Golf club head and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A face portion 11 of a golf club head 10 is obtained press-forming a metal plate into a predetermined shape. On the front surface 11a of the face portion 11, score lines 12 are formed by means of die sinking of electrical discharge machining, and a mirror finished surface portion 13 is formed by means of finish processing of electrical discharge machining. On the rear surface 11b of the face portion 11, a rib structure 15, and a high hardness layer 16 of an amorphous metal layer are formed. The electrical discharge machining is numerically controlled.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to a golf club head having a face portion whose various performances and functions are improved and to a method of manufacturing the same.[0003] 2. Description of Related Art[0004] Golf club heads are roughly grouped into three types, that is, a wood, an iron and a putter, and performances and functions required for the respective types are different.[0005] More particularly, in the wood, the most important performance is a hitting distance (i.e., a performance of allowing the hit ball to be far), but a hitting direction (i.e., a performance of allowing the hit ball to accurately proceed in an intended direction) and its design (e.g., an outer appearance giving a deluxe impression) are also important. Thus, while the most important performance common in the woods is the hitting distance, emphasized performances are slightly different according to the types of woods: a driver and a fairway wood. Specifically, in the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

][0122] As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the electrical discharge machining is employed in processing the front and / or rear (or inner) surfaces of the face portions of various types of golf club heads: the wood, iron, putter. As a result, the transmuted layer is formed on the front and / or rear surfaces. Owing to this constitution, the hardness, strength (e.g., tensile strength), and / or toughness of the material itself of the face portion are enhanced, so that the face portion having a greater strength and a smaller thickness and exhibiting an increased wear resistant property.[0123] In particular, when a hitting distance (an enhanced rebounding performance) is intended to be increased, electrical discharge machining using a silicon electrode is employed so as to change a part of the parent metal into an amorphous metal layer containing silicon. Owing to this constitution, the hardness, strength (e.g., tensile strength), and toughness and the like properties can be further enhanced, so that a face portion having a still greater strength and a still smaller thickness and exhibiting a further increased wear resistant property can be obtained.[0124] Further, both of the transmuted layer and the amorphous layer can increase, as well as being capable of increasing hardness and the like properties, the corrosion resistant and wear resistant properties, it becomes unnecessary to apply plating or the like treatment on the surfaces of the face portion.[0125] In terms of the processed surface, owing to the constitution in which the amorphous metal layer obtained through electrical discharge machining is formed, the corrosion resistant and wear resistant properties are exhibited, so that a posttreatment such as plating becomes unnecessary. Further, owing to the constitution in which the surface roughness of the mirror or roughly finished surface portion can be controlled, the functions of the surface portion, such as spin controlling function, can be controlled appropriately.[0126] Further, in terms of the outer appearance, owing to the constitution in which electrical discharge machining is employed, complicated shapes and deep unevenness, which have been unable to obtain through conventional processing methods, can be realized, so that the reinforcing and / or esthetic effects are greatly enhanced.[0127] Further, owing to the constitution in which the electrical discharge machining is numerically controlled and the processing can be operated in an accurate manner for full 24 hours, the quality of the manufactured pieces are stabilized, and the labor cost and accordingly the manufacturing costs can be greatly reduced.[0128] As described above, by employing the electrical discharge machining, satisfactory results can be obtained as to all the respects: with respect to performance and function; quality; design freedom and esthetic effect (deluxe appearance); capability of being mass-produced; and manufacturing cost,[0129] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Problems solved by technology

However, machining is not suited for mass production, and the manufacturing costs required for the processing and the molds are increased.

However, in these constitutions, characteristic features inherent in the materials are not sufficiently exhibited.

Also, extra treatments are needed, so that the processing efficiency becomes low, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs.

However, the reinforcing ribs need to be processed into complicated shapes, so that employing the reinforcing ribs lowers the processing efficiency and accordingly is not suited for mass production.

Further, since the reinforcing ribs obtained through machining give a poor appearance, such ribs cannot be used for an iron having a cavity back structure (i.e., a structure in which a cavity is formed at the back of the face portion) in which the rear surface is seen from the rear side, while such ribs can be used for a metal wood or an iron having a hollow structure in which the ribs cannot been seen from outside.

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