U.S. patent application number 11/697598 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for golf putter head.
Invention is credited to Christie Mariko Inouye, Michael Takeshi Inouye, Mitsuko Nakaema Inouye.
Application Number | 20070243943 11/697598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38605471 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070243943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Inouye; Michael Takeshi ; et
al. |
October 18, 2007 |
Golf putter head
Abstract
An adjustable heel and toe weighted putter head comprising of
stand-alone heel and toe weight-carrying portions spaced rearward
from the face portion for increased moment of inertia and also
transversely spaced apart from each other by the width of a golf
ball to therein define an alignment channel. Each weight-carrying
portion consists of a through bore parallel to said face portion, a
through threaded insert permanently secured in said bore,
selectable weight member(s) housed in said insert, and end plug
setscrews that book-end and removably secure said weight member(s)
to therein provide for selectable total weight and longitudinal
positioning of the center of gravity. The integration of the weight
system and the alignment system provides for simultaneous
tangential target alignment and parallax golfer head alignment.
Positive sloped truncated conical projections on the putter face
help minimize ball skid, maximize tactile properties, and provide
enhanced audio feedback.
Inventors: |
Inouye; Michael Takeshi;
(Honolulu, HI) ; Inouye; Mitsuko Nakaema;
(Honolulu, HI) ; Inouye; Christie Mariko;
(Honolulu, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL T. INOUYE
1601 KANALUI ST.
HONOLULU
HI
96816
US
|
Family ID: |
38605471 |
Appl. No.: |
11/697598 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60791995 |
Apr 14, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/249 ;
473/336; 473/340; 473/341 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/0441 20200801;
A63B 53/0487 20130101; A63B 53/0416 20200801; A63B 53/0437
20200801; A63B 2053/0491 20130101; A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B
53/0445 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/249 ;
473/340; 473/336; 473/341 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 53/00 20060101 A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A heel-toe weighted golf putter head comprising of: a face
portion to hit the ball; a sole portion extending rearward from the
face portion; a shaft connected to the putter head; the
improvements hereon comprising of: a stand-alone heel end
weight-carrying portion spaced rearward from the rear surface of
said face portion; a stand-alone toe end weight-carrying portion
spaced rearward from the rear surface of said face portion wherein
said spaced weight-carrying portions increase the putter head's
moment of inertia and also enhance feel; said spaced
weight-carrying portions integral to said sole portion; said spaced
weight-carrying portions each includes a surface that is delimited
by an inboard end side and an outboard end side wherein said
inboard end sides are generally perpendicular to said face portion;
said inboard end sides transversely spaced apart from each other
from 0.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and most advantageously,
transversely spaced apart from each other by the diameter of a golf
ball to therein define a ball-width alignment channel perpendicular
to said face portion; said spaced weight-carrying portions each
includes an adjustable weight assembly comprising of: a through
bore through said spaced weight-carrying portions; said through
bore includes through threads threaded most advantageously by a
permanently secured through threaded insert; said threaded insert
receives a singular or a plurality of weight member(s) that further
increases the moment of inertia of the putter head; said threaded
insert receives in a threaded engagement two end plug setscrews
that book-end said weight member(s) to therein provide a movably
securable weight assembly adjustable in total weight and center of
gravity.
2. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein said spaced
weight-carrying portions each consists of an arcuate surface
delimited by said inboard and outboard end sides; said arcuate
surface defined as an extension of the sole at the heel section and
the toe section extending arcuately rearwardly and upwardly to a
circular-disposed apex-carrying arc and arcuately downwardly and
generally taper frontwardly to seamlessly merge with the top
surface of said sole; said defined arcuate weight-carrying portions
generally longitudinally elongated and parallel to said face
portion; said inboard end sides generally non-integral to the rear
surface of said front portion; said alignment channel defined by
said inboard end sides includes a generally arcuate bottom surface
extending the length of said inboard end sides; said inboard end
sides generally vertical; said arcuate bottom surface includes
alignment lines adjacent to said inboard end sides; and therein
define stand-alone teardrop-like shaped weight-carrying portions
with integral alignment properties and a volumetrically efficient
shape that receives shape conforming weight members.
3. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein said spaced
weight-carrying portions each includes a through bore parallel to
said face portion; said through bores perpendicular through said
inboard end sides; and said through bores coaxially-aligned with
each other.
4. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein said arcuate
surfaces of said weight-carrying portions frontward of its apex
include a vertical tangent that defines an inflexion point; said
inflexion point defines a visible part line when viewed squarely
from above, and said part line is the reference line for lateral
golfer head alignment along the target-to-putter axis.
5. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein said arcuate
surfaces of said weight-carrying portions frontward of its apex
include at least one inflexion point without a vertical
tangent.
6. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein said arcuate
surfaces of said weight-carrying portions frontward of its apex
include at least two vertical tangents and at least one inflexion
point.
7. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein said arcuate
surfaces of said weight-carrying portions frontward of its apex do
not include a convex-to-concave inflexion point.
8. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein said inboard
end sides of said spaced weight-carrying portions are integral to
said rear surface of said face portion.
9. A heel-toe weighted golf putter head comprising of: a face
portion to hit the ball; a sole portion extending rearward from the
face portion; a shaft connected to the putter head; the
improvements hereon comprising of: a stand-alone heel end
weight-carrying portion spaced rearward from the rear surface of
said face portion; a stand-alone toe end weight-carrying portion
spaced rearward from the rear surface of said face portion wherein
said spaced weight-carrying portions increase the putter head's
moment of inertia and also enhance feel; said spaced
weight-carrying portions integral to said sole portion; said spaced
weight-carrying portions each includes a surface that is delimited
by an inboard end side and an outboard end side wherein said
inboard end sides are generally perpendicular to said face portion;
said inboard end sides transversely spaced apart from each other
from 0.5 inches to 3.5 inches, and most advantageously,
transversely spaced apart from each other by the diameter of a golf
ball to therein define a ball-width alignment channel perpendicular
to said face portion; said spaced weight-carrying portions each
includes a fixed weight assembly consisting of generally a bore
that receives a permanently secured cylindrical weight member.
10. The golf putter head according to claim 9 wherein a fixed
weight system consists solely of the spaced weight-carrying
portions.
11. The putter head according to claim 1 wherein said alignment
channel is comprised of a generally flat bottom surface.
12. The putter head according to claim 1 wherein said weight system
is comprised of weight-carrying portions each with a single-opening
threaded bore.
13. The putter head according to claim 1 wherein said putter head
includes an optically isolated ball-width alignment disk supported
by a non-visible support member when viewed squarely from above;
said support member comprised of an extension of the central rear
edge of said sole; said extension extends rearwardly and upwardly
to a height generally equal to the top surface of said face
portion; said support member extends horizontally frontward towards
said face portion while simultaneously transitioning into said
optically isolated ball-width alignment disk; and said disk
includes a visible thickness that provides parallax properties for
longitudinal and lateral golfer head alignment.
14. The golf putter head according to claim two wherein the putter
head functions as a cup-like ball picker comprising of the vertical
walls of an alignment channel, the rear surface of the face
portion, the channel's arcuate bottom, and the open ball-entering
end of the channel whose height is less than half the diameter of a
golf ball.
15. A golf putter head comprising of: a face portion to hit the
ball; a sole portion extending rearward from the face portion; a
shaft connected to the putter head; the improvement hereon
comprising of said face portion disposed with ball-hitting
truncated generally conical projections; said projections each
includes a positive sloped support side(s) that structurally
strengthens said projections to therein encourage substantially
smaller projections for a substantially higher density of
projections; said positive sloped projections include truncated
circular cones, truncated elliptical cones, or truncated polygonal
cones; and said positive sloped projections, hereon called dots,
comprise a dot pattern wherein said dot pattern is generally
defined by the graphic standard dot screens of lines per inch and
density percentage, or equivalently, percent of area covered by
said dots; and said dots include properties of size, shape, slope,
floor, hardness, and acoustics.
16. A golf putter head according to claim 14 wherein said dot
pattern consists of dot lines from 15 lines per inch to 85 lines
per inch and a density percentage from 10% to 50%, and most
advantageously, said dot pattern consists of 30 lines per inch at
30% density.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional patent application is based upon U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/791,995 filed Apr. 14,
2006 and hereby claims the benefit of the filing date thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to golf equipment and, in
particular, to a golf putter head with enhanced weight
distribution, selectable weights, movable center of gravity, target
and address alignment aids, and ball hitting projections that
enhance feel, acoustics and ball anti-skid properties.
[0003] Heretofore, golf putter heads with adjustable weight members
often included extraneous parts such as spacers, springs, magnets,
fillers and the like that immobilized weight members in a single
longitudinal bore. Other designs included multiple threaded bores
which received selectable weights but did not provide infinite
adjustability of the center of gravity. A non-bore design often
utilized a channel or a cavity within which resided a sliding
securable weight. Yet another design used extruding posts with
interchangeable washers. The prior art as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 1,343,998 to Grant, 2,998,254 to Rains et al, 3,979,122 to
Belmont, 4,962,932 to Anderson, 6,015,354 to Ahn, 5,244,210 to Au,
and 6,001,024 to Van Alen shows a putter head with a single
threaded bore that required spacers and the like to secure the
weights. U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,840,924 to Tucker and 4,828,266 to
Tunstall show two longitudinal single-opening threaded bores at the
extremities that used spacers to immobilize the weight members.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,213,613 to Nygren and 6,348,014 to Chiu show
lateral threaded bores at the heel end and the toe end of the
putter head that allow for weight selection but lacked longitudinal
heel-toe positioning. U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,737 to Holladay discloses
adjustability of a sliding weight housed in a cavity. U.S. Pat. No.
7,074,132 to Finn and publication US2003/0220150 A1 to Takase
disclose fixed weight members spaced from the face portion but does
not include adjustable weights.
[0004] Heretofore, golfer address position aids usually utilized
references at two elevations on the putter head. The prior art U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,200,227 to Sery, 6,394,910 to McCarthy, and 5,921,868
to DiMartino disclose golfer head alignment aids that utilize
alignment references at two elevations which the eyes align to
thereby ensure a repeatable address position. U.S. Pat. No.
5,913,731 to Westerman discloses a ball-width contour alignment
channel but the channel lacks the vertical sides necessary for head
address alignment, and also said channel is not defined by spaced
weight-carrying portions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,378 to Shmoldas
discloses an alignment channel with vertical sides but the channel
is also not defined by stand-alone spaced weight-carrying
portions.
[0005] Heretofore, alignment aids that indicate a golf ball such as
disks, circles, arcs and hemispheres are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,343,839 to Borah, 3,708,172 to Rango, 3,779.398 to Hunter,
3,884,477 to Bianco, and 4,688,798 to Pelz all include a visible
structural support member when viewed squarely from above. The
distracting support member makes it more difficult for the various
alignment aids to simulate a freestanding golf ball. A freestanding
"virtual" golf ball alignment aid provides for easy alignment of
the putter head, ball and target.
[0006] Heretofore, putter face markings or face inserts did not
include high density positive sloped projections. U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,849,004 to Lindsay, 5,709,616 to Rife, and 5,637,044 to Swash all
disclose parallel ridges and/or grooves in different configurations
and patterns. Putter face markings with vertical freestanding
projections include U.S. Pat. Nos. D411,275 to Bottema, D63,284 to
Challis, 4,964,641 to Miesch and 6,257,994 to Antonious wherein the
ball-impacting projections are either cylindrical, cubed,
rectangular or diamond shaped, but all lack the positive sloped
side support structure that is essential for the making of small
projections for a high dots per inch pattern. U.S. Pat. No.
