Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads

Abstract

Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head includes a body portion having a face portion with a front surface and a rear surface. A first protrusion is located at the rear surface and has a first receptacle. A second protrusion is located at the rear surface and has a second receptacle. A bridge structure extends between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The bridge structure has a first end portion received in the first receptacle and a second end portion received in the second receptacle. The first protrusion and the second protrusion maintain the bridge structure in a compressed position. The bridge structure exerts a force against the face portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club head comprising:
 a body portion comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion;   a face portion at the front portion and having a front surface and a rear surface;   a first protrusion located at the rear surface and having a first receptacle;   a second protrusion located at the rear surface and having a second receptacle; and   a bridge structure extending between the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the bridge structure having a first end portion received in the first receptacle and a second end portion received in the second receptacle,   wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion maintain the bridge structure in a compressed position, and   wherein the bridge structure exerts a force against the face portion.   
     
     
         2 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bridge structure is configured as a strip having variable thickness. 
     
     
         3 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the bridge structure is made from one of a composite material, a high strength polymer material, and a metallic alloy material. 
     
     
         4 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured as slits. 
     
     
         5 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion are located at opposing portions of the rear surface. 
     
     
         6 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the force exerted against the face portion by the bridge structure includes a toe-ward component and a heel-ward component. 
     
     
         7 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the force exerted by the bridge structure against the face portion is continuous. 
     
     
         8 . A golf club head comprising:
 a body portion comprising an interior cavity, a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, and a top portion;   a face portion at the front portion and having a front surface, a rear surface, and an opening;   a face insert portion coupled to the opening to close the interior cavity;   a first protrusion located at a toe-side portion of the rear surface at or proximate a perimeter edge of the opening;   a second protrusion located at a heel-side portion of the rear surface at or proximate the perimeter edge; and   a bridge structure coupled to the first protrusion and the second protrusion,   wherein a compression in the bridge structure is maintained by the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and   wherein the bridge structure reinforces the face portion by exerting tension against the face portion.   
     
     
         9 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the bridge structure is frictionally engaged to the first protrusion and the second protrusion. 
     
     
         10 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the body portion is made from a first material and the face insert portion is made from a second material different from the first material. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the bridge structure is made from one of a composite material, a high strength polymer material, and a metallic alloy material. 
     
     
         12 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the bridge structure is configured as a strip having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the bridge structure decreases in thickness or width toward the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         13 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the tension exerted against the face portion by the bridge structure includes a toe-ward component and a heel-ward component. 
     
     
         14 . A golf club head comprising:
 a body portion comprising a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion;   a face portion at the front portion and having a front surface and a rear surface;   a first protrusion located at a first portion of the rear surface;   a second protrusion located at a second portion of the rear surface different from the first portion; and   a bridge structure removably coupled to the first protrusion and the second protrusion to define a coupled state of the bridge structure,   wherein the bridge structure is bowed in an uncoupled state,   wherein the bridge structure exhibits increased bowing in the coupled state, and   wherein the bridge structure reinforces the face portion by continuously exerting tension against the face portion.   
     
     
         15 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion maintain the bridge structure in the coupled state through frictional engagement. 
     
     
         16 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the bridge structure bows away from the rear surface. 
     
     
         17 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the bridge structure is configured as a strip, and wherein the first protrusion and the second protrusion each include a receptacle pointing away from the rear surface for receiving a corresponding end portion of the bridge structure. 
     
     
         18 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the bridge structure is made from one of a composite material, a high strength polymer material, and a metallic alloy material. 
     
     
         19 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the first protrusion is located at a toe-side portion of the rear surface and the second protrusion is located at a heel-side portion of the rear surface. 
     
     
         20 . A golf club head as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the tension exerted against the face portion by the bridge structure includes a first directional component and a second directional component different from the first directional component.