JPH07568A - Golf putter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To improve the stability of the putter during putting. [Structure] The present golf putter is used with a putter shaft 16 carrying a head 10. The head 10 includes a putter body 11 that extends in an elongated shape between the heel 14 and the toe 14a. The putter body 11 has a heel 14 and
It has a toe 14a and a sole 12 defining a bottom wall 12a and a front wall. The 11 body has at least one recess that extends forward toward a plane defined by the front wall. The body 11 is a second body formed on the front wall.
It has a recess. A non-metal face plate 23 is housed in the second recess. The periphery of the face plate 23 is joined to the body 11. A rail 20 is formed below the face plate 23 and extends downward from the bottom wall 12a. The rail 20 extends between the heel 14 and the toe 14a and engages the grass when manipulating the putter on the green to improve the stability of the putter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to golf putters, and more particularly to techniques for improving the putter's stability during addressing and hitting of the putter on the golf green.

The present invention is based on a continuation-in-part application of US Patent Serial No. 921,857, dated August 5, 1992.

[0003]

It is generally known that a golf putter twists when placed at a ball address position on the green. Such twisting causes misalignment of the front surface of the putter with respect to the ball, requiring one or more realignments. The putter may also twist during backswing away from the ball and forward toward the ball, one of the causes of such twisting being swing and swing as described above. During the stroke, the engagement between the bottom of the putter and the lawn changes.

What is needed is a means for reducing or eliminating the effects of such misalignments and improving the overall performance of golf putters.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved putter configured to reduce or eliminate the misalignment problem described above.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is a heel, a toe, and a sole defining a bottom wall and a front wall (ball striking face), and an elongated member is provided between the heel and the toe. A golf putter is provided that includes an extending putter body, the body having at least one recess extending forward toward a plane formed by the front wall, the body also including the front wall. A non-metallic face plate having a second recess formed therein and further having a perimeter contained in the second recess and joined to the body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a control rail extending downwardly from the bottom wall is provided. The rail extends between the heel and toe and engages the grass of the green when the putter is placed on the green and prevents the head from twisting during placement. The rail is generally spaced rearwardly from the front face defined by a non-metallic front face along the major length of the rail. The rail also has a bottom surface that is narrow along its length, and the bottom surface is flat in the longitudinal direction, which is the width direction of the rail. The bottom of the rail is
Has a substantially uniform width along a major portion of the length of the rail, the rail being below the center of the putter body and below the non-metallic faceplate;
A longitudinal extension extends between the heel and the toe. The weight of the rails adds significant anti-kink perimeter weight when using non-metal faceplates.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a control rail is provided having a forward facing surface which slopes downwardly and rearwardly to meet the forward region of the bottom surface of the rail. The rail also has a rearward facing surface that slopes downwardly and forwardly to join the rear region of the hollow surface of the rail. Such a surface functions to engage the grass during the stroke of the head and lift the head so that the putter does not go deep into the grass. Also, such surfaces generally extend the same distance from the area of the head and rail to the toe and heel, thereby balancing the twisting forces due to engagement with the turf.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a rail as described above, which extends in a curved plane, ie a curved plane along its length. The rails engage the grass at multiple points of support, rather than in a straight line, thereby preventing head twisting caused by the head biting into the grass when swinging the head down to address the ball. To ensure head stability.

The above and other objects of the present invention, the effects of the present invention, and the details of the embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description explained with reference to the drawings.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a putter head 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a body 11, which forms a sole 12, a front striking face or face 13, a heel 14, and a toe 14a. The shaft 16 is connected to the body and extends upward as shown. The head can be made of metal and is typically made of brass.
The body is elongated as shown between the heel and toe.

In one aspect of the invention, the rail 20
Extends downwardly from the bottom wall 12a of the sole and the rail 20 is elongated in the direction between the heel and toe and engages the green turf 21 of the putting, as shown in FIG. It extends downward into the grass. This allows the rails 20 to resist twisting in one or both twisting directions (indicated by arrows 22 and 22a in FIG. 4) when the putter sole is placed face down on the green grass and head. Stabilize. In FIG. 2, a golf ball 24 is shown in front of the face 13, and the rail in the turf is provided with the face 13 of the head just before the head stroke starts when a person swings the shaft 16. It tends to be square or square to the ball (see Figure 3).

As shown, the elongated rails are spaced rearwardly of the front face 13 below the upright front plate 23 of the head, thereby ensuring good head balance. The head has a bottom portion and a rear flange 25 extending rearward from a region below the body 11, which flange forms the bottom wall 12a of the sole, as shown in FIG. The bottom wall comprises a bottom wall area 12a 'in front of the rail and a bottom wall area 12''behind the rail. In this example, the width w from the front to the rear of the bottom wall region 12a '
₁ is the width w ₂ from the front to the rear of the bottom wall region 12a ″
Well, and w ₂ is typically 2 to 6 times w ₁ . The bottom wall region 12a 'is generally flat in the anterior-posterior direction and slightly convex downward in the heel / toe direction (see FIG. 1).
As shown in FIG. 1, a ″ is also slightly downwardly convex like the bottom wall region 12a ′.

The rail 20 has a bottom surface 28 that extends along the length of the rail, which bottom surface generally has a constant or substantially constant width, which is the longitudinal or rail width. Flat or substantially flat in direction.
The width of the bottom surface as described above should be between about 3.18 mm (1/8 inch) and about 9.53 mm (3/8 inch), and the rail is lowered from the surface of the sole by the amount "t". Should be extended to, and “t” decreases towards the toe and also along the length of the rail from the midpoint 28a towards the heel (see FIG. 1). The maximum value of "t" is about 1.59 mm (1/16 inch) and about 3.18 mm
Should be between (1/8 inch), so that
It sits effectively in the green grass in the central area of the head without penetrating too deep into the grass and obstructing the stroke of the head. The bottom surface 28 of the rail has a curvature larger than the curvature of the sole 12 in the toe / heel direction, and joins the sole at 28c and 28d.

The rail 20 also has a front-facing surface 29 (see FIG. 3) which is inclined downward and rearward so that it slides over the grass during the stroke of the head, with respect to the inclined surface 29. The impact of the grass lifts the putter head,
Prevents or minimizes the head from deeply entering the grass during the stroke. The surface 29 merges with the surface 28 along the rounded edge 30 to increase the effect.

The rail 20 also has a rearwardly facing surface 31 (see FIG. 3) which slopes downwardly and forwardly and merges with the surface 28 along a rounded edge 32. Surface 31, 3
2 allows the putter to slide backwards on the green grass when the head is swung backwards relative to the golf ball, which allows the head to move during the backstroke. Prevents entry into the inside or minimizes it.

The middle region of the rail extends longitudinally in the center of the putter, below the "sweet spot" region 32 of the plate 23 immediately behind the ball,
Also, the rails extend from the central region toward the heel and toe over an equal or approximately equal distance such that engagement of the rail with the turf during backstroke and forward stroke results in toe and heel. The same (from the central region of the rail) towards, which minimizes twisting of the putter head during the stroke.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the putter shaft 16 is connected to the body 11 and extends downward between the heel 14 and the arcuate heel end 23c of the plate 23. The body 11 has a shaft accommodating hole 40, and the lower end 16a of the shaft is joined to the hole by an adhesive or the like indicated by reference numeral 41. The hole 40 intersects the bottom surface of the heel at 14 'when viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the end of the shaft is the end of the heel and rail 2
It is possible to extend to almost the above-mentioned bottom face with 8d.
A filler or filler 48 fills the space between the lower core of the shaft and the surfaces 12, 28. The bore 40 extends upright and the shaft extends upward from the bore.

1-4, the longitudinal region of the rail defines an upright flat plane 50 extending in front of the shaft bore 40 between the toe and heel (FIG. 4). reference). Such straight rails allow the head to pivot or tilt somewhat forward or backward, as indicated by lines 51, 52 in FIG. The rails are longitudinally curved to prevent or reduce such tilting, i.e. to keep the head upright as viewed in Figure 2 and for the face 13 to strike the ball squarely. Can be formed to provide effective "three-point" support for the putter body on the grass. For example, in FIG. 5, rail 5
6 has a curved flat surface 55, and such curved shape can take various forms. The unmatched three-point support is labeled A, B, and C in FIG. This rail 56 differs from the rail 20 described above in that it has all the advantages of the rail 20,
Provide anti-pivot support for the putter body as described above. It should be noted that the front sloping surface of the rail 56 has a variety of different spacings from the putter head striking face 113.

Further, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the putter shaft 116 extends at an angle α of 10 ° to 30 ° with respect to the vertical plane, and the lowermost region 116a of the shaft is It is located in the forwardly displaced region 111d of the heel 114 and enters the head hole 140 having a corresponding angle. Therefore, the holes 140 are located in front of the curved plane 56, and the plane 56 is convex towards the plane of the flat face 113, so that the turf is otherwise shown in FIG. Engage with the convex front edge of the rail that will have the cross-sectional shape shown.
The rails slide over the turf, which causes the head to be pushed upwards from the turf during the putting stroke.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the putter body has at least one recess 150 extending forward toward a plane defined by the front wall or face 13. The recess 150 is open rearward as shown in FIG. The body also has a second recess 151 formed in the front wall, the second recess being sized to tightly accommodate the perimeter 23d of the non-metallic plate 23. . The perimeter 23d may be joined to the inner wall 152 of the body that defines the recess 151. The plate is seated on a body surrounding shoulder 153 facing forward at the bottom of the recess 151. The rear side 23e of the plate 23 faces the shoulder 153 in the open state, the plate is elliptical as shown and has convex rounded ends 23b, 23c and a straight top wall. Can have 23h.

The face plate 23 is generally made of synthetic resin and forms a ball striking face 23f in front of the recess 151. The faceplate also has a uniform thickness so that the symbols or characters 160 ("LABEL" in the figure are merely exemplary), such as alphanumeric characters, that identify the golfer or manufacturer or other matter. It is preferably substantially transparent. The letter 160 may be a monogram provided in the plastic material and observable from the front of the plate.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body has a third recess 170 formed in the front wall behind the recess 151.
And the depth of this recess is deeper than the depth of the recess 151. The perimeter of recess 170 intersects first recess 150 as shown. The circumferences of the three recesses are stepped portions 150 ′, 15 located inside the rail 20 in FIG.
1 ', 170'. Therefore, the impact force of the ball transmitted to the plastic face plate 23 is
The turf force acting on the rail during the stroke of the putter is transmitted to the metal body by the periphery of the face plate in the plane of the rail, that is, the ball striking surface of the plate 33, and the inertia of the front of the head is balanced Concentrate in the lower region 180 of the head which acts like Plate 2
The use of lightweight plastic as 3 allows for the concentration of metal loads around the head and prevents twisting of the head during the stroke of the putter.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a control rail extending downward from the bottom wall. The rail extends between the heel and toe and engages the grass of the green when the putter is placed on the green and prevents the head from twisting during placement. The rail is generally spaced rearwardly from the front face defined by a non-metallic front face along the major length of the rail. The rail also has a bottom surface that is narrow along its length, and the bottom surface is flat in the longitudinal direction, which is the width direction of the rail. The bottom surface of the rail has a substantially uniform width along a major portion of the length of the rail, the rail being below the center of the putter body and below the non-metallic faceplate. , Extending longitudinally between the heel and the toe. The weight of the rails adds significant anti-kink perimeter weight when using non-metal faceplates.

There is also provided a control rail having a forward facing surface which slopes downwardly and rearwardly and joins the forward region of the bottom surface of the rail. The rail also has a rearward facing surface that slopes downwardly and forwardly to join the rear region of the hollow surface of the rail. Such a surface functions to engage the grass during the stroke of the head and lift the head so that the putter does not go deep into the grass. Also, such surfaces generally extend the same distance from the area of the head and rail to the toe and heel, thereby balancing the twisting forces due to engagement with the turf.

Further provided is a rail as described above which is curved, ie extends in a curved plane along its length. The rails engage the grass at multiple points of support, rather than in a straight line, thereby preventing head twisting caused by the head biting into the grass when swinging the head down to address the ball. To ensure head stability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a putter head adopting the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a circle portion indicated by reference numeral 3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modified example.

6 is a front view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Putter Head 11 Body 12 Sole 13 Hitting Surface 14 Heel 14a Toe 16 Shaft 20 Rail 23 Face Plate 24 Golf Ball 40 Shaft Holes 150, 151,
170 recess

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. A golf putter for use with a putter shaft carrying a head, comprising: (a) the head having a heel, a toe, and a sole defining a bottom wall and a front wall; (B) the body has at least one recess that extends forward toward a plane defined by the front wall; and (c) the body A non-metallic face plate having a second recess formed in the front wall and having a perimeter housed in the second recess and joined to the body. And a golf putter. 2. The golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the face plate has a rear side portion exposed to the first recess. 3. The golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the face plate is made of synthetic resin and defines a ball striking face in front of the first recess. 4. The golf putter according to claim 3, wherein the face plate has a substantially uniform thickness. 5. The golf putter according to claim 4, wherein the face plate is substantially transparent. 6. The golf putter of claim 4, wherein the face plate is substantially transparent and comprises a monogram carried by the face plate behind a front surface defined by the face plate. A characteristic golf putter. 7. The golf putter according to claim 2, wherein the body has a third recess formed in the front wall deeper than the second recess, and the periphery of the third recess. The golf putter intersects the first recess in a rearwardly spaced relationship with respect to the periphery of the face plate. 8. The golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the face plate has a first end that is convex toward the toe and a second end that is convex toward the heel. A golf putter characterized by. 9. The golf putter according to claim 8, wherein the face plate has a straight top edge extending between the heel and the toe and intersecting the convex end. Golf putter to do. , 10. The golf putter according to claim 1, further comprising an insert body of a shaft hole which is separated from the recess and the face plate. 11. The golf putter according to claim 10,
A golf putter comprising a putter shaft housed in the hole. 12. The golf putter according to claim 11,
The golf putter, wherein the hole intersects a bottom wall of the sole adjacent to the heel. 13. The golf putter according to claim 1, further comprising a rail extending downward from the bottom wall below the height of the face plate, the rail extending slenderly between the heel and the toe, A golf putter characterized in that, when the putter is placed on a green of a golf course, it engages turf to stabilize the head so as not to be twisted. 14. The golf putter according to claim 13,
A golf putter, wherein the rails are spaced rearwardly from the front face along a substantial length of the rails. 15. The golf putter according to claim 14,
The golf putter, wherein the rail has a bottom surface extending along the length of the rail, and the bottom surface is substantially flat in the width direction in the front-rear direction of the rail. 16. The golf putter according to claim 15,
The rail has a surface facing forward along its length, the surface sloping downward and backward to join the forward region of the bottom surface of the rail, and the rail is also downward and forward. A golf putter having a rearwardly-facing surface that is inclined and joins a rear region of the bottom surface of the rail. 17. The golf putter according to claim 1, wherein the putter body is made of metal, the face plate is made of non-metal, and the rail is made of metal. 18. The golf putter according to claim 17,
The body has an L-shaped cross section in an upright surface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail, the rail extends below the L-shaped cross section, and extends rearward from the front face. A golf putter characterized by being spaced apart. 19. The golf putter according to claim 15,
The rail extends longitudinally below the material of the putter body between the heel and the toe, and the bottom surface of the rail has a substantially uniform width along most of the bottom surface. A golf putter characterized by having. 20. The golf putter according to claim 19,
The width is from about 3.18 mm (1/8 inch) to about 9.18.
A golf putter characterized by being 53 mm (3/8 inch). 21. The golf putter according to claim 20,
The width of the bottom of the rail is approximately 7.94 along its length.
A golf putter characterized by being mm (5/16 inch). 22. The golf putter according to claim 15,
The golf putter, wherein the rail defines a flat upright surface extending between the heel and the toe. 23. The golf putter according to claim 22,
The golf putter, wherein the flat bottom surface of the rail has a downwardly convex shape along the length of the rail between the heel and the toe of the head. 24. The golf putter according to claim 15,
The rail defines a curved upright surface extending between the toe and the heel such that the bottom surface of the rail curves along its length to enhance the support of the putter body on the lawn. A golf putter that is characterized by being made. 25. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the body has an additional recess extending from the one recess adjacent the periphery of the faceplate, immediately rearward and outward from the faceplate. A golf putter having: