Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Club or club support
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-05-15
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Club or club support
C473S342000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231458
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to golf clubs and, more particularly, to a golf club that has an insert on the strike surface of the club.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Golf clubs have long been developed to improve the “touch and feel” of the club, most particularly with, but not limited to, the clubs used on and around the green. One approach to improve the touch and feel of a club is to modify either the grip, the shaft, or the strike face of the golf club. For example, modifications to the club head could include an insert that is placed on the club strike surface to affect the impact of the club with the golf ball and to improve the feedback to the golfer after impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club with an improved “touch and feel” on and around the green.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club with an insert on the strike face that affects the rebound of the golf ball at impact with the strike face.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club that dampens vibrations and improves the feedback to the golfer at impact of the golf club with the golf ball.
According to the present invention, a golf club includes a strike surface and an opposite back face portion. The strike face includes a recess with a bottom surface and a side wall surface. The club head further includes an insert which is disposed in the recess. The insert has a peripheral outer edge that is spaced from the side wall surface to define a peripheral groove. A vibration dampening material is disposed within the groove to vary the feel of the club.
According to one embodiment, the insert further includes a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion extends radially outwardly from the second portion. When the insert is within the recess, the first portion contacts a portion of the side walls and the second portion includes the peripheral edge.
In another embodiment, the club head further includes a back face portion opposite the strike face and a plurality of apertures that extend into the back face portion of the club head toward the insert. At least one of the apertures is filled with a vibration dampening material.
In yet another embodiment, the insert is modified so that the vibration dampening material in the groove communicates and is continuous with the vibration dampening material in the apertures.
According to a separate embodiment of the invention, a golf club includes a strike surface and an opposite back face portion. A metal insert is located on and is positioned flush with the strike surface. A plurality of apertures extend into the back face portion of the club head toward the insert. At least one of the apertures is filled with a vibration dampening means, where the insert and the vibration dampening means are of different materials.
The configuration of the insert and club head vary the amount of vibration dampening material within the club to vary the feel of the club.
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pate
Cameron Don T.
Slivnik August L.
Acushnet Company
Graham Mark S.
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
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