Multi-material golf club head

Abstract

A multi-material type golf club head is disclosed. More specifically, the golf club head in accordance with the present invention may have a metallic portion and a lightweight portion, wherein the entirety of the striking face is made out of a metallic material while a majority of the chassis is made out of a lightweight material that serves to reduce the overall weight of the golf club head. The lightweight material, in addition to reducing the overall weight of the golf club head, may be comprised of an interior face support to at least partially support the metallic striking face portion to improve the performance and feel of the golf club head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metalwood golf club head comprising:
 a metallic portion further comprising a hosel, a sole portion, and a striking face, wherein said metallic portion creates an opening near a top crown portion of said metallic portion that extends into a heel portion of said metalwood golf club head,   a lightweight portion further comprising an internal crown support, an internal sole support, and an internal face support, wherein said lightweight portion slidably engages said opening near said top crown portion of said metallic portion,   wherein said metallic portion conceals said internal face support and said sole support, and   wherein said internal face support contacts a rear surface of said striking face.   
     
     
         2 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein said striking face has a thickness of between about 1.0 mm and about 1.5 mm, and said internal face support has a thickness of between 0.8 mm and about 1.2 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said striking face has a thickness of between about 1.1 mm and about 1.4 mm, and said internal face support has a thickness of between about 0.9 mm and about 1.1 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 3 , wherein said striking face has a thickness of between about 1.2 mm and about 1.4 mm, and said internal face support has a thickness of about 1.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 2 , further comprising a crown cover, concealing said lightweight portion. 
     
     
         6 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said lightweight portion further comprises a heel cavity adapted to receive a heel weight, and a toe cavity adapted to receive a toe weight. 
     
     
         7 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 6 , further comprising a heel weight located within said heel cavity, and a toe weight located within said toe cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein said metallic portion is made out of a steel material having a density greater than about 7.0 g/cc and said lightweight portion is made out of a composite type material having a density less than about 3.0 g/cc. 
     
     
         9 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein said metallic portion is made out of a steel material having a density greater than about 7.3 g/cc and said lightweight portion is made out of a composite type material having a density less than about 2.5 g/cc. 
     
     
         10 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 9 , wherein said metallic portion is made out of a steel material having a density greater than about 7.6 g/cc and said lightweight portion is made out of a composite type material having a density less than about 2.0 g/cc. 
     
     
         11 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein said metalwood golf club head is a hybrid type golf club head having a loft of greater than about 17.5 degrees, and wherein said metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 235 kg−mm 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein said metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 245 kg−mm 2 . 
     
     
         13 . The metalwood golf club head of  claim 12 , wherein said metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 255 kg−mm 2 . 
     
     
         14 . A hybrid metalwood golf club head comprising:
 a metallic portion further comprising a hosel, a sole portion, and a striking face, wherein said metallic portion creates an opening near a top crown portion of said metallic portion that extends into a heel portion of said metalwood golf club head,   a lightweight portion further comprising an internal crown support, an internal sole support, and an internal face support, wherein said lightweight portion slidably engages said opening near said top crown portion of said metallic portion,   wherein said hybrid metalwood golf club head has a loft of greater than 17.5 degrees,   wherein said hybrid metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 235 kg−mm 2 ,   wherein said metallic portion conceals said internal face support and said sole support, and   wherein said internal face support contacts a rear surface of said striking face.   
     
     
         15 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein said metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 245 kg−mm 2 . 
     
     
         16 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein said metalwood golf club head has a moment of inertia greater than about 255 kg−mm 2 . 
     
     
         17 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 14 , wherein said lightweight portion further comprises a heel cavity adapted to receive a heel weight, and a toe cavity adapted to receive a toe weight, and wherein said hybrid metalwood golf club head further comprises a heel weight located within said heel cavity, and a toe weight located within said toe cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 17 , wherein said heel weight has a mass of greater than about 12 grams and said toe weight has a mass of greater than about 15 grams. 
     
     
         19 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein said heel weight has a mass of greater than about 15 grams and said toe weight has a mass of greater than about 18 grams. 
     
     
         20 . The hybrid metalwood golf club head of  claim 19 , wherein said heel weight has a mass of greater than about 18 grams and said toe weight has a mass of greater than about 20 grams.