U.S. patent application number 11/760423 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for putter and extension device therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY. Invention is credited to ALAN HOCKNELL, AUGUSTIN W. ROLLINSON.
Application Number | 20070293346 11/760423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38862269 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070293346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROLLINSON; AUGUSTIN W. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2007 |
PUTTER AND EXTENSION DEVICE THEREFOR
Abstract
A putter-type golf club with a removable central shaft portion
which allows for varying the length of the putter-type golf club
without varying the mass. The putter-type golf club has a club head
with a lower shaft which is removably attached to a bottom end of
the central shaft portion. The putter-type golf club also has an
upper shaft portion which is removably attached to a top end of the
central shaft portion.
Inventors: |
ROLLINSON; AUGUSTIN W.;
(CARLSBAD, CA) ; HOCKNELL; ALAN; (CARLSBAD,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALLAWAY GOLF C0MPANY
2180 RUTHERFORD ROAD
CARLSBAD
CA
92008-7328
US
|
Assignee: |
CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
Carlsbad
CA
|
Family ID: |
38862269 |
Appl. No.: |
11/760423 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60804411 |
Jun 9, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 53/14 20130101;
A63B 53/0487 20130101; A63B 53/12 20130101; A63B 60/50 20151001;
A63B 60/52 20151001; A63B 60/22 20151001; A63B 53/0441 20200801;
A63B 60/00 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/340 |
International
Class: |
A63B 53/00 20060101
A63B053/00 |
Claims
1. A putter-type golf club comprising: a club head having a hosel
and a lower shaft portion extending from the hosel, the lower shaft
portion having a top end; a central shaft portion having a bottom
end and a top end, the bottom end of the central shaft portion
removably connected to the top end of the lower shaft portion; and
an upper shaft portion having a grip end and a bottom end, the
bottom end of the upper shaft portion removably connected to the
top end of the central shaft portion; wherein the central shaft
portion is selected from a plurality of central shaft portions,
each of the plurality of central shaft portions having a mass
within ten grams of any other of the plurality of central shaft
portions, and each of the plurality of central shaft portions
having a length that is different than any other of the plurality
of central shaft portions.
2. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein the
plurality of central shaft portions comprises having a first
central shaft portion having a length of 4 inches and a second
central shaft portion having a length of 6 inches.
3. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein each of
the plurality of central shaft portions comprises a mass member
disposed within an outer wall, the mass member having a mass
ranging from 5 grams to 35 grams.
4. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein each of
the plurality of central shaft portions comprises a main body
having a first outer diameter value, a top body having a second
outer diameter value less than the first outer diameter value, and
a bottom body having a third outer diameter value less than the
first outer diameter value.
5. The putter-type golf club according to claim 4 wherein the
length of the top body of each of the plurality of central shaft
portions is the same, and the length of the bottom body of each of
the plurality of central shaft portions is the same.
6. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 further
comprising a grip attached to the upper shaft portion.
7. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein the
central shaft portion is threadingly connected to the lower shaft
portion and the upper shaft portion.
8. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein the lower
shaft portion, the upper shaft portion and the central shaft
portion are composed of a graphite material.
9. The putter-type golf club according to claim 1 wherein the lower
shaft portion, the upper shaft portion and the central shaft
portion are composed of a steel material.
10. A method of fitting a putter-type golf club to a golfer, the
method comprising: putting with the putter-type golf club having a
first length, the putter-type golf club having a removable first
central shaft portion; exchanging the first central shaft portion
with a second central shaft portion, the second central shaft
portion having a length that is different than the length of the
first central shaft portion and a mass within ten grams of the
first central shaft portion, wherein the swing-weight of the
putter-type golf club remains substantially the same; putting with
the putter-type golf club having the second central shaft portion
and a second length that is different than the first length.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The Present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/804,411, filed on Jun. 9, 2006.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a putter. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a putter type golf
club with an extendable portion.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] The golf industry has been inventing putters that make the
game of golf easier for the high handicap player. One such putter
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,798 to David Pelz. The Pelz
patent discloses a putter with an alignment means to assist a
golfer in aiming a golf ball toward a hole during putting. The Pelz
patent discloses using two or three golf ball shaped indicators as
the alignment means. The golf ball shaped indicators may be
circles, hemispheres, or complete spheres. The Pelz patent
discloses positioning the indicators along a line extending
rearward from the center of percussion.
[0007] Another patent that discloses an alignment means is U.S.
Pat. No. 4,659,083 to Szczepanski. The Szczepanski patent discloses
a group of lines that converge toward the center of the face of the
putter.
[0008] Yet another patent that discloses an alignment means is
Great Britain Patent Application Number 4,659,083 to Lilley. The
Lilley patent also discloses a group of lines that converge toward
the center of the face of a putter.
[0009] Another example is Schmidt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,068,
for a Golf Putter With Dished Bottom Surfaces which discloses a
putter composed of a single cast material and having a hollow
interior.
[0010] Another example is Uebelhor, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,484, which
was filed on Mar. 20, 1998 for a Golf Putter Head. Uebelhor
discloses a putter head with a U-shaped body and a block within the
middle. The block has a lower specific gravity than the U-shaped
body.
[0011] Yet another example is Rose et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,412
originally filed in January of 1996 for a Golf Club, Particularly A
Putter. The Rose patent discloses a center portion composed of a
light metal material and the heel and toe portions composed of
heavier metals. The metals are forged or cast to create the putter
head.
[0012] Another example is Fernandez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,616 for a
Golf Club, which was originally filed in 1984, discloses a
lightweight composite material molded to a hard, high density
material for distribution of mass. Fernandez discloses a composite
shell with a high density insert composed of tungsten or some other
high density material.
[0013] Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,708 for a Golf Putter With
Polyhedral Head And Rotatably Selectable Traction Control Faces,
discloses a putter with two faces of different ball impacting
characteristics.
[0014] Although these inventions have provided new and improved
putters for making the game of golf more enjoyable for high
handicap players, the prior art has not optimized a putter by
making it easily interchangeable from on striking surface to
another while providing greater stability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention discloses a putter with an extendable
removable central shaft portion which allows for better club length
fitting to a golfer while maintaining the putters swing weight.
[0016] One aspect of the present invention is a putter-type golf
club including a club head, a central shaft portion and an upper
shaft portion. The club head has a hosel and a lower shaft portion
extending from the hosel. The lower shaft portion has a top end.
The central shaft portion has a bottom end and a top end. The
bottom end of the central shaft portion is removably connected to
the top end of the lower shaft portion. The upper shaft portion has
a grip end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the upper shaft
portion is removably connected to the top end of the central shaft
portion. The central shaft portion is selected from a plurality of
central shaft portions, each of the plurality of central shaft
portions having a mass within ten grams of any other of the
plurality of central shaft portions, and each of the plurality of
central shaft portions having a length that is different than any
other of the plurality of central shaft portions.
[0017] Having briefly described the present invention, the above
and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following
detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a putter-type club
head.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of putter-type club head of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of putter-type club head of FIG.
1.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of putter-type club head of FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a heel side plan view of a body of the putter-type
club head of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom view of the putter-type club
head of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a putter-type club head.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of a putter-type club head.
[0026] FIG. 9 is an isolated view of one embodiment of an alignment
means for a putter-type club head.
[0027] FIG. 10 is an isolated view of one embodiment of an
alignment means for a putter-type club head.
[0028] FIG. 11 is an isolated view of one embodiment of an
alignment means for a putter-type club head.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a comparison of three different central shaft
portions connected to lower and upper shaft portions.
[0030] FIG. 13 is an isolated view of a central shaft portion
having a first length.
[0031] FIG. 14 is an isolated view of a central shaft portion
having a second length.
[0032] FIG. 15 is an isolated view of a central shaft portion
illustrating the mass member.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a front plan view of a putter.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 18.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a front plan view of a putter.
[0036] FIG. 21 is a side view of the putter of FIG. 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a putter-type golf club 100 includes a
putter-type golf club head 20, a shaft 102 and a grip 104. The
putter-type golf club 100 has a central shaft portion 200 which is
preferably removably connected to a lower shaft portion 201 and an
upper shaft portion 202. Alternatively, the central shaft portion
200 is permanently connected to the lower shaft portion 201 and
upper shaft portion 202.
