Abstract:
A golf club ( 110 ) has a head ( 111 ) with a curved reflective surface ( 128 ) for visually aligning a shot. The club head is counterbalanced above the plane of the ball ( 120 ) and has balance weights ( 116, 118 ) which may be selected to accommodate the style and preference of the user. The striking surface may be of a different material than the surrounding club head to dampen vibration on the stroke and may be of a material tailored to the user&#39;s preference. The other parts of the club may also be composites of several materials to assist in dampening vibration. An alternative aligning structure uses lenticular lens ( 142, 144, 146 ) to provide guiding images to the user.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/130,965, filed Apr. 26, 1999. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to the field of sports equipment and in particular to golf clubs. The invention is especially related to clubs for use in putting and to improvements in such clubs, but may be used on other clubs as well.  
         [0004]     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Golf enthusiasts and equipment manufacturers have continually sought to improve golf clubs, including putters, for many years. These efforts have included the addition of structures to improve the play of the clubs and structures designed as teaching aids to assist in instruction in the use of particular clubs. For example, elements have been developed to assist in teaching effective putting technique. Club improvements, of both types, include elements designating the center of mass of the club head or the effective contact area of the club head, i.e., the “sweet spot.” Modifications have also been added to assist the user in properly aligning the club head with the ball and the desired path of the ball to achieve a true hit and an accurate shot.  
         [0006]     The following U.S. patents are incorporated by reference herein: 
        U.S. Pat. No. 1,975,341     U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,984     U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,468     U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,690     U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,962     U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,429     U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,379     U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,777     U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,612     U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,016     U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,230        
 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The present invention relates to a golf club head having several novel features in a variety of combinations. The club head can include aligning means, such as reflective lenses or a reflective surface, as described herein. The club may also have a counterbalance above the plane of the ball and an arrow shape, as more particularly described below.  
         [0019]     The club may also be constructed of a plurality of materials, as described herein. The various materials of construction preferably are of differing densities and thus have different vibrational modes. The different vibrational modes and densities act to cancel out the vibration produced on striking the ball and assist in providing a true hit of the ball.  
         [0020]     The club head, such as a putter head, will preferably have the mass of the club distributed in the horizontal plane, rather than being concentrated at the center of mass. This distribution increases the moment of inertia of the club in the horizontal plane and increases the effective size of the “sweet spot” on the club face.  
         [0021]     The club is thus more effective at delivering a true hit, even if contact with the ball is off of the location of the center of mass of the club head.  
         [0022]     It is an object of this invention to provide a golf club head, such as a putter head, which incorporates a vibration dampening structure.  
         [0023]     It is an object of this invention to provide a golf club head, such as a putter head, which includes an optical aligning feature.  
         [0024]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a golf putter head which has a curved reflective surface to aid in aligning a putt.  
         [0025]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a golf putter which may accommodate a selectively installed striking surface.  
         [0026]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a golf putter which has an improved sweet spot to create a true hit on contact with the ball.  
         [0027]     An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with one or any combination of said features.  
         [0028]     The invention summarized above comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     In the drawings, corresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings in which:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a front, exploded, perspective view of a golf putter head in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a modified assembled golf putter head, similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , but with a different aligning means;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the golf putter head shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an exploded cross-sectional view of the golf putter head shown in  FIG. 1 , with alternative aligning means shown in phantom;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the golf putter head shown addressing a golf ball; and,  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the golf putter head reflecting the golf ball and a golf hole or pin.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a golf putter head or club head  110  in accordance with the present invention has a club head body  111  which is preferably constructed from a low density material, for example a plastic such as a high density polypropylene or similar material. The club head  110  may be fastened to a shaft  112  mounted in shaft hole  114 , as known in the art. The club head may be provided with specific inserts  115 ,  116 , and  118  of higher density material, such as lead, aluminum, brass or stainless steel. The particular materials may be chosen to suit the preference of the individual golfer. A harder material for insert  115  will impart a sharper impact to the ball, on contact. A softer material will impart a softer impact to the ball, on contact. It will be understood, however, that club head  110  and club head body  111  may be produced out of a higher density material, such as stainless steel, aluminum or brass. The club head  110  may also us a lower density insert  115  in the front cavity  119 , for example, a plastic material such as high density polypropylene or equivalent.  
         [0037]     Higher density inserts  115 ,  116 , and  118  are located to provide and enhance specific club head functions. For example, insert  115  in the front face of the club head  110  functions as the primary striking surface. Insert  115  provides a small concentrated area of weight and mass in the vertical plane. The vertical dimension of insert  115  preferably is smaller than the diameter of a golf ball  120 . This focuses more of the force of impact into the ball and results in a more straight and true putt with less of a club stroke. The horizontal dimension of insert  115  is extended to increase the moment of inertia of the club head  110  in the horizontal plane; this extends the “sweet spot” of the club head and assists in providing a true hit when the ball is struck off center. Insert  115  also preferably is formed of material having a specific “coefficient of restitution.” This material may be tailored to the preference of the user. A particular user may be comfortable with a very hard insert  115 , which provides a sharp impact on contact with the ball. Another user may be comfortable with a soft insert  115 , which provides a soft impact on contact with the ball. The features preferred by the user can assist in providing consistent straight and true putts.  
         [0038]     Front insert  115  is sized and located to work with other inserts  116  and  118  in producing a specifically located center of gravity that ensures a more straight and true putt. Specific inserts  116  and  118  are also located from the rear of club head  110  in sockets  117 . For example, these inserts are located to work with front insert  115  and produce a specific center of gravity.  
         [0039]     Inserts  116  and  118  are located at the top of a vertically rising structure  122  starting directly above the small contact area of the club face, and gradually expanding in width as it rises and curves back along a geometric path. Inserts  116  and  118  are located at the top of the vertically rising structure  122 . Inserts  116  and  118  provide a counterbalancing effect for the club. Since they are located wider and higher than golf ball  120 , the force of impact between club head  110  and golf ball  120  is better distributed. This permits the club head  110  to swing through more smoothly and increases the opportunity for a straight and true putt. Vertically rising structure  122  is preferably made of a lower density material, and thus is flexible. With inserts  116  and  118  at its top, the vertically rising structure flexes like a spring, absorbing the golf ball impact. The system behaves like a “spring/damper,” increasing the chance of an uninterrupted smooth swing and increasing the opportunity for a straight and true putt.  
         [0040]     Vertically rising structure  122  gradually expands in width as it rises and curves back along a geometric path. When vertically rising structure  122  is viewed from above as seen in  FIG. 6 , it takes the shape of an arrowhead  124 . This results in a dramatically improved way of aligning club head  110  along a prescribed path towards a hole or pin  126 ; the construction of club head  110 , using vertically rising structure  122  is especially useful as a training device and as a practice tool to develop a good putting stroke. More particularly, vertically rising structure  122  allows the golfer to match the rear curve of arrowhead  124  with the rear curve of body  111  for perfect alignment of club head  110  with ball  120 .  
         [0041]     A front surface  128  of vertically rising structure  122  has a tapered center reflective surface, for example formed of sputter coated aluminum, that allows the golfer to visually align golf ball  120 , with a reflection  130  of the golf ball and a reflection  132  of hole or pin  126  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Front surface  128  of vertically rising structure  122  can be flat or preferably slightly curved in its third dimension, as shown. As club head  110  is stroked, reflections  130 ,  132  should stay along the visual centerline of tapered mirror surface  128 , and within the diverging curved boundary lines  129 , shown in  FIG. 1 ; if they do not, then the golfer is not stroking along the correct path towards the hole. Correction is made by changing the stance and club alignment to correctly position the image of reflections  130 ,  132  on mirror surface  128 .  
         [0042]     When club head  110  is made out of a low density material, such as injection moldable plastic, it has the enhanced ability to have “snap fit” details molded into its shape. For example, there can be “snap” details on the rear of vertically protruding vertically rising structure  122  that can hold certain golf accessories. These can include golf tees, golf divot repair tools and golf ball markers, not shown. If club head  110  is produced out of a higher density material, using a lower density insert  115  in the front cavity, the club head still has the advantages of the vertically rising structure  122  and inserts  116  and  118  above the plane of the ball. As shown in  FIG. 3 , vertically rising structure  122  may be provided with strengthening webs  134  and  136  to increase the strength of this element without increasing its weight. Strengthening webs  134  and  136  form cavities  152  and  154  on the back side of vertically rising structure  122 , as shown. Cavities  152  and  154  can receive “snap fit” structures for golf accessories, as previously described. Cavities  152  and  154  can also receive additional inserts, not shown, to adjust the weight and balance of the club head  110  to suit the style and preference of the club user. Also as shown in  FIG. 3 , insert  115  may be held in cavity  119  by fasteners  138  and  140 . Fasteners  138  and  140  may be conventional elements, such as machine screws, as shown.  
         [0043]     It will be appreciated that the various elements described herein, such as inserts  115 ,  116 ,  118 , and the structure receiving these elements may be formed to be interchangeable by the use of “snap fit” mating elements, such detent and socket features, not shown, and by the use of removable fasteners such as machine screws  138  and  140 . Thermoplastic adhesives and equivalent materials may also be used to provide further reliability to the constructed club head  110  and still permit the elements of club head  110  to be interchanged to suit the preferences of the user. For example, insert  115  may be replaced by the user to compensate for wear or breakage or to interchange hard or soft striking surfaces, i.e., brass, lead or plastic. The construction of club head  110  may also be made substantially permanent, if desired. For example, a substantially permanent adhesive, such as a catalytic epoxy or equivalent, may be used to join the elements of club head  110 .  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an alternative embodiment is shown which has a further alternative aligning guide means. In this construction, alignment is provided by reference to a set of reflective elements or lens,  142 ,  144  and  146  which are mounted on the upper surface of club head  110 , as shown, for example by an adhesive, as known in the art. Preferably elements  142 ,  144  and  146  are lenticular lens, for example, of the type commonly used to decorate credit cards with multiple images. Suitable structures are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,230. The lens  142 ,  144  and  146  are aimed to provide an image to the user when the head of the user is positioned directly over the club head  110 , the proper position for putting. When the user looks down at the club head  110  the three images from lenses  142 ,  144  and  146  are in view. As the club is stroked, all three images remain in view if the club is stroked along the proper path through the ball.  
         [0045]     The image viewed by the golfer, when in position, can be color or other indicia such as parallel arrows indicating the direction of the club stroke. If the golfer&#39;s head is improperly positioned other images are seen by the golfer, indicating an error in the address of the ball and suggesting correction. For example, a different color is seen or a different set of arrows is seen suggesting repositioning of the stance forward or backward. It will be appreciated that combinations of indicia may also be used, such as color and shapes.  
         [0046]     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.