# US 10,441,856 B2 · Golf club head

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- Number: US 10,441,856 B2
- Document ID: US10441856B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/284,097
- Filed: 2019-02-25
- Published: 2019-07-04
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-21
- Assignees: Callaway Golf Company
- Applicants: Callaway Golf Company
- Inventors: Bradley C. Rice; William C. Watson; Patrick Dawson; Irina Ivanova; Brandon D. DeMille
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441856B2

## CPC

- A63B 53/0466: {wood-type}
- A63B 53/04: Heads
- A63B 60/54: with means for damping vibrations
- A63B 53/0408: {characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness}
- A63B 53/0433: {with special sole configurations}
- A63B 2209/00: Characteristics of used materials
- Y10T 29/49863: with prestressing of part
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A golf club providing improved golf ball launch conditions is disclosed herein. The golf club includes a face component and a sole comprising an elongated recess disposed proximate the face component. The elongated recess preferably is tube shaped, and preferably has an opening with a smaller width than an innermost surface of the elongated recess. The elongated recess may be a separate piece that is permanently affixed within an opening in the sole. Some embodiments of the golf club also comprise a cover affixed to the sole and at least partially covering the opening of the elongated recess, while other embodiments comprise a filler material disposed within the elongated recess or between the elongated recess and an internal surface of the face.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A wood-type golf club head comprising:
a metal face having a front surface and an inner surface;
a crown;
a metal sole comprising a first elongated groove and a second elongated groove;
an interior cavity; and
a low-density filler material disposed within the interior cavity between the inner surface of the face and a front wall of the first elongated groove,
wherein each of the face and the sole is composed of a metal alloy material,
wherein the sole has a thickness of 0.030 to 0.50 inch,
wherein the first groove comprises a first groove opening disposed proximate to the face and extending in a toe-to-heel direction, at least one negative draft wall, and a depth that varies as the groove extends from a heel side to a toe side,
wherein the first groove opening comprises a toe-side portion having a first front-to-back width, a heel-side portion having a second front-to-back width, and a central portion having a third front-to-back width connecting the toe-side portion to the heel-side portion,
wherein the first groove opening is spaced 0.100 inch to 1.00 inch away from the front surface of the face,
wherein the first groove has a wall thickness of between 0.010 inch and 0.200 inch, and
wherein the second groove extends approximately perpendicular to the face.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first and second front-to-back widths are greater than the third front-to-back width.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole has a thickness of 0.040 to 0.100 inch.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 3, wherein the sole has a thickness of 0.060 inch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third front-to-back widths are between 0.010 and 1.00 inch.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove comprises a volume of between 0.100 cubic inch and 1.00 cubic inch.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second grooves is spaced between 0.005 inch and 1.00 inch from an inner surface of the face.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 7, wherein the first groove is spaced between 0.010 inch and 0.050 inch from an inner surface of the face.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove has a greatest depth at a central point between the heel side and the toe side.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove has a smallest depth at a point proximate the toe side.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the low-density filler material is a polymer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove increases the ball speed, and decreases backspin, of a golf ball struck at a low and center area of the face.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove opening is spaced 0.200 inch to 0.500 inch away from the front surface of the face.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 13, wherein the first groove opening is spaced approximately 0.330 inch away from the front surface of the face.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The wood-type golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first groove opening comprises an axis that is angled with respect to a ground plane.