Plural Striking Faces Patents (Class 473/325)
  • Patent number: 10166445
    Abstract: A head assembly for a golf putter includes a head piece, a hosel or connector for attaching a putter shaft to the head piece, and a releasable clamping element. A body portion of the hosel is formed with a concavity defined by a cylindrical concave surface. A finger extension of the hosel has a bore for receiving an end of a putter shaft. The head piece includes an elongate body having a putting face on one side and a cylindrical convex surface on an opposite side. The cylindrical convex surface is insertable into the concavity in the hosel body and is engageable with the cylindrical concave surface thereof. The clamping element adjustably fixes the hosel and the head piece to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Richard A. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9561407
    Abstract: A golf club head including a club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a top rail and a sole. The golf club head including a plurality of grooves disposed on the club face between the top rail and the sole. Each groove extends between the toe end and the heel end. Depths of the grooves vary in a direction extending between the top rail and the sole and in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end. Widths of each of the plurality of grooves vary in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Serrano, Paul D. Wood, Bradley D. Schweigert, Calvin S. Wang
  • Patent number: 9022874
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads (102), may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert (116) forming at least a portion of the ball striking face (104) and contained within the putter body. The insert (116) may have a plurality of sides (118a, 118b, 118c, 118d), each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter (100). In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert (116) may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert (116) may be removably mounted within the putter head (102). In some arrangements, the insert (116) may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
  • Patent number: 8840488
    Abstract: A golf putter comprised of a shaft having an axis, a hosel attached to the shaft and a head attached to the hosel. The head of the putter has a face, a top and a sole. The face of the putter is comprised of multiple facets with a degree of static loft measured from the plane of the facet to the axis of the shaft. It is preferable that there are at least four facets on the face of the putter. The first facet is proximate to the sole of the face and has a first static loft angle. The second facet is above and abuts the first facet and has a second static loft angle which is greater than the first static loft angle. The third facet abutting and above the second facet has a third static loft angle which is greater than the second static loft angle. The fourth facet abuts and is above the third facet and has a fourth static loft angle which is greater than the third static loft angle. It is preferable that the static loft angles of said at least four facets differ by only 1 degree between abutting facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 4321 Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Evans
  • Publication number: 20140148268
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads (102), may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert (116) forming at least a portion of the ball striking face (104) and contained within the putter body. The insert (116) may have a plurality of sides (118a, 118b, 118c, 118d), each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter (100). In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert (116) may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert (116) may be removably mounted within the putter head (102). In some arrangements, the insert (116) may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig, Jeremy N. Snyder
  • 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: 20130331197
    Abstract: Generally, a putter head for a golf club having at least one spherical face. Specifically, a putter head having a pair of spherical impact faces disposed in outwardly curved relation a distance apart by a top plate and a sole plate disposed in opposed relation to define the outer boundary of each of the spherical impact faces with the top plate further including a sight to aim the putter head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: James A. Hackenberg
  • Patent number: 8597136
    Abstract: A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head is configured with one or more flat faces to emit different sounds depending on whether the golfer has hit the sweet spot of the putter. In addition, the putter may have concave faces as an alternative means for training the golfer to hit the sweet spot of the putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Grossbard
  • Patent number: 8353780
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert forming at least a portion of the ball striking face and contained within the putter body. The insert may have a plurality of sides, each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter. In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be removably mounted within the putter head. In some arrangements, the insert may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
  • Patent number: 8292754
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, Donald S. Rahrig, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 8257192
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a combination putter and chipper golf club. The golf club is constructed such that opposite side surfaces of the club head can be used, respectively, as a putter and a chipper, and the club head is easily switched between a putter and a chipper when the golf club is used, and the club head is prevented from shaking when putting or chipping. The golf club has a shaft and a head. A putter face and a chipper face are provided, respectively, on opposite side surfaces of the head. A coupling frame is provided between the shaft and the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Joo-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20120196696
    Abstract: A “Ambidextrous Golf Club Assembly” is designed to be used by a ambidextrous golfer. This same golf club is designed for right hand or left hand usage. This invention consist of a grip and shaft centerline that is attach to the head so that this centerline will intersect the center of gravity and the centerline of head, and The the head is designed to be symmetrical about a vertical plane that coincides with the centerline of the shaft. The centerline of the head is a line drawn from the center of gravity to a perpendicular line that is on the flat surface of the head or a perpendicular line that is tangent to a curved concaved or convex surface, and is parallel to the ground, and is at the same height as the center of gravity of the head. The sweet spot is where the centerline of the head will pierce the face of the head. This club head includes a highlighted straight line above and parallel to the center-line of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Placido Guerriero
  • Patent number: 8229711
    Abstract: The accuracy or computation speed of analysis of a club head using the finite element method is improved. In a method of analysis of a golf club head, a model of the golf club head represented by a set of elements including tetrahedral solid elements 30 is prepared on a computer, nodes 32 are provided at the vertexes and on at least one side of the tetrahedral solid element, and the kinetic properties of the golf club head are computed by the finite element method in which the elements and nodes of the model are used and the nodes are made output points of computation. At this time, in at least some of the tetrahedral solid elements, the number of nodes provided per one element is made not fewer than ten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Matsunaga, Kozue Wada
  • Patent number: 8229710
    Abstract: The accuracy or computation speed of analysis of a club head using the finite element method is increased. In a method of analysis of a golf club head, a model of a golf club head represented by the collection of elements including polygonal shell elements 30 each having three or four vertexes is prepared on a computer, six or more nodes 32 are provided at the vertexes and on at least one side of the element, and the kinetic properties of the golf club head are computed by the finite element method in which the elements and nodes of the model are used and the nodes are made output points of computation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Matsunaga, Kozue Wada
  • 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: 8192297
    Abstract: A variable interface putter golf club includes a golf club having a shaft with a club head affixed to a first end of the shaft that is distil from a second end of the shaft to be gripped by a golfer. A multi-sided rotatable carousel is contained substantially within the club head of the golf club, the multi-sided rotatable carousel having a putter face on a plurality of sides of the multi-sided rotating carousel. The multi-side rotating carousel preferably is shaped as a pentagon with a different putter face on each of the five sides of the pentagon. A device is included for permitting rotation of the multi-sided rotatable carousel for exposing one putter face of the plurality of putter faces at a given time for allowing the golfer to putt with the one putter face so exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas F. Johnston, Beth Johnston Perchuk, Eric Koenig
  • Patent number: 8177663
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a golf putter and method of adjustment of the golf putter are provided. The golf putter includes two threaded connections, one between a weighting element and a putter head, and one between a screw fastener and a replaceable striking surface attachment. The weighting element may be attached to the putter head by manual manipulation. The striking surface attachment may be attached to the putter head by a magnetic connection or any other attachment means suitable for easy replacement during a practice or experimentation mode, and is further configured to be attached to a screw fastener using a tool such that the golf putter is in compliance with rules. The screw fastener passes through the weighting element so that it locks the weighting element simultaneously when affixing the striking surface attachment, thus rendering the weighting element non-removable without the use of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Wm. T. Burnett IP, LLP
    Inventors: Richard B. C. Tucker, Sr., George Tolen
  • Publication number: 20120100928
    Abstract: Improved performance putter systems and apparatus relating to improving golf putters resulting in an increased accuracy and consistency during golf putting. Additionally, such performance putter systems comprise specifications and manufacturing within Official professional golf-club putter-head specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Rollin Thomas Hartley
  • Publication number: 20120052975
    Abstract: The front and back striking surfaces are identical mirror images of each other. If the front surface for (right handed putter) is ?2 degrees negative loft the back surface is ?2 degrees negative loft. If the front surface for a left handed putter has a ?4 degrees negative loft the back surface of the putter has ?4 degrees negative loft. Looking at the heel from the back lengthwise you would see a “V” shaped head. The center of gravity is above the center of height of the putter resulting in forward force striking above the equator or center of the golf bal due to the negative loft of the putter face resulting in immediate roll of the golf ball. The center of gravity can be raised by drilling holes lengthwise along the putter head and leaving the holes empty or adding weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Thomas Vlosich
  • Publication number: 20110014994
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a head body, and a face plate unit disposed on the head body and having one surface to serve as a putting face. The face plate unit has a plurality of faces surrounding an axis thereof and is rotatably coupled to the head body so that the face plate unit is rotatable about the axis to make one of the faces of the face plate unit serve as the putting face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: O-TA PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Ping Chuang
  • Patent number: 7837576
    Abstract: The two-faced golf putter includes a putter head having a putting face and a chipping face disposed on at least one side of the putter head, an angled toe, an angled heel and a bottom sole. Both the angled toe and heel include a respective setup guide to assist the user in properly positioning over the putter. A sight alignment groove is formed on the top of the putter head to help aim the ball. An elongated shaft extends upwardly from a centered bore in the top surface of the putter head, which improves balance and feel to the putter. The top portion of the shaft includes an elongated handle to accommodate a wide range of user grip sizes and techniques. To further assist accurate setup placement of the putter head, an alignment dot is disposed behind the shaft on top of the putter head. The bottom sole includes at least one upwardly extending sloping side to permit angling of the putter for chipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: David L Paige
  • Publication number: 20100113177
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft and an elongated head projecting at a lie angle relative to the shaft, the head having the shape of a regular polygon in a cross section at right angles to the central axis of the head, with each face being formed of a material that provides a different ball rebound factor, the head section being rotatable about the central axis so that any one of the faces may be presented for use with the club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Ilir Bardha
  • Patent number: 7648424
    Abstract: A golf club, particularly a “putter” or “chipper”, is provided with a concave ball striking face that establishes line contact with a golf ball rather than the usual point contact and enhances the capability of a user to control the direction of ball movement resulting from a golf stroke. The concave ball striking surface may be curved and may have the same or greater curvature than the curvature of a golf ball and may have smoothly and gently merging surface regions of compound curvature. The concave ball striking face surface may have compound regions including a curved region and a planar region being smoothly and gently merged. The concave ball striking surface may be defined on an integral metal club head structure or may be defined by a polymer insert that is recessed into an insert receiving receptacle of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Albert L. Hinojosa
  • Patent number: 7607991
    Abstract: A putter club head has a longitudinal body and a means of attaching a shaft thereto. The body may be solid, hollow, or partially hollow or solid. If hollow or partially hollow, the body may have a weighted mass therein. Such a weighted mass may be located towards a front section of the club head near a ball striking surface. The means to attach a shaft is located in the rear section of said body in proximity to the distal end of the rear section of said body. The shaft may curve and bend so that it is oriented near the center of the body and towards a golfer addressing a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Momentus Golf
    Inventor: James W. Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20090149273
    Abstract: A modular golf putter head having a hollow body is provided. The modular putter head comprises a permeable thin center piece disposed between two substantially identical large hollow cups. The large hollow cups selectively secure to either side of the thin center piece to enable use for right-handed or left-handed golfers. The modular putter head is configured to receive one or more removable weights, wherein the removable weights can be distributed in accordance to a user's preference to provide a customized center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher C. Dowdey
  • Patent number: 7517286
    Abstract: The invention is directed toward a trial golf club head and method for determining the optimal loft angle for any golf club, and in particular a hybrid-type golf club. The invention includes a trial golf club head having a face portion, a leading edge portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a back portion having a trailing edge portion, and a sole portion. The sole portion contains a number of equally spaced graduated indicia, which are substantially parallel to one another and extend from the toe portion to the heel portion. The distance between the graduated indicia is approximately 3.75 centimeters (cm), which corresponds to an incremental loft angle of approximately 3 degrees. The sole portion has a radius of curvature of 71.67 mm, which extends from the leading edge of the face portion to the trailing edge of the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Mizuno USA
    Inventors: Masao Nagai, Chris Voshall, Bill Price, David Llewellyn, Richard Delvac
  • Patent number: 7494422
    Abstract: The components parts of a putter are weighted and assembled to form a putter in which the vertical center of mass lies within the horizontal length of a preferred striking surface on the face of the putter. Vertically mass balanced putters with flat bottom surfaces stand alone on the green without external support, permitting the golfer to view the geometric relationship of ball, cup, putter and topography of the green from various distances and perspectives. Distribution of mass of the putter equally on opposite sides of its vertical axis permits the putter to be swung in a pendulum motion without imparting yaw to the moving striking face of the putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Jeffry A. