Golf club head with energy storage properties

Abstract

To provide a golf club head having energy storage characteristics.SOLUTION: In some embodiments, a golf club head includes a hollow body having a hitting surface, a heel region, a toe region opposed to the heel region, a sole, a crown, and a cavity arranged behind the hitting surface of the club head and on the sole of the club head. In many embodiments, the cavity includes a front surface and a rear surface, at least part of the front surface extending toward the hitting surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (Cross-Reference to Related Applications) This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 920,484, filed October 22, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 206,152, filed August 17, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 131,739, filed March 11, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 105,460, filed January 20, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 105,464, filed January 20, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 068,232, filed October 24, 2014. This application further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 295,565, filed February 16, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 313,215, filed March 25, 2016. The entire contents of all the above-described disclosures are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to golf club heads having energy storage characteristics. [Background Art]

[0003] Golf club manufacturers design golf club heads to reduce stress on the striking face of the golf club head. In many instances, these designs prevent the crown of the golf club head from flexing toward the sole. Furthermore, these designs are configured such that the peak bending position of the golf club head, resulting from impact with a golf ball, does not change, and no additional spring energy is stored. Additional spring energy allows for increased ball speed across the entire striking face.

[0004] To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] This shows a perspective view of the front crown side of a golf club head according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] The golf club head shown in Figure 1 is aligned with the cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This shows a partial view of a golf club head similar to the one in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to the cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1, according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] This shows a partial view of a golf club head similar to the one in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to the cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1, according to another embodiment. [Figure 5] This shows a partial view of a golf club head similar to the one in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to the cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1, according to another embodiment. [Figure 6] This shows a partial view of a golf club head similar to the one in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to the cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1, according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] This shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club similar to the golf club head in Figure 1, along a similar cross-sectional line VII-VII in Figure 1 according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 4 shows a partial view of a golf club head similar to the golf club head in the embodiment, as well as a view of the same area of ​​a standard golf club head. [Figure 9] A method for manufacturing a golf club head according to an embodiment of the method is shown. [Figure 10] This shows a rear toe-side perspective view of a golf club head according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 10 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head along the cross-sectional line XII-XII in Figure 10. [Figure 13] Figure 12 shows a partial view of a golf club head and a view of the same area of ​​a standard golf club head. [Figure 14]The following shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head similar to the one in Figure 10, along a similar cross-sectional line XII-XII in Figure 10, according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] A rear toe-side perspective view of a golf club according to another embodiment is shown. [Figure 16] Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head along the cross-sectional line XVI-XVI in Figure 15. [Figure 17] A flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a golf club head according to another embodiment of the method is shown. [Figure 18] A front perspective view of a golf club according to another embodiment is shown. [Figure 19] The results of testing the golf club head shown in Figure 14, according to another embodiment, are shown. [Figure 20] The results of testing the golf club head shown in Figure 14, according to another embodiment, are shown. [Figure 21] Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club head. [Figure 22] An exemplary rear perspective view of a golf club head according to another embodiment is shown. [Figure 23] Figure 22 shows a cross-sectional view of an example golf club head. [Figure 23A] Figure 23 shows a magnified view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of an example golf club head. [Figure 24] Figure 22 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary golf club head according to the embodiment. [Figure 24A] Figure 24 shows a magnified view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of an example golf club head. [Figure 25] Figure 22 shows a cross-sectional view of another exemplary golf club head according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] Figure 22 shows a rear perspective view of another exemplary golf club head according to the embodiment. [Figure 27] Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary golf club head. [Figure 27A] Figure 27 shows a magnified view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of an example golf club head. [Figure 28] A cross-sectional view of another exemplary golf club head is shown. [Figure 29] A cross-sectional view of another exemplary golf club head is shown. [Figure 30] A cross-sectional view of another exemplary golf club head is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawings show general aspects of the structure, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the golf club and the method of manufacturing the same. Furthermore, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to facilitate better understanding of embodiments of the golf club and the method of manufacturing the same. The same reference numbers in different drawings indicate the same elements.

[0007] In the specification and claims, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and similar terms, if present, are used to distinguish between similar elements and are not necessarily intended to describe a specific order or chronological sequence. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that embodiments of the golf club and the manufacturing method described herein are capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein, for example. Furthermore, the terms "contain", "include", "have" and variations thereof are intended to include non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0008] Where terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “down,” and “up” appear in the specification and claims, they are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily describe permanent relative positions. It is understood that these terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, for example, when the golf clubs and embodiments of the manufacturing methods described herein are operable in orientations other than those described or mentioned herein. The term “connected” as used herein means that they are connected directly or indirectly by physical, mechanical, or other means.

[0009] (Description of the embodiment) Various embodiments of a golf club head with a stepped inner thin section include a golf club head having a body. The body has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition region from the striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and has a first step, a second step, and a stepped transition region between the first and second steps.

[0010] Other embodiments of a golf club head with a stepped inner thin-walled portion include a golf club having a golf club head and a shaft connected to the golf club head. The golf club head has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, a crown, and an inner diameter transition region from the striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and has a first stage, a second stage, and a stepped transition region between the first and second stages.

[0011] Other embodiments of a golf club head having a stepped inner thin section encompass a method for manufacturing a golf club head. This method encompasses preparing a body, which has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. This method further encompasses preparing an inner diameter transition region from the striking surface to at least one of the sole or the crown. The inner diameter transition region is not visible from the outside of the golf club head and has a first step, a second step, and a step transition region between the first and second steps. In many embodiments, the first step has a first thickness, the second step has a second thickness, and the second thickness is thinner than the first thickness.

[0012] Various embodiments include a golf club head having a hollow body. The hollow body has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown comprises an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown, and at least a portion of it is defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has a top wall, a rear wall, a bottom inclined portion, a back cavity angle measured between the top and rear walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.

[0013] Some embodiments include a golf club having a hollow body and a shaft connected to a hollow body golf club head. The hollow body golf club head has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown has an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown, and at least a portion of it is defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has a top wall, a back wall, a bottom inclined portion, a back cavity angle measured between the top and back walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.

[0014] Other embodiments include methods for manufacturing a golf club head. In many embodiments, the method includes preparing a body. The body has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. The crown comprises an upper region having a top rail and a lower region. In some embodiments, a cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown, and at least a portion of it is defined by the upper and lower regions of the crown. In many embodiments, the cavity has a top wall, a rear wall adjacent to the top wall, a bottom inclined portion adjacent to the rear wall, a back cavity angle measured between the top and rear walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.

[0015] Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Such examples and embodiments can be found in the drawings, claims and / or herein.

[0016] I. Golf club head with cascade sole Moving on to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the golf club head 100. The golf club head 100 can be a wood-type golf club head. For example, the golf club head 100 can be a fairway wood-type golf club head, a driver-type golf club head, a hybrid-type golf club head, or an iron-type golf club head. The golf club head 100 has a body 101. The body 101 has a striking surface 112, a heel area 102, a toe area 104, a sole 106, and a crown 108. In Figure 1, the body 101 further has a skirt 110 extending between the sole 106 and the crown 108. In some embodiments, the body 101 does not have a skirt 110 or any skirt at all. Figure 18 shows a front perspective view of a golf club 1800 according to an embodiment. In some embodiments, the golf club 1800 has a golf club head 100 and a shaft 190.

[0017] In some embodiments, the body 101 may be made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the hitting surface 112 may be made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the body 101 may be made of the same material as the hitting surface 112. In some embodiments, the body 101 may be made of a different material than the hitting surface 112.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of a golf club head 100 along the cross-sectional line II-II of Figure 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 shows an inner diameter transition section 210 from the striking surface 112 to the sole 106 according to one embodiment. The inner diameter transition section 210 may have a smooth transition, or it may have a cascaded sole having at least two steps or heights of thickness. For example, the inner diameter transition section 210 may have a cascaded sole having 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps. In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition section can provide greater bending of the striking surface 112. In some embodiments, the increased bending or deflection of the striking surface 112 may allow approximately 1% to approximately 3% more energy to be released by the deflection of the striking surface 112.

[0019] In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition section 210 is not visible from the outside of the golf club head 100. Figure 2 further shows the top inner diameter transition section 260 from the hitting surface 112 to the crown 108. In some embodiments, the top inner diameter transition section 260 may have a smooth transition, while in other embodiments, the top inner diameter transition section 260 may have at least two steps or thicknesses. For example, the top inner diameter transition section 260 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps or thicknesses. In some embodiments, the golf club head 100 may have an inner sole thickness 220. The inner sole thickness 220 may be thicker than the thinnest thickness of the inner diameter transition section 210. In many embodiments, the inner sole thickness 220 is also thicker than the adjacent steps or the final step of the inner diameter transition section 210. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 220 may be thicker than the entire inner diameter transition section 210.

[0020] In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition section 210 may be similar to the sole front portion and / or weight distribution channels described in U.S. Patent No. 8,579,728, entitled “Golf Club Heads with Weight Redistribution Channels and Related Methods,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] In some embodiments, the golf club head may have a cascading transition region, stepped transition region, or internal diameter transition region extending from the striking surface to at least one of the crown, heel, toe, sole, or skirt. In some embodiments, the golf club head may have a single continuous stepped transition region ring surrounding the periphery of the golf club head, which is, for example, a stepped transition region ring extending from the striking surface to the crown, toe region, heel region, and sole region, respectively. In other embodiments, the golf club head has stepped transition regions only on the crown and / or sole. In some embodiments, the golf club head has stepped transition regions only on the toe region and / or heel region. In other embodiments, the stepped transition region is located only from the striking surface to the skirt. In other embodiments, the golf club head has separate or individual stepped transition regions from the striking surface to the toe region of the crown, the heel region of the crown, the toe region of the sole, and / or the heel region of the sole.

[0022] Figure 3 shows the inner diameter transition portion 310 of a golf club head 300 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows the inner diameter transition portion 410 of a golf club head 400 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 5 shows the inner diameter transition portion 510 of a golf club head 500 according to another embodiment similar to the golf club head in Figure 1, along a cross-sectional line similar to cross-sectional line II-II in Figure 1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the inner diameter transition section 310 can be the same as the inner diameter transition section 210 (Figure 2), and the golf club head 300 can be the same as the golf club head 100 (Figures 1 and 2). The inner diameter transition section 310 comprises a first step 315 having a first thickness and a second step 317 having a second thickness. In many embodiments, the thickness of each step is substantially constant. For example, the first thickness of the first step 315 may have a first substantially constant thickness, and the second thickness of the second step 317 may have a second substantially constant thickness. In other embodiments, the first step 315 may have a first gradient, and the first thickness of the first step 315 is thicker closer to the hitting surface 312 and thinner closer to the step transition region 316. The step transition region 316 may have a step gradient that is steeper than the first gradient of the first step 315. The step transition region 316 is linearly inclined at an angle less than 90 degrees, allowing a transition from the first step 315 to the second step 317. In other embodiments, the step transition region 316 may have steps of approximately 90 degrees, as shown in the step transition regions 516 and 518 of Figure 5. The step transition regions 516 (Figure 5) and 518 (Figure 5) may be similar to the step transition region 316 (Figure 3), and the step transition regions 416 (Figure 4) and 418 (Figure 4).

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, each stepped transition section 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 may have a first arc-shaped surface 420 and a second arc-shaped surface 422. The first arc-shaped surface 420 has a first radius of curvature, and the second arc-shaped surface 422 has a second radius of curvature. The first and second radii of curvature of each stepped transition section 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 may be the same, or they may be different. For example, the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be the same as the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420, the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be smaller than the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420, or the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be larger than the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420. Furthermore, for example, the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422 can be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422 can be smaller than the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, or the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422 can be larger than the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422.

[0025] Furthermore, each stepped transition section 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 may have the same or different first radius of curvature, and each of the stepped transition sections 316, 416, 418, 516, 518 may have the same or different second radius of curvature. For example, the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 may be the same as the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 may be smaller than the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, or the first radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 may be larger than the first radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422. Furthermore, for example, the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be the same as the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be smaller than the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422, or the second radius of curvature of the first arc-shaped surface 420 can be larger than the second radius of curvature of the second arc-shaped surface 422.

[0026] An internal diameter transition function (e.g., an internal stepped transition section 310, Figure 3) can alter where the bending peak of the golf club head occurs. The stepped transition region can generate a "plastic hinge" at the bending peak, promoting more localized deformation due to impact with the golf ball. In many embodiments, the buckling process is initiated at the bending peak position, and the golf club head is optimized to remain just below the critical buckling threshold. The internal plastic hinge allows the club to flex more in the crown and sole directions. By using the stepped function, the internal plastic hinge allows for precise control of the location and amount of flex in the crown and sole.

