward toward the golf club head. The lower layer member is bent so as to be convex upward or downward toward the golf club head. The golf club head according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The surface of the upper layer member has lattice-shaped or honeycomb-shaped ribs formed thereon. The golf club head according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Further comprising a connecting member for connecting the upper layer member and the lower layer member, The connecting member has its upper end connected to the crown portion of the head body and is formed to extend in the vertical direction of the golf club head. The golf club head according to claim 1.

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