IP Library Granted Patent US 9,539,477
Granted Patent B2
US 9,539,477 · App. 14/310,704 · Granted Jan 10, 2017

Golf club head having texture pattern and method for producing the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,539,477
App. No.
14/310,704
Granted
Jan 10, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are a golf club head and a method for producing the golf club head. The golf club head comprises a striking face that in turn comprises a recurrent texture pattern that has a period T and that is defined by a plurality of depressions, each depression having an average depth no greater than 0.10 mm. The striking face also comprises a plurality of scorelines that at least partially intersect the recurrent texture pattern and that have a scoreline pitch Ps such that T/Ps is greater than 1.0, each scoreline having an average depth no less than 0.10 mm.

Claims (24)

1. A golf club head comprising a striking face, the striking face comprising:

a recurrent texture pattern that is a plurality of variably-structured depressions that, in combination, form a characteristic and repeating elemental sequence having a period, T, the period T being defined as a length of the elemental sequence of the recurrent texture pattern measured in its direction of propagation, each depression having an average depth no greater than 0.10 mm; and

a plurality of scorelines that at least partially intersect the recurrent texture pattern and that have a scoreline pitch Ps such that T/Ps is greater than 1.0, each scoreline having an average depth no less than 0.10 mm.

2. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein 1.50≦T/Ps≦2.50.

3. The golf club head of claim 2 , wherein 1.75≦T/Ps≦2.25.

4. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the period T is no less than 0.15 in.

5. The golf club head of claim 4 , wherein the period T is between 0.20 in and 0.35 in.

6. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the pitch Ps is between 0.12 in and 0.16 in.

7. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the recurrent texture pattern constitutes a striking face region of the club head having a maximum profile height parameter Rt no less than 1000 μin and an average maximum profile height parameter Rz no greater than 1000 μin.

8. The golf club head of claim 7 , wherein the striking face region further has an average surface roughness parameter Ra between about 80 μin and 120 μin.

9. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of depressions comprises:

a first plurality of auxiliary grooves having a first groove pitch P 1 no less than 0.01 in; and

a second plurality of auxiliary grooves at least partially coextensive with the first plurality of auxiliary grooves and having a second groove pitch P 2 that is no less than 0.01 in and that is different from the first groove pitch.

10. The golf club head of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of auxiliary grooves is generally parallel to the second plurality of auxiliary grooves.

11. The golf club head of claim 9 , wherein the first groove pitch P 1 and the second groove pitch P 2 satisfy: 1.05≦P 1 /P 2 ≦1.20.

12. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the golf club head is an iron-type golf club head.

13. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the golf club head has a loft angle no less than about 42 degrees.

14. The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein 0.85≦T/(N*Ps)≦1.15, N being a whole number greater than 1.

15. A golf club head, comprising:

a striking face having:

a recurrent texture pattern that is a plurality of variably-structured depressions that, in combination, form a characteristic and repeating elemental sequence having a period, T, the period T being defined as a length of the elemental sequence of the recurrent texture pattern measured in its direction of propagation, the period T being no less than 0.20 in and no greater than 0.35 in, and each of the plurality of depressions having an average depth no greater than 0.10 mm.

16. A golf club head comprising a striking face, the striking face comprising:

a texture pattern that includes a plurality of arcuate grooves each concentric about a center point located on the striking face and each having an average depth no greater than 0.10 mm; and

a plurality of scorelines that at least partially intersect the texture pattern, each scoreline having an average depth no less than 0.10 mm.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Jan 3, 2019
From: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.
To: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 048002/0320 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2014
From: RIPP, PATRICK; AGUAYO, ROBERTO; KLINE, MICHAEL J.
To: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 033353/0192 →