Joint construction method and article constructed by said method

Abstract

A joinder method and article constructed according to the method in which two separate parts are fixedly joined into a unitary one-piece structure by an interference fit between precision mounting surfaces formed on the first and second parts along a mating joint. The dimensions of the first mounting surface are formed oversized with respect to the complementary dimensions of the second mounting surface. The first part is significantly cooled to cause sufficient contraction allowing the first mounting surface to be inserted within the second mounting surface. When warmed, the first part expands to its normal dimensional shape driving the first mounting surface into an interference fit with the second mounting surface. The first and second parts can be formed of dissimilar materials which, in the specific case of a golf club head, uses a heavier and harder material for the second part and a lightweight material for the top part. Optional surface irregularities on the second mounting surface forcibly engage the first mounting surface when the first part expands to its normal dimensional shape. Additional joint strength obtained by preventing oxidation of the mounting surfaces which enables diffusion bonding of the two parts along the mating joint. Temporary mounting tabs are formed about the periphery of each of the first and second parts during formation of the first and second parts for locating the parts in a fixture during formation of the precision mounting surfaces on the parts.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.