Composite articles and methods for making the same
AssigneeTaylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
InventorBing-Ling Chao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure pertains to composite articles, and in particular a composite face plate for a golf club-head, and methods for making the same. In certain embodiments, a composite face plate for a club-head is formed with a cross-sectional profile having a varying thickness. The face plate comprises a lay-up of multiple, composite prepreg plies. At least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated prepreg strips arranged in a predetermined criss-cross pattern in the lay-up. The prepreg strips create one or more areas of increased thickness where the strips overlap each other, thereby creating a desired profile for the plate. Metallic or polymer covers or cover layers can be used to define a striking surface.
Claims24
A method for making a golf club head having a club head body and a composite face plate, the method comprising:
- forming a lay-up of multiple prepreg plies, each prepreg ply comprising at least one layer of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a resin;
- at least partially curing the lay-up in a mold so as to form an at least partially cured lay-up having a bulge and roll;
- removing the at least partially cured lay-up from the mold;
- water-jet cutting the at least partially cured lay-up to form a composite part having specified dimensions and shaped for use as a face plate or part of a face plate in a club head;
- and
- mounting the face plate to the club head body.
A method for making a golf club head having a club head body and a composite face plate, the method comprising:
- forming a lay-up of multiple prepreg plies, each prepreg ply comprising at least one layer of reinforcing fibers impregnated with a resin, wherein at least a portion of the plies comprise a plurality of elongated pre-preg strips arranged in a criss-cross pattern defining an overlapping region where the strips overlap each other, the lay-up having a first thickness at a location spaced from the overlapping region and a second thickness at the overlapping region, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness
- at least partially curing the lay-up ;
- water-jet cutting the at least partially cured lay-up to form a composite part having specified dimensions and shaped for use as a face plate or part of a face plate in a club head;
- and
- mounting the face plate to the club head body.
A method for making a golf club head having a club head body and a composite face plate, the method comprising:
- forming a lay-up of multiple prepreg composite plies, wherein at least a portion of the plies comprise elongated strips arranged in a criss-cross pattern defining one or more areas of increased thickness in the lay-up where one ore more of the strips overlap each other;
- at least partially curing the lay-up;
- trimming the at least partially cured lay-up by water-jet cutting to form a part having specified dimensions and shaped for use as a face plate or part of a face plate in a club head;
- and
- mounting the face plate to the club head body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.