Manufacturing method of golf iron head by combining different metal materials

Abstract

A manufacturing method of a golf iron head by combining different metal materials includes a pre-forming step, an engaging step, a pre-heating step and a forming step. A head body and a strike plate are provided in the pre-forming step to combine with each other. The strike plate is engaged with the head body in the engaging step, and the strike plate and the head body are pre-heated together. The forming step combines the head body and the strike plate as a one-piece iron head without clearances. Because the materials of the head body and strike plate are different and the connection force between the head body and the strike plate is increased, the mechanical properties and striking performance are improved and noises upon striking are eliminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manufacturing method of a golf iron head comprising:
 a pre-forming step comprising
 providing a head body, wherein the head body has a base, a rod portion formed on one side of the base, a plate recess formed in a front surface of the base and having an inner wall in the plate recess, and at least one engaging recess formed in the inner wall of the plate recess; 
 providing a strike plate, wherein a material of the strike plate is different from a material of the head body, the shape of the strike plate corresponds to the shape of the plate recess, and the thickness of the strike plate is larger than the depth of the plate recess; 
   an engaging step comprising:
 placing the strike plate in the plate recess, wherein a front surface of the strike plate protrudes out of the front surface of the base; 
   a pre-heating step comprising:
 heating the head body and the strike plate to a forging temperature according to the materials of the head body and the strike plate, wherein the range of the forging temperature is from 500-1200° C.; and 
   a forming step comprising:
 combining the head body and the strike plate by a forging process, wherein the strike plate is deformed by the forging pressure to form a protrusion on the strike plate, and the protrusion is engaged with the at least one engaging recess, and the shape of the strike plate fits correspondingly with the plate recess and the at least one engaging recess, the front surface of the strike plate is flush with the front surface of the base of the head body, and the strike plate and the head body are engaged integratedly and formed as an iron head. 
   
     
     
         2 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the head body is made by a casting process or a forging process, and the strike plate is made by a stamping press process or a forging process from a metal sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the material of the head body is one selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium alloys, aluminum bronze alloys, manganese bronze alloys and the combinations of them;
 the material of the strike plate is one selected from the group consisting of titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, bronze alloys, stainless steel and carbon steel and the combinations of them.   
     
     
         4 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein
 the stainless steel is one selected from the group consisting of JIS No. SUS304, SUS303, SUS431, SUS15-5 and SUS17-4 stainless steels;   the carbon steel is one selected from the group consisting of JIS No. 1020C, 1025C, 1035C and 1045 carbon steels;   the steel alloys with carbon is one selected from the group consisting of 4140 steel, 4130 steel and 4340 steel.   
     
     
         5 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in the pre-forming step, the plate recess is formed to have four wall surfaces around the plate recess and perpendicular to the bottom of the plate recess, each one of the wall surfaces is formed to have one engaging recess inclined relative to the bottom of the plate recess and formed triangular in cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein in the pre-forming step, the plate recess is formed to have four wall surfaces around the plate recess and perpendicular to the bottom of the plate recess, each one of the wall surfaces is formed to have one engaging recess inclined relative to the bottom of the plate recess and formed triangular in cross section. 
     
     
         7 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein in the pre-forming step, the plate recess is formed to have four wall surfaces around the plate recess and perpendicular to a bottom of the plate recess, each one of the wall surfaces is formed to have one engaging recess inclined relative to the bottom of the plate recess and formed triangular in cross section. 
     
     
         8 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein in the pre-forming step, the plate recess is formed to have four wall surfaces around the plate recess and perpendicular to a bottom of the plate recess, each one of the wall surfaces is formed to have one engaging recess inclined relative to the bottom of the plate recess and formed triangular in cross section. 
     
     
         9 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein a height difference between the front surface of the strike plate and the front surface of the base of the head body is from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm.