IP Library Granted Patent US 7,232,377
Granted Patent B2
US 7,232,377 · App. 11/193,745 · Granted Jun 19, 2007

Iron-type golf clubs

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,232,377
App. No.
11/193,745
Granted
Jun 19, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.

Claims (18)

1. A set of iron-type golf clubs comprising:

at least one long iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein; and

at least one short iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein, wherein a cavity volume for each club in the set varies systematically from the at least one long iron to the at least one short iron, and wherein a hitting face area for each club in the set is substantially constant, further comprising at least one dampened club which comprises a body comprising a hitting face, a hitting face insert is disposed in the hitting face, a rear face comprising a rear flange having a channel formed therewithin, a core configured to be inserted at least partially within the channel and in contact with the hitting face insert, and a dampening element disposed between the core and the hitting face insert.

2. The set of iron-type golf clubs according to claim 1 , wherein the dampened club is a long iron.

3. The set of iron-type golf clubs according to claim 1 , wherein the clubs systematically transition from channel back clubs in the long irons of the set to cavity back clubs in the short irons of the set.

4. The set of iron-type golf clubs of claim 1 , wherein at least one club design parameter is a function of a loft angle.

5. A set of iron-type golf clubs comprising:

at least one long iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein; and

at least one short iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein, wherein a cavity volume for each club in the set varies systematically from the at least one long iron to the at least one short iron, and wherein a hitting face area for each club in the set is substantially constant,

further comprising at least three clubs, wherein top line width (TLW) for each club is in accordance with

TLW =α*(−0.0034in/deg* LA +0.41in)

wherein LA is a loft angle measured in degrees and α is about 1.

6. A set of iron-type golf clubs comprising:

at least one long iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein; and

at least one short iron comprising a hitting face and a rear face having a cavity formed therein, wherein a cavity volume for each club in the set varies systematically from the at least one long iron to the at least one short iron, and wherein a hitting face area for each club in the set is substantially constant

further comprising at least three clubs, wherein a sole width (SW) for each club is in accordance with

SW =α*(−0.0044in/deg* LA +0.87in)

wherein LA is a loft angle measured in degrees and α about 1.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061099/0236 →
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 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (027333/0366) Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039939/0026 →
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 6, 2011
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 027333/0366 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 12, 2005
From: GILBERT, PETER J.; PETTIBONE, BRUCE R.; BURNETT, MICHAEL SCOTT; KAYS, CHRISTOPHER R.; DIAZ, TOMAS
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 016636/0338 →