Abstract:
A golf putter with a new and useful head configuration is provided. The putter head is designed to facilitate a golfer&#39;s ability to effectively contact and project a golf ball along a desired path on a putting surface. The head is designed to enable a golfer to effectively align the putter head with a golf ball as the golf ball is addressed, and easily and effectively swing the putter, to propel the golf ball along a desired path on the putting surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION/CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application is related to and claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/572,395, filed May 19, 2004, and entitled Golf Putter, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to a new and useful golf putter, and particularly to a new and useful head for the golf putter. 
   In applicant&#39;s experience, a golf putter should be constructed in a manner that facilitates a golfer&#39;s ability to effectively contact and project a golf ball along a desired path on a putting surface. Preferably, this entails effectively aligning the putter head with a golf ball as the golf ball is addressed, and easily and effectively swinging the putter, to propel the golf ball along a desired path on the putting surface. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a golf putter with a new and useful head configuration that is designed to facilitate a golfer&#39;s ability to effectively contact and project a golf ball along a desired path on a putting surface. Preferably, this entails effectively aligning the putter head with a golf ball as the golf ball is addressed, and easily and effectively swinging the putter, to propel the golf ball along a desired path on the putting surface. 
   A golf putter according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a longitudinally extending head with a longitudinal portion and a connection for a shaft (preferably a hosel) connected with the longitudinal portion of the head. The head has a ball-striking surface at one end, and the head is further configured to provide the putter with structural stability and to enable the head to conveniently swing in an arc along a putting surface to enable the striking surface to strike a golf ball, and the connection (e.g. the hosel) is configured for connection with a golf club shaft. 
   A golf putter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention has a central opening of a predetermined configuration in the longitudinal portion, and the central opening is configured in a manner that produces a predetermined weight balance in the putter, and enables the putter to be addressed to a golf ball with the striking surface addressed directly to the golf ball. 
   In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the head has a front taper toward the striking surface and a rear taper toward the opposite end of the head, to minimize interference between the head and a putting surface as the head swings in an arc along the putting surface. 
   Still further, according to a preferred embodiment, the head further includes a top surface with a longitudinally extending mark that is visible to a player addressing a golf ball with the putter, so that the longitudinally extending mark provides the player with an alignment tool for swinging the putter. 
   Other features of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND EXHIBIT 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic top view of a golf putter head constructed according to the present invention, with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of a golf putter head and hosel, according to the principals of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a right side view of the golf putter head and hosel of  FIG. 2 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
       FIG. 4  is a left side view of the golf putter head and hosel of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the golf putter head and hosel of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of the golf putter head and hosel of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the front surface of the golf putter head of  FIG. 1 , with certain preferred dimensions shown thereon; 
       FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a golf putter head according to the present invention, during a back swing; and 
       FIG. 9  schematically illustrates a golf putter head according to the principles of the present invention, during a follow through. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As discussed above, the present invention relates to a new and useful golf putter and particularly to a new and useful head for the golf putter. The principles of the present invention are described below in connection with a preferred configuration for a golf putter head, and it will be clear to those in the art how the principles of the present invention can be used to produce various forms of golf putter heads. For example, the principles are described below in connection with a golf putter designed for a right handed golfer, but it will be clear how those principles can be used to produce a golf putter for a left handed golfer. Moreover, the principles of the invention are described below in connection with a preferred form of golf putter, which uses a hosel to connect the putter head with a golf putter shaft. However, it will be clear to those in the art that the principles of the present invention may also be able be to be used with other devices that may be developed for connecting a golf putter shaft with a putter head. 
     FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a golf putter  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The putter  100  includes a head  102 , and a hosel  104  connected with the head, in a manner described further below. A shaft  105  is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and is connected with the head  102  in a manner described further below. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , the golf putter  100  is shown with the head  102  addressed with a golf ball  106  (shown in phantom). A marking  108  that is provided on the head  102  enables the head to be effectively aligned with the golf ball  106 . When the putter is swung, the head  102  is moved in an arc away from and then toward the golf ball, to propel the golf ball along a putting surface. In addition, the head has an arrow like configuration, as described further below, which is helpful to a golfer in lining up the putter with a golf ball. 
   The head  102  extends from a ball-striking front surface  110  to a rear surface  112 , and includes a longitudinal portion  102   a . In this application reference to a “longitudinal portion” of the head means a portion of the head that is longer (in the direction L, see  FIG. 1 ) than its largest cross sectional dimension (e.g. the cross sectional dimension D of the thickest portion of the section  102   a ). The front of the head may include a transverse portion  102   b  that includes a pair of wings  129  that extend transverse to the longitudinal portion  102   a  (i.e. the wings  129  extend in directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal portion). The transverse portion  102   b  includes the ball striking front surface  110 . The ball striking front surface includes the wings  129 , to provide the front surface with “light touch” (or “soft touch”) putting capability, e.g. when executing steep downhill putts. Moreover, the width W of the transverse portion  102   b  and the length L of the longitudinally extending portion  102   a  are such that the width W is greater than the overall length T of the head (from the front striking surface  110  to the rear surface  112 ). Also, as seen from  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the bottom of the transverse portion  102   b  may taper as it extends outward from the striking surface, and as seen from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the wings  129  have rear surfaces  127  that may also taper toward the longitudinal portion  102   a . Thus, the wings  129  provide the head with structural stability by distributing more weight to the perimeter, and also provide the head with a visual effect somewhat like an arrow, which helps a putter visually line up the putter with a golf ball. When the head is addressed to the golf ball  106 , the front ball-striking surface  110  is adjacent to the golf ball. As the head is swung in an arc, the head is swung away from the ball, and then toward and through the golf ball to strike the golf ball and propel the golf ball along a putting surface. 
   The longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head  102  is generally based on a cylindrical profile, in the sense that parts of its outer surface other than the specially formed tapered portions  130 ,  132  described below (and possibly the bottom surface  118 ) are generally rounded and are based on a cylindrical profile. The longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head has a top surface portion  116 , a bottom surface portion  118  and side surface portions  120 ,  122 . The longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head  102  also has specially configured longitudinally extending central opening  124 . The central opening  124  is longitudinally extending in the sense that its length (between the front and rear surfaces  110 ,  112  is greater than its height  125 . Moreover, the central opening  124  extends below the top surface portion  116 , above the bottom surface portion  118 , and preferably extends from one side  120  to the other side  122  of the head. Thus, access to the central opening  124  is possible through either side of the head. The cylindrical shape and size of the longitudinal portion  102   a  is designed to be a visual continuation of the golf ball, as described further below. 
   The hosel  104  preferably extends out of the opening  124  and to one side of the head (i.e. the side to which the shaft  105  connects). The hosel  104  may also have a portion  104   a  that extends forward relative to the head and a portion  104   b  that extends upward from portion  104   a . The upward extending portion is at least partially hollow, with an opening  126  configured to receive the lower end of a putter shaft  105 . In  FIG. 2 , the lower end of shaft  105  is configured to fit into the opening in the hosel portion  104   b . Preferably, the shaft  105  and the hosel  104  are configured so that the shaft extends about one quarter to one half inch into the hosel and is adhesively bonded to the hosel (e.g. by an epoxy resin). Also, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the shape and configuration of the hosel and shaft, when viewed from the front of the putter, are preferably designed so that the shaft extends upward relative to the head at a predetermined angle X relative to a vertical tangent to the cylindrical longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head. The angle X is currently preferred to be at least 10 degrees, but may be varied in accordance with the specifications that may govern the design of golf putters by golfing organizations. 
   The putter, and particularly the configuration of the central opening  124 , is configured so that the head  102  has a predetermined weight balance. Specifically, according to a preferred embodiment, the central opening  124  extends from one side  120  of the head to the other side  122  of the head, and the hosel  104  is disposed at least partially in the central opening  124  and extends out of the central opening. The central opening  124  reduces the weight of the head, and may have the inverted trapezoidal configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in side view, with a wide end closer to the top portion  116  of the head, to lower the center of gravity of the head. Thus, the head is configured to reduce the weight of the head and to lower the center of gravity of the head. Moreover, while the central opening  124  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  has an inverted trapezoidal shape, the shape of the central opening can also be a bit more complex, while maintaining the foregoing objective. For example, one side of the central opening can have the shape shown in phantom at  131  in  FIG. 4 . 
   In addition, the head  102  is preferably formed of aluminum, which can be cast or otherwise formed into the configuration described herein. The hosel  104  can be formed in one piece with the head, or can be formed separately and secured to the head (e.g. by welding, by adhesive, or other means). It is also contemplated that the head, or parts of the head, can be formed of other materials, e.g. other metals or composite materials. 
   Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment, the golf shaft  105  is connected with the head (e.g. through the hosel  104 ) in a manner that enables at least a part of the grip  105   a  on the shaft to extend at least partially over the plane P of the front striking surface  110  as the front striking surface  110  is addressed to a golf ball. This relationship is shown in  FIG. 2 . It is also contemplated that the front end of the head could have a recess (not shown) that is filled with a synthetic material that has a front surface that is located in the plane P and forms part (or all) of the front striking surface  110   
   Another aspect of a preferred configuration for the putter head, according to the principles of the invention, is the way the head is configured to provide a significant front striking surface  110 , and also provide a configuration that allows the putter head to be swung along a smooth arc along a putting surface, without interference from the putting surface, either on the back swing, contact or the follow through. Specifically, the head has a front tapering surface  130  that extends from the bottom surface  118  to the front striking surface  110 , and a rear-tapering surface  132  that may be slightly curved ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ) and extends from the bottom surface  118  to the rear surface  112  of the head. As seen from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the front tapering surface  130  preferably extends at an angle  136  of about 5 to 15 degrees to the bottom surface  118 , and the rear tapering surface  132  extends at an angle  138  of about 25 to 45 degrees to the bottom surface  118 . Thus, the front tapering surface  130  is shallower (i.e. less tapered) than the rear tapering surface  132 , which results in maximizing the area of the front striking surface  110 , while minimizing interference between the head and a putting surface as the head swings in an arc along the putting surface. In addition, the front tapering surface  130  is shorter (lengthwise) than the rear tapering surface  132 . Thus, as seen from  FIG. 8 , during a back swing, the front tapering surface  130  allows the head to be swung in an arc without interference from the putting surface  134 . Moreover, as seen from  FIG. 9 , as the head is swung forward in an arc and strikes the golf ball, the rear tapering surface  132  enables the head to follow through along the arc without interference from the putting surface  134 . Still further, it may also be desirable to flatten the bottom surface  118 , to further enable the putter to swing smoothly along a putting surface, and to allow for a more solid setup when a golf ball is addressed. If the bottom surface  118  is intended to be flattened, the longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head is still based on a cylindrical profile, e.g. a 1⅝ diameter profile, as discussed below, and about ⅛″ of that profile is cut off to produce the flattened bottom surface  118 . 
   Still another preferred aspect of a golf putter head, according to the present invention, is the provision of the longitudinally extending mark  108  that extends along the top surface ( FIG. 1 ). As discussed above, the cylindrical shape and size of the longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head is designed to be a visual continuation of the golf ball and thereby provides a good visual aid to a player addressing a golf ball with the putter. The arrow like shape of the head also contributes to the visual aid provided by the head to a player addressing a golf ball. The mark  108  provides a still further visual aid to a golfer addressing a golf ball. The mark  108  can extend along a portion of the top surface, or it can extend completely along the top surface. Moreover, the mark  108  can be applied to the top surface or to a longitudinal groove or trough formed in the top surface. The mark  108  is applied to the top surface in a color that provides a good visual contrast to the surrounding environment (e.g. the putting surface), so that the mark  108  provides a good additional visual aid to a player addressing a golf ball with the putter, helping the player address and strike the golf ball in a desired manner. 
   Currently, the preferred dimensions of the head  102  are as follows: The width W of the front portion  102   b  of the head is about 5⅝ inches. The longitudinal length T of the head (i.e. from the front striking surface  110  to the rear surface  112 ) is currently about 5.5 inches. The “diameter” of the longitudinal portion  102   a  of the head (i.e. the diameter of the cylindrical profile upon which the longitudinal portion of the head is based is currently about 1⅝ inches. Other preferred dimensions are shown on certain Figures. It is contemplated that these dimensions may be varied, but their proportionate relationship to each other would preferably be in the general range of the preferred dimensions. In addition, it is contemplated that to provide a good overall weight balance in the putter, it may be desirable to extend the hosel  104  so that it is close to the front striking surface  110  of the head. 
   Accordingly, as seen from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a golf putter with a head that has a longitudinal portion of the type described above, a predetermined weight balance, a striking surface at one end of the head, and is configured to enable a golfer to conveniently address a golf ball, and to swing the putter head along an arc to strike the golf ball, without interference from the putting surface. With the foregoing disclosure in mind, it is believed that various adaptations of a golf putter, according to the principles of the present invention, will be apparent to those in the art.