Metal golf club head

Abstract

In the metal iron golf club head ( 1 ), the rigidity of the medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) which is a region on the heel side and excluding the vicinity of the face center ( 3 ) is made lower than the rigidity of the low sensitivity region ( 4 ) so as to approximate the natural frequency of the metal iron golf club head to the natural frequency of the ball as well as to ensure the strength in the face portion ( 2 ).

CLAIMS:  
     
         1 . A metal golf club head formed of a metal material, wherein a medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and a low sensitivity region ( 4 ) are provided on a face portion ( 2 ) for hitting a ball, and 
 face thickness of a part or all of said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) is made thinner than face thickness in a vicinity of a face center ( 8 ) that exists within said low sensitivity region ( 4 ).    
     
     
         2 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 1   , wherein face thickness of face portion ( 2 ) is varied so that face thickness of a portion which is within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and toward a sole side from said low sensitivity region ( 4 ) and which is a part or all of said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) excluding a region ( 7 ) extending on either side of a face centerline ( 15 ) that is within a range of a predefined length of entire length of face portion ( 2 ) in the toe-heel direction is thinner than face thickness in a vicinity of a face center existing within said low sensitivity region ( 4 ).  
     
     
         3 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 1   , wherein a region within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and having its face thickness made thin is defined as a low rigidity region ( 1 ), and area of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         4 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 2   , wherein a region within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and having its face thickness made thin is defined as a low rigidity region ( 11 ), and area of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         5 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 3   , wherein a region other than low rigidity region ( 11 ) in said face portion ( 2 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 12 ), and face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         6 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 4   , wherein a region other than low rigidity region ( 11 ) in said face portion ( 2 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 12 ), and face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         7 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 3   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.5 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         8 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 4   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.5 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         9 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 3   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 4   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         11 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 1   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         12 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 2   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kg/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         13 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 3   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         14 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 4   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         15 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 5   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         16 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 6   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/m/m 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         17 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 7   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         18 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 8   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         19 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 9   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         20 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 10   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         21 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 1   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         22 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 2   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         23 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 3   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         24 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 4   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         25 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 5   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         26 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 6   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         27 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 7   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         28 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 8   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         29 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 9   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         30 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 10   , wherein a recessed portion is formed on said face portion ( 2 ) from face of a head toward opposite side of the face, and face member ( 9 ) is fit into said recessed portion.  
     
     
         31 . A metal golf club head formed by a head body and a face member and the like formed of different materials and having an opening that penetrates from face to opposite side of the face with a face member ( 9 ) fit into the opening, wherein 
 a medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and a low sensitivity region ( 4 ) are provided on a face portion ( 2 ) for hitting a ball, and    face thickness of a part or all of said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) is made thinner than face thickness in a vicinity of a face center ( 8 ) that exists within said low sensitivity region ( 4 ).    
     
     
         32 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 31   , wherein face thickness of said face member ( 9 ) is varied so that face thickness of a portion which is within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and toward a sole side from said low sensitivity region ( 4 ) and which is a part or all of said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) excluding a region ( 7 ) extending on either side of face centerline ( 15 ) that is within a range of a predefined length of entire length of face portion ( 2 ) in the toe-heel direction is thinner than face thickness in a vicinity of a face center existing within said low sensitivity region ( 4 ).  
     
     
         33 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 31   , wherein a region within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and having its face thickness made thin is defined as a low rigidity region ( 11 ), and area of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         34 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 32   , wherein a region within said medium sensitivity region ( 5 ) and having its face thickness made thin is defined as a low rigidity region ( 11 ), and area of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         35 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 33   , wherein a region other than said low rigidity region ( 1   1 ) in said face member ( 9 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 12 ), and face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         36 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 34   , wherein a region other than low rigidity region ( 11 ) in said face member ( 9 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 12 ), and face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         37 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 33   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.5 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         38 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 34   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is formed at least 0.5 mm thinner than thickest face thickness of said high rigidity region ( 12 ).  
     
     
         39 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 33   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         40 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 34   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         41 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 35   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         42 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 36   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         43 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 37   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         44 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 38   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 11 ) is selected to be 0.5 to 2.7 mm.  
     
     
         45 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 31   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         46 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 32   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         47 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 33   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         48 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 34   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         49 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 35   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         50 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 36   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         51 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 37   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         52 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 38   , wherein a material having a tensile strength of 100 kgf/mm 2  or greater and having a Young's modulus of elasticity of 10000 kfg/mm 2  or lower is used for said face member ( 9 ).  
     
     
         53 . A metal golf club head having a hollow portion, formed such that rigidity of a portion on a heel side ( 37 ) of a face portion ( 32 ) is made lower than that on a toe side ( 36 ).  
     
     
         54 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 53   , wherein rigidity of a portion excluding a vicinity of a face center ( 33 ) is lowered.  
     
     
         55 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 53   , wherein a region with lowered rigidity is defined as a low rigidity region ( 35 ) and area of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be in a range of 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         56 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 54   , wherein a region with lowered rigidity is defined as a low rigidity region ( 35 ) and area of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be in a range of 5% to 50% of face area.  
     
     
         57 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 55   , wherein said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is provided above face center ( 33 ).  
     
     
         58 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 56   , wherein said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is provided above face center ( 33 ).  
     
     
         59 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 55   , wherein said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is provided in a lower half region on a heel side ( 37 ).  
     
     
         60 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 56   , wherein said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is provided in a lower half region on a heel side ( 37 ).  
     
     
         61 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 53   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         62 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 54   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         63 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 55   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         64 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 56   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         65 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 57   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         66 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 58   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         67 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 59   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         68 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 60   , wherein when a region other than low rigidity region ( 35 ) of said face portion ( 32 ) is defined as a high rigidity region ( 40 ), face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is selected to be thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         69 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 61   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         70 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 62   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         71 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 63   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         72 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 64   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         73 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 65   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         74 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 66   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         75 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 67   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         76 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 68   , wherein face thickness of said low rigidity region ( 35 ) is formed at least 0.2 mm thinner than face thickness of high rigidity region ( 40 ).  
     
     
         77 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 53   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         78 . The metal golf dub head according to    claim 54   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         79 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 55   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         80 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 56   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         81 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 57   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         82 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 58   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         83 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 59   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).  
     
     
         84 . The metal golf club head according to    claim 60   , wherein a material having a lower elasticity modulus than that of a material used in high rigidity region ( 40 ) is used for face portion ( 32 ) in said low rigidity region ( 35 ).