JP2010005311A - Golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a golf club capable of improving its performance by a rib member by highly efficiently exerting the characteristics of the rib member while effectively using the shape of the outer shell of a metal club head, increasing its effect and improving flexibility in selecting a material for the rib member. <P>SOLUTION: This golf club 8 includes recessed portions 32, 34, 36 and 38 and projecting portions 40, 42 and 44 extended by outward protruding or inward recessing parts of the outer shell of a hollow-structure metal club head 10, the rib member 50 is disposed along the orthogonal or crossing direction to the extension direction of the recessed portions and the projecting portions, a connection part 51 penetrating the outer shell in the wall thickness direction is formed at one part of the rib member and the rib member 50 and the outer shell are integrally formed via the connection part 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a golf club having a hollow metal club head.

  Some golf clubs have a club head formed as a metal club head having a hollow structure. Usually, the metal club head has a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side on a toe side and a heel side. An outer shell is formed by the portion and the back portion on the rear side, and an internal space is formed inside the outer shell.

  In recent years, with the increase in the size of such a hollow club head, the thickness of the outer shell of the metal club head is made as thin as possible, and ribs are provided in the hollow inner space, thereby improving strength and hitting the ball. Adjustment of the deflection and deformation amount at the time, and adjustment of the coefficient of restitution, frequency, etc. are performed.

Some of these ribs are formed on the inner surface of the sole portion in a direction connecting the face portion and the back side portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The ribs provided on the sole in this way suppress the deformation of the sole at the time of impact and make it difficult to bend, while concentrating stress on the crown to make the crown easy to bend and used by players with slow head speed However, it tries to be able to increase the flight distance.
JP 2003-88601 A

  However, since such ribs are integrally formed by projecting from the inner surface during forging or press molding, the material, size, shape, molding position, etc. for forming the ribs are, for example, those of the club head. Various restrictions are imposed by the mold and press used for manufacturing. For this reason, even if ribs are provided on a club head having a hollow structure, the function of such ribs may not be exhibited efficiently.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and exhibits the characteristics of the rib member provided on the outer shell of the hollow metal club head efficiently while taking advantage of the characteristics of the shape of the outer shell. An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club capable of improving the performance by the rib member by increasing the effect and improving the freedom of selection of the material of the rib member.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an outer shell is formed by a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion on a toe side and a heel side, and a back portion on the rear side. A golf club having a hollow metal club head with an internal space formed inside, wherein the metal club head is a deformation in which a part of the outer shell bulges outward or is submerged inside. And a rib member disposed in a direction perpendicular to or intersecting with the extending direction of the deformation region, and a part of the rib member partially passing through the outer shell in the thickness direction And a rib member and an outer shell are integrally formed through the coupling portion.

  The rib member is preferably made of a material different from the material forming the deformation region, and protrudes into the internal space.

  In addition, the rib member is preferably formed of a rolled material processed into a plate shape, and the rolling direction is preferably oriented in the thickness direction of the outer shell or the extending direction of the rib member.

  The height of the rib member protruding from the inner surface of the outer shell into the internal space may be different in the deformation region or in the deformation region and a portion adjacent to the deformation region.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said rib member is formed with a material with higher intensity | strength than the outer shell of the site | part which arrange | positions this rib member.

  According to the golf club of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the deformed region extending by extending a part of the outer shell outward or immersing inward from being deformed or damaged, and in particular, the joint portion of the rib member is prevented from being damaged. By making a part of the shell, the characteristics of the rib member can be demonstrated efficiently, and by making the outer shell shape and structure characteristics effective, the characteristics of the rib member and the outer shell are utilized, and the performance and quality are excellent. Golf clubs can be provided.

  When the rib member is formed of a material different from that of the deformation region, the characteristics of the material of the rib member can be utilized more effectively.

  Further, when the rib member is formed of a rolled material processed into a plate shape and the rolling direction is oriented in the thickness direction of the outer shell or the extending direction of the rib member, the strength can be improved more effectively. Vibration transferability and the like can be adjusted, and a golf club excellent in quality and performance can be obtained.

  When the height of the rib member protruding from the inner surface of the outer shell is different between the deformation region or the deformation region and the adjacent region, the deformation amount and vibration transmission characteristics of the deformation region at the time of hitting the ball are effectively adjusted. It is possible to form a golf club with excellent quality and performance.

  Further, when the rib member is formed of a material having a strength higher than that of the outer shell at the arrangement site, the strength of the outer shell can be improved efficiently, and a golf club having excellent quality and performance can be formed. be able to.

  1 to 4 show a metal club head 10 used in a golf club 8 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a golf club 8 using the club head 10 of the present embodiment has a reference horizontal surface such as the ground where a ball is placed on the tip of a shaft 6 formed into a tubular structure with, for example, a fiber reinforced resin or a metal material. A specified lie angle α and loft angle β are set with respect to B, and a grip 4 formed of a flexible or soft material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber is attached to the base end. Here, the lie angle α is an attachment angle of the shaft axis 6a with respect to a sole portion or a reference horizontal plane B described later.

  2 to 4 show the club head 10 made of a metal material in a hollow structure in detail.

  In the metal club head 10 of the present embodiment, a face member 14 having a hitting surface is disposed on the face portion 12, and the head member 10a supports the face member 14 from the back side. In the head body 10a, a crown portion 16 and a sole portion 18 extend from the upper edge portion 12a and the lower edge portion 12b of the face portion 12 to the back side, respectively. Between the crown portion 16 and the sole portion 18, the toe side side portion 20 and the heel side portion 22 are curved from the toe side and the heel side of the face portion 12 along the peripheral edge portion of the crown portion 16. It extends to the back side and continues to the back portion 24. The toe side part 20 and the heel side part 22 have large dimensions in the vertical direction, that is, the crown / sole direction on the face part 12 side, and the dimensions gradually decrease to the back part 24. Accordingly, the club head 10 substantially forms an outer shell by the face portion 12, the crown portion 16, the sole portion 18, the toe side and heel side side portions 20 and 22, and the back portion 24 at the rear portion. Is formed in the outer shell.

  The upper edge portion 12a between the face portion 12 and the crown portion 16 can be specified by a ridge line therebetween, but is specified at a portion smaller than the radius of curvature of the surface portion forming the most part of the face portion 12. May be. The same applies to other parts that define the face part 12 such as the lower edge part 12b.

  The face member 14 fixed to the front opening of the head main body 10a is formed of a plate-like member having a bulge with a central portion slightly bulged outward, and the front surface hits a golf ball. Form a surface. A large number of score lines 13 (see FIG. 1) extending in the toe-heel direction are formed on the hitting surface of the face portion 12 by a suitable means such as a shallow groove in a substantially horizontal direction. A sweet spot S, which is a point extending through the center of gravity G of the club head 10 and extending perpendicularly to the hitting surface of the face portion 12, is located.

  The face member 14 is formed of a plate-like member that closes the front side opening of the head main body 10a including the crown portion 16, the sole portion 18, the toe side and heel side portions 20, 22, and the back portion 24. 12 may be formed as a whole, or may be formed as a so-called force-up shape, and may form part of the crown portion 16, the sole portion 18, and the side portions 20 and 22 on the face portion 12 side. Furthermore, it may be formed in a plate shape that fits into an opening of a predetermined size formed in the face portion 12, and only a part of the face portion 12 may be formed.

  The head body 10a of the present embodiment is preferably integrally formed by casting, for example, a titanium-based alloy, an iron-based alloy, etc., except for the face member 14 provided on the face portion 12. In addition, an opening is formed in which a face member 14 formed in a force-up shape constituting the hitting surface of the face portion 12 is fixed by welding, adhesion or the like. Instead of such an integral structure, each member constituting the head body 10a (a member forming an outer shell such as a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion, etc.) is individually formed, and then assembled. They may be integrated by welding or adhesion. Further, the crown portion 16 is formed of a fiber reinforced metal, a fiber reinforced resin, a magnesium alloy, a thin titanium alloy having a thickness of 0.3 to 0.7 mm, a thin stainless steel alloy having the same thickness, or the like. Joining by brazing or the like is also possible, and in this case, since the crown of the head main body is vacant, there is an effect that it is easy to insert a rib into the inner surface of the head.

  The face member 14 coupled to the head main body 10a is integrally formed by, for example, pressing or forging a titanium alloy, an iron alloy, or the like so as to have a predetermined force-pipe shape, For example, the average thickness of the ball striking surface including the position of the sweet spot S (the average value of the maximum thickness portion, the minimum thickness portion, and the intermediate thickness portion of each part, and at least three portions of a wide area portion with a predetermined thickness) It is preferable to form a thickness of about 1.5 mm to 3.2 mm that can withstand an impact at the time of hitting. In the case of forming with a rolled material, it is preferable to arrange the rolling direction along the crown / sole direction in order to increase the repulsive force of the face portion 12 and increase the durability. Moreover, the repulsive force can be increased while maintaining the strength by forming the portion where the sweet spot S is disposed slightly thicker than the peripheral portion.

  The face member 14 formed in this way is fixed to the end face of the opening formed in the head main body 10a by suitable means such as adhesion, welding, or brazing. Of course, the face portion 12 may be integrally formed with the head main body 10a instead of fixing the face member 14 as a separate member.

  A shaft fastening portion (not shown) for fastening the tip of the shaft 6 is integrally formed on the head body 10 a that supports the face member 14. The shaft 6 is fixed to the shaft fixing portion by inserting the tip end portion of the shaft 6 through the opening 26 a of the hosel portion 26 formed to protrude from the crown portion 16.

