U.S. patent number 3,841,641 [Application Number 05/285,228] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-15 for putter.
Invention is credited to Richard C. Bennett.
United States Patent |
3,841,641 |
Bennett |
October 15, 1974 |
PUTTER
Abstract
A putter has a shaft with a head at one end thereof. The head
includes a front face for striking a golf ball and two pivot points
opposite the front face. The head also includes a bottom surface,
at least a portion of which is adapted to rest on a putting green.
The angle between the front face and a straight line defined by the
pivot points is substantially equal to the angle between the shaft
and a normal to the putting green. The putter is first placed in a
prone position, whereupon the golfer sights down the shaft and then
pivots the putter about the pivot points to an upright position.
The putter has thereby been automatically aligned.
Inventors: |
Bennett; Richard C. (Elmwood
Park, IL) |
Family
ID: |
23093344 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/285,228 |
Filed: |
August 31, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/249;
473/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/3685 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/36 (20060101); A63b 053/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/77R,79,8C,164,167-175,183D,186R,193R,194R,194A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,743 |
|
Jun 1901 |
|
GB |
|
186,522 |
|
Oct 1922 |
|
GB |
|
Other References
"Golf Rules in Pictures," by J. C. Dey, Jr., The U.S. Golf Assn.,
1970, Rule 2. .
"Macgregor Golf Goods," 1927, pgs. 17, 21, 23, 24 and 26..
|
Primary Examiner: Apley; Richard J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler
and Stotland
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A putter for use on a putting green, comprising a shaft having
an axis, a head at one end of said shaft, said head including a
front face for striking a golf ball and two pivot points opposite
said front face, there being a first predetermined angle between
said front face and a straight line through said pivot points, said
head including a bottom surface having a portion which is tangent
to an imaginary surface that coincides with the surface of the
putting green when the putter assumes a predetermined
ball-addressing position, there being a second predetermined angle
between the axis of said shaft and a normal to said imaginary
surface, said first and second predetermined angles being
substantially equal and being substantially greater than zero
degrees, whereby said putter is used by first positioning it in a
prone position so that said pivot points are on the green and said
shaft is aligned with a proposed direction of travel of a golf ball
and then pivoting said putter about said pivot points to said
predetermined ball-addressing position in which said bottom surface
portion is on the green, thereby automatically causing said front
face to be perpendicular to the proposed direction of travel of
said golf ball.
2. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaft is
substantially straight.
3. The putter set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a grip
at the other end of said shaft.
4. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein said head has a heel
and a toe and said shaft is attached to said head at a region
between said heel and said toe.
5. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein the center of gravity
of said head is below the geographical midpoint thereof.
6. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein said head has a heel
and a toe which are curved in the direction toward said shaft so as
to be curved upwardly when said putter is in said ball-addressing
position.
7. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein the rear portion of
said bottom surface is flared toward said shaft to reduce the area
of contact of said bottom surface with the putting green.
8. The putter set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second
predetermined angles are about 20.degree..
9. A putter for use on a putting green, comprising a shaft having
an axis, a head at one end of said shaft, said head including a
front face for striking a golf ball and a rear face, there being a
first predetermined angle between said front face and said rear
face, said head including a bottom surface having a portion which
is tangent to an imaginary surface that coincides with the surface
of the putting green when the putter assumes a predetermined
ball-addressing position, there being a second predetermined angle
between the axis of said shaft and a normal to said imaginary
surface, said first and second predetermined angles being
substantially equal and being substantially greater than zero
degrees, whereby said putter is used by first positioning it in a
prone position so that said rear face is on the green and said
shaft is aligned with said proposed direction of travel of a golf
ball and then pivoting said putter to said predetermined
ball-addressing position about the juncture between said rear face
and the bottom surface until said bottom surface portion is on he
green, thereby automatically causing said front face to be
perpendicular to the proposed direction of travel of said golf
ball.
10. The putter set forth in claim 9, wherein a recess is formed in
said rear face to accommodate at least a portion of the golf ball,
whereby the putter may be aligned by placing it in front of the
golf ball so that a portion of the golf ball is in said recess in
such a manner that the front face is perpendicular to the proposed
direction of travel, whereafter said head may be shifted to a
position immediately behind the golf ball preparatory to
putting.
11. The putter set forth in claim 9, wherein said rear face
includes two relatively-small coplanar and spaced regions.
12. The putter set forth in claim 11, and further comprising a
recess in said rear face, the rear of said bottom surface being
upwardly flared in the region of said recess to minimize the
thickness of said portion of said bottom surface that contacts the
putting green.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As any golfer will attest, a significant facet of the game is the
ability to putt accurately. There are many ways of putting and
aligning a putt. One of the most prevelant is first to analyze the
lie of the ball relative to the hole and decide upon a direction
for the ball to travel to fall into the hole. In making such
analysis, the golfer will walk around the immediate area of the
ball and often walk around to the other side of the hole so that it
is between him and the golf ball. Usually he will return to a
position behind the ball and crouch down to align the putt and
decide upon a direction in which the ball should travel to drop
into the hole. After making some mental notes, he gets up and
assumes the usual ball-addressing position. Attempting to recall
the mental notes made while crouching behind the ball, he will
wiggle the putter accordingly until the face of the putter head is
perpendicular to the direction decided upon. However, often he will
not have translated his mental notes precisely or will have
forgotten them completely, and the ensuing putt will go astray.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an important object of the present invention to
provide an improved putter.
Another object is to provide a putter by which automatic alignment
of a putt may be achieved.
Still another object is to enable one to align his putt by
crouching behind the ball and then to pivot the putter to an
upright position while maintaining the selected alignment.
Yet another object is to provide a putter which has automatic
alignment features, yet is finely balanced.
A further object is to provide a putter head which has automatic
alignment features along with a very low center of gravity.
A still further object is to provide a putter head which has
automatic alignment features that can be modified to accommodate
the idiosyncrasies of a particular golfer.
Yet a further object is to provide a putter which has an automatic
alignment surface on the rear thereof, but which has features
enabling the putter to be used alternatively by placing it in front
of the ball during alignment of the putt.
Th summary, there is provided a putter for use on a putting green,
comprising a shaft having an axis, a head at one end of the shaft,
the head including a front face for striking a golf ball and two
pivot points opposite the front face, there being a first
predetermined angle between the front face and a straight line
through the pivot points, the head including a bottom surface
having a portion which is tangent to an imaginary surface that
coincides with the surface of the putting green when the putter
assumes a predetermined ball-addressing position, there being a
second predetermined angle between the axis of the shaft and a
normal to the imaginary surface, the second predetermined angle
being substantially equal to the first predetermined angle, whereby
the putter is used by first positioning it in a prone position so
that the pivot points are on the green and the shaft is aligned
with a proposed direction of travel of a golf ball and then
pivoting the putter about the pivot points to said predetermined
ball-addressing position in which the bottom surface portion is on
the green and thereby automatically causing the front face to be
perpendicular to the proposed direction of travel of the golf
ball.
With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as
the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel
steps and certain features of construction, and a combination of
parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it
being understood that various changes in the steps and in the form,
proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made
without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the
advantages of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention,
there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred
embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in
connection with the following description, the invention, its mode
of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages
should be readily understood and appreciated.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fragmentary portion of a
putter incorporating therein the features of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the
putter of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the putter head and the fragmentary
portion of the shaft;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the putter;
FIG. 4A is a view in vertical section taken along the line 4A--4A
of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4B is a view in vertical section taken along the line 4B--4B
of FIG. 4;
FIG. 5 is a view in vertical section taken along the line 5--5 of
FIG. 3, but on an enlarged scale;
FIG. 6 is a view of the putter on a putting green as used during
alignment;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the putter of FIG. 6 in its
alignment position and also illustrating a phantom view of the
putter in its upright position;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the putter head in its upright position
and its relationship to the golf ball and the hole on the putting
green; and
FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view of the putter head as it lies on
the putting green when in its alignment condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, there is illustrated a putter 10
incorporating therein the features of the present invention. The
putter 10 comprises a shaft 12 which may be, for example, an
elongated hollow tube. Provided at one end of the shaft 12 is the
usual grip 13 which provides a means for gripping or holding the
putter 10. Secured to the shaft 12 at the other end thereof is a
putter head 14.
The putter head 14 is defined by a heel 16 at one end thereof and a
toe 18 at the other end thereof. Te bottom surface 20 of the head
14 extends from the heel 16 to the toe 18 and defines the entire
bottom of the head 14. The bottom surface 20 includes a portion 21
which is substantially flat and is adapted to rest on a putting
green. The rest of the bottom surface 20 is curved upwardly, that
is, away from the portion 21. Specifically, that portion of the
bottom surface 20 in the region of the heel 16 is curved upwardly,
as is that region of the bottom surface 20 near the toe 18.
However, it is not necessary that the bottom surface 20 have any
region which is flat.
The head 14 has a top surface 22 which slopes downwardly from the
front of the head 14 toward the rear, whereby the thickness or
height of the head 14 adjacent to the front thereof is
substantially greater than the thickness or height of the head 14
near the rear thereof. The slope of the top surface 22 at the heel
16 of the putter head 14 is substantially less than the slope of
the top surface 22 in the region of the toe 18; in other words, as
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the region of the top surface 22 at the
heel 16 forms an angle with the bottom surface 20 less than the
angle between the surfaces 20 and 22 at the toe 18. The bottom
surface 20 mates with the top surface 22 in the region of the heel
16 along an edge 24 which has a slight lateral curve. Similarly,
the bottom surface 20 mates with the top surface 22 in the region
of the toe 18 along an edge 26 which is also slightly curved
laterally. The top surface 22 thus has a gentle flow so as to give
the head 14 a very attractive appearance.
Protruding upwardly from the top surface 22 and toward the heel 16
is a hosel 28, which has a reduced end portion 30. The reduced end
portion 30 frictionally engages in the shaft 12. Usually an
adhesive is used to furnish a secure and permanent interconnection
between the shaft 12 and the hosel 28. The axis of the shaft 12 is
aligned with, and is a continuation of, the axis of the hosel
28.
The head 14 has a front face 32 which is preferably inclined
slightly toward the shaft 12, so as to be tilted upwardly when the
putter 10 is in the ball-addressing position. The front face 32
defines a striking surface for striking a golf ball to move it in a
selected direction on a putting green. The head 14 further
comprises a rear surface, which, in the form illustrated, consists
of a pair of spaced-apart rear surface regions 34 and 36. The
regions 34 and 36 are coplanar and define an imaginary surface
which intersects the front face 32. An arcuate recess 38 is formed
in the rear surface between the rear surface regions 34 and 36. The
recess 38 has a curvature which corresponds generally to the
curvature of a golf ball. The recess 38 is defined by a vertical
surface 40 that is arcuate, the directrix of which is substantially
parallel to the shaft 12. The recess 38 also includes a flared
surface 42 which extends from the vertical surface 40 and
intersects the bottom surface 20. The flared surface 42, therefore,
effectively reduces the width of the flat portion 21 of the bottom
surface 20.
There is a first predetermined angle 44 (FIG. 3) between the front
face 32 and the imaginary surface defined by the rear surface
regions 34 and 36. There is also a second predetermined angle 46
(FIG. 2) between the axis 12a of the shaft 12 and a normal to the
flat portion 21 of the bottom surface 20. The first and second
angles 44 and 46 are substantially equal. Throughout the detailed
description and the claims appended thereto, the phrase
"substantially equal" should be taken to mean exactly equal insofar
as it is technically possible from a manufacturing standpoint. As
previously explained, the bottom surface 20 need not have a flat
portion 21, in which case the angle 46 would be between the shaft
axis 12a and a normal to an imaginary surface that coincides with
the surface of the putting green when the putter 10 assumes the
ball-addressing position depicted in FIG. 2.
Turning to FIGS. 6-9, the use of the putter 10 will be described.
The golfer studies the lie of his ball 50 and its position relative
to the hole 53 on the putting green 52. In accordance with usual
practice, the golfer crouches behind the putter 10 which is, in
turn, placed in a prone position behind the ball 50, as shown in
FIG. 6. The shaft 12 is used as a sighting means and is so
positioned as to be aligned with the proposed path of travel 54 of
the golf ball 50. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the putting green
52 is assumed to be perfectly flat whereby the path of travel 54 of
the golf ball 50 to the hole 53 will be a straight line. The shaft
12 of the putter 10 is then shifted back and forth until it is
aligned with the proposed path of travel 54. This is done by
sighting down the length of the shaft 12. It will, of course, be
appreciated that the putting green usually is not perfectly flat,
and there will be what is commonly referred to as a "break," so
that the ball 50 does not roll along a straight path, but, rather,
will curve in one or more directions as it rolls toward the hole
53. For example, if the right-hand side of the green 52 (above the
hole 53, as viewed in FIG. 6) slopes downwardly to the left-hand
side of the green (below the hole 53, as viewed in FIG. 6), then
the golfer would decide on a proposed path of travel 54 to the
right of the hole 53 (above the hole 53, as viewed in FIG. 6). To
compensate for such slope, the shaft 12 would be shifted to place
it in alignment with such proposed path of travel.
As is best seen in FIG. 9, the rear surface regions 34 and 36 rest
on the green 52 during the alignment procedure. Because of the
width of the putter 10, the shaft 12 may slope downwardly, as shown
in FIG. 7, when the grip 13 is resting on the green 52, although
such downward slope is not necessary. The golfer will normally hold
the grip 13 and move the putter 10 back and forth until the shaft
12 is aligned with the proposed direction of travel.
The golfer then pivots the putter 10 in the direction shown in FIG.
7 about the surface regions 34 and 36 which, therefore, function as
pivot points. When the shaft 12 has reached the upright,
ball-addressing position indicated by the phantom lines in FIG. 7,
the golfer will have simultaneously walked around to the usual
position for putting. As shown in FIG. 8, the front face 32 will
automatically be perpendicular to the proposed direction of travel
54 of the ball 50. The golfer needs to make no adjustments, since
the putter 10 is now perfectly aligned. He then takes a stroke in
the usual fashion, causing the ball 50 to traverse the selected
direction of travel.
In order to accomplish the above-described operation, it is
necessary that the angles 44 and 46 be substantially equal. In
other words, the closer the shaft 12 is to being perpendicular to
the portion 21 of the bottom surface 20, the more nearly the
imaginary plane defined by the rear surface regions of 34 and 36 is
parallel to the front face 32. In one embodiment of the invention,
the angles 44 and 46 were 20.degree.. Of course, the farther the
shaft 12 deviates from being perpendicular to such portion 21, the
greater the deviation of such imaginary plane is from being
parallel to the front face 32. The shaft 12 thus may have a
"medium" lie which is what is depicted in the drawings; or it may
have an "upright lie," meaning that the shaft 12 is more nearly
perpendicular to the portion; or it may have a "flat lie," meaning
that the shaft is less perpendicular to such portion 21.
Once the putter 10 has been tilted to its upright position, so that
the face 32 is perpendicular to the proposed direction of travel
54, the putter 10 is in a position for putting, as previously
explained. However, the shaft 12 may be tilted forwardly
counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2) or rearwardly (clockwise) to
achieve the most comfortable position for the golfer. Such tilting
motion is possible because the bottom surface 20 in the regions of
the heel 16 and the toe 18 are upwardly curved.
Referring to FIG. 2, the putter 10 assumes a predetermined
orientation when it is in the ball-addressing position shown. When
the putter 10 is tilted to the upright position shown, it will tend
to assume a predetermined position with respect to any flat
surface, whether or not the bottom surface 20 includes a flat
portion 21. The portion (or even point) of the bottom surface 20
which naturally contacts the putting green 52 when the putter 10 is
tilted to its upright position is tangent to an imaginary surface
that coincides with the surface of the putting green 52 when the
putter 10 is in the ball-addressing position.
Although the rear surface regions 34 and 36 in the above-described
embodiment to be spaced from the surface of the putting green 52
when the putter 10 is in the upright, ball-addressing position, it
is to be understood that the bottom surface 20 can be so contoured
that the lowermost points of the surface regions 34 and 36 contact
the surface of the putting green 52, both in the prone and upright
positions of the putter 10. In that case, such points of the
surface regions 34 and 36 themselves provide the pivot points to
pivot the head 14 from the prone position in which the surface
regions 34 and 36 contact the green 52 to the upright position in
which the bottom surface 20 contacts the putting green.
The recess 38 reduces the quantity of material necessary for
construction of the putter head 14. Such recess also reduces the
mass of the head 14 centrally, so that a greater proportion of the
mass is present in the regions of the heel 16 and the toe 18. Such
mass distribution has proved highly effective. The recess 38 is
defined partially by the flared surface 42 which reduces the width
of the flat portion 21 of the bottom surface 20. This improves the
stability of the putter 10, as it is pivoted from the prone
position to the upright position by minimizing the tendency of the
head 14 to rock as it is being so pivoted.
Another advantage of the recess 38 is that it reduces the size of
the rear surface to two small rear surface regions 34 and 36. In
manufacturing the head 14, these rear surface regions 34 and 36 may
be ground to achieve the selected value of the angle 44. In certain
instances, it may be desirable to have some difference between the
angles 44 and 46. For example, the golfer may have some
idiosyncrasy in his putting stroke, which causes the ball to veer
one way or the other, rather than in the selected direction. Such
idiosyncrasy can be compensated for by changing the angle 44. The
regions 34 and 36 can easily be ground to obtain the desired angle,
since the regions are small in area.
Although the putter 10 is designed to be used primarily as
described with reference to FIGS. 6-9, it may be used in the normal
way of simply sighting the putt while in a crouched position, then
addressing the ball and finally putting. In such case it is usual
for the golfer to place the putter in front of the ball and
shifting it until the striking face is perpendicular to the
proposed direction of travel. The recess 38 is shaped to
accommodate the front of a ball while in such position. In this
manner, the putter 10 may be brought up next to the ball, despite
the presence of a pivoting surface consisting of the rear surface
regions 34 and 36.
The fact that the top surface 22 is inclined downwardly and toward
the rear lowers the center of gravity of the head 14. This is a
highly desirable characteristic, since the lower the center of
gravity, the better the swinging action.
Although the putter 10 is illustrated as being of the "center
shafted" type, that is one in which the shaft 12 is secured to the
head 14 at a point immediate to the heel 16 and the toe 18, it
should be understood that other types of putters can utilize the
invention herein described. For example, the putter 10 may be the
kind in which the shaft is secured to the head 14 at or very near
the heel 16. Although the shaft 12 is shown to be straight, the
shaft or hosel 28 can be bent.
The bottom surface 20 apart from the portion 21, by being curved,
facilitates use of the putter 10 on a surface which is not
horizontal. Thus, if the golfer has a downhill lie, the heel 16
will be nearer to the green 52; whereas, if he has an uphill lie,
the toe 18 will be nearer to the green 52.
The putter head 14 may be made by one of a number of methods, such
as casting, forging, etc. It may be constructed of any suitable
material such as plastic or brass.
Existing putters may be modified to incorporate the automatic
alignment features. A suitably-formed rear member can be provided
which is attachable to a standard putter. Such member would have a
rear surface that defines pivoting means.
It is believed that the invention, its mode of construction and
assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood
from the foregoing without further description, and it should also
be manifest that, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has
been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural
details are, nonetheless, capable of wide variations within the
purview of the invention, s defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *