Vertically Spaced Apart Indicia Patents (Class 473/254)
  • Patent number: 12161921
    Abstract: A putter is described. The putter includes a composite putter head having a high moment of inertia. The putter also includes a putter head face connected to the composite putter head. The putter further includes a hosel for mounting to a putter shaft. The putter also includes a plurality of sole weights mounted in a sole of the composite putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: LA GOLF PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey William Meyer
  • Patent number: 9022875
    Abstract: A golf putter with a clear insert in the clubhead is provided. One or more alignment lines are present on the top and bottom surfaces of the insert and lie directly vertically above one another. The alignment lines assist the player in ensuring that the clubhead is parallel to the ground. If the clubhead is not parallel to the ground, the alignment lines on the top and bottom surfaces will appear offset. The player can then reposition the clubhead until the alignment lines are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 8932144
    Abstract: When hitting a ball to a target with a putter, the ball often travels to a point which is deviated to the right from the target. When a golfer looks at the target just after taking his address, he turns his head to a target about a rotation axis which extends through the back of his head. When this rotation axis is not horizontal and an angle defined by the rotation axis and his sighting line to a putter head is not 90°, he has an optical illusion which tricks him into believing that he has to correct his address position. The putter of the present invention is provided with a thin-plate pendulum thereby allowing him to turn his head about the rotation axis while keeping the angle defined by the rotation axis and his sighting line at 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Taiseikogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyosi Simizu
  • Publication number: 20140200095
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf putter which includes a putter head which includes a toe and a heel and is formed with a putting line groove on an upper surface of a plane portion; and a support which connects the putter head and a shaft and is formed with an upper horizontal line parallel with the putting line groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Kyong Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20140018180
    Abstract: A golf putter with a clear insert in the clubhead is provided. One or more alignment lines are present on the top and bottom surfaces of the insert and lie directly vertically above one another. The alignment lines assist the player in ensuring that the clubhead is parallel to the ground. If the clubhead is not parallel to the ground, the alignment lines on the top and bottom surfaces will appear offset. The player can then reposition the clubhead until the alignment lines are aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 8616992
    Abstract: A putter includes a handle (2), a putter head (1) with a striking surface, and two alignment indicia (6) symmetrically arranged relative to a vertical plane (20) which is perpendicular to the striking surface and passes through a striking line. Wherein the visible part of the alignment indicia (6) are symmetrical to the vertical plane (20) when being viewed in the vertical plane (20), while not symmetrical to the vertical plane (20) when being viewed in a plane offsetting from the vertical plane (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Dae Wook Kim
  • Publication number: 20130210537
    Abstract: A golf putter head (10) having an under surface (14) for contacting the ground and a ball-striking face. The under surface comprises a setting surface (26), operable to facilitate setting of the putter in the most optimum position on the ground prior to putting a golf ball, and a first lateral surface (28) and a second lateral surface (30), the setting surface being disposed adjacent and between the first and second lateral surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second lateral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Roy Arthur Ainscough, Yvonne Ainscough
  • Patent number: 8246481
    Abstract: Putters and putter heads better camouflage the main body of the head and/or highlight the alignment aid. The top surface of the head (when viewed from a ball address orientation) may be finished in a non-reflective, matte finish, optionally, in a dark color and/or in a color or colors selected so as to blend into or match the color of a golf green. At least some portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features help in visualization of the alignment aid (which also may be designed to help in alignment). If desired, the club head and/or shaft color and finish may be customized based on the greens at a specific golf course, greens in a specific geographical region, greens of a specific grass type, greens at a specific time of year or under specific conditions, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Sean Miller, David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20120202612
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf putter having an eye ball alignment mirror for aligning, when a golfer is in a putting position, the golfer's line of sight directly over a golf ball and in-line with a desired target. The putter head of the golf putter comprises a substantially planar ball striking face and a body portion extending rearwardly away from the ball striking face. The body portion includes an upwardly facing eye ball alignment mirror configured such that (i) the golfer's eye balls are viewable in the mirror when the golfer's line of sight is directly over the ball striking face and the golf ball at their point of contact, and (ii) the golfer's eye balls, as viewable in the mirror, are in-line with the desired target when the ball striking face strikes the golf ball. The body portion may further include forward and rearward alignment markings to facilitate aiming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Shubang Gan
  • Patent number: 8133126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club having alignment markings that assist a golfer in finding a proper and consistent posture before addressing the ball. In one embodiment, a golf club according to the present invention includes a shaft, a club head having a striking face, a hosel coupling the club head to the shaft, and one or more alignment markings at a position substantially elevated from the club head and substantially behind the shaft. Embodiments of the golf club may further comprise an appendage extending outwardly from the golf club and carrying alignment markings thereon in a direction substantially parallel to the striking face. Such alignment markings provide a golfer with a proper setup when the shaft is seen by the golfer as interposed between, and parallel to, the alignment markings. A golf club according to the present invention may be configured in a variety of shapes, for example, as a putter, an iron, a driver or a wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Premium Golf Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Pouliot, Andre Shmoldas
  • Patent number: 8128505
    Abstract: A putter head including a fore body and an aft body. The fore body includes a planar front strike face, heel and toe side walls, a rear wall, a top surface and a generally planar sole. The top surface includes a sight line. The sight line extends along a first plane that is perpendicular to the strike face and to the sole, and is substantially evenly spaced from the heel and toe side walls. The aft body is coupled to the fore body and includes a rear main portion and an overhang. The rear main portion is engaged to the rear wall of the fore body, and has a central region positioned between first and second end regions. The overhang forwardly extends from the central region. The overhang includes an elongate slot extending along the first plane, and is positioned over at least a portion of the sight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods
    Inventors: Andrew K. Tryner, Douglas J. Thiel, Robert T. Thurman, Jon C. Pergande
  • Patent number: 8052541
    Abstract: A golf club that positions a golfer to establish a desired viewpoint of a golf ball when preparing to strike the golf ball with the golf club. The golf club includes an elongated shaft, a grip provided adjacent to a proximate end of the shaft that the golfer grips to hold the golf club while striking the golf ball during a golf swing, and a club head coupled adjacent to a distal end of the shaft and including a face exposed at a surface of the head for contacting the golf ball during the golf swing. A visual indicator is provided to the club head, wherein the visual indicator is observable by the golfer to indicate that the golfer is positioned in at least one of a predetermined longitudinal direction relative to the club head and a predetermined lateral direction relative to the club head to afford the golfer the desired viewpoint of the golf ball before striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen T. Ross
  • Patent number: 7927226
    Abstract: A putter head is provided which has a striking surface and is adapted to mount to a shaft of a putter. The putter head has an alignment apparatus which includes a sighting device and a flat surface. The sighting device has an upright element and a base element which is symmetrically positioned around a bottom of the upright element. When viewed from above, centering the base element around the upright element every time positions a golfer's eyes and head in the same position every time. The flat surface is centered under the upright element. The flat surface whereby positioning the flat surface on a surface positions the putter head in the same relationship with the surface every time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Howard A. Twitty
  • Patent number: 7905794
    Abstract: A golf club that positions a golfer to establish a desired viewpoint of a golf ball when preparing to strike the golf ball with the golf club. The golf club includes an elongated shaft, a grip provided adjacent to a proximate end of the shaft that the golfer grips to hold the golf club while striking the golf ball during a golf swing, and a club head coupled adjacent to a distal end of the shaft and including a face exposed at a surface of the head for contacting the golf ball during the golf swing. A visual indicator is provided to the club head, wherein the visual indicator is observable by the golfer to indicate that the golfer is positioned in at least one of a predetermined longitudinal direction relative to the club head and a predetermined lateral direction relative to the club head to afford the golfer the desired viewpoint of the golf ball before striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen T. Ross
  • Patent number: 7905793
    Abstract: A golf club comprising: a shaft; a head affixed to a distal end of the shaft and having a ball striking face, the head comprising spaced apart lower and upper portions which have respectively: lower and upper primary alignment guides extending substantially perpendicular to the ball striking face, the lower primary alignment guide provided by at least one lower slot portion in the lower portion and the upper primary alignment guide provided by at least one upper slot portion in the upper portion; and lower and upper secondary alignment guides extending substantially parallel to the ball striking face, the lower secondary alignment guide provided by at least one further lower slot portion in the lower portion and the upper secondary alignment guide provided by at least one further upper slot portion in the upper portion, the primary and secondary alignment guides being positioned relative to one another so that a golfer's eyes are correctly aligned relative to the golf club head when the primary and secondary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Australian Putter Co Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kevin O'Neill
  • Patent number: 7815515
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf putter having an alignment means for aligning a golfer's line of sight directly over a golf ball and in line with a desired target. The putter head comprises a striking face and a rearwardly extending body portion. The body portion includes an upper section having an alignment bar protruding away from and perpendicular to the striking face and a lower section having an alignment slot extending away from and perpendicular to the striking face. The alignment bar and slot are centrally positioned and spaced apart from each other such that (i) the slot becomes obscured by the alignment bar when the golfer's line of sight is directly over the striking face and the golf ball at their point of contact, and (ii) the alignment bar and slot are in line with the desired target when the striking face strikes the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: William Hunt
  • Publication number: 20100261537
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club capable of allowing a user to properly adjust the striking direction and striking impact for a golf ball by presenting a reference line for accurately striking the golf ball, and simultaneously providing an index for checking the exact movement distance and direction of a club head in take-back and striking actions. The golf club is provided with a shaft, which has a first side surrounded by a grip grasped by a user, and a club head, which is connected to a second side of the shaft to strike a golf ball. The shaft comprises a shaft body including transparent material, and a guide member inserted into the shaft body and having a specific sectional shape such that the guide member guides horizontal movement of the golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Dong Sung Cho
  • Patent number: 7789764
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for a golf club and training device. The golf club may be approved for on the course play by the United States Golf Association (USGA). An embodiment of a training device for a golf club includes a handle having a grip where the handle is coupled to a golf club head. The head has an internal alignment device and may include a contact plate, a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has a first upper surface including a top alignment marking and the bottom plate has a second upper surface including a bottom alignment marking. The top plate may include an attachment aperture for attaching an external alignment device. The external alignment device may include a laser, an alignment guide, a weight, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: TW Golf LLC
    Inventors: Todd Wilson, David Rocheleau
  • Patent number: 7766762
    Abstract: The putter according to the invention comprises a putter head having a forward-facing striking surface, a heel, a toe, a top surface and a rear alignment section. The rear alignment section comprises one or more elongated indicator bars of uniform width that project backwards and that are arranged perpendicularly to the striking surface at a first upper level. Arranged at a second, lower level is a corresponding number of elongated warning strips of a contrasting color, each warning strip having approximately the same width as, and being arranged in vertical alignment with, its corresponding elongated indicator bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Bernt Stellander
  • Patent number: 7731600
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaft has upper and lower ends and a handle at the upper end. A putter head has a forward face plate and a rear, a sole plate below and a weight plate above, a toe and a heel. The weight plate and the sole plate each have an upper and lower surface. The lower end of the shaft is coupled to the upper surface of the weight plate adjacent to the heel. An alignment assembly includes an upper line on the upper surface of the weight plate and a lower line on the upper surface of the sole plate parallel with and spaced from the toe and the heel. The upper line is located above and parallel with the lower line. The lower line extends rearwardly a greater distance than the upper line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Richard W. Diesterheft
  • Publication number: 20090325725
    Abstract: This invention relates to a golf club consisting of a club head having a tapered bore formed therein extending and tapering inwardly from the base of the club head to the upper surface thereof, a socket of corresponding external shape to the bore in the club head and a shaft adapted to be inserted into a bore formed in the socket. The socket is inserted upwardly into the end of the bore in the base of the club head and due to the taper is positively retained in said bore against upward movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Shaun Brian Womersley
  • Patent number: 7611419
    Abstract: A golf club comprising: a shaft; a head affixed to a distal end of the shaft and having a ball striking face, the head comprising spaced apart lower and upper portions which have respectively: lower and upper primary alignment guides extending substantially perpendicular to the ball striking face, the lower primary alignment guide provided by at least one lower slot portion in the lower portion and the upper primary alignment guide provided by at least one upper slot portion in the upper portion; and lower and upper secondary alignment guides extending substantially parallel to the ball striking face, the lower secondary alignment guide provided by at least one further lower slot portion in the lower portion and the upper secondary alignment guide provided by at least one further upper slot portion in the upper portion, the primary and secondary alignment guides being positioned relative to one another so that a golfer's eyes are correctly aligned relative to the golf club head when the primary and secondary
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Australian Putter Co Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kevin O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20090227387
    Abstract: A practice putter comprised of a shaft and a putter head attached to the shaft. The putter head is comprised of a first substantially V-shaped assembly and a second substantially V-shaped assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Peter Y. Pontius
  • Publication number: 20090149266
    Abstract: A golf putting practice device having a synthetic playing surface is supported by a flexible elastic substrate to produce natural curves and playing surface angles. Markings sequentially placed on the playing surface provide the user with feedback as to the proper angle of club impact with the ball, and club force, to achieve sufficient ball speed and trajectory angle to sink a putt on an angled practice surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Javier Haro Castano
  • Patent number: 7485047
    Abstract: The putter head has a front face with a heel and toe edge extending from the front face. Both the heel and toe surfaces have cavities extending from the outer surface toward a central wall that is perpendicular to the face of the putter to provide visual indication that the face is square to the intended putting line. Two semicircular cavities extend from the top surface of the putter and are separated by the central wall. Medallions on the upper surface of the putter sole are aligned with the semicircular cavities. In this matter, the semicircular holes and medallions give visual indication to the golfer that the placement of the putter relative to the green, the golfer's hand position relative to the club and the golfer's head position are correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Bag Boy LLC.
    Inventor: Michael E. Evans
  • Publication number: 20090017933
    Abstract: Putters and putter heads better camouflage the main body of the head and/or highlight the alignment aid. The top surface of the head (when viewed from a ball address orientation) may be finished in a non-reflective, matte finish, optionally, in a dark color and/or in a color or colors selected so as to blend into or match the color of a golf green. At least some portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features help in visualization of the alignment aid (which also may be designed to help in alignment). If desired, the club head and/or shaft color and finish may be customized based on the greens at a specific golf course, greens in a specific geographical region, greens of a specific grass type, greens at a specific time of year or under specific conditions, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Sean Miller, David N. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7393285
    Abstract: A putter head having a forward-facing striking surface, a heel, a toe, a top surface and a rearward-facing, elongated tail section. The elongated tail section has vertical side walls, into each of which is machined an elliptical track or groove along the inside surface. The elliptical tracks are spaced from each other at a width slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, and are machined into the sidewalls at a predetermined angle of incidence such that, when viewed from directly overhead, the tracks will be perceived by the user as two parallel lines. If the user's eyes are not directly in line with the plane extending vertically from the centerline, then one of the tracks will increasingly disappear behind its respective sidewall, while the opposite track will appear to become increasingly curved, as the degree of misalignment increases. The putter thus provides a means of alignment that improves putting accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Bernt Stellander
  • Publication number: 20080085780
    Abstract: The putter head has a front face with a heel and toe edge extending from the front face, giving the head an overall triangular configuration. Both the heel and toe surfaces have cavities extending from the outer surface toward a central wall. The central wall is perpendicular to the face of the putter to provide visual indication that the face is square to the intended putting line. Two semicircular cavities extend from the top surface of the putter and are separated by the central wall. Medallions on the upper surface of the putter sole are aligned with the semicircular cavities. If the golfer's eyes are not directly over the putter with the sole at 0 degree lie angles, the central wall and horizontal cavities will obscure part of the medallion. If the golfer's hand position is forward, de-lofting the putter surface or laid back adding loft to the base, the forward or rearward edges of the semicircular holes will obscure the edges of the medallions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Michael E. Evans
  • Patent number: 7341526
    Abstract: A golf putter having an alignment aid for aligning the player's head relative to the ball and the putter head. In addition to providing alignment along the usual X and Y axes, the alignment aid of the invention allows precise and repeatable head positioning in the fourth and fifth axes as well. A pair of vertically-aligned pins protrude from a back surface of the putter head, substantially perpendicular to the putting face of the club. The diameter of the upper pin is less than the diameter of the lower pin. In addition, the length of the upper pin may be slightly shorter that the length of the lower pin. Typically, the pins are made in contrasting colors such as black and white. In operation, a golfer sights down at the pins and establishes a uniform border of the lower pin visible around the upper pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7226362
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a transparent cylinder with a sight on top and target on the bottom for indicating to the golfer when the club head is level and on line. An exemplary sight includes a centered disk surrounded by concentric rings; some rings being transparent. The target includes a larger central disk sounded by concentric rings of contrasting color or pattern. At the preferred club orientation, the center of the sight is vertically aligned with the center of the target and the vertical sight picture includes at least four concentric colored or patterned rings. In a second embodiment, the sight and target each include a swing stripe in the swing direction. The relative location of the sight and target centers and swing stripes show the golfer the position of the club head relative to the ball and aid in swing smoothness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Geometrix Golf
    Inventors: Daniel Schell, Richard E. Hoff, Allan M. Stein
  • Patent number: 7223178
    Abstract: A golf putter, ball retriever and retainer configured to retrieve and hold a golf ball. The putter defines a substantially symmetrical configuration from heel to toe. The ball retriever and retainer is defined by a spherical recess formed in the sole of the putter and an opening defined on the top surface thereof. At least one resilient tab is defined in the sole to enlarge the sole opening. Ball alignment indicia are disposed on the top surface of the golf putter head, the ball alignment indicia defining at least a C-shaped configuration, whereby a ball is visually aligned between said first and second ends to center the ball on said striking face. The ball alignment indicia may further include at least one line segment disposed coincidentally to the initial direction of travel of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: MPH Golf, LLC
    Inventor: David Vincent Henry
  • Patent number: 7186185
    Abstract: A customizable alignment sighting device for a golf club is mounted to an upper surface of the head of the golf club with a sighting element providing the user a visual target indicator for desired alignment of the club head with the user's line of sight. The sighting element can be readily adjusted for the user's preferences. When not aligned, the sighting element provides an indication of the magnitude and direction of misalignment. In one embodiment, the device is shaped as a planar disc mounted on the upper surface of the club head by leveling posts spaced around its periphery. The sighting element is a concave lens or lenticulated grid or grill superimposed on a target image. In another embodiment, the device has a 3D device body mounted in a mounting cup or socket fastened to or formed in the head of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Lajos I. Nagy
  • Patent number: 7101288
    Abstract: A golf club, and particularly a putter, is provided with an alignment line which extends along a length of the putter shaft and a length of the putter head. The alignment line is disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and parallel to the face of the putter head and allows a golfer to align the face of the club perpendicular to an imaginary line along which a golf ball is to be driven. The body of the putter head is a skeletal frame and is covered with a plastic coating to fill up the openings in the body and provide a flat striking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Frankly Golf LLC
    Inventor: Frank Thomas
  • Patent number: 7052409
    Abstract: A Planar-Parallactic Golf Alignment Aide is disclosed. Also disclosed is a device that provides the golfer with a planar alignment sight line for aligning the club face with the target. The invention further provides the golfer with a parallactic alignment sight line for placing his or her head in the proper and repeatable position in order to eliminate unintentional stance variations. The aide may be incorporated within the club head and operate by aligning an aperture or line with the projected image of that aperture or line to use the phenomena of parallax for head alignment. The aperture or line is formed in the top of a dome, and the projected image then appears on a projection surface below the dome. The device may either be an attachment for a conventional club head, or may incorporated into the head itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Jason Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 6379259
    Abstract: A putter type golf club head including a heel, toe, ball striking face, upper surface, bottom sole surface and slotted rear portion, including a lower, rearwardly extending flange; and an upper, rearwardly extending flange. The mass of the upper flange is substantially greater than the mass of the lower flange, whereby the club head's center of mass is located toward the upper surface. The upper and lower flanges are formed by a longitudinal slot extending in a heel to toe direction. The upper flange is formed with a semi-circular opening centrally located behind the ball striking face and midway between and separating the heel and toe. The bottom sole of the club head is provided with a bounce angle which raises the leading edge above the putting surface to eliminate scuffing of the club head on the ground during the execution of a putting stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Edward C. Opie
  • Patent number: 6261190
    Abstract: A golf club putter has a putter head including a plurality offset surfaces, each of the offset surfaces containing a respective portion of an alignment figure that has a periphery enclosing an area. Each respective portion of the alignment figure includes respective sections of the periphery. Disorientation of the putter head may be detected by transposition of each portion of the alignment figure with respect to the other portions. Correct orientation of the putter head is indicated by precise alignment of the portions to present the alignment figure without apparent distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Danny C. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 6203445
    Abstract: A golf putter incorporating an inclined alignment face located behind and angularly displaced from a golf putter striking face. A first face, the putter striking face, makes actual contact with the golf ball while a second face, the inclined alignment face, aides the golfer in aligning the putter with the intended path that the golf ball will take after being struck by the putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Vertex, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bobby R. Rhodes, James P. Niedermeyer
  • Patent number: 6200227
    Abstract: A golf putter with two reference lines on the top of the putter head and hosel and a reference indicator placed on the putter head below the hosel, all of which improves putting accuracy. The invention aids the golfer in positioning the golf ball in reference to the center of the face of the putter and properly positions the golfer's head and eyes directly above the putter. If the golfer's head and eyes are properly positioned over the putter, the reference lines on top of the putter and hosel will appear to be continuous and the reference indicator is not visible. However, if the golfer's head and eyes are not properly positioned above the putter, the reference lines appear to be discontinuous and/or the reference indicator is seen by the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Carbite, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Sery
  • Patent number: 6062986
    Abstract: The habits of the golfer can be determined during the address from the coincidence status between a reference line 4 and a center line 8 or the plus or minus graduation (judgement) lines 9 or 10 by providing the reference line 4 on the upper face 2 of head 1, providing a view window 6 at the backward of this reference line 4, and by providing the center line 8 and the plus and minus graduation lines 9 and 10 downward the view window 6. Further, more than two parallel lines 11 can be provided on the upper face 2 of head 1. Moreover, the graphics 14 of the club (pole side) and graphics 15 of the ball (head side) are completed when the setting has been made correctly. The graphics 14 is provided on the upper face 2 of head and the pole 12. In addition, the judgement line 7 shall be previously provided to the heel or toe side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kaise
  • Patent number: 5921868
    Abstract: A golf putter has a head and shaft, with the head having a bottom formed with a recess and a narrow annular peripheral bottom flat face extending from the recess, which flat face contacts the putting surface. The golfer, by tactile means, senses the limited surface face portion contact with the putting surface and whether the head is correctly anchored flat parallel to the putting surface. If necessary, the golfer adjusts the putter head to be flat parallel to the putting surface. The golfer consistently perceives if and when the putter head is correctly level with the plane of the putting surface. The back portion of the head is provided with vertically displaced alignment elements. The golfer, after the annular flat bottom face is correctly anchored, then by eye aligns the alignment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: William David DiMartino
  • Patent number: 5816930
    Abstract: A golf club head (H) having a head body (10) adapted to be secured to a club shaft (12) includes a first vertically oriented surface (14) that defines a ball striking face containing a sweet spot (16) thereon. A first sighting indicia (42) has a plurality of stepped surfaces (46) having an elongated longitudinal axis (52) extending parallel to the first vertically oriented surface (14). A second sighting indicia (44) has an elongated slender stripe (54) having a longitudinal axis (56) perpendicular to the elongated longitudinal axis (52) of the stepped surfaces (46) and intersecting the sweet spot (16). The first and second sighting indicia (42, 44) enable a user 58) of the club to visually align the sweet spot (16) of the first vertically oriented surface (14) relative to a golf ball (B) to be struck and a desired direction of travel 28) for the golfball (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Jon R. Brown
  • Patent number: 5800279
    Abstract: A detachable training system for golf clubs includes a golf club head having a top portion and a face portion. The system includes a removable training device with a base, the base formed to fit in a receiver on the club head. The system also includes a first removable plate formed to fit in the receiver on the club head when the removable training device is removed. In use, the removable training device is installed on the club during practice and is removed during actual golf rounds. The removable plate is installed on the club during golf rounds to provide similar weight, use and feel of the club head so the golfer can accurately replicate the strokes perfected during practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: ICIT
    Inventors: John A. Densberger, Derek E. Decker
  • Patent number: 5672117
    Abstract: A golf putter club having a stationary grip portion hingedly mounted to a swingable shaft portion. A head mounted at its center of gravity to the remote end of the shaft. An alignment mark visible to the user engraved on the top surface of the head perpendicular to the face of the head. A sighting device is mounted on the stationary grip whereby, upon placing the face next to the ball, the user may align a preselected target with said alignment mark assuring the face to be perpendicular to the target. While holding the stationary portion, thereby keeping the face aligned, the user may move the swingable shaft portion to impart a pendulum action force to the ball to drive the ball toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Ather R. Dar
  • Patent number: 5643101
    Abstract: A golf putter includes a sighting line formed by the intersection of two faces, a narrow bottom surface and a striking face having a cut out portion therein. The intersection of the two faces improves sighting for putting stroke with the narrow bottom and striking face cutout permitting putting in heavy grass conditions. The putter also has a curved bottom which permits making both a hit-down stroke and a lofting stroke and means for adjusting the overall weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Newman C. Foley
  • Patent number: 5538249
    Abstract: A golf putter head connectable to the shaft of a golf putter is disclosed, which allows a golfer in an "eyes over ball" stance to instantly and accurately visually determine if his hand position on the putter places the sole of the putter parallel to the putting surface. The putter head includes an elongated body and a hosel for connecting the body to the putter shaft. The putter head body includes an upright blade that has a flat front striking face and a rear face, weighted heel and toe ends that protrude from the blade's rear face, and a flat horizontal flange that extends along the lower edge of the blade's rear face between the heel and toe ends. The flange has a raised strip or marker that extends perpendicularly to the front striking face. The putter head also includes a protrusion, which extends outwardly form the blade's rear face perpendicular to the strike face and includes downwardly converging side surfaces and is spaced vertically above the rear flange and raised rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Glenn S. Benson