  The crown portion 16 of the head body 10 a forms a ridge line 28 between the toe side portion 20, the back portion 24, and the heel side portion 22.

  In the internal space N of the head body 10a of the club head 10 having such an outer shell structure, a weight portion 30 is provided in a state of bulging from the inner surface of the back portion 24. For example, the weight part 30 is firmly and firmly fixed to the inner surface of the back part 24 by a suitable means such as adhesion, welding, screwing, brazing, or the like. In this case, the back portion 24 may be formed thicker. Furthermore, you may form combining such a thick part and a weight member.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the club head 10 is formed with a plurality of deformation regions H in which a part of the outer shell bulges outward or extends inwardly. The deformation region of the present embodiment includes two sole-side recesses 36, 38 formed by immersing the outer shell or wall forming the sole portion 18 in a state of being smoothly curved toward the inner space, and these recesses 36. , 38 and a convex portion 44 bulging outward. The maximum recesses of the sole side recesses 36 and 38 extend along the face-back direction, and the extending direction of the maximum recess is indicated by a symbol y in the drawing. The convex portion 42 between the sole side concave portions 36 and 38 is also extended along the extending direction y of the sole side concave portions 36 and 38, and the extending direction y of the deformation region H of the present embodiment is any face. This is along the face-back direction substantially perpendicular to the tangent line R of the portion 12.

  In the present embodiment, the sole-side recesses 36 and 38 that form the deformation region H form a riverbed-like passage whose depth is preferably shallower than the width from the heel side toward the toe side. It is formed between the heel side recess 32 and the toe side recess 34. Therefore, in the heel side recess 34, the toe side recess 32, and the sole side recesses 36 and 38, the substantially central portion in the face-back direction is deepest in the inner space N from the heel side to the toe side. It is formed with an immersive curved surface.

  A plurality of convex portions bulge a part of the outer shell between the concave portions formed on the sole portion 18, the toe side and the heel side portions 20 and 22 from the heel side toward the toe side. Formed. That is, the convex portion 40 is formed between the heel side concave portion 34 and the sole side concave portion 38, and the convex portion 44 is formed between the toe side concave portion 32 and the sole side concave portion 36. These convex portions 40 and 44 are extended in the face-back direction as a whole together with the convex portions 42 between the sole-side concave portions 36 and 38, and the club head 10 is perpendicular to the reference horizontal plane B. And the front surface of the face portion 12 in a state where a predetermined loft angle β is formed, when placed on the ground forming the reference surface, the convex portion 42 comes into contact with the ground, and the convex portions 40 and 44 are There is a little gap (distance) between

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, ridge lines 32a, 34a, 36a, and 38a are formed at the boundaries between the concave portions and the convex portions.

  In this manner, the plurality of recesses 32, 34, 36, and 38, which are deformation regions, are linearly formed on the sole portion 18, the toe side, and the heel side portions 20 and 22 along the river-bottom path from the heel side to the toe side. By providing the shape, the deformation in the face-back direction of the sole portion 18 at the time of hitting can be reduced, and the strength can be improved and stabilized.

  Moreover, it is preferable to form curved inclined surfaces 34b and 32b on the sole portion 18 side in the heel side recess 34 and the toe side recess 32, respectively. The inclined surfaces 32b and 34b are configured as curved surfaces that gradually rise toward the center side with the curved bottom lines 32c and 34c as lower end edges in the respective recesses.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described sole-side recesses 36 and 38 forming the deformation region are formed so that the length dimension along the face-back direction is larger than the width dimension along the toe-heel direction. It is preferable. In this case, the ratio of the dimension in the toe / heel direction to the dimension in the face / back direction is preferably (2 × toe / heel direction dimension ≦ face / back direction dimension).

  In this way, the concave portions 32, 34, 36, 38 and the convex portions 40, 42, 44 formed over the sole portion 18 and the side portions 20, 22 are extended in the face-back direction, and these deformation regions H are towed. -By forming along a river-like passage extending in the heel direction, it becomes possible to effectively prevent deformation of the sole portion 18 at the time of hitting.

  Further, the extension direction y of the maximum recess along the face-back direction of the sole-side recesses 36, 38 is formed so as to coincide with the traveling direction of the club head 10 at the time of impact, thereby stabilizing the strength. In addition, it is possible to form the most efficient air flow at the time of hitting the ball, and it is possible to make an impact while suppressing a decrease in speed due to air resistance as much as possible. Further, by setting the strength and rigidity at the time of hitting in this direction, high strength and high rigidity (effect of stable hitting sound) can be obtained.

  The concave portion and the convex portion forming the sole portion 18 and the deformation region H configured as described above can be deformed into various forms.

  For example, it is preferable that the toe side concave portion 32 is formed over the sole portion 12 and the toe side side portion 20, and the heel side concave portion 34 is formed over the sole portion 12 and the heel side side portion 22. In addition, since the sole portion 18 may not be designed to have a recessed middle portion in consideration of contact with the ground or lawn and guideability, all from the heel side to the toe side are as described above. It is not necessary that the recesses are continuous, and a shape having no recesses in part may be used. These recesses can be arbitrarily set, but it is sufficient that at least three portions, one at each of the heel side, the toe side, and the center, are formed. Furthermore, it is preferable to form one on each of the heel side and the toe side, and to form 2 to 4 places in the central part, for a total of 6 places or less.

  Further, each of the recesses 32, 34, 36, and 38 is formed on the back portion 24 side from the leading edge along the lower edge portion 12 b of the face portion 12, and ends in front of the rearmost end position on the back side of the sole portion 18. It is preferable. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the concave portion is formed within a range that defines the outer edge of the back side of the club head 10 when the sole portion 18 is viewed from the lower surface side, and does not extend to the crown portion 16 side. Good.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the back side sole portion that is the rear portion of the sole portion 18 is preferably formed with an inclined portion so as to be gradually inclined upward as it moves to the back side. By forming the inclined portion 18a in this manner, air can be easily flowed to the rear of the sole portion 18. In addition, about the shape which inclines upwards, it may be a shape that rises flush, or may be a shape that rises in a multifaceted (stepwise) manner.

  The concave portions 32, 34, 36 and 38 as described above are formed in thin portions having an average thickness of 1 mm or less and 0.5 to 0.9 mm, preferably 0.6 to 0.85 mm. By forming the recesses 32, 34, 36, and 38 in such a thin portion, it is possible to reduce the weight while maintaining the strength in the region on the sole side that is the lower region of the crown portion 16 of the club head 10. .

  Specifically, the convex part 42 between the sole side concave parts 36 and 38 and the region between the sole side concave parts 36 and 38 and the face part 12 are formed in a thick part, and the average thickness of the thick part is formed. Is 0.7 to 1.5 mm. Then, the toe side sole portion 18 and the toe side side portion 20 including the sole side concave portion 36 are formed as thin thickness portions having an average thickness of 0.6 to 0.9 mm. Further, the heel side sole portion 18 and the heel side side portion 22 including the sole side concave portion 38 are formed in thin portions having an average thickness of about 0.6 to 0.9 mm. The back-side sole portion 18a between the sole-side concave portions 36, 38 and the above-described weight portion 30 is formed in a thin portion having an average thickness of 0.6 to 1.0 mm.

  Note that the toe side concave portion 32 and the heel side concave portion 34 may be omitted, and the toe side side portion 20 and the heel side side portion 22 may be formed on curved surfaces that smoothly transition from the convex portions 40 and 44 to the crown portion 16 side. . In this case, the thickness is slightly increased to 0.65 to 0.95 mm.

  In any case, it is preferable that a line connecting the outer surfaces of the convex portions 40, 42, 44 in the toe-heel direction forms a curved shape protruding outward on the outer surface of the outer shell. In this case, it is possible to prevent the sole portion 18 from being greatly deformed with respect to the impact force transmitted from the face portion to the back portion at the time of hitting the ball, and the weight portion 30 provided with the back portion 24 is weighted to the face portion 12. It can be transmitted efficiently. And the rib member 50 mentioned later is arranged along the direction orthogonal to or intersecting with the extending direction y of the above-mentioned concave portions 36, 38 or convex portions 42 forming the deformation region H, and the toe-heel direction. In particular, the characteristics of the rib member 50 can be utilized to the maximum extent, for example, the sole portion 18 can be lightened, the strength is improved and stabilized, and the hitting sound is reliably improved.

  The rib member 50 of the present embodiment extends in the toe-heel direction along a ball striking surface formed on the outer surface of the face portion 12. The rib member 50 is formed as a separate member from the head main body 10a, and a coupling portion 51 formed in a part along the outer edge portion 50b penetrates the sole portion 18 to communicate the internal space N to the outside. It is inserted into the slot 48 and fixed integrally. The rib member 50 having the coupling portion 51 inserted and fixed in the groove 48 is exposed from the sole portion 18 to the inner space N inside and the outer space outside.

  The slot 48 into which the coupling portion 51 of the rib member 50 is inserted extends from the inclined surface 32b of the toe side concave portion 32 to the inclined surface 34b of the heel side concave portion 34, and the sole side concave portions 36, 38 and the convex portions 40, 42, 44. Extends continuously through. The coupling portion 51 of the rib member 50 penetrates the slot 48 in the thickness direction of the sole portion 18, and is curved in the vertical direction along the concave and convex shapes of the sole side concave portions 36 and 38 and the convex portion 42, and is The portion 50a protrudes from the inner surface of the sole portion 18 into the inner space N, and the outer edge portion 50b adjacent to the coupling portion 51 is exposed to the outer surface and is continuous with the outer surface. The rib member 50 is preferably formed so that the distance between the inner edge portion 50a and the outer edge portion 50b is constant or at a substantially constant height from the inner surface of the sole portion 18. The height of the required part may be increased according to the necessity of strength such as the part of the ridge line part or the bottom part of the recess.

  Even when the toe side and heel side concave portions 32 and 34 are not provided, the rib installation region in which such a rib member 50 is arranged is provided in order to strengthen the thin portion and increase the rigidity in the lateral rib direction. It is preferable to extend until it reaches the inner surfaces of the heel side parts 20 and 22 and to bring the sole part 18 close to a state integrated with the toe side and heel side parts 20 and 22. Therefore, when the entire rib member 50 is fitted and fixed in the slot 48, the slot 48 is formed over the entire rib installation region. Further, when only a part of the rib member, for example, the sole portion is fitted and fixed in the slot 48, the slot 48 is formed in the rib installation region.

  The rib member 50 has only one installation region in the direction connecting the maximum depressions of the respective recesses in the face-back direction (for example, the central portion in the face-back direction), that is, in the direction along the tangent line R of the face portion 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality (for example, 2 to 4) can be formed at intervals in the face-back direction. In this case, instead of being continuous between the side portions 20 and 22, it is possible to form a short rib member in combination, and a rib member having a small cross-sectional shape can be used. Furthermore, it can be provided in any part that requires a rib function, such as being formed continuously from the sole part 18 to the back part 24, or by forming the sole part 18 or the like so as to be divided in the front-rear or left-right direction. The length, height, and cross-sectional shape can be set in various ways, and can be extended in a straight line or a curved line. Moreover, the slot 48 formed in the rib installation area may be a plurality of slots 48 that are intermittently arranged, in addition to being continuous throughout.

  When mainly suppressing deformation in the toe-heel direction as in the illustrated embodiment, the center of the sole portion 18 along the face-back direction is the portion where the installation area of the rib member 50 is the above-described thin portion. A region surrounded by a range of 25% of the length in the face-back direction on the face side and the back side around the position Q, that is, the distance in the toe-heel direction is long, and is separated from the face portion 12 and the back portion 24, It is preferable to form in a region where deformation acts such that the ball is compressed from the toe-heel direction at the time of hitting.

  By setting the installation region of the rib member 50 in such a position, for example, as shown by an arrow f in FIG. 3, the deformation in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the deformation region H is prevented, and the strength is improved. Stabilization can be achieved. This is because when the sole portion 18 is ultimately thinned, the side portions 20 and 22 of the club head 10 are deformed in a direction approaching the center of the internal space N as indicated by an arrow f (FIG. 3) at the time of hitting the ball. A force that compresses and deforms from the toe side and the heel side also acts on the crown portion 16, whereas the rib member 50 suppresses the deformation of the sole portion 18 and the side portions 20, 22, thereby interposing the side portions 20, 22. This is because deformation of the crown portion 16 is also suppressed. Further, since the rib member 50 effectively suppresses deformation and vibration of each concave portion of the sole, an effect of reducing the hitting sound and softening the hitting feeling can be obtained.

  The rib member 50 has a width (thickness), that is, a dimension in the face-back direction, which is shorter than a length, that is, a dimension in the toe-heel direction, but is not limited thereto. It is preferably in the range of 0 mm, particularly 1.0 to 4.0 mm. The height, that is, the dimension in the crown / sole direction may be 1.0 to 20.0 mm, for example, and may be formed uniformly over the length direction. Or you may change height over the length direction and make it partially higher than 20.0 mm. In this case, there is an advantage that the hitting sound can be adjusted in addition to the rigidity and strength. Further, the length, that is, the dimension in the toe-heel direction, is preferably formed in a range of 15 to 100 mm in order to obtain a rib effect.

  Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the weight of the rib member 50 by forming an appropriate opening in the inner edge portion 50a side, that is, in a portion arranged in the inner space N. In any case, the height is preferably larger than the width (thickness), and the rigidity and strength can be secured efficiently.

  The rib member 50 can be formed of the same material as that of the head main body 10a. However, when the rib member 50 is formed of a material different from the deformation region H, that is, the sole portion 18, the characteristics of the material of the rib member 50 are more effective. Can be used. For example, when the rib member 50 is formed of a material having a higher strength than the material forming the outer shell of the arrangement portion such as the sole portion 18, the strength of the outer shell can be improved efficiently, The golf club 8 having excellent performance can be formed. Here, strength refers to strength including a forming method. For example, in the case of the same material, it includes the concept that the strength of a cast part is lower than that of a rolled plate.

  Further, for example, for the material of the peripheral portion of the rib installation region in the head body 10a, such as the thin wall portion of the sole portion 18, the aim is to install ribs such as adjustment of vibration transmission, adjustment of rigidity, adjustment of vibration absorption, etc. Accordingly, by using a material having one or more characteristics such as strength, rigidity, and vibration absorption, the characteristics of the material of the rib member 50 can be utilized more effectively. For example, when increasing the rigidity, it is formed with a high Young's modulus among the same type of alloy as the main body that can be welded. When increasing the vibration absorption, vibration is generated within the same type of alloy as the main body that can be welded. It can be formed of a highly damped material (damping metal).

  The cross-sectional shape of the rib member 50 has a uniform thickness as long as there is no restriction on the mold as in the case of a rib integrally formed with the main body, and the outer edge 50b side protrudes outward from the slot 48. In addition to the rectangular shape, the inner edge 50a side is made thicker than the outer edge 50b side, a tapered shape or a T-shape, or a plurality of holes are provided in the rib surface, etc., to efficiently enhance the rigidity effect (ratio) It can also be formed in various shapes such as improved rigidity.

  Further, when the rib member 50 is formed of a rolled material that is rolled into a plate shape, and the rolling direction is oriented in the thickness direction of the outer shell or the extending direction of the rib member 50, the strength is more effectively increased. Improvement, vibration transmission, and the like can be adjusted, and the golf club 8 including the metal club head 10 having excellent quality and performance can be obtained. Moreover, since it is a rolled material, it is easy to adjust the hitting sound, feel at impact, strength, etc. by adjusting the heat treatment process after welding.

  In either case, the rib member 50 is configured such that the outer edge portion 50b is exposed on the outer surface of the head main body 10a such as the sole portion 18 so that the entire rib member 50 including the coupling portion 51 accommodated in the groove 48 is obtained. It functions as a rib and exhibits its characteristics without increasing the amount of protrusion to the inside of the club head. As a comparison, when the head main body 10a and the rib member 50 are integrally formed by casting, sink marks (dents) and nests (voids) are generated at the base of the ribs and are easily damaged from the vicinity. Further, when the rib member 50 is directly welded to the inner surface of the head main body 10a, it is difficult for the base portion of the rib to be deformed (dimensional change) by welding heat or to be welded while maintaining a stable strength.

  Therefore, such a rib member 50 prevents the deformation region H in which a part of the outer shell bulges outward or extends inwardly from being deformed or damaged, and in particular, the rib member 50 When the coupling portion 51 forms a part of the outer shell, the characteristics of the rib member 50 can be efficiently exhibited, and the characteristics of the rib member 50 and the outer shell can be achieved by exhibiting the characteristics of the shape and structure of the outer shell. It is possible to provide a golf club with excellent performance and quality by utilizing the above.

  Furthermore, since the material of the rib member 50 can be selected separately from the head main body 10a, the rib member 50 can be formed of a material having required physical properties. Thus, it is possible to manufacture the club head 10 that improves the degree of freedom in selecting the arrangement position and makes the best use of the rib characteristics.

  5 to 10 show a method for manufacturing such a club head 10.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, a rib setting region is defined on the sole portion 18 of the head body 10a formed by, for example, casting or forging (especially forging of Ti-6Al-4V alloy has high design flexibility). The rib setting region is machined, for example, to form the slot 48. When the head main body 10a is cast in advance, the slot 48 may be provided, but in that case, it is preferable to improve accuracy by using it together in machining. The groove 48 penetrates the sole portion 18 and communicates N with the outside through the internal space. In the illustrated embodiment, it is formed in one continuous linear shape extending in the toe-heel direction, similar to the slot 48 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, but as described above, if necessary For example, a plurality of slots 48 can be formed in a required rib setting region in the shape of a river indicated by reference numeral 48a or the X-shape indicated by reference numeral 48b. The slot 48 forming the linear shape may be a continuous long slot, or a short slot can be continued in a dotted line. In any case, it can be accurately formed in the rib setting region by machining the head main body 10a.

  In addition, the direction orthogonal to the extending direction y of the recesses 36 and 38 includes a range that intersects within ± 30 °, preferably within ± 15 °, centered on the orthogonal direction. Further, when the groove holes 48 are formed in an X shape as indicated by reference numeral 48b, the extending direction 48b of each groove hole 48 is ± 45 ° with respect to the direction perpendicular to the extending direction y of the recesses 36 and 38. The angle θ between the extending directions 48b and 48b of each groove is preferably 60 ° or less.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rib member 50 to be inserted into the groove 48 is curved up and down along the concave portions 32, 34, 36, 38 and the convex portions 40, 42, 44 on the inner surface of the sole portion 18. It is formed into a plate shape having a substantially constant height. The rib member 50 does not have to be formed at a constant height from the outer edge portion 50b as long as the outer edge portion 50b side conforms to the outer surface shape of the head main body 10a adjacent to the rib installation region. In any case, the entire outer edge portion 50b protrudes outward from the peripheral portion of the slot 48 indicated by reference numeral 50c in FIG. 6, that is, the outer surface of the portion adjacent to the coupling portion 51 disposed in the slot 48. The inner edge portion 50a is preferably formed so as to protrude into the internal space N.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the coupling portion 51 of the rib member 50 is inserted into the groove hole 48 of the head body 10 a, and the outer edge portion 50 b is disposed so as to slightly protrude outward from the groove hole 48. At this time, the groove hole 48 and the rib member 50 are formed so that the rib member 50 is supported by a large number of support points 52 that are at least three of the peripheral wall of the groove hole 48 spaced along the extending direction of the groove hole 48. By doing so, the rib member 50 is held in a state where it is preferably raised from the inner surface of the sole portion 18 in a vertical state. In particular, since the groove 48 is formed along the curved portion in which the concave portions 32, 34, 36, and 38 and the convex portions 40, 42, and 44 are formed, the rib member 50 is formed in the thickness direction of the sole portion 18. The outermost support point 52 (for example, the support point 52 formed on the convex portions 40, 42, 44) and the innermost support point 52 (for example, the support point 52 formed in the deep portion of the concave portions 32, 34, 36, 38). Are spaced apart by a distance greater than the thickness of the sole portion 18.

  Thus, by holding the rib member 50 in the slot 48, the rib member 50 can be accurately held in a required posture without using a special jig, simplifying the manufacturing process, In addition, a club head with excellent accuracy can be manufactured.

  Even if the concave portions and the convex portions are not alternately arranged, the groove 48 is formed along the curved portion as a whole, so that the most protruding portion of the curved shape The rib member 50 may be held in a substantially upright state by disposing the most depressed portion apart from the wall thickness. When such a curved shape cannot be used, it is preferable to hold the rib member 50 in an upright state using an appropriate jig.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the rib member 50 is welded to the sole portion 18 from the outside of the head main body 10a. For welding, an appropriate method can be used. For example, the overlay W is formed along the outer edge portion 50b of the rib member 50 by TIG welding, plasma welding, or laser welding, and the molten metal is formed of the rib member 50. It is preferable that the outer edge portion 50b flows to the inner surface side of the sole portion 18 through the slot 48 and is welded to form a build-up W. Thereby, integration of the rib member 50 and the sole part 18 is ensured. Moreover, you may join by the brazing method other than the said welding method, and the deformation | transformation by a heat | fever can be suppressed in that case.

  After the welding is completed, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer edge portion 50 b and the overlay W of the rib member 50 are polished and made to be flush with the outer surface of the sole portion 18. Is exposed from the slot 48. The groove hole 48 is completely filled with the joining portion 51 of the rib member 50 and the molten metal, and the strength of the portion where the rib installation region, that is, the groove hole 48 is formed is improved.

  Therefore, according to the club head manufacturing method described above, the rib member 40 separate from the sole portion 18 is disposed in the groove 48 formed through the sole portion 18 of the club head 10, and the rib member 50 is attached to the sole portion 18. By welding to the portion 18 from the outside, the rib member 50 can function as a rib even in the slot 48, and can exhibit its characteristics without increasing the amount of protrusion to the inside of the sole portion 18. The rib member 50 can be selected separately from the sole portion 18 so that the rib member 50 can be formed of a material having the required physical properties, and the rib forming material, shape, or It is possible to manufacture the club head 10 that improves the degree of freedom in selecting the arrangement position and makes the best use of the rib characteristics.

  FIG. 11 shows a cross section of a club head 10A according to a modification. In addition, since the modification or embodiment shown below is fundamentally the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same site | part and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the rib member 50 shown in FIG. 11, the coupling portions 51 are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the slot 48 through which the coupling portion 51 penetrates and couples is formed between the recesses 32 and 34 on the toe side and the heel side. It is formed on the inclined surfaces 32b and 34b. Therefore, the intermediate portion between the coupling portions 51 of the rib member 50 forms a non-penetrating portion, and the outer edge portion 50b of the non-penetrating portion is not exposed on the outer surface of the sole portion 18.

  The sole side recesses 36 and 38 in which the non-penetrating portions are disposed and the protrusions 42 between these recesses are not formed with the slot 48, and the inner surface is connected between the coupling portions 51 and 51 of the rib member 50. The located non-penetrating parts are integrally coupled by welding.

  In this way, the rib member 50 is coupled to the inner surface without penetrating the outer shell and the coupling portion 51 that is a penetration portion that penetrates the sole portion 18 or the slot portions 48 of the side portions 20 and 22. By providing the penetrating portion, the material, characteristics, and characteristics of the rib member 50 and the sole portion 18 can be utilized. For example, when the material of the sole portion 18 is harder to be scratched than the rib member 50, or when the wear resistance is high, the characteristics of the material forming the sole portion 18 can be utilized. For example, the rib member 50 is not exposed to the sole side concave portions 36 and 38 and the convex portion 42 that are easily damaged or worn due to contact with the ground at the time of hitting the ball, whereby the wear resistance of the material forming the sole portion 18 or The property of scratch resistance can be utilized. Of course, the positions and ranges of these penetrating portions and non-penetrating portions can be determined according to the characteristics of the material forming the sole portion 18 and the material forming the rib member 50. For example, it is possible to replace the penetrating portion and non-penetrating portion positions in the embodiment of FIG.

  The club head 10B according to the modification shown in FIG. 12 projects into the inner space N from the inner surface of the outer shell at the central portion in the toe-heel direction, that is, the portion where the deformation region H is formed and the portion adjacent to the deformation region H. The height is different.

  Thereby, the deformation amount and vibration transmission characteristics of the deformation region H at the time of hitting can be adjusted effectively, and a golf club having excellent quality and performance can be formed.

  In the rib member 50, the coupling portion 51 is formed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and the slot 48 through which the coupling portion 51 passes is formed in the toe-heel direction, as in the embodiment described in FIGS. It continues and the outer edge part 50b is exposed outside. Moreover, the inner edge part 50a is arrange | positioned substantially linearly, The weight reduction is achieved by the through-hole 54 (only one is illustrated). The position, size, and number of such through holes 54 can be set as necessary. Further, the rib member 50 can be arbitrarily set in height, shape, thickness, and cross-sectional shape of the inner edge portion 50a. The through holes 54 as described above are preferably formed before joining the rib member 50 to the head body 10a in terms of production and quality stability.

  Further, the club head 10B according to this modification is formed so that the height from the inner surface of the sole portion 18 at the portion where the deformation region H is formed is the highest. Thereby, big intensity | strength is formed with respect to a bending, and the intensity | strength of the rib member 50 and the sole part 18 can be improved. For example, it is suitable for strengthening specific parts such as the sole portion 18 in a concentrated manner.

  In each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the rib member 50 is added to the concave portions 36 and 38 and the convex portion 42 which are the deformation regions of the sole portion 18, and the concave portions 32 and 34 and the convex portion of the side portions 20 and 22. Although it arranged along the inner surface of 40,44, it can provide not only in such a part but in any part if needed. For example, it can also be provided on the crown part 16, can be provided continuously from the side parts 20, 22 to the crown part 16 or the sole part 18, and can further be provided from the face part 12, the face part 12 to the crown part 16, the sole part 18 or It can also be provided continuously on the side parts 20, 22 and can also be provided on the back part 24.

  In any case, it is possible to prevent a part of the outer shell such as the deformation region such as the concave portions 32, 34, 36, 38 or the convex portions 40, 42, 44 from being deformed or damaged. When the coupling portion 51 forms a part of the outer shell, the characteristics of the rib member 51 can be efficiently exhibited, and the characteristics of the shape and structure of the outer shell can be exhibited, whereby the rib member 50 and the club heads 10 and 10A. , 10B can be utilized to provide a golf club with excellent performance and quality. Further, the rib member can be provided continuously at the sole portion 18, the crown portion 16, the face portion 12, the side portions 20 and 22, the back portion 24, and a plurality of these portions. The rib member 50 having the shape can be disposed.

1 is an overall view of a golf club provided with a golf club head according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view in which a part of the club head of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the III-III line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the IV-IV line | wire of FIG. The bottom view of the club head of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rib member fixed to the club head of FIG. 1. Sectional drawing which follows the VII-VII line of FIG. 5 in the state which attached the rib member of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line of FIG. Sectional drawing of the state which grind | polished the outer surface of the club head of FIG. Sectional drawing which follows the XX line of FIG. Sectional drawing similar to FIG. 3 of the club head by a modification. Sectional drawing of the club head by another modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Club head, 32, 34, 36, 38 ... Concave part (deformation area), 40, 42, 44 ... Convex part (deformation area | region), 50 ... Rib member, 51 ... Connection part, N ... Internal space.

Claims (5)

A hollow structure metal in which an outer shell is formed by a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, a side portion on the toe side and a heel side, and a back portion on the rear side, and an inner space is formed inside the outer shell. A golf club comprising a club head made of
The metal club head has a deformed region extending by extending a part of the outer shell outward or immersing inward, and along a direction orthogonal or intersecting with the extending direction of the deformed region. A rib member is provided, and a coupling portion that penetrates the outer shell in the thickness direction is formed in a part of the rib member, and the rib member and the outer shell are integrally formed through the coupling portion. A golf club characterized by   2. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the rib member is formed of a material different from a material forming the deformation region and protrudes into the internal space.   The rib member is formed of a rolled material processed into a plate shape, and the rolling direction is arranged in the thickness direction of the outer shell or the extending direction of the rib member. 2. The golf club according to 2.   The height of the rib member protruding from the inner surface of the outer shell into the inner space is different in the deformation region or in the deformation region and a portion adjacent to the deformation region. The golf club according to any one of the above.   5. The golf club according to claim 1, wherein the rib member is formed of a material having higher strength than an outer shell of a portion where the rib member is disposed.

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