IP Library Granted Patent US 7,261,646
Granted Patent B2
US 7,261,646 · App. 11/186,022 · Granted Aug 28, 2007

Golf club head

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,261,646
App. No.
11/186,022
Granted
Aug 28, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.

Claims (27)

1. A wood type golf club head, comprising:

a body having a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and seperating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion, the side portion extending rearward of the front opening and having toe, rear and heel regions, wherein the body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc;

a striking plate attached to the body, enclosing the front opening; and

a crown attached to the body enclosing the upper opening, wherein the crown is comprised of a non-metallic material;

wherein the golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.

2. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the body is integrally formed.

3. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the striking plate is comprised of a metallic material.

4. A golf club head as defined in claim 3 , futher comprising a composite face-reinforcing member coupled to a rear surface of the striking plate.

5. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a support surrounding the upper opening for attaching the crown to the body.

6. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the body, the striking plate and the crown are formed of different materials.

7. A golf club head as defined in claim 6 , wherein the body and the striking plate are formed of different alloys of the same metal.

8. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the striking plate and the crown is comprised of a composite material.

9. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of a graphite-epoxy composite having a density ranging between 1.4 and 1.65 g/cc.

10. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of a nylon material having a density ranging between 1 g/cc and 1.7 g/cc.

11. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of a polyphenylene sulfide material having a density ranging between 1.3 g/cc and 2 g/cc.

12. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the volume is at least 350 cc.

13. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost fabric ply and at least one layer of four plies of uni-tape standard modulus composite, and wherein the four plies of uni-tape are oriented at 0°, +45°, −45° and 90°.

14. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost ply of uni-tape standard modulus composite oriented at 0° or 90° and wherein the top section of the body and the uppermost ply of uni-tape are painted.

15. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of an uppermost ply of woven graphite cloth oriented at 0° or 90°.

16. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown has a maximum thickness of about 2 mm.

17. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown has a maximum thickness of about 1.5 mm.

18. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown has a thickness of about 1 mm.

19. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of a material having a density ranging between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc.

20. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the crown is comprised of a graphite-epoxy composite having a 50% to 70% fiber volume ratio.

21. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the upper opening comprises at least 25% of a total area of the top portion.

22. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the upper opening comprises at least 60% of a total area of the top portion.

23. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the upper opening comprises at least 75% of a total area of the top portion.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058983/0516 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058978/0211 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058962/0415 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058963/0671 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KOOKMIN BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 057293/0207 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KOOKMIN BANK, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 057300/0058 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057453/0167 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0262 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2021
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0314 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2017
From: WILLETT, KRAIG; VINCENT, BENOIT; HOFFMAN, JOSEPH; BURNETT, MICHAEL SCOTT; DE SHIELL, DREW T.
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 044099/0172 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044207/0745 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0765 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0712 →