Weighting system for a putter type golf club

Abstract

A putter type golf dub head including a dub head body, heel toe, top ridge, bottom sole, frontal ball striking and rear face, including at least one longitudinal weight member attached to and extending rearwardly from the rear face and being perpendicular to the ball striking face. The longitudinal weight member may be adjustable to adjust the overall weight of the putter head.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to golf clubs and in particular to golf putters having a unique weighting and alignment system.

[0002] A wide variety of putter head designs have been developed in order to aid a golfer in making more repetitive and consistent strokes. A unique weighting and alignment system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,976 to Pelz which uses a plurality of golf balls behind the striking face and a rear weight to stabilize the putter during the execution of a putting stroke to hit a golf ball. Other putters having weighting systems of interest are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,058 to Coughlin that shows weights located behind the heel and toe portions of the putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,409 to Matson shows a putter head with a pair of wing members extending rearwardly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,324 to Gammil uses longitudinal rods between front and rear faces of a putter head. U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,422 to Fisher shows a putter head having trailing weight members at the heel and toe portions. U.S. Published Patent Application No. US2004/0132542 A1 to Olsavsky et al. shows a putter head using a pair of cylindrical bars connected between the rear face and a rear weight on the putter head on both sides of a center reinforcing member.

[0003] It is well known that when green speeds are fast, a heavier putter slows the golfer's hands allowing more control of the putter head during the execution of a putting stroke. Conversely when green speeds are slow, a lighter putter allows the hands to speed up to hit a golf ball harder. Golfers often compensate for green speeds by having at least two, and often more putters, that may be selected for a particular green speed. The present invention provides adjustability that allows the overall weight of the putter to be adjusted in accordance with the speed of the greens on a particular golf course so that the golfer is using the same identical putter every time with only the overall weight being adjusted. This promotes familiarity and confidence enabling a golfer to execute putting strokes by relying on ingrained muscle memory that is built up over many repeated uses of the same putter.

[0004] The present invention is a golf putter head having a pair of weighted cylindrical bar members extending rearwardly from the rear face. The bar members are located in a direction perpendicular to the ball striking face and parallel to the target line a golf ball will traverse when hit on a putting surface. The bar members have multiple features. Initially the bars provide weight at a location behind and in close proximity to the ball striking area on the clubface. Preferably the bars are located on opposite sides of the center of percussion of the putter head, one being toward the toe and the other being toward the heel of the putter head.

[0005] An important feature of the bar members is that the preponderance of the weight is located at the rearmost area of the bars. This increases the effective moment of inertia of the club head providing more forgiveness when a golf ball is struck at a location on the ball striking face other than the precise center of percussion. To achieve this weight distribution, in a preferred embodiment, the forward or proximal end attached to the club head is hollow. The solid, heavier distal ends of the bar members are rearward and spaced behind the ball striking face.

[0006] Preferably the club head body is made of a lightweight material, such as aluminum, ceramic or the like and the bars are made of heavier material such as steel, copper or tungsten. The bars may be structured so that the bar weight is variable in order to provide a precise weight to control the overall weight of the putter head. This may be accomplished, as indicated above, by making the weighted bars partially hollow in order to control the exact amount of weight of the bar. In a preferred embodiment, the forward end of each of the cylindrical bar members that is attached to the rear face of the club head is threaded in order to cooperate with threaded bores on the rear face. To assemble the cylindrical bars to the putter head, they ate threaded into the bores in the rear face and tightened with a suitable tool and permanently secured therein with epoxy or suitable cement.

[0007] An additional intended feature of the invention is that the cylindrical bar members may be removable and replaced by bars having different weights to allow adjustment to a preferred swing weight to coincide with the speed of the greens at a particular golf course.

[0008] Still another important feature of the bar members is the provision of an alignment tool for the golfer. Since the bar members are located perpendicular to ball striking face of the putter head in a front to rear direction, the bar members are parallel to the target line and serve as an alignment device to aid the golfer to aim the putter when the putter is in a normal address position. In use, the golfer simply aligns the bars to aim the putter head in the direction of the intended target line.

[0009] Another feature is the weight of the cylindrical bars increases the effective polar moment of inertia. In addition, as the putter head is swung, the weight configuration of the bat members causes the putter head to continue on the path of the accelerating force applied by the golfer. This results in keeping the putter head more stable and moving on the same line toward the target, particularly when the golf ball is not struck precisely on the center of the ball striking face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a putter head having a weight configuration that stabilizes the putter head as it is swung to eliminate twisting and turning of the club head during the execution of a putting stroke.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is the provision of a putter head with weights that are adjustable to coincide with particular green speeds.

[0012] Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a putter head having a weight configuration that keeps the putter head moving in a direction toward the intended target line with a driving motion.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is the provision of a putter head having a unique alignment design in the form of cylindrical bars extending rearward from the dub head in a direction parallel to the intended target line.

[0014] Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the subject invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a toe side elevational view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a heel side elevational view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the putter head of the present invention with a weighted bar member removed.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the putter head of the present invention showing alternative adjustable weighted bar members.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of still another embodiment of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of a putter head in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

[0030] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 8 disclose a putter head 100 of the present invention formed with a body portion 102 made of light weight material, such as aluminum, ceramic or the like.

[0031] The putter head 100 includes a ball striking face 104, rear face 106, top ridge 108, and bottom sole 110. The putter head 100 further includes a tear cavity formed by a heel mass 112, toe mass 114 and a lower flange 116. A detail of a shaft 118 is shown connected on the top ridge 108 in a suitable sized bore (not shown). It will be appreciated the shaft 118 may be of any suitable length and conventionally would include a grip on the upper end thereof.

[0032] Cylindrical bar members 120 are made of heavy metal such as steel or tungsten. Proximal ends of the bar members 120 are connected to and extend in a rearward direction from the rear face 106 of the putter head 100. The distal ends of the bar members 120 toward the rear of the putter head 100, have a preponderance of weight in that area The cylindrical bat members 120 are disposed on either side of the club head body 102 in a heel to toe direction, in a location behind and on either side of the center area of percussion on the ball striking face 104.

[0033] As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 8, the forward proximal ends of the bar members 120 include a hollow cavity 122, whereas the distal ends are solid. The depth of the hollow cavity 122 may be adjusted to vary the weight of the bar members 120. The forward proximal ends of the bar members 120 are provided with threads 124 that cooperate with threaded bores (not shown) in the rear face 106 of the putter head 100 for connection thereto. The distal ends of the bar members 120 include a tool slot 126 for connection with a suitable tool, such as an Allen wrench, to facilitate connection and removal of the bar members from the putter head 100. The cylindrical bar members 120 may be permanently attached by epoxy glue or may be removable should different weighted bars be used.

[0034] The parallel cylindrical bar members 120 locate the center of mass directly behind the striking face 104 and toward the rear of the putter head 100. This weight distribution stabilizes the hitting zone of the ball striking face 104. The weight of the cylindrical bar members 120 creates a high moment of inertia because of the remote location from the actual center of percussion on the ball striking face 104 and also serves to drive the face 104 forward through the ball impact zone with a greater force and momentum while minimizing twisting and turning of the putter head 100, particularly when miss-hits occur.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows the putter head 100 with one of the bar members 120 removed using an Allen wrench type tool that cooperates with the tool slot 126.

[0036] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a putter type golf dub head 200 that is similar to the embodiment described above. The golf dub head 200 includes a wide lower flange 216 that extends proximate the ends of cylindrical bar members 220 giving the putter head an overall mallet type configuration. The top ridge 208 includes a bore 218 for connection of a shaft (not shown).

[0037] When green speeds are fast, a heavier putter slows the golfer's hands allowing more control of the putter head during the execution of a putting stroke. Conversely when green speeds are slow, a lighter putter allows the hands to speed up to hit a golf ball harder. The present invention provides adjustability that allows the overall weight of the putter to be changed in accordance with the speed of the greens on a particular golf course.

[0038] FIG. 11 shows another alternate embodiment of a putter head 300 with two cylindrical bar members 320 that are adjustable. The bar members 320 are hollow along the longitudinal length thereof. The proximal end of each of the bar members 320 is attached to the rear face 306 with threads, as described with prior embodiments. The distal end of the bar members 320 is provided with threads 322. A cylindrical shaped weight member 324 is formed with threads 326 at the distal end thereof and is sized for insertion into the hollow interior of a bar member 320 and connected thereto with the cooperating threads 322 and 326. The weights 324, as shown in FIG. 11, are interchangeable. By adjusting the length of an individual weight 324, the overall weight of a bar member 320 may be adjusted.

[0039] FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 disclose additional embodiments of putter heads in accordance with the present invention. It will be appreciated that all the features describe hereinabove with respect to the previous embodiments are equally applicable to these additional embodiments. For example, the bar members may be weight adjustable and formed in the same manner as described above.

[0040] FIG. 12 is a view of another embodiment of a golf putter head 400 of the present invention. In this embodiment two elongated, cylindrical bar members 420 are attached to a rear face 406 of a dub head body 402. The bar members diverge toward the heel 412 and toe 414 portions of the putter head 400 thus distributing more weight toward the outer side areas.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a view of another embodiment of a golf putter head 500 of the present invention. In this embodiment two elongated, cylindrical bar members 520 are attached to a rear face 506 of a club head body 502. The bar members 520 converge toward the center of the rear edge 516 of the putter head 500, thereby distributing more weight toward the center and rear of the putter head 500.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a view of another embodiment of a golf putter head 600 of the present invention. In this embodiment a single elongated, cylindrical bar member 620 is attached to a rear face 606 of a dub head body 602. The bar member 620 is perpendicular to the putter head 600 and extends rearwardly from the rear face 606, thus locating more weight directly behind the ball contact area of the putter head 600.

[0043] FIG. 15 is a view of another embodiment of a golf putter head 700 of the present invention. In this embodiment a plurality of elongated, cylindrical bar members 720 are attached to a tear face 706 of a dub head body 702. Each bar member 720 is located on the rear face 706 and extends in a divergent angle relative to the other bar members 720, thus forming a unique weight distribution for the putter head 700.

[0044] While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A putter type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, top ridge, and bottom sole, said club head body further including a rear cavity formed by a heel mass and toe mass, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of separately attached, longitudinal geometrically shaped bar members, each bar having only a proximal end attached to said rear face and a free distal end extending rearwardly from said rear face; one of said bar members being located on the heel side of said center of percussion and a second of said bar members being located on the toe side of said center of percussion, said bar members extending through said rear cavity between the heel mass and the toe mass in a rearward direction perpendicular to said ball striking face.

2. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 wherein said club head body is formed of a first weighted material and said bar members include a second weighted material heavier than said first weighted material.

3. The putter head of claim 2 wherein said bar members are formed of said second weighted material.

4. The putter head of claim 1 wherein said bar members are perpendicular to said rear face and parallel to each other.

5. The putter head of claim 1 wherein said bar members are cylindrical in shape.

6. The putter type golf club head of claim 5 wherein said cylindrical bar members include a hollow cavity.

7. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 further including a lower flange extending in a rearward direction from said rear face.

8. (canceled)

9. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 wherein said bar members are formed with adjustable weight.

10. The putter type golf club head of claim 6 wherein said hollow cavity is located at said proximal end, the size of said hollow cavity determining the overall weight of said bar members; said distal end of said bar members being solid.

11. The putter type golf club head of claim 6 wherein said bar members are further defined by a hollow interior and form a housing for a cooperating weight located therein.

12. The putter type golf club head of claim 10 wherein each said cooperating weight is adjustable in size to permit adjustment of the overall weight of each of said bar members.

13. The putter type golf club head of claim 11 wherein said bar members include an opening and closure therefor to permit placement and removal of said cooperating weight.

14. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 wherein said bar members are perpendicular to said frontal ball striking face and parallel to a direction line a golf ball will traverse when struck by said putter head; said bar members providing an alignment aid when said putter head is addressed behind a golf ball prior to and during the execution of a normal putting stroke.

15. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 wherein said bar members extend rearwardly divergent to each other.

16. The putter type golf club head of claim 1 wherein said bar members extend rearwardly convergent to each other.

17. A putter type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body formed of a material having a first weight, said club head body including a frontal ball string face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, top ridge, and bottom sole, said club head body further including a rear cavity formed by a heel mass and toe mass, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of longitudinal, geometrically shaped, weighted bar members, each bar having only a proximal end attached to said rear face and a free distal end extending rearwardly from said rear face; one of said bar members being located on the heel side of said center of percussion and a second of said bar members being located on the toe side of said center of percussion, said bar members extending through said rear cavity between the heel mass and the toe mass in a rearward direction perpendicular to said ball striking face; said bar members being formed with a material having a second weight heavier than said material having a first weight.

18. The putter type golf club head of claim 17 wherein said bar members are formed with adjustable weights.

19. The putter type golf club head of claim 17 wherein said bar members are further defined by a hollow interior and form a housing for a cooperating weight located therein.

20. The putter type golf club head of claim 19 wherein each said cooperating weight is adjustable in size to permit adjustment of the overall weight of each of said bar members.

21. The putter type golf club head of claim 19 wherein said bar members include an opening and closure therefor to permit placement and removal of said cooperating weight.

22. The putter type golf club head of claim 21 wherein said opening is located on said distal end of each bar member.

23. A putter type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body formed of a material having a first weight, said club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, top ridge, and bottom sole, wherein the improvement comprises: at least one separately attached, longitudinal, geometrically shaped, weighted bar member, said bar member having a proximal end attached to said rear face and a distal end extending rearwardly from said rear face; said bar member being located directly behind said center of percussion.

24. The putter type golf club head of claim 23 wherein said bar member is formed with adjustable weight.

25. The putter type golf club head of claim 24 wherein said club head body is formed of a first weighted material and said bar member includes a second weighted material heavier than said first weighted material.

26. The putter head of claim 25 wherein said bar member is formed of said second weighted material.

27. The putter type golf club head of claim 25 wherein said bar members are further defined by a hollow interior and form a housing for a cooperating weight located therein.

28. A putter type golf club head including a club head body and means for attachment to a golf shaft, said club head body formed of a material having a first weight, said club head body including a frontal ball striking face having a center of percussion thereon, a rear face, a heel, toe, top ridge, and bottom sole, wherein the improvement comprises: a plurality of separately attached, longitudinal, geometrically shaped, weighted bar members, said bar member having a proximal end attached to said rear face and a distal end, said bar members extending rearwardly from said rear face in a plurality of divergent angles.