[0038] The central shaft portion 200 is selected from a plurality
of central shaft portions 200 in order to allow for the length of
the putter-type golf club 100 to be fit to a particular golfer.
Although the length of each of the plurality of central shaft
portions 200 varies, the mass of each of the plurality of central
shaft portions 200 is substantially the same, and preferably does
not exceed a 10 grams variance, more preferably a 5 grams variance,
and even more preferably a 1 gram variance. In this manner, the
swing-weight of the putter-type golf club 100 is maintained even
though the length may be decreased or increased.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, each of the central shaft portions 200,
200' and 200'' have a different length, but the length of the lower
shaft portion 201 and the upper shaft portion 202 remains the same.
The length of each of the central shaft portions 200 preferably
varies for 0.5 inch to 5 inches, more preferably from 0.0 inch to 3
inches. The central shaft portion 200 may also be used for long
club length and mid-club length putters as discussed below.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the central shaft portion has a
bottom body 210, main body 211 and a top body 212. Ina preferred
embodiment, the length of the main body 210 changes for each of the
plurality of central shaft portions while the length of the bottom
body 210 and the top body 212 both remain the same.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 15, the central shaft portion 200 has a top
end 216 and a bottom end 217. The top end 216 is connected to the
bottom end of the upper shaft portion 202 and the bottom end 217 is
connected to the top end of the lower shaft portion 201. Each of
the top body 212 and the bottom body 210 preferably has a plurality
of threads 215 for threadingly connecting the central shaft portion
200 to the lower and upper shaft portions 201 and 202. Those
skilled in the pertinent art will recognize other connection
methods that may be used without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, the
central shaft portion 200 is permanently connected to the other
shaft portions 201 and 202 using a snap-fit connection or the
like.
[0042] Also shown in FIG. 15 is a mass member 213 which is
preferably disposed within the interior of the central shaft
portion 200, preferably on the interior wall of the main body 211.
The mass member 213 varies in mass between the plurality of central
shaft portions 200 allowing for the swing-weight to remain constant
even though the length varies. If the central shaft portion 200 is
composed of graphite, then the mass member 213 is preferably
composed of plies of pre-preg with a heavy mass material such as
tungsten doped polymers disposed within the plies. In this manner,
mass is added the mass members 213 of the shorter central shaft
portions 200 to maintain the constant swing-weight.
[0043] FIG. 16 further illustrates a preferred embodiment of the
mass member 213. The mass member 213 has a body 221 with a
plurality of weights 222 integrated therein. The mass member
preferably has a mass ranging from 0.5 grams to 50 grams, more
preferably from 1 grams to 20 grams, and more preferably from 1
gram to 10 grams.
[0044] FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a method of the invention. The
method 400 begins at block 402 with swinging a first putter 100
having a first length and a first central shaft portion 200. At
block 404, the first central shaft portion 200 is exchanged with a
second central shaft portion 200' having a different length but
substantially same mass. At block 406, the golfer swing the putter
with the second central shaft portion, and now with a second length
that is different than the first length even though the mass of the
putter 100 remains the same.
[0045] The club head 20 may be any type of putter-type club head. A
preferred club head 20 is shown in FIGS. 1A-11. The club head 20
preferably includes a body 22 and a peripheral mass belt 23. In a
preferred embodiment, the body 22 is composed of a material having
a density ranging from 0.90 g/cm.sup.3 to 6.0 g/cm.sup.3. A
preferred metal for the body 22 is an aluminum alloy. Alternative
materials for the body 22 include aluminum, titanium, titanium
alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, and the like. The body 22 is
preferably formed as a single cast structure using known investment
casting techniques. However, those skilled in the pertinent art
will recognize that alternative forming techniques such as milling,
welding forged or formed pieces, and the like may be utilized
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
[0046] The body 22 preferably weighs from 100 grams to 300 grams,
more preferably from 150 grams to 200 grams, even more preferably
from 160 grams to 180 grams and most preferably 170 grams.
