Golf club head including tiled weighting
The tiled weighting system in golf club heads addresses the inefficiencies of existing weight systems by using spacer tiles and a weighted tile to cover the sole groove, enhancing performance through improved CG, MOI, and aerodynamics.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- US18/802096
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing weight systems in golf club heads often leave large areas uncovered, affecting aerodynamics, center of gravity (CG), moment of inertia (MOI), and golf characteristics, and may inefficiently distribute mass, pushing the CG upward.
A tiled weighting system using spacer tiles and a weighted tile, secured by fasteners, that covers the sole groove of the golf club head, providing a low-profile, mass-efficient, and flush design, improving CG and aerodynamics.
The tiled weighting system enhances golf club performance by improving CG, MOI, and aerodynamics while maintaining structural integrity and efficient mass distribution.
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Figure US20260048301A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to golf club heads, and more specifically golf club head including tiled weighting.SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the presently disclosed technology may include golf club heads. In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head, a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, and a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face. The sole may include a sole groove and a weight assembly to fit into the sole groove. The weight assembly may include a plurality of spacer tiles and a weighted tile. At least one of the plurality of spacer tiles may engage the weighted tile. The plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile may combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
[0003] In embodiments, the sole groove may include a plurality of threaded holes. The weighted tile may include a weighted through hole and a fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
[0004] In embodiments, the sole groove may extend along a substantially back-to-front direction.
[0005] In embodiments, the sole groove may extend along a substantially heel-to-toe direction.
[0006] In embodiments, the sole groove may be near the striking face along a back-to-front direction.
[0007] In embodiments, the weighted tile may include a first weight end and a second weight end opposite the first weight end. The first weight end may be heavier than the second weight end.
[0008] In embodiments, the sole groove may further include undercuts along a front end and a back end of the sole groove. Each of the plurality of spacer tiles may include rails to fit into the undercuts.
[0009] In embodiments, individual ones of the plurality of spacer tiles may include feet and ramps to interact with other feet and other ramps of other ones of the plurality of spacer tiles.
[0010] In embodiments, the weighted tile may include weight ramps to interact with the feet of the plurality of spacer tiles to secure the weight assembly in an installed position.
[0011] In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head, a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, and a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face. The sole may include a sole groove extending along a substantially heel-to-toe direction and a weight assembly to fit into the sole groove. The weight assembly may include a plurality of spacer tiles and a weighted tile. At least one of the plurality of spacer tiles may engage the weighted tile. The plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile may combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
[0012] In embodiments, the sole groove may include a plurality of threaded holes. The weighted tile may include a weighted through hole and a fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
[0013] In embodiments, the sole groove may be near the striking face along a back-to-front direction.
[0014] In embodiments, the weighted tile may include a first weight end and a second weight end opposite the first weight end. The first weight end may be heavier than the second weight end.
[0015] In embodiments, the sole groove may further include undercuts along a front end and a back end of the sole groove. Each of the plurality of spacer tiles may include rails to fit into the undercuts.
[0016] In embodiments, individual ones of the plurality of spacer tiles may include feet and ramps to interact with other feet and other ramps of other ones of the plurality of spacer tiles.
[0017] In embodiments, the weighted tile may include weight ramps to interact with the feet of the plurality of spacer tiles to secure the weight assembly in an installed position.
[0018] In accordance with some aspects of the presently disclosed technology, a golf club head may include a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head, a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, and a sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face. The sole may include a sole groove extending along a substantially back-to-front direction and a weight assembly to fit into the sole groove. The weight assembly may include a plurality of spacer tiles and a weighted tile. At least one of the plurality of spacer tiles may engage the weighted tile. The plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile may combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
[0019] In embodiments, the sole groove may include a plurality of threaded holes. The weighted tile may include a weighted through hole and a fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
[0020] In embodiments, the sole groove may be substantially centered along a heel-to-toe direction.
[0021] In embodiments, the weighted tile may include arms extending onto the sole. One of the arms may include an arm weight.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom-up view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom-up view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional views of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line A-A′ of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line A-A′ of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line B-B′ of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates exploded views of a weighted tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a weighted tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates perspective views of a spacer tile in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates perspective views of a cover in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a golf club head in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology.
[0034] These and other features of the presently disclosed technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts, may be clearer upon consideration of the following detailed description and the claims with reference to these drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, with like reference numerals designating corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood that these drawings are for illustration purposes and description and are not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Existing weight systems may have a large area of the system uncovered or exposed. This may create an undesirable look and negatively affect aerodynamics, center of gravity (CG), moment of inertia (MOI), and / or other golf characteristics. Some weight systems may use a cover that causes inefficiencies in mass, which may push weight upward, which in turn may push the CG upward. Other weight systems may hide positions of a weight.
[0036] The presently disclosed technology described herein contemplates a golf club head, such as an iron, a fairway wood, a driver, or another type of golf club head, that includes tiled weighting. The tiled weighting system may include spacer tiles and a weighted tile. The spacer tiles may be installed, and a cover added to prevent the spacer tiles from falling out. The spacer tiles may be slidable along a sole groove. The weighted tile may fit against at least one of the plurality of spacer tiles in a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions may correspond to the total number of tiles, which may include spacer tiles and weighted tile. At least one of the plurality of spacer tiles may engage the weighted tile. The plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile may combine to substantially cover the sole groove. In the installed position, the weighted tile may engage at least one adjacent spacer tile to secure the weight assembly to the golf club head. The presently disclosed technology may provide a weight system that is low profile, flush, mass efficient, and / or improve CG. The presently disclosed technology may provide mass redistribution benefits, structural integrity benefits, aerodynamic benefits, and / or other golf club performance benefits.
[0037] Establishing a reference coordinate system for the presently disclosed technology, an x-axis may refer to the axis that is horizontal to the face from a heel-to-toe direction, a y-axis may refer to the vertical axis through the club in a crown to sole direction, a z-axis may refer to the horizontal axis that is horizontal front to back in a forward and rear direction. Alternatively speaking, the x-axis may be defined as a horizontal axis tangent to a geometric center of the face with the positive direction towards a heel of the golf club head, a y-axis is a vertical axis orthogonal to the x-axis with a positive direction towards a top of the golf club head, and a z-axis being orthogonal to both the x-axis and the y-axis with a positive direction towards a front of the golf club head. The x-y-z coordinate system described above shall be the same for all subsequent discussions. For example, the x-y-z coordinate system may be used to describe the CG of the golf club head. The golf club head may have a CG-x, a CG-y, and a CG-z component corresponding to the x-, y-, and z-coordinates discussed herein.
[0038] FIGS. 1-9 illustrate golf club head 100 and one or more of its components in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom-up view of golf club head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom-up view of golf club head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 3 illustrates cross-sectional views of golf club head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line A-A′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates cross-sectional views of golf club head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line A-A′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of golf club head 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology taken substantially along line B-B′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 illustrates exploded views of weighted tile 114 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of weighted tile 114 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 8 illustrates perspective views of spacer tile 112 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 9 illustrates perspective views of cover 132 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Each of these figures may provide different views of the same or similar components and may be discussed together herein.
[0039] Referring first to FIG. 1, golf club head 100 may include striking face 102, crown (at least shown as crown 104 in FIG. 3), and / or sole 106. Golf club head 100 and its components may include metal, plastic, composite, and / or other materials. The metal may include tungsten, steel, titanium, aluminum, scandium, zinc, nickel, copper, iron, alloys, and / or other metals without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. The plastic may include thermosets, thermoplastics, and / or other plastics. Composites may include a variety of materials known to those skilled in the art, including for example, graphite, carbon fiber, resins, ceramics, boron fiber, polymers, foams, and so on. Striking face 102 may be located at a frontal portion of golf club head 100. Striking face 102 may be a portion of golf club head 100 intended to strike a golf ball. Referring to FIG. 3, crown 104 may form an upper portion of golf club head 100. Crown 104 may extend rearward from striking face 102. Sole 106 may form a lower portion of golf club head 100. Sole 106 may include sole groove (at least shown as sole groove 108 in FIG. 2), weight assembly 110, and / or cover groove 134.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, sole groove 108 may be a groove in sole 106. For example, sole groove 108 may be a recessed portion of sole 106. The recessed portion may be recessed upward, relative to surrounding portions of sole 106, toward crown (at least shown as crown 104 in FIG. 3). Sole groove 108 may extend along a heel-to-toe direction. For example, a heel-to-toe dimension may be larger than a back-to-front dimension of sole groove 108. Sole groove 108 may be positioned near striking face 102 along a back-to-front direction. For example, this may be within about 20 mm of striking face 102. This may be within about 20% of a total back-to-front direction from striking face 102 along a back-to-front distance of sole 106. In embodiments, sole groove 108 may be positioned closer to a back of golf club head 100 along a back-to-front direction. For example, sole groove 108 may be further than about 70 mm from striking face 102. This may be further than about 60% of a total back-to-front direction from striking face 102 along a back-to-front direction. It should be appreciated that sole groove 108 may be otherwise located between a front and a back of golf club head 100 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. In some embodiments, sole groove 108 may extend along a back-to-front direction or be otherwise positioned, shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned. In such embodiments, sole groove 108 may be substantially centered along a heel-to-toe direction, though it should be appreciated that sole groove 108 may be located heelward or toeward without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Sole groove 108 may appear substantially rectangular from a bottom-up view. A front side and a back side of sole groove 108 may be curved with an apex toward the front of each side. It should be appreciated that sole groove 108 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Sole groove 108 may include threaded holes 118, cover groove 134, and / or indent 135. Threaded holes 118 may be through holes and / or blind holes. Threaded holes 118 may extend upward toward crown (at least shown as crown 104 in FIG. 3). Threaded holes 118 may receive at least part of fastener (at least shown as fastener 122 in FIG. 3). Threaded holes 118 may be cast, but it should be appreciated that threaded holes 118 may be insert molded, threaded inserts may be glued in, or threaded holes 118 may be otherwise constructed or manufactured without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
[0041] Cover groove 134 may be a recessed portion of sole 106. The recessed portion may be recessed upward, relative to surrounding portions of sole 106, toward crown (at least shown as crown 104 in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, cover groove 134 may be recessed upward less than sole groove 108, though cover groove 134 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Cover groove 134 may extend along a heel-to-toe direction. In some embodiments, cover groove 134 may extend along a back-to-front direction or be otherwise positioned, shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned. Cover groove 134 may appear substantially trapezoidal from a bottom-up view. For example, a front side of cover groove 134 may be larger than a back side of cover groove 134. A heel side and a toe side of cover groove 134 may be substantially the same length. Cover groove 134 may be connected or directly adjacent to sole groove 108. Cover groove 134 may be behind sole groove 108, though cover groove 134 may be otherwise positioned around sole groove 108 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Cover groove 134 may include indent 135.
[0042] Indent 135 may be a recessed portion of sole 106. The recessed portion may be recessed upward, relative to surrounding portions of sole 106, toward crown (at least shown as crown 104 in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, indent 135 may be recessed upward less than cover groove 134, though indent 135 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Indent 135 may appear substantially oval-shaped from a bottom-up view. A longer axis of indent 135 may extend along a heel-to-toe direction, though the longer axis may be otherwise positioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
[0043] Referring back to FIG. 1, weight assembly 110 may fit into sole groove 108, cover groove 134, and / or indent 135. Sole groove 108 and / or one or more components of weight assembly 110 may be cast into golf club head 100. In some embodiments, sole groove 108 and / or one or more components of weight assembly 110 may be injection molded and glued to striking face 102 and / or golf club head 100, including to an aft body without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Weight assembly 110 may be otherwise constructed or manufactured without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Weight assembly 110 may include spacer tiles 112, weighted tile 114, and / or cover 132. Collectively, spacer tiles 112 and / or weighted tile 114 may be referred to as tiles.
[0044] Spacer tiles 112 may fit into sole groove 108. Spacer tiles 112 may fit into sole groove 108 through cover groove 134. Cover groove 134 may provide enough space to fit spacer tiles 112 into sole groove 108. After spacer tiles 112 are fit into sole groove 108, cover 132 may be added to prevent spacer tiles 112 from falling out of sole groove 108 via cover groove 134. As discussed herein with respect to cover groove 134, cover 132 may be otherwise located adjacent to sole groove 108. For example, cover 132 may be part of an aft body, a crown insert, a crown wrap, a sole insert, and / or other components of a golf club head. In one example, cover 132 may be part of a hosel hole cover on sole 106 of golf club head 100. Sole groove 108 may be too small to remove spacer tiles 112 with cover 132 installed. Spacer tiles 112 may appear substantially rectangular from a bottom-up view, though it should be appreciated that spacer tiles 112 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Spacer tiles 112 may include metal, plastic, composite, and / or other materials. For example, spacer tiles 112 may be plastic.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, sole groove 108 may include undercuts 128. Undercuts 128 may extend along a front end and a back end of sole groove 108. For example, undercuts 128 may be along a front wall and a back wall of sole groove 108. Undercuts 128 may receive rails 130. Each of spacer tiles 112 may include rails 130 on a front end and a back end of spacer tiles 112. Rails 130 may be protrusions on spacer tiles 112. Rails 130 may fit into undercuts 128. Rails 130 may help prevent spacer tiles 112 from falling out of sole groove 108 in the installed position. In embodiments, rails 130 may be spring-loaded, allowing rails 130 to be collapsed and installed. Referring to FIG. 8, an individual spacer tile 112 may include rails 130, first feet 150, first ramps 151, second foot 152, and / or second ramp 153. First ramps 151 and second ramp 153 may be collectively referred to as ramps. First feet 150 and second foot 152 may be collectively referred to as feet. First feet 150 may interact with first ramps 151. For example, in the installed position, first feet 150 of a first spacer tile 112 may fit over first ramps 151 of an adjacent spacer tile 112. Second foot 152 may interact with second ramps 153. For example, in the installed position, second foot 152 of a first spacer tile 112 may fit over second ramp 153 of an adjacent spacer tile 112. In some embodiments, first feet 150 and / or second foot 152 of a first spacer tile 112 may slide over first ramps 151 and / or second ramp 153 of adjacent spacer tiles 112, respectively. This may cause them to interlock together. These same features may allow spacer tiles 112 to be slidable across sole groove 108 without weighted tile 114. Rails 130 may help enable this sliding. In some embodiments, the feet and ramps may include polymeric bumpers to fill any tolerance gaps between tiles. In the installed position, top sides of spacer tiles 112 may be empty. For example, there is no material extending on a top side of spacer tile 112. For the sake of clarity, assuming spacer tile 112 was shaped like a box, the top of the box is open, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Spacer tiles 112 may be less than about 2 g. In some embodiments, spacer tiles 112 may be less than about 1 g. Referring back to FIG. 1, while four spacer tiles 112 are illustrated, it should be appreciated that there may be more or fewer spacer tiles 112 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. In some embodiments, each spacer tile 112 may be differently shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Spacer tiles 112 may be one piece injection molded. In some embodiments, two spacer tiles 112 may be formed together and snapped, glued, or otherwise combined without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. This may remove a need for cover 132.
[0046] Weighted tile 114 may fit into sole groove 108. Weighted tile 114 may be similarly shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned to spacer tiles 112. Weighted tile 114 may be slightly larger than spacer tiles 112. Weighted tile 114 may appear substantially rectangular from a bottom-up view, though it should be appreciated that weighted tile 114 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Referring to FIG. 3, weighted tile 114 may be in an installed position. Weighted tile 114 may include weighted through hole 120, fastener 122, and / or retaining mechanism 146. Fastener 122 may be fully fastened through weighted through hole 120 and one of threaded holes 118. Fastener 122 may include metal, plastic, composite, and / or other materials. For example, fastener 122 may be metal. Fastener 122 may partially fit into threaded holes 118 and weighted through hole 120 to secure weighted tile 114 to golf club head 100. For example, a part of a shaft of fastener 122 may fit into threaded holes 118 and another part of shaft of fastener 122 may fit into weighted through hole 120. Fastener 122 may secure weighted tile 114 to golf club head 100. Fastener 122 may be secured to weighted tile 114 via retaining mechanism 146. Retaining mechanism 146 may be a c-clip to prevent fastener 122 from coming loose from weighted tile 114. Retaining mechanism 146 may prevent full movement of fastener 122 along its shaft axis.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, weighted tile 114 may include weighted through hole 120, fastener 122, first wall 142, first weight ramps 144, retaining mechanism 146, second weight ramp 148, and / or second walls 149. First weight ramps 144 and second weight ramp 148 may be collectively referred to as weight ramps and / or ramps. First wall 142 and second walls 149 may be collectively referred to as walls. First wall 142 may press up against a first portion of spacer tiles 112. First weight ramps 144 and / or second weight ramp 148 may engage with corresponding portions of spacer tiles 112, as will be discussed herein. Second walls 149 may press up against a second portion of spacer tiles 112. Weighted tile 114 may be solid. Weighted tile 114 may be between about 2 g to about 25 g. In some embodiments, weighted tile 114 may be between about 2.0 g / cc to about 20 g / cc. Referring back to FIG. 1, while a single weighted tile 114 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that there may be more weighted tiles 114 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. The total number of tiles may affect the number of positions weighted tile 114 may be put into, thereby affecting golf club characteristics.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 7, weighted tile 114 may include first weight end 156 and / or second weight end 158. Second weight end 158 may be opposite first weight end 156. Weighted tile 114 may include metal, plastic, composite, and / or other materials. A body of weighted tile 114 may be a single material. For example, weighted tile 114 may be metal. In some embodiments, first weight end 156 may be heavier than second weight end 158. For example, first weight end 156 may be a denser metal and second weight end 158 may be a lighter metal. In embodiments, second weight end 158 may be heavier than first weight end 156. For example, second weight end 158 may be metal and first weight end 156 may be plastic. A biased weighted tile 114 may be used to further affect golf club characteristics, including, for example, CG, MOI, and / or other characteristics. While first weight end 156 and second weight end 158 are illustrated as being along a back end and a front end, it should be appreciated that first weight end 156 and second weight end 158 may be on a heel end and a toe end without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
[0049] Referring back to FIG. 3, cover 132 may fit into indent 135. Cover 132 may include metal, plastic, composite, and / or other materials. For example, cover 132 may be plastic. Cover 132 may include cover protrusion 154. Cover protrusion 154 may fit into cover groove 134. Cover 132 may appear substantially trapezoidal from a bottom-up view, though it should be appreciated that cover 132 may be otherwise shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Cover 132 may be illustrated in an installed position. Cover 132 may be adhered, pressure fit, friction fit, and / or otherwise fit in indent 135 and / or cover groove 134. Cover 132 may be behind weighted tile 114, though it should be appreciated that cover 132 may be otherwise positioned or located without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. For example, cover 132 may be on the side or front of sole groove 108 as discussed herein. Cover 132 may prevent unintended removal of spacer tiles 112 with or without weighted tile 114.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 9, cover 132 may include cover protrusion 154, as discussed herein. Cover 132 may be solid. Cover 132 may be between about 0.5 g to about 5 g. Cover 132 may be less than about 2 g / cc. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments cover 132 may be heavier to lower CG-y. For example, cover 132 may be between about 5 g and about 20 g, and cover 132 may be more than about 4 g / cc. Referring back to FIG. 1, while a single cover 132 is illustrated, it should be appreciated that there may be more covers 132 or no cover 132 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, spacer tiles 112 may engage weighted tile 114. An individual spacer tile 112 may engage other spacer tiles 112. Spacer tiles 112 and weighted tile 114 may combine to substantially cover sole groove 108. This may be in the installed position. With weighted tile 114 removed, there may be four spacer tiles 112. The four spacer tiles 112 may be slidable along sole groove 108. A hole may be next to at least one of the four spacer tiles 112. Weighted tile 114 may be installed in one of five positions, including, for example, a heel position, a heel-center position, a center position, a toe-center position, and a toe position, though it should be appreciated that there may be more or fewer positions depending on the total number of tiles. Between the heel position and the toe position, the CG-x may change up to about 3.0 mm, though it should be appreciated that CG-x may change more or less depending on the shaped, sized, and / or dimensioned of sole groove 108. CG-y and CG-z may change up to about 1.0 mm. In some embodiments with sole groove 108 extending along a back-to-front direction, CG-z may change up to about 5.0 mm.
[0052] Sole groove 108 may include angled undercuts 136. Angled undercuts 136 may be on a heelward end and / or a toeward end of sole groove 108. Angled undercuts 136 may receive first feet 150 and / or second foot 152. In the installed position, there may be spacer gaps 138 between first feet 150 and / or second foot 152 and first ramps 151 and / or second ramp 153, respectively. Spacer gaps 138 may allow spacer tiles 112 to slide around with weighted tile 114 removed. In the installed position, a toeward portion of weighted tile 114 may interact with a heelward portion of spacer tile 112 toeward of weighted tile 114. For example, first wall 142 or second walls 149 may interact with the heelward portion of spacer tile 112 toeward of weighted tile 114. This may push both toeward spacer tiles 112 toeward in the illustrated example. In the installed position, a heelward portion of weighted tile 114 may interact with a toeward portion of spacer tile 112 heelward of weighted tile 114. First weight ramps 144 or second weight ramp 148 may interact with the toeward portion of spacer tile 112 heelward of weighted tile 114. This may push both heelward spacer tiles 112 heelward in the illustrated example. For example, the weight ramps of weighted tile 114 may interact with the feet of spacer tiles 112 to secure weight assembly 110 in the installed position. These interactions and / or engagements may prevent unintended movement and / or noise from weight assembly 110 in the installed position. Weighted tile 114 may not engage cover 132. Weighted tile 114 may be secured to golf club head 100 via fastener 122.
[0053] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate golf club head 1000 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of golf club head 1000 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of golf club head 1000 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Each of these figures may provide different views of the same or similar components and may be discussed together herein. Referring first to FIG. 10, golf club head 1000 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, golf club head 100. For example, sole 1006 and / or threaded holes 1018 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, sole 106 and / or threaded holes 118. Sole groove 1008 may run or extend along a substantially back-to-front direction. For example, a back-to-front dimension may be larger than a heel-to-toe dimension. Sole groove 108 may appear substantially rectangular from a bottom-up view. Referring to FIG. 11, weight assembly 1010, including, for example, spacer tiles 1012, weighted tile 1014, and / or fastener 1022, may be the same as, or substantially similar to, weight assembly 110, including, for example, spacer tiles 112, weighted tile 114, and / or fastener 122. Weighted tile 1014 may include arms 1060. Arms 1060 may extend onto sole 1006.
[0054] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of golf club head 1200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. Golf club head 1200, including, for example, sole 1206, weight assembly 1210, spacer tiles 1212, weighted tile 1214, and / or fastener 1222 may be the same as, or substantially similar to, golf club head 1000, including, for example, sole 1006, weight assembly 1010, spacer tiles 1012, weighted tile 1014, and / or fastener 1022. One of arms 1260 may include arm weight 1262. Weighted tile 1214 may be a biased weight. Arm weight 1262 may bias weighted tile 1214 heelward, though it should be appreciated that weighted tile 1214 may be flipped such that weighted tile 1214 is biased toeward.
[0055] Other than in at least some of the operating examples, or unless otherwise expressly specified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages such as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center of gravity locations, loft, angles, various ratios, and others in the aforementioned portions of the specification may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the above specification and appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed technology. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
[0056] In some examples, substantially parallel may be defined to include zero degrees, or between zero degrees and one degree, or between zero degrees and two degrees, or between zero degrees and five degrees, or between zero degrees and ten degrees of deviation from being exactly parallel to the disclosed front surface. Substantially may be defined to be a value within 10% of the identified value.
[0057] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the presently disclosed technology are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges of varying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that any combination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.
[0058] While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be appreciated these are examples only, and not limiting. Likewise, the various figures may depict an example configuration or structure to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosed technology. The presently disclosed technology is not intended to be restricted to the illustrated example configurations and structures, and the desired features can be implemented with a variety of alternative configurations and structures. It may be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative embodiments can be implemented to impart the desired features of the presently disclosed technology. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which would come within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology.
[0059] While the presently disclosed technology may be described herein in terms of various exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the various features described in any individual embodiment is not limited to its particular embodiment, and can be applied, whether alone or in combinations with features of other embodiments, to another embodiment, whether or not such an embodiment is described herein or described as part of a single embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presently disclosed technology should not be limited to any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0060] Words, phrases, and their variations that are used herein, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended, not as limiting. For example, the term “include” should be read to mean “include, without limitation”; the term “example” should be read to mean the following provides exemplary instances, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,”“one or more” etc. ; and “traditional,”“normal,” and similar terms should not be construed as limiting to a given time period, but should be read to encompass traditional, normal, like technologies that may be known now or at any future point; and a heel-to-toe direction should be read as meaning either the toe-to-heel direction or the heel-to-toe direction, a bottom-to-top direction should be read as meaning either the bottom-to-top direction or the top-to-bottom direction, and a back-to-front direction should be read as meaning either a back-to-front direction or a front-to-back direction. In addition, references herein to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art includes such technologies that are apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art now or at any time in the future.
[0061] The presence of words and phrases such as “one or more,”“at least,”“not limited to,” or other similar phrases shall not be read to necessarily mean that the narrower case is intended in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The presence of words such as “first,”“second,” or other similar words shall not be read to mean that there can only be one or two elements.
Claims
1. A golf club head comprising:a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head;a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; anda sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, wherein the sole comprises:a sole groove; anda weight assembly to fit into the sole groove comprising:a plurality of spacer tiles; anda weighted tile;wherein at least one of the plurality of spacer tiles engages the weighted tile, wherein the plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole groove comprises a plurality of threaded holes, and wherein the weighted tile comprises:a weighted through hole; anda fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole groove extends along a substantially back-to-front direction.
4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole groove extends along a substantially heel-to-toe direction.
5. The golf club head of claim 4, wherein the sole groove is near the striking face along a back-to-front direction.
6. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the weighted tile comprises a first weight end, and a second weight end opposite the first weight end, wherein the first weight end is heavier than the second weight end.
7. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole groove further comprises undercuts along a front end and a back end of the sole groove, and wherein each of the plurality of spacer tiles comprise rails to fit into the undercuts.
8. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein individual ones of the plurality of spacer tiles comprise feet and ramps to interact with other feet and other ramps of other ones of the plurality of spacer tiles.
9. The golf club head of claim 8, wherein the weighted tile comprises weight ramps to interact with the feet of the plurality of spacer tiles to secure the weight assembly in an installed position.
10. A golf club head comprising:a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head;a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; anda sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, wherein the sole comprises:a sole groove extending along a substantially heel-to-toe direction; anda weight assembly to fit into the sole groove comprising:a plurality of spacer tiles; anda weighted tile;wherein at least one of the plurality of spacer tiles engage the weighted tile, wherein the plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
11. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the sole groove comprises a plurality of threaded holes, and wherein the weighted tile comprises:a weighted through hole; anda fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
12. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the sole groove is near the striking face along a back-to-front direction.
13. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the weighted tile comprises a first weight end, and a second weight end opposite the first weight end, wherein the first weight end is heavier than the second weight end.
14. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein the sole groove further comprises undercuts along a front end and a back end of the sole groove, and wherein each of the plurality of spacer tiles comprise rails to fit into the undercuts.
15. The golf club head of claim 10, wherein individual ones of the plurality of spacer tiles comprise feet and ramps to interact with other feet and other ramps of other ones of the plurality of spacer tiles.
16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein the weighted tile comprises weight ramps to interact with the feet of the plurality of spacer tiles to secure the weight assembly in an installed position.
17. A golf club head comprising:a striking face located at a frontal portion of the golf club head;a crown forming an upper portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face; anda sole forming a lower portion of the golf club head, extending rearward from the striking face, wherein the sole comprises:a sole groove extending along a substantially back-to-front direction; anda weight assembly to fit into the sole groove comprising:a plurality of spacer tiles; anda weighted tile;wherein at least one of the plurality of spacer tiles engage the weighted tile, wherein the plurality of spacer tiles and the weighted tile combine to substantially cover the sole groove.
18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the sole groove comprises a plurality of threaded holes, and wherein the weighted tile comprises:a weighted through hole; anda fastener to at least partially fit into the plurality of threaded holes and the weighted through hole to secure the weighted tile to the golf club head.
19. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the sole groove is substantially centered along a heel-to-toe direction.
20. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the weighted tile comprises arms extending onto the sole, and wherein one of the arms comprises an arm weight.