US20030181258A1

US20030181258A1 - Golf club head, method of golf club head treatment, and kit for reducing golf ball side-spin

Info

Publication number: US20030181258A1
Application number: US10/394,946
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Dempsey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-22
Filing date: 2003-03-21
Publication date: 2003-09-25

Abstract

A kit for reducing the coefficient of friction between a golf club face and a golf ball during use of the golf club face to strike the golf ball. The kit comprising a first container containing a first lubricant that penetrates the club face to reduce the coefficient of friction between the club face and the golf ball when striking the golf ball and an applicator containing a supplemental lubricant that further reduces the coefficient of friction. The first container has a storage compartment for holding the first lubricant, a nozzle for directing flow of the first lubricant, and an opening within the nozzle for releasing the first lubricant. The applicator has an applicator body for holding the supplemental lubricant and an applicator cap with an applicator sponge attached to the applicator cap adjacent an aperture of the applicator cap controlling the release of the supplemental lubricant from the applicator body. The first lubricant comprises a petroleum oil having a structural configuration providing enhanced penetration of the porous metallic material of the club face.

Description

PRIOR HISTORY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/367,088, filed on Mar. 22, 2002.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an improved golf club head, method of golf club head treatment, and kit for reducing golf ball side spin. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved golf club head that reduces the side spin on a golf ball after a golf club impacts the golf ball at an angle that normally would create side-spin and a resulting slice. The present invention also relates to the method of treating an existing golf club head to become an improved golf club head. Finally, the present invention provides a kit for treatment of the golf club head.

2. Background

Both avid and amateur golfers crave the distance and enjoyment that comes from a golf ball being hit straight down a fairway. These golfers share the common fear of a seemingly straight golf shot slicing or hooking away from the fairway.

A slice or hook is caused by a side spin being inadvertently place upon a ball. Ideally, a golfer swinging a club will strike a golf ball with the club face perpendicular to the intended direction of the golf ball. In practice hitting the golf ball perpendicular to the intended direction is very difficult and even a slight angle to perpendicular results in side spin. When the club face hits the golf ball at an angle, the club face grips the surface of the golf ball causing it to spin sideways.

The amount of friction or gripping between the club face and the golf ball is determined by the coefficient of friction. Friction is the resistance to relative motion of contacting surfaces. The degree of friction that is occurring is given by the coefficient of friction. Callister, W. D. Material Science and Engineering.John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York,1994. A lower coefficient of friction between a golf ball and the face of a club will result in less spin being imparted to the golf ball. A golf ball with less side spin will slice or hook less.

The side spin initially does not influence the trajectory of the ball but as the velocity of the ball slows the side spin begins to influence the trajectory into a slice or hook.

An avid golfer may spend hours attempting to perfect his golf swing to eliminate a slice or hook; however, because even a slight angle may create a slice or hook, he or she may not consistently eliminate a slice or hook. An amateur golfer unaware of any swing imperfection may simply become frustrated with his or her golf game. A solution to decreasing side spin is therefore desirable to assist golfers in this problems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Other golf club head treatment methods have been designed to attempt to fulfill this need. U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,171 issued to Sharpe is one of these methods. Sharpe's method provides a system for changing the trajectory of the golf ball when struck by the face of the golf ball by including a friction altering material to the club face. However, this method does not provide the user with a method of preloading lubricant onto the club head with the lubricant becoming integral to the club face. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method that provides the user with a longer lasting coefficient of friction reduction on the club face.

Composition and method of use disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,140 issued to Zilonis et al. relates to the reduction of hooks or slices. The composition is topically applied to the golf club face and after impact with the golf ball the club becomes substantially free of the composition. The user is therefore required to reapply the composition with every swing attempted with the club. Therefore, the need remains for an improved golf club head that allows the user the benefit of a reduced coefficient of friction without the requirement of reapplying the composition before every golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved golf club head is claimed to reduce the coefficient of friction that results when a golf club head strikes a golf ball to reduce side spin and the resulting slice or hook.

A method is claimed to modify a golf club head to perform as an improved golf club head.

A kit is claimed to provide the user with the necessary materials to modify a golf club to perform as an improved golf club head.

In the preferred embodiment, a user of this device swings the golf club at a golf ball so that the face contacts the golf ball. If the face contacts the golf ball perpendicularly no slice will result; however, if the face contacts the golf ball at angle a side spin will result. The amount of side spin is determined by the angle the club contacts the ball and the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face. Lubricant seeping from the porous material reduces the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the face. Thus, a user of this device places less side spin upon a golf ball than using a golf club head without this improvement if hitting a golf ball at the same angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the improved golf club head. [0016]
FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a partial exploded view of an improved golf club head. [0017]
FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the method of applying a first lubricant to a golf club head. [0018]
FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the method of applying a supplemental lubricant to an improved golf club head. [0019]
FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a kit for modifying a golf club head to an improved golf club head. [0020]
FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the applicator bottle. [0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a [0022] device 10 having a shaft 14, a head body 12 connected to the shaft 14, a club face 16 joined to the head body 12 and saturated with a lubricant 30. The head body 12 may be made of graphite, wood, metal, or any other suitable material known in the art. The club face 16 is attached at position 18 by a screw, adhesive, or any other mounting material known in the art. In the preferred embodiment the club face 16 is of the same material as the head body 12 and formed in unison with the head body 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the [0023] head body 12 is a driver. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5 the head body may also be a wood, iron, or putter.
The [0024] club face 16 is formed of a porous material that may be wood, aluminum, titanium, steel, or other metals known in the art. Alternatively, the club face 16 may be a porous material made of a metal alloy. FIG. 1 illustrates a series of groves 15 and flush surfaces 17 on the face 16. A polish (not shown) may be applied to the flush surfaces 17.
FIG. 2 illustrates the [0025] face 16 saturated with first lubricant 30. The lubricant 30 fills pores in the groves 15 and flush surfaces 17.
The [0026] first lubricant 30 may be any material that enters into the porous material of the club face 16. Commercial products that illustrate this principal include WD-40 brand lubricant, LIQUID WRENCH brand lubricant, and MARVEL MYSTERY OIL brand lubricant. In a preferred embodiment, the first lubricant 30 is a microlubricant unlike ordinary oil that has been scientifically processed to reduce the size of the lubricant molecules so that the first lubricant 30 aggressively penetrates into hard metals such as titanium and steel. The first lubricant 30 penetrates the porous material of the face 16 and becomes an integral part of the physical structure of the club face 16. A commercially available non-chemical additive sold as Z MAX brand lubricant that is used in motor oil, fuel, or transmission fluid fits this description.
A user of the [0027] device 10 swings the golf club 13 at a golf ball so that the club face 16 contacts the golf ball. If the club face 16 contacts the golf ball perpendicularly no slice will result; however, if the club face 16 contacts the golf ball at angle a side spin will result. The amount of side spin is determined by the angle the club contacts the ball and the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face. First lubricant 30 impregnated in the porous material seeps from the porous material and reduces the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face 16. Thus, a user of device 10 places less side spin upon a golf ball than using a golf club head without this improvement if hitting a golf ball at the same angle. The user continues to use device 10 until the first lubricant 30 no longer imparts any reduction in the coefficient of friction.
FIG. 3 illustrates a method of applying a [0028] first lubricant 30 to a golf club that does not have first lubricant 30. A container 20 having a storage compartment 22 a nozzle 24 and an opening 26 releases a first lubricant 30 onto the club face 16. The user places the first lubricant 30 in individual drops until a layer 32 is formed upon the club face 16. The user then waits until the porous material is saturated with the first lubricant 30. The user then removes the excess first lubricant 30.
In the preferred method, the user applies heat to the [0029] club face 16. The application of heat acts to expand the porous material in the club face and lowers the viscosity of the first lubricant 30. It may be appreciated that additional penetration of first lubricant 30 may occur by extended exposure to a heat source such as the sun or a heat lamp. Other heat sources may be used.
A user of the method illustrated in FIG. 3 may then swing the [0030] golf club 13 at a golf ball so that the club face 16 contacts the golf ball. First lubricant 30 impregnated in the porous material seeps from the porous material and reduces the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face 16. Thus, a user of the method illustrated in FIG. 3 places less side spin upon a golf ball than using a golf club head without this improvement if hitting a golf ball at the same angle. The user continues to use the golf club head 10 modified with first lubricant 30 until there is no longer any coefficient of friction reduction.
FIG. 4 illustrates the method of applying a [0031] supplemental lubricant 50 to the device 10. It may be appreciated that the method of providing a supplemental lubricant 50 to a device 10 may also supplement the method illustrated in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 4, the [0032] supplemental lubricant 50 is applied to a club face 16 in a layer 52 with applicator 40. The preferred applicator 40 includes a cylindrical applicator sponge 46 secured to a body 42. An applicator cap 44 is attached to the body by threads 48. The threads 48 prevent supplemental lubricant 50 from leaking from the applicator 40 when the applicator cap 44 is securedly attached to the body 42. The cylindrical applicator sponge 46 is saturated with a supplemental lubricant 50. In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical applicator sponge 46 is filled with the supplemental lubricant by compressing the cylindrical applicator sponge into the applicator cap 44 that was filled with the supplemental lubricant 50.
In the preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 4, the [0033] cylindrical applicator sponge 46 is of a diameter sized to evenly distribute the supplemental lubricant 50 across the club face 16. In the preferred embodiment, the applicator has a diameter approximately 2.25″ and a height when closed of approximately 1″. An advantage to this size and configuration is that the applicator 40 is small and portable allowing a golfer to carry the applicator 40 in a pocket rather than left in a golf bag or golf cart. The cylindrical applicator is anticipated to be of other sizes and dimensions.
The [0034] supplemental lubricant 50 is a friction-reducing material, preferably a mineral oil. The supplemental lubricant 50 is applied as a layer 52 upon the surface of the club face 16. It will be appreciated that other friction reducing materials may be used including silicone, petroleum derivatives, and water-based lubricants. Other lubricants can be used.
A user applies the [0035] supplemental lubricant 50 to a device 10. The supplemental lubricant 50 reduces the coefficient of friction of device 10. A user of the method illustrated in FIG. 4 may then swing the golf club 13 at a golf ball so that the club face 16 contacts the golf ball. Supplemental lubricant 50 coating the club face 16 coupled with lubricant 30 impregnated into the porous material and seeping from the porous material reduces the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face 16. Thus, a user of the method illustrated in FIG. 4 places less side spin upon a golf ball than using a device 10 if hitting a golf ball at the same angle. The user continues to use the golf club head modified with supplemental lubricant 50 until there is no longer any supplemental coefficient of friction reduction due to the supplemental lubricant 50.
FIG. 5 illustrates a kit supplying a [0036] first lubricant 30 in container 20, a supplemental lubricant 50 in container 60, and a supplemental lubricant applicator 40. FIG. 5 further illustrates the method of applying the first lubricant 30 to the club face 16 and the method of applying the supplemental lubricant 50 to the club face 16. FIG. 6 shows another view of the container.
Although the invention has been described by reference to some embodiments it is not intended that the novel device be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings. [0037]

