Patent Publication Number: US-7708651-B2

Title: Golf putter with an adjustable handle and a shaft that rotates about the handle and method for using the same

Description:
FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to a golf club and, more particularly, to a golf putter with an adjustable handle and a shaft that rotates about the handle and method for using the same. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A common goal for golfers is to reduce the number of strokes to their golf game. Reducing putting strokes on the green, however, is a problem area for many golfers. To reduce putting strokes, manufacturers of putters have focused on different putter head designs to improve target accuracy. For example, manufacturers have placed one or more alignment lines or large white dots (which represent aligned golf balls) on the putter heads for targeting a golf ball towards a hole. These types of putters have a number of limitations. For instance, to obtain target accuracy, the golfer must maintain a stable target line throughout the putting stroke. This requires rigid positioning of the arms and hands during the putting motion. Often times, as the golfer moves the putter during the back swing, the putter head goes off the target line causing the golfer to push or pull the putt so that the golf ball goes right or left of the hole. Golfers also tend to lift their head during the putt leaving the putter face open and causing the golf ball to move off target. 
   Another putter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,361 disclosed a putter that allowed for a pendulum motion of the shaft for advanced play. This putter, however, was not designed to improve putting accuracy. For example, the handle is positioned vertically with the shaft and putter head, causing the golfer to hold the putter in an awkward position. When holding such a putter, a golfer&#39;s hands on the handle and shaft can obstruct the eyesight path to the putter head and golf ball. Such an obstruction impedes the golfer from aligning the golf ball properly when putting. 
   SUMMARY 
   The improved putter disclosed herein can overcome the disadvantages of prior putters. According to one aspect of the invention, a putter comprises an adjustable handle, shaft, and putter head. The adjustable handle is configured for a first position and a second position. The shaft is connected with the adjustable handle and configured to rotate about the handle. The putter head is connected with the shaft and configured to move in a pendulum motion as the shaft rotates about the handle. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a putter comprises a handle, shaft, slidable grip, and a head. The shaft is connected with the handle and configured to pivot about the handle. The slidable grip is configured to slide along part of the shaft. The head is connected with the shaft and configured to move in a pendulum motion. For another aspect of the invention, a putter comprises a handle, shaft, and head. The shaft is connected with the handle. The handle is positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the shaft. The head is connected with the shaft and configured to pivot about the handle to move the head in a pendulum motion. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a putter comprises a handle, shaft, slidable grip and a head. The shaft is connected with the handle. The slidable grip is attached to the shaft and configured to slide along parts of the shaft. The head is connected with the shaft. In still another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for using a putter having a adjustable handle, a shaft connected with the handle and configured to pivot about the handle, and a putting head connected with the shaft. For the method, the handle is adjusted such that the handle is positioned substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The shaft rotates about the handle in a first direction such that the putter head moves behind a golf ball. The shaft also rotates about the handle in a second direction such that the putter head strikes the golf ball. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate examples and exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate example perspective views of the handle and shaft of the improved putter; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one example side view of the components of the handle and shaft of the improved putter; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example perspective view of the handle and shaft of the improved putter with coverings removed; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one example perspective view of the improved putter; 
       FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate a side, front, and top views, respectively, of an adjustable handle and shaft of the improved putter; 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate side views of the adjustable handle in a perpendicular and vertical position with respect to the shaft; 
       FIGS. 7A through 7D  illustrate example three-dimensional perspective views of the adjustable handle in a perpendicular position with respect to the shaft of the improved putter; 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrates example front and back views, respectively, of a golfer holding the improved putter when aligning the putter head with the golf ball; 
       FIGS. 9A through 9C  illustrate exemplary views of a golfer using the improved putter; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example perspective view of the shaft and slidable grip of the improved putter with coverings; 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example perspective view of the shaft and slidable grip of the improved putter with the coverings removed; 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate exemplary front and back perspective views, respectively, of a putting head for the improved putter; 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary top view of a putting head of the improved putter; 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary side view of a putting head of the improved putter; 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary side view of a putting head of the improved putter; and 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary side view of a putting head of the improved putter. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same parts. The following examples disclose an improved putter and methods for using the same. 
   One example of the improved putter includes an adjustable handle, shaft, and putter head. The adjustable handle is configured for a first position and a second position. The shaft is connected with the adjustable handle and configured to rotate about the handle. The putter head is connected with the shaft and configured to move in a pendulum motion as the shaft rotates about the handle. 
   The handle can be substantially perpendicular to the shaft or at 90 degrees with respect to the shaft at the first position. In this position, a golfer can, e.g., use one hand to hold the handle at an end near his chest where the shaft is connected with the handle at the other end. The golfer can use the other hand to move and rotate the shaft about the other end of the handle. In this manner, the hand and arm positioning of the improved putter does not impede the eyesight path to the golf ball. Because the shaft can move in a pendulum motion and in a direction across an axis of the handle from its distal end to an end near the shaft, the putter head can strike a golf ball with a higher degree of accuracy by moving along a target line with greater stability. That is, the pendulum motion of the putter head for the improved putter provides a stable motion for the putter head to follow the target line without deviating from that line. 
   After putting the ball into the hole, the golfer can place the handle at a second position such that the handle is positioned in a vertical or upright position. This allows the golfer to easily place the improved putter into a golf bag. When the golfer uses the improved putter again, the handle can be adjusted to the first position where the handle is substantially perpendicular with respect to the shaft and putt the golf ball into the hole. 
   In another example, the improved putter includes a slidable grip that allows a golfer to move the shaft in a more free flowing manner. For instance, the golfer can grip the slidable grip with the index finger and thumb of one hand while the other hand is on the handle to easily move the shaft as it rotates about the handle. As the shaft moves, the sliding grip can slide up and down the shaft without requiring rigid hand and elbow positions throughout the putting motion. This allows the golfer to have a more free flowing movement of the arms and hands during the putting stroke. In alternative examples, the slidable grip can be used on conventional type putters to assist the golfer with the putting stroke. Exemplary embodiments of the improved putter will now be explained. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate example perspective views of the handle  100  and shaft  106  of the improved putter. The shaft  104  includes a rotatable end  106  connected with the handle  100  that can rotate about the handle  100 . The shaft  104  is shown as having a cut-off part, which is only to illustrate that it can continue in length as a solid piece. Within the rotatable end  106  is a pivoting mechanism (not shown) that allows the shaft  104  to rotate or pivot about the handle  100 . In these examples, the handle  100  and shaft  104  are shown with a patterned covering of longitudinal triangles to provide a grip for a hand of the golfer. Examples of such coverings include soft or hard rubber, plastic, composite materials, or other gripping material. The covering is patterned to enhance gripping by a golfer, and can include any varying types of design patterns. 
   The handle  100  has a distal end with a circular disk  102  to maintain a golfer&#39;s grip on the handle  100 . The rotatable end  106  of the shaft  104  has a circular ring shape to receive one end of the handle  100 , the other end receives the circular disk  102 . Examples of the pivoting mechanism within the rotatable ring  104  can include ball bearings rotating about a metal rod or cylinder within the handle  104  or a hinge such that shaft  104  can rotate or pivot about the handle  104 . In these examples, the handle  100  should be positioned substantially perpendicular, i.e., at a 90 degrees angle, with respect to the shaft  104 —tolerating several degrees above or below 90 degrees. The rotatable end  106  is configured to rotate about an end of the handle  100 . Because the shaft  104  can rotate about the handle  100 , the shaft  104  can swing like a pendulum. The shaft  104  swings in a direction orthogonal to an axis running from opposite ends of the handle  100 . This pendulum motion provides an accurate way of striking the golf ball along a target line. Because the handle is positioned perpendicular to the shaft, a golfer can have one hand on the handle near the circular disk  102  so that the eyesight of the golfer is not impeded by the hand on the handle  100 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates one example side view of the components of the handle  200  and shaft  204  of the improved putter. This example can be implemented for the examples shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . As shown, the handle  200  has a rounded end piece  201 , which connects to a long cylindrical rod  215 . The handle  200  can include an outer part  203 , which can have a covering as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Within the outer part  203 , the long cylindrical rod  215  runs from the rounded end  201  to the rounded piece  205  connected to the rotatable end  206  of the shaft  204 . The rod  215  is received by a circular ring of the rotatable end  206  and within the circular ring of the rotatable end  206  is a pivoting mechanism that includes ball bearings  208 , which facilitate the rotating or pivoting motion of the shaft  204  about the handle  200 . The pivoting mechanism for the improved putter is not limited to any particular mechanism and other alternatives can be implemented. For example, the shaft  204  can rotate about the handle  200  using a pivoting hinge or rod. In particular, the long cylindrical rod  215  can act as a pivoting hinge or rod in which the circular ring of the rotatable end  206  can attach to and allow the shaft  204  to rotate about the handle  200 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates another example perspective of a handle  300  and shaft  304  of the improved putter with coverings removed. From this perspective, the handle  300  and shaft  304  can be composed of stainless steel. The circular disk  302  can also be composed of steel and soldered onto handle  300 . Other examples of materials for the handle  300  and shaft  304  include titanium, graphite, aluminum, or other like materials. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates one example perspective view of the improved putter. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the improved putter includes a handle  400 , shaft  404  that connects with the handle  400 , and a putting head  420  that connects with the shaft  404 . At one end, the shaft  404  includes a rotatable end  406  configured to rotate about the handle  400  and at the other end the shaft  404  is attached to the putting head  420 . In this example, a slidable grip  420  is placed on shaft  404  and can slide or move along part of the shaft  404 . The movement of the slidable grip  420  is limited in one direction by the upper stop part  411  and limited in another direction by the lower stop part  412 . The upper and lower stop parts  411  and  412  can stop the movement of the slidable grip  420 . Examples of the upper and lower stop parts  411  and  412  include rubber or plastic rings. These stop parts  411  and  412  are adjustable to accommodate a golfer&#39;s putting swing. For example, there can multiple screw holes along the shaft where the stop parts  411  and  412  can be attached. Alternatively, the stop parts can be composed of material such that they can easily be adjusted in position along the shaft  404 —e.g., the shaft can have a thicker part where the stop parts can be fixedly placed at those locations, if made of a rubber or plastic having a diameter less than the diameter of the thicker part. In alternative examples, the slidable grip  410  and stop parts  411  and  412  can be placed on conventional type putters to assist the golfer with the putting stroke, and not limited to pivoting or rotating shaft type putters. 
   As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , a golfer can have one hand on the handle  402  which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the shaft  404  and another hand on the slidable grip  410 . As the golfer moves the shaft  404  holding on the slidable grip  410  during the putting swing, the slidable grip  410  can move up and down the shaft between the top and bottom stop parts  411  and  412  to allow the golfer to have a more free flowing swing to an accurate putt without having to require rigid hand and arm positioning of conventional putters. Because the shaft  404  can rotate or pivot at the rotatable end  406 , the putter head  420  moves in a pendulum motion that directs the putter head to move in a straight direction. This motion can prevent the putter head from moving off the target line and helping the golfer to avoid pushing and pulling the putt right and left of the golf hole. 
   In this example of  FIG. 4 , putter head  420  has a conical shape with a dome end to assist in the pendulum motion. The face of the putter head  420  can be flat and have the size of a golf ball to provide a solid contact with a golf ball and further alignment accuracy. This dome shape putter head  420  can provide a controlled weighting to provide a good feel to the putting swing when making contact with the golf ball. The putter head  420  for the improved putter can have any number of varying shapes and putter head faces and not limited to any design or shape. As long the putter head provides a face and a weight for the pendulum motion, putting accuracy by way of the pendulum motion can be achieved. 
     FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate a side, front, and top views, respectively, of an adjustable handle  500  and shaft  504  of the improved putter. In these examples, for the adjustable handle  500 , two pivoting points or mechanisms are provided to move the handle  500  from a perpendicular position with respect to the shaft  504  to a vertical position and to allow the shaft  504  to pivot about the handle  500  and provide a pendulum motion for hitting a golf ball. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5A , the first pivoting mechanism to adjust the handle  500  into a vertical or upright position is shown by way of the bushing pin or rod  509  (rod  509 ) and ball shaped rotating end  506  for the shaft  504 . Referring to  FIG. 5B , the rotating end  506  includes three parts: two lateral parts  516 A and  516 C and a central part  516 B between the lateral parts  516 A and  516 C. The rod  509  runs laterally from the lateral part  516 C to the lateral part  516 A and through the central part  516 B. The handle  500  connects with the central part  516 B by way of a connecting piece  521  that connects with the long rod  515  in the handle  500 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5C , the handle  500 , which is connected with the central part  516 B, can pivot about the rod  509  (can act as a hinge) in the location of the dashed circle in the drawing. This allows the handle  500  to pivot or rotate to a vertical or upright position. For alternative examples, ball bearings can be implemented to rotate about the rod  509  and also allow the handle  500  to pivot into the vertical position. That is, the handle  500  pivots about the rod  509  at the pivoting point in the center portion of the central part  516 B. Stop or locking mechanisms  520 A and  520 B are shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  that prevent the handle from going past the vertical or upright positions. For example, the locking mechanism can comprise of a button that when pressed in pushes in a tooth that can fit into a depression in the central part  516 C when the button is released preventing the handle  500  from pivoting. The stopping mechanism  520 A stops the handle  500  at the 90 degree position with respect to the shaft  504 . The stopping mechanism  520 B stops the handle  500  at 180 degree position with respect to the shaft  504 . Other locking mechanisms can be implemented for the adjustable handle  500  and not limited to a particular example. 
   The second pivoting mechanism and pivoting point is shown by way of the ball bearings  505  in the handle  500 . The rotating end  506  is connected with the shaft  504  and both can rotate about the handle  500  by way of the ball bearings  505 . The ball bearings  505  can rotate around the connecting piece  521 . This allows the shaft  504  to rotate or pivot about the handle  500  so that a putting head can have a pendulum motion when striking a golf ball. Although the pivoting mechanism includes ball bearings  505 , other examples can be implemented such that the connecting piece  521  can act as a hinge to allow the shaft  504  to rotate about the handle  500 . 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate side views of the adjustable handle  600  in perpendicular and vertical positions, respectively, with respect to the shaft  604 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , the handle  600  is in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the shaft  604 . In this position, a golfer can use the improved putter to move the shaft  604  so it pivots about the handle  600  by way of the ball bearings  605  and connecting piece  621 . After putting the golf ball into the hole, the golfer can adjust the handle  602  to a vertical or upright position as shown in  FIG. 6B . In this position, the handle  600  can easily slide into the golf bag in contrast to when it is in a perpendicular position with the shaft  604 . When the handle  600  is in the 180 degree position with respect to the shaft  604 , the golfer can still use the improved putter in a conventional way. 
     FIGS. 7A through 7D  illustrate example three-dimensional perspective views of the adjustable handle  700  in a perpendicular position with respect to the shaft  704  of the improved putter. These examples shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D  can be implemented in  FIGS. 7A-7D , which are three-dimensional illustrations. 
   Because the handle  700  can pivot at the center part of the ball shaped rotating end  706 , the handle  700  can be positioned in a vertical and upright position with respect to the shaft  704 . This is necessary so that the improved putter can easily fit in a golfing bag. Alternatively, a golfer can use the improved putter where the handle  700  is in the upright position and use a conventional putting stroke. The improved putter, however, provides a second pivoting mechanism and pivoting point such that the shaft  704  can rotate about the handle  700  and allow a putting head to have a pendulum motion when striking a golf ball. For example, referring to the above  FIGS. 7A-5D , the handle  700  includes a first pivoting mechanism  709  and second pivoting mechanism  705 . The first pivoting mechanism allows the handle  700  to be adjusted to the upright position as shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D . The second pivoting mechanism  705  allows the shaft  704  to rotate about the handle  700  as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  FIGS. 7A and 7C  show the adjustable handle  700  and shaft  704  with a protective covering and  FIGS. 7B and 7D  shown the handle  700  and shaft  704  without a covering. The improved putter could be used with or without coverings. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrates example front and back views, respectively, of a golfer holding the improved putter when aligning the putter head  820  with the golf ball. In these examples, the golfer holds one hand at the end of the handle  800  and another hand on the slidable grip  810 . For the slidable grip, the index finger and thumb can control movement of the shaft. The putter head also has an alignment marking with a line going across the putter head from the face to the end of the putter head. 
     FIGS. 9A through 9C  illustrates exemplary views of using the improved putter. Referring to  FIG. 9A , a golfer grips the handle  900  with one hand and slidable grip  910  with the other hand. The hand holding the handle  900  can be positioned toward the end of the handle  900  so as not to impede the eyesight of the golfer to the putter head and golf ball. The putter head  920  can have a marking  931  (straight line) across the top of the head to assist the golfer with the target line for striking the golf ball. In this example, the slidable grip  910  is in between the stop parts  911  and  912 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9B , the golfer can move the shaft back during the back swing where the slidable part  910  can slide to the bottom stop part  912 . Because the shaft  904  can rotate or pivot with respect to the handle  900 , the shaft  904  and putter head  920  can have a pendulum motion and the hand on the handle  900  can stay in a fixed position. Referring to  FIG. 9C , at the end of the back swing, the golfer can begin the down swing to strike the ball. During this part of the swing, the slidable part  910  can move towards the upper stop part  911 . This allows the user hand to maintain a more nature movement of the arm and maintain alignment accuracy when striking the ball. Because of the pendulum motion of the putter head  920  and shaft  904 , the putter head  920  hits the golf ball along a target line with less deviation from that line. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates an example perspective of the shaft  1004  and slidable grip  1010  of the improved putter with coverings. The shaft  1004  can have a covering over a stainless steel shaft or nickel chrome shaft, e.g., a smooth and hard plastic covering where the inside of the slidable part  1010  is also a smooth and hard plastic such that the surfaces within the slidable part  1010  and shaft  1004  have low friction and move readily easy. In other examples, the shaft  1004  is stainless steel or nickel chrome and the slidable part  1010  is made of a rubber, plastic, or composite material that easily glides on the stainless steal. Other type of metal materials can also be used for shaft  1004 . In other examples, any different combinations of materials can be used when forming the slidable shaft  1010  and shaft  1004 . The stop parts  1011  and  1012  can be washer shaped hard or soft plastic or rubber. In certain examples, these stop parts can easily slide up or down the shaft  1004 . In other examples, the stop parts can be glued or screwed into the shaft. 
     FIG. 11  illustrates an example perspective of the shaft  1104  and slidable grip  1110  of the improved putter with the coverings removed. In this example, the slidable part  1110  can be made of a metallic material and capable of sliding on the shaft  1104 , which is also composed of a metallic material. The stop parts  1111  and  1112  can prevent the slidable part  1110  from moving past desired locations of the shaft  1104 . The shaft  1004  and  1104  in  FIGS. 10 and 11  can telescope into varying and adjustable lengths. For example, the shafts  1004  and  1104  can be made of multiple tubes or cylinders placed inside one another, which can telescope into varying length shafts. 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate exemplary perspectives of the front and back views, respectively, of a putting head for the improved putter. Referring to  FIG. 12A , the putting head  1220  is connected with the shaft  1204  having a golf ball size open face area  1125  to strike a golf ball. The putting head  1220  includes a conical part  1230  with a dome end  1231 , which provides a balanced weighting for the pendulum motion. The shaft  1204  is attached near the conical part  1230  for a more balanced pendulum motion. The conical part  1230  has a straight line marking on the top so a golfer can use that marketing to line up the golf ball to the target. 
     FIGS. 13-16  illustrate exemplary top and side views of a putting head of the improved putter. These putting heads can be used for the above examples for the improved putter. Referring to  FIG. 13 , a top view of a putting head  1320  is shown, which is a top of the putting head of  FIGS. 12A and 12B . This is the view that is seen by a golfer when aligning his golf ball with the putter. There is longitudinal line  1321  running from the semi conical end to the front face  1325  of the putting head  1320 . The golfer can use that alignment line for his target line. This target line can be the direction of the pendulum motion of the putting head  1320  for the improved putter. When the golfer strikes the ball when the putting head  1320  using a pendulum motion following the target line, the ball can follow the target line into the hole. 
     FIGS. 14 ,  15 , and  16  provide alternative shapes of a putting head for the improved putter. Referring to  FIG. 14 , a putting head  1420  and shaft  1404  can take on more conventional style of a putter, however, striking the ball in a pendulum motion. Referring to  FIG. 15 , a putting head  1520  can have more of a wedge shape and the shaft  1504  can be position near a side of the putting head  1520 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , the putting head  1620  can have a half of a conical shape where the putting head is shaped like a cylindrical cone with the top half removed. The shaft in this example is connected to the putting head near a front edge. Any number of putting head shapes can be implemented and shaft connections to the putting head for the improved putter. 
   Thus, the improved putter has been described that overcomes disadvantages of conventional putters and improves the putting accuracy for a golfer. In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples and embodiments. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.