[0047] The peripheral mass belt 23 is preferably composed of a
material that has a density greater than the density of the
material of the body 22. In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral
mass belt 23 is composed of a material having a density ranging
from 6.0 g/cm.sup.3 to 20.0 g/cm.sup.3, and more preferably from
7.0 g/cm.sup.3 to 10.0 g/cm.sup.3. In a preferred embodiment, the
peripheral mass belt 23 is composed of stainless steel. In
alternative embodiments, the peripheral mass belt 23 is composed of
zinc, brass, copper, gold, silver, tungsten, tungsten-based alloys,
iron-based alloys, and copper-based alloys.
[0048] The peripheral mass belt 23 preferably weighs from 100 grams
to 300 grams, more preferably from 150 grams to 200 grams, even
more preferably from 160 grams to 180 grams and most preferably 170
grams. In a most preferred embodiment, the body 22 and the
peripheral mass belt 23 have the same mass or substantially the
same mass. The club head 20 preferably has a mass ranging from 250
grams to 500 grams, more preferably from 300 grams to 400 grams,
and most preferably 340 grams.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the body 22 has a face portion
24, a crown portion 26, a sole portion 28 and a column portion 30.
The face portion 24, the crown portion 26, the sole portion 28, the
column portion 30 and the peripheral mass belt 23 define a central
aperture 32 that extends through the body 22. The central aperture
32 has a heel opening 34 at a heel end 27 of the body 22 and a toe
opening 36 at a toe end 25 of the body 22. The central aperture 32
horizontally separates the face portion 24 from the peripheral mass
belt 23, and the central aperture 32 vertically separates the crown
portion 26 from the sole portion 28. The central aperture 32, in
connection with the peripheral mass belt 23, allows for the center
of gravity of the club head 20, CG, to be moved rearward from the
face portion 24. In a preferred embodiment, the CG of the club head
20 is positioned within the central aperture 32, and thus the CG is
not positioned within material of the club head 20 but instead the
CG lies outside the material in space within the central aperture
32. Preferably, the CG is located between 0.25 inch and 1.0 inch
from an external surface 71 of the sole portion 28, more preferably
0.50 inch to 0.75 inch, and most preferably 0.73 inch from the
external surface 71 of the sole portion 28. Also, preferably the CG
of the club head 20 is located 0.50 inch to 2.5 inches rearward
from the external surface 58 of the face portion 24, more
preferably 0.75 inch to 1.5 inches, and most preferably 0.944 inch
from the external surface 58 of the face portion 24.
[0050] In addition to assisting in the rearward positioning of the
CG, the peripheral mass belt 23 is a rearward support structure for
crown portion 26. The peripheral mass belt 23 preferably ranges
from 20 to 50 volume percent of the club head 20 and ranges from 40
to 75 weight percent of the club head 20.
[0051] The sole portion 28 preferably has an approximate T-shape.
The external surface 71 of the sole portion 28 contacts the ground
when the club head 20 is used with a shaft and grip, both not
shown, as a putter. The CG of the club head 20 preferably lies
above the sole portion 28.
[0052] The crown portion 26 extends rearward from the face portion
24. The crown portion 26 has a central elongated section 44 and a
front section 46. The front section 46 has a width w' that extends
from the heel end 23 to the toe end 25 of the face portion 24, and
gradually narrows as the front section 46 transitions into the
central elongated section 44. The width, w', preferably ranges from
2.5 inches to 5.0 inches, more preferably from 3.5 inches to 4.5
inches, and most preferably 4.25 inches. The central elongated
section 44 has a width w'' that is less than the width w' of the
front section 46. The width, w'', preferably ranges from 1.0 inch
to 3.0 inches, more preferably from 1.5 inches to 2.25 inches, and
most preferably 1.8 inches. The internal surface 48 of the crown
portion 26 partially defines the central aperture 32. The crown
portion preferably has a thickness that ranges from 0.10 inch to
0.50 inch, more preferably 0.15 inch to 0.30 inch.