[0027] By using an internal diameter transition section, the stress in the golf club head can be distributed over a larger volume of material, thus reducing localized peak stresses. In many embodiments, additional flexing from the crown to the sole allows the face to flex further based on the same load. This additional flexing can generate more stress and flexing on the club face, generating more spring energy. This increased spring energy can be stored within the golf club head upon impact with the golf ball. In many embodiments, this additional spring energy helps increase ball speed. In some embodiments, the internal diameter transition section can form a more overall flexing within the golf club head, which can also lead to increased ball speed. Increased ball speed across the entire hitting surface allows for better distance control. In some embodiments, a golf club head with an internal diameter transition section can store about 4% to 6% more energy, which can be returned to the golf ball.

[0028] Returning to Figure 3, the inner diameter transition section 310 can alter the location where the bending peak 350 of the sole of the golf club head 300 occurs. Furthermore, the inner diameter transition section 310 allows the body of the club head 300 to engage more during the bending process upon impact with the golf ball. In some embodiments, the first stage 315 and the second stage 317 allow some of the stress generated by the impact between the hitting surface 312 and the golf ball to be stored in each stage. This structure prevents stress from concentrating mainly in the thinnest part of the sole, thereby increasing the reliability and durability of the golf club head 300. In many embodiments, this structure generates a plastic hinge opposite the hitting surface end of the inner diameter transition section 310, promoting further localization of deformation at the plastic hinge location. In many embodiments, the plastic hinge can be located at the bending peak, for example, the bending peak 350. This structure can also allow more potential energy to be stored, for example, in the crown and / or sole. In some embodiments, the body 301 can experience an increase of approximately 4% to approximately 7% in the deflection or bending in the crown-to-sole direction in the sole and crown. The additional deflection in the crown-to-sole direction in the sole and / or crown can allow the hitting surface 312 to bend further with the same load or impact from the golf ball. Thus, this structure can generate more stress and bending in the hitting surface 312 of the golf club head 300 that can be transmitted to the ball upon impact with the hitting surface 312.

[0029] In some embodiments, each tier has a substantially constant thickness throughout the tier. In many embodiments, the first tier 315 is thicker than the second tier 317. In some embodiments of a driver-type golf club head, the first tier 315 can be about 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to about 0.060 inches (0.152 cm) thick, or about 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) to about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) thick, and the second tier 317 can be about 0.020 inches (0.051 cm) to about 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) thick, or about 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to about 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) thick. In some embodiments of the fairway wood type golf club head, the first stage 315 may have a thickness of approximately 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.065 inches (0.165 cm), or approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) to approximately 0.055 inches (0.140 cm), and the second stage 317 may have a thickness of approximately 0.025 inches (0.064 cm) to approximately 0.055 inches (0.140 cm), or approximately 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm). In some embodiments of the hybrid type golf club head, the first stage 315 may have a thickness of approximately 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.080 inches (0.203 cm), or approximately 0.060 inches (0.152 cm) to approximately 0.070 inches (0.178 cm), and the second stage 317 may have a thickness of approximately 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.070 inches (0.178 cm), or approximately 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.060 inches (0.152 cm).In many embodiments of the iron-type golf club head, the first tier 315 can be approximately 0.055 inches (0.140 cm) to approximately 0.085 inches (0.216 cm) thick, or approximately 0.060 inches (0.152 cm) to approximately 0.080 inches (0.203 cm) thick, and the second tier 317 can be approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) to approximately 0.075 inches (0.191 cm) thick, or approximately 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.070 inches (0.178 cm) thick.

[0030] In other embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 4, the inner diameter transition section 410 may have more than two steps. For example, the inner diameter transition section 410 may have two, three, four, five, six, or seven steps. A three-step inner diameter transition section 410 may be similar to the inner diameter transition section 310 (Figure 3) and have a first step 415, a second step 417, and a third step 419. The first step 415 may be similar to the first step 315 in Figure 3, and the second step 417 may be similar to the second step 317. In many embodiments, the bending peak 450 occurs further back from the hitting surface 412 as more steps are added to the inner diameter transition section.

[0031] In many embodiments, the second tier 417 is thicker than the third tier 419. In some embodiments of driver-type golf club heads, the third tier 419 is about 0.010 inches to about 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) thick, or about 0.020 inches (0.051 cm) to about 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) thick. In some embodiments of fairway wood-type golf club heads, the third tier 419 is about 0.015 inches (0.038 cm) to about 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick, or about 0.025 inches (0.064 cm) to about 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) thick. In some embodiments of hybrid-type golf club heads, the third tier 419 is approximately 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.060 inches (0.152 cm) thick, or approximately 0.040 inches (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.050 inches (0.127 cm) thick. In some embodiments of iron-type club heads, the third tier 419 is approximately 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.060 inches (0.152 cm) thick, or approximately 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) to approximately 0.055 inches (0.140 cm) thick.

[0032] On the other hand, referring to Figure 5, in some embodiments of the driver-type golf club head, the first stage 515 can be approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick, the second stage 517 can be approximately 0.035 inches (0.089 cm) thick, and the third stage 519 can be approximately 0.025 inches (0.064 cm) thick. In some embodiments of the fairway wood-type golf club head, the first stage 515 can be approximately 0.051 inches (0.130 cm) thick, the second stage 517 can be approximately 0.039 inches (0.099 cm) thick, and the third stage 519 can be approximately 0.030 inches (0.076 cm) thick. In some embodiments of the hybrid type golf club head, the first stage 515 may be approximately 0.067 inches (0.170 cm) thick, the second stage 517 may be approximately 0.054 inches (0.137 cm) thick, and the third stage 519 may be approximately 0.045 inches (0.114 cm) thick. In some embodiments of the iron type golf club head, the first stage 515 may be approximately 0.067 inches (0.170 cm) thick, the second stage may be approximately 0.057 inches (0.145 cm) thick, and the third stage 519 may be approximately 0.042 inches (0.107 cm) thick.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first stages 315, 415, and 515 in Figures 3, 4, and 5 can each have a first stage length approximately equal to the second stage length of the second stages 317, 417, and 517 in Figures 3, 4, and 5. In some embodiments, the first stage lengths of the first stages 315, 415, and 515 in Figures 3, 4, and 5 are each longer than the second stage lengths of the second stages 317, 417, and 517. In other embodiments, the second stage lengths of the second stages 417 and 517 in Figures 4 and 5 can each be approximately equal to the third stage lengths of the third stages 419 and 519 in Figures 4 and 5. In some embodiments, the second stage lengths of the second stages 417 and 517 in Figures 4 and 5 can each be longer than the third stage lengths of the third stages 419 and 519 in Figures 4 and 5. In other embodiments, the lengths of the second stages 417 and 517 in Figures 4 and 5 can be shorter than the lengths of the third stages 419 and 519 in Figures 4 and 5, respectively.

[0034] Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, in some embodiments of a fairway wood type golf club head, a driver type golf club head, or a hybrid type golf club head, the first stages 315, 415, 515 may have a first stage length of about 0.05 inches (0.127 cm) to about 0.80 inches (2.03 cm), the second stages 317, 417, 517 may have a second stage length of about 0.03 inches (0.076 cm) to about 0.60 inches (1.52 cm), and the third stages 419, 519 may have a third stage length of about 0.04 inches (0.102 cm) to about 0.70 inches (1.78 cm). In some embodiments of the iron-type golf club head, the first stages 315, 415, 515 may have a first stage length of approximately 0.03 inches (0.076 cm) to approximately 0.30 inches (0.762 cm), the second stages 317, 417, 517 may have a second stage length of approximately 0.04 inches (0.102 cm) to approximately 0.40 inches (1.02 cm), and the third stages 419, 519 may have a third stage length of approximately 0.05 inches (0.127 cm) to approximately 0.50 inches (1.27 cm).

[0035] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, in some embodiments, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transition sections 316, 416, 516 can have first and second radii of curvature that are at least twice as large as the difference between the first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2 of the first steps 315, 415, 515 and the second steps 317, 417, 517, respectively. In one embodiment, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transition sections 316, 416, 516 have first and second radii of curvature that are about 6.5 times larger than the difference between the first thickness T1 and the second thickness T2 of the first steps 315, 415, 515 and the second steps 317, 417, 517, respectively. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transition sections 418, 518 can have first and second radii of curvature that are at least twice as large as the difference between the second thickness T2 and third thickness T3 of the second steps 417, 517 and the third steps 419, 519, respectively. In one embodiment, the first and second arcuate surfaces of the stepped transition sections 418, 518 have first and second radii of curvature that are about 6.5 times larger than the difference between the second thickness T2 and third thickness T3 of the second steps 417, 517 and the third steps 419, 519, respectively.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, some embodiments of the golf club head 300 have a weight pad 330 that lowers the center of gravity of the golf club head 300. The weight pad 330 has a weight pad thickness 331 that is greater than the final stage thickness 321 of the adjacent stage. In this embodiment, the adjacent stage is the second stage 317. In many embodiments having the weight pad 330, the inner sole thickness 320 can be approximately equal to the final stage thickness 321. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 320 can be thicker than the final stage thickness 321. In some embodiments, the inner sole thickness 320 is thinner than the final stage thickness 321.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, some embodiments of the golf club head 400 have ribs 440. The ribs 440 can be positioned inward relative to the body 401 and substantially parallel to the hitting surface. In many embodiments, the ribs 440 can be protrusions or bars. In some embodiments, the ribs 440 can have a rib thickness 441 that is greater than the third step thickness 421, the thickness of the adjacent step, or the thickness of the final step of the inner diameter transition 410. The purpose of the ribs 440 is to reinforce the sole of the golf club head 400, and therefore the peak of the sole's bending occurs in the step transition region 416 and / or step transition region 418.

[0038] Moving to Figure 6, in some embodiments, the golf club head 600 may have a crown internal diameter transition section 660 in the crown 608. The crown internal diameter transition section 660 may be similar to the internal diameter transition section 310 in Figure 3, except that the crown internal diameter transition section 660 is positioned on the hitting surface relative to the crown transition section instead of the hitting surface relative to the sole transition section. In many embodiments, the first stage 615 may be similar to the first stages 315, 415 and / or 515 in Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively; the second stage 617 may be similar to the second stages 317, 417 and / or 517 in Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively; the third stage 619 may be similar to the third stages 419 and / or 519 in Figures 4 and 5, respectively; and the stage transition regions 616 and / or 618 may be similar to the stage transition regions 316, 416, 516, 418 and / or 518 in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Similarly, the crown inner diameter transition section 660 may have multiple inner diameter transition sections and form more than two steps. For example, the crown inner diameter transition section 660 may have two, three, four, five, six, or seven steps.

[0039] In Figure 7, the golf club head 700 may have a skirt inner diameter transition portion 780, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a golf club 700 similar to the golf club head 100 (Figure 1), along a cross-sectional line similar to the cross-sectional line VII-VII in Figure 1, according to another embodiment. The skirt inner diameter transition section 780 can be the same as the inner diameter transition section 210 (Figure 2), the first stage 715 can be the same as the first stages 315, 415 and / or 515 in Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively, the second stage 717 can be the same as the second stages 317, 417 and / or 517 in Figures 3, 4 and 5, respectively, the third stage 719 can be the same as the third stages 419 and / or 519 in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, and the step transition regions 716 and / or 718 can be the same as the step transition regions 316, 416, 516, 418 and / or 518 in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Similarly, the skirt inner diameter transition section 780 can have more than two stages. For example, the skirt inner diameter transition section 780 can have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 stages. As shown in Figure 7, the golf club head 700 may also have a skirt inner diameter transition section on the other side of the hitting surface 712. In another embodiment, the golf club head 700 may have a skirt inner diameter transition section on one side of the hitting surface 712.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a partial view of a golf club head 800 similar to the golf club head 400 (Figure 4) according to an embodiment, and a view of the same area of ​​a standard golf club head 850. The standard golf club head 850 has a uniform sole thickness 855 from the hitting surface 852 to the sole 856, and an inner sole weight 870 that is thicker than the uniform sole thickness 855. The golf club head 800 has an inner diameter transition section 810 similar to the inner diameter transition section 410 (Figure 4). The inner diameter transition section 810 may have a first stage 815 similar to the first stage 415 (Figure 4), a second stage 817 similar to the second stage 417 (Figure 4), and a third stage 819 similar to the third stage 419 (Figure 4). The inner diameter transition section 810 may further have step transition regions 816, 818 similar to step transition regions 416 (Figure 4) and 418 (Figure 4), and an inner sole weight 820 similar to the inner sole weight 870. In many embodiments, at least one of the first step 815, second step 817, or third step 819 may be thinner than the uniform sole thickness 855. The thickness of the steps may eliminate the need for weights that can be later redistributed to the club head.

