Putter Patents (Class 473/313)
  • Patent number: 12042703
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head that, when oriented in a reference position, includes a blade portion having a striking face, a top line, and a sole, the striking face in turn including a face center. The club head further includes a rear portion in communication with, and rearward of, the blade portion, and it includes an alignment element rearward of, and recessed toward the sole from, the top line. The alignment element defines a virtual center line segment oriented in a substantially front-to-rear direction at a height between 19 mm and 24 mm from a lowermost point of the sole, the center line segment having a length no less than 34 mm and being not spaced more than 10 mm from a virtual vertical plane passing through the face center and extending generally perpendicular to the striking face. A width of the club head is no less than 3.0 in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Adam K. Sheldon, Mika Becktor
  • Patent number: 11415432
    Abstract: A standalone odometry device includes an accelerometer and/or gyroscope configured to be mounted on a wheel or axle of a vehicle. A controller in communication with the accelerometer and/or gyroscope is configured to receive data from the accelerometer and/or gyroscope. The controller processes the data to determine one or more of the speed, wheel rotation direction, accumulated distance travelled, stationary status, acceleration, deceleration, wheel diameter, and grade of surface on which the wheel is in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: THALES CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Marco De-Thomasis, Alon Green
  • Patent number: 11213724
    Abstract: A golf club head or golf club, the club including a shaft, a body, a front face, a back face, and a connecting member. The connecting member attached to the center of the back face and extending away from the back face of the club head and turning at an angle, and wherein the front face of the clubhead forms a rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: William L. Amundsen
  • Patent number: 11020640
    Abstract: An embodiment of a putter type golf club head with an upper and lower portion, made from two different materials, is enclosed herein. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Higdon, Jacob T. Clarke
  • Patent number: 10994178
    Abstract: A putter head for a freestanding golf putter includes: a cylindrical leading portion including a heel end, a toe end, an axis that extends through a center of the heel end and a center of the toe end in a first direction, and a rounded exterior surface that extends from the heel end to the toe end, the rounded exterior surface including a front face and a rear face; and a trailing portion including: a center arm that extends rearwardly from a center portion of the rear face in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction; a heel arm that extends rearwardly and inwardly towards the center arm from a first lateral portion of the rear face; and a toe arm that extends rearwardly and inwardly towards the center arm from a second lateral portion of the rear face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: David Michael Janus, Sr., David Michael Janus, Jr., Theresa Ann Janus
  • Patent number: 10974101
    Abstract: A coupling for securing a golf shaft to a golf club head includes a first component configured to contact, and engage with, the golf shaft, and a second component bonded to the first component and configured to space the first component from the golf club head. The second component includes a second material having a Young's modulus less than a first material of the first component. In another aspect, a coupling includes a shaft engagement element, and a spacer configured to space the first component from the golf club head so that the golf shaft is above the golf club head in its entirety. The spacer includes a material having a Young's modulus no greater than about 10 Gpa. In another aspect, a kit includes a first coupling and a second coupling with at least one of a structural configuration or a material of a vibration dampening element differing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mika Becktor, Dustin Brekke, Jacob Lambeth
  • Patent number: 10960278
    Abstract: Embodiments of putter golf club heads with an elastomer is enclosed herein. Other embodiments and methods may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Serrano, Les J. Bryant, Guillermo G. Vald'Via
  • Patent number: 10758796
    Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head, a shaft adapter secured within a hosel of the golf club head, and a shaft secured within the shaft adapter. The golf club shaft is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer and extends along a longitudinal axis between a tip end and a grip end. The golf club shaft includes a tip end section, a grip end section, and a tapered section between the tip end section and the grip end section. The tapered section of the shaft includes a reference portion within the upper half that has a frustoconical shape with a near-constant taper rate, and a narrowed portion within the lower half. The narrowed portion is recessed relative to a reference surface extrapolated from the frustoconical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Kultala, Martin R. Jertson, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 10569146
    Abstract: An golf club head with a structure that improves the sound and reduces stress placed on the face upon impact with a golf ball is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head is an iron with a face having a rear protrusion, also referred to as a piston, with both forward and rearward facing surfaces. The piston is at least partially received within a receptacle provided in the body of the golf club head. The receptacle also includes a pair of bumpers, one of which interacts with the piston to improve the sound of the face upon impact with a golf ball at speeds at which an average golfer would swing the club head, and the other of which reduces the stress placed on the face when the club makes impact with a golf ball at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James A. Seluga, Matthew Myers, Denver Holt
  • Patent number: 10413789
    Abstract: An golf club head with a structure that improves the sound and reduces stress placed on the face upon impact with a golf ball is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head is an iron with a face having a rear protrusion, also referred to as a piston, with both forward and rearward facing surfaces. The piston is at least partially received within a receptacle provided in the body of the golf club head. The receptacle also includes a pair of bumpers, one of which interacts with the piston to improve the sound of the face upon impact with a golf ball at speeds at which an average golfer would swing the club head, and the other of which reduces the stress placed on the face when the club makes impact with a golf ball at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James A. Seluga, Matthew Myers, Denver Holt
  • Patent number: 9908013
    Abstract: A golf club head including a multi-piece construction. The golf club head includes a plurality of body components coupled at a seam. A weight member is coupled to the golf club head so that it overlaps a seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ronald K. Hettinger, Uday V. Deshmukh, Gentry Ferguson, Eddie G. Perez
  • Patent number: 9839822
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head is disclosed. When oriented in a reference position, the putter-type golf club head comprises a blade member and a central elongate member in communication with, and extending rearwardly from, the blade member. The blade member extends in a heel-to-toe direction and has a striking wall defining a substantially planar striking surface, and an upper surface of the central elongate member comprises at least one generally square-shaped alignment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel, Nick Trahan, Phillip C. Seagram, Brian Herr, Jeff Brunski, Adam Sheldon
  • Patent number: 9597560
    Abstract: A golf club head of the present invention includes a hosel portion in which a shaft is inserted, the hosel portion being provided on a heel side of the golf club head, and an extended portion that extends from the hosel portion to a back side of the golf club head. The extended portion includes a distal end portion on a face portion side and a rear end portion on the back side. Out of a heel-side portion and a toe-side portion of the hosel portion, the distal end portion is connected to the heel-side portion. The rear end portion is located on the toe side with respect to the distal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Narita, Wataru Ban
  • Patent number: 9573026
    Abstract: A golf putter includes a club shaft and a club head. The club shaft includes a club shaft body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The club shaft body has a first linear portion defining a longitudinal axis. The distal end defines a tangent angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. The club shaft body also includes a curved portion between the first linear portion and the distal end. The club head includes a ball striking surface, a heel proximate to a first end of the ball striking surface, and a toe opposing the heel proximate to a second end of the ball striking surface. A club head axis is defined between the toe and the heel. The distal end of the club shaft body is connected to the club head at a connection point on the heel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: James T. DeCarlo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9233280
    Abstract: A self-balancing golf putter. The self-balancing golf putter includes a club head. The club head includes a clubface configured to make contact with a golf ball. The self-balancing golf putter also includes a shaft attached to the club head. The shaft includes a center axis, wherein the center axis converges with a balance point configured to make the club face seek square when making contact with the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventors: Bill Presse, IV, Scott Sulprizio
  • Patent number: 9220960
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion and a heel portion that together form a two-piece body and for which a center of gravity is defined. The body comprises a central portion as a first piece and a frame as a second piece. The frame encloses a substantial portion of the central portion within an XY-plane. The central portion is connected with the frame with fasteners along at least the front portion. The moment inertia of the club head about a z-axis of the center of gravity is between about 7,000 g·cm2 and about 14,000 g·cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Schartiger, Peter L. Larsen
  • Patent number: 9017183
    Abstract: An improved putter and method of use utilizing a putter shaft having a rectangular grip extending approximately half the shaft length. A polygonal-like ring provides a flat face with an extended toe and a short heel. The face of the putter head has a polymeric insert for weight redistribution and for better putting feel. The sides of the putter include triangular shaped indents also for weight redistribution. The rear of the putter head is arched to prevent ground contact during putting and further to increase head stability during the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: John M. Ambrose
  • Patent number: 8956241
    Abstract: A golf club head, and a golf club with the subject head. The head has a putter body that defines a front face and a golf club iron face that is integral with the putter body and presents an angled ball-striking face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Overly
  • Publication number: 20140378243
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an adjustable putter includes a club body defining a substantially planar face for striking a golf ball, and a hosel including a hosel neck and a hosel adapter configured to be received within a hosel chamber defined by the club body. The hosel adapter defines an interior channel. The adjustable putter also includes a shaft attachable to the hosel neck, and a housing column. The hosel adapter is configured to rotate about the housing column so as to adjust a lie angle of the hosel neck, and the hosel chamber is configured to prevent rotation of the hosel adapter from increasing the lie angle beyond a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Vikash Sanyal, David Stuart Cooper, JR., Jeffrey D. Sheets
  • Publication number: 20140349775
    Abstract: A golf club includes an elongated shaft with a grip that fits against the inner surface of the user's leading forearm. The shaft is also angled both obtusely forward away from a striking surface of a club head and acutely inward toward the user parallel to the golfer's leading forearm where the club is anchored. The rounded front surface of the grip rests against the inner surface of the leading forearm of the golfer anchoring the club. By applying the appropriate pressure to the grip, a relatively stable triangle is formed with the hands and shoulders as the vertices. This club design permits the golfer, using the core muscles to turn away from and then through the ball, striking it in the process and putting it toward the target, thus dramatically reducing and/or eliminating movement in the joints of the hands, elbows, shoulders, waist, hips, knees and ankles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Lavonne R. Davis, Frank A. Fornari
  • Patent number: 8771096
    Abstract: A golf putter with a multi-component neck providing a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is described and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. The multi-component neck includes a lower neck component and a coupling member. The coupling member is joined to a shaft. The coupling member connects the lower neck component and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The length of the lower neck component and/or the design of the coupling member determine the distance from the club head center of gravity and the intersection of the projected longitudinal axis of the shaft with the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 8734266
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a contact face, a top surface extending rearwardly away from the contact face, a toe edge, a heel edge, and a sole spaced from the top surface. A center of gravity of the putter head is disposed closer to the toe edge than to the heel edge. A visual sight line is provided on the top surface and extends rearwardly away from the contact face, wherein the visual sight line and the center of gravity lie in a sight line plane disposed perpendicular to the top surface and to the contact face. The toe edge extends rearwardly away from the contact face and parallel to the visual sight line. A golf putter is also provided including a shaft and the golf putter head connected to an end of the shaft. A method of using a golf putter includes utilizing the golf putter to strike a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Tom David, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom David
  • Patent number: 8672771
    Abstract: A golf putter having a head with a negative loft angle on the two ball striking surfaces, heel, and toe surfaces. The overall weight of the putter may be adjusted and the center of gravity of the putter may be shifted laterally as desired with removable weights that are coupled to the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Vlosich
  • Publication number: 20140057735
    Abstract: A scientific method of golf employs a pendulous or near pendulous swing to hit a golf ball so that the ball flies airborne and straight, including a tee shot with a driver. A new golf club with the shaft attached to the heel of the club head as in conventional golf clubs, but with the shaft angle increased to about 65-90° is disclosed. Also disclosed are golf clubs and putters having a shaft attached at or near the center of the club or putter head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Ruey J. Yu
  • Publication number: 20140024473
    Abstract: A golf club adjustable for use by right handed or left handed golfers is provided comprising a club head defining a club head cavity and a ball striking face. The golf club further includes a shaft and a club head connecting mechanism disposed within or proximate the club head cavity and connectable to the club head and to the shaft, the club head mechanism being adjustable to facilitate translation of the vertical orientation of the shaft relative to the club head, in a plane parallel to a striking surface, while the shaft remains connected to the club head, and angle of the striking surface with respect to the ground remains unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: John Norman Reid
  • Patent number: 8616990
    Abstract: A golf putter with an offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 8579718
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIXX) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIZZ) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIZZ is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIXX is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Publication number: 20130288817
    Abstract: An improved putter includes a putter head having a face, a toe, and a heel. The putter also includes an elongated shaft that has a longitudinal axis. The face of the putter and back portion of the putter is convexly curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Eric SHUFORD
  • Publication number: 20130237341
    Abstract: A golf club device for improving one's golf abilities is disclosed. The device includes a head, and a shaft where the head is rotatably connected to at least an upper portion of the shaft. Rotation is achieved with an angular rotation mechanism. The angular rotation mechanism may include a variable resistance feature. The angular rotation mechanism may be positioned in or on the head, or it may be positioned in the shaft. One or more visual alignment indicators may also be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Bobby SMITH
  • Patent number: 8348781
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Publication number: 20120302365
    Abstract: Golf implements and methods of adjusting golf implements are provided. In some aspects, a golf implement may be a putter and a user may be capable of initially setting the lie angle of the putter. In other aspects, a golf implement may be a putter and a user may be capable of adjusting the putter between numerous lie angles, hi still other aspects, a method of adjusting a golf implement may include adjusting a putter between multiple lie angles, hi further aspects, a golf implement may be a putter including a shaft, a plurality of necks, and a head. Such a putter may provide a user with a variety of playability options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Aaron M. Gentes
  • Patent number: 8282501
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club comprising an alignment system and a club head assembly. The putter-type club head has a body that is preferably composed of aluminum, with a rear weight disk and small inserts composed of a material denser than the material used for the remainder of the club head (excluding the neck of the club). The body has an alignment channel that is approximately the same width as a standard golf ball, and which runs from the face to the rear of the club head. In a preferred embodiment this alignment channel is black or dark in color with a white or light-colored border. The putter-type club has a neck that is inserted laterally through the side of the club head, such that it runs parallel to the face of the club head and for substantially the length of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Seraph Sports Limited
    Inventors: Ashley Smith, Simon Chan
  • Patent number: 8216082
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIXX) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIZZ) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIZZ is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIXX is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 8206234
    Abstract: A golf putter head for mounting on a shaft to create a golf putter club wherein the putter head includes a frame fabricated of a metal and having a toe end cap and heel end cap. The end caps are spaced apart one from the other by at least one rib integral with the toe and heel end caps. The rib and end caps partially defining at least one central body void. An elongated central filler segment fills the central body void and a has a top surface a bottom surface. The central filler segment in combination with the frame defines at least one generally vertically oriented planar ball contacting surface. The central filler segment is fabricated of polymer based material and the frame generates a moment of inertia significantly greater than a body excluding the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Robert F. Slater
  • Patent number: 8172695
    Abstract: A golf putter with a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel, or the coupling member may be adjustable such that the longitudinal axes are not parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting. Thus, putter disclosed and claimed herein provides both offset and a putting alignment aide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20120083356
    Abstract: A method of putting a golf ball located on a putting green into a hole includes grasping a putter with at least one hand of a golfer and locating the putter at a first position such that the putter head is positioned proximate the golf ball and is at least four feet from the golfer. Furthermore, the method includes translating the putter head away from the golf ball to locate the putter at a second position, and orienting the shoulders of the golfer to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft in the second position. Additionally, the method includes translating the putter head towards the golf ball while the shoulders of the golfer face the hole, and instantaneously striking the golf ball with the putter head to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction along a line of the putt towards the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Marc Dewey Arnette
  • Publication number: 20120077615
    Abstract: A golf putter providing a mount of the hosel to the club head and a shaft engagement to the hosel adjacent to the heel end of the club head. The mount provides the sole engagement of the hosel to the head as a gap is formed by a pathway formed through the body of the head which is larger than the circumference of the hosel in its communication therethrough. The engagement provides better touch to the user and feedback on striking a ball while concurrently removing the shaft from the user's line of sight to the ball and club face and reduces the twist or torque at impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the moment of inertia. An arc-shaped section of said hosel is employable to further balance the club on the hosel and with the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Jacob H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8096893
    Abstract: A golf club including a club head with a ball striking face lying in a plane and a shaft connected to the club head. The golf club is formed with an elongated handle, having a cross-sectional configuration with a first length in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said ball striking face and a second length in a direction parallel to the plane of said ball striking face. Alignment indicia in the form of intersecting lines is provided on a top surface of the handle to assist the golfer to properly align the golf club in order to execute a proper golf stroke toward an intended target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Richard D. Ferris
  • Patent number: 8070622
    Abstract: A golf putter providing a center mount of the hosel to the club head and a shaft engagement to the hosel at the heel end of the club head. The center mount provides the sole engagement of the hosel to the head as a gap is formed by a pathway formed through the body of the head which is larger than the circumference of the hosel in its communication therethrough. The centered engagement provides better touch to the user and feedback on striking a ball while concurrently removing the shaft from the user's line of sight to the ball and club face and reduces the twist or torque at impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the moment of inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Jacob H. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8066581
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 8062148
    Abstract: A golf putter head comprises a putter head, operable to be attached at or near an end of a putter shaft. The putter head includes an attachment interface for attachment to the putter shaft, the attachment interface defining a shaft axis with which the shaft is aligned when attached to the putter head. A front face is suitable to strike a golf ball and a rear face is oriented opposite the front face. The rear face includes a spine support, coupled to or formed integrally therewith, the spine support having a substantially continuous curvature. The spine support gradually decreases in depth, relative to the front face, across the rear face in directions orthogonal to the putter shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen W. Farkas
  • Patent number: 8047929
    Abstract: A golf club having a bent hosel. The hosel is approximately five inches long and the bend is approximately centered on the hosel. The hosel is connected to the golf club base to angle toward the golfer. At its middle, or approximately two and one half inches above the golf club base, the hosel is bent away from the golfer to a nearly vertical angle. The shaft of the golf club is connected to the upper portion of the bent hosel causing the shaft to continue at the nearly vertical angle. The novel angling of the hosel and shaft allow an average golfer to consistently hit straighter shots beginning with a putter, but including golf irons and golf woods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Andrew J. Berokoff
  • Patent number: 8016693
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft, a grip, and a head provides improved balance and feel. The shaft has a shaft distal end, a shaft axis defining a vertical plane, and a forward bend section proximate the shaft distal end. The head is secured to the shaft distal end and includes a striking face, a trailing edge, a club head center of gravity, a heel section having a heel section center of gravity, and a toe section having a toe section center of gravity. The heel section center of gravity is forward of the striking face and the club head center of gravity is further from the trailing edge than the striking face. The forward bend section of the shaft projects from the vertical plane at an attachment angle such that the shaft distal end is forward of the heel section center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Axis1, LLC
    Inventor: Luis Pedraza
  • Publication number: 20110201445
    Abstract: A golf club which may be in the form of a so-called “putter” golf club and which is capable of being adjustable by a user to obtain consistent swinging movements with the golf club and thereby improve performance in the play of the game of golf. In particular, the handle portion is adjustably positionable allowing the user to locate his hands and arms in a position where he or she will generally always obtain a consistent swinging movement. In particular, the handle portion is formed of a pair of segments with one being rotatably moveable relative to the other and fixed in a precise location so that the head of the club (located at the lower end thereof) permits the striking face of the head to engage a golf ball consistently at a precise angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Harold Sansbury
  • Patent number: 7976400
    Abstract: A putter head is positioned to be even with the ball when the shaft is at the vertical plane of the ball. The lie of the shaft can be adjusted relative to the head between limits. An insert in the club head secures the tip of the crook of the shaft. A worm gear permits infinite adjustment of lie within a range. The insert can be of different weights to weight the club for various conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Earl T. Pottorff
  • Publication number: 20110165959
    Abstract: A putter comprising a grip having an anatomically correct shape to promote proper grasping of the putter, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the grip is attached to the first end of the shaft, a hosel attached to the second end of the shaft, a head attached to the hosel, the head having a striking face, and an alignment feature of the putter adapted to ensure correct assembly of the head onto the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Lon KLEIN
  • Patent number: 7909707
    Abstract: A putter comprising a grip having an anatomically correct shape to promote proper grasping of the putter, a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the grip is attached to the first end of the shaft, a hosel attached to the second end of the shaft, a head attached to the hosel, the head having a striking face, and an alignment feature of the putter adapted to ensure correct assembly of the head onto the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Lon Klein
  • Publication number: 20110065523
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft, a grip, and a head provides improved balance and feel. The shaft has a shaft distal end, a shaft axis defining a vertical plane, and a forward bend section proximate the shaft distal end. The head is secured to the shaft distal end and includes a striking face, a trailing edge, a club head center of gravity, a heel section having a heel section center of gravity, and a toe section having a toe section center of gravity. The heel section center of gravity is forward of the striking face and the club head center of gravity is further from the trailing edge than the striking face. The forward bend section of the shaft projects from the vertical plane at an attachment angle such that the shaft distal end is forward of the heel section center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: LUIS PEDRAZA
  • Publication number: 20110065525
    Abstract: Golf putters having centrally aligned hosels are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, a golf putter includes a head defining a surface for striking a golf ball. The putter also includes an elongated shaft having an axis spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane containing the striking surface. Further, the putter includes a hosel connected to an end of the shaft. The hosel is connected to a portion of the head substantially aligned with a center of the golf ball when the head lies in striking position with respect to the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: J. Keith Johnson
  • Patent number: 7892108
    Abstract: A putter comprises a shaft comprising an upper longitudinal groove; a T-shaped grip comprising a bar including a cavity with a first bearing fitted therein, an opposite, threaded projecting cylinder, and a longitudinal channel matingly engaged with the groove; an abutment assembly adapted to urge against a golfer's body and comprising a cylindrical projection having a peg fastened in the cavity; a sleeve including a recess and a nut; and a second bearing fitted in the recess wherein the cylinder passes the second bearing and the sleeve to theradedly secure to the nut; and a bifurcated head pivotably coupled to the shaft for permitting an angle adjustment therebetween. The invention enables even a novice to easily put the ball into the hole while playing since the hit ball tends to roll in a direction as expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Fu Kuo