Claims

I claim:

1. A golf club in combination with a lubricant for reducing side spin of a golf ball when using the golf club to strike a golf ball, the combination comprising:

a golf club head body having a club face made of porous metallic material; and

a first lubricant impregnated within the porous metallic material of the club face, the first lubricant reducing friction between the club face and a golf ball during use of the club face to strike the golf ball.

2. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a supplemental lubricant upon the club face providing further reduction of friction between the club face and a golf ball during use of the club face to strike the golf ball.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the club face is made of aluminum.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein the club face is made of titanium.

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein the club face is made of steel.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein the first lubricant comprises a petroleum oil having a structural configuration providing enhanced penetration of the porous metallic material.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the structural configuration comprises petroleum oil molecules of reduced size, the reduction in size of the petroleum oil molecules providing enhanced penetration of the porous metallic material.

8. A method of treating a golf club face with lubrication, the method comprising:

applying a first lubricant to a golf club face made of a porous metallic material;

allowing the first lubricant to impregnate the porous metallic material;

removing excess first lubricant that does not impregnate the porous metallic material;

heating the golf club face expanding the pores of the metallic material and lowering the viscosity of the first lubricant; and

allowing the golf club face to cool.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising applying a supplemental lubricant layer to the golf club face by compressing an applicator sponge saturated with the supplemental lubricant against the golf club face, the compression of the applicator sponge imparting the supplemental lubricant to the golf club face.

10. A kit for reducing the coefficient of friction between a golf club face and a golf ball during use of the golf club face to strike the golf ball, the kit comprising:

a first container having a storage compartment for holding a first lubricant, a nozzle for directing flow of the first lubricant, and an opening within the nozzle for releasing the first lubricant;

a first lubricant within the storage compartment of the first container;

an applicator body for holding a supplemental lubricant having a threaded opening;

a supplemental lubricant within the applicator body;

an applicator cap having a threaded portion sized and shaped for threaded engagement with the threaded opening of the applicator body and an aperture for releasing the supplemental lubricant from the applicator body; and

an applicator sponge attached to the applicator cap adjacent the aperture of the applicator cap controlling the release of the supplemental lubricant from the applicator body, the supplemental lubricant impregnating the applicator sponge providing means for applying a substantially uniform layer of supplemental lubricant over an area.

11. The kit of claim 10 wherein the first lubricant comprises a petroleum oil having a structural configuration providing enhanced penetration of the porous metallic material.

12. The kit of claim 11 wherein the structural configuration comprises petroleum oil molecules of reduced size, the reduction in size of the petroleum oil molecules providing enhanced penetration of the porous metallic material.