Abstract:
A putter type golf club head having a variety of ball striking face configurations including free standing, raised projections, punch marks, vertical and horizontal grooves and combinations thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to golf putters and in particular to putters with improved ball striking face configurations. 
     It is well known that a golf ball tends to skid a considerable distance across a putting green surface after being struck by a planar ball striking face of a putter before it begins to roll. Various ball striking face surfaces, many with face insets made of different materials, have been developed to improve the way a golf ball rolls off a putter face. 
     For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,616 to Rife uses a series of horizontal, V-shaped grooves with truncated outer ball gripping edges to grip a golf ball as it leaves the striking face to increase roll. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,044 to Swash shows a golf putter having a ball striking face with a plurality of concentric grooves. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,641 to Miesch et al. shows a putter face made of an array of pyramids to increase friction between the golf ball and the putter face. 
     U.S. Design Pat. D 411,275 to Bottema et al. shows a putter face with an array of cylindrical projections. 
     U.S. Design Pat. D 415,809 to Bottema et al. shows a putter face with an array of cubed shaped projections. 
     U.S. Design Pat. D 57,980 to Kraeuter shows a putter face with an array of diamond shaped projections. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,434 to Baker et al. shows a putter face with an array of truncated, pyramid shaped projections. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,530,052 to Stuff et al. and 4,508,342 to Drake both show putter faces with vertical grooves. 
     U.S. Design Pat. D 63,284 to Challis shows a putter face with an array of square projections. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a variety of putter ball striking face configurations including free standing raised projections, punch marks, vertical and horizontal grooves and combinations thereof. 
     The ball striking face surfaces of the present invention, in addition to producing substantially more cushioning effect at impact, also provide increased traction between the club face and the golf ball, resulting in optimum tracking accuracy from the initial ball contact and greater increased resistance to adverse lateral movements or reactions which can occur when off center ball contact occurs. Thus when a golf ball is struck by the ball striking face configurations of the present invention, there is a greater ball resistance to such things as minor surface imperfections on the putting green, and other impediments such as top dressing, grass cuttings or other particles sometimes found on putting green surfaces. Because of the increased top traction applied to golf balls when they are struck by the free standing, projections of this invention, the behavior of the balls is altered considerably. The balls begin to roll immediately with additional traction and axis spin resulting in the ball rolling over obstacles instead of being easily deflected. Furthermore, the raised projection designs of the present invention produce enhanced, positive traction between the club face and the golf ball whereby the ball quickly reacts and adheres to the club face for a slightly longer time than it would with a normal flat ball striking surface of conventional type putter faces. The tendency for the ball not to jump off of the club face is particularly useful in putting downhill putts or on extremely fast greens where controlling the ball speed is of primary importance. 
     The staggered free standing, rectangular projection designs of the present invention create more isolated land areas where ball contact occurs. This improved structure not only produces dramatically more cushion but permits the optimum transfer of energy to the precise point of ball contact on the putter face. Because less area of the ball is contacted by the smaller isolated, free standing land areas, the transmitted energy is more focused directly to the precise ball surface contact point rather than being dissipated across a larger planar striking face surface like that of traditional putter faces. 
     Applicant significantly associates his present invention, to the occurrence of one of Natures&#39; phenomena involving the Laws of Physics and Dynamics. He has relied on the irrefutable visible results that occur, repeatedly, when a golf ball lands in a pond or any pool of water. 
     “Ripples” or “Concentric Rings” start forming immediately from the force at impact. Most notably, the available energy is distributed in a 360° direction, perpetuating a group of continuing “Concentric Rings”, that behave in a most extraordinary manner . . . the “Concentric Rings” are symmetrically formed, retain their same space between them, and never overtake one another. Also, as the force or energy level diminishes, it does so equally, in a 360° direction. This amazing visual demonstration occurs each time, in the same order, at the same tempo and with the same results. 
     Using this knowledge, the present invention incorporates free standing, smaller rectangular projections on the ball striking face which are totally isolated, individually separated from each other. The free standing projections have planar land surface areas which permit only minimal contact of the putter face to a golf ball during a putting stroke thus concentrating the force at the precise point of contact between the ball and the club face. This minimizes any diminishing effect or energy loss of the impact force which can dissipate away from the golf ball, thereby allowing more energy to be instantly available for transmission directly to the ball at the precise point of contact on the putter face. 
     Further, the unusual concepts of this invention not only increase the ball&#39;s tracking accuracy and responsiveness, they also produce a significant and impressive amount of a “softer”-type built-in cushioning. The land area surfaces of the raised free-standing projections are much smaller than the land areas between the longer vertical or horizontal grooves . . . or the planar surfaces of conventional putter faces. Consequently, more energy is transmitted to the ball by the larger land areas of such putters. However, the free-standing construction of the smaller surfaces of this invention, appear to produce more P.S.I. available at ball-contact, than the larger land areas of other planar face or grooved putter faces. 
     Having this unique capability, putter faces with this invention permit golfers to stroke their putts, with more authority, knowing that the ball will not roll excessively beyond the intended hole. Also, golfers, knowing their balls will not roll and roll, uncontrollably far beyond their intended putting hole, quickly develop increased confidence and assurance when confronting fast downhill putts. 
     Quite often, some putts with visible “breaks” require the ball to be stroked on a “curved” path to have any chance of rolling into the intended cup. All golfers dread this situation. However, the gripping action of this invention, is so effective and compelling that golfers can boldly stroke their balls, more directly to the hole, or with much less allowance for the normal “break” needed with putters having planar faces. 
     A first embodiment uses a series of free standing, raised rectangular projections which are offset with each adjacent projection in a vertical brick configuration. 
     A second embodiment uses a series of free standing, raised rectangular projections which are staggered in a horizontal, brick configuration. 
     A third embodiment uses a series of free standing, vertical raised projections at the center of the club face and a series of raised rectangular projections which are staggered in a vertical brick configuration at the heel and toe sections of the putter face. 
     A fourth embodiment uses a series of spaced, hyphenated, vertical raised projections at the center of the club face and a series of free standing, raised rectangular projections which are staggered in a vertical brick configuration at the heel and toe sections of the putter face. 
     A fifth embodiment uses an array of free standing, three sided, equilateral triangular shaped, raised projections on the ball striking face. 
     A sixth embodiment uses a series of vertical, hyphenated grooves. 
     A seventh embodiment uses a series of full length vertical grooves centrally located on the club face and an array of punch marks at the heel and toe. 
     An eighth embodiment uses an array of punch marks centrally located on the club face in a series of full length vertical grooves at the heel and toe. 
     Among the objects of the present invention are the provision of an improved ball striking face configuration for golf putters that effectively transfers more productive energy directly to a golf ball from the initial ball contact allowing it to roll with a more positive and accurate directional control. 
     Another object is the provision of a golf putter having a ball striking surface which enhances a golfers ability to stroke putted balls with more authority to provide better distance control and accurate direction of a stroked golf ball. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred, but non-limiting, embodiment of the subject invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a first embodiment of a putter face configuration in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view taken along the lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective of a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an eight embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. 8 in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
     FIGS. 1 to  3  illustrate a standard golf putter  10  including a ball striking face  12 , a heel  14 , a toe  16 , bottom surface  18 , top edge  20 , and hosel  22  for connection to a shaft, not shown. The ball striking face  12  is formed with a series of vertically oriented, free standing, raised rectangular projections  24 . The projections  24  are staggered row to row and form a brick type configuration, whereby the centers of one row of projections  24  are directly opposite the ends of projections  24  of an adjacent row. 
     Each projection has vertical parallel sides  26  and parallel horizontal ends  28 . The void area  30  between the projections  24  creates columns of spaces  32  between columns of projections  24  and spaces  34  between horizontal ends of the projections. The depth of the spaces  32  formed by the void area 30 is approximately 0.015 inches and does not exceed 0.017 inches. The dimensions of each projection  24  is preferably 0.125 inches in length, 0.063 inches in width and does not exceed 0.017 inches in height. The spaces  32 ,  34  are the same width as the width of the projections  24 , that is 0.063 inches. Preferably, in accordance with the present invention, the width of the projections  24  is the same as the width of the spaces  32 ,  34 . However, the length, width, and spacing between the projections may be varied. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a golf putter  100  having a series of horizontal rows of free standing, rectangular projections  102  on the ball striking face  104 . The projections  102  are staggered row to row and form a brick type configuration, whereby the centers of one row of projections  102  are opposite ends of projections  102  of an adjacent row. 
     FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a golf putter  200  having a series of elongated, vertical projections  202  at the center of the club face  204  and a series of free standing, raised rectangular projections  206  which are staggered in a vertical brick configuration at the heel  208  and toe  210  sections of the putter face  204 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a forth embodiment of a golf putter  300  using a series of spaced, hyphenated vertical raised projections  302  at the center of the club face  304  and a series of raised, free standing, rectangular projections  306  which are staggered in a vertical brick configuration at the heel  308  and toe  310  sections of the putter face  304 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of a golf putter  400  using an array of three sided equilateral triangular shaped, free standing, raised projections  402  on the ball striking face  404 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a sixth embodiment of a golf putter  500  using a vertical, hyphenated groove configuration  502  on the ball striking face  504 . The hyphenated groove configuration  502  includes a series of individual lengths of grooves  506  vertically oriented across the ball striking face  504 . The grooves  506  have vertical sides  510  and horizontal ends  512  which form gripping edges on the putter striking face  504 . The individual lengths of grooves  506  are vertically spaced, in an end to end relationship, forming a gap  508 , between the vertically adjacent individual lengths of grooves  506 . 
     FIG. 10 shows a seventh embodiment of a golf putter  600  using a series of full length vertical grooves  602  centrally located on the club face  604  and an array of punch marks  606  at the heel  608  and toe  610 . 
     FIG. 11 shows an eighth embodiment of a golf putter  700  using an array of punch marks  702  centrally located on the club face  704  and a series of full length vertical grooves  706  at the heel  708  and toe  710 . 
     While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.