Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a novel golf putter that is uniquely designed to be operated using a shuffleboard-like stroke, as opposed to the pendulum-like stroke traditionally used when operating putters. In one embodiment, the golf putter comprises a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, wherein the striking surface is substantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a position to contact the golf ball. The golf putter also comprises a shaft connected to the head and extending at an oblique angle upwardly from the head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter is in the putting position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application serial No. 60/326,356, which was filed Oct. 1, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention generally relates to golf clubs, and more particularly, to an improved golf putter and method for putting.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The sport of golf has experienced ever-increasing popularity due in part to the fact that persons of virtually any age, regardless of their athletic prowess or physical handicaps, may participate in the game. In the play of golf, some feel that the putter club is the single-most important club. Putters come in many different types of designs. One type of putter is that of the croquet type or pendulum type. With this type of putter, the putting swing is accomplished by a pendulum-type movement of the club between an individual&#39;s legs with the individual facing the direction in which the ball is to be putted. However, this style of putting between an individual&#39;s legs was ruled illegal by golf societies with it being required that a golfer putt with both feet on the same side of the ball.  
           [0006]    In addition, while special clubs have been designed for use by elderly or handicapped persons in need of assistance, such clubs are difficult for the person to use during putting in order to obtain any accuracy such that the elderly or handicapped person is provided with still a greater handicap due to lack of appropriately designed putting clubs permitting efficient putting by such handicapped persons.  
           [0007]    With regard to golf putters and putter design, the “lie” angle of a golf club such as a putter is generally defined as the angle between the ground and the shaft, with the bottom surface or sole of the putter head in flat contact with the ground. This angle is believed to be of substantial importance in determining the putting accuracy and success of an individual golfer.  
           [0008]    In preparing to strike a golf ball resting on a green to propel it towards the cup, a customary and recommended orientation of the golfer&#39;s body includes facing or addressing the ball along a line perpendicular to a line directed from the ball to the cup (i.e., perpendicular to the direction in which the ball is to be propelled). Also, the grip at the upper end of the putter shaft is usually grasped between the hands with the lower end of the shaft angled forward away from the golfer&#39;s body, thus positioning the head of the putter behind the ball. Once the putter head is aligned behind the ball with the face of the putter perpendicular to an intended initial roll direction of the ball, the arms are gently swung rearward to a cocked position, and brought forward to impact the ball. Preferably, this cocked and swinging motion is performed smoothly, in an arcing or pendulum fashion.  
           [0009]    Each individual golfer will, of course, have a preferred stance which feels comfortable to him or her, and will thus tend to address the ball in a more or less stooped orientation of the torso with respect to the legs. Thus, to help ensure that the sole of the putter head remains parallel to the ground, putters are customarily provided with shaft lengths which may be selected from a small number of lengths, e.g.,  28 ″,  30 ″ and  32 ″, for short, intermediate height and tall golfers, respectively. This shaft length selectability helps to ensure that the sole of the putter will be kept parallel to the green surface. Even small variations can significantly impact the trajectory of the ball.  
           [0010]    It is also known that even slight rotations of the shoulders and/or torso, during the putting motion, can cause the ball to miss either left or right of the cup. Indeed, because of the critical need for accuracy at this portion of the golf game, putting is considered by many to be the most difficult or critical part of the game of golf.  
           [0011]    Numerous putter designs and configurations are known, which seek to improve various aspects of putter accuracy. Notwithstanding the numerous putter designs and configuration that are known, further improvements are desired.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
           [0013]    To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention is generally directed to a novel golf putter that is uniquely designed to be operated using a shuffleboard-like stroke, as opposed to the pendulum-like stroke traditionally used when operating putters. In one embodiment, the golf putter comprises a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, wherein the striking surface is substantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a position to contact the golf ball. The golf putter also comprises a shaft connected to the head and extending at an oblique angle upwardly from the head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter is in the putting position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2A is a side view of a putter head and a portion of a shaft of the golf putter illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2B is a front view of the putter head and a portion of the shaft of the golf putter of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  3 C are top views illustrating three different manners of holding and using a golf putter constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of a putter head and a portion of a shaft of a golf putter constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of a putter head and a portion of a shaft of a golf putter constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf putter, similar to the putter illustrated in FIG. 1, having a telescoping shaft.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a side view of a golf putter, similar to the putter of FIGS. 5A and 5B, having a telescoping shaft.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a top view showing the putter head of a golf putter, similar to the golf putter of FIG. 1, having a curved striking surface.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9A is a side view of a head portion of a golf putter having a shaft that projects substantially upwardly from the top of the putter head, then bends to project both upwardly and rearwardly away from the putter head.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9B is a side view of a putter head similar to FIG. 9A, but showing the shaft projecting substantially rearwardly from the putter head before curving to project both upwardly and rearwardly.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 10A and 10B are top views illustrating a putter head, similar to the putter head of FIG. 1, having a shaft attached to the putter head from both the left and right sides, respectively.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a golf putter, having a putter head similar to that of FIG. 10B, and having a design on the striking face of the putter head. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    Having summarized the invention above, reference is now made in detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0029]    Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 2A, and  2 B, which are a perspective view, side view, and front view (respectively) of a golf putter  10  constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this regard, the inventive golf putter is, like most putters, comprised of a head  12  and shaft  14 . A unique feature of the golf putter of one embodiment of the present invention relates to the angle of attachment between the shaft  14  and head  12 .  
         [0030]    In this regard, and as illustrated in FIG. 2A, an angle β is defined between the plane of the striking surface  22  and the axis of the shaft  14 , when the putter is positioned in a striking or putting position (i.e., the position when the head strikes the ball). In the illustrated embodiment, the angle β is approximately fifty-five (55) degrees. It should be appreciated, however, that this angle may vary somewhat, depending on the height where the user grips the shaft, the length of the shaft (from the point of the grip to the putter head  12 ), etc.  
         [0031]    Also distinguishing the putter of the illustrated embodiment and existing putters is the angle α, illustrated in FIG. 2B. This angle, α is defined between the plane of the striking surface  22  of the putter head  12  and the axis of the shaft  14 . This angle is substantially ninety (90) degrees.  
         [0032]    In contrasting the angles β and α illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B with those of conventional golf putters, it is readily recognized that a substantial differentiation of the present invention from conventional putters relates to the angle β of FIG. 2A. In this regard, in conventional putters, the shaft  14  extends substantially vertically from the putter head  12 , such that the corresponding angle β would be approximately zero (0) degrees. Such an angle is desired to facilitate the pendulum-like stroke utilized with conventional golf putters. In contrast, the shaft  14  of the illustrated putter is attached to the head  12  so as to define an angle β of approximately fifty-five (55) degrees. This angled attachment of the shaft to the putter head facilitates the shuffleboard-like stroke of the method of the present invention.  
         [0033]    Another difference between the putter of the illustrated embodiment and conventional putters relates to the angle α. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, this angle is substantially ninety (90) degrees. In conventional golf putters, however, this angle is oblique (e.g., approximately 70-80 degrees), again to facilitate the pendulum-like stroke of conventional putter use.  
         [0034]    In use, the golf putter of the illustrated embodiments is preferably grasped on a rubber grip  16 , so as to allow the bottom  20  of the putter head  12  to rest on the surface of the ground (e.g., putting green). By bending one&#39;s elbow, the putter head  12  maybe pulled away from the ball into a “cocked” position. The individual may then extend the arm grasping the putter to move the putter head  12  towards the ball until appropriate contact is made therewith. Throughout the range of this motion, the putter head  12  is allowed to rest upon the surface of the ground. To promote the stroke, the bottom of the putter head  20  is preferably curved to allow the putter head  12  to glide smoothly over the surface of the ground. Preferably, the putter head  12  has a substantially planar striking surface  22  to contact the golf ball.  
         [0035]    It should be appreciated that a variety of alternative embodiments, consistent of the scope and spirit of the invention, may be utilized as well. As mentioned above, the broad concept of the present invention is achieved by the angled disposition of the shaft  14  with the putter head  12  that allows a shuffleboard-like stroke to be utilized. It has been found that this stroke is much more effective and accurate than the conventional pendulum-like stroke. Some of the potential alternative embodiments will be discussed herein.  
         [0036]    Before discussing various alternative embodiments, reference is first made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  3 C, which illustrate three different methodologies for holding and using a putter constructed in accordance with the invention. FIG. 3A illustrates a user  30  standing with his toes pointed in the direction that the ball is to travel, and grasping the putter  10  with one hand offset toward one side of his body. The method of FIG. 3A illustrates a right-handed use. Of course, a similar, left-handed stroke may also be used. While grasping the putter  10 , the user may bend his arm to bring the putter  10  into a “cocked” position. Then, the user may gently extend his arm gliding the putter head  12  smoothly across the surface of the ground to come into contact with the golf ball  28  to urge it forward. Similarly, FIG. 3B illustrates a one-handed stroke methodology wherein a user stands with his toes pointed in a direction perpendicular to the intend direction of the golf ball  28 . Like the methodology FIG. 3A, the user may bend his gripping arm to pull the putter  10  into a cocked or retracted position, and then extending his arm in the direction of the golf ball  28 , may gently slide the putter head  12  across the surface of the ground, until the striking surface  22  of the putter head  12  contacts the golf ball  28 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3C illustrates yet another methodology, similar to the methodology illustrated in FIG. 3A, but one wherein the user  30  assumes a crouched position and holds the putter  10  along a center-line of the user&#39;s body. Although illustrated as a single-handed stroke, in accordance with the methodology of FIG. 3C, the user may electively grasp the putter with both hands, centering the putter in front of the user&#39;s body. As in the other embodiments, the user glides the putter rearwardly into a cocked position and then gently forward until contact with the golf ball  28  is made.  
         [0038]    It should be appreciated that the shuffleboard-like stroke that is implemented with a golf putter constructed in accordance with the illustrated embodiments provides improved alignment with the intended direction of the golf ball  28 , and is less prone to putt misalignment that often occurs in conventional, pendulum-like putting strokes. Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are side views of a putter head, similar to the view of FIG. 2A. However, the putter head  112  illustrated in FIG. 4A has a more pronounced curve of its gliding surface  120 . This type of putter head will be referenced to as a mallet-type putter head. In respects other than the enhanced or pronounced curved surface  120 , the putter  100  is similar to the putter  10 , and therefore the features previously discussed features need not be repeated. A particular advantage to the putter head of FIG. 4A is that the curved surface  120  accommodates differing usable positions (or angles) formed between the shaft  114  and ground. In this regard, and as illustrated in FIG. 4B, an angle X illustrates this differential. That is, FIG. 4B illustrates a super position of two different positions or orientations of the putter head  112  and shaft  114 . In one position, the shaft  114  projects at a larger angle away from the ground, wherein the striking surface  122  is angled slightly forward. In the super-imposed image (dash lines) the shaft  114  forms a narrower angle with the ground and the plane of the striking surface  122  is substantially vertical. It will be appreciated that, due to the curve of the glide surface  120  of the putter head  112 , an even shallower angle may be formed between the shaft  114  and the ground. A putter head  112  of this configuration will readily accommodate users of differing height, or alternatively different height grips, and in this respect may be more versatile than the putter of FIGS. 2A and 2B.  
         [0039]    Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which illustrate the head portion of a golf putter  200 , similar to the illustration of FIG. 2A, constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a joint  210  or adjustment mechanism is provided to allow the shaft  214  to be variably angled with respect to the putter head  212 . This joint  210  has not been illustrated in detail, because there are numerous manners of implementing such a joint, hinge, pivot point, or adjustment mechanism that will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the two connecting portions of the shaft  214  (connecting at the joint  210 ) may have flattened portions that form an a budding contact, and a pin  211  that attaches the two portions. The attachment may be such that it forms a friction engagement that generally holds the two portions of the shaft  214 A and  214 B in a fixed relationship. This fixed relationship, however, may be changed by applying a sufficient force to overcome the friction engagement formed at the joint  210 . It will be appreciated that a putter  200  constructed in accordance with this embodiment will readily adapt to a variety of users and uses, which lend to differing grip heights, or otherwise differing angles of the shaft  214  with respect to the ground.  
         [0040]    Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a putter  300  constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. The putter  300  illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar in most respects to the putter illustrated in FIG. 1, except that the putter of FIG. 6 is illustrated as having a telescoping shaft. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft includes three sections  314 A,  314 B, and  314 C. Of course, fewer or additional sections may be provided, consistent with the scope and spirit of the invention. When fully extended, as illustrated in FIG. 6, overlapping portions of the shaft portions  314 A,  314 B, and  314 C will form a frictional engagement with a mating portion, to provide a rigid putter  300  for use. However, by applying a force along the axis of the shaft, this frictional engagement may be broken to allow each of the telescoping members  314 A,  314 B, and  314 C to slide within an adjacent member to form a compact putter that may be easily stowed away from carrying, for example, in a travel bag.  
         [0041]    In a similar but alternative embodiment (not illustrated), a golf putter may be provided having a plurality of shaft segments that are interconnected by threaded portions. When assembled, a fully-elongated shaft may be formed. However, the differing shaft segments may be threadedly detachable in order to be able to break the shaft down into component sizes that are readily adapted for storage in a carry bag for travel (e.g., for a business traveler).  
         [0042]    Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates yet another embodiment of a golf putter  400 , constructed in accordance with the invention. The golf putter of FIG. 7 combines features of the putter illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B with the putter of FIG. 6. Specifically, the putter  400  of FIG. 7 includes a handle having a plurality of segments that form a telescopic engagement for movement between retracted and extended positions. The putter  400  also includes a joint  410  near the putter head  412  to allow relative angular disposition between the shaft  414  and the putter head  412 . Since the telescoping feature was mentioned in connection with FIG. 6, and the joint  410  was described in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, no further discussion on these embodiment of the golf putter  400  is required.  
         [0043]    Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a top view illustrating the head portion of a golf putter  500  constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the golf putter  500  is similar to the golf putter  10  of FIG. 1, except that the putter  500  of FIG. 8 includes a curved striking surface  522  for contacting a golf ball. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the striking surface  522  has a slightly concave curvature to it. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the striking surface  522  may have a convex curvature as well.  
         [0044]    Reference is now made to FIG. 9A, which illustrates the head portion of a golf putter  600  constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the putter  600  is similar to the putter illustrated in FIG. 2A, however, the shaft  614  is illustrated as projecting substantially vertically from the putter head  612  until reaching a bend  615  at which the shaft  614  bends to project both upwardly and rearwardly from the putter head  612 . The line  617  formed along the predominate portion of the shaft  614  still forms an angle β with respect to the striking surface  622  of the putter head  612  (as described in connection with FIG. 2A).  
         [0045]    Reference is now made to FIG. 9B, which illustrates a golf putter  700  in a similar embodiment of that illustrated in FIG. 9A. However, instead of the shaft  714  projecting substantially upwardly from the putter head  712 , the shaft instead projects rearwardly from the putter head  712  before reaching a bend  715  from which the shaft  714  projects upwardly and rearwardly away from the striking surface  722  of the putter head  712 . Again, the angle β is formed between the plane of the striking surface  722  and the predominate portion of the shaft  714 .  
         [0046]    Reference is made briefly to FIGS. 10A and 10B, which illustrate a putter constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the putter head is similar to the putter head illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and  2 B. However, instead of the shaft projecting from the center of the putter head, it projects from a side of the putter head, before bending to project rearwardly. FIG. 10A illustrates such an embodiment where the shaft projects from the left side of the putter head, and FIG. 10B illustrates an embodiment where the shaft projects from the right side of the putter head. Such an embodiment may promote the use of the putter to allow a user that desires to hold the putter at one side of his body, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, to nevertheless bring the putter head nearer to the centerline of the user&#39;s body, thereby facilitating alignment of the putter with the hole or intended destination of the golf ball.  
         [0047]    It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a variety of alternative embodiments, beyond those illustrated herein may be implemented consistent with the scope and spirit of the present invention. Indeed, the features of the present invention may be implemented in putters that are used, for example, at putt-putt courses for children. To make the game more interesting, such putter heads may have characters or figures drawn thereon, to enhance their desirability to children. Similarly, the putter heads may be sculpted to form unique figures, so long as an appropriate striking surface is provided for contacting the ball, and an appropriate gliding surface is provided on the underneath side of the putter head for allowing the putter head to glide smoothly across the surface of the ground. One such embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11, which shows a character drawn on the striking face of the putter head. Of course, a variety of other embodiments, not shown, may be implemented as well.  
         [0048]    The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.