GB2304591A

GB2304591A - A golf club

Info

Publication number: GB2304591A
Application number: GB9618699A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian James Sadler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-07
Filing date: 1996-09-06
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-06
Also published as: GB2304591B; GB9518201D0; GB9618699D0

Abstract

The weight distribution in a golf club head such as a putter is biased towards the heel 47 and toe 48 regions of the club head by varying dimensions in the x - and z - directions. Thus, the heel 47 and toe 48 regions are both thicker and deeper than the flange portion 49 disposed between them. The back face of the club is provided with a cavity 40, bounded by the heel 47 and toe 48 regions, flange 49, a base plate 50, and a trapezium shaped wall 51. The flange 49 provides additional weight distribution biased towards the top of the club head. In an alternative form (Figures 1 and 2), the club head top and bottom is formed with smooth concavities. In a further form (Figure 4), the cavity may be of a triangular form (25).

Description

TITLE: A GOLF CLUB DESCRIPTION: This invention relates to a golf club and more particularly to a novel golf club head.

It is usual for golf club heads to be weighted either peripherally or centrally, depending on the type of club, to help propel the golf ball correctly. Thus for example, known irons and metal woods often have hollow backs and most weight is provided around the edges of the club head, whereas known woods are usually centrally weighted.

An object of the invention is to provide a golf club of improved playing characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf club having a head in which the size of the so-called 'sweet spot' is increased.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a golf club head comprising a member substantially contributing to the distribution of weight in the head, the member being arranged such that the weight of the head is distributed with a bias towards the heel and toe regions of the head, wherein the contribution provided by the member to the said weight distribution consists of two components, the first being provided by dimensional variations in the member in a direction substantially parallel to the club head face and the second being provided by dimensional variations in the member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the club head playing face.

The fact that there are two components to the contribution provided by the member to the said weight distribution reinforces the heel and toe weighting effect, resulting in a golf club head capable of improved performance.

The playing face of the club head may be conventional in configuration, i.e. flat.

Preferably, the dimension of the member substantially parallel to the club head playing face tapers from or adjacent the heel and toe regions towards the central region of the club head. The dimension of the member substantially perpendicular to the club head playing face may also taper from or adjacent the heel and toe regions towards the central region of the club head. Accordingly, the member is thickest and deepest at or adjacent the heel and toe regions, and the thickness and depth of the member taper towards a central portion of the club head.

Preferably, a substantially triangular region of the member having its base extending along either the upper or lower edge of the member and having its apex at or adjacent the opposite edge of the member is formed to be of substantially constant thickness. The term "substantially triangular" is herein defined to cover a range of shapes comprising a base and two sides inclined towards one another. Thus, the shape may be a segment of a circle or a truncated triangle - or preferably a trapezium.

The transition between the region of substantially constant thickness and the regions of tapering thickness may, if desired, be sharp. Alternatively, the regions can be smoothly blended together by curved surfaces.

In an especially preferred form, the member is further arranged such that the weight of the head is distributed with a vertical bias dependent on the intended use of the club. Thus, in a set of irons embodying the present invention, the vertical bias will be relatively further away from the bottom of the club head in the short irons (e.g. No 9 iron) in comparison to its position in the long irons (eg No 2 iron).

The member may be mounted inside a shell providing at least part of the external periphery of the golf club head.

In this way, the benefits of the present invention may be applied to metal woods.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf putter head wherein the weight of the head is distributed with a bias towards the heel and toe regions of the head and is distributed with a bias towards the top of the head.

Preferably, the playing face of the putter has a loft angle of less than 3'. More preferably, the loft angle is less than 1.5'; the loft of the putter may even be negative.

Testing has shown that by combining the above features (top weighting, and reducing loft angle), it is possible to make a golf ball roll more quickly than with known putters.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a view from behind of the head of an iron embodying the invention; ;Figure 2 shows a schematic view from above of the head of the iron of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view from above of a putter embodying the invention, Figure 4 shows a view from behind of the putter of Figure 3; and Figure 5a, 5b and 5c show respectively plan, rear perspective and rear views of the head of an alternative putter embodying the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an "iron" club head 10 made of hard metal. The face 11 of the head is conventional but at the back of the head, the top 12 and bottom 13 of the head is formed with smooth concavities 14, 15 and the central area 16 is relatively thin Either side of the central area 16, the thickness of head increases in the directions of both the heel 17 and toe 28 regions.

Thus, from above, the club head may be seen to have two humps 19, provided these are not obscured by the playing face 11 of the club head. Accordingly, most of the weight is in the heel 17, toe 18 regions. If more weight was required below the ball, the lower concavity 15 at the bottom 13 of the head would be smaller than the upper concavity 14.

In Figures 3 and 4 there is shown the head 20 of a putter having a conventional front face 21. At the back of the head, the bottom 23 of the club head has been scalloped out to form a generally triangular sharp edged cavity 25 of substantially constant wall thickness. The thickness of the head is greatest at the heel 27 and toe 28 of the head and tapers gradually towards a centrally disposed position 26 adjacent to the upper edge of the head. Thus most of the weight at the heel 27 and toe 28 is biased towards the top 22 of the club head. A base plate 30 may if desired be provided at the base of the putter.

Pigures 5A, 5B, and 5C show an alternative embodiment of a putter head. The front face of the putter head is not shown, but may be conventional or be provided with a loft angle of 1.5' or less. At the back, there is provided a cavity 40, bounded by the heel 47 and toe 48 regions, a flange 49, a base plate 50, and a trapezium shaped wall 51.

The base plate 50 is relatively thin and contributes little to the weight distribution in the putter head; it may therefore be ignored when considering the weight distribution over the putter head. Similarly, the wall 51, is relatively thin and contributes little to the weight distribution in the putter head.

The majority of the weight is concentrated in the heel 47 and toe 48 regions and in the flange 49. Considering just these three regions, it can be seen that the thickness (t) measured in the X - direction varies across the putter head. The thickness tX in the heel 47 and toe 49 regions is greater than the thickness t2 in the central region.

Further, the depth (d) measured in the z - direction varies across the putter head. The depth d, in the heel 47 and toe 48 regions is greater than the depth d2 in the central region of the putter head. Sloping portions 52 are provided to smooth the transitions between thicknesses to and t2 and a depths d1 and d2.

The flange 49 contributes significantly to the weight distribution in the putter head. The flange 49 therefore provides a weight bias towards the top of the club head.

In use, the putter will transfer more weight above the golf ball and will give improved roll on the ball.

Thus, the specific embodiments provide an improved golf club head.

Claims

1. A golf club head comprising a member substantially contributing to the distribution of weight in the head, the member being arranged such that the weight of the head is distributed with a bias towards the heel and toe regions of the head, wherein the contribution provided by the member to the said weight distribution consists of two components, the first being provided by dimensional variations in the member in a direction substantially parallel to the club head face and the second being provided by dimensional variations in the member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the club head playing face.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1, in which the dimension of the member substantially parallel to the club head playing face tapers from or adjacent the heel and toe regions towards the central region of the club head

3. A golf club head according to claim 1 or 2, in which the dimension of the member substantially perpendicular to the club head playing face tapers from or adjacent the heel and toe regions towards the central region of the club head.

4. A golf club head according to claim 1, 2, or 3, in which a substantially triangular region of the member having its base extending along either the upper or lower edge of the member and having its apex at or adjacent the opposite edge of the member is formed to be of substantially constant thickness.

5. A golf club head according to claim 4, in which the transition between the region of substantially constant thickness and the regions of tapering thickness is sharp.

6. A golf club head according to claim 4, in which the region of substantially constant thickness and the regions of tapering thickness are bridged together to smooth the transition therebetween.

7. A golf club head according to any preceding claim, in which the member is further arranged such that the weight of the head is distributed with a vertical bias dependent on the intended use of the club.

8. A golf club head according to claim 7 in which, the vertical bias is towards the top of the club head.

9. A golf club head according to claim 8 in which, the club head playing face has a loft angle of less than 3'.

10. A golf club head according to claim 9 in which, the club head playing facing has a loft angle of less than 1.5'.

11. A golf club head according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a base plate projecting away from the club head playing face.

12. A golf club head according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the member is mounted inside a shell providing at least part of the external periphery of the golf club head.

13. A golf club comprising a shaft and a golf club head, the golf club head being in accordance with any one of claims I to 12.