JP7744453B2 - Club head with reinforced club head face and related methods - Google Patents

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/521,998, filed June 19, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/359,450, filed July 7, 2016. This application also claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/628,639, filed June 20, 2017. The entire contents of the above disclosure are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, and more particularly to golf club heads and related methods.

Various characteristics of a golf club can affect the performance of the golf club. For example, the center of gravity, moment of inertia, and coefficient of restitution of the club head of a golf club are each golf club characteristics that can affect performance.

The center of gravity and moment of inertia of a golf club's club head are a function of the club head's mass distribution. Specifically, distributing the club head's mass closer to the sole of the club head, farther from the face of the club head, and/or closer to the toe and heel ends of the club head can change the club head's center of gravity and/or moment of inertia. For example, distributing the club head's mass closer to the sole of the club head and/or farther from the face of the club head can increase the flight angle of a golf ball struck with the club head. In turn, increasing the flight angle of the golf ball can increase the distance the golf ball travels. Furthermore, distributing the club head's mass closer to the toe and/or heel ends of the club head can affect the club head's moment of inertia, which can alter the golf club's forgiveness.

Furthermore, the coefficient of restitution of a golf club's club head may be a function of at least the flexibility of the club head's face. The flexibility of the club head's face, in turn, may be a function of the face's geometry (e.g., height, width, and/or thickness) and/or the face's material properties (e.g., Young's modulus). That is, maximizing the face's height and/or width and/or minimizing the face's thickness and/or Young's modulus may increase the face's flexibility, thereby increasing the club head's coefficient of restitution. Increasing the coefficient of restitution of a golf club's club head, which is essentially a measure of the efficiency of energy transfer from the club head to the golf ball, may increase the distance the golf ball travels after impact, reduce the spin of the golf ball, and/or increase the ball speed of the golf ball.

However, although thinning the club head face may allow mass from the face to be redistributed to other portions of the club head and may make the face more flexible, thinning the club head face may also increase flexing within the face to the point where it buckles and breaks. Therefore, there is a need for devices and methods to prevent the club head face from buckling when the club head face is thinned.

The following drawings are provided to facilitate further explanation of the embodiments:

1A-1C are top, rear, and toe-side views of a club head according to one embodiment. 2 is a top, front, heel-side view of a club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. 1 is a diagram of a conventional club head according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional club head taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrating a stress-strain analysis of a simulated impact of the face of the conventional club head with a golf ball (not shown), with the resulting bending being three times greater, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2. 1A-1C are top, rear, and toe-side views of a club head according to one embodiment. 7 is a top, front, and toe-side view of the club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 6. 5 is a side view of the club head according to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2. 9 is a top, rear, heel-side view of the club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 8. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a method for providing a golf club head. 11A-11C illustrate exemplary operations for providing a reinforcement device according to the embodiment of FIG. 10. 1A-1C are diagrams of one embodiment of layers of vibration-damping features. 5 is a side view of the club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2. FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top and rear view of a club head according to one embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 15 taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a club head according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a club head according to another embodiment. 18B is an enlarged view of a cross-sectional view of a club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 18A. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a club head according to another embodiment. FIG. 20 is a rear view of a club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 19. FIG. 20 is a front view of a club head according to the embodiment of FIG. 19.

For the sake of brevity and clarity, the drawings generally depict structures, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Furthermore, elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to better illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The same reference symbols in different drawings refer to the same elements.

Terms such as "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or chronological sequence. Terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it will be understood, for example, that the embodiments described herein may be performed in orders other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "have," and conjugations thereof are intended to be non-exclusive inclusive, and a process, method, system, article, apparatus, or device comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include elements not expressly listed or other elements inherent to such process, method, system, article, apparatus, or device.

Terms such as "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," and the like, used in the specification and claims are for descriptive purposes only and do not necessarily describe permanent relative positions. These terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it will be understood that embodiments of the devices, methods, and/or articles described herein may, for example, operate in orientations other than those illustrated or described herein.

The terms "coupled," "coupled," "couple," "coupling," and the like should be understood broadly and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled without being electrically or otherwise coupled. The coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent, or only momentarily.

"Mechanical connection" and similar terms should be interpreted broadly to include any type of mechanical connection.

The absence of the words "detachably," "removable," etc., near a word such as "connected" does not imply that the connection, etc. of the subject is or is not removable.

Some embodiments include a golf club head. The golf club head includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. The golf club head further includes a face element. The face element includes a face surface located at the front end, the face surface including a face center and a face periphery. The face element also includes a rear surface located at the rear end and generally opposite the face surface, the rear surface including a rear center and a rear periphery generally opposite the face center. The golf club head further includes a reinforcement device located at the rear surface. In these embodiments, the x-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and passes through the rear center, the y-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and passes through the rear center, and the z-axis extends generally perpendicular to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis and intersects the rear center. Furthermore, the x-axis extends through the toe and heel ends and equidistant from the top and bottom ends; the y-axis extends through the top and bottom ends and equidistant from the toe and heel ends; and the z-axis extends through the front and rear ends and equidistant from (i) the toe and heel ends and (ii) the top and rear ends. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the reinforcement device includes a reinforcement element having a geometric center located approximately on the z-axis, the reinforcement element extending from the rear face toward and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element includes a looped rib. Meanwhile, the face surface may be closer to the rear face proximate the face center than proximate the face periphery.

Other embodiments include a golf club head. In some embodiments, the golf club head comprises an iron-type golf club head. The golf club head comprises a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. The golf club head further comprises a face element. The face element comprises a face surface located at the front end, the face surface comprising a face center and a face periphery. The face element also comprises a rear surface located at the rear end and generally opposite the face surface, the rear surface comprising a rear center and a rear periphery generally opposite the face center. The golf club head further comprises a reinforcement device located at the rear surface. The golf club head further comprises: (i) a peripheral wall element extending from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end; and (ii) extending entirely around the periphery of the rear surface. The peripheral wall element includes a first peripheral wall portion extending along the rear periphery of the rear surface at a top end and a second peripheral wall portion extending along the rear periphery of the rear surface at a bottom end. In these embodiments, the x-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and passes through the rear center, the y-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and passes through the rear center, and the z-axis extends generally perpendicular to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis and intersects the rear center. Furthermore, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and at a position equidistant from the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and at a position equidistant from the toe end and the heel end, and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and is (i) between the toe end and the heel end and (ii) equidistant from the top end and the rear end. Further, in these embodiments, the reinforcement device includes a reinforcement element having a geometric center located approximately on the z-axis, the reinforcement element extending from the rear face toward the rear end and away from the front end, the reinforcement element including a closed circular loop rib. The golf club head also includes an iron-type golf club head, having a center thickness from the face center to the rear center of approximately 0.203 centimeters or less, and at least a portion of the second peripheral wall being thinner than the face element proximal to the face periphery.

Some embodiments further include an insert that at least partially fills the cavity in the reinforcing element formed by the looped rib. In some embodiments, the cavity can be a central cavity. The central cavity can also be partially covered by a badge. The badge can be separate from the insert or integral with the insert. In other embodiments, the badge can be integral with the reinforcing element. The insert can be a lightweight material weighing less than approximately 3 g and not significantly affect the center of gravity of the golf club head swing. In alternative embodiments, the insert can weigh more than approximately 3 g, such as between approximately 5 g and approximately 10 g, and can contribute to the swing weight or center of gravity of the club head.

Further embodiments have vibration-damping features disposed on the rear surface of the golf club head to reduce noise, produce a more desirable sound, and reduce vibrations in the golf club head. The vibration-damping features can be composed of vibration-damping foil, rubber, or other vibration-damping or vibration-removing materials or compositions, such as a pressure-sensitive viscoelastic acrylic polymer. The vibration-damping features can be pressure-sensitive and reduce or eliminate vibrations from the golf club head when a golf ball is struck. The vibration-damping features provide a more desirable sound to the golf club head in combination with achieving better performance in thin-face golf club heads. The vibration-damping features are at least partially applied to the rear surface of the golf club head. The vibration-damping features can also be applied to the reinforcement element. The vibration-damping features can further be applied to all or a portion of the cavity in the reinforcement element. The cavity can be a central cavity. The central cavity of the rear surface can also be partially covered by the vibration-damping feature. The central cavity may also be partially covered by a badge, and the vibration damping feature may be disposed beneath the badge.

Further embodiments include a method of providing a golf club head. The method may include providing a face element including: (i) a face surface located at a front end and including a face center and a face periphery; and (ii) a rear surface located at a rear end and generally opposite the face surface, the rear surface including a rear center generally opposite the face center and a rear periphery; and providing a reinforcement device in the rear surface. In these embodiments, the golf club head includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. Further, an x-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and passes through the rear center; a y-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and extends generally perpendicular to the x-axis and passes through the rear center; and a z-axis extends generally perpendicular to the face surface and extends generally perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis and passes through the rear center. Furthermore, the x-axis extends through the toe and heel ends and equidistant from the top and bottom ends, the y-axis extends through the top and bottom ends and equidistant from the toe and heel ends, and the z-axis extends through the front and rear ends and equidistant from (i) the toe and heel ends and (ii) the top and rear ends. Meanwhile, the reinforcement device includes a reinforcement element having a geometric center located approximately on the z-axis, the reinforcement element extending from the rear face toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element includes a looped rib. Also, the face surface may be closer to the rear face proximate the face center than proximate the face periphery.

Some embodiments include a golf club. The golf club includes a shaft and a golf club head coupled to the shaft. The golf club head includes a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, a front end and a rear end opposite the front end, and a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end. The golf club head further includes a face element. The face element includes a face surface located at the front end and including a face center and a face periphery. The face element also includes a rear surface located at the rear end and generally opposite the face surface, the rear surface including a rear center generally opposite the face center and a rear periphery. The golf club head further includes a reinforcement device located on the rear surface. In these embodiments, the x-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and passes through the rear center, the y-axis extends generally parallel to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and passes through the rear center, and the z-axis extends generally perpendicular to the face surface and generally perpendicular to the x-axis and y-axis and passes through the rear center. Further, the x-axis extends through the toe end and the heel end and is equidistant from the top end and the bottom end, the y-axis extends through the top end and the bottom end and is equidistant from the toe end and the heel end, and the z-axis extends through the front end and the rear end and is equidistant (i) from the toe end and the heel end and (ii) from the top end and the rear end. Further in these embodiments, the reinforcement device comprises a reinforcement element having a geometric center located generally on the z-axis, the reinforcement element extending outward from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end, and the reinforcement element comprises a looped rib. Alternatively, the face surface may be closer to the rear surface proximal to the face center than proximal to the face periphery.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a top, rear, and toe-side view of a club head 100 according to one embodiment, while FIG. 2 illustrates a top, front, and heel-side view of the club head 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The club head 100 is exemplary only and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The club head 100 may be used in many different embodiments or examples not expressly shown or described herein.

Generally, the club head 100 may comprise a golf club head. The golf club head 100 may be part of a corresponding golf club. For example, the golf club 1400 ( FIG. 14 ) may comprise the golf club head 100 coupled to a shaft 1490 and a grip 1495. Furthermore, the golf club head may be part of a set of golf club heads, and/or the golf club may be part of a set of golf clubs. For example, the club head 100 may comprise any suitable iron-type golf club head. In some embodiments, the club head 100 may comprise a muscle-back iron-type golf club head or a cavity-back iron-type golf club head. Nevertheless, although the club head 100 is generally described with reference to an iron-type golf club head, the club head 100 may comprise any other suitable type of golf club head, such as a wood-type golf club head (e.g., a driver club head, a fairway wood club head, a hybrid club head, etc.) or a putter golf club head. Generally, the club head 100 may comprise any suitable material, although in many embodiments, the club head 100 comprises one or more metallic materials. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited in this regard.

For reference, the club head 100 includes a top end 101 and a bottom end 102 opposite the top end 101, a front end 203 (FIG. 2) and a back end 104 opposite the front end 203 (FIG. 2), and a toe end 105 and a heel end 106 opposite the toe end 105. The club head 100 also includes an x-axis 107, a y-axis 108, and a z-axis 109.

Meanwhile, the x-axis 107, y-axis 108, and z-axis 109 form a Cartesian reference coordinate system for the club head 100. Therefore, the x-axis 107, y-axis 108, and z-axis 109 are perpendicular to one another. Furthermore, the x-axis 107 extends through the toe end 105 and the heel end 106 and is equidistant between the top end 101 and the bottom end 102; the y-axis 108 extends through the top end 101 and the bottom end 102 and is equidistant between the toe end 105 and the heel end 106; and the z-axis 109 extends through the front end 203 (FIG. 2) and the back end 104 and is equidistant between (i) the toe end 105 and the heel end 106 and (ii) the top end 101 and the back end 102.

The club head 100 includes a club head body 110. The club head body 110 may be solid, hollow, or partially hollow. When the club head body 110 is hollow and/or partially hollow, the club head body 110 may include a shell structure and may further be filled and/or partially filled with a filler material that is different from the material of the shell structure. For example, the filler material may include plastic foam.

The club head body 110 includes a face element 111 and a reinforcement device 112. In many embodiments, the club head body 110 can include a peripheral wall element 113.

In many embodiments, the face element 111 includes a face surface 214 (FIG. 2) and a rear surface 115. Meanwhile, the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) includes a face center 216 (FIG. 2) and a face periphery 217 (FIG. 2), and the rear surface 115 includes a rear center 118 and a rear periphery 119. The face surface 214 (FIG. 2) may refer to the striking face or striking plate of the club head 100 and may be configured to impact a ball (not shown), such as a golf ball. In many embodiments, the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) may include one or more scoring lines 223 (FIG. 2).

In these or other embodiments, the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) can be located at the front end 203 (FIG. 2), and the rear surface 115 can be located at the rear end 104. Further, the rear surface 115 can be generally opposite the face surface 214 (FIG. 2), the rear center 118 can be generally opposite the face center 216 (FIG. 2), and the rear periphery 119 can be generally opposite the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2). Generally, in many examples, the face center 216 (FIG. 2) can refer to the geometric center of the face surface 214 (FIG. 2). Thus, in these or other examples, the face center 216 (FIG. 2) can refer to a position on the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) that is generally equidistant between the toe end 105 and the heel end 106, and further generally equidistant between the top end 101 and the bottom end 102. In various examples, the face center may refer to the face center as defined in United States Golf Association: Procedure for Measuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead, USGA-TPX3004, Revision 1.0.0, page 6, May 1, 2008 (retrieved May 12, 2014 from http://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Test-Protocols-For-Equipment), which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, in some examples, the rear center 118 may refer to the geometric center of the rear face 115.