[0041] Higher stresses are better distributed over a larger area of ​​the sole 806 having an inner diameter transition region 810 than in the sole 856 without a cascade sole. In many embodiments, the overall curvature of the sole, similar to a uniform sole thickness 855, can absorb a greater, specific concentration of impact force from the golf ball in a particular area, but it does not distribute the force over a larger area. Cascade structures such as the inner diameter transition region 810 (or steps with varying thickness along the inner diameter transition region), however, provide a technique to "package" the impact force from the golf ball over a larger area, as the wavy or stepped structure transmits greater stress from one inner diameter region of a particular thickness to the next. In many embodiments, there is stress bleeding, overflow, or storage across the inner diameter transition region 810 or the cascade thin-walled sole. Greater distribution of greater stress creates greater recoil force on the hitting surface. Stress storage in the inner diameter transition region 810 can also prevent all the stress from concentrating directly at the thinnest step. In many embodiments, the stepped design can help distribute stress along the sole, preventing one large stress concentration from occurring. Instead, there are multiple stress concentrations for a more even distribution of stress. The stress extends along the cascaded sole, allowing the sole to act on (or absorb) more stress. However, the stress decreases at the thickest part of the sole without the cascaded sole, experiencing the maximum level of stress and resulting in less rebound force acting on the hitting surface.

[0042] Embodiments of golf club heads with cascade soles (e.g., 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) were tested against similar control club heads without cascade soles. Club heads with cascade soles showed an increase in ball speed of approximately 0.5–1.5 miles per hour (mph) (0.8–2.4 kilometers per hour (kph)), or approximately 0.5–0.9%, compared to control club heads. The increase in ball speed for center impact was approximately 0.5–1.0 mph (0.8–1.6 kph), while the increase for off-center impact was approximately 1–1.5 mph (1.6–2.4 kph). Clubheads with a cascade sole also showed an increase in launch angle of approximately 0.1 to 0.3 degrees, a decrease in spin of approximately 275 to 315 revolutions per minute (rpm), and an increase in carry distance of approximately 3 to 6 yards (2.7 to 5.5 meters) compared to control clubheads.

[0043] In some embodiments, a golf club head having a driver-type, hybrid-type, or wood-type cascade sole (e.g., 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, or 700) may further have a first crown thickness (not shown) and a second crown thickness (not shown). The first crown thickness may be located on the crown or in the crown's inner diameter transition area at the back of the hitting surface. The second crown thickness may be located on the crown towards the rear of the club head, behind the first crown thickness. The first crown thickness is thicker than the second crown thickness. Furthermore, the first crown thickness may gradually transition toward the second crown thickness according to any external shape, or the first crown thickness may transition abruptly toward the second crown thickness, for example, like a staircase.

[0044] The first crown thickness may comprise any portion of the crown at the front of the club head. For example, the first crown thickness may comprise 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or any portion of the crown at the front of the club head. The second crown thickness may comprise any portion of the crown at the rear of the club head. For example, the second crown thickness may comprise 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, or any portion of the crown at the rear of the club head.

[0045] The crown thickness may transition between a first crown thickness and a second crown thickness in any portion of the crown of the club head, defining a crown thickness transition. The crown thickness transition may have any shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the crown thickness transition defines a bell-shaped curve similar to the bell shape of U.S. Patent No. 7,892,111, which is incorporated herein by reference. The first crown thickness is located on the crown between the hitting surface and the bell-shaped curve, and the second crown thickness is located between the bell-shaped curve and the rear of the club head.

[0046] In exemplary embodiments, if the golf club head is a fairway wood type, the first crown thickness is approximately 0.022 inches (0.056 cm) and the second crown thickness is approximately 0.019 inches (0.048 cm). Furthermore, in exemplary embodiments, if the golf club head is a hybrid type, the first crown thickness is approximately 0.024 inches (0.061 cm) and the second crown thickness is approximately 0.019 inches (0.048 cm).

[0047] In other embodiments of fairway wood or hybrid type golf club heads, the first crown thickness is approximately 0.029 (0.074), 0.028 (0.071), 0.027 (0.069), 0.026 (0.066), 0.025 (0.064), 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0.051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), or 0.01 The second crown thickness may be thinner than 7 inches (0.043) inches (cm), and may be thinner than approximately 0.024 (0.061), 0.023 (0.058), 0.022 (0.056), 0.021 (0.053), 0.020 (0.051), 0.019 (0.048), 0.018 (0.046), 0.017 (0.043), 0.016 (0.041), 0.015 (0.038), 0.014 (0.036), 0.013 (0.033), or 0.012 (0.031) inches (cm).

[0048] The crown's internal diameter transition dissipates and / or reduces stress on the clubhead's crown, thereby reducing the thickness of the first and second crowns compared to the previous design. In exemplary embodiments, the first crown thickness is reduced by approximately 17.2–24.1% and the second crown thickness by approximately 20.8% compared to the previous design. This reduction in the first and second crown thicknesses allows for a lower center of gravity of the clubhead (located closer to the sole) compared to the previous design. This lower center of gravity improves the clubhead's performance characteristics by reducing ball gearing and spin.

[0049] Moving to Figure 9, various embodiments of a golf club head with a stepped inner thin-walled section encompass a method for manufacturing a golf club head 900. Method 900 encompasses preparing a body (block 910). The body has a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In some embodiments, the body further has a skirt extending from the crown to the sole. Method 900 further encompasses providing an inner diameter transition from the striking surface to at least one of the sole, crown, or skirt (block 920). Method 900 further encompasses providing a first stage of the inner diameter transition (block 930), a second stage of the inner diameter transition (block 940), and a stepped transition region between the first and second stages of the inner diameter transition region (block 950). In some embodiments, blocks 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 can be performed simultaneously with each other, for example, by casting the club head body. In other embodiments, one or more of blocks 920, 930, 940 and / or 950 may, as an example, be performed after block 910 through a machining process.

[0050] II. Golf club heads with back cavities In one embodiment, the golf club head has a back cavity located in the upper crown area of ​​the golf club. In many embodiments, the back cavity can provide a box spring effect when the golf ball is struck. The back cavity can be combined with a change in the thickness of the inner diameter of the sole of the club head (cascade sole) to provide a spring-like effect.

[0051] Some embodiments feature hollow clubheads that offer a more "iron-like" appearance and feel, leading to clubheads (hybrids, fairway woods, or irons with a hollow design). In some embodiments, the golf clubhead can feature a flat faceplate and an iron-like shape, which can provide improved workability and accuracy similar to an iron. A back cavity positioned below the top rail of the clubhead and along the lower crown is designed for hybrids, fairway woods, and irons with a hollow structure. The back cavity may also be a full channel from heel to toe, along the upper crown or rear, directly below the top rail of the clubhead. The top rail and cavity may be of any design. In some embodiments, the cavity has an angle of approximately 90 degrees, providing a target hinge point in the crown area of ​​the golf clubhead. This hinge or buckling region allows the top rail to absorb greater impact force over a wider volume area, and the cavity and top rail act as a springboard with greater recoil force returning to the clubface when they return to their original position, thereby enabling greater force to be transferred to the ball. The large clubface flex resulting from this cavity design reduces spin, increases the loft angle of the golf ball at impact, and allows for faster ball speed at the same club speed than with a standard golf club head.

[0052] In standard hybrid clubheads, the top rail and upper crown region do not have a cavity in this design. Compared to the present disclosure, the bending or flexing of the clubface in such standard hybrid clubheads is less. Because standard hybrids do not have a cavity, less energy is transferred to the top rail of the club, and therefore a large springback effect cannot be obtained. The golf clubhead with the disclosed back cavity absorbs a greater impact force from the golf ball and then returns it to the clubface. In many embodiments, the angle of the cavity can provide a buckling point, or a plastic hinge, or a target hinge, for the clubface to flex more than a standard golf club.

[0053] The recoil effect of the cavity on the clubface results in: (1) a faster golf ball velocity for the same clubhead speed with and without a clubhead having an upper crown cavity (or back cavity), partly due to the spring effect transmitted from the hinge area on the clubface to the ball; (2) less spin on the golf ball after impact with the club, partly due to the upper hinge point of the cavity reacting to the greater force absorbed by the club and instead transmitting a greater force to the ball, thereby preventing the ball from spinning backward from the clubface; and (3) a greater loft angle relative to the golf ball at impact, resulting from the hinge and clubface acting as a diving board or catapult for the ball. In some embodiments, the cavity can increase ball velocity by about 1.0–1.2% and launch angle by about 0.4–0.7 degrees.

[0054] Moving to the figures, Figure 10 shows a rear toe-side perspective view of an embodiment of the golf club head 1000, and Figure 11 shows a rear heel-side perspective view of the golf club head 1000 according to the embodiment of Figure 10. The golf club head 1000 can be a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 1000 can be an iron-type golf club head or a fairway wood-type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 does not have a badge or individual adjustment port.

[0055] The golf club head 1000 has a body 1001. In many embodiments, the body is hollow. In some embodiments, the body is at least partially hollow. The body 1001 has a striking surface 1012, a heel region 1002, a toe region 1004 opposite the heel region 1002, a sole 1006, and a crown 1008. The crown 1008 has an upper region 1011 and a lower region 1013. The upper region 1011 has a top rail 1015. In some embodiments, the top rail 1015 can be flat and a higher top rail or skirt. The reason why a flat and higher top rail increases playability from the tee for mishits on the striking surface 1012 is explained.

[0056] In some embodiments, the body 1001 may be made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the hitting surface 1012 may be made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, alloy steel (e.g., 455 steel, 475 steel, 431 steel, 17-4 stainless steel, maraging steel), titanium alloy (e.g., Ti7-4, Ti6-4, T-9S), aluminum alloy, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the body 1001 may be made of the same material as the hitting surface 1012. In some embodiments, the body 1001 may be made of a different material than the hitting surface 1012.

[0057] In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 is located below the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 has a top box spring design. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 and the cavity 1030 provide an increase in the overall bend of the face 1012. In some embodiments, the bend of the face 1012 can tolerate an energy increase of about 2% to about 5%. The cavity 1030 allows the face 1012 to be thinner, enabling additional overall bend. For some embodiments of fairway wood type golf club heads, the cavity 1030 can be an inverted scoop or recess in the crown 1008 that is thicker toward the sole 1006.

[0058] Referring to Figure 10, in some embodiments, the golf club head 1000 may further have an insert 1062 near the toe area 1004 in the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008. Some embodiments have an internal weight in the sole 1006. In many embodiments, the insert 1062 may comprise tungsten or other high-density material. In many embodiments, the insert shifts the center of gravity (CG) about 0.04 inches (1 mm) to 0.10 inches (2.5 mm) behind the hitting surface 1012, increasing the launch angle by 3.5% to 5.5%, which can improve playability on high or low mishits from the tee.

[0059] In many embodiments, the CG is in the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008, near the intersection of the toe region 1004 and the sole 1006. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head 1000 is 0.597 inches along the CGy plane and 0.541 inches along the CGz plane. For moment of inertia Ixx, the golf club head 1000 is 20.5% higher than the G30 iron and 28% higher than the Rapture DI. For Iyy, it is 1.7% higher than the G30 iron and 22% higher than the Rapture DI.

[0060] In some embodiments, approximately 3 grams (g) to 4 g is added to the top rail 1015. In most embodiments, the total mass of the golf club head 1000 remains the same. In some embodiments, mass can be removed from the sole 1006 or toe region 1004 to offset the addition of mass to the top rail 1015. In some embodiments, adding approximately 3 g to 4 g of mass to the top rail 1015 can help the golf club head resist rotation. In some embodiments, the CG of the golf club head increases slightly.

[0061] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of a golf club head 1000 along the cross-sectional line XII-XII of Figure 10 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the hitting surface 1012 has a high region 1076, a middle region 1074, and a low region 1072. In many embodiments, the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 has a rear wall 1023, a top wall 1017 of an adjacent cavity 1030 below the rear wall 1023, and a rear wall 1019 of an adjacent cavity 1030 below the top wall 1017.

[0062] In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be approximately 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to approximately 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), or approximately 0.150 inches (0.381 cm) to approximately 0.400 inches (1.02 cm). For example, in some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be approximately 0.175 inches (0.445 cm), 0.275 inches (0.699 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.475 inches (1.21 cm), 0.575 inches (1.46 cm), or 0.675 inches (1.71 cm). In some embodiments, the height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 can be about 5% to about 25% of the height of the golf club head 1000. In some embodiments, the length of the top rail 1015 can be about 70% to about 95% of the length of the golf club head 1000, measured from the heel region 1002 to the toe region 1004.

[0063] The height 1280 of the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008 allows at least a portion of the stress on the ball-striking surface 1012 during impact to be absorbed by the cavity 1030, as described herein. A golf club head having a rear wall greater than the rear wall height 1280 described herein will have less stress absorption at impact (and less deflection of the ball-striking surface) than the golf club head 1000 described herein, because the dispersion of impact along the top rail before reaching the cavity will be increased.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cavity 1030 is located above the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 and is at least partially defined by the upper region 1011 and the lower region 1013 of the crown 1008. The cavity 1030 has a top wall 1017, a rear wall 1019, and a bottom inclined portion 1021. A first bending point 1082 is located between the top wall 1017 and the rear wall 1019 of the cavity 1030. A second bending point 1086 is located between the rear wall 1019 and the bottom inclined portion 1021 of the cavity 1030.

[0065] In some embodiments, the height of the rear wall 1019 can be measured from the first bending point 1082 to the second bending point 1086 and be approximately 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to approximately 0.138 inches (3.5 mm), or approximately 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) to approximately 0.059 inches (1.5 mm). For example, the height of the rear wall 1019 can be approximately 0.01 inches (0.25 mm), 0.02 inches (0.5 mm), 0.03 inches (0.75 mm), 0.04 inches (1.0 mm), 0.05 inches (1.25 mm), 0.06 inches (1.5 mm), 0.07 inches (1.75 mm), 0.08 inches (2.0 mm), 0.09 inches (2.25 mm), 0.10 inches (2.5 mm), 0.11 inches (2.75 mm), 0.012 inches (3.0 mm), 0.13 inches (3.25 mm), or 0.14 inches (3.5 mm). In many embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1017 can be located below the apex of the top rail 1015, from about 0.125 inches (0.318 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), or from about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 1.25 inches (3.18 cm). For example, the apex of the top wall 1017 can be located below the top rail 1015 at approximately 0.125 inches (0.318 cm), 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inch (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), or 1.25 inches (3.18 cm).

[0066] In many embodiments, the rear wall 1019 of the cavity 1030 can be substantially parallel to the hitting surface 1012. In other embodiments, the rear wall 1019 is not effectively parallel to the hitting surface 1012. In many embodiments, the top wall 1017 of the cavity inclines toward the hitting surface 1012 when it moves toward the first bending point 1082. This arrangement of the top wall 1017 creates a buckling point, hinge point, or plastic hinge that directs the impact stress toward the cavity 1030, allowing for increased deflection of the hitting surface 1012 during impact.

[0067] The lower region 1013 of the crown 1008 has a bottom inclined portion 1021 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the second bending point 1086 may be adjacent to the bottom inclined portion 1021 and below the apex of the top rail 1015, at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm) to about 2.0 inches (5.08 cm), or about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). For example, the second flex point 1086 can be below the apex of the top rail 1015, at least about 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 1.0 inch (2.53 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.5 inches (3.81 cm), 1.75 inches (4.45 cm), or 2.0 inches (5.08 cm). In some embodiments, the maximum height of the bottom incline can be measured from the sole 1006 of the club head 1000 to the second flex point 1086, at least about 0.25 inches (approximately 0.635 cm) to about 3 inches (approximately 7.62 cm), or about 0.50 inches (1.27 cm) to about 2 inches (5.08 cm). For example, the second flex point 1086 is located above the lowest point of the sole, at least approximately 0.25 inches (0.635 cm), 0.375 inches (0.953 cm), 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), 0.625 inches (1.59 cm), 0.75 inches (1.91 cm), 0.825 inches (2.10 cm), 1.0 inch (2.54 cm), 1.125 inches (2.88 cm), 1.25 inches (3.18 cm), 1.375 inches (3.49 cm), and 1.5 inches (3. It can be 81cm, 1.625 inches (4.12cm), 1.75 inches (4.45cm), 1.875 inches (4.76cm), 2.0 inches (5.08cm), 2.125 inches (5.40cm), 2.25 inches (5.71cm), 2.375 inches (6.03cm), 2.5 inches (6.35cm), 2.625 inches (6.67cm), 2.75 inches (7.00cm), 2.875 inches (7.30cm), or 3.0 inches (7.62cm).

[0068] The cavity 1030 further has at least one channel 1039 (Figure 10). In many embodiments, the channel 1039 extends from the heel region 1002 to the toe region 1004. The channel width 1032 (Figure 12) can be substantially constant throughout the channel 1039. In some embodiments, the channel width 1032 (Figure 12) can be from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 1 inch (25 mm), or from about 0.008 inches (0.2 mm) to about 0.31 inches (8 mm). For example, the channel width 1032 is approximately 0.008 inches (0.2 mm), 0.016 inches (0.4 mm), 0.024 inches (0.6 mm), 0.031 inches (0.8 mm), 0.039 inches (1.0 mm), 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.12 inches (3 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.59 inches (15 mm), 0.79 inches (20 mm), or 0.98 inches (25 mm). In other embodiments, the channel toe area width of channel 1039 is smaller than the channel heel area of ​​the channel. In other embodiments, the channel heel area width is smaller than the channel toe area width. In other embodiments, the channel center region width of channel 1039 can be smaller than at least one of the channel heel region width or the channel toe region width. In some embodiments, channel 1039 is symmetrical. In other embodiments, channel 1039 is asymmetrical. In other embodiments, channel 1039 may further have at least two partial channels. In some embodiments, channel 1039 may have a series of partial channels separated by one or more bridges. In some embodiments, one or more bridges may be approximately the same thickness as the upper region 1011 of crown 1008.

[0069] As shown herein, the channel width 1032 is capable of absorbing stress from the hitting surface 1012 at impact. Golf club heads with a narrower channel width than those described herein (for example, golf club heads with an indistinct cavity) can absorb less stress from the hitting surface at impact (because there is less material in the upper region 1011 of the crown 1008), and therefore the hitting surface experiences less deflection than the golf club head 1000 described herein.

[0070] In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 further has a back cavity angle 1035. The back cavity angle is measured between the top wall 1017 and the back wall 1019 of the cavity 1030. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 can be from about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 can be from about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 is about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 110 degrees. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1035 provides a buckling point or plastic hinge or target hinge at the top rail hinge point 1070 when the golf club head 1000 impacts the golf ball. In some embodiments, the wall thickness at the top rail hinge point 1070 is thinner than that at the top wall 1017 of the cavity 1030.

[0071] Figure 13 shows the crown 1008 in the cross-section of the golf club head 1000 of Figure 12 positioned parallel to a cavity-less golf club head 1200 along a similar cross-sectional line XII-XII in Figure 10. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1000 has a rear angle 1040, a top rail angle 1045, and a striking surface angle 1050. The upper region angle 1040 is measured from the top wall 1017 to the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011. In many embodiments, the rear angle 1040 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the rear angle 1040 is about 90 degrees. The top rail angle 1045 is measured from the rear wall 1023 to the top rail 1015 of the upper region 1011. In many embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 can be approximately 35 to approximately 120 degrees, or 70 to approximately 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the top rail angle 1045 can be approximately 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, or 120 degrees. The hitting surface angle 1050 is measured from the hitting surface 1012 to the top rail 1015. In many embodiments, the hitting surface angle 1050 can be approximately 70 to approximately 160 degrees, or 70 to approximately 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the hitting surface angle 1050 is approximately 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, or 160 degrees.

[0072] Referring to Figure 13, in some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the hitting surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 is approximately 0.079 inches (2 mm) to approximately 0.39 inches (10 mm). For example, the minimum gap 1090 between the hitting surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 can be approximately 0.079 inches (2 mm), 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), or 0.39 inches (10 mm). In some embodiments, the minimum gap 1090 between the hitting surface 1012 and the back wall 1019 is less than approximately 0.55 inches (14 mm), less than 0.47 inches (12 mm), less than approximately 0.39 inches (10 mm), less than approximately 0.31 inches (8 mm), less than approximately 0.24 inches (6 mm), or less than approximately 0.16 inches (4 mm). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the hitting surface 1012 and the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the maximum gap between the hitting surface 1012 and the bottom inclined portion 1021 of the lower region 1013 of the golf club head 1000 is greater than the minimum gap 1090 and the maximum gap of the upper region 1011.

[0073] Figure 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the golf club head 1000, similar to the cross-section of the golf club head 1000 shown in Figure 12. The golf club head 1000 has a cavity 1030, an upper region 1011, and a lower region 1013. The upper region 1011 has an upper outer rear wall 1023, the cavity 1030 has a cavity outer wall 1025, and the lower region 1013 has a lower outer wall 1027. In many embodiments, the maximum upper distance 1092, measured vertically from the hitting surface 1012 to the rear wall 1023 of the upper region 1011, can be approximately 0.20 to 0.59 inches (5 to 15 mm). For example, the maximum upper distance 1092 is approximately 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), 0.47 inches (12 mm), 0.51 inches (13 mm), 0.55 inches (14 mm), or 0.59 inches (15 mm). Furthermore, the minimum cavity distance 1094, measured vertically from the hitting surface 1012 to the outer cavity wall 1025, can be approximately 0.16 to 0.47 inches (4 to 12 mm). For example, the minimum cavity distance 1094 is approximately 0.16 inches (4 mm), 0.20 inches (5 mm), 0.24 inches (6 mm), 0.28 inches (7 mm), 0.31 inches (8 mm), 0.35 inches (9 mm), 0.39 inches (10 mm), 0.43 inches (11 mm), or 0.47 inches (12 mm). Furthermore, the maximum lower distance 1096, measured vertically from the hitting surface 1012 to the lower outer wall 1027, can be approximately 0.98 to 1.57 inches (25 to 40 mm). For example, a maximum lower distance of 1096 is approximately 0.98 inches (25 mm), 1.02 inches (26 mm), 1.06 inches (27 mm), 1.10 inches (28 mm), 1.14 inches (29 mm), 1.18 inches (30 mm), 1.22 inches (31 mm), 1.26 inches (32 mm), 1.30 inches (33 mm), 1.34 inches (34 mm), 1.38 inches (35 mm), 1.42 inches (36 mm), 1.46 inches (37 mm), 1.50 inches (38 mm), 1.54 inches (39 mm), or 1.57 inches (40 mm).In many embodiments, the maximum lower distance 1096 is greater than the maximum upper distance 1092, and the maximum upper distance 1092 is greater than the minimum cavity distance 1094.

[0074] In many embodiments, the cavity 1030 can increase the speed of the golf ball compared to the golf club head 1200 or other standard golf club heads, reduce the spin speed of a standard hybrid club head, and increase the launch angle compared to standard hybrid and iron club heads. In many embodiments, the shape of the cavity 1035 determines the spring level and the response timing of the golf club head 1000. When the golf ball impacts the clubface 1012 of the club head 1000 having the cavity 1030, the clubface 1012 springs back in a drum-like manner, and the crown 1008 bends in a controlled deformation manner. In many embodiments, the top rail 1015 can absorb greater stress over a larger volume space than the top rail of a golf club head without the cavity 1030. The length, depth, and width of the cavity 1030 can be changed. These parameters control the degree of springback in the overall design of the club head 1000.

[0075] When impacting a golf ball, the striking surface 1012 can bend inward by a greater distance than a golf club without a cavity 1030. In some embodiments, the striking surface 1012 has about 10% to about 50% more deflection than the striking surface of a golf club head without a cavity 1030. In some embodiments, the striking surface 1012 has about 5% to about 40%, or about 10% to about 20%, more deflection than the striking surface of a golf club head without a cavity 1035. For example, the striking surface 1012 can have about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or 40% more deflection than the striking surface of a golf club head without a cavity 1035. In many embodiments, both the retraction distance due to the hitting surface 1012 caused by the hinge and the bending of the cavity 1030 are greater than in a standard hitting surface without a cavity and without a back portion of the club.

[0076] In many embodiments, greater buckling occurs along the top rail hinge point 1070 when the golf ball is impacted, resulting in greater face deflection in the clubhead 1000 with a cavity 1030. However, the cavity 1030 provides greater stress distribution along the top rail hinge point 1070 of the top rail, and the springback force is transmitted from the cavity 1030 and top rail 1015 to the clubface 1012. A standard top rail without a cavity does not have this hinge / buckling effect and does not have the high level of stress absorption across the large volume area of ​​the top rail. Therefore, the standard clubface does not have as much contact and recoil as the clubface 1012. Furthermore, both the large area of ​​the clubface 1012 and the top rail 1015 absorb greater stress than the same crown area of ​​a standard golf clubhead with a standard top rail but without a cavity. In many embodiments, greater stress exists along a larger area above the cavity 1030 than in the same area in a standard club without a cavity, but the durability of a club head with a cavity and a club head without a cavity is the same. By adding a larger spring to the rear end of the club (by the inward inclination of the top wall 1017 facing the hitting surface 1012), a greater force is transferred throughout the volume of the structure. Stress is observed over a larger area of ​​the hitting surface 1012 and top rail 1015 of the golf club head 1000. Peak stress can be seen in a standard top rail club head. However, more peak stress is seen in the golf club head 1000, but it is distributed over a larger volume of material. The hinge and bending areas of the golf club head 1000 (i.e., the area above the cavity 1030 and the cavity 1030 itself) do not deform unless the stress reaches the critical buckling threshold. The cavity 1030 and its movement can be designed so that they are below the critical K value of the buckling threshold.

[0077] Figures 22 to 30 show various examples of other embodiments of golf club heads 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 having cavities 2030, 3030, 4030, 5030, 6030, 7030, and 8030 for increased surface flex. Referring to Figures 26 and 27, the golf club head 2000 has a striking surface 2012 and a body 2001. The body 2001 has a heel region 2002, a toe region 2004 opposite the heel region 2002, a sole 2006, a crown 2008 opposite the sole 2006, a front end 2010, a rear end 2011 opposite the front end 2010, and a cavity 2030.

[0078] In many embodiments, the golf club head 2000 is a hollow-body type golf club head, such as a hybrid type golf club head, a fairway wood type golf club head, or a driver type golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head 2000 can be an iron type club head, or it can be at least partially hollow, similar to the club head 1000 described above.

[0079] In embodiments where the club head 2000 is a driver-type club head, the loft angle of the club head 2000 can be less than 16 degrees, less than 15 degrees, less than 14 degrees, less than 13 degrees, less than 12 degrees, less than 11 degrees, or less than 10 degrees. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the volume of the club head 2000 can be greater than 400cc, greater than 425cc, greater than 450cc, greater than 475cc, greater than 500cc, greater than 525cc, greater than 550cc, greater than 575cc, greater than 600cc, greater than 625cc, greater than 650cc, greater than 675cc, or greater than 700cc.

[0080] In embodiments where the club head 2000 is a fairway wood type club head, the loft angle of the club head 2000 can be less than 35 degrees, less than 34 degrees, less than 33 degrees, less than 32 degrees, less than 31 degrees, or less than 30 degrees. Furthermore, the loft angle of the club head 2000 can be greater than 12 degrees, greater than 13 degrees, greater than 14 degrees, greater than 15 degrees, greater than 16 degrees, greater than 17 degrees, greater than 18 degrees, greater than 19 degrees, or greater than 20 degrees. In these embodiments, the volume of the club head 2000 can be less than 400cc, less than 375cc, less than 350cc, less than 325cc, less than 300cc, less than 275cc, less than 250cc, less than 225cc, or less than 200cc. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be 300cc-400cc, 325cc-400cc, 350cc-400cc, 250cc-400cc, 250-350cc, or 275-375cc.

[0081] In embodiments where club head 2000 is a hybrid type club head, the loft angle of club head 2000 can be less than 40 degrees, less than 39 degrees, less than 38 degrees, less than 37 degrees, less than 36 degrees, less than 35 degrees, less than 34 degrees, less than 33 degrees, less than 32 degrees, less than 31 degrees, or less than 30 degrees. Furthermore, the loft angle of club head 2000 can be greater than 16 degrees, greater than 17 degrees, greater than 18 degrees, greater than 19 degrees, greater than 20 degrees, greater than 21 degrees, greater than 22 degrees, greater than 23 degrees, greater than 24 degrees, or greater than 25 degrees. In these embodiments, the volume of the club head 2000 can be less than 200cc, less than 175cc, less than 150cc, less than 125cc, less than 100cc, or less than 75cc. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be 100cc to 150cc, 75cc to 150cc, 100cc to 125cc, or 75cc to 125cc.

[0082] In embodiments where the club head 2000 is an iron-type club head, the loft angle of the club head 2000 can be less than 35 degrees, less than 30 degrees, less than 29 degrees, less than 28 degrees, less than 27 degrees, less than 26 degrees, less than 25 degrees, or less than 24 degrees. Furthermore, the loft angle of the club head 2000 can be greater than 12 degrees, greater than 13 degrees, greater than 14 degrees, greater than 15 degrees, greater than 16 degrees, greater than 17 degrees, or greater than 18 degrees. In these embodiments, the volume of the club head 2000 can be less than 100 cc, less than 75 cc, less than 60 cc, less than 55 cc, or less than 50 cc. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the volume of the club head can be 25cc to 75cc, 25cc to 50cc, 40cc to 60cc, 45cc to 60cc, or 40cc to 50cc.

[0083] In many examples, the cavity 2030 can be described in relation to the ground plane 2058, the front plane 2060, and the loft plane 2064 when the club head is in the address position. In the address position, the hosel axis (not shown), which extends centrally through the hosel 2066, is positioned at a 60-degree angle to the ground plane 2058 when viewed from the front and at a 90-degree angle to the ground plane 2058 when viewed from the side. The front plane 2060 is positioned perpendicular to the ground plane 2058, adjacent to the foremost point of the club head 2000. The loft plane 2064 is positioned tangent to the geometric center of the hitting surface 2012.

[0084] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, in the illustrated embodiments, the cavity 2030 is located behind the clubface 2012 on the sole 2006 of the clubhead. In these and other embodiments, the cavity 2030 can reduce the impact stress on the clubface 2012 and provide the ability to reduce the thickness of the clubface. Furthermore, in these and other embodiments, the cavity 2030 can increase the flex of the clubface upon impact with the golf ball, increasing ball speed and travel distance. In other embodiments, the cavity 2030 can be located on any preferred area of ​​the clubhead 2000, such as the sole 2006, the crown 2008, or a combination of the sole 2006 and the crown 2008. For example, in other embodiments, the cavity 2030 can be located on the crown 2008 of the clubhead 2000. Furthermore, for example, the cavity 2030 can be located on at least a portion of the clubface 2012 near the sole 2006. Furthermore, for example, the cavity 2030 can be positioned above both the crown 2008 and the sole 2006 of the clubhead 2000.

[0085] In many examples, the cavity 2030 extends from near the heel 2002 of the clubhead 2000 to near the toe 2004. Furthermore, in many examples, the cavity 2030 can be centered between the heel 2002 and the toe 2004 of the clubhead 2000. In other examples, the cavity 2030 can extend along the clubhead 2000 for any distance from the heel 2002 to the toe 2004. Furthermore, in other examples, the cavity 2030 can be offset toward the heel 2002 of the clubhead 2000 or offset toward the toe 2004.

[0086] In other examples, the cavity 2030 may have multiple separate parts (not shown). For example, the cavity may have a first cavity part (not shown) located near the toe portion 2004 of the club head and a second cavity part (not shown) located near the heel portion 2002 of the club head. In these examples, the cavity 2030 may have any number of separate parts, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any other number.

[0087] The cavity 2030 further has a front edge 2046 adjacent to the crown 2008 and / or sole 2006 closest to the front end 2010 of the club head 2000, and a rear edge 2048 adjacent to the crown 2008 and / or sole 2006 closest to the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, the cavity 2030 has a length extending from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004, an outer surface 2052, an inner surface 2054, and a thickness 2056 measured as the minimum distance between the outer surface 2052 and the inner surface 2054. In the illustrated examples of Figures 26 and 27, the thickness 2056 of the cavity 2030 is substantially constant from near the front edge 2046 to near the rear edge 2048. Furthermore, in the examples illustrated in Figures 26 and 27, the thickness 2056 of the cavity 2030 is substantially constant from near the heel portion 2002 to near the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. In other examples, the thickness 2056 of the cavity 2030 can vary according to any shape from near the front edge 2046 to near the rear edge 2048 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, in other examples, the thickness 2056 of the cavity 2030 can vary according to any shape from near the heel portion 2002 to near the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000.

[0088] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, the cavity 2030 further comprises a main section 2038 and an inset section 2036. The main section 2038 of the cavity 2030 extends inward from the sole 2006 of the clubhead 2000 between the front edge 2046 and the rear edge 2048. The inset section 2036 extends from the main section 2038 of the cavity 2030 toward the hitting surface 2012. In many embodiments, the main section 2038 and the inset section 2036 are separated by a plane formed by a plurality of axes 2047 that extend through the front edge 2046 at each position along the length of the cavity, parallel to the loft plane 2064. In many embodiments, each position along the length of the cavity can be defined in increments of approximately 0.1 inches. In other embodiments, each position along the length of the cavity can be defined in increments of less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.075 inches, or less than 0.050 inches.

[0089] The inset portion 2036 increases the deflection of the clubface at impact with the golf ball compared to a club head with a cavity without an inset portion. Furthermore, the inset portion 2036 distributes stress over a wider area at impact with the golf ball compared to a club head with a cavity without an inset portion. In many embodiments, the greater stress distribution within the golf club head by the inset portion 2036 prevents stress concentration at the front edge 2046 or rear edge 2048 of the cavity 2030.

[0090] In many embodiments, the cavity 2030 is offset from the loft plane 2064 or the hitting plane 2012 of the clubhead 2000. In some embodiments (Figure 26), the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 can be offset from the loft plane 2064 or the hitting plane 2012 by a fixed distance extending from near the heel region 2002 to near the toe region 2004. In other embodiments (not shown), the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 can be offset from the loft plane 2064 or the hitting plane 2012 by a varying distance extending from near the heel region 2002 to near the toe region 2004. For example, in another embodiment, the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 near the center of the hitting surface 2012 may be located closer to the hitting surface 2012 than the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 near the heel region 2002 and / or the toe region 2004 of the club head 2000.

[0091] In many embodiments, at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 can be offset from the loft plane 2064 or the hitting surface 2012 by a distance 2049 of 1.0 inch or less, measured perpendicular to the loft plane 2064. In other embodiments, at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 can be offset from the loft plane 2064 or the hitting surface 2012 by a distance 2049 of 0.75 inches or less, 0.50 inches or less, 0.45 inches or less, 0.40 inches or less, 0.35 inches or less, 0.30 inches or less, 0.25 inches or less, 0.20 inches or less, 0.15 inches or less, 0.10 inches or less, or 0.05 inches or less, measured perpendicular to the loft plane 2064. For example, in many embodiments, at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 is offset from the loft plane 2064 or hitting plane 2012 by a distance between 0.025 and 0.075 inches, measured perpendicular to the loft plane 2064.

[0092] In many embodiments, having at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 located near the face of the hitting surface increases the internal energy stored by the clubhead 2000 during impact, and therefore increases energy transfer to the golf ball, compared to similar clubheads having a cavity with a front edge located further away from the hitting surface. Increasing energy transfer to the golf ball allows for increases in ball speed and distance traveled.

[0093] For example, in one embodiment, positioning at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 at an offset distance 2049 of 0.05 inches from the clubface, measured perpendicular to the loft plane 2064, increased the internal energy stored in the clubhead 2000 by approximately 8.6 percent compared to a clubhead without a cavity. Furthermore, for example, in one embodiment, positioning at least a portion of the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 at an offset distance 2049 of 0.10 inches from the clubface, measured perpendicular to the loft plane 2064, increased the internal energy stored in the clubhead 2000 by approximately 2.9 percent compared to a clubhead without a cavity. In these examples, a clubhead with a cavity whose front edge is located 0.05 inches from the clubface 2012 stored approximately 5.6 percent more internal energy at impact with the golf ball compared to a clubhead with a cavity whose front edge is located 0.10 inches from the clubface 2012. Therefore, positioning the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 closer to the hitting surface 2012 increases the internal energy stored in the clubhead 2000 at impact with the golf ball, enabling increased energy transfer to the ball, increased ball speed, and increased distance traveled.

[0094] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, the cavity 2030 can be further described in terms of its front and rear sections. The front and rear section is taken as a plane perpendicular to the contact surface 2058 and the front surface 2060, extending from the front end 2010 to the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000. The front and rear section can be located anywhere along the length of the cavity. For example, Figure 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the club head along a plane located at the midpoint of the cavity 2030.

[0095] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, when the cavity 2030 is positioned on the sole 2006, the cavity 2030 further has a vertex axis 2068. The vertex axis 2068 is located at an offset distance 2076 from the front. The offset distance 2076 of the cavity 2030 can be constant, or it can vary from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000.

[0096] The vertex axis 2068 defines the deepest part or maximum depth 2074 of the cavity 2030 at each position along the length of the cavity 2030 extending from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004. The maximum depth 2074 of the cavity 2030 located on the sole 2006 is measured from the front edge 2046 to the vertex axis 2068 in a direction parallel to the loft plane 2064. The maximum depth 2074 of the cavity 2030 can be constant, or it can vary from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the clubhead 2000. For example, the maximum depth 2074 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back cross section taken at the midpoint of the cavity 2030 may differ from the maximum depth 2074 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back cross section taken near the heel portion 2002 or near the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000.

[0097] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, the cavity 2030 further has a front 2078 and a back 2080. The front 2078 extends from the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030 to the vertex axis 2068. The back 2080 extends from the vertex axis 2068 of the cavity 2030 to the rear edge 2048. Thus, the front 2078 and the back 2080 are separated by the vertex axis 2068 of the cavity 2030. Referring to Figures 26 and 27, at least a portion of the front 2078 of the cavity 2030 extends toward the hitting surface 2012 in the direction from near the front edge 2046 toward the vertex axis 2068. In these and other embodiments, at least a portion of the front surface 2078 of the cavity 2030 extends toward the hitting surface 2012 to facilitate increased facet flex and increased stress distribution between the cavity 2030 and the club head body 2001. The front surface 2078 can have any shape such that at least a portion of its front shape extends toward the hitting surface 2012 of the club head 2000. In many embodiments, the portion of the front surface 2078 extending toward the hitting surface 2012 forms an inset portion of the cavity 2030.

[0098] The front surface 2078 further has a foremost point 2082 and a furthest point 2084 in any front-to-back section of the club head 2000. The foremost point 2082 is located along the front surface 2078 closest to the front surface 2060 or the hitting surface 2012, and the furthest point 2084 is located along the front surface 2078 furthest from the front surface 2060 or the hitting surface 2012. The foremost point 2082 is located at a first distance D1 from the front surface 2060, and the furthest point 2084 is located at a second distance D2 from the front surface 2060. The second distance D2 is longer than the first distance D1 in at least one front-to-back section of the cavity 2030. The first distance D1 and the second distance D2 can be constant, or they can vary from the heel section 2002 to the toe section 2004 of the club head 2000. For example, the first distance D1 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back section taken at the midpoint of the cavity 2030 may differ from the first distance D1 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back section taken near the heel portion 2002 or the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, for example, the second distance D2 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back section taken at the midpoint of the cavity 2030 may differ from the second distance D2 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back section taken near the heel portion 2002 or the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. In many examples, the ratio of the second distance D2 to the first distance D1 is greater than 1.0, greater than 1.05, greater than 1.1, greater than 1.15, greater than 1.2, greater than 1.25, or greater than 1.3 in at least part of the cavity 2030.

[0099] Referring to Figures 26 and 27, the axis 2086 extends through the foremost point 2082 and the furthest point 2084 of the front surface 2078 of the cavity 2030. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis 2086 intersects the striking surface 2012 of the club head 2000. In many embodiments, the axis 2086 intersects the striking surface 2012 of the club head 2000 at an acute angle. Furthermore, the axis 2086 is positioned at an angle 2088 with respect to the loft surface 2064 of the club head 2000. In many embodiments, the angle 2088 ranges from 0 to 90 degrees, 5 to 85 degrees, 10 to 80 degrees, or 15 to 75 degrees to increase the striking surface deflection compared to club heads with cavities that have a front surface that does not extend toward the striking surface. The angle 2088 can be constant or it can vary from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. For example, the angle 2088 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back cross section taken at the midpoint of the cavity 2030 can be different from the angle 2088 of the cavity 2030 in a front-to-back cross section taken near the heel portion 2002 or near the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000.

[0100] In many embodiments, the cavity inset portion 2036 has a height 2040 and a depth 2050. In the illustrated embodiment, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036, measured parallel to the loft plane 2064, is constant from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. In the illustrated embodiment, the height 2040 of the cavity 2030 can vary from near the front end 2010 to near the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the height 2040 of the cavity 2030 increases from near the front end 2010 to near the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000. In other embodiments, the height 2040 of the cavity 2030 can vary according to an arbitrary shape from near the front end 2010 to near the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000.

[0101] Furthermore, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased or decreased according to any external shape from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head. For example, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, for example, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036 can be decreased from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, for example, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased from the center of the club head 2000 toward the heel portion 2002 and the toe portion 2004. Furthermore, for example, the height 2040 of the inset portion 2036 can be decreased from the center of the club head 2000 toward the heel portion 2002 and the toe portion 2004.

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036, measured as the distance between the front edge and the foremost point 2082 in a direction parallel to the loft plane 2064, remains constant from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. In other embodiments, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased or decreased according to any external shape from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. For example, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, for example, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036 can be decreased from the heel portion 2002 to the toe portion 2004 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, for example, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036 can be increased from the center of the club head 2000 toward the heel portion 2002 and the toe portion 2004. Furthermore, for example, the depth 2050 of the inset portion 2036 can be decreased from the center of the club head 2000 toward the heel portion 2002 and the toe portion 2004.

[0103] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 26 and 27, the shape of the front 2078 is unidirectional. Furthermore, the front 2078 extends toward the vertex axis 2068 of the cavity 2030 in the direction toward the hitting surface 2012. In these and other examples, the foremost point 2082 of the front 2078 is located near the vertex axis 2068 of the cavity 2030, and the furthest point 2084 is located near the front edge 2046 of the cavity 2030. In other embodiments, the front shape can be multidirectional and may have any shape such that at least a portion of the front extends toward the vertex axis of the cavity in the direction toward the hitting surface 2012.

[0104] In the embodiments shown in Figures 26 and 27, the back surface 2080 of the cavity 2030 is substantially straight. In other embodiments, the back surface 2080 of the cavity 2030 can have any shape.

[0105] In other examples, the cavity 2030 may be oriented such that the main portion 2038 of the cavity 2030 extends inward from the sole 2006 of the club head 2000, and the inset portion 2036 extends from the main portion 2038 of the cavity 2030 toward the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000. In these examples, the front surface 2078 may have any shape, and at least a portion or the back surface 2080 may extend toward the rear end 2011 of the club head 2000.

[0106] Figures 22 and 23 show other embodiments of the club head 3000 having a hitting surface 3012 and a body 3001. The body 3001 has a heel region 3002, a toe region 3004 opposite the heel region 3002, a sole 3006, a crown 3008 opposite the sole 3006, a front end 3010, a rear end 3011 opposite the front end 3010, and a cavity 3030. The club head 3000 can be similar to the club head 2000 having the same number referring to similar features, except that the front surface 3078 of the cavity 3030 is multi-directional. In these or other embodiments, the front surface 3078 extends in multiple directions from the front edge 3046 of the cavity 3030 to the vertex axis 3068, so that at least a portion of the front surface 3078 extends toward the hitting surface 3012.

[0107] Referring to Figures 22-25, 28, and 29, in these and other examples, the cavity 3030 has an inset portion 3036 and may further have a side wall 3032 extending from a front edge 3046 into the cavity 3030 and an inner wall 3034 extending from a rear edge 3048 into the cavity 3030. The inset portion 3036 is positioned at a first angle 3042 with respect to the side wall 3032 and at a second angle 3044 with respect to the inner wall 3034. In the illustrated embodiment, the first angle 3042 is about 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the first angle 3042 may be in the range of about 85-95 degrees, about 80-100 degrees, or about 75-105 degrees. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the second angle 3044 is about 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the second angle 3044 can be in the range of approximately 85 to 95 degrees, approximately 80 to 100 degrees, or approximately 75 to 105 degrees.

[0108] In these embodiments, the cavity 3030 of the club head 3000 has a main portion 3038, an inset portion 3036, a front edge 2046, and a rear edge 3048, similar to the main portion 2038, inset portion 2036, front edge 2046, and rear edge 2048 of the cavity 2030 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, the cavity 3030 of the club head 3000 has a vertex axis 3068, a front surface 3078, and a back surface 3080, similar to the vertex axis 2068, front surface 2078, and back surface 2080 of the cavity 2030 of the club head 2000. Therefore, at least a portion of the front surface 3078 of the club head 3000 extends toward the hitting surface 3012.

[0109] Figure 24 shows another embodiment of the club head 4000 having a striking surface 4012 and a body 4001. The body 4001 has a heel region 4002, a toe region 4004 opposite the heel region 4002, a sole 4006, a crown 4008 opposite the sole 4006, a front end 4010, a rear end 4011 opposite the front end 4010, and a cavity 4030. The club head 4000 can be similar to the club head 3000 having the same number and referring to similar features, except that the cavity 4030 is behind the striking surface 4012 and located on the crown 4008 of the club head 4000. In these or other embodiments, the cavity 4030 can increase the flex of the striking surface upon impact with the golf ball, reduce backspin, and / or increase the launch angle, increasing ball speed and travel distance. Furthermore, in these and other embodiments, positioning the cavity 4030 at least partially on the crown can further increase the curvature of the hitting surface for impact at a lower position on the hitting surface.

[0110] Referring to Figure 24, when the cavity 4030 is positioned on the crown 4008, the cavity 4030 further has a top and bottom axis 4072. The top and bottom axis 4072 is located at an offset distance 4076 from the front. The offset distance 4076 of the cavity 4030 can be constant, or the offset distance 4076 of the cavity 4030 can vary from the heel portion 4002 to the toe portion 4004 of the club head 4000.

[0111] The top and bottom axis 4072 defines the deepest part or maximum depth 4074 of the cavity 4030 at each position along the length of the cavity 4030 extending from the heel portion 4002 to the toe portion 4004. The maximum depth 4074 of the cavity 4030 located on the crown 4008 is measured from the front edge 4046 to the top and bottom axis 4072 in a direction parallel to the loft plane 4064. The maximum depth 4074 of the cavity 4030 can be constant, or it can vary from the heel portion 4002 to the toe portion 4004 of the clubhead 4000. For example, the maximum depth 4074 of the cavity 4030 in a front-to-back cross section taken at the midpoint of the cavity 4030 may differ from the maximum depth 4074 of the cavity 4030 in a front-to-back cross section taken near the heel portion 4002 or near the toe portion 4004 of the club head 4000.

[0112] Referring to Figure 24, the cavity 4030 further has a front 4078 and a back 4080. The front 4078 extends from the front edge 4046 of the cavity 4030 to the top and bottom axis 4072. The back 4080 extends from the top and bottom axis 4072 of the cavity 4030 to the rear edge 4048. Thus, the front 4078 and the back 4080 are separated by the top and bottom axis 4072 of the cavity 4030. Referring to Figure 24, at least a portion of the front 4078 of the cavity 4030 extends toward the hitting surface 4012 in the direction from near the front edge 4046 toward the top and bottom axis 4072. In these and other embodiments, at least a portion of the front surface 4078 of the cavity 4030 extends toward the hitting surface 4012 to facilitate increased facet flex and increased stress distribution between the cavity 4030 and the club head body 4001. The front surface 4078 can have any shape such that at least a portion of its front shape extends toward the hitting surface 4012 of the club head 4000. In many embodiments, the portion of the front surface 4078 extending toward the hitting surface 4012 forms an inset portion of the cavity 4030.

[0113] Referring to Figure 24, the cavity 4030 further comprises a main section 4038 and an inset section 4036. The main section 4038 of the cavity 4030 extends inward from the crown 4008 of the clubhead 4000 between the front edge 4046 and the rear edge 4048. The inset section 4036 extends from the main section 4038 of the cavity 4030 toward the hitting surface 4012. In many embodiments, the main section 4038 and the inset section 4036 are separated by a plane formed by a plurality of axes 4047 that extend through the front edge 4046 at each position along the length of the cavity 4030, parallel to the loft plane 4064. In many embodiments, each position along the length of the cavity can be defined by an increment of about 0.1 inches in length. In other embodiments, each position along the length of the cavity can be defined by increments of less than 0.100 inches, less than 0.075 inches, or less than 0.050 inches.

[0114] The inset portion 4036 increases the deflection of the clubface at impact with the golf ball compared to a club head with a cavity without an inset portion. Furthermore, the inset portion 4036 distributes stress over a wider area at impact with the golf ball compared to a club head with a cavity without an inset portion. In many embodiments, the greater stress distribution within the golf club head by the inset portion 4036 prevents stress concentration at the front edge 4046 or rear edge 4048 of the cavity 4030.

[0115] Figure 30 shows another embodiment of the club head 5000 having a hitting surface 5012 and a body 5001. The body 5001 has a heel region 5002, a toe region 5004 opposite the heel region 5002, a sole 5006, a crown 5008 opposite the sole 5006, a front end 5010, a rear end 5011 opposite the front end 5010, and a cavity 5030. The club head 5000 can be similar to the club head 2000 of the same number, referring to similar features, except that the back surface 5080 of the cavity 5030 is concave, thereby accommodating the deformation of the club head upon impact with the golf ball, allowing for increased flex and energy storage. In other embodiments, the cavity 5030 can have any other curved shape. For example, in other embodiments, the back surface 5080 of the cavity 5030 can be convex or have any other shape.

[0116] In these embodiments, the cavity 5030 of the club head 5000 has a main portion 5038, an inset portion 5036, a front edge 2046, and a rear edge 5048, similar to the main portion 2038, inset portion 2036, front edge 2046, and rear edge 2048 of the cavity 2030 of the club head 2000. Furthermore, the cavity 5030 of the club head 5000 has a vertex axis 5068, a front surface 5078, and a back surface 5080, similar to the vertex axis 2068, front surface 2078, and back surface 2080 of the cavity 2030 of the club head 2000. Thus, at least a portion of the front surface 5078 of the club head 5000 extends toward the hitting surface 5012.

