Golf Club Head Indicia via Sealant Layer Media Blasting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying visual indicia or designs to golf club heads, such as painting or using decals, can compromise the structural integrity and mass properties of the club head, are difficult to apply on curved surfaces, and are costly and permanent, making it challenging to modify or remove them.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a masking technique followed by media blasting to create roughened regions on the golf club head's surface within a sealant layer, allowing for visually identifiable indicia without altering the club head's mass properties or requiring recesses, enabling easy modification or removal of designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If paint or decals are applied to the golf club head, then visual indicia are provided, but the structural integrity and mass properties of the club head are compromised due to recess formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the indicia from recesses and places them directly on the outer surface of the club head. The indicia are formed by selective removal of the clearcoat layer to expose the underlying pigment layer, eliminating the need for recesses that compromise structural integrity while maintaining visual visibility of the indicia.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional recess-carved indicia to surface-level indicia formed by layer removal. By using a multi-layer coating system (pigment layer + clearcoat layer) and selectively removing the clearcoat, the indicia are raised to the surface dimension, eliminating the need for depth-based recesses that weaken the club head structure.
2Quantity of substance
If recesses are formed in the golf club head to contain paint, then the paint is retained, but the mass properties and structural integrity are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite coating system consisting of a pigment layer and a clearcoat layer. The pigment layer contains the visual indicia while the clearcoat layer provides protection and visibility. By selectively removing the clearcoat layer, the indicia are exposed without requiring recesses, thus retaining the paint/coating material while maintaining the club head's original mass properties.
3Loss of information
If decals are applied to arcuate surfaces, then indicia are provided, but proper placement is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the coating system into distinct layers (pigment layer and clearcoat layer) that can be applied separately. The indicia are formed in the pigment layer first, then the clearcoat is applied over them. This segmentation allows the indicia to be precisely positioned during the coating process before the clearcoat is applied, making placement on arcuate surfaces much easier compared to applying decals after the club head is formed.
4Loss of information
If traditional painting or decal methods are used, then indicia are applied, but the process is costly in terms of time and material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the indicia application process with the club head coating process. The pigment layer containing the indicia and the clearcoat layer are applied in sequence as part of the same coating operation, eliminating separate steps for applying and positioning decals or paint. This integration significantly reduces manufacturing time and material waste compared to traditional methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for cost-effective, durable, and easily modifiable indicia on golf club heads without affecting their structural integrity, providing a simpler and more efficient process compared to traditional methods, with the ability to renew or remove indicia as needed.
Implementation Method 1
The roughened regions may be formed by abrading or eroding a sealant layer or coating on the golf club head
Data Source
AI summary
A golf club head includes a striking face, and a bottom portion secured to, and extending rearward of, the striking face. A top portion of the golf club head is secured to, and extends rearward of, the striking face. The top portion includes a substrate layer and a sealant layer disposed on the substrate layer. The sealant layer includes therein a roughened region defining visually identifiable indicia. According to another aspect, a method includes receiving a golf club head including a portion having a metal substrate layer and a sealant layer disposed thereon. A selection of a first indicia is received from among a plurality of indicia, and a masking is applied to one or more exterior surface regions of the portion based on the selection. A visual representation of the first indicia is generated on an exterior surface of the portion by media blasting the portion.