Reflective perimeter-weighted golf putter head

Abstract

A reflective perimeter-weighted golf putter head that includes a striking surface and a reflective surface extending above the striking surface. The reflective surface reflects an image of a golf ball to a user when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface. The golf putter head further includes a rear surface positioned opposite the striking surface and the reflective surface. The rear surface has at least one cavity therein so as to define a weighted perimeter portion on the rear surface. The weighted perimeter portion extends at least partially above the striking surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to golf equipment and more particularly to golf putter heads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Golf enthusiasts and equipment manufacturers have continually sought to improve golf clubs, including putters, for many years. These efforts have included the addition of structures to improve the play of the clubs and structures designed as teaching aids to assist in instruction and use of particular clubs. For example, elements have been developed to assist in teaching effective putting technique.

[0003] In an effort at least in part to assist golfers with the difficulties of putting a golf ball, improved golf club heads have been provided as described, for example, in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/958,400, filed Oct. 9, 2001. Although the golf clubs heads disclosed in such application have been successful for their intended purposes, the inventor has recognized that it would be desirable to provide a reflective perimeter-weighted golf putter head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to a reflective perimeter-weighted golf putter head. The golf putter head generally includes a striking surface and a reflective surface extending above the striking surface. The reflective surface reflects an image of a golf ball to a user when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface. The golf putter head further includes a rear surface positioned opposite the striking surface and the reflective surface. The rear surface has at least one cavity therein so as to define a weighted perimeter portion on the rear surface. The weighted perimeter portion extends at least partially above the striking surface.

[0005] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a golf putter head according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 1;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the golf puffer head shown in FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a golf putter head according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 8 is a front view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 7;

[0015] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 7;

[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 7;

[0017] FIG. 11 is a top view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 7; and

[0018] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the golf putter head shown in FIG. 7.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding features throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a golf putter head, generally indicated by reference number 10, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The golf putter head 10 includes a striking surface 12 and a reflective surface 14 which extends above the striking surface 12. The reflective surface 14 reflects an image of a golf ball 15 to a user when the striking surface 12 is positioned adjacent the golf ball 15 on a putting surface 17. As described in detail below, the reflective surface 14 can be used by a golfer to statically and dynamically align the putter head 10 with the golf ball 15. The term “golf ball” as used herein shall be construed to include golf balls approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and golf balls approved by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

[0021] The golf putter head 10 further includes a rear surface 16 positioned opposite (i.e., on a backside of) the striking surface 12 and the reflective surface 14, as best shown in FIG. 3. The rear surface 16 includes a weighted perimeter portion 18 which extends above the striking surface 12, shown in phantom in FIG. 3.

[0022] The weighted perimeter portion 18 increases the effective contact area of the striking surface 12 with the golf ball 15. In other words, the weighted perimeter 18 extends or increases the “sweet spot” of the striking surface 12. Accordingly, the weighted perimeter 18 thus allows the putter head 10 to be more forgiving and more effective at delivering a truer hit to the golf ball 15 when the point of contact between the golf ball 15 and the striking surface 12 does not coincide with the location of the center of mass of the putter head 10.

[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the weighted perimeter portion 18 extends along both sides 19 and 21 of the golf ball 15 when the striking surface 12 is positioned adjacent the golf ball 15 on the putting surface 17. The weighted perimeter portion 18 also extends substantially from a heel portion 20 to a toe portion 22 above the striking surface 12. That is, the weighted perimeter 18 may extend above and substantially around an upper hemisphere 23 of the golf ball 15 when the striking surface 12 is positioned adjacent the golf ball 15 sitting on the putting surface 17.

[0024] The weighted perimeter portion 18 is designed along with other putter head features (e.g., the striking surface 12 and the reflective surface 14) to position the center of gravity 29 for the putter head 10 as desired horizontally and vertically. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the weighted perimeter portion 18 extends not only above the center of gravity 25 of the golf ball 17 but above the top edge 27 of the golf ball 15 as well when the golf ball 15 and putter head 10 are resting on the putting surface 17.

[0025] As best shown in FIG. 4, the center of gravity 29 of the putter head 10 is located not only above a center of gravity 25 of the golf ball 15 but above the top edge 27 of the golf ball 15 as well when the golf ball 15 and putter head 10 are both positioned on the putting surface 17. Positioning the putter head center of gravity 29 above the golf ball center of gravity 25 enables the putter head 10 to impart a downward force vector to the golf ball 15. This, in turn, allows the putter head 10 to more readily impart topspin and rolling to the golf ball 15 instead of causing the ball to skip and/or slide as is the case for putter heads which have a center of gravity lower than a center of gravity of a golf ball.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the golf ball center of gravity 25 is disposed 0.84 inches (2.13 centimeters) above the putting surface 17, whereas the golf ball top edge 27 is disposed 1.68 inches (4.27 centimeters) above the putting surface 17. Still referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the center of gravity 29 of the putter head 10 is shown disposed 1.80 inches (4.57 centimeters) above the putting surface 17 when the putter head 10 is resting on the putting surface 17.

[0027] With further reference to FIG. 3, the rear surface 16 has at least one cavity or recessed portion 24 therein. A portion of the cavity 24 extends above the striking surface 12 so as to define the weighted perimeter portion 18 on the rear surface 16. Stated differently, the recessed portion 24 defines at least one non-recessed portion 26, which constitutes the weighted perimeter portion 18 of the rear surface 16. In one embodiment, the cavity 24 is centered between the heel portion 20 and the toe portion 22 of the golf putter head 10.

[0028] In FIG. 3, the rear surface 16 is shown having three cavities 24, 28, and 30. It should be noted, however, that the rear surface 16 may be provided with any number of cavities, and these cavities can be shaped and positioned as necessary to locate the center of gravity of the putter head 10 and provide the putter head 10 with a weighted distribution as desired.

[0029] In addition, any of a wide range of geometric shapes may be used for the cavities 24, 28, and 30. By way of example only, the cavity 24 is substantially diamond-shaped, and the cavities 28 and 30 are substantially triangularly shaped.

[0030] In one embodiment, the golf putter head 10 has a monolithic construction and is thus integrally formed as a single component. Alternatively, the golf putter head may comprise separate components that are secured to one another, for example, by welding and/or other suitable fastening methods. The putter head 10 may also be fastened to a shaft 32 (shown in phantom) via a shaft hole 34.

[0031] During use, the reflective surface 14 of the putter head 10 may be used as follows. At address, the golfer places the striking surface 12 of the putter head 10 adjacent the golf ball 15 on the putting surface 17 and statically aligns the golf ball 15 with the reflected image of the golf ball 15 on the intended putting path. Once statically aligned, the golfer brings the putter head 10 back on the backswing of the putting stroke. During the backswing, the reflected image of the golf ball 15 visually travels up the reflective surface 14. Ideally, the golfer keeps the moving image of the ball centered on the putter head 10 during the entirety of the putting stroke. To assist the golfer with this feat, the golf putter head 10 is preferably provided with one or more guide lines 42 and 44, as shown in FIG. 5. By keeping the moving reflected image of the ball centered along the center guide line 42 positioned between the guide lines 44, the golfer is able to keep the stroke along the intended putting line.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 12, there is shown a golf putter head 110 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Like the previously described embodiment 10, the golf putter head 110 includes a striking surface 112, a reflective surface 114 which extends above the striking surface 112, and a rear surface 116 positioned opposite the striking surface 112 and the reflective surface 114. The rear surface 116 includes a weighted perimeter portion 118 which extends above the striking surface 112. The reflective surface 114 may be used for aligning the putter head 110 with a golf 115 on a putting surface 117 in a manner similar to that previously described for the reflective surface 14 of the putter head 10.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the golf putter head 110 also includes weights 140 attached to the rear surface 116. The weights 140 may have a density that is either higher, lower, or the same as the density of the rear surface 116 depending on the weight distribution that is desired for the putter head 110. The weights 140 may be removably attached to the rear surface 116. If removable, the weights 140 can be added and/or removed as desired even after the putter head 110 is manufactured. The weights 140 may also be positioned within a cavity (e.g., 124, 128, 130) defined in the rear surface 116. In the preferred embodiment, the golf putter head 110 includes two weights 140 each of which is positioned within the diamond-shaped cavity 124.

[0034] The weighted perimeter portion 118 and weights 140 distribute a substantial portion of the weight of the putter head 110 higher and wider than the golf ball 115 so as to better distribute the impact force between the striking surface 112 and the golf ball 115. This, in turn, increases the golfer's opportunity at achieving a straighter and truer putt of the golf ball 115 with the putter head 110.

[0035] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A golf putter head comprising a striking surface, a reflective surface extending above the striking surface for reflecting an image of a golf ball to a user when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface, and a rear surface positioned opposite the striking surface and the reflective surface, the rear surface having at least one cavity therein so as to define a weighted perimeter portion on the rear surface, the weighted perimeter portion extending at least partially above the striking surface.

2. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein the golf putter head includes a heel portion and a toe portion, and wherein the weighted perimeter portion extends from the heel portion to the toe portion above the striking surface.

3. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein the rear surface has a plurality of cavities extending therein.

4. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein the cavity is centered between a heel portion and a toe portion of the golf putter head.

5. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein the cavity is diamond-shaped.

6. The golf putter head of claim 1 further comprising at least one weight attached to the rear surface.

7. The golf putter head of claim 6 wherein the weight has a different density than the rear surface.

8. The golf putter head of claim 7 wherein the weight has a higher density than the rear surface.

9. The golf putter head of claim 7 wherein the weight has a lower density than the rear surface.

10. The golf putter head of claim 6 wherein the weight is positioned within the cavity.

11. The golf putter head of claim 6 wherein the weight is removably attached to the rear surface.

12. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein the golf putter head has a monolithic construction.

13. The golf putter head of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the cavity extends above the striking surface.

14. A golf putter head comprising a striking surface, a reflective surface extending above the striking surface for reflecting an image of a golf ball to a user when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface, and a rear surface positioned opposite the striking surface and the reflective surface, the rear surface having at least one recessed portion defining at least one non-recessed portion, the non-recessed portion constituting a weighted perimeter portion of the rear surface, the weighted perimeter portion extending at least partially above the striking surface.

15. The golf putter head of claim 14 wherein the weighted perimeter portion extends along at least one side of the golf ball when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface.

16. The golf putter head of claim 15 wherein the weighted perimeter portion extends above a center of the golf ball when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface.

17. The golf putter head of claim 16 wherein the weighted perimeter portion extends above a top edge of the golf ball when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface.

18. The golf putter head of claim 17 wherein the weighted perimeter portion extends above and around an upper hemisphere of the golf ball when the golf ball is positioned adjacent the striking surface.

19. The golf putter head of claim 18 wherein the golf club head includes a heel portion and a toe portion, and the weighted perimeter portion extends from the heel portion to the toe portion above the striking surface.

20. The golf putter head of claim 14 wherein the recessed portion is diamond-shaped.

21. The golf putter head of claim 14 wherein the recessed portion is centered between a heel portion and a toe portion of the golf club head.

22. The golf putter head of claim 14 further comprising a weight attached to the rear surface.

22. A golf putter head comprising a striking surface, a reflective surface, and a rear surface, the rear surface including a weighted perimeter portion which extends at least partially above the striking surface.