Golf Iron Face Stabilizing Bar with Elastomeric Fill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional iron golf clubs lack effective structural support across the back surface of the face, which affects the launch angle and distance of the golf ball, with existing support systems being either inadequate or cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A method involving forging and machining a golf club body with a face stabilizing bar, attaching a weight member and back panel, and filling the resulting undercut with a flowable elastomeric material to enhance structural support and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a support bar is added to the back of the iron, then structural support and face stability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar is nested within the club head body, with an aperture drilled through the bar to receive a weight member. This nesting approach integrates multiple functional elements (support bar, weight member, elastomeric material) into a compact structure, providing face stability while managing complexity through hierarchical integration rather than separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite construction combining metal (support bar and weight member), elastomeric material (filling the aperture), and club head body material. This composite approach allows each material to contribute its optimal properties: metal provides structural support, elastomer provides damping and stability, together resolving the contradiction between support and complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If weight is added to the club head, then moment of inertia and launch angle control are improved, but weight of the club increases
Solution Approach 1:
Weight is concentrated in specific locations (support bar and aperture weight member) rather than distributed throughout the club head. This local quality approach increases moment of inertia where needed for launch angle control while minimizing overall weight increase, as the weight is strategically placed to maximize rotational stability without adding excessive mass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the density parameter by using high-density materials (metal weight member and elastomeric material) in concentrated volumes. This allows achieving the desired moment of inertia with minimal volume and weight, as density changes enable compact weight concentration that improves stability without proportionally increasing overall club weight
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support bar spans the entire back surface, then face stability is maximized, but manufacturing precision and machining difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into discrete components: support bar, aperture, weight member, and elastomeric material filler. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and positioned independently, reducing the overall machining precision requirements compared to a monolithic support structure, while maintaining face stability through the integrated assembly
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
The method improves the structural support across the back surface of the golf club face, optimizing the launch angle and distance of the golf ball by distributing weight and enhancing the moment of inertia, resulting in improved ball flight trajectories.
Implementation Method 1
filling the filler volume with a flowable elastomeric material; and curing the elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the support bar included a partial channel that was filled by a preformed polymer tab that was press fit into the channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a set of golf clubs comprising long irons, mid irons and short irons. Preferably, at least the long and mid irons have a face stabilizing bar and back panel and the face stabilizing bar includes a retainer clip and elastomeric material.