Golf Club Head Sole Geometry With Consistent Face Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf club head designs with the same loft but different sole configurations result in inconsistent striking face lengths and visual appearances due to varying bounce angles and grind types, affecting the golfer's confidence and consistency in shot making.
Innovation Solution
The design maintains a consistent leading edge blade length across golf club heads with different sole configurations, ensuring the same striking face length and visual appearance by using a coordinate system that includes a leading edge plane parallel to the ground plane, regardless of sole geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If golf club heads have different sole configurations (bounce angle, grind type), then the sole geometry varies to accommodate different playing conditions, but the striking face length becomes inconsistent leading to different visual appearances at address position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new measurement dimension by defining the blade length measurement plane as parallel to the leading edge plane rather than using the conventional ground plane. This dimensional shift in the reference plane allows consistent striking face length measurement across different sole configurations, as the measurement is taken relative to the club head's own geometry rather than an external ground reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reference parameter for blade length measurement from ground plane distance to leading edge plane distance. By modifying the measurement parameter from a ground-based reference to a club-head-based reference, the system maintains consistent striking face length across varying sole geometries while preserving adaptability in bounce angle and grind type.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional measurement methods are used (measuring from shaft axis intersection on ground plane), then blade length can be standardized, but striking face length varies when sole height changes due to bounce angle differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the leading edge plane as an intermediary reference plane between the shaft axis and the ground plane. Instead of directly measuring from the ground plane intersection, the measurement is mediated through the leading edge plane, which serves as a stable reference that is independent of sole height variations. This intermediary plane ensures both blade length standardization and striking face length consistency.
3Productivity
If golf club heads are designed with different silhouettes for different lofts, then each club can be optimized for its specific function, but golfers perceive inconsistency in visual appearance reducing confidence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining consistent visual characteristics (striking face length, silhouette) in the critical address position view while allowing variations in other areas (sole geometry, bounce angle) that affect performance. This localized consistency in the golfer's field of view at address maintains confidence while preserving functional optimization through sole configuration variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Golf club heads having the same striking face length regardless of sole configuration are disclosed herein. More specifically, the golf club heads in accordance with the present invention utilize the same leading edge blade length for same-lofted golf club heads to achieve consistent striking face length for different bounce angles and/or grind types on the soles. Additionally, the present invention contemplates creating golf club heads that have similar profiles from address position to further provide the visual consistency.