Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.

Textron Systems Corporation

Stephen A Kraus

Todd P Beach

Joseph Henry Hoffman

Michael Scott Burnett

Benoit Vincent

Chris Mason

Brian Bazzel

Allan Capili Saliba

Mattieu Bovee

Kraig Alan Willett

Bret H Wahl

Mark Vincent Greaney

Bing-Ling Chao

Jose Miraflor

David Anderson

Philippe Besnard

Maresala Milo

Michael Walker

Richard L Rugge

Yong Ling

Nicholas Frame

James M Sieleman

Tyson Hsiao

Connie Hsiao

Pei-yao Lin

William F Grant

Thomas W Shahood, Jr

A method of removing a backing layer from a panel, made of an uncured pre-impregnated fiber-reinforced polymer, comprises a step of orienting the panel into a backing-separation orientation relative to an edge-engagement tool. The method also comprises a step of positioning the panel into a backing-separation position relative to the edge-engagement tool. The method further comprises a step of moving the edge-engagement tool, when the panel is in the backing-separation orientation and the backing-separation position, so that backing-engagement features of the edge-engagement tool engage the backing layer, at only an edge portion of the backing layer, and just the edge portion of the backing layer separates from the panel. The method additionally comprises a step of gripping the edge portion of the backing layer, and, when gripped, moving the backing layer relative to the panel so that an entirety of the backing layer separates from the panel.

Automated system and method for forming a laminated structure

A golf club head including a crown defining the top surface of the club head and including a crown portion, a crown recess region formed in the crown portion and defined by a crown ledge and a bonding wall, and a crown insert disposed at least partially within the crown recess region. The size and uniformity of the junction between the crown insert and the bonding wall may be determined by measuring the dimensions of the junction at critical points on the club head.

Golf club head

A highly accurate, efficient, and non-mechanical method of removing material from the surface of a golf club head using the principles of electrolysis. The process generally includes positioning at least one electrode in close proximity to a portion of a rear surface of a striking plate, flowing a liquid containing an electrolyte between the rear surface portion and the electrode, and applying a low voltage between the rear surface portion and the electrode. The electrode has an overall negative charge and the golf club head has an overall positive charge, such that a pulsed high-density DC current passes between the electrode and the rear surface portion. This results in negatively charged electrolytes in the liquid attracting positively charged molecules of the rear surface portion, such that the designated amount of material from the rear surface portion is removed by electro-chemical oxidation and carried away by the liquid flow.

Non-mechanical method of removing material from the surface of a golf club head

Putter insert

A method of manufacturing a face plate for a golf club head is presented to provide face having substantial thickness variation for enhanced performance. The method includes the steps of providing a rolled sheet of metal material having an initial thickness and forming a blank having a prescribed outer shape from the material. The method also includes machining a second side of the blank such that the resulting face plate has a variable thickness. The machining is such that the plate has a first thickness less than or equal to the initial thickness, a second thickness less than the first thickness and a third thickness less than the second thickness. The machining is performed over a substantial portion of the surface area of the second side. Either a CNC lathe or milling machine may be used; however, for an axisymmetric face thickness a CNC lathe is preferred and for an asymmetric face thickness a CNC end mill is preferred. The club head may be a wood-type or iron, and titanium or steel alloys may be used.

Method for manufacturing a golf club face

An improved golf club is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the club's head is precisely controlled by installing into a hosel cavity a selected hosel plug from a group of such plugs having identical sizes but a range of weights. After the selected hosel plug has been installed, the shaft is inserted into an upper portion of the hosel cavity, above the hosel plug. The plug is configured to have little effect on important club head parameters such as coefficient of restitution and center of gravity, and it also is configured to remain in its installed position even if the club's shaft is removed and replaced. The invention is applicable to golf clubs of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Golf club and method for making it

A golf club head is provided having a substantially increased sweet spot across its club face. A preferred construction includes an annular area on a rear surface having increased thickness surrounding a central region with a balance point of the club face. The central region of the face has a generally reduced thickness that is less than the maximum of the annular area but greater than a minimum thickness at the peripheral area. The face material may be metallic, but in alternative embodiments the effective bending stiffness profiles represented by this annular area may be achieved by appropriate use of composites, for example. Methods for manufacturing a golf club head having a face with the bending stiffness profiles of the present invention include forging and machining techniques as well as laser deposition and inertia welding.

An improved golf club head is disclosed, in which a desired weight for the head is precisely controlled by installing into a cavity formed in the rear wall of the club head's hollow main body a selected weight cartridge from a group of such cartridges having identical sizes but a range of weights. The selected weight cartridge is installed simply by sliding it into the rear wall cavity, where it is retained by a snap fit, and/or by an interference fit, and/or by a suitable bonding material, without the need for a screw attachment. This greatly simplifies the golf club head's manufacture, thus reducing its cost. The invention is applicable to golf club heads of all kinds, including metal woods, irons and putters.

Golf club head and method for making it

A golf club head insert is disclosed comprising a fiber-reinforced metal matrix. Also disclosed is a golf club comprising a main body member, a strike face of a fiber reinforced metal matrix insert, and a way for joining the fiber reinforced metal matrix composite insert to the main body member.

Fiber-reinforced metal striking insert for golf club heads

A golf club head for a metalwood includes a body having an upper surface, a central region of which is stiffened by means of two parallel ridges extending perpendicular to the club face. Also, the lower surface of the club head has two ridges to stiffen a central region of the lower surface. A cavity in the lower surface of the club head holds a weight that is collateral with respect to the ridges. The weight does not fill the cavity completely, such that a 0.030' gap borders the weight between the weight and the wall of the cavity.

Golf club head with weighted sole in stiffened region

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Stephen A Kraus