Golf Putter Apparatus With Floating Face Weighted Head

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel golf putter having a novel head, which is made up of a strike plate, a body, and at least one connecting element. The connecting element is positioned with a spacing element so that the strike plate does not make direct contact with the body when the putter is used to strike a golf ball. As such, during the striking of the golf ball with the strike plate of the novel putter, kinetic energy is transferred from the strike plate to the body via the connecting element and the spacing element, and the energy is transferred in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face of the strike plate.

Description

PRIORITY STATEMENT

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/212,056, filed Apr. 6, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to golf clubs, and in particular, this invention relates to golf putters having a floating face weighted head configured such that when a golf ball is struck with a golf putter, the strike face of the putter makes contact with a golf ball, kinetic energy is transferred in a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction to the plane of the strike plate thereby improving the dynamic response of the putting action to the golfer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Golf is a game played by tens of millions of people across the globe. In the game of golf, golfers attempt to hit a golf ball into a predefined hole by striking the golf ball with a club. The object of the game is to get the golf ball into the hole with as few strikes of the golfer's clubs as possible.

[0004] A golfer is putting when attempting to strike the golf ball from a spot on the green into the hole. The surface of the green is usually made up of grass that has been cut short, and which is sloped at different gradients at different points on the green. The surface of the green affects the number of putts because the golf ball will generally not leave the surface as it travels across the green. Not only does the golf ball follow the contours of the green but the speed and distance traveled by the golf ball are affected by the compression and moisture content of the turf. In a typical game of golf, more than half of the shots that a golfer makes may be putts, making the golfer's putting accuracy extremely important.

[0005] Players use a special club called a putter when putting on the green. The putter is made up of a shaft, a head and a hosel. The hosel is where the shaft and head meet. When the putter makes contact with the golf ball, energy is transferred into the putter, which provides valuable feedback to the golfer. An improved feedback response to the golfer during a putting attempt provides a golfer better control over the putting action and an improved putting game. Although there are known putters that attempt to improve the putting game by utilizing this energy, these putters fail to channel the energy into the club in a single direction, i.e., perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the face of the putter. By channeling the energy in that single plane, the dynamic response of the club can be better controlled and the subjective perception of the putting process as experienced by the golfer can be improved. The experience can be further improved if the club can be customized for the conditions of the course and the preferences of the golfer.

[0006] For all the above reasons, there is a need for a customizable putter that transfers energy from the face of the putter along a direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face of the putter. The present invention satisfies this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a novel golf putter comprising a novel head. The head is comprised of a strike plate, body, and at least one connecting element. When the putter is used to strike a golf ball, kinetic energy is transferred from the strike plate to the body via the connecting element. This energy is transferred in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the face of the strike plate, regardless of the direction of the striking force.

[0008] The strike plate is comprised of a front face and a back face. The front face of the strike plate is used to make contact with the golf ball. The back face of the strike plate is coupled to a protrusion or boss. The front face of the strike plate can be located on either side of the putter to accommodate either a right-handed or left-handed golfer.

[0009] The body connects the head to a shaft. The body is configured to receive the strike plate and protrusion without creating direct contact between the body and the combined strike plate and protrusion.

[0010] One or more fasteners, or connecting and spacing elements, couple the strike plate to the body. In the preferred embodiment, the strike plate is coupled to the body in manner such that the strike plate does not make direct physical contact with the body. This configuration may be achieved by using a connecting element comprised of a screw and a spacing element comprised of an O-ring.

[0011] The connecting element is configured to allow the strike plate to float back towards the body in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the connecting element and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the face of the strike plate.

[0012] The spacing element is placed between the strike plate and the body. The spacing element maintains the physical disconnect between the strike plate and the body. When the strike plate moves back as a result of striking the golf ball, kinetic energy from the movement of the strike plate is first transferred from the strike plate to the spacing element and then subsequently transferred from the spacing element to the body. This transfer of energy through the spacing element modifies the dynamic response of the club as a whole and improves the subjective perception of the putting process as experienced by the golfer. By using different materials and different amounts of material for the spacing element, the dynamic response of the club can be varied for the conditions and for the preferences of the golfer. The dynamic response of the club as a whole may be further varied by adjusting the amount of pressure placed on the spacing element.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, a front face of the strike plate is located on both sides of the body allowing for a single putter to be used by both a right-handed and left-handed golfer.

[0014] An object of the present invention is to improve the dynamic response of the club as a whole and to improve the putting process as experienced by the golfer. This object is achieved by the directional transfer of energy through the connecting element.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to allow the dynamic response of the club to be varied for the conditions of the golf course and the preferences of the golfer, and to allow customization of the club by allowing the weight of the head to be varied and the strike plate of the club to be changed.

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regards to the following description, and the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the putter apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the putter apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the putter apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the front and back of the novel golf putter 10 in accordance with the present invention. The novel golf putter 10 comprises a novel head 12, which is made up of a strike plate 14 and a body 16. A hosel 18 connects the head 12 to the shaft 20. The strike plate 14 is connected to the body 16 with at least one connecting element 22. Between the strike plate 14 and the body 16 is at least one spacing element 24 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0021] When the putter 10 is used to strike a golf ball (not shown), kinetic energy is transferred from the strike plate 14 to the body 16 via the one or more connecting elements 22 and the one or more spacing elements 24. This energy is transferred in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the face of the strike plate 14.

[0022] The use of fasteners, such as the one or more connecting elements 22 and the one or more spacing elements 24, limits the energy transfer to the direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the face 26 of the strike plate 14. The direction of the energy transfer in the perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction through the one or more connecting elements 22 and the one or more spacing elements 24, brings about an improvement to the dynamic response of the club 10 as a whole, and improves the putting response and process as experienced by the golfer.

[0023] Utilizing different connecting elements 22 and spacing elements 24 allow for the dynamic response of the club 10 to be varied for the conditions of the golf course and the preferences of the golfer. Further, customization of the club 10 can be achieved by allowing the weight of the head 12 to be varied and the strike plate 14 of the club 10 to be changed.

[0024] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention achieves all these objects, other embodiments may omit or include certain objects without departing from the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows the head 12 of the novel putter 10 in exploded form. The strike plate 14 is comprised of a front face 26 and a back face 28. In the preferred embodiment, the strike plate 14 is substantially rectangular in shape and the front face 26 and back face 28 are substantially parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the strike plate 14 can take any shape appropriate for striking a golf ball. In the preferred embodiment the strike plate 14 is made of steel, however, the strike plate 14 may be made of aluminum, titanium, wood, or any other material normally used for putter faces without departing from the present invention.

[0026] The front face 26 of the strike plate 14 is used to make contact with the golf ball. The front face 26 may be smooth or textured. If the front face 26 of the strike plate 14 is textured, the texture may be achieved by a variety of means. These means include but are not be limited to, cutting, etching, molding, or utilizing the materials natural properties.

[0027] The back face 28 of the strike plate 14 is coupled to a protrusion or boss 30. The protrusion 30 can be formed of the same material as the strike plate 14 or can be formed using a different material. Materials that could be used for the protrusion 30 include but should not be limited to steel, aluminum, titanium, wood, or any other material that is used to make a putter body.

[0028] Both the strike plate 14 and protrusion 30 may be switched out separately or together for a strike plate 14 and protrusion 30 of a different design or weight. This ability allows the golfer to further customize the putter club for the conditions and his or her own preferences.

[0029] The hosel 18 connects the head 12 to a shaft 20. In the preferred embodiment the body 16 is shaped so that it can receive the strike plate 14 and protrusion 30. The body 16 has a cavity for this purpose. The body 16 and cavity are of sufficient size to allow the strike plate 14 and protrusion 30 to be received into the body 16 without making direct physical contact with the body 16.

[0030] The strike plate 14 is connected to the body 16 using one or more fasteners. The fasteners are made up of connecting element 22 and spacing element 24, providing for the strike plate 14 to be attached to the body 16 in a floating manner. It is this floating aspect of the present invention that provides the dynamic response to the golfer. Depending on the design of the body 16, the cavity may pass through the body 16, whereby the protrusion 30 shows on the back end. However, the cavity may be only partial in which the protrusion 30 of the strike plate 14 will not be visible when the golf putter 10 is assembled. Materials that could be used for the body 16 are similar to those used for the protrusion.

[0031] The connecting element 22 passes through the strike plate 14 and is anchored to the body 16. The strike plate 14 is allowed to float on the connecting element 22, so that, when the strike plate 16 strikes the golf ball, the strike plate 16 moves back in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of the connecting element 22 and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front face 26 of the strike plate 14.

[0032] Alternatively, the connecting element 22 can be anchored to the strike plate 14 and the strike plate 14 can float at the point which it attaches to the body 16. In this alternative embodiment, when the strike plate 14 strikes the golf ball, the strike plate 14 moves back in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the connecting element 22 and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the front face 26 of the strike plate 14.

[0033] The spacing element 24 is placed between the strike plate 14 and the body 16. The spacing element 24 maintains the physical disconnect between the strike plate 14 and the body 16. When the strike plate 14 moves back in a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular direction to the face of the strike plate 14 as a result of striking the golf ball, the physical disconnect between the strike plate 14 and the body 16 is maintained.

[0034] Kinetic energy from the movement of the strike plate 14 is first transferred from the strike plate 14 to the spacing element 24 and then subsequently transferred from the spacing element 24 to the body 16. This transfer of energy through the spacing element 24 modifies the dynamic response of the club as a whole and improves the subjective perception of the putting process as experience by the golfer.

[0035] The spacing element 24 may be a toroidal or cylindrical elastomeric member such as an O-ring. Suitable elastomeric materials include but are not limited to rubber, plastic, etc. as known by one having ordinary skill in the art. Alternative embodiments may utilize a spring or other material to separate the strike plate 14 and body 16 and to modify the dynamic response of the club.

[0036] By using different materials and different amounts of material for the spacing element 24 the dynamic response of the club can be varied for the conditions and for the preferences of the golfer. In the preferred embodiment, the spacing element 24 is made up of four O-rings that are size -005, having an inner diameter of 3/32 of an inch and an outer diameter of 7/32 of an inch and a width of 1/16 of an inch. The O-ring material in the preferred embodiment is a Fluorocarbon elastomer or Fluoroelastomers, such as those manufactured by Viton.RTM., however, less expensive elastomers such as Nitrile or Buna N or Silicone can be used. Further, other materials as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, can be used to obtain the same resultant dynamic response.

[0037] The dynamic response of the novel golf putter 10 as a whole may be further varied by adjusting the amount of pressure placed on spacing element 24. This variation in pressure can be achieved by replacing the spacing element 24 with other sized spacing elements 24 thereby increasing or decreasing the size of the spacing element 22 and increasing or decreasing the distance between the strike plate 14 and the body 16.

[0038] In the preferred embodiment, the connecting element 22 is a screw that can be tightened or loosened depending on the feel or preference of the golfer. However, any adjustable fastener can be utilized. Further, the screw can be screwed into a countersink or counterbore in the strike plate 14.

[0039] An alternative embodiment combines the connecting element 22 and spacing element 24 into a single member (not shown). This single member would be an element that can be compressed along a single axis. This single member could be but is not limited to an air or hydraulic shock or piston, or a material that will compress along a single axis.

[0040] An alternative embodiment is a design or configuration that contains strike faces 14 on both sides of the body 16 so that the same putter may be used by both right-handed and left-handed golfers. In this case, the cavity extends completely through the body 16 and the protrusion 30 has two strike faces 14 mounted on opposite sides of the protrusion 30. One or more sets of connecting elements 22 and spacing elements 24 are then used to produce a similar dynamic response when used by either a right or a left handed golfer. As with other embodiments, the strike faces 14 and protrusion 30 do not make direct contact with the body 16 when the strike face 14 strikes the golf ball.

[0041] The foregoing invention is illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the scope of the description and claims, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A novel golf putter for improving the dynamic response sensed by a golfer when putting a golf ball, comprising: a golf club shaft, a hosel and a golf club head, said golf club head being connected to said golf club shaft at each end of said hosel; said golf club head comprising a first strike plate and a body, said body having a cavity; said first strike plate containing a first strike face and a protrusion, said first strike face and said protrusion being located at opposite ends of the first strike plate; said first strike plate being connected to said body by a first set of at least one fastener such that said protrusion on said first strike plate extends into said cavity in the body, and said first strike plate does not make direct contact with said body, such that when said first strike face makes contact with said golf ball, the energy transmitted to the first strike plate will be in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first strike face.

2. The novel golf putter in claim 1, wherein said each of said first set of at least one fastener comprises a connecting element and a spacing element.

3. The novel golf putter in claim 2, wherein said connecting element is a screw.

4. The novel golf putter in claim 2, wherein said spacing element is an O-ring.

5. The novel golf putter in claim 1, wherein said cavity in said body runs completely from one end of the body to the other end of the body and said protrusion can be viewed from the side opposite the first strike plate on the golf putter.

6. The novel golf putter in claim 1, further comprising a second strike face, a second strike plate, and a second set of at least one fastener, said second strike plate and second strike face being located at the end of the body opposite the first strike plate and the first strike face, said second strike plate being connected to said body by said second set of at least one fastener, such that said second strike plate extends into said cavity in the body, and said second strike plate does not make direct contact with said body, such that when said second strike face makes contact with said golf ball, the energy transmitted to the second strike plate will be in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the second strike face, such that the novel golf putter may be used by both right-handed and left-handed golfers.

7. The novel golf putter in claim 1, wherein said cavity in said body does not run from one end of the body to the other end of the body and said protrusion is completely enclosed inside the body and cannot be viewed from outside the body.

8. The novel golf putter in claim 1, wherein when said first strike face makes contact with said golf ball, the energy transmitted to the first strike plate will be in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first strike face.

9. The novel golf putter in claim 6, wherein when said second strike face makes contact with said golf ball, the energy transmitted to the second strike plate will be in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the second strike face.