Abstract:
A golfing putter comprises a shaft, a putter head and a pair of runner guides. The linearly elongated shaft is inserted at the rear of the putter head and disposed at angle to accommodate golfers seated in a wheel chair. The top of the putter head includes an alignment indicia, thereby providing a means for properly aligning the center of the putter face with the center of the golf ball and on the correct intended putting line. The pair of runner guides are positioned at the bottom of the putter head, intermediate to the putter head and the putting surface, and run parallel to the direction of the shaft and the intended putting line. The rearmost portion of the runner guides includes a rounded surface so as to elevate the putter face, thereby minimizing drag on the putter as it is stroked and encouraging overspin to the struck golf ball.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/211,282 filed on Jun. 13, 2000, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/843,974 filed on Apr. 26, 2001, herein abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to putting devices used in golf, and, more particularly, to a putter a shaft inserted at the rear of a putter head and including a pair of guiding side members. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As is well known in the art, a number of different kinds of golf clubs, and especially putters, are known. Relevant to these golf putters, the prior art can generally be grouped into two categories: putters having use-oriented aids and putting stroke training devices. 
     Putters having use-oriented aids are disclosed in the art as a means to assist the golfer in using a typical putter, or as an improved putter for use during a game of golf. For instance, an attachment to the shaft of a putter that aids in aligning the golf club at a right angle to a line between the ball and the hole. Others attach to the shaft of a putter and deploy to provide a guide for the putter user. The addition of an indicator surface allows for contrast with the putting surface and helps to avert the problem of the golfer&#39;s eyes attempting to focus simultaneously on the ball, the club face, and the pointer of the putter guide concurrently and thereby losing sight of the pointer device. 
     Another problem that occurs from the use of a typical putter is the turning of the putter head while in use by the golfer. This putting error is caused by the imperceptible turning of the shaft of the putter as the head of the putter approaches or comes into contact with the ball. For example, and illustrating potential problems using a right-handed putter, the slight turning of the putter shaft may result in the toe of the putter passing ahead of the heel of the putter, thereby shutting the putter face and causing the line of the putt to start to the left of the target line. Conversely, slight turning of the putter shaft may result in the heel passing the toe, resulting in an opened putter face and causing the line of the putt to start to the right of the target line. Numerous attempts have been offered to correct this problem. 
     Other methods for eliminating putting errors caused by the turning of the putter shaft during use are known. For instance, a putter device that includes an internal spinning gyroscope device inside the putter head to provide sufficient momentum necessary to prevent any “turning” of the shaft when the putter head approaches or comes in contact with the ball. However, a putter made in accordance with such references is associated with several drawbacks, the most significant of which is that a putter made in such a manner would appear to not meet all of the requirements and rules of the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), the governing body and policy maker for professional and amateur golf in the United States. 
     Additionally, many putt-training devices are disclosed in the prior art that attempt to assist a golfer in developing proper, consistent habits that generally result from practice conducted with the proper information feedback. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     The following patents disclose the ornamental design for a golf putting head: 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 422,328 issued in the name of Lannoch; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 422,041 issued in the name of Bradford; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 421,471 issued in the name of Moldovan; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 412,729 issued in the name of Woodward; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 410,716 issued in the name of Bendo et al.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 408,878 issued in the name of Patten; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 399,274 issued in the name of Bradford; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 389,539 issued in the name of Moore; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 385,324 issued in the name of Ubaney; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 367,909 issued in the name of Lee. 
     The following patents disclose the design and function for a golf putting training head: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,920, issued in the name of Hong, discloses a golf club for putting and driving a golf ball, wherein the club has a reflective surface to properly direct the alignment of a golfer&#39;s eyes to an image of the ball, and also including a leveling device in the head of the club so as to indicate when the putter head is properly aligned in a horizontal orientation; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,332, issued in the name of Fisher, discloses a golf putter head with a cushion face, wherein the face of the putter receives a polyurethane insert or pad at a ball impact position; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,262, issued in the name of Bandiero, discloses a putter trainer having a substantially “U”-shaped head with a space provided between two sidewalls so as to receive a golf ball, thereby forcing a golfer to extend the putting follow through approximately five to eight inches in a straight line and providing a simulation of the proper follow through necessary to successfully putt; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,667, issued in the name of Clark et al, discloses a golf ball putter that distributes the mass of the putter head along the line of the putt because the putter shaft is connected to the putter head at a point centrally of the length and width of the head; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,472,312, issued in the name of Parrish, discloses a putter directed to impart top spin to a struck golf ball, thereby eliminating the possibility of the golf ball drifting from the intended putting line, wherein the putter has a horizontally elongated head with a pair of legs vertically depending from the ends of the head down to the putting surface. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method of improving putting skills and assisting a golfer in practicing a number of aspects of putting. In particular, a need has been felt for providing a golf putter that accommodates disabled golfers, including golfers that require the use of wheel chairs. Golfers that use wheel chairs often have difficulty properly aligning themselves over the ball, and then making the traditional back-and-through pendulum-type putting stroke used by a majority of golfers. A putter having a rear mounted shaft disposed at an appropriate angle allows one in a wheel chair to position themselves behind the ball, and properly align the putter face and the ball with the golf hole along a more accurate line. Furthermore, the rear mounted shaft allows one to comfortably pull the club back and follow through, thereby averting the potential twisting and turning on the lower back that a standard pendulum putting stroke requires, which might be especially stressful on a person using a wheel chair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved golf putting apparatus. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved golf putting apparatus including offering an alternative putting stroke, wherein the golfer stands facing the intended line of the putt and placing a back-and-through stroke on the putter. 
     It is a further feature of the present invention to provide an improved golf putting apparatus offering an alternative putting stroke to golfer&#39;s that require the use of a wheel chair, thereby minimizing the twisting and turning of the back. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a golfing putter is provided comprising a shaft, a putter head and a pair of runner guides. The shaft is a linearly elongated shaft inserted at the rear of the puffer head and disposed at angle to accommodate golfers seated in a wheel chair. The top of the putter head includes an alignment indicia, thereby providing a means for properly aligning the center of the puffer face with the center of the golf ball and on the correct intended putting line. The pair of runner guides are positioned at the bottom of the putter head, intermediate to the putter head and the putting surface, and run parallel to the direction of the shaft and the intended putting line. The rearmost portion of the runner guides includes a rounded surface so as to elevate the putter face, thereby minimizing drag on the putter as it is stroked and impart overspin to the struck golf ball. To use the golfing putter, a golfer is positioned so that the golfer&#39;s dominant arm (or putting arm) is substantially in line with the intended putting line. The user&#39;s arm will grasp the shaft and align the putter face with the intended putting line. The user will then draw the shaft away from the golf ball and then push the shaft into and through the position of the golf ball and toward the golf hole. The putting motion is similar to the striking motions used in games like shuffleboard, billiards, slow-pitch softball or pitching horseshoes. 
     An advantage of the present invention includes reduction and/or elimination of wear and tear inflicted on putting surfaces caused by the need to realign the golfer when using a wheel chair. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it is specifically adapted for personal use because of the light weight components and the use of inexpensive materials. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is the reduction of lower back strain for a golfer using a wheel chair, eliminating the necessary reciprocating twists and turns required to perform a pendulum-type putting motion. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is the adaptability of the apparatus for use by persons having a variety of disabilities, including arm or leg amputation, blindness, paraplegia, or musculoskeletal disorders, among others. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is conformity of the present invention to the equipment guidelines established and enforced by the United States Golf Association (USGA), especially within the division that oversees the development and implementation of equipment for disabled golfers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the golf putter, specifically illustrating the alignment indicia; 
     FIG. 3 is a lower elevational view of the golf putter, specifically illustrating the pair of runner guides affixed to the putter head; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the golf putter, specifically illustrating the spatial relationship between the putter face and the pair of runner guides; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of the golf putter, specifically illustrating the rear insertion of the linearly elongated shaft into the putter head and the rear portions of the pair of guide rails; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the golf putter, illustrating the rounded rear portions of the pair of guide rails; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the golf putter, opposite to the side view depicted in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the golf putter, illustrating the angular disposition “α” of the shaft as inserted into the rear surface in relation to a horizontal plane “H”; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the golf putter, illustrating the angular disposition “β” if the putter face in relation to a vertical axis “V—V”; and 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the golf putter in use on a putting surface, wherein a wheel chair is positioned to the left-rear of a golf ball, and the putter is aligned to the alignment indicia along an intended putting line and directed at a golf hole. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1-10. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  through FIG. 7, a golf putter apparatus  10  is shown in accordance to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The golf putter apparatus  10  comprises a linearly elongated shaft  12  affixed at its lower end  36  to a rear surface  22  of a configured putter head  14 . The putter head  14  comprises a top surface  16 , a bottom surface  18 , a face  20 , a rear surface  22 , a first lateral surface  24  and a second lateral surface  26 . The top surface  16  is opposite to the bottom surface  18 . The face  18  is opposite to the rear surface  22 . The face  18  is intermediate to and depending from the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 , and form an anterior perimeter  28 . The rear surface  22  is intermediate to and depending from the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 , forming a posterior perimeter  30 . The first lateral surface  24  is opposite to the second lateral surface  26 . The first lateral surface  24  is intermediate to and depending from the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 , and forms a first lateral perimeter  32 . The second lateral surface  24  is intermediate to and depending from the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 , and forms a second lateral perimeter  34 . The top surface  16 , the bottom surface  18 , the face  20 , the rear surface  22 , the first lateral surface  24  and the second lateral surface  26  are arranged in a manner substantially forming a general hexahedron shaped putter head  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG.  2  and FIG. 5, the linearly elongated shaft  12  terminates at two ends, a lower end  36  and an upper end  38 . The lower end  36  inserts into a receiving orifice  40  in the rear surface  22 . An adhesive, such as industrial strength glue, resin or epoxy, coats the lower end  36  and the internal surface of the receiving orifice  40  to securely and mechanically impinge the shaft  12  therein. The upper end  38  receives a grip  42  configured to specifically accommodate a particular user&#39;s hand. An adhesive coats the internal surface of the grip  42  and the outer circumference of the upper end  38 . Optionally, golfing tape may be used to raise the outer circumference of the upper end  38 , thereby creating a thicker putter grip  42  for the user. The shaft  12  may be of steel, titanium, graphite, hickory or other metal or plastic composite or wood based materials. The shaft  12  is inserted into the orifice  40  at angle “α” between twenty degrees (20°) and sixty degrees (60°) from a horizontal plane “H” so as to accommodate a golfer that is using the golf putter apparatus  10  from a wheel chair. The angle is lowered in the direction to the putting surface to accommodate the lowered angle that the user will be aligned with. 
     The top surface  16  is a member that is integral with the face  20  along an anterior portion of the top surface  16  and is integral with the rear surface  22  along a posterior portion of the top surface  16 . The top surface  16  further includes an alignment indicia  44 . The alignment indicia  44  is positioned along the anterior portion of the top surface  16 , adjacent to a margin where the top surface  16  abuts with the face  20 . The alignment indicia  44  is a hash, an arrow, a trademark logo, or other distinctive mark for identifying the horizontal center of the face  20 , otherwise known as the “sweet spot” of the putter face  20 . Further, the alignment indicia  44  provides a visual alignment aid for aligning the face  20  to the intended putting line of the golf hole (as seen in FIG.  10 ). 
     The top surface  16  is envisioned as having a variety of shapes and forms, including planar and curvilinear forms. The top surface  16  may be parallel to or substantially parallel to the putting surface. An alternative embodiment may dispose the top surface  16  at an angle that declines from the posterior perimeter  30  to the anterior perimeter  28 . In another alternative embodiment, the top surface  16  may be disposed at an angle that inclines from the posterior perimeter  30  to the anterior perimeter  28 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the top surface  16  may have a inwardly curved or outwardly curved surface. In yet another alternative embodiment, the top surface  16  may have a plurality of curves. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the bottom surface  18  may be parallel or substantially parallel to the putting surface. A depression  46  is formed on the bottom surface  18  and is provided to reduce the mass of the putter head  14 , thereby providing reasonable proportional size and weight to the golf putter apparatus  10 . Furthermore, the depression  46  allows obstacles, such as longer grass, topographical indentations, or other natural impediments, to pass through without obstructing the stroke path of the golf putter apparatus  10 . A pair of guide assemblies  56  and  58  (explained in greater detail below) are integrally affixed to the bottom surface  18  along the margins where the bottom surface  18  abuts against the first lateral surface  24  and the second lateral surface  26 , respectively. 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  and FIG. 9, the face  20  is a laterally elongated surface provided for striking a golf ball, preferably while on or in close proximity to a putting surface. The face  20  is disposed at an angle “β” between zero degrees (0°) and five degrees (5°) relative to a vertical axis “V—V”. The angle of the face provides a necessary quantity of momentum when striking the golf ball. The face  20  may be constructed from the same material as the putter head  14 , such as steel, titanium, graphite, aluminum or other durable material. Furthermore, the face  20  may be configured to have an insert of a variety of materials, such as soft metals, acrylics, rubber or other similar substances. The face  20  may be manufactured to have a scored or milled texture, thereby providing the user with better control or feel for the direction and striking angle of the putter head  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG.  2  and FIG. 5, the rear surface  22  is a surface that is intermediate to the top surface  16  and the bottom surface  18 . The rear surface  22  includes a receiving orifice  40  formed as a substantially circular opening with a cylindrical interior. The receiving orifice  40  receives the lower end  36  of the shaft  12 , in conjunction with an appropriate application of adhesive. The orifice  40  and adhesive act to provide a secure and impinged relationship between the lower end  36  and the rear surface  22 , thereby maintaining the shaft  12  at a desired angle to accommodate the user. The rear surface  22  is envisioned to have a variety of shapes and forms in relation to the top and bottom surfaces  16  and  18 , respectively. The rear surface  22  may be perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces  16  and  18 , forming a box-shaped rear. In another embodiment, the rear surface  22  may be angled to accommodate a longer top or bottom surface  16  or  18 , respectively. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG.  6  and FIG. 7, the first lateral surface  24  comprises a first aperture  48  formed in a rear portion of the first lateral surface  24 . The first aperture  48  is integral with a linearly elongated first recess  50 . The first recess  50  substantially transverses the horizontal length of the first lateral surface  24 . The first aperture  48  and the first recess  50  are formed and provided to further reduce the mass of the putter head  14 , thereby providing reasonable proportions to the golf putter apparatus  10 . The first aperture  48  may have a variety of geometric shapes, but for simplicity of this disclosure, only a circular first aperture  48  is provided in the figures. Likewise, the second lateral surface  26  comprises a second aperture  52  formed in a rear portion of the second lateral surface  26 . The second aperture  52  is integral with a linearly elongated second recess  54 . The second recess  54  substantially transverses the horizontal length of the second lateral surface  24 . The second aperture  52  and the second recess  54  are formed and provided to further reduce the mass of the putter head  14 , thereby providing reasonable proportions to the golf putter apparatus  10 . The second aperture  52  may have a variety of geometric shapes, but for simplicity of this disclosure, only a circular second aperture  52  is provided in the figures. 
     Referring now to FIG.  2  through FIG. 7, the pair of guide assembly  56  and  58  comprise a first guide assembly  56  and a second guide assembly  58 . The first guide assembly  56  is integrally affixed to the bottom surface  18  along the margin where the bottom surface  18  abuts with the first lateral surface  24 . The first guide assembly  56  runs parallel to the first lateral surface  24 . The first guide assembly  56  further comprises a rounded surface  60  at a rear portion of the first guide rail  56 . The rounded surface  60  provides a surface for pivoting and elevating the anterior perimeter  28 . The rounded surface  60  is integral with a linearly elongated first rail  62  that forms a contacting surface to the putting surface. Although when elevated, only the rounded surface  60  is contacting the putting surface, the linearly elongated first rail  62  is provided so that the first rail  62  may contact the putting surface along a substantial surface area of the rail  62  and provide directional guidance while putting. The rounded surface  60  forms the outer perimeter of the first aperture  48 . 
     Likewise, the second guide assembly  58  is integrally affixed to the bottom surface  18  along the margin where the bottom surface  18  abuts with the second lateral surface  26 . The second guide assembly  58  runs parallel to the second lateral surface  26 . The second guide assembly  58  further comprises a rounded surface  64  at a rear portion of the second guide rail  58 . The rounded surface  64  provides a surface for pivoting and elevating the anterior perimeter  28 . The rounded surface  64  is integral with a linearly elongated second rail  66  that forms a contacting surface to the putting surface. Although when elevated, only the rounded surface  64  is contacting the putting surface, the linearly elongated second rail  66  is provided so that the second rail  66  may contact the putting surface along a substantial surface area of the rail  66  and provided directional guidance while putting. The rounded surface  64  forms the outer perimeter of the second aperture  52 . 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as best illustrated in FIG. 10, a golfer G will position him or herself behind the ball and to the left or right of the line of the intended putting line  102  of the ball, depending upon which hand and arm are used for striking the golf ball  100 . The user will choose an intended putting line  102  to hit the golf ball along and into the golf hole  104 . The user will align the putter face  18  with the golf ball  100  by using the alignment indicia  44 . The golfer G will then draw the golf putter apparatus  10  back along directional arrow “B” and then following through along directional arrow “T”, thereby striking the ball and propelling the golf ball  100  along the intended putting line  102  and toward the golf hole  104 . 
     The use of the golf putter apparatus  10  provides a user, especially a user golfing from a wheelchair, the intended benefit of reducing muscle and tissue strain on the lower associated with pendulum-style putting methods. Furthermore, the use of the golf putter apparatus  10 , in which the user aligns themselves in a position to which the head of the user is facing the direction of the intended putting line  102 , provides an added benefit to the golf course by eliminating the need for repeated movement of the wheelchair to properly align the golfer “G” along the line  102 . By reducing such movements, the putting surfaces are maintained and not damaged or destroyed by the wheelchairs. 
     The foregoing description is included to Illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.