[0117] Figure 28 shows another embodiment of the club head 6000 having a hitting surface 6012 and a body 6001. The body 6001 has a heel region 6002, a toe region 6004 opposite the heel region 6002, a sole 6006, a crown 6008 opposite the sole 6006, a front end 6010, a rear end 6011 opposite the front end 6010, and a cavity 6030. The club head 6000 can be similar to the club head 3000 of the same number, referring to similar features, except that the back surface 6080 of the cavity 6030 is concave, thereby accommodating the deformation of the club head upon impact with the golf ball, allowing for increased flex and energy storage. In other embodiments, the cavity 6030 can have any other curved shape. For example, in other embodiments, the back surface 6080 of the cavity 6030 can be convex or have any other shape.

[0118] In these embodiments, the cavity 6030 of the club head 6000 has a main portion 6038, an inset portion 6036, a front edge 3046, and a rear edge 6048, similar to the main portion 3038, inset portion 3036, front edge 3046, and rear edge 3048 of the cavity 3030 of the club head 3000. Furthermore, the cavity 6030 of the club head 6000 has a vertex axis 6068, a front surface 6078, and a back surface 6080, similar to the vertex axis 3068, front surface 3078, and back surface 3080 of the cavity 3030 of the club head 3000. Therefore, at least a portion of the front surface 6078 of the club head 6000 extends toward the hitting surface 6012.

[0119] Figure 29 shows another embodiment of the club head 7000 having a hitting surface 7012 and a body 7001. The body 7001 has a heel region 7002, a toe region 7004 opposite the heel region 7002, a sole 7006, a crown 7008 opposite the sole 7006, a front end 7010, a rear end 7011 opposite the front end 7010, and a cavity 7030. The club head 7000 can be similar to the club head 4000 of the same number, referring to similar features, except that the back surface 7080 of the cavity 7030 is concave, thereby accommodating the deformation of the club head upon impact with the golf ball and allowing for increased flex and energy storage. In other embodiments, the cavity 7030 can have any other curved shape. For example, in other embodiments, the back surface 7080 of the cavity 7030 can be convex or have any other shape.

[0120] In these embodiments, the cavity 7030 of the club head 7000 has a main portion 7038, an inset portion 7036, a front edge 4046, and a rear edge 7048, similar to the main portion 4038, inset portion 4036, front edge 4046, and rear edge 4048 of the cavity 4030 of the club head 4000. Furthermore, the cavity 7030 of the club head 7000 has a top and bottom axis 7072, a front surface 7078, and a back surface 7080, similar to the top and bottom axis 4072, front surface 4078, and back surface 4080 of the cavity 4030 of the club head 4000. Therefore, at least a portion of the front surface 7078 of the club head 7000 extends toward the hitting surface 7012.

[0121] Figure 25 shows another embodiment of the club head 8000 having a hitting surface 8012 and a body 8001. The body 8001 has a heel region 8002, a toe region 8004 opposite the heel region 8002, a sole 8006, a crown 8008 opposite the sole 8006, a front end 8010, a rear end 8011 opposite the front end 8010, and a cavity 8030. The club head 8000 can be similar to the club head 4000, which has the same number and refers to similar features, except that the cavity 8030 of the club head 8000 is located at the transition between the hitting surface 8012 and the crown 8008. In these or other embodiments, the inset portion 8036 may be located closer to the rear end 8011 of the club head 8000 than the main portion 8038 of the cavity 8030.

[0122] In other embodiments, the cavity 8030 can be located on any transitional region between the clubhead 8000's hitting surface 8012 and the body 8001. For example, in other embodiments, the cavity 8030 can be located in the transitional region between the hitting surface 8012 and the sole 8006.

[0123] Referring to Figures 22 to 30, the clubheads 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 having cavities 2030, 3030, 4030, 5030, 6030, 7030, and 8030 described herein can store increased internal energy upon impact with the golf ball. This increased stored energy allows the increased energy to be transferred to the golf ball at impact, thereby increasing ball speed and travel distance compared to similar clubheads without a cavity, or similar clubheads with a cavity but without an inset cavity.

[0124] For example, in some embodiments, club heads having cavities as described herein stored approximately 48–90% more internal energy during simulated impact with a golf ball at a swing speed of 100 mph compared to similar club heads without cavities. Furthermore, referring to Table 1, for example, club head 6000 shown in Figure 28 stored 4.0% more internal energy during simulated impact with a golf ball at a swing speed of 100 mph compared to similar club heads having similar cavities without insets. Furthermore, referring to Table 1, for example, club head 5000 shown in Figure 30 can store approximately 4–10% more internal energy during simulated impact with a golf ball at a swing speed of 100 mph compared to similar club heads having similar cavities without insets.

[0125] Furthermore, referring to Figures 22 to 30, the club heads 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 having cavities 2030, 3030, 4030, 5030, 6030, 7030, and 8030 described herein can redistribute impact stress over a wider surface area, thereby increasing the durability of the club head compared to similar club heads that do not have a cavity or have a cavity with an inset section. Many club heads that do not have a cavity with an inset section experience high stress near the front edge of the cavity. Conversely, the clubheads 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, and 8000 having the cavities 2030, 3030, 4030, 5030, 6030, 7030, and 8030 described herein allow for increased torsional bending of the clubhead and / or cavity at impact, thereby reducing stress concentration at the front and rear edges and distributing impact stress over a wider area of ​​the cavity to increase the durability of the clubhead.

[0126] For example, referring to Table 1, the clubheads 6000 and 5000 shown in Figures 28 and 30 experienced peak stresses at impact that were 17–25% lower than those of similar clubheads with similar cavities without inset sections, when simulated impact with a golf ball at a swing speed of 100 mph.

[0127] [Table 1]

[0128] III. Golf club heads with cascade soles and back cavities In some embodiments, a golf club head having a back cavity further includes a cascade sole having a stepped thin section. Figure 14 shows a cross-section of a golf club head 1100 according to an embodiment, which can be similar to a golf club head 1000 (Figure 10) along a similar cross-sectional line XII-XII in Figure 10. Similar to the golf club head 1000 (Figure 10), the golf club head 1100 has a body 1101. The body 1101 has a striking surface 1112, a sole 1106, and a crown 1108. The striking surface 1112 has a high region 1176, a middle region 1174, and a low region 1172. The crown 1108 has an upper region 1111 and a lower region 1113. The upper region 1111 has a top rail 1115. In many embodiments, a cavity 1130 is located below the top rail 1115. The golf club head 1100 further has a cascade sole 1310 similar to the inner diameter transition section 310 (Figure 3). The inner diameter transition section 1310 may have a first step 1315 of first thickness, a second step 1317 of second thickness, and a step transition region 1316. In some embodiments, the cascade sole 1310 can provide further flexibility to the top rail 1115. In many embodiments, a back cavity combined with the cascade sole provides a greater spring effect to the hitting surface. In some embodiments, a back cavity with a cascade sole allows about 3% to 5% more energy to flex the hitting surface. The cascade sole 1310 may have any number of steps, two or more. For example, the cascade sole 1310 may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 steps.

[0129] A golf club head 1100 having a cascade sole and a back cavity can impart greater recoil force to the ball-striking surface than a golf club head having only a cascade sole or only a back cavity. This is due to the increased recoil force, combined from both the inner diameter transition and the back cavity, as described above. The increased recoil force to the ball-striking surface increases flex, which increases the impact force applied to the golf ball, thereby increasing the speed of the golf ball. In some embodiments, a golf club head 1100 having both a cavity 1130 and an inner diameter transition 1310 can increase ball speed, increase launch angle, and provide good distance control. In various embodiments, a golf club head 1100 can increase ball speed by about 1% to about 4%. In various embodiments, a golf club head 1100 can increase ball speed by about 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4%. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1100 significantly increases ball speed when the golf ball is impacted in the high area 1176 of the hitting surface. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1100 can increase the launch angle by about 0.5 degrees to about 1.1 degrees. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1100 can increase the launch angle by about 0.5 degrees, 0.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees, 0.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees, 1.0 degree, or 1.1 degrees.

[0130] Embodiments of a golf club head 1100 having a cascade sole and a back cavity were tested. Overall, compared to a control golf club head lacking a cascade sole and back cavity, the cavity-equipped golf club head showed increased golf ball velocity and increased launch angle. The cavity-equipped golf club head showed increased golf ball velocity and increased launch angle for all contact positions on the ball-face due to the combined spring effect from the combination of the cascade sole 1310 (Figure 14) and the cavity 1130 (Figure 14). In some embodiments, a greater increase in golf ball velocity and launch angle was observed at contact in the higher parts of the ball-face (e.g., high region 1076 (Figure 12) or high region 1176 (Figure 14)) due to the spring effect of the cavity 1130 (Figure 14). Figures 19-20 show the test results of an embodiment of the golf club head 1100 (cavity-backed golf club head) compared to a standard iron-type golf club head (control golf club head) having a closed back design and a similar loft angle to a cavity-backed golf club head. Figure 19 shows the increase in golf ball velocity of the cavity-backed golf club head compared to the control golf club head when the golf ball is impacted in a high area of ​​the clubface, and Figure 20 shows the increase in launch angle of the cavity-backed golf club head compared to the control golf club head when the golf ball is impacted in a high area of ​​the clubface.

[0131] In particular, Figure 19 shows that, compared to a control golf club head, the golf ball velocity of a cavity-backed golf club head increases by approximately 1.9% (or approximately 2.5 mph) when the golf ball is impacted in the high toe region of the clubface, by approximately 2.1% (or approximately 2.8 mph, or approximately 4.5 kph) when the golf ball is impacted in the high center region of the clubface, and by approximately 1.5% (or approximately 2.0 mph, or approximately 3.2 kph) when the golf ball is impacted in the high heel region of the clubface (all cavity-backed golf club heads). When a golf ball is impacted in the high toe region of a control golf club head, the golf ball velocity is approximately 132.5 mph (213.2 kph), while when a golf ball is impacted in the high toe region of a cavity-backed golf club head, the golf ball reaches approximately 135.0 mph (217.3 kph). When a golf ball is impacted in the high-center region of a control golf club head, the golf ball's velocity is approximately 133.4 mph (214.7 kph), while when a golf ball is impacted in the high-center region of a cavity-back golf club head, the golf ball reaches approximately 136.2 mph (219.2 kph). When a golf ball is impacted in the high-heel region of a control golf club head, the golf ball's velocity is approximately 134.0 mph (215.7 kph), while when a golf ball is impacted in the high-heel region of a cavity-back golf club head, the golf ball reaches approximately 136.0 mph (218.9 kph).

[0132] Figure 20 shows that, compared to a control golf club head, the launch angle of a cavity-back golf club head increases by approximately 4.2% (or approximately 0.6 degrees) when the golf ball is impacted in the high toe region of the clubface, by approximately 4.8% (or approximately 0.7 degrees) when the golf ball is impacted in the high center region of the clubface, and by approximately 6.4% (or approximately 0.9 degrees) when the golf ball is impacted in the high heel region of the clubface (all cavity-back golf club heads). When the golf ball impacts the clubface in the high toe region of the control golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 14.4 degrees, while when the clubface impacts the clubface in the high toe region of the cavity-back golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 15.0 degrees. When a golf ball impacts the clubface in the high-center region of a reference golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 14.5 degrees, while when it impacts the clubface in the high-center region of a cavity-back golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 15.2 degrees. When a golf ball impacts the clubface in the high-heel region of a reference golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 14.1 degrees, while when it impacts the clubface in the high-heel region of a cavity-back golf club head, the launch angle is approximately 15.0 degrees.

[0133] Figure 17 shows a method 1700 for manufacturing a golf club head. Method 1700 includes preparing the body (block 1705). Preparing the body in block 1705 comprises a body having a striking surface, a heel region, a toe region opposite the heel region, a sole, and a crown. In many embodiments, the crown has an upper region and a lower region. In some embodiments, the upper region has a top rail. In many embodiments, the cavity is located below the top rail and above the lower region of the crown (block 1710). In some embodiments, the cavity is defined at least in part by the upper and lower regions of the crown. The cavity has a top wall, a rear wall adjacent to the top wall, a bottom inclined portion adjacent to the rear wall, a back cavity angle measured between the top and rear walls of the cavity, and at least one channel.

[0134] In some embodiments, method 1700 further includes preparing an insert in the lower region of the crown that faces the toe region. In some embodiments, the insert is similar to insert 1062 (Figure 10).

[0135] In some embodiments, block 1705 is provided with a body further comprising a body having a cascade sole. The cascade sole includes an inner diameter transition section from the hitting surface to the sole. In many embodiments, the inner diameter transition region can be the same as the inner diameter transition section or the cascade sole 1310 (Figure 14). In some embodiments, the inner diameter transition region comprises a first stage having a first thickness, a second stage having a second thickness thinner than the first thickness, and a step transition region between the first and second stages.

[0136] IV. Golf clubs with cascade soles and back cavities Moving to Figure 15, Figure 15 shows a golf club 1500 comprising a golf club head 1500 and a shaft 1590 connected to the golf club head 1500. In some embodiments, the golf club head 1500 of the golf club 1500 is a hybrid type golf club head. In other embodiments, the golf club head 1500 can be an iron type golf club head or a fairway wood type golf club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 1500 can be the same as the golf club head 100 or the golf club head 1000 (Figure 10). The golf club head 1500 can have a hollow body and has a striking surface 1512, a heel region 1502, a toe region 1504 opposite the heel region 1502, a sole 1506, and a crown 1508. The crown 1508 has an upper region 1511 and a lower region 1513. The upper region 1511 has a top rail 1515. The golf club head 1500 further includes a cavity 1530 located below the top rail 1515 and above the lower region 1513 of the crown 1508.

[0137] Figure 16 shows a cross-section of a golf club head 1500 along the cross-sectional line XVI-XVI of Figure 15 according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the cavity 1530 can be defined at least in part by an upper region 1511 and a lower region 1513. In many embodiments, the cavity 1530 has a top wall 1517, a rear wall 1519, a bottom inclined portion 1521, a back cavity angle 1535 measured between the top wall 1517 and the rear wall 1519, and at least one channel 1539. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is about 0.25 inches to about 1.25 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the apex of the top wall 1517 is about 0.375 inches below the apex of the top rail 1515. In some embodiments, the bottom inclined portion 1521 can be at least about 0.50 inches to about 2 inches from the lower apex of the top rail 1515. In many embodiments, the back cavity angle 1535 can be about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees. In some embodiments, the back cavity angle 1535 can be about 90 degrees.

[0138] In many embodiments, the upper region 1511 comprises a lower region of the crown having a top portion of the cavity and a bottom sloping portion of the cavity. In some embodiments, the upper region 1511 further comprises a rear wall 1523 adjacent to the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530 and a rear angle 1540 measured between the top wall 1517 of the cavity 1530 and the rear wall 1523 of the upper region 1511. In many embodiments, the rear angle 1540 is about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

[0139] In other embodiments, the golf club head may have a hosel. The hosel may have a hosel notch. The hosel notch can be positioned to provide an iron-like range of loft and to allow for adjustment of the lie angle. Although not shown in Figure 16, the golf club head 1500 may further have a cascaded sole or an internal diameter transition in the sole.

[0140] The golf club heads having energy storage properties discussed herein can be implemented in various embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of these embodiments does not necessarily provide a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings and the drawings themselves disclose at least one preferred embodiment of a golf club head having energy storage properties, and other embodiments of a golf club head having a stepped inner thin-walled portion may be disclosed.

[0141] (Clause 1) A golf club head comprising: a hollow body; a hitting surface; a heel region; a toe region opposite the heel region; a sole; a crown; and a cavity located behind the hitting surface of the club head and positioned on the sole of the club head, wherein the cavity has a front edge adjacent to the sole; a rear edge adjacent to the sole; a main portion extending inward from the sole between the front edge and the rear edge; an inset portion extending from the main portion to the hitting surface; and a vertex axis located along the deepest part of the cavity and extending from the heel region to the toe region, separating the front surface of the cavity from the back surface of the cavity, wherein the front surface extends from the front edge to the vertex axis, the back surface extends from the vertex axis to the rear edge, and at least a portion of the front surface extends toward the hitting surface.

[0142] (Clause 2) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the volume of the club head is less than 60cc.

[0143] (Clause 3) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the volume of the club head is between 40 and 60 cc.

[0144] (Clause 4) The golf club head as described in Clause 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.50 inches or less.

[0145] (Clause 5) The golf club head as described in Clause 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.10 inches or less.

[0146] (Clause 6) The golf club head as described in Clause 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset by a certain distance from the hitting surface.

[0147] (Clause 7) The golf club head according to Clause 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity near the center of the hitting surface is closer to the hitting surface than the front edge of the cavity near at least one region of the heel region and the toe region.

[0148] (Clause 8) The golf club head according to Clause 1, wherein the front surface of the cavity further has, in a side cross-sectional view of the club head, a foremost point located closest to the hitting surface and a rearmost point located furthest from the hitting surface, and an axis extending through the foremost point and the rearmost point intersects the hitting surface at an acute angle.

[0149] (Clause 9) The golf club head according to Clause 1, wherein the axis extending through the frontmost and rearmost points of the front surface is positioned at an angle between 5 and 85 degrees with respect to the loft plane of the club head.

[0150] (Clause 10) The golf club head according to Clause 1, wherein the cavity further has a length extending from the heel portion to the toe portion, the loft plane of the club head is positioned to pass through the geometric center of the hitting surface, and a plane formed by the plurality of axes, each extending parallel to the loft plane at each position along the length of the cavity and passing through the front edge, separates the main portion of the cavity from the inset portion.

[0151] (Clause 11) A golf club head comprising: a hollow body; a hitting surface; a heel region; a toe region opposite the heel region; a sole; a crown; and a cavity located behind the hitting surface of the club head and above the crown of the club head, wherein the cavity comprises: a front edge adjacent to the crown; a rear edge adjacent to the crown; a main portion extending inward from the crown between the front and rear edges; an inset portion extending from the main portion to the hitting surface; and a top-bottom axis located along the deepest part of the cavity and extending from the heel region to the toe region, the top-bottom axis separating the front surface of the cavity from the back surface of the cavity, wherein the front surface extends from the front edge to the top-bottom axis, the back surface extends from the top-bottom axis to the rear edge, and at least a portion of the front surface extends toward the hitting surface.

[0152] (Clause 12) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the volume of the club head is less than 60 cc.

[0153] (Clause 13) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the volume of the club head is between 40 and 60 cc.

[0154] (Clause 14) The golf club head as described in Clause 11, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.50 inches or less.

[0155] (Clause 15) The golf club head as described in Clause 11, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.10 inches or less.

[0156] (Clause 16) The golf club head according to Clause 11, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset by a certain distance from the hitting surface.

[0157] (Clause 17) The golf club head according to Clause 11, wherein the front edge of the cavity near the center of the hitting surface is closer to the hitting surface than the front edge of the cavity near at least one region of the heel region and the toe region.

[0158] (Clause 18) The golf club head according to Clause 11, wherein the front surface of the cavity further has a foremost point in a side cross-sectional view of the club head that is closest to the hitting surface and a rearmost point in a side cross-sectional view of the club head that is furthest from the hitting surface, and an axis extending through the foremost point and the rearmost point intersects the hitting surface at an acute angle.

[0159] (Clause 19) The golf club head according to Clause 11, wherein the axis extending through the frontmost and rearmost points of the front surface is positioned at an angle between 5 and 85 degrees with respect to the loft plane of the club head.

[0160] (Clause 20) The golf club head according to Clause 11, wherein the cavity further has a length extending from the heel portion to the toe portion, the loft plane of the club head is positioned to pass through the geometric center of the hitting surface, and a plane formed by the plurality of axes, each extending parallel to the loft plane at each position along the length of the cavity and passing through the front edge, separates the main portion of the cavity from the inset portion.

[0161] The replacement of one or more claim elements constitutes a reconstruction and not a prosthesis. Furthermore, advantages, other advantages and solutions to the problem have been described in relation to specific embodiments. However, advantages, other advantages and solutions to the problem, and any one or more elements that give rise to or reveal any advantage, advantage or solution, do not constitute a material, essential, or essential feature or element of any or all elements of the claims unless such advantage, advantage, solution or element is expressly stated in such claims.

[0162] Because the rules of golf are changed from time to time (for example, new rules may be applied, or old rules may be abolished or changed, by golf standards organizations and / or governing bodies such as the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Advanced Golf Club of St. Robert A. (R&A)), golf equipment relating to the apparatus, methods and products described herein may or may not conform to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment relating to the apparatus, methods and products described herein may be published, marketed, and / or sold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus, methods and products described herein are not limited in this respect.

[0163] Although the above embodiments are described in relation to driver-type golf clubs, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may also be applied to other types of golf clubs such as fairwood-type golf clubs, hybrid-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs, wedge-type golf clubs, or putter-type golf clubs. On the other hand, the apparatus, methods, and products described herein may also be applied to other types of sports equipment such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, and ski poles.

[0164] Furthermore, the embodiments and limitations described herein are not made available to the public under the principle of public disclosure if (1) they are not expressly asserted in the claims, and (2) they are equivalent or potentially equivalent to the expressive elements and / or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. It is a golf club head, A hollow body formed between the sole and the crown, It extends between the sole and the crown, and has a striking surface that makes impact on the golf ball, Heel area and The heel region is opposed to the toe region, The contact surface is defined such that, when the golf club head is in the address position, the contact surface is in contact with at least a portion of the sole. The front surface is defined such that, when the golf club head is in the address position, the front surface is perpendicular to the ground surface and touches and contacts the foremost point of the hitting surface. The sole defines a cavity behind the outer surface of the sole and the hitting surface. The cavity extends inward from the outer shape of the sole, The aforementioned cavity is The front edge matches the outer shape of the sole, A rear edge that matches the outer shape of the sole, A front cavity surface extending from the front edge to the hitting surface and defining the inset portion of the cavity, the front cavity surface having a side wall extending from the front edge, an inner wall extending from the vertex axis of the cavity, and a connecting wall connecting the side wall and the inner wall at the vertex axis, It comprises a rear cavity surface that extends from the rear edge to the hitting surface and connects with the front cavity surface at the vertex axis of the cavity, In the side cross-section perpendicular to the front surface and the ground surface, The aforementioned vertex axis is the foremost part of the cavity, The aforementioned vertex axis is provided between the front surface and the front edge, The aforementioned front edge is provided between the front surface and the aforementioned rear edge. The aforementioned front cavity surface tapers from a thicker portion to a relatively thinner portion. The aforementioned thick portion is provided between the aforementioned relatively thin portion and the aforementioned front edge. The aforementioned rear cavity surface has a height that decreases from the vertex axis toward the rear edge of the cavity, and is measured relative to the contact surface. The aforementioned rear cavity surface has a curved portion extending from the vertex axis to the rear edge such that the rear cavity surface is recessed relative to the cavity. The aforementioned vertex axis is located at an offset distance from the front surface, The offset distance changes from the heel region to the toe region. The vertex axis defines the maximum depth of the cavity measured from the front edge to the vertex axis at each position along the length of the cavity, The maximum depth of the cavity is constant from the heel region to the toe region. The first angle between the side wall and the connecting wall is 75 to 105 degrees, and the second angle between the inner wall and the rear cavity surface is 75 to 105 degrees. Golf club head.

2. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the golf club head is less than 150 cc.

3. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the golf club head is between 100 and 125 cc.

4. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.50 inches (0.127 cm) or less.

5. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset from the hitting surface by a distance of 0.10 inches (0.254 cm) or less.

6. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity is offset by a certain distance from the hitting surface.

7. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the front edge of the cavity near the center of the hitting surface is closer to the hitting surface than the front edge of the cavity near at least one region of the heel region and the toe region.

8. The aforementioned front cavity surface is further, The cross-section of the side portion of the golf club head has a rearmost point located furthest from the hitting surface and a frontmost point located closest to the hitting surface, The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the axis extending through the foremost point and the last point intersects the hitting surface at an angle of 5 to 85 degrees.

9. The loft surface is defined such that the loft surface touches and contacts the geometric center of the hitting surface. The reference line is perpendicular to the loft plane and extends through the front edge. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein in the side cross-section, the depth of the cavity, measured parallel to the loft plane from the rear cavity surface to the reference line, is greatest at the vertex axis.

10. The vertex axis is spaced a first distance away from the front surface, The aforementioned front edge is separated from the front surface by a second distance. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the second distance to the first distance is greater than 1.

0.

11. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the first angle is 85 to 95 degrees.

12. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second angle is 85 to 95 degrees.

13. The front cavity surface further has a frontmost point and a rearmost point in any front-to-rear cross-section of the golf club head, The aforementioned foremost point is located along the front cavity surface closest to the front surface or the hitting surface, and is located at a first distance D1 from the front surface. The aforementioned last point is located along the front cavity surface furthest from the front surface or the hitting surface, and is located at a second distance D2 from the front surface. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the second distance D2 is longer than the first distance D1 in at least one of the front and rear cross-sections of the cavity.

14. The golf club head according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the golf club head is greater than 400 cc.

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