Putter Face Insert With Hinged Groove For Spin Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing putter faces lack effective spin control, as they do not provide sufficient variation in spin imparted to a golf ball upon impact.

Innovation Solution

A putter face design featuring an L-shaped or r-shaped face insert with a groove at the hinge region, allowing the face insert to flex and contact the head at only a few select points, and incorporating a sound chamber to amplify impact sounds, with the face insert being capable of pivoting around pins or being affixed only at the sole region, enabling variable thickness patterns and enhanced spin control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional fixed putter face is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but spin control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin controlVSAvoidface insert structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The face insert is designed to be movable relative to the putter body, allowing it to flex and pivot during ball impact. The hinge portion enables rotational movement, transforming the static face into a dynamic component that adapts to different impact locations, thereby providing variable spin control without requiring a completely complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The putter face is segmented into a separate face insert that can move independently from the main body. This segmentation allows the face insert to flex and pivot separately, creating different effective face angles at different impact zones, which directly addresses the spin control requirement while maintaining relative structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the face insert is fully affixed to the body, then structural stability is high, but spin variation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin variation controlVSAvoidface insert attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The face insert is selectively affixed only at the sole portion to the putter body, while the face portion remains unaffixed and free to move. This local attachment strategy provides structural stability where needed (at the sole) while maintaining mobility where required (at the face), enabling spin variation without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By leaving the face portion unaffixed and allowing it to pivot on the hinge, the design creates a dynamic attachment system. The face insert can rotate and flex during impact, providing variable spin control, while the sole portion's attachment maintains structural stability during the swing and address phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the face insert is made flexible for spin control, then spin control improves, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespin controlVSAvoidface insert structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The face insert is designed as a thin-walled structure with a hinge portion that allows controlled flexibility. The L-shaped or r-shaped configuration with integrated hinge creates a flexible yet structurally sound component that can flex during impact for spin control while maintaining sufficient strength through its geometric design and material selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Dividing the face insert into distinct portions (face portion, hinge portion, sole portion) allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function. The hinge portion provides flexibility for spin control, while the overall L-shaped or r-shaped structure maintains structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design provides improved spin control by allowing the face insert to flex and impart different amounts of topspin based on impact location, enhancing the golfer's control over the golf ball's trajectory.

Implementation Method 1

A putter face design featuring an L-shaped or r-shaped face insert with a groove at the hinge region, allowing the face insert to flex and contact the head at only a few select points

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the body, the sound chamber, and the face insert may amplify the sound generated by the putter-type golf club head striking a golf ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic resonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS9545547B1Putter with hinged face component

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY

AI summary

A golf club head comprising a hinged face component is disclosed herein. The face component is preferably a partial face cup with striking face, a flange, and a grooved hinge region between the striking face and the flange, which allows the striking face to flex and improves the sound of the striking face when it makes contact with a golf ball. The face component can be L-shaped, r-shaped, or cup shaped, and the groove preferably extends along the entire horizontal length of at least one hinge. In other embodiments, the groove may extend along a horizontal midline of the rear surface of the face cup striking face.