Golf putter head

Abstract

A golf putter head having a configuration similar to that of a croquet mallet head is disclosed. The shaft of the putter is attached to the putter head at the approximate center thereof and the putter head is substantially symmetrical about the shaft. The longitudinal axis of the putter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head. The putter head has slightly enlarged ends which act as the striking surface of the putter head.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a golf putter and, more particularly, to a head for a golf putter.

BACKGROUND ART

There are numerous patents directed to golf clubs, in general, and golf putters, in particular. With respect to golf putters, there are also patents directed specifically to golf putter heads. In most instances the patents that are directed to golf putter heads disclose putter heads having a striking surface that is along the longitudinal axis of the putter head, rather than at the oppositely disposed ends of the head. The end result is that the golfer cannot readily align the putter with the hole. In addition, such putters are typically designed for either right-handed golfers or left-handed golfers. If, however, the golf putter head had a striking surface at each end of the putter head, the longitudinal axis of the putter head can be aligned with the hole and the putter can be readily used by both right-handed and left-handed golfers.

In view of the foregoing, it has become desirable to develop a golf putter head that has a striking surface at each of the oppositely disposed ends thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems associated with the prior art golf putter heads, and other problems, by providing a putter head that has a configuration similar to that of a croquet mallet head. In the present invention, the shaft of the putter is attached to the putter head at the approximate center of the putter head and the putter head is substantially symmetrical about the shaft. The longitudinal axis of the putter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head. The putter head has slightly enlarged ends, interconnected by a body portion. The slightly enlarged ends act as the striking surface of the putter head. Since the longitudinal axis of the putter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head permitting alignment of the putter head with the hole, the golfer, whether right-handed or left-handed, can assume any stance or position without moving the putter head, thus keeping his or her alignment with the hole substantially constant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putter head of the present invention showing its attachment to a golf putter shaft represented by broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf putter head of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the golf putter head of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the golf putter head of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the golf putter head of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the golf putter head of the present invention taken across section-indicating lines 6-6 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the golf putter head of the present invention taken across section-indicating lines 7-7 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the Figures where the illustrations are for the purpose of describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention described herein, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putter head 10 of the present invention showing its attachment to a golf putter shaft 12. The golf putter head 10 is formed from a solid, substantially cylindrical metallic material and has a central portion 14 with oppositely disposed end portions 16, 18 attached thereto. A plurality of decorative grooves 20 is positioned adjacent each end portion 16, 18. The central portion 14 of the putter head 10 has a blind bore 22 provided therein in the approximate center thereof, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The diameter of the blind bore 22 is such so as to receive the end 24 of the putter shaft 12 which is secured therein by a relatively snug fit. The putter shaft 12 is oriented so that its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head 10 after the end 24 of the putter shaft 12 is received therein.

Dimensionally, the diameter of each end portion 16, 18 of the putter head 10 is approximately 1.3125 inches and the diameter of the central portion 14 of the putter head 10 is approximately 1.1875 inches. The overall length of the putter head 10 along its longitudinal axis is approximately 3.875 inches including each end portion 16, 18. The length of the central portion 14 of the putter head 10 along its longitudinal axis is approximately 3.500 inches. The total weight of the putter head 10 is approximately 240 grams.

One of the primary advantages of the golf putter head 10 of the present invention is that its design allows for various putting styles because the longitudinal axis of the putter head 10 maintains a substantially direct line for the golfer with the hole and remains substantially square with respect to the hole regardless of the golfer's stance. Since the longitudinal axis of the putter shaft 12 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head 10 causing alignment of the putter head 10 with the hole, the golfer can assume any stance or position without moving the putter head 10, thus keeping his or her alignment substantially constant. In addition, the design of the golf putter head 10 makes its easier for the golfer to control backstroke and follow-through, and virtually eliminates unnecessary and detrimental spin of the golf ball during putting. Since the putter head 10 is balanced, a smoother putting stroke also results. Furthermore, the putter head 10 can rest comfortably on the ground regardless of the golfer's height or stance. Lastly, the design of the putter head 10 allows the putter to be used by both right-handed or left-handed golfers.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. It is understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A golf putter head comprising a body portion having a substantially cylindrical configuration in cross-section, said body portion having a central portion terminating in oppositely disposed end portions, said central portion and said oppositely disposed end portions each being of a substantially constant diameter along the longitudinal axis of said golf putter head, the diameter of said oppositely disposed end portions being slightly greater than the diameter of said central portion, and said central portion having a blind bore therein in the approximate center thereof, said blind bore receiving the shaft of a putter and having its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said golf putter head.

2. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein the overall length of said body portion is about 3.875 inches.

3. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein the length of said central portion of said body portion is about 3.500 inches.

4. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein the diameter of said central portion of said body portion is about 1.1875 inches.

5. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein the diameter of each of said oppositely disposed end portions of said body portion is about 1.3125 inches.

6. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein the weight of said golf putter head is about 240 grams.