U.S. patent application number 11/022902 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for adjustable weight putter.
Invention is credited to Joel I. Glickman.
Application Number | 20060142095 11/022902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36612471 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060142095 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glickman; Joel I. |
June 29, 2006 |
Adjustable weight putter
Abstract
An adjustable weight golf putter is provided with a body portion
of a material of low specific gravity, for example aluminum, and a
weighted cap, receivable in a longitudinal recess opening at the
back extremity of the body portion. The weighted cap is formed of a
material of high specific gravity, for example a tungsten-copper
alloy, and has a weight which is at least more than 20%, and
preferably more than 30% of the weight of the lighter body portion,
concentrating the weight of the putter head toward the back and
locating its center of gravity more than half way toward the back
of the putter head. The weighted cap is secured by a threaded shaft
engageable in a recess extension in the body. Optional weighted
discs, of a high specific gravity material and each of a different
weight, are threadedly engageable with the shaft and are usable in
various combinations for optimal weight adjustment. The optional
weights are applied in tight engagement with the weighted cap, to
maintain weight concentration at the back.
Inventors: |
Glickman; Joel I.; (Jupiter,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEITZER CORNMAN GROSS & BONDELL LLP
292 MADISON AVENUE - 19th FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
36612471 |
Appl. No.: |
11/022902 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0441 20200801;
A63B 53/0408 20200801; A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 2053/0491
20130101; A63B 53/065 20130101; A63B 2209/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/340 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/04 20060101
A63B053/04 |
Claims
1. An adjustable weight golf putter which comprises (a) a putter
head having a ball-striking face of predetermined width and a body
portion extending rearwardly from said striking face for a distance
equal to a substantial fraction of said predetermined width, (b)
said body portion being formed of a relatively low specific gravity
material and having a longitudinal axis disposed in perpendicular
relation to said ball-striking face, (c) said body portion having a
cylindrical recess therein, open at a back extremity of said body
portion and extending forwardly therein along said longitudinal
axis, (d) a weighted cap, formed of a material of substantially
greater specific gravity than said body portion, received in back
extremities of said cylindrical recess and closing said recess, (e)
said weighted cap having a threaded shaft fixed to a forward end
thereof and extending forwardly therefrom along said axis, (f) said
body portion having a recess extension therein at a forward end of
said cylindrical recess for closely receiving and confining a
forward end portion of said threaded shaft, (g) one or more
disc-like weights having a diametrical dimension to be closely
received within said cylindrical recess and each having a central
threaded opening for selective threaded reception on said threaded
shaft, (h) said disc-like weights being formed of a material of
substantially greater specific gravity than said body portion and
being positioned in substantially abutting relation to said
weighted cap.
2. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said recess extension is threaded to receive the forward end of
said threaded shaft, and (b) said weighted cap is held in its
installed position by said threaded shaft.
3. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said weighted cap has a weight in excess of 20% of the combined
weight of said body portion and said ball-striking face.
4. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said one or more disc-like weights comprising at least two such
weights, each of a different weight, whereby combinations of one or
more of said weights with said weighted cap provide a variety of
weight balances for said putter.
5. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said body portion is formed primarily of aluminum and said
weighted cap is formed primarily of a tungsten copper alloy.
6. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 5, wherein
(a) said tungsten copper alloy has a specific gravity of about
17.
7. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 1, wherein
(a) said weighted cap is formed with an enlargement at a back
extremity thereof, and (b) said cylindrical recess is formed with
an enlarged open end portion for reception of said enlargement, for
positioning said weighted cap and sealing said cylindrical
recess.
8. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 7, wherein
(a) back portions of said body portion are arcuately contoured, and
(b) said weighted cap has a rearwardly facing surface contoured to
correspond with the contoured back portions of said body portion
and form a generally smooth continuation of the contours of said
back portions.
9. An adjustable weight golf putter which comprises (a) a putter
head having a ball-striking face of predetermined width and a stem
portion extending rearwardly from said ball-striking face at right
angles thereto, (b) said stem portion having a longitudinal axis
intersecting said ball-striking face in a central portion thereof
and having a width substantially less than the width of said
ball-striking face, (c) a body end portion joined with a rearward
portion of said stem portion and extending rearwardly therefrom,
(d) said body end portion having a width greater then the width of
said stem portion and less than the width of said ball-striking
face, (e) said body end portion having a cylindrical recess
therein, open at a back extremity of said body end portion and
extending forwardly therein along said longitudinal axis, (f) a
weighted cap, formed of a material of substantially greater
specific gravity than said stem and body end portions, received in
back extremities of said cylindrical recess and closing said
recess, (g) said weighted cap having a threaded shaft fixed to a
forward end thereof and extending forwardly therefrom along said
axis, (h) one of said body end portion and said stem portion having
a recess extension therein at a forward end of said cylindrical
recess, (i) said recess extension being threaded for engagement
with a forward end portion of said threaded shaft for securing said
weighted cap in said body end portion, (j) said weighted cap having
a weight of at least about 20% of the combined weight of said
ball-striking face, said stem portion and said body end
portion.
10. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 9, wherein
(a) one or more disc-like weights are provided, each having a
diametrical dimension to be closely received within said
cylindrical recess and each having a central threaded opening for
threaded reception on said threaded shaft, (b) said shaft being
threaded to a point closely adjacent a front face of said weighted
cap, whereby one of said weights may be positioned in abutting
relation to said front face.
11. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 10, wherein
(a) at least three such disc-like weights are provided, each having
a different weight, whereby combinations of some, all or none of
said weights may be selectively mounted on said threaded shaft to
provide a variety of weight balances for said putter.
12. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 11, wherein
(a) said weighted cap and said disc-like weights are formed of a
tungsten-copper alloy having a specific gravity of about 17.
13. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 12, wherein
(a) said stem and body end portions of said putter head being
formed of aluminum.
14. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 9, wherein
(a) said cylindrical recess is formed with an rearwardly divergent
tapered entrance recess at the back extremity of said body end
portion, and (b) said weighted cap has a cylindrical forward
portion, closely received in said cylindrical recess, and an
rearwardly divergent collar at a rearward end thereof, (c) said
rearwardly divergent collar being received in said tapered entrance
recess to position said weighted cap and to seal said recess.
15. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 9, wherein
(a) said putter head is formed with integral, rearwardly tapered
gussets extending from said ball-striking face to said body end
portion along each side of said stem portion, (b) said gussets
having a thickness substantially less than said ball-striking face,
said stem portion and said body end portion.
16. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 15, wherein
(a) said body end portion is formed with convexly arcuate back face
contours, (b) said weighted cap is formed with a convexly contoured
back face, and (c) said weighted cap is positioned by said
rearwardly divergent recess and collar such that the contoured back
face of said cap forms a continuation of the contours of said body
end portion.
17. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 15, wherein
(a) said gussets are aligned generally in a horizontal plane
including said longitudinal axis.
18. An adjustable weight golf putter according to claim 9, wherein
(a) said putter head is of predetermined length, and (b) the
respective weights of said putter head and said weighted cap are
such that the center of gravity of the combined putter head and
weighted cap is spaced behind said ball-striking face a distance
which is more than half of said predetermined length.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to golf putters and more
specifically to an improved form of putter head incorporating novel
and advantageous means for concentrating weight near the back end
of the putter, spaced well behind the ball-striking face, and also
providing for an improved, simplified and effective arrangement for
adjustably weighting the putter head to enable the putter to be
optimized to the desires and abilities of the golfer.
[0002] There are numerous examples in the prior art of putters
incorporating features providing for adjustable weighting of the
putter head. The Bushner U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,371, for example,
discloses a putter head having one or more bores therein for
receiving a rod, on which a weight is slideably mounted and secured
in position by a set screw. The rod is contained within the putter
head by means of a threaded plug.
[0003] The D'Eath U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,740 discloses a putter head
in which a longitudinal cavity in the putter is filled with steel
balls, in order to increase the weight of the putter along its
center line.
[0004] Other prior art concepts involve the placement of one or
more weighted elements at various locations on the putter head to
enable the golfer to vary the weight to suit his desires and/or
abilities. Many of these known concepts are largely unsuccessful as
commercial products, either because they are complicated to work
with, because they place the weight adjustment elements at
locations that do not optimize the weight balance of the putter,
and for other reasons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an adjustable weight putter
head which is easy to use and which, to the greatest practical
extent, optimizes the weight balance of the putter by concentrating
weight at the back extremity of the putter head, along the center
line axis of the putter head. In accordance with the present
invention, a putter head is provided in which the body is elongated
in the ball-striking direction and is provided with a body cavity,
at the back end extremity of the putter head, for the reception of
an adjustable weighting assembly. The main body of the putter is
formed of a lightweight material, typically aluminum but certain
engineering plastics, such as Celcon, are suitable.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a weighted
cap, positioned at the back end extremity of the putter body, is
formed of a high specific gravity material in relation to the
material of the putter body itself. The weighted cap forms a
substantial part of the weight of the overall putter head assembly
so as to provide a maximized concentration of weight at a location
as far behind the putter face as practicable. In this respect, the
weighted cap advantageously has a weight which is more than 20%,
and preferably more than one third the weight of the main putter
head. In addition, the weighted cap incorporates a threaded shaft
extending forwardly therefrom which can receive one or more of a
plurality of disc-like weights, also formed of a high specific
gravity material. Preferably, each of the weights has a different
weight, such that by mounting some or all (or none) of the weights
on the threaded shaft, a wide variety of weight combinations can be
incorporated into the putter, so suit the golfer's desires.
Significantly, the weights can be applied over the threaded shaft
to be in abutting relation to the front face of the weighted cap,
such that the assembly of the weighted cap and the disc-like
weights concentrates the weight mass as far back in the putter as
practicable.
[0007] For a more complete understanding of the above and other
features-and advantages of the invention, reference should be made
to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment,
and to the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a putter head
according to the invention, illustrating particularly the weighted
cap and the manner in which disc-like weights are applied
thereto.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the putter head of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the putter head.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the putter head as taken
generally on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the weighted cap element with
a disc-like weight applied thereto.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring now the drawings, the reference numeral 10
designates generally a putter head which is comprised of a
ball-striking face 11 and an extended body portion 12 comprised of
a stem 13, a body end portion 14, and gussets 15, 16 which extend
along opposite sides of the stem 13 and join the ball-striking face
11 with the back portion 14 of the body.
[0014] Although specific dimensions of the putter head can vary,
USGA rules require that the length of the putter (in the
ball-striking direction) be less than the width of the
ball-striking face. For long-shafted putters, it may be desired to
have a larger putter head than for short-shafted putters. In all
cases, however, the length-width relationship specified by the USGA
rules must be observed. In typical embodiments of the invention,
the face width of the putter may be around 4.25 inches, for a
short-shafted putter and around 5.00 inches for a long-shafted
putter, with the body length preferably being between 85 and 90% of
the width of the ball-striking face.
[0015] Preferably, the entire putter head is a one-piece molding of
suitable, relatively lightweight material. Aluminum, with a
specific gravity of around 2.65, is widely preferred by most
golfers, although engineering plastics, such as Celcon.RTM., an
acetal copolymer, available from Ticona Engineering Polymers
(Division of Celanese AG) are suitable. Celcon is considerably
lower in specific gravity than aluminum.
[0016] The illustrated embodiment will be described as if
proportioned for a short-shafted putter, it being understood that
dimensions may be slightly larger for medium-shafted and
long-shafted putters. However, the basic principles of the
invention are not limited to specific dimensions, which as used
herein are illustrative only.
[0017] In the illustrated putter head, the ball-striking face 11
preferably is relatively thin, for example, around 0.275 inch, with
a face width of, for example, 4.25 inches and face height of about
one inch. The stem 13 is substantially the same height as the
putter face and may have a typical width of about 5/8th inch above
the gussets and 3/8th inch below the gussets. The back portion 14
of the putter body comprises an arcuate upper portion 17 and a
squared-off lower portion 18. The bottom surface 19 of the putter
is contoured in a large radius convex arc, as shown in FIGS. 3 and
4, and the bottom surface of the back portion 14 of the body
conforms to that arcuate curvature. When the putter is in its
"normal" position, as reflected in FIG. 3, the low point of the
arcuate bottom surface 19 preferably is located an inch or so
behind the front of the ball-striking face 11.
[0018] As reflected in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body portion of the
putter head tapers from front to back, and the back extremity of
the back portion is rounded and convexly contoured, as indicated at
20. The gussets 15, 16 join with the back side of the ball-striking
face 11 and taper in a rearward direction until they merge with the
back portion 14 of the body. The front wall of 14a of the back
portion typically is spaced about two inches behind the front face
11 (slightly less for a short shaft putter and slightly more for a
long shaft putter).
[0019] As indicated in FIG. 3 in particular, the gussets 15, 16 are
relatively thin in relation to the overall thickness (height) of
the putter head. By way of example, for a short-shafted putter
having a thickness of about one inch, the gusset webs may have a
thickness of about 1/8th inch. For a larger, long-shafted putter
head, having an overall thickness of about 1.2 inch, the gusset
thickness may be proportionately greater, for example, 0.156
inch.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gussets 15, 16 are disposed
in a horizontal plane, preferably slightly above the mid-height of
the putter head, so as to be approximately aligned with the center
of a ball to be struck. At one side of the stem 13 there is a shaft
socket 21 that extends through the gusset 16 and to, or
substantially to, the bottom surface 19 of the putter head. The
shaft socket receives a putter shaft (not shown) by which the
golfer handles the putter.
[0021] Pursuant to the invention, the body back portion 14 is
provided with a horizontal cylindrical recess 22, preferably
extending longitudinally along an axis lying in the plane of the
gussets 15, 16 and along the center of the spine 13. At the
innermost end of the recess 22, there is a recess extension 23, of
considerably smaller diameter, which is threaded. The recess 22,
which typically may be about 3/4 quarters inch in diameter, is
arranged to receive a weighted cap 24 (FIG. 5) from which extends a
threaded shaft 25. The weighted cap 24 has a cylindrical body
portion 26, which is adapted to be closely received within the
cylindrical recess 22. The threaded shaft 25 extends forward to
engage the threaded recess extension 23, which forms the means by
which the weighted cap is secured within the recess 22. At its
outer end, the weighted cap is formed with an outwardly divergent
collar 27 adapted for mating reception within an outwardly
divergent portion 28 of the body recess 22.
[0022] To install the weighted cap, it is inserted in the body
recess 22 and its threaded shaft 25 is engaged with the threaded
recess extension 23. The cap can then be rotated to be advanced
into the recess, typically with the use of an Allen wrench
engageable in a socket 29 at the end of the cap 24. When the
divergent collar 27 seats in the divergent end portion 28 of the
recess 22, the cap is positioned properly within the recess, and
the recess is also sealed against the entry of moisture. Desirably,
the outer end surface 30 of the weighted end cap 24 is convexly
contoured to match and smoothly continue the convex contours 20 of
the back of the body portion. Thus, when the weighted cap is
installed, its presence is unobtrusive and does not detract from
the aesthetics of the overall putter body.
[0023] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the weighted
cap 24 is formed of a material of much higher specific gravity than
that of the remainder of the putter head. Whereas the putter head
may be a one-piece molding of aluminum, with a specific gravity of
around 2.65, the weighted cap 24 preferably is formed of a
tungsten-copper alloy, having a specific gravity of about 17.06.
Preferably, both the body of the weighted cap 24 and the threaded
shaft are formed of the tungsten-copper alloy, although the
threaded shaft could be formed of other material and fixed to the
main body of the cap.
[0024] Pursuant to one aspect of the invention, the weighted cap
and threaded shaft have a combined weight which is in excess of 20%
of the weight of the other elements of the putter head, and
preferably in excess of 30% of the weight of the other elements of
the putter head. In all cases, the relationship of the putter head
and the weighted cap is such that the center of gravity of the
putter head, with the weighted cap installed, lies behind the
mid-way point of the longitudinal axis of the putter head,
concentrating weight toward the back of the putter. By way of
example and not of limitation, a putter head for a short-shafted
putter may have an "empty" weight of around 230 grams and its cap
may have a weight of about 95 grams. A putter head for a medium
shaft putter may have an empty weight of about 285 grams, with a
cap of 65 grams. The considerably larger body for a long-shafted
putter may have an empty weight of 370 grams and employ a weighted
cap of 130 grams. For the medium shaft putter, which is somewhat of
a hybrid design and which may utilize a short shaft in some cases
and a mid-length shaft in others, the empty weight of the body is
somewhat greater than for the short shaft, and the relative weight
of the weighted cap is somewhat less, in order to keep the overall
combined weight of body and cap at a level of around 250 grams.
[0025] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a plurality
of optional weights are provided, which can be used in various
combinations, in conjunction with the weighted cap 24, in order to
enable adjustment of the weight of the putter to suit a particular
golfer's requirements. In a preferred embodiment, three additional
weights are provided, identified by the reference numerals 32, 33
and 34 (FIG. 1). To advantage, the optional weighs 32-34 are formed
of the same tungsten-copper alloy as the weighted cap 24, and each
is of a different weight. For example, the weight 32 may weigh 15
grams, the weight 33 may weigh 25 grams, and the weight 34 may
weigh 35 grams. Each of the optional weights is in the form of a
flat disc, of a diameter to be closely accommodated within the
cylindrical recess 22, as reflected in FIG. 3, and each is provided
with a central threaded opening 35, enabling the disc to be
threaded on to the shaft 25. The shaft 25 is threaded as close as
practical to the end surface 36 of the weighted cap, and a small
undercut 37 is provided adjacent the surface 36 to allow a weight
to be threaded on to the shaft into tight abutting relation to the
end surface 36 of the cap 24 (see FIG. 5). The optional weights
32-34 can be omitted or used in any combination of one, two or
three with the cap 24. Altogether, this provides for eight
different weighting possibilities (the end cap alone (1), each
wieght by itself (3), each weight with one of the others (3), and
all three weights together (1). In all cases, it is preferred that
all of the discs utilized be advanced on the threaded shaft 25 as
far as possible toward the weighted cap 24, and into tight contact
therewith, such that the cap and optional weights function to
concentrate their combined weight as far back in the putter as
practicable and also so that the weights remain reliably fixed in
their intended positions.
[0026] The invention provides a unique and advantageous adjustable
weight putter, which not only provides for a wide variety of
weighting adjustments to suit the desires of the golfer, but also
assures a concentration of weight as far behind the ball-striking
face as is practicable. The design of the putter body and weighted
end cap is such that the weighted end cap forms the back surface
extremity of the putter, thus assuring that its weight is located
as far to the back of the putter as is practicable. The putter body
is provided with a relatively deep longitudinally extending recess,
opening at the back, in which the weighted end cap is received,
serving to close and seal the recess. The end cap is formed with a
forwardly extending threaded shaft, engaging a threaded recess
extension in the putter body, and which also receives optional
weighted discs in various combinations. The weighted discs are
threadedly received on the shaft and rotated until tightly abutted
as far back on the shaft as possible, again providing that the
concentration of added weight is located as far to the back of the
putter as practicable. Both the weighted cap and the optional disc
weights are advantageously formed of a very high specific gravity
material, such as a tungsten-copper alloy, which has a specific
gravity more than six times that of an aluminum body.
[0027] By locating weight as far behind the ball-striking face as
practicable, the putter head is given a high moment of inertia
against rotation about a vertical axis. This imparts resistance
against rotation when a ball is struck slightly off of the center
line of the putter, resulting in greater accuracy in the putting
stroke.
[0028] It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms
of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to
be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein
without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended
claims in determining the full scope of the invention.
* * * * *