Abstract:
A golf putter head is provided that includes a base element, the base element including a golf ball striking surface, at least one alignment rail, a lip, the lip extending the entire front width of the golf putter head and a top surface, the top surface located at the rear of the golf putter head, an upper plate the upper plate configured to be secured to the base element at the lip and the top surface, the upper plate includes at least one aperature and the upper plate completely covering the top surface. The upper plate further includes at least one indicator marking, the at least one indicator marking configured to align with the at least one alignment rail and the aperature is sized such that the at least one alignment rail may be viewed through the aperature. The mass of the putter head is distributed such that the mass of the upper plate is greater than the mass of the base element, thereby positioning the center of gravity of the putter head above a centerline of the golf ball striking surface and an equator of a golf ball when the golf ball is positioned proximate the golf ball striking surface of the golf putter head.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,911 filed on Feb. 27, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to golf clubs, and, more specifically to a golf putter. 
     2. Background Art 
     The golf club has undergone numerous design iterations since the dawn of the game of golf. While the driver, fairway woods and irons have benefited from material improvements over the years, they have largely maintained their original geometries. The golf putter, however, has been subjected to many different design iterations in hopes of engineering a putter that will make a difference between a birdie and a bogey. 
     Traditional golf putters have been designed and engineered such that the bulk of the putter head weight is distributed at the bottom or in the base of the putter. One of the disadvantages of this type of putter head design may be observed when a golf ball is struck by the putter face. Because the bulk of the weight of the putter head is distributed in the base of the putter, below the equator of the ball, much of the force of the putter will strike the lower portion of the ball forcing a backspin in the ball. The force of the putter and the induced backspin will cause the ball to jump into the air and skid upon landing. As the ball skids across the ground the ball will begin to lose velocity. The skidding of the ball as well as the loss of velocity will cause the ball to deviate from the intended path to the target. 
     The golf putter shaft has also been the subject of many design iterations. The shaft attaches to the putter head and extends in such a manner as to allow one to create a swinging motion in the putter head. In many putter designs, the shaft is secured to the putter head in a manner that positions the shaft at the heel (location in head nearest the individual) of the putter. With the shaft secured at the heel of the putter, the toe (location in head furthest from the individual) of the putter is left to move freely during a swing. If the ball is not struck at the center of the putter face, the putter head and shaft will twist in the hand of the individual attempting the shot resulting in the ball deviating from the intended path to the target. 
     Ensuring that one is properly aligned with respect to the putter and addressing the golf ball prior to the shot is critical to making a good golf shot. Typically, a marking or indicator is added to the top of the putter to aid one in lining up the center of the putter head with the golf ball and the intended target. While the indicator may aid one in aligning the center of the putter with the center of the golf ball, they do not, however, help to position an individual properly to make a good shot at the target. The head of an individual should be positioned directly over the putter such that their sight line is vertically downward and generally perpendicular to the putter head and the golf ball. If the individual is not properly aligned, the ball may travel in an unintended direction when struck by the putter. 
     Therefore, a need exists for a golf putter having a putter head design that distributes weight in such a manner to reduce or eliminate any backspin that is introduced to the golf ball when the putter face strikes the ball. A need also exists for a golf putter that will minimize any twisting motion of the shaft in the hands of an individual during a golf shot and will also provide markings or indicators that will allow one to properly align themselves with respect to the putter, the golf ball and target. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A golf putter head is provided that includes a base element, the base element including a golf ball striking surface, at least one alignment rail, a lip, the lip extending the entire front width of the golf putter head and a top surface, the top surface located at the rear of the golf putter head, an upper plate the upper plate configured to be secured to the base element at the lip and the top surface, the upper plate includes at least one aperture and the upper plate completely covering the top surface. The upper plate further includes at least one indicator marking, the at least one indicator marking configued to align with the at least one alignment rail and the aperture is sized such that the at least one alignment rail may be viewed through the aperature. The mass of the putter head is distributed such that the mass of the upper plate is greater than the mass of the base element, thereby positioning the center of gravity of the putter head above a centerline of the golf ball striking surface and an equator of a golf ball when the golf ball is positioned proximate the golf ball striking surface of the golf putter head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, claims, and drawings, of which the following is a brief description: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are exploded views of the golf putter shown in  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a golf putter according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a golf putter according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of a golf putter according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a golf putter according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, a preferred illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in detail. Although the drawings represent an embodiment of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain the present invention. Further, the embodiment set forth herein is not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise to limit or restrict the invention to the precise forms and configurations shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. 
     A golf putter  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Putter  10  includes a putter head  14  and a shaft  12  that is secured to and extends from head  14 . Shaft  12  may include a grip (not shown) that may be attached at an end of shaft  12  that is opposite the end of the shaft that is secured at head  14 . An individual attempting a golf shot with the putter will generally hold putter  10  at the grip and position themselves to address the golf ball. Typically, shaft  12  extends a length from head  14  that will allow an individual to induce a swinging motion in putter  10  allowing them to strike a golf ball with putter head  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , putter head  14  of the present invention will be described in greater detail. In an embodiment, putter head  14  includes an upper plate  16  and a base  18 . Upper plate  16  includes a hole  36  for accepting and securing a hosel  20  to upper plate  16 . Hosel  20  is used to secure shaft  12  to putter head  14  near the center rear of putter head  14 . Upper plate  16  may also include apertures  34  to reduce the overall weight of putter  10  and to aid the individual in properly aligning themselves with putter  10  and the golf ball (to be described in greater detail below). 
     Base  18  includes a lip  38  positioned across the front width of the putter head  14  and a top surface  40  at the rear of head  14  for positioning and securing upper plate  16  to base  18 . Base  18  further includes a face or striking surface  22  that extends the front width of putter head  14  and is used for striking a golf ball. When putter head  14  is positioned on a flat surface, the angle of face  22  relative to the surface may range from being generally perpendicular to angling rearward a few degrees as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . When the golf ball comes to rest on a putting surface, the ball may sit in a depression that has been created by the weight of the ball. Using a putter having a face with no angle, or, alternatively, a face with a slight angle rearward will aid in propelling the ball out of the depression. Typically, the rearward angle may range from 0° to 5° from a bottom of putter head  14  to a top of putter head  14 . 
     The front width of base  18  includes a heel edge  26  and a toe edge  28 . Heel and toe are designations typically given to a putter head and coincide with whether the individual will swing the putter right-handed or left-handed. Generally the heel will be closest to the individual and the toe at the furthest point on the putter from the individual. In this particular description of the invention, heel  26  and toe  28  will be discussed and shown in the illustrations as if the individual were to swing putter  10  from a right-handed stance. 
     Weights  24  may be added to putter head  14  and secured to base  18  at heel  26  and toe  28  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Weights  24  may be fastened to base  18  by any means. In this particular embodiment, weights  24  will be secured to base  18  with a separate screw or bolt (not shown). Alternatively, threads may be added to an end of weight  24  such that weight  24  may be directly screwed into base  18 . Weights  24  may also be secured to base  18  by other means, for example gluing or welding. 
     By using fasteners such as screws, bolts, or threading weights  24  themselves, weights  24  may be easily removed from base  18 . Weights  24  may also be provided in a number of different sizes and weights to allow the individual to adjust the weight of putter  10  and to provide the individual with greater flexibility when selecting the weight and feel of putter  10 . Adjustable weighting elements will aid the individual in determining the proper putter head weight to fit their desired level of comfort and ability while putting. 
     Golf putter  10  may be assembled in the following manner. Putter head  14  comprises a number of components as discussed above. Upper plate  16  may be assembled to base  18  at lip  38  and top surface  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Upper plate  16  may be secured to base  18  by both gluing the mating sections of upper plate  16  and base  18 . Alternatively, any type of fasteners, such as screws or bolts and nuts, may be used to secure upper plate  16  to base  18 . Upper plate  16  and base  18  may also be welded together. Hosel  20  may be added to upper plate  16  near the rear and center of putter head  14 . Hosel  20  may be press fit into upper plate  16  and may be secured to upper plate  16  by any means including, but not limited to, gluing, welding, press fit, etc. Shaft  12  may be secured to putter head  14  at hosel  20 . Shaft  12  is positioned and may be slid into hosel  20  and may be secured to putter head  14  at hosel  20  by any means, including, but not limited to, gluing, welding, press fit, etc. 
     Along with changeable weights  24 , putter head  14  has a light weight center to provide for a very high moment of inertia for both heel  26  and toe  28  of putter head  14 . These two features, light weight center of putter head  14  and adjustable weights, allow for improved stability of putter  10  as the club is swung in a putting motion. The weighting configuration significantly reduces the amount of twisting in putter head  14  during a swinging motion. A reduction in the twisting of putter head  14  during off-center or miss hits of the golf ball will aid in maintaining the ball on the desired path toward the target or hole. 
     Upper plate  16  may be manufactured from any material. Typically, upper plate  16  may be manufactured from any type of metal, such as steel, aluminum, brass or the like. Base  18  may also be manufactured from any material and typically may be manufactured from any type of metal such as steel, aluminum, brass or the like. In an embodiment of the present invention, upper plate  16  and base  18  may be manufactured from materials such that the mass of upper plate  16  will be greater than the mass of base  18 . For example, upper plate  16  may be manufactured from any type of steel while base  18  may be manufactured from a lighter weight material such as aluminum. 
     Putter  10  may be used in the following manner. Generally, putters are one club of many that are used to play golf on a typical golf course. Usually putters are used on or slightly off the green as a means of propelling a golf ball toward a hole. The face of the putter is used to strike the golf ball as the individual swings the shaft and the putter head into the ball. In an embodiment of the present invention, upper plate  16  is manufactured of a heavier material than base  18 . Because upper plate  16  will have a greater mass than base  18 , the bulk of the weight or the center of gravity of putter head  14  will be above a centerline of face  22 . The heavier upper plate  16  will provide a greater inertial force in face  22  of putter  10  above this centerline. When a golf ball is struck by putter  10  and face  22 , the greater mass located above the center line of face  22  and the equator of the golf ball will tend to induce a topspin in the golf ball as it is propelled forward by face  22  of putter  10 . The topspin will create a gyroscopic effect in the golf ball causing the ball to travel a shorter distance in the air after first being struck by putter  10 , reduce the amount of skid the golf ball may otherwise undergo with a bottom weighted putter and maintain a straighter path toward the target or hole. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , upper plate  16  and base  18  are generally separated from each other near the middle of putter head  14 . As discussed above, upper plate  16  includes apertures  34  for viewing alignment rails  30  that are incorporated as a part of base  18 . Included on putter head  14  is a pair of markings or indicators  32  that align with rails  30  when viewed from above. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , indicators  32  are shown across a top surface of base  18  and upper plate  16 . It is important to note, however, the indicators  32  may be included on only base  18  or, alternatively, on upper plate  16  only. Indicators  32  may include any style of markings to aid the individual in aligning putter  10  with the ball and the target. For example, indicators  32  may be a pair of small channels or raised strips in the material of upper plate  16  and base  18 , or paint markings, or any combination of painted channels or strips. 
     When putter head  14  is viewed from above as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , indicators  32  align with rails  30 . The separation of upper plate  16  and base  18  as well as rails  30  and indicators  32  will provide an individual with an easy alignment check to ensure that the eyes of the individual are over the center of putter head  14 . Proper alignment over the center of the putter head has been shown to greatly improve the ability of the individual to correctly aim the putter at the desired target. If an individual is not properly aligned over the center of putter head  14 , indicators  32  will not align with rails  30  and the individual may not have putter  10  and the golf ball correctly aligned with the target. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shaft  12  is positioned and secured to putter head  14  near the rear and center of putter head  14  relative to face  22 . This provides for the main force of the putting stroke to be directly behind the golf ball when putter  10  and the ball are properly aligned. This will help to ensure that face  22  will make a solid impact with the ball as well as aiding to further reduce any club head twisting. As described above, an opportunity to limit twisting of putter head  14  will aid to keep golf balls that are struck off-center by putter head  14  on the path toward the target or hole. 
     The location of shaft  12  near the center rear of putter head  14  and additional weighting at the upper rear of the club will create an increase in momentum that will drive putter head  14  through the impact zone. As face  22  impacts the golf ball, shaft  12  will still be traveling through the downward swing arc. Putter head  14  will continue through the impact zone, essentially feeling to the individual as if the club is swinging itself. The result of combining all the above components into one putter results in a putter with dramatically improved stability and stroke efficiency for golfers of all abilities. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, face  22  of putter head  14  includes a rough surface  42 . Rough surface  42  may extend from the bottom to the top of face  22  and from the side at heel  26  to the side at toe  28 . Although, rough surface  42  is described as covering face  22  entirely, it is important to note, however, that rough surface  42  may cover only a portion of face  22 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , and perform equal as well. Rough surface  42  may be configured in any design on face  22 , such as, for example, a square, circle, triangle, etc. Rough surface  42  may be manufactured onto face  22 , such as, for example, a rough diamond surface, or, alternatively rough surface  42  may be a strip of material, such as, for example, sandpaper, and attached to face  22  with any type of adhesive. 
     Including rough surface  42  on face  22  will aid putter  10  in producing topspin in the golf ball. When face  22  contacts the ball, as putter  10  is swung through the bottom arc of a typical putting motion and into an upswing, the increased friction of rough surface  42  (over a typical semi-smooth surface) will grab the surface of the ball thereby inducing a topspin and propelling it in a forward motion toward the hole or target. As stated above, the topspin that has been induced in the golf ball will aid in keeping the ball on the intended path toward the hole or target. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative configuration of putter head  14  and putter  10  according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates still another alternative configuration of putter head  14  and putter  10  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In both of these particular embodiments, upper plate  16  is still manufactured of a heavier material than base  18 . As mentioned above, because upper plate  16  will have a greater mass than base  18 , the bulk of the weight or the center of gravity of putter head  14  will be above a centerline of face  22 . The heavier upper plate  16  will provide a greater inertial force in face  22  of putter  10  above this centerline. When a golf ball is struck by putter  10  and face  22 , the greater mass located above the center line of face  22  and the equator of the golf ball will tend to induce a topspin in the golf ball as it is propelled forward by face  22  of putter  10 . The topspin will create a gyroscopic effect in the golf ball causing the ball to travel a shorter distance in the air after first being struck by putter  10 , reduce the amount of skid the golf ball may otherwise undergo with a bottom weighted putter and maintain a straighter path toward the target or hole. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiment, which is merely illustrative of the best modes presently known for carrying out the invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various alternatives to the embodiment of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method within the scope of these claims and their equivalents by covered thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to include all novel and non-obvious combination of elements described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later application to any novel non-obvious combination of these elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiment is illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.