Abstract:
A putter head for a golf club comprising a base member having a front face for contacting a golf ball, and a trace device coupled with the base member. In one embodiment, the trace device is in a perpendicular arrangement with the front face. In an alternative embodiment, the trace device is adapted to produce an appearance of golf ball movement.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed, in general, to golfing equipment and, more specifically, to a putter head for a golf club.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The game of golf has been played for decades. One area of the game that is particularly difficult for many golfers is putting. Proper alignment of the striking face of the putter to the intended path of the golf ball is essential. Numerous designs for alignment of golf putters with the golf ball have been available. Golfers are always interested in new ways to assist them in the alignment of the striking face with the intended path of the golf ball.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a putter head that has a visual alignment system for the putter striking face with the golf ball that is easily grasped by novice and professional golfers alike.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a putter head for a golf club comprising a base member having a front face for contacting a golf ball, and a trace device coupled with the base member. In one embodiment, the trace device is in a perpendicular arrangement with the front face. In an alternative embodiment, the trace device is adapted to produce an appearance of golf ball movement.  
         [0005]     The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a golf putter head constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a tracer image as impressed on a golfer&#39;s vision with even minimal motion of the putter head;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a four disc system;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a two disc system;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevation view of the striking face of the putter head of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a golfer&#39;s end view of the golf putter head of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative disc that may be clear, i.e., transparent or translucent, with white or other colored circles on an outer edge;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a first alternative cross section of the discs of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7B  illustrates a second alternative cross section of the discs of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the back of the putter head  100  of  FIG. 1 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is a top plan view of one embodiment of a golf putter head  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The putter head  100  uses a “3 Disc” alignment system. The three discs, designated  101 ,  102 ,  103 , not only help a golfer line up a putt, but they also incorporate an appearance of ball movement by showing a sort of tracer image behind the ball even while stationary. Referring initially to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a tracer image  210  as impressed on a golfer&#39;s vision with even minimal motion of the putter head  100 .  
         [0018]     Not only does this design provide alignment and simulated ball movement, it also incorporates a visual color system that takes away from the putter head  100  itself by having a putter body  111  of the putter head  100  in a dark color which accentuates the light color of the three discs  101 ,  102 ,  103 . The putter body  111  may be: gun blued steel, anodized aluminum, or burnished stainless steel, i.e., oil can finish. The discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may be a light color, e.g., white, silver, bright yellow, bright orange, red or blue. Any suitable contrasting colors may be used in the putter head  100  and disc system.  
         [0019]     The discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may be made of any suitable material, e.g.; aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or tungsten. Each of these materials has a different density, and therefore a different weight for the same volume. Therefore, a golfer is able to weight the putter head  100  in the particular way he prefers. For the most part, the disc  103  furthest from the club head face  120  may be made of the heaviest material, e.g., tungsten. This high, heavy, back weight will cause the putted ball (not shown) to roll faster, i.e., with less backspin.  
         [0020]     The initial alignment discs ( 3  disc system) have an approximate diameter d of a standard golf ball. While the initial embodiment uses only three discs because of a USGA rule limiting a face length l of the putter head  100  to being longer than a width w of the putter head  100 , this system is not limited to only three discs  101 ,  102 ,  103 , but may have alternative embodiments, wherein the diameter d of the discs  101 ,  102 ,  103 , are enlarged or diminished. Thus, the disc diameter d may be decreased to allow more discs, e.g., from 4 discs ( FIG. 3A ) to perhaps as many as 10 discs. Alternatively, the number of discs may be as few as two ( FIG. 3B ), or even one.  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the striking face  120  of the putter head of  FIG. 1 . A milled insert  410  is used in the striking face  120 . Materials for the milled insert  410  may be any of those listed above for the putter discs  101 ,  102 ,  103 .  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is a golfer&#39;s end view of the golf putter head  100  of  FIG. 1 . The discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  are seen to descend away from the striking face  120 . However, in an alternative embodiment the discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may ascend away from the striking face  120 . The discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may be solid or hollow. Additionally, the discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may be interchangeable both as a set or individually. The discs  101 ,  102 ,  103  may vary both in thickness and weight, depending upon the golfer&#39;s desired weight for the putter head  100 . The putter head  100  is cut in a way that gives the putter head  100  a “feel” similar to a putter head with a cavity-back weight distribution on the outside ends and back of the putter head  100 . This 3 disc  101 ,  102 ,  103  system may be incorporated into Ping® Anser®-style putter heads, as well as blade-style putter heads. Ping® and Anser® are registered trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, Phoenix, Ariz.  
         [0023]     The putter head  100  uses the three disc system for alignment, color distinction, key weighting and weight differentials to accommodate every golfer from beginner to professional. It is the stacked discs that is the original design (no matter the style or number of discs) with arc centered that gives the impression of ball movement while the putter striking face  120  is being aligned with the golf ball and the desired ball track. Circular discs are shown, but the alignment aids may alternatively be oval or square, or other shapes/figures may be incorporated on the discs to aid in color differentiation and head alignment. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is an alternative disc  600  that may be clear, i.e., transparent or translucent, with white or other colored circles  610  on an outer edge  620 . Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , illustrated are alternative cross sections of the discs of  FIG. 1 . Discs  710  may also have a surface roll  720  or bulge  730  to give the tracer image an even more three-dimensional look.  FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the back of the putter head  100  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0024]     Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.