Patent Publication Number: US-2021162276-A1

Title: Golf putter head and golf putter including same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same and more specifically, to a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same capable of improving linearity of a golf ball. 
     RELATED ART 
     In general, golf clubs fall into three groups—woods, irons, and putters. Among them, woods and irons are divided on the basis of flight distances or hitting angles. 
     A putter is usually used on a green with the intention of rolling a golf ball into the hole. Such a golf putter consists of a putter head for hitting a golf ball, a shaft and a grip connected to the putter head. A putter head may consist of a material identical with that of a body and may consist of a body and a hitting part constituting a hitting surface. Usually the body may consist of a material such as aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, bronze, titanium etc., and the hitting part may consist of bronze, titanium, tungsten alloys, copper, polymer etc. 
     The shape of a putter head consists of a top surface, a bottom surface, a forward hit surface, a rear surface, a toe and a heel on the basis of a body. 
     By the shape of a putter, putters basically fall into three groups—a blade putter, a center shaft putter and a mallet putter. In terms of a blade putter, weight is disproportionately distributed to a toe. Further, the blade putter has an in-to-in swing path. In terms of a center shaft putter, a shaft is positioned at the center of a head. Further, the center shaft putter has a straight swing path. In terms of a mallet putter, weight is evenly distributed to a head. Further, the mallet putter has a hammer shape such that a golf ball moves in a consistent direction although any portion of a hitting surface is hit. 
     Further, the hitting surface of the putter head, which hits a golf ball, forms loft angle, and a golf ball may be rolled or hit depending on the loft angle and a shape formed on the hitting surface. 
     In recent years, putters come in various shapes and materials, besides putters with the above-described basic structure. 
     Korean patent No. 10-0742186 in  FIG. 1 , which is a typical blade putter, discloses a blade-type putter head  2  having a flat putter face  3 , and a shaft  1  coupled to the blade-type putter head. Such a blade-type putter cannot give an exact straight rotation force to a round golf ball hit by the flat putter face. 
     As another example, Japanese Petty Utility Model Patent 59-82065 and Korean Patent No. 10-0742186 in  FIGS. 2 and 3  disclose a circular rod-type golf putter and a putter head  5 , having a circular arc-type face  6 ,  9  respectively. The putter head  5 ,  8  disclosed in the above-described patents is configured to have a sphere shape; accordingly, hitting points cannot be exactly adjusted. As a result, a ball hit bounces while rolling. 
     As yet another example, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-60592 in  FIG. 4  discloses a cylindrical roller putter  13 . The cylindrical roller putter has a hitting face with a sphere shape; accordingly, hitting points cannot be exactly adjusted. As a result, a ball hit bounces while rolling. Further, putting cannot be performed exactly due to the gap of a bearing installed at the cylindrical roller. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVNETION 
     Technical Problems 
     As a means to solve various problems including the above-described problems, provided is a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same capable of improving forward linearity of a golf ball. However, such problems are provided only as examples. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the solutions to the problems. 
     Technical Solutions 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a golf putter head includes a top head having an upper face which consists of a convex curved surface, and a bottom head having a lower face which consists of a convex curved surface and is positioned below the top head. 
     In terms of a golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the top head and the bottom head may include a circular rod. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, the height of a peak, which protrudes the furthest in a forward direction from the upper face of the top head, may be configured to be the same as that of the center of the golf ball or higher than that of the center of a golf ball. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the upper face may be smaller than or identical with the radius of curvature of the lower face. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, a toe and a heel of the bottom head, which adjoin the ground surface at address, may be cut off. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention, the center of gravity of the golf putter head may be positioned at the bottom head. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom head may consist of at least two circular rods. In this case, the radius of curvature of the upper face is bigger than or identical with the radius of curvature of the lower face. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention, the bottom head may include an extension part that extends in the opposite direction of the lower face. 
     Further, in terms of a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention, the extension part may include a front end that is bent upwards so as to lift a golf ball. 
     Further, a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a bridge part connected with the front and rear direction of the top head and coupled to a shaft. 
     Further, a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention may include inserts provided to at least one of the upper and lower faces. 
     Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a golf putter includes the above-described golf putter head, a shaft coupled to the golf putter head and a grip coupled to the shaft. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention with the above-described configuration, provided is a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same capable of improving forward linearity of a golf ball. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to such an effect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter according to related arts. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter according to related arts. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter according to related arts. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter according to related arts. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a view schematically illustrating the operation of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are a perspective view and a side view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are a perspective view and a side view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the subject matter of the present invention to those with ordinary knowledge. Further, in the drawings, the sizes of elements may be exaggerated or reduced for the sake of convenience in description. 
     The present invention may be modified and embodied in various different forms, and specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in the section of detailed description of the invention and illustrated in the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein and that all modifications, equivalents, alternatives within the scope of the spirit and technology of the present invention are included in the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements during description of the drawings. 
     It should be understood that when an element is referred to as “connecting to” or “accessing” another element, it can directly connect to or access another element, or an intervening element may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as “directly connecting to”, “directly accessing” another element, there are no intervening element present. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprise” or “have” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or a combination thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and are not interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Below, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. A golf putter according to this embodiment includes golf putter heads  20 ,  30 , a shaft  70  coupled to the golf putter heads, and a grip which will be described below. The shaft  70  and the grip are identical with or similar to a conventional shaft and a conventional grip. Accordingly, the golf head putter will be described in detail below. 
     A golf putter head according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a top head  20  and a bottom head  30 . The top head  20  includes an upper face  21  which consists of a convex curved surface, and the bottom head  30  includes a lower face  31  which consists of a convex curved surface and is positioned below the top head  20 . 
     Herein, the upper  21  and lower  31  faces are surfaces for hitting a golf ball  100  and are respectively positioned at front surfaces of the upper  20  and lower  30  heads. At least one of the upper  20  and lower  30  heads, for instance, may be configured to be a circular rod. 
     In more detail, the upper face  21  that is a convex curved surface may be configured to be a circular arc or a part of an ellipse on a cross section perpendicular to an extended line passing a toe and a heel. Further, the lower face  31  that is a convex curved surface may be configured to be a circular arc or a part of an ellipse on a cross section perpendicular to an extended line passing a toe and a heel. Accordingly, the front surface of the top head  20  is a curved upper face  21 , and the front surface of the bottom head  30  is a curved lower face  31 . 
     In this case, the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  may be positioned in parallel with each other. For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  are positioned above and below in parallel with each other, and lie flat so as to extend in the right and left directions. Accordingly, the center of the top head  20  and the center of the bottom head  30  may be approximately laid on a flat surface perpendicular to the ground surface  200  or in a direction where gravity acts. As illustrated, the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  are respectively configured to be a circular rod but the shape thereof is not limited to a circular rod. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view schematically illustrating a lateral surface of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the radius of curvature of the upper face  21 , as illustrated, may be smaller than that of the lower face  31 . Accordingly, the lower face  31  may protrude further than the upper face  21  in a direction where a golf ball  100  proceeds. The effect relevant to this will be described in  FIG. 8 . Further, the radius of curvature of the upper face  21  may be the same as that of the lower face unlike the radius of curvature of the upper face illustrated. 
     Meanwhile, the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  may be joined by means of fitting, welding etc. or may be coupled through other well-known methods after being respectively manufactured. Further, the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  may be integrally manufactured. However, the top head  20  and the bottom head  30  may be respectively manufactured so as to be coupled to each other. In this case, the lower surface  22  of the top head  20  may be configured to be flat, and the upper end of the bottom head  30  may be configured to be flat such that the top head  20  is easily coupled to the bottom head  30 . Accordingly, the flat lower surface  22  of the top head  20  and the flat upper surface of the bottom head  30  are touched to each other so as to be precisely firmly coupled to each other. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , a part of the bottom head  30  of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same may be cut off. 
     In detail, the toe and the heel of the bottom head  30 , which adjoin the ground surface  200  at address, may be cut off. That is, both lower sides  32  of the bottom head  30  may be cut off. In this case, the toe and heel of the bottom head  30  may be cut off so as to have a flat surface, and to have a smooth convex curved surface. Accordingly, the golf putter is naturally put on a green at the time of putting thereby helping providing not only a sound address but also comfort and a psychologically relaxed state to a golfer. 
       FIG. 8  is a view schematically illustrating the operation of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to the above-described embodiments. 
     In comparison between the size of the golf putter head and the size of a golf ball  100 , the diameter of a golf ball  100  is substantially 42 mm, and the height of the face surface of the putter is generally lower than that of the golf ball  100 . Additionally, the face surface of the putter hits the center of the golf ball  100  at the time of putting, and as the putter passes the point where the putter hits the golf ball  100 , the putter head moves upwards. Considering this, the height of the peak, which protrudes the furthest in a forward direction from the upper face  21  of the top head  20  of a golf putter according to the present invention, is preferably configured to be the same as that of the center of the golf ball or higher than that of the center of the golf ball. In addition, the height of the peak, which protrudes in a forward direction from the lower face  31  of the bottom head  30  of a golf putter of the present invention, is configured to be lower than that of the center of the golf ball. Herein, the height is measured on the basis of the ground surface  200  where the golf ball  100  and the golf putter head are put. 
     Below, a heating motion will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     In general, a golf ball is positioned below the left eye of a golfer at the time of putting. In this conventional way of putting, the peak protruding in a forward direction from the upper face  21  of the top head  20  first hits the center of the golf ball  100  or the upper end adjacent to the center of the golf ball  100 , and while moving upwards, makes the golf ball  100  roll and move forwards. In this case, the peak protruding in a forward direction from the upper face  21  of the top head  20  and the peak protruding in a forward direction from the lower face  31  of the bottom head  30  may simultaneously hit the golf ball  100 . 
     Meanwhile, if a golf putter according to an embodiment of the present invention is used for putting, new effects may be produced depending on the location of the golf ball. For instance, if the golfer putts in the state where a golf ball is positioned below the right eye, the peak protruding in a forward direction from the upper face  21  of the top head  20  of the putter and the peak protruding in a forward direction from the lower face  31  of the bottom head  30  of the putter respectively hit the upper end and lower end of the center of the golf ball simultaneously or continuously, thereby helping improving linearity (rolling) of the gold ball. Further, when a golf ball is put near a green edge, if the golfer putts in the state where the golf ball is positioned at the left foot, chipping is possible. That is, the bottom head  30  of the putter slightly hits and lifts the bottom of the golf ball such that the golfer chips near the edge because the golf ball is positioned at the left foot. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the peak protruding in a forward direction from the upper face  21  of the top head  20  may hit the lower end adjacent to the center of the golf ball  100 . In addition, the bottom head  30  hits the golf ball  100  at the same time as the top head  20  does or later than the top head  20  does. In particular, the bottom head  30  contacts and hits a part below the center line of the golf ball  100 . In this case, the bottom head  30  hits the golf ball  100  so as to make the golf ball  100  roll and move forwards by means of an upward movement. That is, the bottom head  30  hits a part below a center line of the golf ball  100  while lifting the part below a center line of the golf ball  100  so as to smoothly and exactly give a rotational force to the golf ball  100 . Accordingly, if a golf putter according to the present invention is used for putting, the top head  20  firstly hits the golf ball  100  so as to allow the golf ball  100  roll and move forwards and secondly hits the golf ball  100  again so as to increase the rolling movement and straight forward movement of the golf ball  100 . As described above, if a golf putter according to the present invention is used for putting, linearity of the golf ball  100  may be significantly improved. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view schematically illustrating a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 10A  is a side view illustrating the golf putter head and the golf putter including the same in  FIG. 9 . 
     A golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to this embodiment is approximately identical with or similar to a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to the above-described embodiment except for modified parts that will be described below. Accordingly, identical or similar parts will not be repeated and the modified parts will be described in detail. The same is true of other embodiments that will be described below. 
     According to the present invention, the center of gravity of the golf putter head may be positioned at the bottom head  30 . For instance, the bottom head  30  may be made from a material heavier than a material of the top head  20 , or the bottom head  30  may have a larger volume than the top head  20  although the bottom head  30  is made from the same material as the top head  20 . Further, the top head  20  may be configured to be hollow, or metals such as lead etc. may be attached to the bottom head  30  so as to position the center of gravity at the bottom head  30 . However, the center of gravity of the putter head is not limited to what has been described. For instance, the center of gravity may be positioned at the top head  20  while the bottom head  30  may be configured to have a half circle shape. 
     In another example, the golf putter, as illustrated, may further include a rear head  40  disposed at the lower portion of the top head in parallel with the bottom head  30 . That is, the golf putter may include two circular rods at the lower portion. In this case, the radius of curvature of the upper face is bigger than or identical with the radius of curvature of the lower face. Then, the bottom head  30  and the rear head may be disposed horizontally with respect to the ground surface  200  at address. 
     The diameter of the bottom  30  and rear  40  heads may be smaller than that of the top head  20 . However, the diameter of each head is not limited to what has been described. The diameter of each head varies from case to case. Further, the bottom head  30  may protrude further than the top head  20 . That is, the center of the bottom head  30  may be spaced apart from the center of the top head  20  in a direction where the golf ball  100  proceeds. The total weight of the bottom  30  and rear  40  heads may be greater than the weight of the top head  20 . That is, the center of gravity may be disposed at any one of the bottom head  30  and the rear head  40  or may be disposed between the bottom head  30  and the rear head  40 . In more detail, a total of the center of gravity of the bottom  30  and rear  40  heads may be positioned on the line that is perpendicular to the center of gravity of the top head  20  and the ground surface  200  or on the line where gravity acts. In other words, the entire shape of the golf putter head, as illustrated, consists of three circular rods. Additionally, two circular rods with an approximately identical size are disposed in parallel with each other, and one circular rod with a large diameter is disposed on the two circular rods. In this case, the bottom  30 , rear  40 , and top  20  heads may be coupled by means of weld, an adhesive material etc. or may be integrally formed. However, the shape of the golf putter head is not limited to what has been described, and various modifications may be made such that the center of gravity is positioned at the lower portion of the center of gravity of the top head. Accordingly, a reliable putt is possible because the center of gravity is positioned the bottom head  30 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10B , the bottom head  30  may be configured to have a mallet putter head shape. In detail, the bottom head  30  may be configured to have a flat bar shape provided with the lower face  31  at the front surface thereof. In particular, the lower surface of the bottom head  30  may be configured to be a flat surface or a smooth curved surface. In addition, like the front surface, the rear surface of the bottom head  30  may be configured to be a curved surface. However, the shape of the bottom head  30  is not limited to what has been described. In this case, the center of gravity of the golf putter head is positioned at the lower face  31  because the lower face  31  weighs more than the upper face  21 . Accordingly, the lower surface of the bottom head  30  consists of a flat surface or a smooth curved surface so as to be easily manufactured. Further, the center of gravity is positioned at the bottom head  30  such that the golfer putts reliably. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10C , the bottom head  30  may further include an extension part  50  that extends in the opposite direction of the lower face  31 . Herein, the extension part  50  extends from the lower surface of the bottom head  30 . In particular, the upper surface of the extension part  50 , as illustrated, may be configured to be concave or slant. That is, the height of the extension part  50 , as illustrated, may be configured to be smaller in the rear direction. In this case, the front end  51  of the extension part  50  may be bent upwards so as to easily lift the golf ball  100  from the green. Accordingly, the golfer may not only pick up the golf ball  100  easily but also putt reliably on the basis of the shape of the bottom head  30 . 
     In terms of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the golf putter head may further include a bridge part  71  connected with the front and rear direction of the top head  20  and coupled to the shaft  70 . More specifically, the bridge part  71  extends upwards respectively in the front and rear directions of the top head  20 . Additionally, in terms of the bridge part  71 , the opposite end of the ends coupled to the top head  20  is coupled to the shaft  70 . Accordingly, the bridge part  71  may be configured to have a “∧” shape approximately when seen from the side. However, the shape of the bridge part  71  is not limited to what has been described, and the bridge part may have a different shape where the top head  20  is connected with the shaft  70 . In this case, the bridge part  71  is coupled to any one lateral surface of the top head  20 . However, the coupling of the bridge part  71  is not limited to what has been described, and the bridge part  71  may be coupled to the center of the top head  20  depending on the circumstances. Further, the bridge part  71  may be tilted to the left and right directions of the golf putter head depending on the circumstances. As described above, the bridge part  71  is attached to the front and rear directions of the top head  20 , thereby helping improve reliability in putting. 
     In terms of a golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a part of the bottom head  30  may be cut off. In detail, the toe and the heel of the bottom head  30 , which adjoin the ground surface  200  at address, may be cut off. That is, both lower sides of the bottom head  30  may be cut off. In this case, the toe and heel of the bottom head  30  may be cut off so as to have a flat surface and to have a smooth convex curved surface. Accordingly, the golf putter is naturally put on a green at the time of putting thereby helping providing not only a sound address but also comfort and a psychologically relaxed state to a golfer. 
     A golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14  may further include inserts  25  provided to at least one of the upper  21  and lower  31  faces. For instance, the inserts  25 ,  35 , as illustrated, may be a plurality of rubbers or synthetic resins that are arranged in parallel with the upper face  21  and/or the lower face  31 . In this case, the plurality rubber or synthetic resins may horizontally extend and be positioned above and below in parallel with each other. As illustrated, the plurality of rubbers or synthetic resins are provided to both the upper  21  and lower  31  faces but the position where the plurality of rubbers or synthetic resins are provided is not limited to what has been described. The plurality of rubbers or synthetic resins may be provided to the upper face  21  or the lower face  31 . The plurality of rubbers or synthetic resins may give a smooth rolling movement to the golf ball  100  by improving friction force better than the metal face surface of the putter. In doing so, the golf putter head and the gold putter including the same help increase the forward rotation force and linearity of the golf ball  100 . 
     A golf putter head and a golf putter including the same according to an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 15  may include a plurality of protrusions  26  formed at the upper  21  and lower  31  faces. The plurality of protrusions  26 ,  36  may be formed at any one of the upper face  21  and the lower face  31 . The plurality of protrusions  26 , as illustrated, may extend horizontally and be disposed above and below in parallel with each other. However, the shape of the plurality of protrusions is not limited to what has been described and may be formed in different ways. For instance, the plurality of protrusions  26  may be formed by means of milling. The plurality of protrusions  26  improve friction force so as to give the golf ball  100  a smooth rolling movement. In doing so, the golf putter head and the gold putter including the same help increase the forward rotation force and linearity of the golf ball  100 . 
     The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings. However, the embodiments are provided as examples. Further it is apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that the invention may be modified in various ways and embodied in various different forms. Accordingly, the true scope of the technical protection of the present invention should be determined on the basis of the technical ideas of the appended claims.