Putter head having means for adjustment of the centre of gravity and weight

Abstract

The putter head is symmetrical about a plane and includes a toe member having an elongated striking surface and a heel member which extends to the rear of the toe member. In one embodiment of the putter head, a cavity extends inward from a rear or upper wall of the heel member. In another embodiment, a nut is attached to the rear or upper wall of the heel member. Plugs of differing weights are each adapted to be screwed into the cavity or into the central opening of the nut.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly to the head of a golf putter having provision for altering the overall weight and the distribution of the weight of the putter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The weight of the head of a golf club and the location of its centre of gravity are well known to affect a golfer's swing. The weight of the head for example, affects the force of impact of the swing which in turn affects the distance that a ball travels assuming that the ball is hit squarely. The greater the force of impact of the head at the time of impact with the ball, the longer will be the length of a shot, again assuming that the ball is hit squarely. The force of impact is governed by the strength of the player and the weight of the head. For a given player the weight of a head is the governing factor for obtaining the maximum possible distance.

[0003] The weight and centre of gravity can be customized at the time of manufacture of the golf head to take into account such variables as the position of a golf club, the angle of swing of a club, the length of the handle of the club and the particular strength and ability of a golfer.

[0004] Some known golf clubs have provision for adjustment of the weight and centre of gravity of their heads so that a golfer can made adjustments between swings and, as needed, to take into account any changes that may occur in his swing. An example of such a golf club is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,734 to Meyer where the head of the club is provided with internal tubular passages for receipt of weighted rods. The weight and centre of gravity of the head can be adjusted by altering the position of the rods.

[0005] A shortcoming of the Meyer golf head is that it has a complicated structure owing to its internal passages. As a result, the manufacture of the head is time consuming and expensive. An additional shortcoming is that adjustment in the position of the weighted rods is not a simple matter. Adjustment requires a tools and a significant amount of time.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] I have invented a putter in which adjustments to the weight and centre of gravity of its head can be made quickly and without special tools. Moreover the head has a very simple structure and is very economical to construct. Briefly the putter head of my invention, is symmetrical about a plane of symmetry and includes a toe member having an elongated striking surface oriented normal to the plane of symmetry and to the direction in which the head is adapted to swing. A heel member extends to the rear of the toe member and terminates at a rear surface.

[0008] One embodiment of the putter of my invention has a cavity in its rear surface or its upper surface. The cavity has a cylindrical inner wall, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the plane of symmetry of the putter head. A number of differing weights is each adapted to be accommodated in the cavity.

[0009] Another embodiment of my putter has provision for the attachment or a number of differing weights to the outside surface of the rear or upper surfaces of the putter head. Each weight is symmetrical about a plane and that plane is co-planar to the plan of symmetry of the putter head when the weight is attached to the putter head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The putter head of the invention is described with reference to the drawings in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of the head of the putter in conjunction with a shaft for a handle;

[0012] FIG. 2 is an elevation of the putter head and shaft;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the putter head and shaft;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the position of the golfer's feet and the position of the putter head immediately prior to being swung.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the putter head and shaft;

[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a third embodiment of the heel member of the putter head.

[0017] Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, the head of the putter, generally 10 includes a toe member 12 and a heel member 14 which extends from the rear of the toe member. A shaft 20 of a handle extends upwardly from the putter head.

[0019] The toe member has an elongated striking surface 22 on its front wall. The surface is flat and lies on a plane 24. The upper edge 22a of the striking surface is straight while the lower edge 22b has a flat central portion 22c and flat upwardly sloping side edges 22d,e.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 2, the shaft has a longitudinal axis 20a-20a. That axis is parallel to and spaced apart from an imaginary line 26 which, intersects plane 24 of the striking surface. Plane 24 is oriented such that the angle 28 between that plane and line 26 is between 0 degree and about 3 degrees. It will be observed that when the angle is greater than 0 degree, the angle is downwardly opening so that the lower edge 22b of the striking surface is ahead of the upper edge 22a.

[0021] With reference to FIG. 3, the head of the putter is symmetrical about a plane 30 referred to below as the "plane of symmetry" of the head. The longitudinal axis 20-20 of the shaft lies on that plane.

[0022] A cavity or passageway 34 extends downwardly into the body of the heel member from its upper surface 36. The cavity is defined by a cylindrical inner wall 38, the longitudinal axis 38a-38a of which lies on the plane of symmetry 30 of the head.

[0023] Cavity 34 is adapted to receive a weight or plug 40. Threads are formed on the outer wall of the plug for threadable mating with the threads on the inside wall of the cavity.

[0024] With reference to FIG. 5, a cavity 44 is formed on the rear wall 46 of the heel member. That cavity, like cavity 34, has a threaded cylindrical inside wall in which a weight or plug 50 is received. The longitudinal axis of the plug lies on the plane of symmetry 30 of the head.

[0025] Both plugs 40, 50 can be rotated by means of an Allen key in order to advance or retract the plug from the cavity.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 6, a nut or attachment means 60 is attached by welding to the rear wall 46 of the heel member. The nut has a central threaded opening for threadable receipt of a weight or threaded plug 62 which extends to the rear of the heel member. The longitudinal axis 62 of the plug lies on the plane of symmetry 30 of the head.

[0027] Nut 60 may also be welded to the upper surface 36 of the heel member. It is located such that the longitudinal axis of the plug when threadably advanced onto the nut lies on the plane of symmetry 30 of the head.

[0028] The nut, being cylindrical, is symmetrical about a plane 66 which may be rotated 360 degrees. Plugs 40 and 50 are the same in this respect. However the plugs need not be cylindrical; they may be other shapes so long as they are symmetrical about a plane. That plane, in relation to the plugs is referred to as the "third plane of symmetry" in the claims. The plane of symmetry 30 of the head is referred to as the "first plane of symmetry" while plane 24 of the striking surface is referred to as the "second plane" in the claims.

[0029] The plug be made of plastic but preferably is composed of a heavier metallic material such as steel. Such material will add significantly to the overall weight of the head.

[0030] The weight of the putter head can be adjusted to the particular needs of a golfer by obvious means such as by increasing or decreasing the length of the plug or by forming the plug of lighter material such as nickel, copper and alloys of these metals. Where a heavier head is required, the plug can be composed of lead or alloys of lead.

[0031] The centre of gravity of the head can be adjusted simply by rotating the plug to cause it to move further into or further out of the cavity or further toward and away from the toe member in the case where the plug is attached to the nut. Since the longitudinal axis of the plug lies on the plane of symmetry of the head, such movement of the plug will not affect the balance of the head.

[0032] It will be understood that plugs of different material and lengths can be used to tailor the weight of the head to the specific needs or wishes of an individual golfer.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the golfer's stance immediately prior to striking the golf ball. The golfer is striking from the left side of his body and his left foot 70 is behind his right foot 72. The head 74 of the putter is to the left of his left foot and the golfer has twisted his body slightly counter-clockwise so that he can grasp the handle of the putter with both hands. The golfer will use his left hand to strike the ball 76 and his right hand to steady the putter.

[0034] The position of the feet and the function of the hands will be reversed should the golfer strike the ball from the right of his body.

[0035] It will also be understood that other modifications can be made in the structure of the putter head of the invention without departing from the scope and purview of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A putter head having means for adjusting the weight and centre of gravity thereof, said putter head being symmetrical about a first plane of symmetry and including: a toe member having an elongated striking surface which lies in a second plane oriented normal to said first plane of symmetry, a heel member extending to the rear of said toe member and terminating at a rear surface, a plurality of differing weights each being symmetrical about a separate third plane of symmetry; and means for attachment of each said weight to said head such that said first plane of symmetry and said third plane of symmetry of said weight so attached are co-planar.

2. In combination with the putter head of claim 1, a shaft for a handle which extends upwardly from said head, said shaft having a longitudinal axis which lies on said first plane of symmetry, said axis being spaced apart from an imaginary parallel line which intersects said second plane, said second plane being oriented such that the angle between said second plane and said line is between 0 degree and about 3 degrees, said angle, when greater than 0 degree, being downwardly opening.

3. The putter head of claim 1 wherein said toe member and heel member have an upper surface, said attachment means including a cavity formed in one of said rear surface and said upper surface, said weights each adapted to be separately accommodated in said cavity.

4. The putter head of claim 3 wherein said cavity is defined by a threaded cylindrical inner wall and each said weight is cylindrical and has a threaded outer wall for threadable mating with said inner wall.

5. In combination with the putter head of claim 3, a shaft for a handle which extends upwardly from said head, said shaft having a longitudinal axis which lies on said first plane of symmetry, said axis being spaced apart from an imaginary parallel line which intersects said second plane, said second plane being oriented such that the angle between said second plane and said line is between 0 degree and about 3 degrees, said angle, when greater than 0 degree, being downwardly opening.

6. A putter head of claim 1 wherein said toe member and heel member have an upper surface, said attachment means being disposed on one of said rear surface and said upper surface and extending outwardly therefrom, said weights being of differing weights and lengths and each being adapted to be separately attached to said attachment means.

7. The putter head of claim 6 wherein said attachment means has a threaded opening and each said weight is cylindrical and has a threaded outer wall for threadable mating with said threaded opening.

8. In combination with the putter head of claim 6, a shaft for a handle which extends upwardly from said head, said shaft having a longitudinal axis, which lies on said first plane of symmetry, said axis being spaced apart from an imaginary parallel line which intersects said second plane, said second plane being oriented such that the angle between said second plane and said line is between 0 degree and about 3 degrees, said angle, when greater than 0 degree, being downwardly opening.