# US 12,179,073 B2 · Golf club head having a support to limit faceplate deformation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,073 B2 - Document ID: US12179073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/064,851 - Filed: 2022-12-12 - Published: 2023-04-13 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-25 - Assignees: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation - Applicants: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation - Inventors: Ryan M. Stokke; John A. Solheim; Martin R. Jertson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179073B2 ## CPC - A63B 53/047: {iron-type} - A63B 60/00: Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like - A63B 60/52: with slits - A63B 53/0408: {characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness} - A63B 53/0416: {Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert} - A63B 53/0433: {with special sole configurations} - A63B 53/0454: {Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate} - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A golf club head includes a body having a faceplate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface, a rear end, and a sole connecting the faceplate with the rear end. The faceplate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity. An insert is positioned within the cavity, the insert presenting an insert surface facing the interior surface of the faceplate and spaced therefrom. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A golf club head comprising: a body including: a faceplate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface, wherein a distance between the strike surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate defines a thickness of the faceplate; a heel end, a toe end, a rear end; and a sole connecting the faceplate with the rear end, wherein the faceplate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity; and an insert positioned within the cavity, the insert comprising a front portion configured to face the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, the front portion having an insert surface facing the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, wherein: a first insert surface of the front portion comprises a first arm adjacent to an insert heel end, a second arm adjacent to an insert toe end; wherein the first arm comprises a first arm width measured from the heel end toward the toe end, the second arm comprises a second arm width measured from the heel end toward the toe end; and wherein the first arm width and second arm width comprise between 5% to 40% of a total maximum width of the insert; wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise at least one rib; wherein at least a second surface of the front portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate; and the insert surface includes a taper angle such that the distance between the second surface of the front portion of the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, in a direction normal to the insert surface, increases from near a top surface of the insert to near a bottom surface of the insert. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein an arcuate border defines a transition between the first and second surfaces. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the taper angle is between 0.01 degree to 20.0 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the taper angle is between 1.0 degree-20.0 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the insert surface is concave relative to the faceplate in a direction extending from near a bottom surface of the insert to near a top surface of the insert and in a direction extending from near a heel end of the insert to near a toe end of the insert. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate ranges from 0.005-0.060 inch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate ranges from 0.060-0.125 inch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the sole of the club head comprises a uniform thickness of less than 0.060 inch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the faceplate varies, and a maximum thickness of the faceplate is less than 0.15 inch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the at least one rib extends in a direction from near a top surface of the insert to near a bottom surface of the insert. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm comprise a plurality of ribs. ### Claim 12 A golf club head comprising: a body including a faceplate having a strike surface and an opposing interior surface, wherein a distance between the strike surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate defines a thickness of the faceplate; a toe end, a heel end, a top, a bottom, a rear end; and a sole connecting the faceplate with the rear end, wherein the faceplate, the rear end, and the sole partially define a cavity; and an insert positioned within the cavity, the insert comprising a front portion configured to face the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, the front portion having an insert surface facing the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, wherein: a first insert surface of the front portion comprises a first arm adjacent to a heel end of the insert, a second arm adjacent to a toe end of the insert, and a cross member extending from the heel end of the insert to the toe end of the insert; wherein the first arm and the second arm transition into the crown member generally to define a U shape of the first insert surface; wherein the cross member comprises a cross member height; and wherein the cross member height comprises 5% to 50% of a total height of the insert wherein at least a second surface of the front portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the faceplate defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate; the insert surface includes a taper angle such that the distance between the second surface of the front portion of the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, in a direction normal to the first insert surface, increases from near a top surface of the insert to near a bottom surface of the insert. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the insert surface is spaced apart from the opposing interior surface of the faceplate, defining a distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate ranging from 0.005-0.125 inch. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the taper angle is between 0.01 degree-20.0 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the taper angle is between 1.0 degree-20.0 degree. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate ranges from 0.005-0.060 inch. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the distance between the insert surface and the opposing interior surface of the faceplate ranges from 0.060-0.125 inch. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the sole of the club head comprises a uniform thickness less than 0.060 inch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein the thickness of the faceplate varies. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The golf club head of claim 12, wherein a maximum thickness of the faceplate is less than 0.15 inch.