Patent Publication Number: US-6659880-B1

Title: Linear putter device of a golf club

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a linear putter device of a golf club, and more particularly to a linear putter device of a golf club, wherein the golf club is moved in a linear manner, so that the golf club can hit the golf ball in a linear manner without deflection. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The golf club includes a putter that can be used to hit the golf ball in a linear and straight manner. Thus, the putter has to be in line with the target, so that the golf can reach the target actually. However, operation of the putter is controlled by the user, so that the putter is not easily in line with the target due to deflection of the hitting angle of the putter, thereby causing deflection of the golf ball from the target. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a linear putter device of a golf club, wherein the golf club is moved in a linear manner, so that the golf club can hit the golf ball in a linear manner. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a linear putter device of a golf club, wherein the golf club produces an oscillation motion like a pendulum. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide a linear putter device of a golf club, wherein the distance between the movable member and the upright rod can be adjusted arbitrarily so as to fit the user&#39;s stature and height, so that the length of the golf club can fit the user&#39;s stature and height 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a linear putter device of a golf club, comprising a lower connecting rod, an upper connecting rod, a bearing unit, a locking member, an upright rod, and a movable member, wherein: 
     the lower connecting rod has a lower end formed with an insertion section and an upper end formed with a pivot section, the pivot section of the lower connecting rod has an upper portion which has a first half formed with an arc-shaped insertion recess and a second half formed with a pivot seat, the pivot seat of the lower connecting rod has an inner wall formed with an annular insertion groove, the pivot section of the lower connecting rod has a lower portion formed with a receiving chamber for receiving two first locking balls and a first compression spring; 
     the upper connecting rod is pivotally mounted on the lower connecting rod and has an upper end formed with an insertion section and a lower end formed with a pivot section pivotally mounted on the pivot section of the lower connecting rod, the pivot section of the upper connecting rod has a lower portion which has a first half formed with an arc-shaped insertion recess for insertion of the pivot seat of the lower connecting rod and a second half formed with a pivot seat inserted into the insertion recess of the lower connecting rod, the pivot seat of the upper connecting rod has an inner wall formed with an annular insertion groove, the pivot section of the upper connecting rod has an upper portion formed with a receiving chamber for receiving two second locking balls and a second compression spring; 
     the bearing unit is mounted in the annular insertion groove of the lower connecting rod and the annular insertion groove of the upper connecting rod; 
     the locking member is detachably mounted on the lower connecting rod and the upper connecting rod, and has an inner wall having a lower end formed with an annular insertion groove for insertion of the two first locking balls and an upper end formed with an annular insertion groove for insertion of the two second locking balls; 
     the upright rod has a lower end extended through the locking member and secured on the upper connecting rod; and 
     the movable member is slidably mounted on the upright rod. 
    
    
     Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear putter device of a golf club in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention! 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the linear putter device of a golf club in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side plan cross-sectional view of the linear putter device of a golf club as shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the linear putter device of a golf club taken along line  4 — 4  as shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the linear putter device of a golf club as shown in FIG. 4 in use; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic plan operational view of the linear putter device of a golf club in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the linear putter device of a golf club as shown in FIG. 5 in adjustment; and 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic operational view of the linear putter device of a golf club as shown in FIG. 6 in adjustment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-4, a linear putter device  1  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the top end of a golf club  2  to control the putter, so that the putter is used to hit the golf ball in a linear manner without deflection. 
     The linear putter device  1  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower connecting rod  11 , an upper connecting rod  13 , a bearing unit  12 , a locking member  14 , an upright rod  15 , and a movable member  16 . 
     The lower connecting rod  11  has a lower end formed with an insertion section  111  and an upper end formed with a pivot section  112 . The insertion section  111  of the lower connecting rod  11  is inserted into the top end of the golf club  2 . The pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11  has an upper portion which has a first half formed with an arc-shaped insertion recess  113  and a second half formed with a pivot seat  114 . The pivot seat  114  of the lower connecting rod  11  has an inner wall formed with an annular insertion groove  115 . The pivot seat  114  of the lower connecting rod  11  has a center formed with a through hole  116 . The pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11  has a lower portion formed with a receiving chamber  117  for receiving two first locking balls  118  and a first compression spring  119  which is urged between the two first locking balls  118 . A threaded first end cap  110  is screwed into an outer end of the receiving chamber  117  of the lower connecting rod  11 . The first end cap  110  is formed with a through hole  1100  for allowing protrusion of one of the two first locking balls  118 . 
     The upper connecting rod  13  is pivotally mounted on the lower connecting rod  11  and has an upper end formed with an insertion section  132  and a lower end formed with a pivot section  131  pivotally mounted on the pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11 . The pivot section  131  of the upper connecting rod  13  has a lower portion which has a first half formed with an arc-shaped insertion recess  133  for insertion of the pivot seat  114  of the lower connecting rod  11  and a second half formed with a pivot seat  134  inserted into the insertion recess  113  of the lower connecting rod  11 . The pivot seat  134  of the upper connecting rod  13  has an inner wall formed with an annular insertion groove  135 . The pivot seat  134  of the upper connecting rod  13  has a center formed with a through hole  136  for passage of a pivot pin  3  which is extended through the through hole  116  of the lower connecting rod  11 , so that the upper connecting rod  13  is pivotally mounted on the lower connecting rod  11 . The pivot section  131  of the upper connecting rod  13  has an upper portion formed with a receiving chamber  137  for receiving two second locking balls  138  and a second compression spring  139  which is urged between the two second locking balls  138 . A threaded second end cap  130  is screwed into an outer end of the receiving chamber  137  of the upper connecting rod  13 . The second end cap  130  is formed with a through hole  1300  for allowing protrusion of one of the two second locking balls  138 . 
     The bearing unit  12  is mounted between the lower connecting rod  11  and the upper connecting rod  13 . The bearing unit  12  is mounted in the annular insertion groove  115  of the lower connecting rod  11  and the annular insertion groove  135  of the upper connecting rod  13 . The bearing unit  12  includes two annular washers  121  and a roller race  122  mounted between the two annular washers  121 . Each of the two annular washers  121  of the bearing unit  12  is formed with an annular groove  1211 . The roller race  122  of the bearing unit  12  is provided with a plurality of rollers  1221  rotatably mounted in the annular groove  1211  of each of the two annular washers  121 . The annular washers  121  and the roller race  122  of the bearing unit  12  are laminated together. 
     The locking member  14  is detachably mounted on the lower connecting rod  11  and the upper connecting rod  13 . The locking member  14  has an inner wall formed with a mounting hole  141  for receiving the pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11  and the pivot section  131  of the upper connecting rod  13 . The locking member  14  has an upper end face formed with a passage hole  143  communicating with the mounting hole  141 . The inner wall of the locking member  14  has a lower end formed with an annular insertion groove  142  for insertion of the two first locking balls  118  and an upper end formed with an annular insertion groove  1420  for insertion of the two second locking balls  138 . 
     The upright rod  15  is mounted on the upper connecting rod  13 . The upright rod  15  has a lower end extended through the passage hole  143  of the locking member  14 . The lower end of the upright rod  15  is formed with a mounting hole  151  for insertion of the insertion section  132  of the upper connecting rod  13 . An elastic ring  152  is mounted on an upper end of the upright rod  15 . 
     The movable member  16  is slidably mounted on the upright rod  15  and has an inner wall formed with a receiving hole  161  for receiving the upright rod  15 . A soft rubber grip  162  is mounted on an outer wall of the movable member  16 . A catch ring  163  is slidably mounted on the upright rod  15  and is secured on a lower end the movable member  16  to move therewith. 
     In assembly, the two first locking balls  118  and the first compression spring  119  are in turn inserted into and received in the receiving chamber  117  of the lower connecting rod  11 . Then, the first end cap  110  is screwed into the outer end of the receiving chamber  117  of the lower connecting rod  11 . Thus, the two first locking balls  118  are partially protruded outward from the outer wall of the pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11 . Then, the insertion section  111  of the lower connecting rod  11  is inserted into the top end of the golf club  2 , so that the lower connecting rod  11  is combined with the golf club  2 . Then, the two second locking balls  138  and the second compression spring  139  are in turn inserted into and received in the receiving chamber  137  of the upper connecting rod  13 . Then, the second end cap  130  is screwed into the outer end of the receiving chamber  137  of the upper connecting rod  13 . Thus, the two second locking balls  138  are partially protruded outward from the outer wall of the pivot section  131  of the upper connecting rod  13 . 
     Then, each of the two annular washers  121  of the bearing unit  12  is received in the annular insertion groove  115  of the lower connecting rod  11  and the annular insertion groove  135  of the upper connecting rod  13  respectively. Then, the pivot seat  134  of the upper connecting rod  13  is inserted into the insertion recess  113  of the lower connecting rod  11 , so that the pivot section  131  of the upper connecting rod  13  is pivotally mounted on the pivot section  112  of the lower connecting rod  11 , with the roller race  122  being sandwiched between the two annular washers  121 . Then, the pivot pin  3  is in turn extended through the through hole  136  of the upper connecting rod  13 , the bearing unit  12 , and the through hole  116  of the lower connecting rod  11 , so that the upper connecting rod  13  is pivotally mounted on the lower connecting rod  11 . 
     Then, the lower end of the upright rod  15  is extended through the passage hole  143  of the locking member  14  and is mounted on the insertion section  132  of the upper connecting rod  13 , with the insertion section  132  of the upper connecting rod  13  being inserted into the mounting hole  151  of the upright rod  15 , so that the upright rod  15  is combined with the upper connecting rod  13 . Then, the catch ring  163  is secured on a lower end the movable member  16  to move therewith. Then, the catch ring  163  and the movable member  16  are slidably mounted on the upright rod  15 . 
     Thus, the movable member  16  can be moved on the upright rod  15  upward and downward, and can be rotated on the upright rod  15  in a horizontal manner. 
     When the movable member  16  is rotated on the upright rod  15  in a first direction (such as rightward), the outer diameter of the elastic ring  152  on the upper end of the upright rod  15  is expanded outward to urge the inner wall the movable member  16 , so that the movable member  16  is fixed and cannot be moved on the upright rod  15  upward and downward. 
     Alternatively, when the movable member  16  is rotated on the upright rod  15  in a second direction (such as leftward), the outer diameter of the elastic ring  152  on the upper end of the upright rod  15  is retracted inward to detach from the inner wall the movable member  16 , so that the movable member  16  can be freely moved on the upright rod  15  upward and downward. 
     In operation, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 with reference to FIGS. 1-4, when the locking member  14  is moved downward on the upright rod  15  to the position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two first locking balls  118  are inserted into the annular insertion groove  142  of the locking member  14 , and the two second locking balls  138  are inserted into the annular insertion groove  1420  of the locking member  14 . At this time, the lower connecting rod  111  and the upper connecting rod  13  are locked by the locking member  14 , so that the golf club  2  is in line with the upright rod  15  without deflection. 
     Alternatively, when the locking member  14  is moved upward on the upright rod  15  to the position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower connecting rod  11  is detached from the locking member  14 , so that the lower connecting rod  11  is pivoted relative to the upper connecting rod  13 , and the golf club  2  is pivoted relative to the upright rod  15  as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to perform an oscillation action like a pendulum. 
     In such a manner, the user can hold linear putter device  1 , with his/her one hand holding the soft rubber grip  162  and the movable member  16 , and with his/her other hand holding and pushing the golf club  2 , so that the golf club  2  is pivoted relative to the upright rod  15  to move in a linear manner, so that the golf club  2  can hit the golf ball  4  in a linear manner. 
     On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 with reference to FIGS. 1-4, when the movable member  16  is rotated on the upright rod  15  in the second direction (leftward), the outer diameter of the elastic ring  152  on the upper end of the upright rod  15  is retracted inward to detach from the inner wall the movable member  16 , so that the movable member  16  can be freely moved on the upright rod  15  upward and downward, so that the distance between the movable member  16  and the upright rod  15  can be adjusted arbitrarily so as to fit the user&#39;s stature and height. 
     After adjustment of the distance between the movable member  16  and the upright rod  15 , the movable member  16  is rotated on the upright rod  15  in the first direction (rightward). Thus, the outer diameter of the elastic ring  152  on the upper end of the upright rod  15  is expanded outward to urge the inner wall the movable member  16 , so that the movable member  16  is fixed and cannot be moved on the upright rod  15  upward and downward. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.