For reference, the x-axis 107 and the y-axis 108 may extend substantially parallel to the face surface 214 (FIG. 2), and the z-axis 109 may extend substantially perpendicular to the face surface 214 (FIG. 2). Meanwhile, the x-axis 107, the y-axis 108, and the z-axis 109 may each intersect the rear center 118 such that the rear center 118 comprises the origin of a Cartesian reference coordinate system formed by the x-axis 107, the y-axis 108, and the z-axis 109.

In various embodiments, the scoring lines 223 (FIG. 2) may each include one or more grooves and may extend between the toe end 105 and the heel end 106. In these or other embodiments, the scoring lines 223 (FIG. 2) may be generally parallel to the x-axis 107.

In many embodiments, the reinforcing device 112 includes one or more reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121). The reinforcing device 112 and/or reinforcing elements 120 are located on the posterior surface 115 and extend outward from the posterior surface 115 toward the posterior end 104 and away from the anterior end 203 ( FIG. 2 ). In many embodiments, each reinforcing element of the reinforcing elements 120 includes a peripheral surface and a geometric center. In these or other embodiments, the geometric center of one or more of the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) can be located approximately on the z-axis 109. For example, the reinforcing element 121 can include a peripheral surface 126 and a geometric center 130.

The reinforcement device 112 and the reinforcement element 120 are configured to reinforce the face element 111 while allowing the face element 111 to flex, such as when the face surface 214 ( FIG. 2 ) impacts a ball (e.g., a golf ball). As a result, the face element 111 is thinned, allowing mass from the face element 111 to be redistributed to other portions of the club head, and making the face element 111 more flexible, so that it cannot buckle and break under the resulting flex. Advantageously, because the face element 111 can be thinner when implemented with the reinforcement device 112 and the reinforcement element 120 than when implemented without the reinforcement device 112 and the reinforcement element 120, the center of gravity, moment of inertia, and coefficient of restitution of the club head 100 can be altered to improve the performance characteristics of the club head 100. For example, implementation of the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120 may increase the flight distance of a golf ball struck by the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) by increasing the launch angle of the golf ball (e.g., by approximately one-tenth to three-tenths of a degree), may increase the ball speed of the golf ball, e.g., by approximately 0.1 miles per hour (mph) (0.161 kilometers per hour (kph) to approximately 3.0 mph (4.83 kph)), and/or may reduce the spin of the golf ball (e.g., by approximately 1 to 500 revolutions per minute). In these examples, the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120 may have the effect of counteracting some of the gearing on the golf ball imparted by the face surface 214 (FIG. 2).

Testing of golf clubs comprising one embodiment of the golf club head 100 was conducted. Overall, when compared to iron golf clubs with a standard reinforced striking face and custom tuning ports, the testing showed greater forgiveness, as indicated by a higher moment of inertia about the x-axis and/or y-axis, and a smaller statistical area over which the golf ball impacts the face of the golf club head. In some tests, the moment of inertia about the x-axis increased by approximately 2%, the moment of inertia about the y-axis increased by approximately 4%, and/or the statistical area over which the golf ball impacts the face of the golf club head decreased by approximately 15 to 50 percent. Additionally, increased ball velocity of the golf ball, increased launch angle of the golf ball, and/or reduced spin of the golf ball were observed. As an example, when one embodiment of the golf club 100 was tested on a 5-iron golf club, it was observed that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 1.5 mph (2.41 kph), the launch angle of the golf ball increased by approximately 0.3 degrees, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 250 revolutions per minute (rpm). In another example, when one embodiment of the golf club 100 was tested on a 7-iron golf club, it was observed that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 2.0 mph (3.22 kph), the launch angle of the golf ball remained essentially unchanged, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 450 rpm. As a further example, when one embodiment of the golf club 100 was tested on a wedge iron golf club, it was observed that the ball speed of the golf ball increased by approximately 0.1 degrees, and the spin of the golf ball decreased by approximately 200 rpm, with essentially no change in the launch angle of the golf ball.

In particular, in many instances, when the face element 111 includes score lines 223 (FIG. 2) and the face element 111 is thinned without implementing the reinforcing device 112 and reinforcing element 120, buckling and fracture of the face element 111 may occur at the bottom of the score lines 223 (FIG. 2), particularly at score lines 223 (FIG. 2) proximal to the face center 216 (FIG. 2), as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described below with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The club head 100 having the reinforcement device 112 may also have a uniform transition thickness 550 (FIG. 5) extending from the front end 203 to the bottom end 102. The uniform transition thickness 550 absorbs stresses directed at the area between the front end 203 and the bottom end 102 of the club head 100 having the reinforcement device 112. The uniform transition thickness 550 may range from approximately 0.20 to 0.80 inches. For example, the uniform transition thickness 550 may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches.

Specifically, moving forward in the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional club head 300 according to one embodiment. Club head 300 may be similar to club head 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2), but unlike club head 100, club head 300 lacks strengthening devices and strengthening elements on a rear surface 315 of face element 311 of club head 300. Club head 300 includes one or more scoring lines 323 on a face surface 314 of club head 300. Rear surface 315 may be similar to rear surface 115 (FIG. 1), face element 311 may be similar to or identical to face element 111 (FIG. 1), face surface 314 may be similar to or identical to face surface 214 (FIG. 2), and/or scoring lines 323 may be similar to or identical to scoring lines 223 (FIG. 2). Additionally, the absent stiffening device may be similar to stiffening device 112 (FIG. 1), and the absent stiffening element may be similar to stiffening element 120 (FIG. 1). Meanwhile, FIG. 4 shows a stress-strain analysis of a partial cross-sectional view of club head 300 according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3, simulating the impact of face surface 314 of club head 300 with a golf ball (not shown), with the resulting bending being three times larger.

As demonstrated in FIG. 4, the face element 311 behaves similarly to a support beam and, therefore, has a neutral axis 436. The portion of the face element 311 between the face surface 314 and the neutral axis 436 is in compression, and the portion of the face element 311 between the neutral axis 436 and the rear surface 315 is in tension. Stress first builds at the face surface 314 and the rear surface 315 and moves inward toward the neutral axis 436. However, unlike a support beam, the face element 311 also has score lines 323 in the portion of the face element 311 that is in compression. If the face element 311 flexes excessively, mechanical yield of the face element 311 at the bottom of the score lines 323 may be reached. Without the score lines 323, the face element 311 would normally be expected to fail first in the portion of the face element 311 that is under tension, but the score lines 323 cause failure to occur first in the portion of the face element 311 that is under compression. That is, the face element 311 may fail at the score lines 323 before the remainder of the face element 311 reaches a stress level high enough to cause failure. Iron-type club heads may be more susceptible to failure at the score lines 323 because iron-type club heads tend to have a flat face surface 314, unlike wood-type golf club heads, which tend to have a convex face surface 314. As a result, even when a wood-type golf club head flexes at the face surface 314, the face surface 314 may still curve outward somewhat. On the other hand, when an iron-type golf club head bends at the face surface 314, the face surface 314 bends into a concave shape, which may increase the degree of compression in the portion of the face element 311 that is under compression.

1 and 2, implementation of the stiffening device 112 and stiffening element 120 may enable increased overall flex within the face element 111, along with enhanced local flex within the score lines 223 (FIG. 2), particularly within those score lines 223 proximal to the face center 216 (FIG. 2). The stiffening device 112 and stiffening element 120 may provide these benefits by increasing the local thickness of the face element 111, thereby making the face element 111 stiffer and harder at those locations. In effect, the stiffening device 112 and stiffening element 120 may act to pull the neutral axis of the face element 111 away from the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) and closer to the rear surface 115.

However, the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120 may further provide these benefits when implemented as a closed structure (e.g., one or more looped ribs) because such a closed structure may be able to withstand deformation as a result of circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120. For example, the circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120 may prevent opposing sides of the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120 from rotating away from each other, thereby reducing bending.

Additionally, the strengthening device 112 and strengthening elements 120 absorb a substantial portion of the stresses on the club head 100 during impact, thereby preventing the stresses from being absorbed by other portions of the club head 100, such as the face element 111, face surface 214, and rear surface 115, during impact. Directing the stresses toward the strengthening device 112 and strengthening elements 120 improves the durability of the face element 111 and the club head 100 compared to a club head 300 lacking the strengthening device and strengthening elements, or compared to a club head having the strengthening device 112 with no or fewer strengthening elements 120.

When implemented, the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) may be implemented in any suitable shape (e.g., polygonal, oval, circular, etc.) and/or any suitable configuration configured to perform the intended function of the reinforcing device 112 and/or reinforcing element 120 described above. Furthermore, when the reinforcing elements 120 comprise multiple reinforcing elements, two or more of the reinforcing elements 120 may be similar to another and/or two or more of the reinforcing elements 120 may be different from another.

In some embodiments, the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) can be symmetrical about the x-axis 107 and/or the y-axis 108. When the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) are implemented in a horizontally elongated configuration, in many embodiments, the largest dimension (e.g., major axis) of the reinforcing elements can be parallel and/or collinear with one of the x-axis 107 or the y-axis 108. However, in other embodiments, the largest dimension (e.g., major axis) can be angled relative to the x-axis 107 and/or the y-axis 108 as desired. Furthermore, in many embodiments, the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) can be centered about the z-axis 109, but in some embodiments, one or more of the reinforcing elements 120 (e.g., reinforcing element 121) can be offset from the center of the z-axis 109, such as offset toward one or two of the top end 101, bottom end 102, toe end 105, and heel end 106.

In many embodiments, each reinforcing element (e.g., reinforcing element 121) of reinforcing element 120 can include one or more looped ribs 127 (e.g., looped ribs 122). Specifically, reinforcing element 121 can include looped ribs 122. In these or other embodiments, when looped ribs 127 include multiple looped ribs, the looped ribs 127 can be concentric with one another about a point and/or axis (e.g., z-axis 109). In other embodiments, when looped ribs 127 include multiple looped ribs, two or more of the looped ribs 127 can be non-concentric. Furthermore, in these or other embodiments, two or more of the looped ribs 127 can overlap. Meanwhile, in these embodiments, looped ribs 122 can include elliptical looped ribs, and in some of these embodiments, looped ribs 122 can include circular looped ribs. As noted above, implementing the reinforcing elements 120 as looped ribs 127 can be advantageous due to the circumferential (e.g., hoop) stress provided by the closed structure of the looped ribs 127. In many embodiments, one or more of the looped ribs 127 (or each of the looped ribs 127) is a continuous closed loop.

In these or other embodiments, each looped rib of looped ribs 127 comprises an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. In turn, in these embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of each reinforcing element (e.g., reinforcing element 121) comprises the outer peripheral surface of its corresponding looped rib (e.g., looped rib 122). For example, looped rib 122 can comprise outer peripheral surface 128 and inner peripheral surface 129. Furthermore, inner peripheral surface 129 can be steep and substantially perpendicular to the trailing surface at rib height 540 (FIG. 13).

In some embodiments, one or more outer peripheral surfaces of the reinforcing element 120 (e.g., the outer peripheral surface 126 of the reinforcing element 121) may be filleted relative to the rear surface 115. In these or other embodiments, one or more inner peripheral surfaces of the looped ribs 127 (e.g., the inner peripheral surface 129 of the looped ribs 122) may be filleted relative to the rear surface 115. Filleting the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element 120 (e.g., the outer peripheral surface 126 of the reinforcing element 121) relative to the rear surface 115 may enable a smooth transition of the reinforcing element 120 (e.g., the outer peripheral surface 126 of the reinforcing element 121) to the rear surface 115. Furthermore, filleting the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element 120 (e.g., the outer peripheral surface 126 of the reinforcing element 121) relative to the rear surface 115 may direct stresses from an impact toward the reinforcing element 120 and away from the face surface 214. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of a reinforcing element (e.g., outer peripheral surface 126 of reinforcing element 121) or the inner peripheral surface of a looped rib 127 (e.g., inner peripheral surface 129 of looped rib 122) may be filleted relative to the trailing surface 115 using a fillet 117 having a radius of approximately 0.012 centimeters or greater. For example, in some embodiments, the fillet 117 of the outer peripheral surface 126 relative to the trailing surface 115 may range from approximately 0.012 centimeters to approximately 2.0 centimeters, approximately 0.50 centimeters to approximately 3.0 centimeters, or approximately 1.0 centimeters to approximately 4.0 centimeters. By way of further example, in some embodiments, the fillet 117 of the inner peripheral surface 129 relative to the trailing surface 115 may range from approximately 0.012 centimeters to approximately 2.0 centimeters, approximately 0.50 centimeters to approximately 3.0 centimeters, or approximately 1.0 centimeters to approximately 4.0 centimeters.

In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element may be filleted directly to the trailing surface 115. In these embodiments, the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 117 from the face thickness at the rib height 540 to the face thickness at the trailing surface 115.

In some embodiments, the club head 100 may further include a lip 552 on the rear surface 115 of the club head 100. Referring to FIGS. 15-17, in the illustrated embodiment, the lip 552 extends from the heel end 106 to the toe end 105 around the reinforcing element 120 of the club head 100. In these or other embodiments, the fillet 117 on the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element 120 may transition to the lip 552, such that the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 117 from the face thickness at the rib height 540 to the minimum thickness 544, and then gradually increases from the minimum thickness 544 to the face thickness at the lip height 554. In these embodiments, the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 can be greater than the center thickness 537, the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 can be approximately equal to the center thickness 537, or the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 can be less than the center thickness 537. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-16, the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 is greater than the center thickness 537. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 is approximately equal to the center thickness 537.

In many embodiments, the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 corresponds to face plate flex and ball speed. As the minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 decreases, the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element 120 can flex more during impact with a golf ball. The increased flexing of the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element 120 upon impact can increase face plate deflection, increasing energy transfer to the golf ball and increasing ball speed. For example, the golf club head 100 shown in FIG. 17, which has a minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 approximately equal to the center thickness 537, produces ball speeds up to 1 mile per hour (mph) faster than the club head 100 shown in FIGS. 15-16, which has a minimum thickness 544 between the reinforcing element 120 and the lip 552 greater than the center thickness 537.

In some embodiments, when the reinforcing element 121 includes a looped rib 122, the looped rib 122 can include a cavity 131. In other embodiments, when the reinforcing element 121 includes a looped rib 122, the looped rib 122 does not include a cavity 131. In embodiments without a cavity 131, the center thickness 537 (FIGS. 5 and 13) can be greater than in embodiments with a cavity 131 and can be measured from the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) to the distal end of the looped rib 122 (e.g., the distance between the center thickness 537 (FIG. 5) and the rib height 542 (FIG. 5)), and can be equal to or less than the face thickness at the rib height 542 (FIGS. 5 and 13). The cavity 131 is defined by the inner peripheral surface 129 and the rear surface 115. In some embodiments, the cavity 131 can be a central cavity. In many embodiments, cavity 131 can be free of any contents, such as a weighted insert. In other embodiments, cavity 131 can accommodate an insert 805, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

As discussed in some detail above, by implementing the reinforcing device 112 and the reinforcing element 120, the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) can be closer to (i.e., thinner than) the rear face 115 proximal to (e.g., at) the face center 216 (FIG. 2) than proximal to (e.g., at) the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the portion of the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) proximal to the face center 216 (FIG. 2) can refer to the portion of the surface area of the face surface 214 that borders the face center 216 (FIG. 2) and represents approximately 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, or 20 percent of the total surface area of the face surface 214. In these or other embodiments, that portion of the surface area of the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) can correspond to the portion of the surface area of the rear face 115 that is covered by the reinforcing element 121. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the portion of face surface 214 (FIG. 2) proximal to face periphery 217 (FIG. 2) can refer to the area of face surface 214 bounded by face periphery 217 and an inset boundary located approximately 0.10 centimeters, 0.20 centimeters, 0.25 centimeters, 0.50 centimeters, 1.00 centimeters, or 2.00 centimeters from face periphery 217 (FIG. 2).

Moving forward briefly, FIGS. 5 and 13 show a cross-sectional view of the club head 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 2. The club head 100 may have a center thickness 537. The center thickness 537 may refer to the distance from the face center 216 (FIG. 2) to the rear center 118 (FIG. 1). In many embodiments, the center thickness 537 may be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm. In some embodiments, the center thickness 537 may be less than 0.300 cm, less than 0.255 cm, less than 0.250 cm, less than 0.205 cm, less than 0.200 cm, or less than 0.155 cm. In some embodiments, the center of the reinforcing element 120 may be at least partially filled. For example, the center of the reinforcing element 120 may be filled with a vibration-damping material or vibration-reducing feature (e.g., insert 805 (FIG. 8)) or other material. In many embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be less than the face thickness at the rib height 540. In other embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be approximately equal to the face thickness at the rib height 540. The face thickness at the rib height 540 can be the rib height 540 plus the center thickness 537. In many embodiments, the face thickness 542 on the outside of the reinforcing element 120 can be greater than the center thickness 537 but less than the face thickness at the rib height 540. In other embodiments, the face thickness 542 can be the same as the center thickness 537.

In some embodiments, the face thickness at rib height 540 can be approximately 0.30 cm to approximately 0.70 cm. In some embodiments, the face thickness at rib height 540 can be approximately 0.30 cm to approximately 0.50 cm. In some embodiments, the face thickness at rib height 540 can be approximately 0.40 cm to approximately 0.60 cm. In some embodiments, the face thickness at rib height 540 can be approximately 0.50 cm to approximately 0.70 cm. In some embodiments, the face thickness at rib height 540 can be greater than 0.30 cm, greater than 0.40 cm, greater than 0.50 cm, or greater than 0.60 cm.

In some embodiments, the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120 can vary. FIGS. 15-16 show a top 545 of the outer face plate of the reinforcing element 120 having a top thickness 546 and a bottom 547 of the outer face plate of the reinforcing element 120 having a bottom thickness 548. In some embodiments, the top thickness 546 can be the same as the bottom thickness 548 (FIGS. 5 and 13). In these embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be less than the top thickness 546 and the bottom thickness 548, and the top thickness 546 and the bottom thickness 548 can be less than the face thickness at the rib height 540. In some embodiments, the top thickness 546 can be different from the bottom thickness 548 (FIGS. 15-16). For example, in some embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be less than the top thickness 546, which can be less than the bottom thickness 548, and the bottom thickness 548 can be less than the face thickness at the rib height 540. For further example, in some embodiments, the top thickness 546 can be less than the center thickness 537, which can be less than the bottom thickness 548, and the bottom thickness 548 can be less than the face thickness 540 at the rib height 540.

In many embodiments, the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm. In some embodiments, the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120 can be less than 0.300 cm, less than 0.255 cm, less than 0.250 cm, less than 0.205 cm, less than 0.200 cm, or less than 0.155 cm. In many embodiments, the top thickness 546 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm. In some embodiments, the top thickness 546 can be less than 0.300 cm, less than 0.255 cm, less than 0.250 cm, less than 0.205 cm, less than 0.200 cm, or less than 0.155 cm. In many embodiments, the bottom thickness 548 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm. In some embodiments, the bottom thickness 548 can be less than 0.300 cm, less than 0.255 cm, less than 0.250 cm, less than 0.205 cm, less than 0.200 cm, or less than 0.155 cm.

In many embodiments, the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, and the center thickness 537 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, without requiring a supporting backing material (e.g., without using a filler material such as an elastomer located behind the face plate). For example, the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, without having an elastomer or other flexible material located behind the outer face thickness 542 of the reinforcing element 120. In another example, the center thickness 537 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, without having an elastomer or other flexible material located behind the face center thickness 537.

Typically, golf club head face plates are designed to maximize ball speed for individual swing speed requirements (e.g., by reducing face plate thickness). Because the force at impact with a club head generally decreases with swing speed, face plate thickness (e.g., for a women's golf club head compared to a men's golf club head) can be reduced with lower swing speed durability requirements. For example, a club head with lower swing speed durability requirements can have a lower center thickness 537, a lower face thickness at the rib height 540, a lower top thickness 546, a lower bottom thickness 548, or any combination of the thickness reductions described above, compared to a club head with higher swing speed durability requirements. In some embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.250 cm, the top thickness 546 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.250 cm, and the bottom thickness 548 can be approximately 0.150 cm to approximately 0.250 cm, allowing the club head 100 to withstand swing speeds of less than 100 miles per hour (mph) (160.9 kilometers per hour, kph), less than 90 mph (144.8 kph), less than 80 mph (128.7 kph), less than 70 mph (112.6 kph), or less than 60 mph (96.6 kph). In some embodiments, the center thickness 537 can be approximately 0.200 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, the top thickness 546 can be approximately 0.200 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, and the bottom thickness 548 can be approximately 0.200 cm to approximately 0.300 cm, allowing the club head 100 to withstand swing speeds of less than 130 mph (209.2 kph), less than 120 mph (193.1 kph), less than 110 mph (177.0 kph), less than 100 mph (160.9 kph), or less than 90 mph (144.8 kph).

In many embodiments, the score lines 223 can have a depth of approximately 0.030 cm to approximately 0.060 cm. In some embodiments, the score lines 223 can have a depth of less than 0.060 cm, less than 0.055 cm, less than 0.050 cm, less than 0.045 cm, less than 0.040 cm, or less than 0.035 cm. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figures 15-16, the score lines 223 have a depth of approximately 0.046 cm. As discussed herein, measurements for the center thickness 537, the face thickness 542 outside the reinforcing element 120, the top thickness 546, and the bottom thickness 548 are taken in areas of the face plate that are free of score lines. Thus, a faceplate thickness measured within score line 223 will be lower (due to the depth of the score line) than an associated faceplate thickness measured outside or adjacent to score line 223 in the same region of the faceplate.

In some embodiments, the rib width can vary across the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1), and in some embodiments, the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) and/or the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1) can have a maximum rib span 538. The maximum rib span 538 can refer to the maximum distance measured parallel to the rear surface 115 (FIG. 1) from one side of the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1) to the opposite side of the opposite inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1). Thus, when the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) comprises an elliptical looped rib, the maximum rib span 538 can refer to the major axis of the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1). Additionally, when the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) comprises a circular looped rib, the maximum rib span 538 can refer to the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1). Notably, in many embodiments, the maximum rib span 538 may be measured at the midpoint of the inner periphery surface 129 (FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, the maximum rib span 538 can be approximately 0.609 cm to approximately 1.88 cm. In some embodiments, the maximum rib span 538 can be approximately 1.0 cm. In some embodiments, if the maximum span 538 is too large (e.g., greater than approximately 1.88 cm), the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) may be insufficient to reinforce the score line 223 (FIG. 2) closest to the face center 216 (FIG. 2). On the other hand, in these or other embodiments, if the maximum span 538 is too small (e.g., less than approximately 0.609 cm), the looped rib 122 may be insufficient to reinforce the score line 223 (FIG. 2) closest to the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2). In general, these upper and lower limits for the maximum rib span 538 can be a function of the size of the face element 111 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, there can be two or more ribs 621 and 641, for example, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the inner or outer diameter of the larger rib span or rib 641 (Figure 6) may be greater than 1.88 centimeters, and the inner or outer diameter of the smaller rib span or rib 621 (Figure 6) may be less than 0.609 centimeters.

Additionally, the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) may have a rib thickness 539. The rib thickness 539 may refer to the distance measured parallel to the rear surface 115 (FIG. 1) between the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1) of the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) and the outer peripheral surface 128 (FIG. 1) of the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the thickness of the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) may vary throughout the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1), and the rib thickness 539 may be the maximum rib thickness of the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1). In many embodiments, the rib thickness 539 may be approximately 0.050 cm to approximately 1.50 cm. In some embodiments, the rib thickness 539 may be approximately 0.05 cm. In some embodiments, the rib thickness 539 may be approximately 0.25 cm or greater. In some embodiments, the rib thickness 539 may be approximately 0.50 cm. In some embodiments, rib thickness 539 can be approximately 0.75 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness 539 can be approximately 1.00 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness 539 can be approximately 1.25 centimeters. In some embodiments, rib thickness 539 can be approximately 1.50 centimeters. In various embodiments, when looped rib 127 (FIG. 1) comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more of looped ribs 127 (FIG. 1) can comprise the same rib thickness and/or two or more of looped ribs 127 (FIG. 1) can comprise different rib thicknesses. Notably, in many embodiments, rib span 539 can be measured at the midpoint of inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1) and/or outer peripheral surface 128 (FIG. 1).

Furthermore, the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) may have a rib height 540. The rib height 540 may refer to the vertical distance from the rear surface 115 (FIG. 1) to the center point of the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) furthest from the rear surface 115, i.e., where the outer peripheral surface 128 (FIG. 1) meets the inner peripheral surface 129 (FIG. 1). In these or other embodiments, the rib height 540 may be approximately 0.3048 centimeters or greater. In some embodiments, the rib height 540 may be approximately 0.1778 cm to approximately 0.3048 cm. In some embodiments, the rib height 540 may be approximately 0.17 cm, 0.20 cm, 0.23 cm, 0.26 cm, 0.29 cm, or 0.30 cm. In many embodiments, the rib height 540 may be approximately 0.512 cm or less. In some embodiments, the height of looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) can vary throughout looped rib 122, and rib height 540 can be the maximum rib height of looped rib 122 (FIG. 1). In various embodiments, when looped rib 127 (FIG. 1) comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more of looped ribs 127 (FIG. 1) can comprise the same rib height, and/or two or more of looped ribs 127 (FIG. 1) can comprise different rib heights.

In many embodiments, the center thickness 537, maximum rib span 538, rib thickness 539, and/or rib height 540 may vary depending on one or more of each other. For example, the center thickness 537 may be a function of the rib thickness 539 and the rib height 540. That is, if the rib thickness 539 and/or the rib height 540 increases, the center thickness 537 may decrease, and vice versa. On the other hand, the rib thickness 539 and the rib height 540 may vary depending on each other. For example, increasing the rib thickness 539 may allow for a decrease in the rib height, and vice versa.

1 and 2, in many embodiments, the peripheral wall element 113 can include a first peripheral wall portion 124 and a second peripheral wall portion 125. The peripheral wall element 113 extends (i) at least partially around (e.g., entirely around) the rear peripheral edge 119 of the rear face 115, (ii) outward from the rear face 115 toward the rear end 104, and (iii) away from the front end 203 (FIG. 2). Meanwhile, the first peripheral wall portion 124 can extend along the rear peripheral edge 119 of the rear face 115 at the top end 101, and the second peripheral wall portion 125 can extend along the rear peripheral edge 119 of the rear face 115 at the bottom end 102. In many embodiments, the reinforcement devices 112 and reinforcement elements 120 are spaced apart and/or located away from the peripheral wall element 113 at the rear surface 115 such that the reinforcement devices 112 and reinforcement elements 120 float at the rear surface 115. Allowing the reinforcement devices 112 and reinforcement elements 120 to float may allow the face element 111 to flex generally symmetrically about the face center 216 (FIG. 2).

In many embodiments, the club head body 110 can include (i) an upper surface 132 at least partially at the first peripheral wall 124 and/or top end 101, and/or (ii) a sole surface 133 at least partially at the second peripheral wall 125 and/or bottom end 102. Thus, in some embodiments, the first peripheral wall 124 can comprise at least a portion of the upper surface 132, and/or the second peripheral wall 125 can comprise at least a portion of the sole surface 133. Furthermore, the upper surface 132 can meet the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) at the top end 101, and/or the sole surface 133 can meet the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) at the bottom end 102.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second peripheral wall 125 can be approximately equal to or thinner than the thickness of the face element 111 at the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2) and/or proximal to the face periphery 217. For example, the second peripheral wall 125 can be equal to or thinner than the thickness of the face periphery 217 and/or proximal to the face periphery 217 at a portion of the second peripheral wall 125 proximal to the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2) (i.e., where the second peripheral wall 125 contacts the face element 111). Implementing this portion of the second peripheral wall 125 to a thickness equal to or thinner than the face periphery 217 (FIG. 2) and/or the face element 111 proximal to the face periphery 217 can prevent stress risers from forming in the second peripheral wall 125 when the face surface 214 (FIG. 2) impacts a golf ball.

The rear surface 115 comprises a first rear portion and a second rear portion. The first rear portion may refer to the portion of the rear surface 115 that is covered by the peripheral wall element 113, and the second rear portion may refer to the remaining portion of the rear surface 115. In many embodiments, the reinforcing elements 121 (e.g., the looped ribs 122) may cover approximately 25 percent or more of the surface area of the second rear portion of the rear surface 115 and/or approximately 40 percent or less of the surface area of the second rear portion of the rear surface 115. In other embodiments, the reinforcing elements 121 (e.g., the looped ribs 122) may cover approximately 30 percent or more of the surface area of the second rear portion of the rear surface 115. In some embodiments, the reinforcing elements 121 (e.g., the looped ribs 122) may cover approximately 25 percent, 28 percent, 31 percent, 34 percent, 37 percent, or 40 percent of the surface area of the second rear portion of the rear surface 115.

Additionally, the club head body 110 may include a hosel 134 or any other suitable mechanism (e.g., a bore) for receiving and coupling a shaft to the club head 100 and/or the club head body 100. The other suitable mechanism may be similar in one or more respects to the hosel 134.

However, generally speaking, the hosel 134 can be located at or adjacent to the heel end 106. Although a shaft is not shown in the drawings, the hosel 134 can be configured to receive a shaft, such as, for example, a golf club shaft (i.e., through an opening in the hosel 134). Thus, the hosel 134 can receive the shaft and, when the hosel 134 receives the shaft, can allow the shaft to be coupled (e.g., permanently or removably) to the club head 100 and/or club head body 110.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the second peripheral wall 125 may include a weight cavity 135. In these embodiments, the weight cavity 135 may be configured to receive a removable or permanent weighted insert. The weighted insert may be positioned within the weight cavity 135 such that the weighted insert is located closer to the bottom end 102 of the club head 100 than the center of gravity of the club head 100. In other words, the weighted insert may be positioned within the weight cavity 135 such that the center of gravity of the club head 100 is located closer to the top end 101 of the club head 100 than the weighted insert. The weighted insert may be configured to alter the center of gravity of the club head 100.

Continuing in the drawings, FIG. 6 shows a top, rear, and toe-side view of a club head 600 according to one embodiment, while FIG. 7 shows a top, front, and toe-side view of a club head 600 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Club head 600 may be similar to or identical to club head 100 (FIG. 1). Accordingly, club head 600 may include a reinforcement device 612, which may include a reinforcement element 620. Reinforcement device 612 may be similar to or identical to reinforcement device 112 (FIG. 1), and reinforcement element 620 may be similar to or identical to reinforcement element 120 (FIG. 1).

The reinforcing element 620 may comprise a first reinforcing element 621 and a second reinforcing element 641. The first reinforcing element 621 and/or the second reinforcing element 641 may each be similar to the first reinforcing element 121 (FIG. 1). Thus, the first reinforcing element 621 may comprise a first looped rib 622, and the second reinforcing element 641 may comprise a second looped rib 642. The first looped rib 622 and/or the second looped rib 642 may each be similar to the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1).

In these embodiments, the first reinforcing element 621 and/or the first looped rib 622 can comprise a circular looped rib, and the second reinforcing element 622 and/or the second looped rib 642 can comprise an elliptical looped rib. The second reinforcing element 622 and/or the second looped rib 642 can surround the first reinforcing element 621 and/or the first looped rib 622. In many embodiments, the major axis of the elliptical looped rib can be generally parallel to the x-axis of the club head 600. The x-axis can be approximate to or identical to x-axis 107 (FIG. 1). In the same or different embodiments, the minor axis of the elliptical looped rib can be non-parallel to the y-axis of the club head 600. The y-axis can be approximate to or identical to y-axis 108 (FIG. 1).

The club head 600 having the stiffening device 612 may also have a uniform transition thickness 550 (not shown) extending from the front end 203 to the bottom end 102. The uniform transition thickness 550 absorbs stresses directed to the area of the club head 600 having the stiffening device 612 between the front end 203 and the bottom end 102. The uniform transition thickness 550 may range from approximately 0.20 to 0.80 inches. For example, the uniform transition thickness 550 may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches.

8 shows a side view of the club head 800 according to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 1 taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 2. The club head 800 shown in FIG. 8 shows an insert 805 within the cavity 131. FIG. 9 shows a top, rear, and heel side view of the club head 800 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the insert 805 can be a vibration-damping feature. The insert 805 can be a non-metallic material, an elastomeric material such as polyurethane, or another material such as foam. The insert 805 can be used to adjust the sound and feel of the club head 800. By absorbing or damping vibrations, the insert 805 improves the feel of the club head 800. Additionally, the insert 805 absorbs the sound of a golf ball striking the face, thereby making the head of the golf club 800 feel less hollow and more solid. In a further embodiment, a badge (not shown) can at least partially cover the cavity 131. The badge may be separate from or integral with insert 805. In other embodiments, the badge may be integral with a reinforcing element, such as reinforcing element 120 (FIG. 1).

In some cases, the insert 805 may weigh less than about 3 g so as not to significantly affect the swing weight or center of gravity of the club head 800. In other embodiments, the insert 805 may weigh more than about 3 g, such as from about 5 g to about 10 g, and may contribute significantly to the swing weight and/or center of gravity of the club head 800. In some embodiments, the insert 805 may be attached to the cavity 131 using epoxy adhesive, viscoelastic foam tape, vibration damping features, or high-strength tape such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In other embodiments, the insert 805 may be poured directly into the cavity 131 and glued. Badges may be glued using similar adhesives. In some embodiments, the insert 805 or badge may be flush with the looped rib 122 (FIG. 1) at the top of the rib height 540, or they may be below the rib height 540 when fully assembled.

In some embodiments, at least one vibration-damping feature, such as insert 805 (FIG. 8), may be disposed on the rear surface 115 (FIG. 1) of a golf club head, such as golf club head 800. The vibration-damping feature may produce a more desirable sound from golf club head 800 upon impact. The thin face element 111 (FIG. 1) of golf club head 800 may produce undesirable sounds when striking a golf ball. The vibration-damping feature may reduce vibrations, thereby resulting in a more desirable sound upon impact with the thin face element 111 (FIG. 1). The vibration-damping component may increase a user's confidence during use by providing a more desirable noise. The vibration-damping feature may also reduce the vibration shock felt by a golf club user when striking a golf ball. Additionally, the vibration-damping feature may reduce vibration fatigue and reduce wear on golf club 800 and various features, such as, but not limited to, cavity 131 and weight cavity 135 (FIG. 1). Reduced vibration fatigue may also reduce the risk of loosening or displacement of components such as, but not limited to, insert 805 in cavity 131 and the insert in weight cavity 135 (FIG. 1). Reduced vibration fatigue may extend the performance life of the golf club head 800.

As seen in FIG. 12 , in further embodiments, the vibration-damping feature can comprise at least one layer of viscoelastic vibration-damping material. The vibration-damping material can include a pressure-sensitive viscoelastic acrylic polymer and aluminum foil forming a vibration-damping foil 1202, such as 3M™ Vibration Damping Foil Tape 2552. The vibration-damping foil 1202 can comprise an adhesive layer. In one embodiment, the vibration-damping feature can comprise at least one viscoelastic adhesive layer 1203, which can comprise a composition of various layers of at least one of epoxy adhesive, viscoelastic foam tape, and/or high-strength tape, such as 3M™ VHB™ tape. In some embodiments, the vibration-damping feature can comprise various layer combinations of at least one of the viscoelastic adhesive 1203, vibration-damping foil 1202, and/or badge 1201.

Returning to FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, a vibration-damping feature may be disposed on a rear surface 115 ( FIG. 1 ) of a golf club head, such as golf club head 800, that includes a rear surface material, such as steel 1204. In another embodiment, the vibration-damping feature may be disposed within cavity 131 of golf club head 800 or on or under insert 805. The vibration-damping feature may be located in various locations on rear surface 115 ( FIG. 1 ) of golf club head 800. Generally, the vibration-damping feature is located at least partially under the badge outline on rear surface 115 ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the vibration-damping feature is disposed under the entire badge outline. In other embodiments, the vibration-damping feature is disposed at least partially under only certain areas of the badge outline, such as the aluminum area or the elastomer area. The vibration-damping feature may be disposed only under at least a portion of the peripheral area of the badge outline. In some embodiments, the vibration-damping feature may be at least partially disposed within cavity 131 of golf club head 800. The vibration-damping feature may be at least partially disposed within cavity 131 above or below insert 805. In many embodiments, the arrangement of the vibration-damping feature on golf club head 800 includes various combinations of foil disposed at least partially below the badge, at least partially above insert 805, at least partially within weight cavity 135 (FIG. 1), and/or at least partially within cavity 131. In some embodiments, the vibration-damping feature is disposed such that it covers at least 10 percent of the surface area of rear face 115 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, the vibration-damping feature may cover at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 percent of the surface area of rear face 115.

The club head 800 with the insert 805 may also have a uniform transition thickness 550 (FIG. 8) extending from the front end 203 to the bottom end 102. The uniform transition thickness 550 absorbs stresses directed at the area between the front end 203 and the bottom end 102 of the club head 800 with the insert 805. The uniform transition thickness 550 may range from approximately 0.20 to 0.80 inches. For example, the uniform transition thickness 550 may be approximately 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, or 0.80 inches.

18A is a side cross-sectional view of a club head 900. The club head 900 may be similar to the club head 100. The club head 900 includes a club head body 910 having a top end 901, a bottom end 902, a toe end 905, a heel end 906, a front end 903, a rear end 904, and a face element 911. The face element 911 includes a face surface 914 (i.e., a striking face or striking plate) located on the front end 903 and a rear surface 915 located on the rear end 904. The rear surface 915 includes a rear center 918.

The top end 901 of the club head body 910 includes a top rail 924. The top rail 924 extends in an arc from the front end 903 toward the rear end 904 and bottom end 902. The top rail 924 extends along the top end 901 from the toe end 905 to the heel end 906. A recess in the curve located between the rear surface 915 of the face element 911 and the top rail 924 defines an undercut 950. In many embodiments, the undercut 950 extends along the top rail 924 from the toe end 905 to the heel end 906. In other embodiments, the undercut 950 can extend along the top rail 924 and into a portion of the toe end 905, into a portion of the heel end 906, or into a combination of a portion of the toe end 905 and a portion of the heel end 906. The undercut 950 can also be applied to the club heads 300, 600, and 800.

The face element 911 further includes a reinforcing device 912 similar to reinforcing devices 112, 612. The reinforcing device 912 is located on the posterior surface 915 generally at the posterior center 918. The reinforcing device 912 extends from the posterior surface 915 away from the anterior end 903. The reinforcing device 912 includes one or more reinforcing elements 920. In many embodiments, each reinforcing element of the plurality of reinforcing elements 920 includes an outer peripheral surface 926, an inner peripheral surface 929, and a geometric center. The reinforcing element 920 may further include a looped rib 927. In these or other embodiments, the geometric center of one or more of the reinforcing elements 920 may be at the posterior center 918 of the posterior surface 915.

In some embodiments, the looped rib 927 may comprise multiple looped ribs, and each looped rib 927 may be concentric with one another. In other embodiments, when the looped rib 927 comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more of the looped ribs 927 may be non-concentric. Furthermore, in these or other embodiments, two or more of the looped ribs 927 may overlap. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the looped rib 927 may comprise an oval looped rib, and in other embodiments, the looped rib 927 may comprise a circular looped rib.

When implemented, the reinforcing elements 920 and looped ribs 927 may be implemented in any suitable shape (e.g., polygonal, oval, circular, etc.) and/or any suitable configuration configured to perform the intended function of the reinforcing device 912 and/or reinforcing elements 920 described above. Additionally, when the reinforcing elements 920 comprise multiple reinforcing elements, two or more of the reinforcing elements 920 may be similar to another, and/or two or more of the reinforcing elements 1520 may be different from another.

In some embodiments, one or more outer peripheral surfaces 926 of the reinforcing element 920 may be filleted relative to the trailing surface 915. In these or other embodiments, one or more inner peripheral surfaces 929 of the looped ribs 927 may be filleted relative to the trailing surface 915. Filleting the outer peripheral surfaces 926 of the reinforcing element 920 relative to the trailing surface 915 may enable a smooth transition of the reinforcing element 920 to the trailing surface 915. Furthermore, filleting the outer peripheral surfaces 926 of the reinforcing element 920 relative to the trailing surface 915 may direct stresses from an impact toward the reinforcing element 920 and away from the face surface 914. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surfaces 926 of the reinforcing element 920 or the inner peripheral surfaces 929 of the looped ribs 927 may be filleted relative to the trailing surface 915 using fillets 923 having a radius of approximately 0.012 centimeters or greater. For example, in some embodiments, the fillet 923 of the outer peripheral surface 926 relative to the trailing surface 915 can range from about 0.012 centimeters to about 2.0 centimeters, from about 0.50 centimeters to about 3.0 centimeters, or from about 1.0 centimeters to about 4.0 centimeters. By way of further example, in some embodiments, the fillet 923 of the inner peripheral surface 929 relative to the trailing surface 915 can range from about 0.012 centimeters to about 2.0 centimeters, from about 0.50 centimeters to about 3.0 centimeters, or from about 1.0 centimeters to about 4.0 centimeters.

In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface 926 of the reinforcing element 920 may be filleted directly to the trailing surface 915. In these embodiments, the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 923 from the face thickness at the apex of the reinforcing element 920 to the face thickness at the trailing surface 915.

In some embodiments, the club head 900 may further include a lip portion (not shown) on the rear surface 915 of the club head 900, similar to the lip portion 552 described above and in FIGS. 9-17. The lip portion of the club head 900 may extend from the heel end 906 to the toe end 905 around the reinforcing element 920 of the club head 900. In these or other embodiments, a fillet 923 on the outer peripheral surface 926 of the reinforcing element 920 may transition into the lip portion. Thus, the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 923 between the lip portion and the reinforcing element 920 from the apex of the reinforcing element 920 to a minimum thickness, and then gradually increases from the minimum thickness to the apex of the lip. In these embodiments, the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 920 and the lip can be greater than the thickness at the face center 916, the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 920 and the lip can be approximately equal to the thickness at the face center 916, or the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 920 and the lip can be less than the thickness at the face center 916.

The bottom end 902 of the club head body 910 may further include a sole 961. The sole 961 includes an inner sole surface 962. Additionally, the sole 961 may be a feature within the club heads 300, 600, and 800. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, there is an internal radius transition 963 from the rear surface 915 of the face element 911 to the inner sole surface 962. The radius transition 963 may include a smooth transition or cascading sole 955 adjacent the rear surface 915 of the face element 911. As shown in FIG. 18B, the cascading sole 955 may include a first tier 959 and a second tier 960. The first tier 959 is proximal to the front end 903 and the second tier 960 is proximal to the rear end 904, with the first tier 959 transitioning into the second tier 960. Furthermore, the first tier 959 has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second tier 960. Further details of the cascading sole 955 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/920,280, relating to Golf Club Heads with Energy Storage Characteristics.

The undercut 950 increases the structural integrity of the face element 911 of the club head 900. More specifically, the location of the undercut allows for a larger distribution area of the stress that the face element 911 experiences at the top end 901 during impact with the ball, with the stress traveling along the top rail 924. The distribution of stress within the top rail of the top end 901 can prevent permanent deformation of the face element 911. Maintaining the structural integrity of the face element 911 allows the club head body 910 to produce consistent, optimal performance characteristics and feel, and performance (i.e., ball speed, ball trajectory) does not deteriorate over time and after multiple uses.

Additionally, the undercut 950, located above the top end 901 and directly behind the front end 903, allows the face element 911 to have greater deflection during impact. The deflection of the face element 911 affects the coefficient of restitution (COR) of the club head 900. The COR measures the elasticity of an object at impact and is the ratio of the object's final relative velocity to its initial relative velocity. A higher COR results in increased ball speed and distance, while a lower COR results in decreased ball speed and distance. Thus, the undercut 950 of the club head 900 affects the ball's distance and velocity after impact. Because the undercut 950 increases the deflection of the face element 911, the ball's distance and velocity also increase.

Additionally, the undercut 950 allows for the removal of mass from the top end 901 of the club head. The removed mass can then be redistributed to other locations on the club head (e.g., the bottom end 902, the toe end 905, the heel end 906, or any combination thereof). The redistribution of mass provides a club head with higher performance characteristics, such as an increased moment of inertia (MOI) and an ideal center of gravity (CG) design. The increased MOI and ideal CG design can result in increased ball speed and prevent rotation of the club head 900 from the toe end 905 to the heel end 906 during the swing. Preventing rotation of the club head 900 from the toe end 905 to the heel end 906 allows for better ball contact and a more ideal ball trajectory (i.e., a straighter trajectory).

As previously described, the reinforcement device 912 and the reinforcement element 920 are configured to reinforce the face element 911 while allowing the face element 911 to flex, such as when the face surface 914 impacts a golf ball. As a result, the face element 911 can be made thinner, allowing mass from the face element 911 to be redistributed to other portions of the club head 900, making the face element 911 more flexible without buckling and breaking under the resulting bending. Advantageously, because the face element 911 can be made thinner when implemented with the reinforcement device 912 and the reinforcement element 920, the center of gravity, moment of inertia, and coefficient of restitution of the club head 900 can be altered to improve the performance characteristics of the club head 900. For example, implementing the reinforcement device 912 and the reinforcement element 920 can increase the distance of a golf ball struck by the face surface 914 by increasing launch angle, increasing ball speed, and/or reducing golf ball spin. In these examples, the reinforcing device 912 and the reinforcing element 920 can have the effect of counteracting some of the gearing on the golf ball provided by the face surface 914.

The reinforcing device 912 and the reinforcing element 920 may also provide stress-reducing benefits when implemented as a closed structure (i.e., looped rib 927) because such a closed structure may resist deformation as a result of circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 912 and the reinforcing element 920. For example, the circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 912 and the reinforcing element 920 may prevent opposing sides of the reinforcing device 912 and the reinforcing element 920 from rotating away from each other, thereby reducing bending.

The cascading sole 955 allows some of the stress experienced by the face element 911 near the sole 961 to be distributed to the first tier 959 and the second tier 960. The distribution of stress by the first tier 959 and the second tier 960 of the cascading sole 955 prevents stress from concentrating primarily in the thinnest section of the face element 911 near the sole 961. The distribution of stress by the first tier 959 and the second tier 960 within the sole 961 can prevent permanent deformation and maintain the structural integrity of the face element 911. Thus, the face element 911 can produce more consistent performance and feel after multiple impacts with the ball.

19-21 illustrate another embodiment of a club head 1500. FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view of the club head 1500, FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the club head 1500, and FIG. 21 is a front view of the club head 1500. The club head 1500 comprises a club head body 1510. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the club head body 1510 can be similar to the club head bodies 110 and 910, and comprises a top end 1501, a bottom end 1502 opposite the top end 1501, a front end 1503, a back end 1504 opposite the front end 1503, a toe end 1505, a heel end 1506 opposite the toe end 1505, and a face element 1511. The toe end is further divided into a first toe end portion 1505A, a second toe end portion 1505B, and a third toe end portion 1505C. The first toe end portion 1505A is located adjacent to the top end portion 1501 and is integrally molded therewith. The third toe end portion 1505C is located adjacent to the bottom end portion 1502 and is integrally molded therewith. The second toe end portion 1505B is located between the first toe end portion 1505A and the third toe end portion 1505C.

The club head 1500 further includes a hosel 1521. The hosel 1521 is integrally molded with the club head body 1510. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the dotted line A-A represents the junction of the hosel 1521 and the club head body 1510, where the club head body 1510 ends and the hosel 1521 begins as the face element 1511 transitions from a flat surface to a curved surface.

In many embodiments, the face element 1511 of the club head body 1510 includes a face surface 1514 positioned on the front end 1503 and a rear surface 1515 positioned on the rear end 1504 opposite the face surface 1514. The face surface 1514 may refer to the striking face or striking plate of the club head 1500 and is configured to impact a golf ball (not shown). The face surface 1514 includes a face center 1516 located approximately in the center of the face surface 1514 and a face periphery 1517 along the periphery of the face surface 1514. The face periphery 1517 abuts dotted line A-A at the heel end 1506 of the club head body 1510. The rear surface 1515 of the face element 1511 includes a rear center 1518 opposite the face center 1516 and a rear periphery 1519 opposite the face periphery 1517. The rear periphery 1519 abuts the dotted line A-A at the heel end 1506 of the club head body 1510.

FIG. 19 illustrates the rear end 1504 of the club head body 1510. Several cavities can be formed between the rear surface 1515 and several rear wall structures, described in more detail below, along the periphery of the face element 1511. In many embodiments, these cavities are integral with one another and connect together, forming a 360-degree undercut between the rear surface 1515 and the several rear wall structures. The several rear wall structures are formed from the top end 1501, bottom end 1502, toe end 1505, and heel end 1506 of the club head body 1510. In other embodiments, some of the cavities can be integral with one another and connect together, while other cavities are separated by structure (e.g., a rib, ledge, wall, or any other separating type of structure). In many embodiments, the club head body 1510 with formed cavities can further include a reinforcement device 1512 (described in more detail below). In other embodiments, the golf club head with the formed cavity can be free of the stiffening device 1512.

(Club head with undercut)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the top end 1501 of the club head body 1510 includes a top rail 1507. The top rail 1507 extends in an arc toward the rear end 1504 and the bottom end 1502, forming a top rail wall 1513. The curvature of the top rail wall 1513 covers a portion of the rear surface 1515, forming a first cavity 1541 between the rear surface 1515 and the top rail wall 1513. The top rail wall 1513 can extend from the heel end 1506 to the toe end 1505. Similarly, the first cavity 1541 in the top end 1501 can extend from the heel end 1506 to the toe end 1505. The top rail wall 1513 can cover approximately 10% to 22% of the rear surface 1515. For example, the top rail wall 1513 can cover approximately 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%, or 22% of the rear surface 1515. In some embodiments, the top rail wall 1513 can cover approximately 18% of the rear surface 1515. The percent coverage of the rear surface 1515 by the top rail wall 1513 is related to the first depth 1531 of the first cavity 1541.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the first depth 1531 of the first cavity 1541 is measured parallel to the face surface 1514 from the opening of the first cavity 1541 to the rear periphery 1519 at the top of the top rail 1507. The first depth 1531 may be a consistent depth or may vary along the first cavity 1541. The first depth 1531 of the first cavity 1541 in the top rail 1507 may be in the range of approximately 0.115 inches to 0.135 inches. For example, the first depth 1531 of the first cavity 1541 can be approximately 0.115 inches, 0.117 inches, 0.119 inches, 0.121 inches, 0.123 inches, 0.0125 inches, 0.127 inches, 0.129 inches, 0.131 inches, 0.133 inches, or 0.135 inches. In some embodiments, the first depth 1531 is approximately 0.125 inches.

The bottom end 1502 of the club head body 1510 includes a sole 1508. The sole 1508 is integrally formed into a rear portion 1509. The rear portion 1509 extends upward toward the top end 1501 over a portion of the rear surface 1515. The rearward and upward extension of the rear portion 1509 overlying the rear surface 1515 forms a second cavity 1542 between the rear surface 1515 and the rear portion 1509. The rear portion 1509 may extend from the heel end 1506 to the toe end 1505. Similarly, the second cavity 1542 between the rear surface 1515 and the rear portion may extend from the heel end 1506 to the toe end 1505. The rear portion 1509 may cover approximately 30% to 55% of the rear surface 1515. For example, the rear portion 1509 can cover approximately 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, or 55% of the rear surface 1515. In some embodiments, the rear portion 1509 extending upward toward the upper end 1501 can cover approximately 45% of the rear surface 1515. The percentage coverage of the rear portion 1509 over the rear surface 1515 is related to the second depth 1532 of the second cavity 1542.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the second depth 1532 of the second cavity 1542 is measured parallel to the face surface 1514 from the opening of the second cavity 1542 to the rear periphery 1519 at the bottom of the sole 1508. The second depth 1532 may be a consistent depth or may vary along the second cavity 1542. The second depth 1532 of the second cavity 1542 may range from approximately 0.460 inches to 0.580 inches. For example, the second depth 1532 may be approximately 0.460 inches, 0.480 inches, 0.500 inches, 0.520 inches, 0.540 inches, 0.560 inches, or 0.580 inches. In some embodiments, the second depth 1532 of the second cavity 1542 may be approximately 0.500 inches.

As shown in FIG. 20 , at the toe end 1505 of the club head body 1510, a toe ledge portion 1526 can extend in a curved manner toward the top rail 1507, the sole 1508, and the heel end 1506. The toe ledge portion 1526 extends from the top end 1501 toward the bottom end 1502. The toe ledge portion is integrally formed with the rear portion 1509 of the sole 1508 and the top rail wall portion 1513 of the top rail 1507. More specifically, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A is adjacent to the top rail 1507 and is integrally formed therewith, and the toe ledge portion 1526 in the third toe end portion 1505C is adjacent to the rear portion 1509 and is integrally formed therewith. The top rail 1507 and the toe ledge portion 1526 extending toward the heel end 1506 may form a third cavity 1543 between the rear surface 1515 and the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A. The third cavity 1543 may be adjacent to the first cavity 1541 in the top rail 1507 and may be integral with the first cavity 1541. Below the third cavity 1543, a fourth cavity 1544 may be further formed between the rear surface 1515 and the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B. The fourth cavity 1544 may be adjacent to the second cavity 1542 in the sole 1508 and may be integral with the second cavity 1542.

The toe ledge portion 1526 may cover a portion of the rear surface 1515. More specifically, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A may cover approximately 7% to 15% of the rear surface 1515. For example, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A may cover approximately 7%, 9%, 11%, 13%, or 15% of the rear surface 1515. In some embodiments, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A covers approximately 9% of the rear surface 1515. The percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 is greatest and most pronounced in the first toe end portion 1505A. Similarly, the third depth 1533 (described in more detail below) of the third cavity 1543, which is associated with the percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A, is also very significant. The percent coverage by the toe ledge portion at the first end is more significant, which can help increase top/toe weighting and improve the moment of inertia. The percent coverage by the toe ledge portion 1526 in the first toe end portion 1505A decreases toward the second toe end portion 1505B, with the percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 at the second toe end portion 1505B being the smallest of the two.

20, the third cavity 1543 in the toe end 1505 adjacent the top rail 1507 has a third depth 1533. The third depth 1533 is measured parallel to the face surface 1514 from the opening of the third cavity 1543 to the rear periphery 1519 at the edge of the first toe end portion 1505A. The third depth 1533 may be a consistent depth or may vary along the third cavity 1543. The third depth 1533 of the third cavity 1543 may range from approximately 0.215 inches to 0.245 inches. For example, the third depth 1533 can be approximately 0.215 inches, 0.219 inches, 0.223 inches, 0.227 inches, 0.231 inches, 0.235 inches, 0.239 inches, 0.243 inches, or 0.245 inches. In some embodiments, the third depth 1533 of the third cavity 1543 can be approximately 0.230 inches.

The fourth cavity 1544 of the toe end 1505 adjacent the sole 1508 is associated with a toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B. The toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B can cover a portion of the rear surface 1515 ranging from approximately 4% to 10%. For example, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B can cover approximately 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or 10% of the rear surface 1515. In some embodiments, the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B can cover approximately 5% of the rear surface 1515. The percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 is lowest in the second toe end portion 1505B. Similarly, the fourth depth 1534 (described in more detail below) of the fourth cavity 1544, which is associated with the percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B, is also very small. The percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B is much less than the percent coverage in the first toe end portion 1505A. In other embodiments, the percent coverage of the rear surface 1515 in the second toe end portion 1505B can be equal to or greater than the percent coverage of the rear surface 1515 in the first toe end portion 1505A. The percent coverage of the toe ledge portion 1526 in the second toe end portion 1505B remains substantially constant and increases slightly toward the third toe end portion 1505C until it is integral with the rear portion 1509.

The fourth cavity 1544 in the toe end 1505 between the third cavity 1543 adjacent the top rail 1507 and the second cavity 1542 in the sole 1508 has a fourth depth 1534. The fourth depth 1534 is the distance measured parallel to the face surface 1514 from the opening of the fourth cavity 1544 to the rear periphery 1519 at the edge of the second toe end portion 1505B. While the fourth depth 1534 is seen to vary along the fourth cavity 1544, in other embodiments it may be consistent along the fourth cavity 1544. The fourth depth 1534 of the fourth cavity 1544 may range from approximately 0.140 inches to 0.165 inches. For example, fourth depth 1534 can be approximately 0.140 inches, 0.144 inches, 0.148 inches, 0.152 inches, 0.156 inches, 0.160 inches, or 0.165 inches. In some embodiments, fourth depth 1534 of fourth cavity 1544 can be approximately 0.150 inches. As described above, fourth depth 1534 of fourth cavity 1544 correlates to the percentage of rear surface 1515 covered by toe ledge portion 1526 at second toe end portion 1505B. The percentage coverage of rear surface 1515 by toe ledge portion 1526 is less at second toe end portion 1505B than at first toe end portion 1505A, such that fourth depth 1534 is less than third depth 1533. In other embodiments in which the toe ledge portion 1526 provides a greater percentage coverage of the rear surface 1515 in the second toe end portion 1505B than in the first toe end portion 1505A, the fourth depth 1534 may be greater than the third depth 1533. In other embodiments in which the toe ledge portion 1526 provides the same percentage coverage of the rear surface 1515 as in the second toe end portion 1505B and the first toe end portion 1505A, the fourth depth 1534 may be the same as the third depth 1533.

At the heel end 1506 of the club head body 1510, the heel ledge portion 1524 may extend in a curved manner toward the top rail 1507, the sole 1508, and the toe end 1505. A fifth cavity 1545 is formed between the rear surface 1515 and the heel ledge portion 1524. The heel ledge portion 1524 extends from the top end 1501 to the bottom end 1502 and is integrally formed with the top rail 1507 and the rear portion 1509. The heel ledge portion 1524 may cover a portion of the rear surface 1515. The heel ledge portion 1524 may cover approximately 3% to 8% of the rear surface 1515. For example, the heel ledge portion 1524 may cover approximately 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, or 8% of the rear surface 1515. In some embodiments, the heel ledge 1524 can cover approximately 4% of the rear surface 1515. The percentage coverage of the heel ledge 1524 over the rear surface 1515 is related to the fifth depth 1535 of the fifth cavity 1545.

As shown in FIG. 20, the fifth depth 1535 of the fifth cavity 1545 is measured parallel to the face surface 1514 from the opening of the fifth cavity 1545 to the rear periphery 1519 at the heel end 1506 (abutting dotted line A-A). The fifth depth 1535 may be a consistent depth or may vary along the fifth cavity 1545. The fifth depth 1535 of the fifth cavity 1545 may range from approximately 0.080 inches to 0.110 inches. For example, the fifth depth 1535 can be approximately 0.080 inches, 0.082 inches, 0.084 inches, 0.086 inches, 0.088 inches, 0.090 inches, 0.092 inches, 0.094 inches, 0.096 inches, 0.098 inches, 0.100 inches, 0.102 inches, 0.104 inches, 0.106 inches, 0.108 inches, or 0.110 inches. In some embodiments, the fifth cavity 1545 can have a fifth depth 1535 of approximately 0.100 inches.

20, the first cavity 1541, second cavity 1542, third cavity 1543, fourth cavity 1544, and fifth cavity 1545 described above are all integrally connected to one another to define a continuous 360-degree undercut 1550. In an exemplary embodiment, the undercut 1550 may comprise the first cavity 1541, second cavity 1542, third cavity 1543, fourth cavity 1544, and fifth cavity 1545. The undercut 1550 further comprises 100% of the rear periphery 1519 of the face element 1511 of the club head body 1510. The undercut 1550 in the club head body 1510 may help reduce weight and increase flex in the face element 1511. In other embodiments, the cavities (e.g., first cavity 1541, second cavity 1542, third cavity 1543, fourth cavity 1544, and fifth cavity 1545) can be separated in any combination, with the undercut 1550 comprising 70% to 100% of the rear periphery 1519. For example, the cavities can be separated and discontinuous between the first cavity 1541 and the second cavity 1542, or between the third cavity 1543 and the fourth cavity 1544, or between any combination of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, and 1545. In some embodiments, the separation between the cavities can be a structure (not shown), such as a rib, lip, ledge, wall, protrusion, or any other separating structure. In these exemplary embodiments, the undercut 1550 can comprise 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of the rear periphery 1519.

The face element 1511 of the club head body 1510, which includes several cavities as described above to form the 360-degree undercut 1550, can further include a face thickness. The face thickness of the face element 1511 can help distribute stress and allow for additional face flexion along the undercut 1550 during ball impact. In many embodiments, the face thickness of the face element 1511 can vary from the toe end 1505 to the heel end 1506, from the top end 1501 to the bottom end 1502, or any combination thereof.

19, the face thickness of the face element 1511 can include a first thickness 1551, a second thickness 1552, a third thickness 1553, and a fourth thickness 1554. The first thickness 1551 is measured vertically from the face center 1516 to the rear center 1518. The first thickness 1551 can range from about 0.055 inches to about 0.075 inches, from about 0.055 inches to about 0.065 inches, from about 0.065 inches to about 0.075 inches, or from about 0.060 inches to about 0.070 inches. For example, the first thickness 1551 can be 0.055 inches, 0.057 inches, 0.059 inches, 0.061 inches, 0.063 inches, 0.065 inches, 0.067 inches, 0.069 inches, 0.071 inches, 0.073 inches, or 0.075 inches. In some embodiments, the first thickness 1551 of the face element 1511 can be approximately 0.065 inches.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the second thickness 1552 is the face thickness measured perpendicularly from the face surface 1514 to the apex of the reinforcing element 1520 (described in more detail below). In some embodiments without the reinforcing element 1520, the second thickness 1552 is measured perpendicularly from the face surface 1514 to the rear surface 1515 adjacent the rear center 1518. The second thickness 1552 can be in the range of about 0.150 inches to about 0.200 inches, about 0.150 inches to about 0.160 inches, about 0.160 inches to about 0.170 inches, about 0.170 inches to about 0.180 inches, about 0.180 inches to about 0.190 inches, about 0.190 inches to about 0.200 inches, about 0.150 inches to about 0.175 inches, or about 0.175 inches to about 0.200 inches. For example, second thickness 1552 can be about 0.150 inches, about 0.155 inches, about 0.160 inches, about 0.165 inches, about 0.170 inches, about 0.175 inches, about 0.180 inches, about 0.185 inches, about 0.188 inches, about 0.190 inches, about 0.195 inches, or about 0.200 inches. In some embodiments, second thickness 1552 of face element 1511 can be about 0.188 inches.

As shown in FIG. 19 , the third thickness 1553 is the face thickness adjacent the rear periphery 1519 and distal to the rear center without the reinforcing element 1512, measured perpendicularly from the face surface 1514 to the rear surface. The third thickness 1553 can be in the range of about 0.050 inches to about 0.060 inches, about 0.060 inches to about 0.070 inches, about 0.070 inches to about 0.080 inches, about 0.080 inches to about 0.090 inches, about 0.090 inches to about 0.100 inches, about 0.050 inches to about 0.75 inches, or about 0.075 inches to about 0.100 inches. For example, the third thickness 1553 can be about 0.050 inches, about 0.55 inches, about 0.060 inches, about 0.065 inches, about 0.070 inches, about 0.075 inches, about 0.080 inches, about 0.085 inches, about 0.088 inches, about 0.090 inches, about 0.095 inches, or about 0.100 inches. In some embodiments, the third thickness 1553 of the face element 1511 can be about 0.088 inches.

19, the fourth thickness 1554 is the face thickness measured perpendicularly from the face surface 1514 to the edge of the rear periphery 1519 of the rear surface 1515. The fourth thickness 1554 can be in the range of about 0.050 inches to about 0.070 inches, about 0.050 inches to about 0.060 inches, about 0.060 inches to about 0.070 inches, about 0.050 inches to about 0.058 inches, about 0.058 inches to about 0.064 inches, or about 0.064 inches to about 0.070 inches. For example, the fourth thickness 1554 can be about 0.50 inches, about 0.052 inches, about 0.054 inches, about 0.056 inches, about 0.058 inches, about 0.060 inches, about 0.062 inches, about 0.064 inches, about 0.066 inches, about 0.068 inches, or about 0.070 inches. In some embodiments, the fourth thickness 1554 of the face element 1511 can be about 0.060 inches.

In some embodiments, the club head body 1510 may be free of the reinforcing device 1512 and reinforcing element 1520. In an exemplary embodiment of this, the face element 1511 near the face center (first thickness 1551 and second thickness 1552) may have a face thickness of 0.088 inches or greater (ranging from about 0.088 inches to about 0.100 inches, from about 0.088 inches to about 0.220 inches, from about 0.100 inches to about 0.220 inches, or from about 0.140 inches to about 0.180 inches) to distribute stress. For example, the face element 1511 near the face center 1516 can have a first thickness 1551 and a second thickness 1552 of about 0.088 inches, about 0.090 inches, about 0.092 inches, about 0.094 inches, about 0.096 inches, about 0.098 inches, about 0.100 inches, about 0.110 inches, about 0.114 inches, about 0.180 inches, or about 0.220 inches.

(Club head with undercut and strengthening device)
19 and 20 , in some embodiments, the club head body 1510 further includes a strengthening device 1512 similar to strengthening devices 112, 612, and 912. In other embodiments, the club head body 1510 can be without the strengthening device 1512. The strengthening device 1512 is located on the rear surface 1515 of the face element 1511 approximately at the rear center 1518. The strengthening device 1512 extends from the rear surface 1515 away from the front end 1503. The strengthening device 1512 includes one or more strengthening elements 1520. In many embodiments, each strengthening element of the plurality of strengthening elements 1520 includes an outer circumferential surface 1626, an inner circumferential surface 1629, and a geometric center. The strengthening element 1520 further includes a looped rib 1527. In these or other embodiments, the geometric center of one or more of the reinforcing elements 1520 can be at the posterior center 1518 of the posterior surface 1515 .

In some embodiments, the looped rib 1527 can comprise multiple looped ribs. Each looped rib 1527 may be concentric with one another. In other embodiments, when the looped rib 1527 comprises multiple looped ribs, two or more of the looped ribs 1527 may be non-concentric. Furthermore, in these or other embodiments, two or more of the looped ribs 1527 may overlap. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the looped rib 1527 may comprise an oval looped rib, and in other embodiments, the looped rib 1527 may comprise a circular looped rib.

When implemented, the reinforcing elements 1520 and looped ribs 1527 may be implemented in any suitable shape (e.g., polygonal, oval, circular, etc.) and/or any suitable configuration configured to perform the intended function of the reinforcing device 1512 and/or reinforcing elements 1520 described above. Additionally, when the reinforcing elements 1520 comprise multiple reinforcing elements, two or more of the reinforcing elements 1520 may be similar to another and/or two or more of the reinforcing elements 1520 may be different from another.

In some embodiments, one or more outer peripheral surfaces 1626 of the reinforcing element 1520 may be filleted relative to the rear surface 1515. In these or other embodiments, one or more inner peripheral surfaces 1629 of the looped ribs 1627 may be filleted relative to the rear surface 1515. Filleting the outer peripheral surface 1626 of the reinforcing element 1520 relative to the rear surface 1515 may allow for a smooth transition of the reinforcing element 1520 to the rear surface 1515. Additionally, filleting the outer peripheral surface 1626 of the reinforcing element 1520 relative to the rear surface 1515 may direct stresses from an impact toward the reinforcing element 1520 and away from the face surface 1514. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface 1626 of the reinforcing element 1520 or the inner peripheral surface 1629 of the looped rib 1627 may be filleted relative to the trailing surface 1515 with a fillet 1523 having a radius of about 0.012 centimeters or greater. For example, in some embodiments, the fillet 1523 of the outer peripheral surface 1626 relative to the trailing surface 1515 can range from about 0.012 centimeters to about 2.0 centimeters, from about 0.50 centimeters to about 3.0 centimeters, or from about 1.0 centimeters to about 4.0 centimeters. By way of further example, in some embodiments, the fillet 1523 of the inner peripheral surface 1629 relative to the trailing surface 1515 can range from about 0.012 centimeters to about 2.0 centimeters, from about 0.50 centimeters to about 3.0 centimeters, or from about 1.0 centimeters to about 4.0 centimeters.

In some embodiments, the outer peripheral surface 1626 of the reinforcing element 1520 may be filleted directly to the trailing surface 1515. In these embodiments, the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 1523 from the face thickness at the second face thickness 1552 (from the face surface 1514 to the apex of the reinforcing element 1520) to the face thickness at the trailing surface 1515.

In some embodiments, the club head 1500 may further include a lip portion (not shown) on the rear surface 1515 of the club head 1500, similar to the lip portion 552 described above and in FIGS. 15-17. The lip portion of the club head 1500 may extend from the heel end 1506 to the toe end 1505 around the reinforcement element 1520 of the club head 1500. In these or other embodiments, the fillet 1523 on the outer peripheral surface 1626 of the reinforcement element 1520 may transition into the lip portion. Thus, the face thickness gradually decreases along the fillet 1523 between the lip portion and the reinforcement element 1520 from the second thickness 1552 to a minimum thickness, and then gradually increases from the minimum thickness to the apex of the lip portion. In these embodiments, the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 1520 and the lip can be greater than the first thickness 1551 at the face center 1516, the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 1520 and the lip can be approximately equal to the first thickness 1551, or the minimum thickness between the reinforcing element 1520 and the lip can be less than the first thickness 1551.

As previously described, the stiffening device 1512 and the stiffening element 1520 are configured to stiffen the face element 1511 while allowing the face element 1511 to flex, such as when the face surface 1514 impacts a golf ball. As a result, the face element 1511 can be made thinner, allowing mass from the face element 1511 to be redistributed to other portions of the club head 1500, making the face element 1511 more flexible without buckling and breaking under the resulting bending. Advantageously, because the face element 1511 can be made thinner when implemented with the stiffening device 1512 and the stiffening element 1520, the center of gravity, moment of inertia, and coefficient of restitution of the club head 1500 can be altered to improve the performance characteristics of the club head 1500. For example, implementation of the stiffening device 1512 and stiffening element 1520 may increase the distance a golf ball struck by the face surface 1514 travels by increasing the launch angle, by increasing the ball speed, and/or by decreasing the spin of the golf ball. In these examples, the stiffening device 1512 and stiffening element 1520 may have the effect of counteracting some of the gearing on the golf ball provided by the face surface 1514.

The reinforcing device 1512 and the reinforcing element 1520 may also provide stress-reducing benefits when implemented as a closed structure (i.e., looped rib 1527) because such a closed structure may resist deformation as a result of circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 1512 and the reinforcing element 1520. For example, the circumferential (i.e., hoop) stress acting on the reinforcing device 1512 and the reinforcing element 1520 may prevent opposing sides of the reinforcing device 1512 and the reinforcing element 1520 from rotating away from each other, thereby reducing bending.

The undercut 1550 in the club head body 1510 can produce performance characteristics similar to the strengthening device 1512 described above. In some embodiments, the club head body 1510 can be without the strengthening device 1512, and the club head body 1510 with the undercut 1550 can be implemented similarly to the club head body 1510 with both the strengthening device 1512 and the undercut 1550. The 360-degree extending undercut, including the first cavity 1541, the second cavity 1542, the third cavity 1543, the fourth cavity 1544, and the fifth cavity 1545, allows for optimal flexion and deflection of the face element 1511 during impact. In a similar club head body without the 360-degree undercut, the face element cannot flex or deflect as much. More specifically, a similar club head body without the third cavity 1543, the fourth cavity 1544, and/or the fifth cavity 1545 would not be able to flex or deflect at the heel and toe ends. The flex of the similar club head would be limited at the heel end 1506, and the toe end 1505 would not have any space for the rear surface of the face element to flex back. Specifically, the 360-degree undercut 1550 of the club head body 1510 with the third cavity 1543 and the fourth cavity 1544 at the toe end 1505 and the fifth cavity 1545 at the heel end 1506 prevents the rear surface 1515 of the face element 1511 from contacting the toe ledge portion 1526 and the heel ledge portion 1524 during impact. Therefore, the face element 1511 is free to flex for greater deflection. The fourth depth 1534 of the fourth cavity 1544 further prevents the rear surface 1515 of the face element 1511 from contacting the toe ledge portion 1526 during impact due to increased deflection. Due to the smaller fourth depth 1534 of the fourth cavity 1543 (i.e., the toe ledge portion 1526 is less pronounced), the face element 1511 near the toe end 1505 can extend back further.

The deflection of the face element 1511 affects the coefficient of restitution (COR) of the club head 1500. COR measures the elasticity of an object at impact and is the ratio of the object's final relative velocity to its initial relative velocity. A higher COR results in increased ball speed and distance, while a lower COR results in decreased ball speed and distance. Thus, increasing the deflection of the club head 1500's 360-degree undercut 1550 affects the ball's distance and velocity after impact. As the undercut 1550 increases the deflection of the face element 1511, the ball's distance and velocity also increase.

Additionally, the 360-degree undercut 1550 allows for the removal of mass from the periphery of the face element 1511, which experiences the least amount of stress (i.e., the rear surface 1515 and the rear periphery 1519, located between the rear portion 1509, the top rail 1507, the toe ledge 1526, and the heel ledge 1524). The removed mass can then be redistributed to other locations on the club head 1500 (e.g., near the bottom end 1502, the toe end 1505, the heel end 1506, or any combination thereof). This redistribution of mass can shift the center of gravity (CG) lower and further back toward the rear end 1504, which can provide a club head with higher performance characteristics, such as an increased moment of inertia (MOI). The width of the first portion 1526A can further affect the mass distribution with respect to the CG and MOI. The width of the first portion 1526A, as shown in FIG. 20 , increases mass in the toe end 1505, helping to improve the MOI. Better CG design and increased MOI can result in increased ball speed and prevent rotation of the club head 1500 from the toe end 1505 to the heel end 1506. Preventing rotation of the club head 1500 from the toe end 1505 to the heel end 1506 allows for better contact with the ball upon impact, which can result in optimal ball speed, spin, and trajectory. In some embodiments, to further enhance the CG effectiveness, a weight (not shown) can be disposed in a second cavity 1542 between the rear face 1515 and the rear portion 1509. The weight positioned in the second cavity 1542 allows the CG to shift toward the rear end 1504 and the sole 1508. The weight disposed within the second cavity 1542 can further absorb stresses and vibrations experienced by the club head body 1510 during impact. Absorbing stresses and vibrations with the weight can help maintain the durability and structural integrity of the club head body 1510, as well as improve feel for the player.

The club head body 1510 may further include a cascading sole 1555. The cascading sole 1555 is located in an inner cavity of the sole 1508 at the bottom of a second cavity 1542 located between the rear portion 1509 and the rear face 1515. The cascading sole 1555 of the club head body 1510 may be similar to the cascading sole 955 of the club head body 910 described above, having a first layer (not shown) and a second layer (not shown). The cascading sole 1555 of the club head body 1510 allows some of the stress experienced by the face element 1511 near the sole 1508 to be distributed to the first and second layers of the club head body 1510. The first and second layers of the cascading sole 1555 of the club head body 1510 prevent stress concentrations primarily in the thinnest section of the face element 1511 near the sole 1508. The distribution of stress within the first and second layers in the sole 1508 prevents permanent deformation of the face element 1511, thus producing more consistent performance characteristics and feel after multiple impacts with the ball.

Golf club heads 100, 300, 600, 800, 900, 1500 may be part of a set of club heads having varying loft angles. In some embodiments, the center thickness 537, the face thickness 542 outside the reinforcing element 120, the top thickness 546, the bottom thickness 548, the face thickness at the rib height 540, or a combination of the aforementioned thicknesses may vary with the loft angle of the club heads within the set of club heads.

Turning now to the next drawing, FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for one embodiment of a method 1000 for providing a golf club head. Method 1000 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method 1000 may be used in many different embodiments or examples not expressly shown or described herein. In some embodiments, the acts, steps, and/or processes of method 1000 may be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the acts, steps, and/or processes of method 1000 may be performed in any other suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the acts, steps, and/or processes in method 1000 may be combined or skipped. In many embodiments, the golf club head may be similar to or identical to golf club head 100 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ), golf club head 600 ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), and/or golf club head 800 ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ).

Method 1000 may include operation 1001 of providing a face element. The face element may be similar to or identical to face element 111 (FIG. 1).

Method 1000 may include operation 1002 of providing a reinforcement device. The reinforcement device may be similar to or identical to reinforcement device 112 (FIG. 1). FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary operation 1002 according to the embodiment of FIG. 10.

For example, operation 1002 may include operation 1101 of providing a first reinforcing element. The first reinforcing element may be similar to or identical to first reinforcing element 121 (FIG. 1), reinforcing element 621 (FIG. 6), any one of reinforcing elements 120 (FIG. 1), and/or any one of reinforcing elements 620 (FIG. 6).

Additionally, operation 1002 may include operation 1102 of providing a second reinforcing element. The second reinforcing element may be similar to or identical to any one of second reinforcing element 641 (FIG. 6) and/or reinforcing element 620 (FIG. 6). In some embodiments, operations 1101 and 1102 may be performed substantially simultaneously. In other embodiments, operation 1102 may be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 10, method 1000 may include operation 1003 of providing a peripheral wall element. The peripheral wall element may be similar to or identical to peripheral wall element 113 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, operation 1003 may be omitted.

In some embodiments, method 1000 may include operation 1004, providing an insert within a central cavity within the reinforcement device provided in operation 1002. In some embodiments, operation 1004 may be omitted.

In many embodiments, two or more of operations 1001-1004 may be performed sequentially or substantially simultaneously with one another. In these or other embodiments, operations 1001-1004 may be performed using any suitable manufacturing technique (e.g., casting, forging, molding, machining, joining, etc.).

While the golf club head and related methods herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that operations 1001-1004 of FIG. 10 and operations 1101 and 1102 of FIG. 11 may be comprised of many different procedures, processes, and operations and may be performed in many different orders by many different modules; that any element of FIGS. 1-4 may be modified; and that the foregoing discussion of some of these embodiments does not necessarily provide a complete description of all possible embodiments.

(example)
(Example 1: Comparing a 360-degree undercut with a partial undercut)
Referring to Table 1 below, finite element analysis (FEA) testing was conducted to evaluate the internal energy (measured in pound-force inches) of two similar golf club heads during impact with a golf ball at 90 mph. Three points of impact on the face element of the golf club head were selected for the FEA testing: the toe end, the face center, and the heel end. The first golf club head tested was club head 1500, which had a 360-degree undercut 1550 that was continuous and included the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, and 1545 in club head body 1510. For comparative measurements, the control golf club head used was similar in size and construction, with cavities in the top rail and sole, but no 360-degree undercut (i.e., no cavities in the heel and toe ends).

The FEA tests measured the internal energy generated by the face elements, where 7.8 pound-inches was equivalent to approximately 1 mph. As shown in Table 1 above, the golf club heads produced golf ball velocities of approximately 123.0 mph at the heel end 1506, approximately 125.3 mph at the face center 1516, and approximately 123.2 mph at the toe end 1505. Compared to club head 1500, the control golf club head produced lower golf ball velocities of approximately 122.4 mph at the heel end, approximately 124.3 mph at the face center, and approximately 121.9 mph at the toe end. A club head 1500 constructed with a 360-degree undercut 1550 having a first cavity 1541, a second cavity 1542, a third cavity 1543, a fourth cavity 1544, and a fifth cavity 1545, which are integrally continuous, exhibited increased ball speeds at all three points tested compared to a similar control golf club head having cavities only in the top rail and sole (i.e., no cavities in the heel and toe ends). More specifically, the club head 1500 exhibited an increase of approximately 0.5-0.75 mph at the heel end 1506 (approximately a 0.5% increase), an increase of approximately 1 mph at the face center (approximately a 0.8% increase), and an increase of approximately 1-1.5 mph at the toe end 1505 (approximately a 1.1% increase) relative to the control golf club head.

FEA testing further demonstrated the peak deflection of the face element of the golf club head experienced during impact with a golf ball. The peak deflection was measured by FEA from the face surface of the face element at the start position to the face surface of the face element at the end of the impact position before the face element rebounds back to the start position. The face element 1511 of the club head 1500 with a 360-degree undercut experienced a peak deflection of 0.040 inches to 0.050 inches, while the face element of the control golf club head (having a cavity in the top rail and a cavity in the sole, but no cavities in the heel and toe ends) experienced a peak deflection of 0.030 inches to 0.040 inches. Thus, the face element 1511 of the club head 1500 with a 360-degree undercut experienced a 28.6% increase in peak deflection.

As shown in Table 1 and described above, the club head 1500 increased ball velocity and increased peak deflection of the face element 1511 at the heel end 1506, face center 1516, and toe end 1505 compared to the control golf club head. The increased performance results of the club head 1500 are primarily due to the 360-degree undercut 1550, which is comprised of a first cavity 1541, a second cavity 1542, a third cavity 1543, a fourth cavity 1544, and a fifth cavity 1545. This is compared to a similarly structured and sized control golf club head, which has cavities in the top rail and a cavity in the sole, but no cavities in the heel end or toe end.

The continuous 360-degree undercut 1550 (specifically, the third and fourth cavities 1543 and 1544 at the toe end 1505 and the fifth cavity 1545 at the heel end 1506) allows more space for the face element 1511 to flex. Therefore, more internal energy is generated, which equates to greater ball speed. Higher ball speed can result in other performance characteristics, such as increased launch angle, ball spin, and a narrower ball landing area, all of which contribute to increased ball distance during a game. More specifically, the increased ball speed experienced by the club head 1500 can equate to a 0.1 to 0.3 degree higher launch angle and 100 to 300 revolutions per minute (rpm) lower ball spin compared to a similar control club head with only a top rail cavity and a sole cavity. A higher launch angle and lower ball spin can increase the distance the ball travels after impact. The increased launch angle and reduced spin rate of the club head 1500 with the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 1541, 1542, 1542, 1544, 1545 resulted in an increase in ball distance of 2 to 5 yards compared to a control club head without toe-end and heel-end cavities.

The club head 1500 constructed with the 360-degree undercut 1550 not only increased ball speed, but also maintained a similar MOI to a control club head with only a top rail cavity and a sole cavity. Having a similar MOI with a club head that results in lower ball speeds means that the club head 1500 can behave as a more forgiving club without giving up higher ball speeds. The club head 1500 is more forgiving due to more consistent ball speed across the face element 1511 (from the toe end 1505 to the heel end 1506). More consistent ball speed across the face element 1511 can thereby produce more consistent ball flight and distance between mishits (i.e., impacts at the heel end 1506 or toe end 1505).

Additionally, while the above examples may be described in connection with iron-type golf club heads, the devices, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to other types of golf clubs, such as wood-type golf clubs and putter-type golf clubs. Alternatively, the devices, methods, and products described herein may be applicable to other types of sporting goods, such as hockey sticks, tennis rackets, fishing rods, ski poles, etc.

Further examples of such modifications and other alternatives are contemplated, as are other permutations of different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures set forth in the preceding description. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawings herein are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the scope of the disclosure. It is intended that the scope of this application be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims.

(Clause 1) A golf club head, comprising: a front end and a rear end; a face element having a face surface located at the front end; and a rear surface located at the rear end, the rear surface having a rear center, a rear peripheral portion, and a reinforcing device; an upper end having a top rail extending in an arc toward a bottom end to form a top rail wall; a bottom having a sole formed integrally with a rear portion extending upward toward the upper end; and a toe end portion divided into a first toe end portion, a second toe end portion, and a third toe end portion, the first toe end portion being adjacent to the upper end and a heel end including a toe end portion integrally formed with the top rail wall and the rear portion, the third toe end portion adjacent to the bottom end and integrally formed with the bottom end, the second toe end portion being disposed between the first toe end portion and the third toe end portion, the toe end having a toe ledge portion extending in a curved manner toward the top rail, the sole, and the heel end, the toe ledge portion being integrally formed with the top rail wall and the rear portion, and a heel ledge portion extending in a curved manner toward the top rail, the sole, and the toe end, the heel ledge portion being an undercut formed integrally with the top rail wall and the rear portion, the undercut including the heel end and a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, a fourth cavity, and a fifth cavity, the first cavity being formed between the rear surface and the upper rear wall and having a first depth of 0.115 inches to 0.135 inches, the second cavity being formed between the rear surface and the rear portion and having a second depth of 0.460 inches to 0.580 inches, and the third cavity being formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the first toe end portion and having a second depth of 0.21 inches to 0.300 inches. a third depth ranging from 0.5 inches to 0.245 inches; the fourth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the second toe end portion and has a fourth depth ranging from 0.140 inches to 0.165 inches; the fifth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the heel ledge portion and has a fifth depth ranging from 0.080 inches to 0.110 inches; and a reinforcing element comprising a looped rib having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element being filleted relative to the rear surface.

(Clause 2) A golf club head according to Clause 1, wherein the looped rib is symmetrical about the x-axis or symmetrical about the y-axis.

(Clause 3) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are all integrally connected and continuous.

(Clause 4) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are separated by a separating structure and are discontinuous.

(Clause 5) The golf club head of Clause 1, wherein the face element has a first thickness, measured perpendicularly from the face center of the face surface to the rear center, ranging from 0.055 inches to 0.075 inches; the face element has a second thickness, measured perpendicularly from the apex of the reinforcing element to the face surface, ranging from 0.150 inches to 0.200 inches; the face element has a third thickness, measured perpendicularly from the face surface to the rear surface adjacent the rear periphery and rear center without the reinforcing device, ranging from 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches; and the face element has a fourth thickness at the rear periphery, ranging from 0.050 inches to 0.070 inches.

(Clause 6) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the golf club head further comprises a cascading sole at the bottom of the second cavity, the cascading sole comprising a first layer and a second layer.

(Clause 7) The golf club head described in Clause 6, wherein the first layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second layer.

(Clause 8) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the looped rib is filleted relative to the rear surface.

(Clause 9) The golf club head of Clause 1, wherein the first depth of the first cavity is approximately 0.125 inches, the second depth of the second cavity is approximately 0.500 inches, the third depth of the third cavity at the first toe end portion is approximately 0.225 inches, the fourth depth of the fourth cavity at the second toe end portion is approximately 0.120 inches, and the fifth depth of the fifth cavity at the heel end is approximately 0.080 inches.

(Clause 10) The golf club head described in Clause 1, wherein the toe ledge portion covers a portion of the rear surface, and the toe ledge portion is most pronounced at the first toe end portion, decreases and is substantially constant toward the second toe end portion, and increases slightly toward the third toe end portion.

(Clause 11) A golf club head, comprising: a face element having a front end and a rear end; a face surface located at the front end; a rear surface located at the rear end, the rear surface having a rear center and a rear peripheral edge; an upper end having a top rail extending in an arc toward the bottom end to form a top rail wall; a bottom having a sole formed integrally with a rear portion extending upward toward the upper end; and a toe end portion divided into a first toe end portion, a second toe end portion, and a third toe end portion, the first toe end portion being adjacent to the upper end. the third toe end portion is adjacent to the bottom end portion and is integrally formed with the bottom end portion; the second toe end portion is provided between the first toe end portion and the third toe end portion; the toe end portion has a toe ledge portion that curves and extends toward the top rail, the sole, and the heel end portion; the toe end portion is integrally formed with the top rail wall portion and the rear portion; and a heel ledge portion that curves and extends toward the top rail, the sole, and the toe end portion. a heel end, the heel ledge being integrally formed with the top rail wall and the rear portion; and an undercut comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, a fourth cavity, and a fifth cavity, the first cavity being formed between the rear surface and the upper rear wall and having a first depth of 0.115 inches to 0.135 inches, the second cavity being formed between the rear surface and the rear portion and having a second depth of 0.460 inches to 0.580 inches, and the third cavity being a third depth in the range of 0.215 inches to 0.245 inches; a fourth cavity in the range of 0.140 inches to 0.165 inches; and a fifth cavity in the range of 0.080 inches to 0.110 inches.

(Clause 12) The golf club head of Clause 11, wherein the face element has a first thickness, measured perpendicularly from the face center of the face surface to the rear center, in the range of 0.088 inches to 0.100 inches; the face element has a second thickness, measured perpendicularly from the face surface to the rear surface adjacent the rear center, in the range of 0.088 inches to 0.100 inches; the face element has a third thickness, measured from the face surface to the rear surface, adjacent the second thickness and adjacent the rear periphery, in the range of 0.050 inches to 0.060 inches; and the face element has a fourth thickness at the rear periphery, in the range of 0.050 inches to 0.070 inches.

(Clause 13) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the cascading sole comprises a first layer and a second layer.

(Clause 14) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the first layer is proximal to the front end, the second layer is proximal to the rear end, and the first layer transitions into the second layer.

(Clause 15) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the first layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second layer.

(Clause 16) The golf club head of Clause 11, wherein the first depth of the first cavity is approximately 0.125 inches, the second depth of the second cavity is approximately 0.500 inches, the third depth of the third cavity at the first toe end portion is approximately 0.225 inches, the fourth depth of the fourth cavity at the second toe end portion is approximately 0.120 inches, and the fifth depth of the fifth cavity at the heel end is approximately 0.080 inches.

(Clause 17) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are all integrally connected and continuous.

(Clause 18) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are separated by a separating structure and are discontinuous.

(Clause 19) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein a weight can be disposed in the second cavity between the rear portion and the rear surface.

(Clause 20) The golf club head described in Clause 11, wherein the toe ledge portion covers a portion of the rear surface, and the toe ledge portion is most pronounced at the first toe end portion, decreases and is substantially constant toward the second toe end portion, and increases slightly toward the third toe end portion.

(Clause 21) A golf club head comprising: a top end having front and rear ends, toe and heel ends, and a top rail extending from the toe end to the heel end; a bottom portion having a sole with an inner sole surface, the top rail extending in an arc away from the front end toward the rear and bottom ends; a face element having a face surface located at the front end and a rear surface located at the rear end opposite the face surface, the rear surface having a rear center, a reinforcing device located on the rear surface, and a recess located between the rear surface of the face element and the top rail defining an undercut, the undercut extending along the top rail from the toe end to the heel end; the reinforcing element comprising a looped rib having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element being filleted relative to the rear surface.

(Clause 22) The golf club head described in Clause 21, further comprising an internal radius transition from the rear surface of the face element to the inner sole surface, the internal radius transition comprising a cascading sole.

(Clause 23) A golf club head according to Clause 22, wherein the cascading sole comprises a first layer and a second layer.

(Clause 24) A golf club head as described in Clause 23, wherein the first layer is proximal to the front end, the second layer is proximal to the rear end, and the first layer transitions into the second layer.

(Clause 25) A golf club head according to Clause 23, wherein the first layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second layer.

(Clause 26) A golf club head according to Clause 21, wherein the looped ribs comprise elliptical looped ribs or circular looped ribs.

(Clause 27) A golf club head as described in Clause 21, wherein the looped rib comprises a plurality of looped ribs, each of which is concentric with one another.

The golf club heads and related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of some of these embodiments does not necessarily provide a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment and may disclose alternative embodiments.

The substitution of one or more claimed elements constitutes a rearrangement, not a correction. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with respect to particular embodiments. However, a benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, and any element or elements that may cause or make more pronounced any benefit, advantage, or solution should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all of a claim unless such benefit, advantage, solution, or element is expressly recited within such claim.

Because the Rules of Golf change from time to time (e.g., new rules may be adopted, or old Rules may be repealed or amended, by golf's standardization and/or governing bodies, such as the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may or may not comply with the Rules of Golf at any particular time. Accordingly, golf equipment related to the devices, methods, and products described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold as either compliant or non-compliant golf equipment. The devices, methods, and products described herein are not limited in this respect.

Furthermore, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not made available to the public under the doctrine of public domain if the embodiment and/or limitation (1) is not explicitly claimed in the claims and (2) is an equivalent or potential equivalent of an explicit element and/or limitation in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims (20)

A golf club head,
a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end;
a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;
a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end;
A face element,
a face surface located at the front end and having a face center and a face periphery, the face center being a geometric center of the face surface;
a rear surface located at the rear end and opposite the face surface, the rear surface including a rear center opposite the face center and a rear peripheral edge;
a reinforcing element located on the rear surface,
the toe end is divided into a first toe end portion, a second toe end portion, and a third toe end portion;
the first toe end portion is adjacent to the upper end and is integrally formed with the upper end;
the third toe end portion is adjacent to the bottom end and is integrally formed with the bottom end;
the second toe end portion is disposed between the first toe end portion and the third toe end portion;
the reinforcing element extends from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end;
the reinforcing element comprises a looped rib having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface;
the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element is filleted to the rear surface with a fillet having a radius of 0.012 cm or greater;
the inner peripheral surface has a maximum rib span of 0.609 cm to 1.88 cm;
the toe end portion has a toe ledge portion that is integrally formed with the top rail and the rear portion and that curves and extends between the top rail and the rear portion;
the heel end includes a heel ledge portion integrally formed with the top rail and the rear portion and extending in a curved manner between the top rail and the rear portion;
the face element;
an undercut comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, a fourth cavity, and a fifth cavity;
the first cavity is formed between the rear surface and the top end;
the second cavity is formed between the rear surface and the rear peripheral edge;
the third cavity is formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the first toe end portion,
the fourth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the second toe end portion,
The fifth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the heel ledge portion.
the undercut;
Equipped with
the toe ledge portion has a percent coverage corresponding to a portion of the rear surface;
the percent coverage of the toe ledge portion is greater at the first toe end portion than at the second toe end portion;
Golf club head. a cavity is defined by the inner peripheral surface and the rear surface of the looped rib;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is devoid of a weighted insert. a cavity is defined by the inner peripheral surface and the rear surface of the looped rib;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the cavity receives an insert. The golf club head of claim 3, further comprising at least one vibration-damping feature disposed at least partially on the rear surface. The vibration- damping feature further comprises at least one layer of viscoelastic vibration-damping material;
a badge at least partially covering the rear face of the golf club head;
The golf club head of claim 3 , wherein the badge at least partially covers the cavity. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the vibration-damping feature is disposed between the badge and at least one of the rear face or the cavity of the golf club head. The golf club head of claim 5, wherein the face element is thinner on the inside of the inner peripheral surface than on the outside of the outer peripheral surface. the first cavity has a first depth of 0.115 inches (2.92 mm) to 0.135 inches (3.43 mm);
the second cavity has a second depth of 0.460 inches (11.68 mm) to 0.580 inches (14.73 mm);
the third cavity has a third depth in the range of 0.215 inches (5.46 mm) to 0.245 inches (6.22 mm);
the fourth cavity has a fourth depth in the range of 0.140 inches (3.56 mm) to 0.165 inches (4.19 mm);
the fifth cavity has a fifth depth ranging from 0.080 inches (2.03 mm) to 0.110 inches (2.79 mm);
The golf club head according to claim 1 . The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the looped rib is filleted relative to the rear surface. the golf club head further comprises a cascading sole at a bottom of the second cavity;
the cascading sole comprises a first layer and a second layer;
The golf club head of claim 1 , wherein the first layer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the second layer. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are all integrally connected and continuous. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are separated by a separating structure and are discontinuous. A golf club head,
a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end;
a front end and a rear end opposite the front end;
a toe end and a heel end opposite the toe end;
A face element,
a face surface located at the front end and having a face center and a face periphery, the face center being a geometric center of the face surface;
a rear surface located at the rear end and opposite the face surface, the rear surface including a rear center opposite the face center and a rear peripheral edge;
a reinforcing element located on the rear surface,
the toe end is divided into a first toe end portion, a second toe end portion, and a third toe end portion;
the first toe end portion is adjacent to the upper end and is integrally formed with the upper end;
the third toe end portion is adjacent to the bottom end and is integrally formed with the bottom end;
the second toe end portion is disposed between the first toe end portion and the third toe end portion;
the reinforcing element extends from the rear surface toward the rear end and away from the front end;
the reinforcing element comprises a looped rib having an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface;
the outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing element is filleted to the rear surface with a fillet having a radius of 0.012 cm or greater;
the inner peripheral surface has a maximum rib span of 0.609 cm to 1.88 cm;
the toe end portion has a toe ledge portion that is integrally formed with the top rail and the rear portion and that curves and extends between the top rail and the rear portion;
the heel end includes a heel ledge portion integrally formed with the top rail and the rear portion and extending in a curved manner between the top rail and the rear portion;
the face element;
an undercut comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, a fourth cavity, and a fifth cavity;
the first cavity is formed between the rear surface and the top end;
the second cavity is formed between the rear surface and the rear peripheral edge;
the third cavity is formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the first toe end portion,
the fourth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the toe ledge portion at the second toe end portion,
The fifth cavity is formed between the rear surface and the heel ledge portion.
the undercut;
Equipped with
a cavity is defined by the inner peripheral surface and the rear surface of the looped rib;
the cavity receives an insert ;
the toe ledge portion has a percent coverage corresponding to a portion of the rear surface;
the percent coverage of the toe ledge portion is greater at the first toe end portion than at the second toe end portion;
Golf club head. the first cavity has a first depth of 0.115 inches (2.92 mm) to 0.135 inches (3.43 mm);
the second cavity has a second depth of 0.460 inches (11.68 mm) to 0.580 inches (14.73 mm);
the third cavity has a third depth in the range of 0.215 inches (5.46 mm) to 0.245 inches (6.22 mm);
the fourth cavity has a fourth depth in the range of 0.140 inches (3.56 mm) to 0.165 inches (4.19 mm);
The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the fifth cavity has a fifth depth ranging from 0.080 inches (2.03 mm) to 0.110 inches (2.79 mm). The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the looped rib is filleted relative to the rear surface. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the face element is thinner on the inside of the inner peripheral surface than on the outside of the outer peripheral surface. the golf club head further comprises a cascading sole at a bottom of the second cavity;
The golf club head of claim 13 , wherein the cascading sole comprises a first layer and a second layer. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the first layer has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second layer. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are all integrally connected and continuous. 14. The golf club head of claim 13, wherein the first cavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, the fourth cavity, and the fifth cavity are separated by a separating structure and are non-contiguous.