Golf putter

Abstract

A putter head for a golf club comprising a base member having a front face for contacting a golf ball, and a trace device coupled with the base member. In one embodiment, the trace device is in a perpendicular arrangement with the front face. In an alternative embodiment, the trace device is adapted to produce an appearance of golf ball movement.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed, in general, to golfing equipment and, more specifically, to a putter head for a golf club.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of golf has been played for decades. One area of the game that is particularly difficult for many golfers is putting. Proper alignment of the striking face of the putter to the intended path of the golf ball is essential. Numerous designs for alignment of golf putters with the golf ball have been available. Golfers are always interested in new ways to assist them in the alignment of the striking face with the intended path of the golf ball.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a putter head that has a visual alignment system for the putter striking face with the golf ball that is easily grasped by novice and professional golfers alike.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a putter head for a golf club comprising a base member having a front face for contacting a golf ball, and a trace device coupled with the base member. In one embodiment, the trace device is in a perpendicular arrangement with the front face. In an alternative embodiment, the trace device is adapted to produce an appearance of golf ball movement.

The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a golf putter head constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a tracer image as impressed on a golfer's vision with even minimal motion of the putter head;

FIG. 3A illustrates a four disc system;

FIG. 3B illustrates a two disc system;

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevation view of the striking face of the putter head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a golfer's end view of the golf putter head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative disc that may be clear, i.e., transparent or translucent, with white or other colored circles on an outer edge;

FIG. 7A illustrates a first alternative cross section of the discs of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7B illustrates a second alternative cross section of the discs of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the back of the putter head 100 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated is a top plan view of one embodiment of a golf putter head 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The putter head 100 uses a “3 Disc” alignment system. The three discs, designated 101, 102, 103, not only help a golfer line up a putt, but they also incorporate an appearance of ball movement by showing a sort of tracer image behind the ball even while stationary. Referring initially to FIG. 2, illustrated is a tracer image 210 as impressed on a golfer's vision with even minimal motion of the putter head 100.

Not only does this design provide alignment and simulated ball movement, it also incorporates a visual color system that takes away from the putter head 100 itself by having a putter body 111 of the putter head 100 in a dark color which accentuates the light color of the three discs 101, 102, 103. The putter body 111 may be: gun blued steel, anodized aluminum, or burnished stainless steel, i.e., oil can finish. The discs 101, 102, 103 may be a light color, e.g., white, silver, bright yellow, bright orange, red or blue. Any suitable contrasting colors may be used in the putter head 100 and disc system.

The discs 101, 102, 103 may be made of any suitable material, e.g.; aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or tungsten. Each of these materials has a different density, and therefore a different weight for the same volume. Therefore, a golfer is able to weight the putter head 100 in the particular way he prefers. For the most part, the disc 103 furthest from the club head face 120 may be made of the heaviest material, e.g., tungsten. This high, heavy, back weight will cause the putted ball (not shown) to roll faster, i.e., with less backspin.

The initial alignment discs (3 disc system) have an approximate diameter d of a standard golf ball. While the initial embodiment uses only three discs because of a USGA rule limiting a face length l of the putter head 100 to being longer than a width w of the putter head 100, this system is not limited to only three discs 101, 102, 103, but may have alternative embodiments, wherein the diameter d of the discs 101, 102, 103, are enlarged or diminished. Thus, the disc diameter d may be decreased to allow more discs, e.g., from 4 discs (FIG. 3A) to perhaps as many as 10 discs. Alternatively, the number of discs may be as few as two (FIG. 3B), or even one.

Referring now to FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the striking face 120 of the putter head of FIG. 1. A milled insert 410 is used in the striking face 120. Materials for the milled insert 410 may be any of those listed above for the putter discs 101, 102, 103.

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a golfer's end view of the golf putter head 100 of FIG. 1. The discs 101, 102, 103 are seen to descend away from the striking face 120. However, in an alternative embodiment the discs 101, 102, 103 may ascend away from the striking face 120. The discs 101, 102, 103 may be solid or hollow. Additionally, the discs 101, 102, 103 may be interchangeable both as a set or individually. The discs 101, 102, 103 may vary both in thickness and weight, depending upon the golfer's desired weight for the putter head 100. The putter head 100 is cut in a way that gives the putter head 100 a “feel” similar to a putter head with a cavity-back weight distribution on the outside ends and back of the putter head 100. This 3 disc 101, 102, 103 system may be incorporated into Ping® Anser®-style putter heads, as well as blade-style putter heads. Ping® and Anser® are registered trademarks of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, Phoenix, Ariz.

The putter head 100 uses the three disc system for alignment, color distinction, key weighting and weight differentials to accommodate every golfer from beginner to professional. It is the stacked discs that is the original design (no matter the style or number of discs) with arc centered that gives the impression of ball movement while the putter striking face 120 is being aligned with the golf ball and the desired ball track. Circular discs are shown, but the alignment aids may alternatively be oval or square, or other shapes/figures may be incorporated on the discs to aid in color differentiation and head alignment. Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an alternative disc 600 that may be clear, i.e., transparent or translucent, with white or other colored circles 610 on an outer edge 620. Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrated are alternative cross sections of the discs of FIG. 1. Discs 710 may also have a surface roll 720 or bulge 730 to give the tracer image an even more three-dimensional look. FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the back of the putter head 100 of FIG. 1.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Claims

1. A putter head for a golf club, comprising:

a base member having a front face for contacting a golf ball; and

a trace device coupled with said base member.

2. The putter head of claim 1, wherein said trace device is in a perpendicular arrangement with said front face.

3. The putter head of claim 1, wherein said trace device is adapted to produce an appearance of golf ball movement.