IP Library Granted Patent US 7,494,425
Granted Patent B2
US 7,494,425 · App. 11/879,780 · Granted Feb 24, 2009

Golf club head

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,494,425
App. No.
11/879,780
Granted
Feb 24, 2009
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 (32)

1. A 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 separating 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 welded to the body portion, enclosing the front opening;

a weight portion attached to an interior surface of the club head; and

a crown attached to the body enclosing the upper opening, the crown incorporating composite material and having a density between 1 g/cc and 2 g/cc;

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 striking plate is comprised of a metallic material.

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

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

5. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a face-reinforcing member coupled to a rear surface of the striking plate.

6. A golf club head as defined in claim 5 , wherein the face-reinforcing member comprises metallic material.

7. A golf club head as defined in claim 5 , wherein the face-reinforcing member comprises composite material.

8. 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.

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 volume is at least 350 cc.

11. 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°.

12. 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.

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

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

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the weight portion is attached to an interior surface of the sole of the club head.

21. A golf club head as defined in claim 1 , wherein the weight portion comprises a metallic material.

22. A 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 separating 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 portion, enclosing the front opening;

a shoulder disposed around the periphery of the upper opening, and a recessed support extending from the shoulder and positioned adjacent to the upper opening;

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.

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: KPS CAPITAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT, LLC
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 057085/0262 →
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: 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: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0712 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2017
From: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
To: ADIDAS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044206/0765 →