U.S. patent application number 10/823207 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for golf putter with articulating striking face and with heel-to-toe and front to back weight distribution adjustment to vary putter balance.
Invention is credited to Cover, Brian M., Shildmyer, William J. II.
Application Number | 20050227777 10/823207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35061270 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050227777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cover, Brian M. ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Golf putter with articulating striking face and with heel-to-toe
and front to back weight distribution adjustment to vary putter
balance
Abstract
A golf putter is provided. The putter includes a putter head.
The putter also includes a handle having a proximate end connected
to the putter head and having a distal end provided with a grip.
The putter head includes components that can be adjusted to alter
simultaneously the position of the proximate end of the handle on
the putter head and to alter the putter head balance.
Inventors: |
Cover, Brian M.;
(Scottsdale, AZ) ; Shildmyer, William J. II;
(Mesa, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP
MET LIFE BUILDING
200 PARK AVENUE; 14TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10166
US
|
Family ID: |
35061270 |
Appl. No.: |
10/823207 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/251 ;
473/305; 473/336; 473/337; 473/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/026 20200801;
A63B 53/0416 20200801; A63B 60/50 20151001; A63B 53/065 20130101;
A63B 53/0441 20200801; A63B 53/028 20200801; A63B 60/02 20151001;
A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B 2053/0491 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/251 ;
473/336; 473/337; 473/341; 473/305 |
International
Class: |
A63B 053/04; A63B
069/36 |
Claims
Having set forth my invention in terms to enable those skilled in
the art to understand and practice the invention and having set
forth the presently preferred embodiments and uses thereof, I
claim:
1. A golf putter including (a) a head; (b) a shaft including a
proximate end attached to said head and a distal end, said distal
end including a grip; said head including (c) a forward portion
including a face for striking a golf ball; and, (d) a wing portion
extending rearwardly from said forward portion and movable between
at least two operative positions (i) a first operative position,
and (ii) a second operative position laterally displaced along said
forward portion in a direction outwardly away from said proximate
end of said shaft to alter the heel-to-toe weight distribution of
the putter.
2. A golf putter including (a) a head including (i) a forward
portion including a face for striking a golf ball; and, (ii) a wing
portion extending rearwardly from said forward portion and movable
between at least two operative positions a first operative
position, and a second operative position laterally displaced along
said forward portion to alter the heel-to-toe weight distribution
of the putter; and, (b) a shaft including a proximate end attached
to said wing portion and a distal end, said distal end including a
grip.
3. A golf putter including (a) a head; and, (b) a shaft including a
proximate end attached to said head and a distal end, said distal
end including a grip, said distal end being movable between at
least two operative positions on said head.
Description
[0001] This invention pertains to golf putters.
[0002] More particularly, the invention pertains to a golf putter
that facilitates the adjustment of the heel-to-toe and front to
back weight distribution of the putter.
[0003] In a further respect, the invention pertains to a golf
putter that permits adjustment of the orientation of the striking
face of the putter with respect to a golf ball when the ball is
being addressed with and struck by the putter.
[0004] In another respect, the invention pertains to a golf putter
that permits adjustment of putter balancing between a face-balanced
configuration and a toe-weighted configuration.
[0005] Both the heel-to-toe weight and front to back weight
distribution in the head of a golf putter and the orientation of
the putter ball-striking face contribute to the functioning of the
putter. If the putter ball-striking face has a slight backward tilt
(toward the putter shaft) or orientation, the face tends to lift
the golf ball when the ball is struck. Providing a putter with a
ball-striking face that has a backward tilt is described as "adding
loft" to the putter. If the putter ball-striking face has a slight
forward tilt (away from the putter shaft) orientation, the face
tends to push the golf ball into the green when the ball is struck.
Providing a putter with a ball-striking face that has a forward
tilt is described as "delofting" the putter.
[0006] The head of each putter has a particular balance
orientation. The balance orientation of a putter head is determined
by finding a point on the shaft at which the shaft will assume a
generally horizontal orientation when balanced on a fingertip. When
the putter is so balanced on the fingertip of a golfer with the
club shaft in a generally horizontal orientation, the putter head
normally will assume one of the three basic putter head balance
orientations.
[0007] The first putter head balance orientation is the
face-balanced orientation. When the putter head is in the
face-balance orientation, the striking face of the putter is
horizontally oriented and faces upwardly toward the sky. In a
face-balanced putter, the putter shaft location with respect to the
head typically, but not always, points toward the center of the
putter head.
[0008] The second putter head balance orientation is the
toe-weighted orientation. When the putter head is in the
toe-weighted orientation, the toe of the putter hangs straight
down, the heel of the putter points upwardly toward the sky, and
the striking face of the putter is vertically oriented. In a
toe-weighted putter, the shaft typically is attached to the head at
the heel.
[0009] The third putter head balance orientation is the
intermediate orientation. When the putter head is in the
intermediate orientation, it is oriented in a position between the
face-balanced orientation and the toe-weighted orientation. The
striking face of the putter head is canted, and is neither
horizontally or vertically oriented. When a putter head is in the
face-balanced orientation, the ball striking face is said to be at
an angle of zero degrees with respect to the horizontal. When a
putter head is in the toe-weight orientation, the ball striking
face of the putter is at an angle of ninety degrees with respect to
the horizontal. When a putter head has an intermediate orientation,
the ball striking face of the putter typically is at an angle of
twenty to eighty degrees with respect to the horizontal.
[0010] One popular style of putting is indicated in FIG. 24 and is
called the pendulum style. In FIG. 24, dashed line 180 indicates
the line of travel of the golf ball after being struck by the ball
striking face of a putter 210 at point 184. When pendulum style
putting is use, the putter head travels along a straight line 181,
182, or 183 during the back stroke and follow through.
[0011] Another popular style of putting is indicated in FIG. 25 and
is called the open-and-closed stroke. In FIG. 25, dashed line 185
indicates the line of travel of the golf ball after being struck by
the ball striking face of a putter 211 at point 188. When the
open-and-closed stroke is used, the putter head travels along a
curved path 186, 187, 189, and opens on the back stroke, squares up
to the ball at the contact point 188, and closes on the follow
through. The severity of the arc in the curved path varies
according to the golfer.
[0012] It is generally agreed that a putter with a head that has a
face-balanced orientation facilitates a pendulum style putting
stroke, and that a putter with a head that has an intermediate
orientation or toe-weighted orientation facilitates the
open-and-closed putter stroke. One problem associated with the
different putting styles and with putter heads having balance
orientations is that golfers often elect to tinker with their
putting stroke, their putters, or the line along which the putter
head travels. This necessitates purchasing new putter or having
putter mechanically adjusted to alter the putter head balance
orientation. For example, on the PGA tour, players often elect to
have their putters mechanically adjusted to alter the putter head
balance orientation, the orientation of the face of the putter, the
"feel" of the putter, etc.
[0013] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide a golf
putter that allows a golfer to adjust readily both the heel-to-toe
weight distribution and the top-to-bottom cant or loft of the
putter face, and to adjust the putter head balance orientation.
[0014] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide an improved golf putter.
[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide an improved
golf putter that permits the weight distribution of the putter head
to be adjusted by altering the location at which the club shaft is
connected to the putter head.
[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
golf putter that permits the weight distribution of the putter head
to be altered by symmetrically adjusting the relative position of
opposing putter structural components.
[0017] Still a further object of the invention is to provide an
improved golf putter having an articulating ball-striking face.
[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide an
improved golf putter that permits the position of structural putter
head components to be adjusted simultaneously or independently of
the location at which the proximate end of the putter shaft is
connected to the putter head.
[0019] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an
improved golf putter that permits, without altering the location of
the center of gravity of the putter head, the location on the
putter head at which the proximate end of the club shaft is
attached to be adjusted.
[0020] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an
improved golf putter that permits adjustment of the magnitude of
the torque acting on the heel and toe of the putter head.
[0021] Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an
improved golf putter that permits the weight distribution of the
putter head to be altered by adjusting putter structural components
that counterpoise one another.
[0022] These and other, further and more specific objects and
advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in
conjunction with the drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view top illustrating the head of a
golf putter constructed in accordance with the principles of the
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective top front exploded view illustrating
the putter head of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded top rear perspective view
of the putter head of FIG. 1 illustrating further construction
details thereof;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded top front view of the
putter head of FIG. 3 illustrating particular components
thereof;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a linkage system
used to adjust the position of the putter wings;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a top front perspective view of the putter of FIG.
14 illustrating construction details of the adjustable pivoting
striking face of the putter;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a linkage system
utilized to adjust the position of the putter wing portions;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a top view illustrating the golf putter of FIG.
1;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a front view of the golf putter of FIG. 8
illustrating the ball-striking face thereof;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the golf putter of FIG.
8;
[0033] FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the golf putter of FIG.
1 illustrating the articulating ball-striking face thereof;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a section view of the golf putter of FIG. 8 taken
along section line B-B and illustrating other construction details
thereof;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a section view of the golf putter of FIG. 12
taken along section line C-C and illustrating additional
construction details thereof;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a top rear perspective view illustrating a golf
putter constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a top front perspective view further illustrating
the golf putter of FIG. 14;
[0038] FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the golf
putter of FIG. 14;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view illustrating the golf
putter of FIG. 14;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the golf putter of FIG.
14;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a top rear perspective view illustrating the golf
putter of FIG. 14 after the wing portions have been inwardly
symmetrically displaced to alter the heel-to-toe weight
distribution of the putter head;
[0042] FIG. 20 is a top front perspective view illustrating the
golf putter of FIG. 19;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a bottom rear perspective view illustrating the
golf putter of FIG. 19;
[0044] FIG. 22 is a top view illustrating the golf putter of FIG.
19; and,
[0045] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating components of the
linkage system used to laterally adjust the position of the
counterpoises to alter the heel-to-toe weight distribution of the
putter head and lock down the putter components; and
[0046] FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate putting styles.
[0047] Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an
improved golf putter. The putter includes a head; and, a shaft
including a proximate end attached to the head and a distal end.
The distal end includes a grip. The head includes a forward portion
including a face for striking a golf ball; and, a wing portion
extending rearwardly from the forward portion and movable between
at least two operative positions, a first operative position, and a
second operative position laterally displaced along the forward
portion in a direction outwardly away from the proximate end of the
shaft to alter the heel-to-toe weight distribution of the
putter.
[0048] In another embodiment of the invention, I provide an
improved golf putter. The putter includes a head. The head includes
a forward portion including a face for striking a golf ball; and, a
wing portion extending rearwardly from the forward portion and
movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative
position, and a second operative position laterally displaced along
the forward portion to alter the heel-to-toe weight distribution of
the putter. The putter also includes a shaft including a proximate
end attached to the wing portion, and a distal end. The distal end
includes a grip.
[0049] In still another embodiment of the invention, I provide a
golf putter including a head; and, a shaft. The shaft has a
proximate end attached to the head and has a distal end. The distal
end includes a grip. The proximate end is movable between at least
two operative positions on the head.
[0050] Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of
illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of
the scope of the invention and in which like reference characters
refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIGS.
1 to 13 illustrate one embodiment of the golf putter of invention,
generally indicated by reference character 10. Putter 10 includes a
head and a shaft 21. Shaft 21 includes a proximate end 22 connected
to the head and includes a distal end 70 (FIG. 9). Distal end 70
functions as a handle for the golfer to manually grasp the putter
shaft. It is understood that the shape and dimension of shaft 21
can vary as desired. For example, shaft 21 can take on a shape and
dimension comparable to conventional heel-shafted putters, or, can
take on a shape and dimension comparable to handles found on
pendulum type center-shafted golf putters. Shaft 21 can be moved on
the putter head to the heel in the manner of a conventional
heel-shafted putter. Or, shaft 21 can be moved to a location on the
putter head comparable to the used in pendulum type center-shafted
golf putters.
[0051] The head of the putter includes a front portion 16, a back
portion 13, neck 12, and a pair of wing portions 14 and 15. Wing 15
includes plate 15A. Wing 14 includes plate 14A. Front portion 16
includes ball striking face 17, and, includes component 38 and
component 39. Face 17 is part of component 39. Component 39 is
mounted on component 38 such that component 39--and face 17--can be
pivoted or moved about a horizontal axis to change the cant or loft
of face 17 from top-to-bottom. Neck 12 fixedly interconnects front
portion 16 and rear portion 13 such that wing portions 14 and 15
can be laterally adjusted in the direction of arrows A and B,
respectively, to alter the toe-to-heel weight distribution in the
head of the putter, to alter the location of proximate end 22 with
respect to the center of gravity Y (FIGS. 1 and 8) of the putter
head, and to alter the putter head balance orientation. The center
of gravity of the head of the putter 10 generally does not change
when the positions of wing portions 14 and 15 are adjusted because
portions 14 and 15 each simultaneously move equal distances toward
or away from neck 12. The center of gravity Y can change if the
putter head is designed such that portion 14 moves a different
distance than portion 15 toward or away from neck 12, or, if the
position of only portion 14 (or only portion 15) is adjusted.
Moving proximate end 22 inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1
toward neck 12 also reduces the magnitude of the torque T (FIGS. 1
and 9) acting on the toe of the club with respect to proximate end
22, i.e., moving proximate end 22 inwardly toward neck 12 causes
less rotational force to be acting on proximate end 22. As used
herein, the toe of a putter is the portion of the putter head that
is farthest from a golfer when the golfer is addressing and putting
a ball. The heel of a putter is the portion of the putter head that
is closest to the golfer when the golfer is addressing and putting
a ball. The putter head includes a linkage system that is not
visible in FIG. 1 but that will be described below in more detail.
The linkage system enables end 19 of key 18 to be inserted in an
opening 20 (FIG. 3) in back portion 13 to engage the head or end 50
(FIG. 5) of a control shaft 28 (FIGS. 3, 5, 6) in the linkage
system. When key 18 is then turned in the direction of arrow C, the
control shaft 28 rotates simultaneously with key 18 and the linkage
system simultaneously displaces wing portions 14 and 15 in the
direction of arrows A and B, respectively, toward the stowed
positions shown in FIG. 8. After wing portions 14 and 15 are
displaced in the directions of arrows A and B from the distended
positions shown in FIG. 1 to the stowed positions if FIG. 8 (or are
displaced to a position intermediate the distended and stowed
positions), wing portions 14 and 15 can be returned to the
distended positions of FIG. 1 by rotating key 18 (and control shaft
28) in a direction opposite that of the direction indicated by
arrow C.
[0052] Component 39 includes at least one shaft or screw 42 that is
rotatably received by an oval aperture 43 formed in component 38.
Arcuate convex surface 45 conforms to and is slidably adjusted over
arcuate concave surface 44 in component 38 to adjust the cant of
striking face 17 of component 38.
[0053] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the various components of putter 10
in more detail. When the putter head is assembled, plates 40 and 41
cover and conceal openings formed in component 38 and in back
portion 13, respectively.
[0054] As earlier noted, the linkage system in the putter head
includes control shaft 28. Shaft 28 includes a roller 29 at one end
and a roller 30 at its other end. As is illustrated in FIG. 7,
roller 29 contacts arms 26 and 27. Pin 25 connects arms 27 to wing
15. Wing 14 (not shown in FIG. 7) is connected to arm 26 by pin 34.
In like fashion, roller 30 on the other end of control shaft 28
contacts arms 31 and 32. The distal end of arm 31 is connected to
wing portion 14 by pin 33. The distal end of arm 32 is connected to
wing portion 15 by pin 24. When wing portions 14 and 15 are each in
the distended position in FIG. 1, turning control shaft 28 in the
direction of arrow C with key 18 displaces arms 27 and 32 in the
direction of arrow J, and displaces arms 26 and 31 in the direction
of arrow K. Such displacement of arms 26, 27, 31, 32 draws wing
portions 14 and 15 inwardly in the direction of arrows A and B,
respectively, toward the stowed position of FIG. 8. Key 18 and
shaft 28 can be turned an amount sufficient to draw wing portions
14 and 15 inwardly until they contact neck 12. Or, key 18 can be
turned an amount sufficient to draw wing portions 14 and 15
inwardly in the directions of arrows A and B, respectively, but not
to draws wing portions 14 and 15 inwardly in the directions of
arrows A and B a distance sufficient for portions 14 and 15 to
contact neck 12 in the stowed position of FIG. 8. As is illustrated
in FIG. 7, weight 14C is slidably mounted on shaft 14D. Weight 14C
is slidably moved along shaft 14D in the directions indicated by
arrows M to selected positions along shaft 14D. If desired, weight
14C can include a set screw or other means to secure and release
weight 14C from a position along shaft 14D. Weight 14C and shaft
14D are housed in opening 14E (FIG. 3) formed in wing 14. Weight
15C is slidably mounted on shaft 15D. Weight 15C is slidably moved
along shaft 15D I the directions indicated by arrows N to selected
positions along shaft 15D. If desired, weight 15C can include a set
screw or other means to secure and release weight 15C from a
position along shaft 15D. Weight 15C and shaft 15D are housed in an
opening that is formed in wing 15 and this is comparable in shape
and dimension to opening 14E.
[0055] The roller 29, 30--arm 26, 27, 31, 32 linkage system
illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 can be modified by forming
gear teeth on the rollers and arms to produce a rack and pinion
type structure, in which case rollers 29, and 30 each would be a
toothed gear and the arms would each include a horizontally
oriented row of gear teeth that would engage toothed gears 29 and
30. Further, any desired linkage system can be used as long as the
position of at least one wing 14, 15 can laterally adjusted in the
manner described with respect to front portion 16 and face 17.
[0056] In FIG. 3, neck 12 includes an orthogonal member 35 that
intercalates with U-shaped component 37 by fitting and being
secured in U-shaped opening 36.
[0057] FIG. 11 illustrates articulating component 39 in more
detail. Screw or pin 42 pivots in oval opening 53 in the manner
indicated by arrows F to alter the angle E of ball-striking face 17
with respect to vertical axis E. Component 39 and face 17
articulate about a horizontally orientated axis in the manner
indicated by arrow D so that the top-to-bottom cant of face 17 can
be adjusted. Face 17 can, if desired, be adjusted to be vertical.
The pointer emblem 52A engraved or otherwise formed on component 29
and the arcuate dot sequence 52 engraved or otherwise formed on
component 38 enable a golfer to determine the particular setting or
orientation of component 39 with respect to component 38 and with
respect to vertical axis X. If desired, degree markings can be
utilized in place of or in addition to the dot sequence 52.
[0058] If desired, the putter 10 can be constructed such that only
the position of wing portion 14 can be adjusted and wing portion 15
is maintained permanently in a selected fixed position (or
vice-versa) with respect to front portion 16, back portion 13, and
neck 12. The fixed position for wing portion 15 can be the position
illustrated in FIG. 1 or can be any other desired position. If wing
portion 15 (or 14) is in fixed position, neck 12 can, if desired,
be eliminated from the putter head. The proximate end 22 of shaft
21 can, instead of being connected to wing portion 15, be attached
to front portion 16, back portion 13, neck 12, or wing portion 14.
Back portion 13 can, if desired, be omitted from the putter head
when the putter head is constructed. If desired, when the putter
head is constructed only a single wing portion 14 or 15 need be
incorporated in the putter head design.
[0059] An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 14 to 23 and is generally identified by reference character
100. Putter 100 includes a head and a shaft 121. Shaft 121 includes
a proximate end 122 connected to the head at aperture 123 and
includes a distal end (not shown). The distal end functions as a
handle for the golfer to manually grasp the putter shaft. The shape
and dimension of shaft 121 can vary as desired.
[0060] The head of the putter 100 includes a front portion 116, a
back portion 113, and a pair of wing portions 114 and 115. Front
portion 116 includes ball striking face 117, and, includes
component 138 and component 139. Face 117 is part of component 139.
Component 139 is mounted on component 138 such that component
139--and face 117--can be pivoted or moved about a horizontal axis
to change the top-to-bottom cant or loft of face 117. Wing portions
114 and 115 can be laterally adjusted in the direction of arrows H
and G, respectively, to alter the toe-to-heel weight distribution
in the head of the putter, to alter the location of proximate end
122 with respect to the center of gravity of the putter head, and
to alter the putter head balance orientation. The center of gravity
of the head of the putter 100 generally does not change when the
positions of wing portions 114 and 115 are adjusted because
portions 114 and 115 each are simultaneously moved equal distances
inwardly or outwardly from the distended positions shown in FIG.
14. The center of gravity of the putter head can change if portion
114 is moved a different distance inwardly or outwardly than
portion 115, or, if the position of only portion 114 (or only
portion 115) is adjusted. Moving proximate end 122 inwardly from
the position shown in FIG. 14 also reduces the magnitude of the
torque T1 (FIGS. 15 and 16) acting on the toe of the club with
respect to proximate end 122, i.e., moving proximate end 122
inwardly (simultaneously with wing portion 114) from the distended
position of wing 114 shown in FIGS. 14 to 17 toward the stowed
position of wing 114 shown in FIG. 19 to 22 causes less rotational
force to be acting on proximate end 122.
[0061] When the putter 100 is used by a left handed golfer, a shaft
121 can be attached to peg 60 mounted in hosel 61.
[0062] The golf putter 100 is similar to putter 10. Putter 100 does
not, however, include a neck comparable to the neck 12 of putter
10. The linkage system of putter 100 is illustrated in FIG. 23 and
is different from the linkage system of putter 10. As described
below, the linkage system of putter 100 enables each wing portion
114, 115 to be slidably adjusted manually by grasping and pushing
or pulling the wing portion inwardly or outwardly, as the case may
be.
[0063] In FIG. 23, the linkage system of putter 100 includes
linkage system 150 and linkage system 160. System 150 is housed in
orthogonal cavity or opening 76B formed in wing 114 (FIG. 14).
System 160 is housed in orthogonal cavity or opening 77B formed in
wing 114.
[0064] System 160 includes generally orthogonal foot 75 and weight
77 and includes rod 74. The end of rod 74 extending through foot 75
is externally thread and extends through an internally threaded
opening formed through foot 75. Foot 75 slidably seats in
orthogonal opening or cavity 63A formed in component 138 of the
front portion 116 of putter 100. Foot 75 seat in opening 63A behind
rod 63 such that foot 75 can, when wing 115 is in the position
shown in FIG. 14, slide along opening 63A behind rod 63 in the
direction indicated by arrow G (FIGS. 19 and 23) until wing 115 is
in the position shown in FIG. 19, and, such that foot 75 can, when
wing 115 is in the position shown in FIG. 19, slide along opening
63 behind rod 63 in a direction opposite that indicated by arrow G
until wing 115 returns to the position shown in FIG. 14. Wing 15
can also, as would be appreciated, slidably adjusted to any
position intermediate the the positions of wing 115 illustrated in
FIGS. 14 and 19.
[0065] Neck 74A of rod 74 extends through slot 62 (FIG. 16) such
that end 73 of rod 74 is positioned "outside" of slot 62 in the
manner shown in FIGS. 14, 16, 19, 21, and so that weight 77 is
positioned "inside" of slot 62 in the manner shown in FIG. 17.
[0066] Neck 71A of rod 71 extends through slot 62 (FIG. 16) such
that end 70 of rod 71 is positioned "outside" of slot 62 in the
manner shown in FIGS. 14, 16, 19 21 and such that weight 76 is
positioned "inside" of slot 62 in the manner shown in FIG. 14.
Weight 77 can be slidably moved along rod 74 toward foot 75 in the
direction of arrow 161 in FIG. 23 and be secured in a desired
position on rod 74 by a set screw 77A. After weight 77 is slidably
displaced in the direction of arrow 161 to a desired position on
rod 74, weight 77 can, if desired, be slid along rod 74 in a
direction 154 opposite that of arrow 161 back toward the position
of weight 77 shown in FIG. 23. Consequently, weight 77 can be slid
back and forth along rod 74 to a plurality of selected positions
intermediate foot 75 and head 73 of rod 74.
[0067] Weight 76 can be slidably moved along rod 71 toward foot 72
in the direction of arrow 151 in FIG. 23 and be secured in a
desired position on rod 74 by a set screw (not visible). After
weight 76 is slidably displaced in the direction of arrow 151 to a
desired position on rod 71, weight 76 can, if desired, be slid
along rod 74 in a direction 153 opposite that of arrow 151 back
toward the position of weight 77 shown in FIG. 23. Consequently,
weight 76 can be slid back and forth along rod 71 and detachably
secured in a plurality of selected positions intermediate foot 72
and head 70 of rod 71.
[0068] As is illustrated in FIG. 19, wing portion 115 can be
manually slid in the direction of arrow G from the position
illustrated in FIG. 14 to the position shown in FIG. 19. Wing
portion 114 can be manually slide from the position illustrated in
FIG. 14 to the position shown in FIG. 19.
[0069] When end 73 is turned in the direction of arrow 162, the
externally threaded end of rod 74 turns through internally threaded
aperture 75A. This draws foot 75 against a back wall of a cavity
that is hollowed out of component 138, presses washer 74B against
back portion 113 and tightens or compresses wing 115 in position
between back portion 113 and front portion 116. Turning end 73 in a
direction opposite that of arrow 162 loosens foot 75, and permits
wing 115 to be slid in the direction of arrow G and, after wing 115
is displaced inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 14, in a
direction opposite that of arrow G. Front portion 116 includes
components 139 and 138. Component 139 include ball striking face
117.
[0070] When end 70 is turned in the direction of arrow 152, the
externally threaded end of rod 71 turns through internally threaded
aperture 72A. This draws foot 72 against rod 63 and presses washer
71B against back portion 113 and tightens or compresses wing 114 in
position between back portion 113 and front portion 116. Turning
end 70 in a direction opposite that of arrow 152 loosens foot 72,
and permits wing 114 to be slid in the direction of arrow H (FIG.
19) and, after wing 114 is displaced inwardly from the position
shown in FIG. 14, in a direction opposite that of arrow H. Front
portion 116 includes components 139 and 138. Component 139 include
ball striking face 117. The proximate end 122 of shaft 121 is
fixedly inserted in hosel 123.
[0071] An important advantage of the putter illustrated in FIGS. 14
to 23 (and of the putter illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 13) is that it
permits ready adjustment of the putter head balance orientation
between the face-balanced orientation and the toe-weighted
orientation.
[0072] When the putter head is in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 19, the putter head presently has a face-balanced orientation.
In FIG. 19, weights 76 and 77 are in the position shown in FIG.
23.
[0073] When the putter head is in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 14, the putter head presently has an intermediate orientation
in which the ball striking face of the putter head is in the range
of twenty to eighty degrees from the horizontal. In FIG. 14,
weights 76 and 77 are still in the position shown in FIG. 23 (i.e.,
next to front back portion 113). To increase the angle from the
horizontal of the ball striking face 117 of the putter head, the
position of weights 76 and/or 77 is adjusted along rods 71, 74 in
the direction of arrows 151 and 161, respectively. When the weights
76, 77 are adjusted as far as possible along rods 71, 74 (and
toward the front portion 116 of the putter head) the putter head
will assume a toe-weight orientation. If the weights 76, 77 are
adjusted in the direction of arrows 151, 161, respectively, only a
part of their greatest possible distance of travel along rods 71,
74 in the direction of arrows 151, 161, then the putter head
remains in a toe-weight orientation, but with the angle of striking
face 117 from the horizontal being greater than eighty degrees.
[0074] As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, it is
possible to configure a putter such that only the adjustment of
wings 114 and 115 would be required to move face 117 between a
face-balanced orientation and toe-weighted orientation or any
desired orientation therebetween.
[0075] The orientation, or cant or loft, of component 139 and face
117 is adjusted by loosening screws 190 and 191 (FIG. 16); by
manually adjusting in the direction of arrows 192 and 193 the
convex back surface 194 of component 139 over the opposing,
conforming concave surface 195 of component 138 until component 139
reach the desired position; and, by tightening screws 190 and 191
to fix component 139 in position. Externally threaded screws 190
and 191 extend through vertically extending slots formed in
component 138 and also extend into internally threaded cylindrical
apertures formed in component 139.
* * * * *