IP Library Granted Patent US 10,905,923
Granted Patent B2
US 10,905,923 · App. 16/673,060 · Granted Feb 2, 2021

Golf club head

Inventors: Mattieu Bovee (Carlsbad, CA); Brian Bazzel (Carlsbad, CA); Todd Beach (San Diego, CA); Stephen Kraus (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
A63B53/0466A63B53/02A63B53/06A63B53/025A63B53/026A63B53/0408A63B53/0433A63B53/0437A63B2053/0491
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,905,923
App. No.
16/673,060
Granted
Feb 2, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A golf club head including a crown defining the top surface of the club head and including a crown portion, a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, and a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region. The size and uniformity of the junction between the crown insert and the bonding wall may be determined by measuring the dimensions of the junction at critical points on the club head.

Claims (105)

1. A golf club comprising:

a grip;

a golf club shaft; and

a golf club head having:

a sole portion;

a crown portion, the crown portion defining a top surface of the club head and comprising: a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening and a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening;

a club face;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown portion at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point; and

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than A mm, and wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

2. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein A is 1.0 mm.

3. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.

4. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is between 0.1 mm and 0 mm.

5. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the crown insert comprises an upper layer that extends to the top perimeter edge of the crown insert and is visible at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert located in the front portion of the golf club head.

6. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the bond gap is visible and is not covered by a masking layer on a finished product comprising the golf club head.

7. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein each cross-section has a second critical dimension measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the bonding wall and a bottom perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the second critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than B mm, and wherein the average variation of the second critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm.

8. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein B is 1.0 mm.

9. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the average variation of the second critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.

10. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a top surface of the crown insert at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert is disposed below a top surface of the crown portion at the bonding wall.

11. The golf club of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the crown insert at the top perimeter edge of the crown insert is disposed below the top surface of the crown portion at the bonding wall by a vertical distance between 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

12. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein a hosel portion of the golf club head is configured to receive a sleeve attached to the golf club shaft, the sleeve being capable of being positioned to adjust the loft, lie, or face angle of the golf club head.

13. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the crown ledge comprises a ledge surface defining a ledge gap between the ledge surface and the crown insert, the ledge gap being no more than 0.3 mm.

14. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the crown insert is no greater than 1 mm.

15. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the golf club head comprises a movable weight configured to be moved from a first position to a second position in the golf club head.

16. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall is continuous and uniform across the entire length of the bond gap between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane.

17. A golf club head comprising:

a crown defining the top surface of the club head, the crown comprising:

a crown portion;

a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and

a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening and

a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening;

a club face;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane θ degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane θ degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane β degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane β degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point; and

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than 1.0 mm, wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm,

wherein θ is the range of 1 degree to 45 degrees, and wherein β is the range of 1 degree to 44 degrees,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

18. The golf club head of claim 17 , wherein θ and β are 30 degrees.

19. A golf club head comprising:

a hosel portion configured to receive a sleeve being capable of being positioned to adjust the loft, lie, or face angle of the golf club head;

a club face;

a crown portion and a sole portion, the crown portion defining a top surface of the club head and comprising: a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, the crown recess region comprising a crown opening and a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region and covering the crown opening;

a width dimension measured along an X-axis from a toe side of the golf club head to a heel side of the golf club head;

a depth dimension measured along a Y-axis from a forward most point of the golf club head to a rearward most point of the golf club head;

a central Z-axis extending in a vertical direction through the crown portion at a midpoint of the width dimension and a midpoint of the depth dimension;

a central Y-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the Y-axis;

a central X-axis intersecting the central Z-axis at the top surface of the club head and extending parallel to the X-axis;

a first vertical plane defined by the central Z axis and the central Y-axis;

a second vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a third vertical plane defined by rotating the first vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a fourth vertical plane defined by the central Z-axis and the central X-axis;

a fifth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees clockwise about the central Z-axis;

a sixth vertical plane defined by rotating the fourth vertical plane 30 degrees counter-clockwise about the central Z-axis;

an X-Y plane defined by the central Y-axis and the central X-axis;

a first critical point located on a front portion of the club head at the intersection between the first vertical plane and a top edge of the bonding wall, and a first cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the first critical point;

a second critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the second vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a second cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the second critical point;

a third critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the third vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a third cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the third critical point;

a fourth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the fifth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fourth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fourth critical point; and

a fifth critical point located on the front portion of the club head at the intersection between the sixth vertical plane and the top edge of the bonding wall, and a fifth cross-section taken on a vertical plane perpendicular to the bonding wall at the fifth critical point,

wherein each cross-section has a first critical dimension defining a bond gap between the crown insert and the bonding wall and measured parallel to the X-Y plane between the top edge of the bonding wall and a top perimeter edge of the crown insert, wherein the first critical dimension of each cross-section is no more than 1.0 mm, and wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.2 mm,

wherein the crown ledge comprises a first region having a first length and a second region having a second length,

wherein the first length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head and the second length is measured from the bonding wall to the crown opening in a direction parallel to the Y-axis of the club head,

wherein the first length is greater than the second length,

wherein the first region and the second region are located on the front portion of the club head between the fifth vertical plane and the sixth vertical plane, and

wherein a tapered step change of a distance to the bonding wall from the club face in a direction parallel to the Y-axis causes the first length to be greater than the second length.

20. The golf club head of claim 19 , wherein the average variation of the first critical dimensions between the five cross-sections is no more than 0.15 mm.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058978/0211 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: KOOKMIN BANK
To: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 058983/0516 →
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 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,290,723 US 12,324,966