6,007,434 to Baker discloses an insert that is comprised of
mechanically made truncated pyramid shaped projections of low dots
per inch; U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,641 to Miesch discloses large 0.040''
on center pyramids, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,993 to Woodward
discloses cylindrical projections.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is the objects of the present invention to provide an
improved golf putter that provides for forgiveness on miss hits,
provides for a simple system to select and adjust weight members,
provides references for target and golfer address alignment, and
provides for an enhancement in feel and golfer confidence.
Accordingly, the objective of a more forgiving putter entails a
greater moment of inertia and that is accomplished by dense heel
and toe weight members spaced rearward from the face portion. The
objective to provide a simple adjustable weight system is
accomplished by having selectable dense weight members housed in a
chamber movably securable with end plug setscrews, and without the
need for spacers, springs, and fillers. The objective of easy
target alignment is accomplished by the stand-alone spaced
weight-carrying portions defining a ball-width alignment channel
wherein said channel is disposed with parallel markings for
tangential alignment with the golf ball, or in an alternate
embodiment, alignment is provided by an optically isolated
alignment disk that has no visible support member and therein
becomes a "virtual" golf ball. The objective of repeatable
heel-to-toe, here forth called longitudinal, golfer head alignment
is accomplished by the parallax properties of the inboard vertical
sides of the alignment channel. Correspondingly, the objective of
repeatable target-to-putter head, here forth called lateral, golfer
head alignment is accomplished by the visible part line on the
surface of the weight-carrying portions wherein said part line is
located at the inflexion point defined by a vertical tangent. The
objective of enhanced feel is accomplished by the sensing of the
spaced weight members by using a thin sole section that connects
the face portion to the spaced weight-carrying portions, by the
isolated face portion, and by the enhanced audible feedback of a
struck ball due to the small dense face projections. The objective
of increased confidence is accomplished by the customization of the
adjustable weights, easy alignment, and an aesthetically functional
putter head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the weight assembly of putter
head 50.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of putter head 50 of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear view of putter head 50 of FIG. 1 with the
assembled weights.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled putter head 50
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of putter head 50 of FIG. 1 that
depicts correct golfer head position.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of putter head 50 of FIG. 1 that
depicts golfer head too far outward.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of putter head 50 of FIG. 1 that
depicts golfer's head too far inward.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a putter head 51 with an
optically isolated alignment disk.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the putter head 51 of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side view of the putter head 51 of FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a top view of the putter head 51 of FIG. 8 and
depicts the disk alignment system.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 with permanent weight members.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 with the weight-carrying portions as the sole weight
members.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 with the inboard sides of the weight-carrying
portions integral to the rear surface of the face portion.
[0022] FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of putter
head 50 wherein the arcuate surface of the weight-carrying portions
includes an inflexion point without a vertical tangent.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of putter
head 50 wherein the arcuate surface of the weight-carrying portion
includes at least two vertical tangents and one inflexion
point.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of putter
head 50 wherein the surface of the weight-carrying portions does
not include a convex-to-concave inflexion point.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of putter head 50 wherein the bottom surface of the alignment
channel is generally flat.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a front view of a putter face with a dot pattern
of positive sloped projections.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a single dot
projection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a
heel-toe weighted putter head 50 with an optional hosel 20 to
attach to a shaft, a ball-striking face portion 7, a sole portion 9
extending rearward from said face portion 7; the invention hereon
comprising of a heel end weight-carrying portion 2a spaced 5a
rearward from the rear surface 14 of said face portion 7; a toe end
weight-carrying portion 2b spaced 5b rearward from the rear surface
14 of said face portion 7; said spaced weight-carrying portions 2a,
2b are each comprised of an arcuate surface 15a, 15b delimited by
an inboard and outboard lateral sides 12a, 12aa and 12b, 12bb,
respectively. Said weight carrying portions 2a, 2b are generally
longitudinally elongated, horizontal, integral to sole 9 and
parallel to said face portion 7.
[0029] It should be noted that weight-carrying portion 2a, 2b may
be configured in alternate embodiments. For example, a V-shaped
configuration or a non-horizontal configuration would be obvious
viable variations. The variations and modifications are obviously
numerous and are considered to be within the scope of this
invention.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows the exploded view of the adjustable weight
assembly of the spaced weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b that
includes through bores 11a, 11b that are co-axially aligned with
each other. Through bores 11a, 11b receive through threaded metal
inserts 4a, 4b that are permanently secured, preferably by a
press-fit, and which said inserts also function as permanent dense
weight members. Housed in said inserts 4a, 4b are generally
slide-fit primary weight members 10a, 10b and optional lighter
secondary weight members 10aa, 10bb or a plurality thereof, which
are selectively added until the desired total weight is achieved.
End plug setscrews 3a, 3aa and 3b, 3bb are threadably engaged in
said threaded metal inserts 4a, 4b, respectively, that bookend said
weight members to therein provide the means to position and secure
said weight members according to the golfer's preferences. The
rearward spacing of the weight-carrying portions increases the
moment of inertia by moving the center of gravity deeper into the
putter head, and the moment of inertia is even further increased by
the housing of dense weight members within and thereby minimizing
the negative effects of a miss hit.
[0031] The spaced weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b in effect isolate
and "lighten" the ball-striking face portion 7 which in turn
enhances feel and also results in an enhanced acoustic feedback on
a struck ball. Feel is yet further enhanced when the spaced weights
are "felt" when the ball is struck. This desired feedback is
accomplished by a uniformly thin heel-toe sole section, generally
from 0.032 to 0.094 inches, that connects the weight-carrying
portions 2a, 2b to the rear surface 14 of said face portion 7, and
with said thin sole section provided by seamlessly merging the
tapered weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b to the top surface of said
sole.
[0032] The golfer can customize the total weight of the putter head
by selecting quantifiable weight members, house said weight members
in said inserts, bookend said weight members with said end plug
setscrews, and tighten said end plug setscrews against each other
for an immovable weight assembly. Note that spacers, springs,
fillers and the like are not necessary to immobilize the weights.
The golfer can also adjust the heel-toe, here forth called
longitudinal, center of gravity by biasing the weight members
toward the heel end or the toe end of the putter head, or in any
combination thereof, and securing the selected positions with said
end plug setscrews. The weight assembly's flexibility allows
adjustments to compensate for tendencies to push or pull putts,
type of grass, green condition and layout, weather, and putting
idiosyncrasies of the golfer.
[0033] FIGS. 1-7 in a preferred embodiment show the integration of
the weight system with the alignment system. The opposing inboard
vertical sides 12a, 12b of weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b are
perpendicular to the face portion 7, parallel to each other, and
transversely spaced apart from each other by preferably the
diameter of a golf ball to therein define an arcuate alignment
channel 13 and an imaginary target alignment path 72. Inboard
lateral vertical sides 12a, 12b provide the parallax references
wherein the golfer's correct longitudinal head position is
established. The parallax references for the golfer's correct
lateral head position are provided by the part lines 35a, 35b
created by the inflexion points 36a, 36b of said weight-carrying
portions 2a, 2b, respectively. The part lines become sharply
defined when the golfer's head is directly over the part lines.
[0034] The arcuate surfaces 15a, 15b which define the shape of the
weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b is delimited by lateral sides 12a,
12aa and 12b, 12bb, respectively, and can each be defined as an
arcuate extension of the heel-end toe-end rear edges of sole 9
rearwardly and upwardly to an apex on a circular-disposed arc, and
arcuately downwardly and frontwardly to inflexion points 36a, 36b
wherein a vertical tangent exists and a part line is created, and
extends downwardly and frontwardly to seamlessly merge with the top
surface of sole 9. The said circular-disposed apex-carrying section
of the weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b provides for maximum weight
capacity, or volumetric efficiency, by housing concentrically
referenced cylindrical weight elements 4a, 4b, 10a, 10b, 10aa,
10bb, et al.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a side view of putter head 50 and shows a
preferred embodiment wherein a vertical tangent defines the
convex-to-concave point of inflexion 36a and thereby also the part
line 35a of weight-carrying portion 2a. The teardrop-like shaped
weight-carrying portions therein provide references for address
position and target alignment, provide maximum volumetric utility,
and provide feel, function and aesthetics.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a rear view of putter head 50 that shows the
assembled weight system wherein through bores receive weight
members 10a, 10aa and 10b, 10bb and are book ended and secured by
setscrews 3a, 3aa and 3b, 3bb, respectively.
[0037] The rear open end 16 of the alignment channel 13 has a
height less than half that of a golf ball to therein also function
as a cup-like ball picker. A sweep of the putter head through the
ball will pick up and cradle the ball between the channel's
vertical walls, the rear surface of the face portion, and the
arcuate bottom surface of the channel.
[0038] FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 show a preferred embodiment of putter head
50 wherein an alignment system aligns the putter head to the target
and the golfer to the putter head. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of
putter head 50 wherein an arcuate alignment channel 13 is defined
by said inboard lateral vertical sides 12a, 12b transversely spaced
by the diameter of a golf ball, by an arcuate bottom surface
defined by an arcuate sole, and a length equal to its vertical
sides 12a, 12b. The arcuate alignment channel 13 includes parallel
alignment lines 13a, 13b on the bottom surface of said channel and
adjacent to said inboard lateral sides 12a, 12b. FIG. 5 shows a
golf ball 30 and imaginary alignment path 72 defined by imaginary
parallel tangential lines 70, 71 that extends frontwardly square to
the target and rearwardly and congruently to the putter head's
alignment lines 13a, 13b in the alignment channel and to therein
define the alignment system that aligns and squares the putter head
to the ball and target.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows the golfer's correct address head position with
respect to the putter head. The golfer moves his head
longitudinally along the heel-toe axis of the putter head until
lateral vertical sides 12a, 12b of said weight-carrying portions
are not visible or equally minimally visible, alignment lines 13a,
13b are unobstructed by the parallax properties of said lateral
sides 12a, 12b, and therein establishes the golfer's head position
on the longitudinal axis. The golfer then or simultaneously moves
his head laterally along the target-putter head axis until the part
lines 35a, 35b of said weight-carrying portions are sharply focused
and visible. The golfer's head position on a lateral axis is
thereby established and a repeatable correct head position is
easily attained. The golfer can make slight head adjustments for
different putting styles such as moving his head slightly towards
the target to be directly over the ball for the pendulum putting
style, or moving his head slightly towards the heel for the arc
putting style.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a golfer's head position longitudinally too far
outward at the toe end of the putter head. This incorrect head
position is corrected by the parallax properties of this invention
wherein movement by the viewer appears to change an observed
object. The golfer in FIG. 6 sees alignment line 13a and vertical
side 12a of weight-carrying portion 2a while alignment line 13b and
vertical side 12b of weight-carrying portion 2b are not visible.
The golfer moves his head longitudinally inward until vertical
sides 12a and 12b are either not visible or equally minimally
visible and alignment lines 13a, 13b are fully visible which
therein establishes the golfer's head position along the
longitudinal axis. FIG. 7 illustrates a golfer's head position
longitudinally too far inward towards the heel end and this
converse incorrect head position is similarly corrected by the
longitudinal positioning of the golfer's head.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a putter head 51 in an
alternate alignment embodiment that utilizes an optically isolated
alignment disk 1, which is representative of a golf ball. Optical
isolation is achieved when support structure 6 of said disk 1 is
not visible when viewed squarely from above to therein provide a
freestanding "virtual" golf ball. FIG. 11 shows a top view of
putter head 51 wherein the support member 6 is not visible when
viewed squarely from above. The putter head is square to the target
when alignment disk 1, golf ball 30 and imaginary tangential lines
70, 71 point to the target. Golfer address alignment references are
provided by the inherent parallax properties of a visible thickness
1a of said disk 1. The golfer's incorrect head position at any axis
results in a section of side 1a of said disk 1 being visible. The
golfer adjusts his head position longitudinally and laterally until
side 1a and support member 6 are not visible and therein results a
virtual golf ball alignment aid. FIG. 9 shows a back view of putter
head 51 with support member 6, disk 1, and side of disk 1a. FIG. 10
shows the side view of disk 1 wherein support member 6 is an
extension of the central section of the rear edge of the sole. The
said support member 6 extends rearwardly and upwardly to a height
generally equal to top surface 8 of face portion 7, and extends
frontward horizontally while simultaneously transitioning into a
ball-width alignment disk 1. It is obvious to those skilled in the
art that said support member 6 can transition into many different
optically isolated alignment shapes such as a rectangle, arrow,
multiple disks and the like.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of the weight system wherein nonadjustable dense weight members
21a, 21b are permanently secured in weight-carrying portions 2a,
2b.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of
the weight system wherein weight-carrying portions 2a, 2b are
itself the weight members.
[0044] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of the spaced weight-carrying portions wherein inboard lateral
sides 12a, 12b are integral to rear surface 14, and arcuate
surfaces 15a, 15b do not merge with the top surface of the sole
9.
[0045] FIG. 15 shows the side view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 wherein weight-carrying portion 2a includes an
arcuate surface frontward of its apex with a convex-to-concave
inflexion point 36a without a vertical tangent and therefore there
is no sharply defined part line when viewed squarely from
above.
[0046] FIG. 16 shows the side view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 wherein weight-carrying portion 2a includes an
arcuate surface frontward of its apex with two vertical tangents
and an inflexion point 36a located rearward of vertical tangent
37.
[0047] FIG. 17 shows the side view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 wherein weight-carrying portion 2a includes an
arcuate surface with an inflexion point not on a continuous
surface. It is obvious to those skilled in the arts that numerous
variations of the surface shape can be readily made and which will
be considered within the scope of this invention.
[0048] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
putter head 50 wherein the alignment channel 13 includes a
generally flat bottom surface. The said flat bottom surface is
generally distinctive by elevation and or color.
[0049] FIG. 19 shows a dot pattern 67 on the face portion 7 of a
putter head wherein said dot pattern is comprised of a plurality of
positive sloped projections similar to truncated cones. The
projections, here forth called dots, have a pattern as defined by
the lines of dots per inch, or lpi, and by a density, which is
defined as the area covered by said dots. A dot pattern may be from
15 lines per inch to 85 lines per inch and with a density
percentage from 10% to 50%, and with a preferable dot pattern of 30
lines per inch at 30% density. FIG. 20 shows the dot's unattached
ball striking surface 60 supported by a positive sloped side 61
which defines an attached base 64 larger than said top surface 60
and thereby structurally strengthens said dot. The strengthened
dots can now be made substantially smaller for a higher dpi with
the resultant enhanced gripping action on a ball. Feel is enhanced
since a smaller cumulative total area of the putter face contacts
the ball. Also, the audible feedback on a struck ball is usually
enhanced.
[0050] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a single dot 70 with said
striking surface 60, a positive sloped support side 61, a height
65, and a floor 63 integral to the dot's base 64. The circular
striking surface 60 may include other shapes such as elliptical,
square, pentagon, hexagon, and other polygons. The dot pattern is
preferably cast integrally with the putter head. The master model
is initially made by bonding a dot patterned photoengraved zinc,
magnesium, or photopolymer plate to the face portion of a prototype
model, or alternately, 3-D laser engraved or by other industry
acceptable methods and processes. Face inserts with said dot
pattern is an alternative.
[0051] The putter head body is preferably composed of investment
cast aluminum and its surface anodized. The permanently secured
threaded inserts 4a, 4b are preferably composed of brass and also
functions as an embedded dense weight member. The alignment lines
are preferably colored white. The selectable weight members are
preferably tungsten cylinders and disks and the end plugs
preferably stainless steel setscrews. Total weight of the putter
head is preferably from 320 to 375 grams. The one-piece putter head
of FIG. 13 is preferably composed of either stainless steel,
silicon bronze, or some other metal more dense than aluminum.
[0052] The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore
described which may be varied in construction and detail, as
numerous modifications and adaptations of this invention will be
apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, the claims are
intended to cover such modifications and adaptations as they are
considered to be within the scope of this invention.
* * * * *