[0053] The external surface 38 of the crown portion 26 preferably
has an alignment means 40 thereon. The external surface 38 also
preferably has a cylindrical rod 54 extending upward therefrom for
engagement with a shaft, not shown. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a
preferred alignment means 40 is first and second inserts 40a and
40b disposed within first and second recesses in the crown portion
26. The depth of each of the recesses is preferably within 0.05
inch to 0.50 inch, more preferably 0.1 inch to 0.250 inch. Each of
the circular inserts 40a and 40b preferably have a thickness
ranging from 0.05 inch to 0.50 inch, more preferably 0.1 inch to
0.250 inch.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, each of the circular inserts 40a
and 40b are preferably composed of a thermosetting polyurethane
material such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,831, entitled
Golf Club Head with A Polymer Insert, assigned to Callaway Golf
(the assignee of the Present Application), which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, each of
the circular inserts 40a and 40b may be composed of a thermoplastic
polyurethane. Each of the circular inserts 40a and 40b is
preferably colored white, through painting or doping of the
polyurethane with coloring agents, and each circular insert 40a and
40b preferably has a texture of a golf ball cover. Each of the
circular inserts 40a and 40b preferably has a diameter ranging from
1.62 inches to 1.70 inches, and most preferably 1.68 inches. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that more than two circular
inserts 40a and 40b may be utilized without departing from the
scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0055] Alternative alignment means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,688,798, entitled Golf Club And Head Including Alignment
Indicators, assigned to the Callaway Golf (the assignee of the
Present application), which pertinent parts are hereby incorporated
by reference. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,798, the
alignment means assists a golfer in properly aiming a golf ball
toward a hole when putting. Alternative alignment means, including
a large white strip may be utilized in the present invention.
[0056] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate various alignment means 40 for the
club head 20. In these embodiments, the alignments means is a
relatively flat strip of a composite material or a thermoplastic
material which is placed within a recess, not shown, in the crown
portion 26 of the body 22.
[0057] Other examples of such putter-type golf club heads which may
be used in the putter type golf club 100 are described in the
following U.S. patents, all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties: Byrne et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,878,074, for a Golf Club Head Composed of a Damascene Patterned
Metal; Dewanjee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,358, for a Putter-Type
Golf Club Head With An Insert; Tang et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,420,
for a Putter Head; Dewanjee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,960, for an
Insert For Golf Club Head; Tang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,394,
for a Putter Head; Hettinger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,181, for a
Multiple Material Golf Putter Head; Breier et al., U.S. Pat. No.
7,048,648, for a Putter-Type Golf Club Head With An Insert.
[0058] An alternative embodiment of a putter 100 is shown in FIGS.
18-21, which also illustrate a reference frame for measuring the
center of gravity of the putter 100, which is different than the
center of gravity for the club head 20. The putter 100 generally
includes the putter club head 20, a shaft 102 and a grip 104. In
one embodiment, the putter 100 has a conventional club length that
preferably ranges from 33 inches to 36 inches, and a mass that
preferably ranges from 475 grams to 525 grams.
[0059] In another embodiment, the putter 100 has a mid-club length
that preferably ranges from 41 inches to 45 inches, and a mass that
preferably ranges from 665 grams to 700 grams. In this mid-length
embodiment, the shaft 102 preferably has a mss that ranges from 160
grams to 175 grams and the grip 104 preferably has a mass that
ranges from 135 grams to 145 grams. The loft angle is preferably
three degrees and the lie angle is preferably 72 degrees.
[0060] In yet another embodiment, the putter 100 has a long-club
length that preferably ranges from 46 inches to 50 inches, and a
mass that preferably ranges from 730 grams to 775 grams. In this
long-length embodiment, the shaft 102 preferably has a mass that
ranges from 160 grams to 175 grams. This long-length embodiment
preferably has two grips 104 (the second grip not shown) with the
top grip 104 preferably having a mass that ranges from 45 grams to
50 grams, and a bottom grip (not shown) having a mass that
preferably ranges from 95 grams to 105 grams. The loft angle is
preferably three degrees and the lie angle is preferably 78
degrees.
[0061] From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the
pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this
invention and will readily understand that while the present
invention has been described in association with a preferred
embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and
substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be
unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following
appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in
which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *