Abstract:
This invention is a golf putter head alignment system. The putter can be of most styles used having a shaft and an alignment bar on the putter head which are brightly colored, such as white, to contrast in aligning the shaft and putter head to the intended putting line. The shaft can be attached in any position on the head and the putter head may be configured to suit the preferred putter style of a player. The putter head is colored a darker color to that of the shaft and alignment bar to increase the contrast of the alignment system and create an appearance to the player that the alignment bar is an extension of the shaft. Aligning the shaft and the white portion of the putter will easily aligns the putter on the intended line and allow for correction in the event of misalignment due to improper putting form.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/196,903, filed on Jul. 24, 2015 entitled “Golf Putter Shaft/Head Alignment System” and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/198,105, filed on Jul. 28, 2015 entitled “Golf Putter with Shaft/Bar Alignment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The herein disclosed invention relates to golf putter heads, and more specifically to a unique and novel golf putter head and shaft which has unique alignment features, unique balancing features and unique anti-twisting or anti-torqueing features. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Previously many attempts have been made to improve upon the field of golf clubs, in particular upon golf putter clubs, with heads having adequate balance and alignment features as to prevent the twisting of the golf head in a horizontal plane about an upwardly extending axis either along the shaft of the golf club or the vertical axis when a ball is hit slightly off center by the golf putter head. Targeting crosshairs and adjustable putter heads have been implemented in attempting to compensate for drifting in the orientation of the putter head when swung back and forth along a horizontal plane to make up for user errors occurring due to lack of skill or poor form. 
         [0004]    In use, a putter and other golf clubs require that the user or “golfer” swing the club along an angular arching path about their bodies. Such swing path can be varied by distance as desired to control the power or strength of the swing and thus the amount of force which is imparted upon a golf ball to cause it to be moved along a desired path. In cases of non-putter golf clubs, known as “drivers”, “woods”, and “irons”, the club is moved substantially behind the golfer in the backswing and pulled forward at a higher velocity which the human eye generally cannot follow, thus requiring that the golfer rely upon his skill and muscle memory to properly swing the club upon the golf ball. Whereas, with use of a putter, the backswing is usually quite minimal, only requiring the golfer to shift their arms and shoulders back and forth, to impart the necessary desired momentum upon the golf ball. Such slow swing allows for the golfer to keep their eyes on the ball and see the head of the putter as it contacts the ball. 
         [0005]    Generally, golf balls which miss their mark are caused by golfer error in allowing their elbows to bend, shoulders to turn, or twisting of the hands, thus changing the head of the putter off from the angle of the swing and contacting the golf ball at an angle and sending it off in an undesired direction. Substantially all of the previous putter designs are intended for the purpose of configuring the club in such a way as to correct for such errors in a golfer&#39;s swing without providing assistance to the golfer in correction of the error during the swing. 
         [0006]    In light of such disadvantages, there is presently a need for a putter which will assist the golfer in maintaining the proper position of the club head and which allows for correction of the alignment of the club head when an error in the golfer&#39;s form occurs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a shaft and head aligning golf club putter for an easy and beneficial means of maintaining proper alignment of a putter head during a golf swing. Generally, the aligning golf club putter comprises a shaft, grip, and a putter head linear having an alignment bar in linear alignment with the shaft. The alignment bar is formed and dimensioned similar to that of the shaft and arranged as to create and present a view to a player that the alignment bar is an extension of the shaft. During a swing the golfer, watching the putter head, is able to sustain proper orientation of the putter head by maintaining the alignment bar in linear alignment with the shaft line of the shaft wherein the shaft and alignment bar appear to be in a straight line. In the event the putter head should shift out of alignment, the alignment bar will shift out of linear alignment with the shaft line of the shaft, thus presenting the golfer with the appearance that the line created by the shaft and alignment bar changes direction at the putter head. In such event, the golfer will be made aware that the putter head has misaligned and may correct the problem prior to contact with the golf ball. 
         [0008]    In traditional putter design, the club head has been left exposed to the view of the player wherein the player may attempt to watch the contact between the club head and the target golf ball which, in many cases, cause the player to misalign the golf club due to improper form. After several misaligned contacts with golf balls, a player may become anxious that they may make another mistake and overcorrect in their swing, thus causing additional misaligned contacts and adding to the anxiety of the player. As designed, the alignment bar of the present invention lies above the contacting blade face of the putter head, obstructing the player from seeing the head contact the golf ball. Having alignment bar running along and over the blade face, the golfer will not actually see the contact when stroking a ball, thus removing that anxiety, and encouraging the golfer to accomplish a smoother stroke of the putter. 
         [0009]    The putter may be arranged in an array of traditional putter head designs without departing from the spirit of the invention, including but not limited to forming the putter head in blade, mallet, and wing shapes as desired by the player. As well, the putter may be equipped with a targeting marker on the center of mass of the putter head to aid in the player properly aiming and making contact with a golf ball at the putter head&#39;s sweet spot. 
         [0010]    In use, during a player&#39;s swing, whether it be an arching or straight back and forth motion, the player will be able to see and confirm the proper alignment of the putter head prior to contact with the golf ball. This removes the guess work on the part of the player as to whether or not the club head is properly aligned and the player may better focus their attention to the direction of the shot and the fundamentals of their swing. 
         [0011]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification, including the claims and drawings herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the shaft and head alignment putter of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is front view of the shaft and head alignment putter of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a rear isometric view of the putter head of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front isometric view of the putter head of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the putter head of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 4  showing the ball contacting blade side. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top down view of the putter head of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top down view of the shaft and putter head of the present invention showing the shaft and alignment bar of the putter head in linear alignment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the blade shaped putter head embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the blade shaped putter head embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the mallet shaped putter head embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the mallet shaped putter head embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a top down view of the wing shaped putter head embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown an isometric and front view of the shaft and head alignment putter  10  configured for easy putter alignment. Generally, the alignment putter  10  contains a grip section  12 , a shaft section  13 , and a club head  14 . Grip section  12  generally comprises a grip  12   a  wrapped or formed around the upper portion of shaft section  13  as to provide comfortable grip of putter  10  by a player. Grip  12   a  is envisioned to be any suitable material conventional in the art, such as tape, leather, rubber, or synthetic rubber materials which are extremely durable and provide for the enhanced grip needed in controlling putter  10 . Some new synthetic materials, offer additional benefits of superior vibration dampening and long-lasting tackiness to provide for enhanced grip for a golfer in controlling putter  10 . For golfers who play in wet or humid conditions (or have wet hands due to sweat), grip  12   a  may be or include a cord weave which provides additional traction to prevent a player&#39;s hands from slipping. Another option is a grip made with a unique-feeling thermo-plastic material which offers a much softer, tacky feel. 
         [0025]    Shaft section  13  is comprised of a narrow shaft  15  affixed between grip section  12  and club head  14 . Best seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , shaft  15  generally is directly connected to club head  14 , wherein the shaft meets the club head  14  at a substantially perpendicular angle. When desired the shaft  15  may be generally angled relative to the position of club head  14  as to allow for club head  14  to lie parallel to the ground while being comfortably held away from a player. As can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , shaft  15  may also be affixed to club head  14  by an intermediary shaft junction rod  16  which changes the angle of shaft section  13  to impart the necessary change in direction to place club head  14  in a flat parallel oriented position to the ground while being held away from a player. 
         [0026]    Shaft section  13  is envisioned to be composed of steel, graphite, carbon fiber, or composite materials to give the shaft section  13  adequately desired stiffness to keep grip section  14 , shaft section  13 , and club head  14  in linear alignment throughout a player&#39;s swing. Furthermore, shaft section  13  is further envisioned to be of a suitable desired length and weight to facilitate the comfortable use by players of varying heights and skill levels. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7 , club head  14  generally comprises a heel  17  affixed to shaft section  13  and a projecting toe  18  connected to heel  17  by bridge  49 , wherein club head  14  further includes a rear face  20  and a blade face  21 . An alignment bar  22  is provided between heel  17  and toe  18  along bridge  19 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , alignment bar  22  is positioned upon club head  14  as to lie in linear alignment with shaft section  13  as viewed above. Positioning of alignment bar  22  as such creates a visual alignment cue for a player, wherein shaft section  13  and alignment bar  22  create a straight line along the shaft line α of shaft section  13  when putter  10  is in a properly aligned position for contacting ball B. In the event that a player allows club head  13  to shift out of alignment, alignment bar  22  will shift out of linear alignment with shaft line α and present the player with a view of the straight line of shaft  15  changing direction at the club head  13 . 
         [0028]    It is advantageous to have alignment bar  22  running along and over heel  17 , toe  18 , and bridge  19  of club head  14 . In traditional putter design, the club head is left exposed to the view of the player wherein the player may attempt to watch the contact between the club head and the target golf ball which, in many cases, cause the player to misalign the golf club due to improper form. After several misaligned contacts with golf balls, a player may become anxious and overcorrect, thus causing additional misaligned contacts and adding to the anxiety of the player. Having alignment bar  22  running along and over heel  17 , toe  18 , and bridge  19 , blade face  21  is obstructed from view from above, thus no longer visible to a player. With the blade face  21  obstructed by alignment bar  22  the golfer will not actually see the contact when stroking a ball, thus removing that anxiety, and encouraging a smoother stroke. 
         [0029]    Elevated portions  23 ,  24  at heel  17  and toe  18  are provided to raise blade face  21  a sufficient height to adequately contact ball B to impart momentum upon ball B. A visual marker  25  may further be place upon bridge  19  as to provide a target area for contracting ball B on blade face  21  during a swing. Generally, marker  25  is intended to be place within the center of mass region of club head  14  which is commonly referred to as the “sweet spot” of putter  10 . Striking of ball B at the center of mass of club head  14  is preferable as the weight of putter  10  behind blade face  21  will impart an equal balanced force upon ball B and transfer momentum upon ball B in a straight line. It is envisioned that marker  25  may be placed upon flat foot  27 , as seen in  FIG. 6 , or on bridge  19 , as seen in  FIG. 8 , as to be clearly visible to a player. Marker  25  may be of any suitable shape, conventional in the art to aid in the targeting of contacting club head  14  with ball B. Though depicted in  FIG. 6  as a crescent pointer design wherein the radius of the crescent portion of marker  25  matches the outer radius of the ball B for pinpoint accuracy, the marker  25  may be of any targeting marker design conventional in the art. 
         [0030]    It is advantageous that alignment bar  22 , shaft  15 , and rod  16  be of the same color, preferably a color which is distinct from that of grip section  12  and the remainder of club head  14 . Use of a dynamically distinct color with alignment bar  22 , shaft  15 , and rod  16  will create an apparent differentiation of colors allow a player to better perceive the linear alignment of alignment bar  22 , shaft  15 , and rod  16  during a swing. Alignment bar  22 , shaft  15 , and rod  16  may further be sized with similar width dimensions W. With substantially the same width W the relation of the shaft  15  and rod  16  with an identical looking alignment bar  22  will give the impression that the alignment bar  22  is an extension of shaft section  13 . 
         [0031]    As best seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , putter  10  may be configured as a blade style putter with a cavity  26  in bridge  19  between elevated portions  23 ,  24  at heel  17  and toe  18 , respectively. Cavity  26  may be inset upon club head  14  as to create a flat foot  27 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , or, as can be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , may be left to create a blade type club head  14  without a flat foot  27 . Further, as best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , putter  10  may be further configured as a mallet style putter formed with the flat foot  27  extended back from bridge  19 . In such blade and mallet style embodiments, marker  25  may be set upon the bridge  19  or flat foot  27 , respectively, to allow for adequate targeting of a swing for contact with ball B. 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIG. 12 , a wing style option of club head  14  may be created by narrowing bridge  19  to at or near the width W of alignment bar  22 , wherein toe  18  and heel  17  are left thick to maintain the balanced weight of club head  14 . 
         [0033]    In each of the putter&#39;s  10  embodiments, club head  14  is envisioned to be composed of steel, graphite, carbon fiber, or composite materials such as that of shaft section  13 , wherein the weight of putter  10  would be evenly balanced throughout. Though, it should be understood that club head  14  may be composed of whichever material suitable to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, manganese bronze, beryllium copper, or carbon steel. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the an that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention, such as the creation of a milled style putter milled from a single block of metal, an insert type putter running cavity  26  completely through bridge  19  and inserting a desired hard or soft insert material, an onset putter having blade face  21  in front of the meeting point of the shaft section  13  and club head  14  thus placing the face closer to a golf hole, an offset putter having blade face  21  behind the meeting point of the shaft section  13  and club head  14  thus placing the face farther than the shaft section  13  to a golf hole, a toe weighted putter  10  having shaft section  13  meet club head  14  at the toe, and center shafted putters having the shaft section  13  meet club head  14  on bridge  19 . Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.