Patent US5340107A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5340107A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monolithic ceramic golf club putter head and method of manufacture thereof
Assignee: Ceradyne Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-19
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Granted: 1994-08-23
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Expires: 2013-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A golf club putter head made of a wear resistant and highly polished, aesthetically pleasing silicon nitride material in a manufacturing process which obviates labor intensive machining and finishing. Except for the optional addition of high density material weights at the toe and heel portions of the putter head, the present invention provides a putter head which is made of a monolithic silicon nitride ceramic which has a relatively low density of 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter and which is provided with a polished surface appearance along most of its surfaces. The present invention is preferably fabricated using a process of which the most important step is a high pressure, dry pressing step in which the unique shape of the golf club head described herein facilitates bi-axial symmetric pressure application resulting in what is known as a green part. The part may be readily completed with the steps of binder removal, nitriding and hot isostatic pressure sintering to densify and shrink the material and finishing with sandblasting and diamond lapping to provide the aesthetically pleasing highly reflective polished surface. The invention may also be fabricated using slip casting or injection molding techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Baker
- 👤 Robin A. Carden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:07
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B53/00; A63B53/04; A63B53/0487; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a monolithic, dry-pressed silicon nitride of which the hitting surface and other surfaces have a uniform polished appearance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a monolithic, dry-pressed silicon nitride of which the hitting surface and other surfaces have a uniform polished appearance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The putter head recited in claim 1 further comprising at least one cavity for receiving a high density weight-redistributing material therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The putter head recited in claim 2 said putter head having a heel and a toe and wherein there are two said cavities, one such cavity being positioned at the heel of said putter head and the other such cavity being positioned at the toe of said putter head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The putter head recited in claim 2 wherein said material is taken from the group consisting of lead and tungsten.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
A golf putter head formed entirely of monolithic, silicon nitride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
A golf putter head formed entirely of monolithic, silicon nitride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
A golf putter head formed entirely of monolithic silicon aluminum oxynitride.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
A golf putter head formed entirely of monolithic silicon aluminum oxynitride.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of fabricating a golf club putter head; the method comprising the following steps: a) forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of powders having a composition by weight which is at least 85% silicon, 5% yttrium oxide, 2% aluminum oxide and less than 1% heavy transition metal carbide; b) dry pressing said mixture using a die having the desired shape of a putter head at a pressure of about 15,000 psi; c) sintering said dry-pressed putter head at a temperature of about 450 degrees Centigrade for about 2 hours to 4 hours; d) nitriding said putter head in a substantially nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 1400 degrees Centigrade until substantially all of the silicon has chemically combined with said nitrogen to form silicon nitride; e) sintering said putter head in nitrogen at a temperature of about 1850 degrees Centigrade and at pressures as high as 1500 psi; and f) finishing the surface of said putter head.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of fabricating a golf club putter head; the method comprising the following steps: a) forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of powders having a composition by weight which is at least 85% silicon, 5% yttrium oxide, 2% aluminum oxide and less than 1% heavy transition metal carbide; b) dry pressing said mixture using a die having the desired shape of a putter head at a pressure of about 15,000 psi; c) sintering said dry-pressed putter head at a temperature of about 450 degrees Centigrade for about 2 hours to 4 hours; d) nitriding said putter head in a substantially nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 1400 degrees Centigrade until substantially all of the silicon has chemically combined with said nitrogen to form silicon nitride; e) sintering said putter head in nitrogen at a temperature of about 1850 degrees Centigrade and at pressures as high as 1500 psi; and f) finishing the surface of said putter head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method recited in claim 7 wherein step f) is performed by diamond lapping.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a slip cast monolithic ceramic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a slip cast monolithic ceramic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of an injection molded monolithic ceramic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of an injection molded monolithic ceramic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a nitrided silicon monolithic ceramic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A golf club putter head formed entirely of a nitrided silicon monolithic ceramic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-22 | 1998-02-21 | 1998-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-22 | 2002-02-21 | 2002-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-22 | 2006-02-21 | 2006-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |