Golf club head faceplates

Abstract

Golf club head faceplates have reinforcement components located on an inner surface of the faceplate to selectively reinforce an outer metallic layer of the faceplate, allowing a reduction of the thickness of the metallic layer, which increases ball speed. The reinforcement layer or component enables the CT to remain at a conforming level and provides sufficient durability.

1 . A golf club head, comprising:
 a body having a front opening; and   a faceplate coupled to the body and configured to extend over the front opening, the faceplate comprising:
 a first layer composed of a metallic material and having a first layer front surface, a first layer rear surface, and a recess formed on the first layer rear surface extending towards the first layer front surface and bounded by a recess bottom surface and a recess side wall; and 
 a second layer composed of a fiber-reinforced composite layer and having a second layer rear surface and a second layer front surface abutting the first layer rear surface; 
 wherein the second layer has a thickness that is less than a depth of the recess. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically fasten the second layer to the first layer, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a rivet. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically fasten the second layer to the first layer, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a screw, a nut, and a washer. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is adhesively coupled to the first layer. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a variable face thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 5 , wherein the second layer comprises a constant thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 6 , wherein the second layer front surface and the second layer rear surface are not planar. 
     
     
         8 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a thickness between 0.010 inch and 0.025 inch. 
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the first layer comprises a recess depth measured as a distance between the first layer rear surface and the recess bottom surface that ranges between 0.010 inch and 0.050 inch. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 9 , wherein the first layer comprises a first thickness is measured from the recess bottom surface to the first layer front surface that ranges from 0.050 to 0.080 inch. 
     
     
         11 . A golf club head, comprising:
 a body having a front opening; and   a faceplate coupled to the body and configured to extend over the front opening, the faceplate comprising:
 a first layer composed of a metallic material and having a first layer front surface, a first layer rear surface, and a recess formed on the first layer rear surface extending towards the first layer front surface and bounded by a recess bottom surface and a recess side wall; and 
 a second layer composed of a fiber-reinforced composite layer and having a second layer rear surface and a second layer front surface abutting the first layer rear surface; 
 wherein the second layer has a thickness that is equal to a depth of the recess such that the second layer rear surface is flush with the first layer rear surface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein the first layer comprises a first thickness is measured from the recess bottom surface to the first layer front surface that ranges from 0.050 to 0.080 inch. 
     
     
         13 . The golf club head of  claim 12 , wherein the first layer comprises an offset distance that is measured between a perimeter wall and the recess side wall that ranges between 0.050 inch and 0.150 inch. 
     
     
         14 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , further comprising a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically fasten the second layer to the first layer, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a rivet. 
     
     
         15 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , further comprising a mechanical fastener configured to mechanically fasten the second layer to the first layer, wherein the mechanical fastener comprises a screw, a nut, and a washer. 
     
     
         16 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein the second layer is adhesively coupled to the first layer. 
     
     
         17 . The golf club head of  claim 11 , wherein the first layer comprises a variable face thickness. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club head of  claim 17 , wherein the second layer comprises a constant thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club head of  claim 18 , wherein the second layer front surface and the second layer rear surface are not planar. 
     
     
         20 . A golf club head, comprising:
 a body having a front opening; and   a faceplate coupled to the body and configured to extend over the front opening, the faceplate comprising:
 a first layer composed of a metallic material and having a first layer front surface, a first layer rear surface, and a recess formed on the first layer rear surface extending towards the first layer front surface and bounded by a recess bottom surface and a recess side wall; and 
 a second layer composed of a fiber-reinforced composite layer and having a second layer rear surface and a second layer front surface abutting the first layer rear surface; 
   wherein the second layer has a thickness that is less than a depth of the recess;
 wherein the second layer has a thickness that is greater than a depth of the recess such that the second layer rear surface protrudes rearwardly relative to the first layer rear surface.