IP Library Granted Patent US 8,568,249
Granted Patent B2
US 8,568,249 · App. 13/473,646 · Granted Oct 29, 2013

Wedge type golf club head

Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert (Carlsbad, CA); Charles E. Golden (Carlsbad, CA); Scott A. Knutson (Carlsbad, CA); John Morin (Carlsbad, CA)
Assignee: Acushnet Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,568,249
App. No.
13/473,646
Granted
Oct 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wedge type golf club head is disclosed herein where the wedge type golf club head has enhanced performance characteristics such as improved backspin, ball speed, and launch angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wedge type golf club head having a lower center of gravity, where the center of gravity is located substantially behind the hitting surface and substantially along a neutral axis behind the point of impact.

Claims (34)

1. A wedge type golf club head comprising:

a hosel;

a body attached to said hosel at a loft angle, wherein said body further comprises a hitting surface and a rear portion, said hitting surface defining a neutral axis perpendicular to a loft of said hitting surface and passing through an impact point on said hitting surface; and

a sole at a bottom of said body at least partially resting on a ground connecting said hitting surface and said rear portion,

wherein said impact point is located about 15 mm from said ground,

wherein said loft angle is greater than 45 degrees,

wherein a center of gravity of said wedge type golf club head is substantially along, and above said neutral axis and,

wherein said center of gravity is located within a parabolic region of said wedge type golf club head that is bisected by said neutral axis, and

wherein said parabolic region further comprises;

a vertex located at said impact point of said hitting surface; and

an open direction pointed towards said rear portion of said body.

2. The wedge type golf club head of claim 1 , wherein a distance between said neutral axis and any point within said parabolic region is less than about 5 mm.

3. The wedge type golf club head of claim 1 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 20 mm from said ground.

4. The wedge type golf club head of claim 3 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 18 mm from said ground.

5. The wedge type golf club head of claim 4 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 16 mm from said ground.

6. The wedge type golf club head of claim 5 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 15 mm from said ground.

7. The wedge type golf club head of claim 1 , wherein said sole further comprises a weighted portion; wherein a density of said weighted portion is greater than a density of the remainder of said wedge type golf club head.

8. The wedge type golf club head of claim 7 , wherein said weighted portion is a cylindrical rod passing through said sole.

9. The wedge type golf club head of claim 7 , wherein said weight portion substantially encompasses said entire sole.

10. The wedge type golf club head of claim 7 , wherein said center of gravity of said wedge type golf club head is located behind said hitting surface.

11. A wedge type golf club head comprising:

a hosel;

a body attached to said hosel at a loft angle, wherein said body further comprises a hitting surface and a rear portion; said hitting surface defining a neutral axis perpendicular to a loft of said hitting surface and passing through an impact point on said hitting surface; and

a sole at a bottom of said body at least partially resting on a ground connecting said hitting surface and said rear portion,

wherein said sole further comprises a weighted portion;

wherein a density of said weighted portion is greater than a density of a remainder of said wedge type golf club head;

wherein a center of gravity of said wedge type golf club head is located above said neutral axis and,

wherein said center of gravity is located less than about 15 mm from said ground.

12. The wedge type golf club head of claim 11 , wherein said weighted portion is a cylindrical rod passing through said sole.

13. The wedge type golf club head of claim 11 , wherein said center of gravity of said wedge type golf club head is located behind said hitting surface.

14. The wedge type golf club head of claim 11 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 20 mm from said ground.

15. The wedge type golf club head of claim 14 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 18 mm from said ground.

16. The wedge type golf club head of claim 15 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 16 mm from said ground.

17. The wedge type golf club head of claim 16 , wherein said center of gravity is located less than 15 mm from said ground.

Assignments (6)
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061099/0236 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (031867/0964) Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039939/0327 →
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 23, 2013
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 031867/0964 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 17, 2012
From: GILBERT, PETER J.; GOLDEN, CHARLES E.; KNUTSON, SCOTT A.; MORIN, JOHN
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 028222/0800 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 12474316 · May 29, 2009
Related Publication 20120252602A1 · Oct 4, 2012