Golf Club Head or Other Ball Striking Device with Removable Face and/or Internal Support Structure

Abstract

A ball striking device has a head that includes a face member having a striking surface and an inner surface opposite the striking surface, and a body member connected to the face member, where the body member includes a crown portion and a supporting structure. The face member includes a frame portion connected to the supporting structure and forming at least a portion of an outer periphery of the striking surface, where the frame portion includes a mounting structure, and a face plate connected to the mounting structure to form at least a portion of a central region of the striking face. The supporting structure includes a base member forming at least a portion of the sole of the head and a plurality of truss members connected to the base member, such that the truss members connect the base member to the crown portion and the frame portion of the face member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf club head comprising:
 a face member having a striking surface configured for striking a ball;   a body member connected to the face member and extending rearwardly from the face member; wherein the body member comprises a crown, a sole, a cavity, and an internal supporting structure positioned within the cavity;   wherein the internal supporting structure comprises a base member forming at least a portion of the sole of the golf club head, and a plurality of truss members connected to the base member; and   wherein the plurality of truss members comprise a circular cross-sectional shape.   
     
     
         2 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the internal supporting structure further comprises a pair of truss members extending from the base member to the crown to connect the base member to the crown. 
     
     
         3 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of truss members are connected to a front portion of the crown. 
     
     
         4 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of truss members comprise a similar thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The golf club head of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of truss members are parallel with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The golf club head of  claim 2 , wherein the face member comprises a frame portion having a wall extending rearward from the striking surface and forming a portion of a heel, a toe, a sole, and the crown of the club head. 
     
     
         7 . The golf club head of  claim 6 , wherein the pair of truss members extend forwardly and upwardly from the base member to a top portion of the face member. 
     
     
         8 . A golf club head comprising:
 a face member having a striking surface configured for striking a ball;   a body member connected to the face member and extending rearwardly from the face member; wherein the body member comprises a crown, a sole, a cavity, and an internal supporting structure positioned within the cavity;   wherein the internal supporting structure comprises a base member forming at least a portion of the sole of the golf club head, and a plurality of truss members connected to the base member;   wherein the internal supporting structure further comprises a pair of truss members extending from the base member to the crown to connect the base member to the crown; and   wherein the pair of truss members have a circular cross-sectional shape.   
     
     
         9 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of truss members comprise a similar thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of truss members are parallel with each other. 
     
     
         11 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of truss members are connected to a front portion of the crown. 
     
     
         12 . The golf club head of  claim 8 , wherein the face member comprises a frame portion having a wall extending rearward from the striking surface and forming a portion of a heel, a toe, a sole, and the crown of the club head. 
     
     
         13 . The golf club head of  claim 12 , wherein the pair of truss members extend forwardly and upwardly from the base member to a top portion of the face member. 
     
     
         14 . The golf club head of  claim 12 , wherein the pair of truss members extend away from each other as they approach a top portion of the face member 
     
     
         15 . A golf club head comprising:
 a face member having a striking surface configured for striking a ball;   a body member connected to the face member and extending rearwardly from the face member; wherein the body member comprises a crown, a sole, a cavity, and an internal supporting structure positioned within the cavity;   wherein the face member comprises a frame portion having a wall extending rearward from the striking surface and forming a portion of a heel, a toe, the sole, and the crown of the club head;   wherein the internal supporting structure comprises a base member forming at least a portion of the sole of the golf club head, and a plurality of truss members connected to the base member;   wherein the internal supporting structure further comprises a pair of truss members extending from base member to a top portion of the face member to connect the base member to the face member; and   wherein the pair of truss members have a circular cross-sectional shape.   
     
     
         16 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of truss members extend away from each other as they approach the crown. 
     
     
         17 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of truss members are parallel with each other. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of truss members comprise a similar thickness. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of truss members are connected to a front portion of the crown. 
     
     
         20 . The golf club head of  claim 15 , wherein the base member is connected with the face member.