IP Library Granted Patent US 7,281,991
Granted Patent B2
US 7,281,991 · App. 11/180,469 · Granted Oct 16, 2007

Hollow golf club with composite core

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,281,991
App. No.
11/180,469
Granted
Oct 16, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hollow golf club having a hosel sleeve weight made from tungsten material in the upper hosel area and a tungsten toe plug in the lower toe portion of the club head. This combination creates an increase in the moment of inertia of the club head about the x, y and z axes of the club head. A composite core is bladder molded into a cavity in the club head to provide support for a relatively thin front face and the composite core is visible on the rear surface of the club head. The core material is less dense and has greater flexibility than the front face.

Claims (36)

1. A golf club head comprising:

a substantially hollow body having a front face, a sole portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a hosel;

an impact plate inserted into a front opening defined in the front face;

an open port disposed in the lower toe portion having a receptacle defined therein;

the body made of a first material and a composite core of a second material less dense and more flexible than the first is inserted into the body through the open port;

the composite core inflated and expanded by pressurized gas wherein at least a portion of the composite core biasly juxtaposes against an inner surface of the body to form a hollow body of the second material having an internal volume between 20 cc to 50 cc wherein the composite core does not completely cover the port;

the body of the first material having a rear opening that is sealed by a visible portion of the inflated composite core;

a hosel sleeve weight inserted into the hosel; and

a toe plug secured into the open port of the toe portion.

2. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the center of gravity of the toe plug is at least 1.00 inches from a center line of the front face and the center of gravity of the hosel sleeve weight is at least 2.00 inches from the center line of the front face.

3. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the toe plug varies in weight from about 10 grams to 30 grams.

4. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the hosel sleeve weight varies in weight from about 16 grams to about 34 grams.

5. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the length of the hosel sleeve weight varies from about 0.575 inch to about 1 inch.

6. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the composite core is made from a lightweight material such as plastic or carbon graphite.

7. The club head of claim 6 , wherein the composite core material has a density equal or less than 4.5 gm/cc.

8. The club head of claim 6 , wherein the composite core material has a density equal or less than 1.65 gm/cc.

9. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the toe plug and hosel sleeve weight are formed from tungsten and the body is formed from a 431 stainless steel.

10. The club head of claim 1 , wherein the toe plug is made from titanium, the hosel sleeve weight is formed from aluminum, with an extra heavy weighted sole thereby creating a club head with an extremely low center of gravity.

11. A golf club head comprising:

a substantially hollow body having a front face, a sole portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a hosel;

an impact plate inserted into a front opening defined in the front face;

an open port disposed in the lower toe portion having a receptacle defined therein;

the body made of a first material, and a composite core of a second material less dense and more flexible than the first is inserted into the body through the open port;

the composite core inflated and expanded by pressurized gas wherein at least a portion of the composite core biasly juxtaposes against an inner surface of the front face to form a hollow body of the second material having an internal volume between 20 cc to 50 cc wherein said composite core does not completely cover said port;

a rear opening defined in the body of the first material that is sealed by a visible portion of the inflated composite core;

a hosel sleeve weight connected to the hosel; and

a toe plug secured into the open port of the toe portion,

wherein the positioning of the hosel sleeve weight and the toe plug cause an increase in the moment of inertia of the club head.

12. The club head of claim 11 , wherein the center of gravity of the toe plug is at least 1.00 inch from a center line of the front face and the center of gravity of the hosel sleeve weight is at least 2.00 inches from the center line of the front face.

13. The club head of claim 12 , wherein the toe plug varies in weight from about 10 grams to 30 grams.

14. The club head of claim 12 , wherein the hosel sleeve weight varies in weight from about 16 grams to about 34 grams.

15. The club head of claim 12 , wherein the length of the hosel sleeve weight varies from about 0.575 inch to about 1 inch.

16. A golf club head comprising:

a substantially hollow body made of a first material, and a composite core of a second material less dense than the first is inserted into the body through an open port;

the composite core inflated and expanded by pressurized gas wherein at least a portion of the composite core biasly juxtaposes against an inner surface of the body to form cavity having a volume between 20 cc to 50 cc wherein the composite ore does not completely cover the port; and

a rear opening defined in the body that is sealed by a visible portion of the inflated composite core wherein the open port is different from the rear opening.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (ASSIGNS 039506-0030) Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS RESIGNING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0414 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (027333/0366) Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039939/0026 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2016
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 039506/0030 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 6, 2011
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 027333/0366 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2005
From: GILBERT, PETER J.; DIAZ, TOMAS; KAYS, CHRISTOPHER R.
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 016575/0709 →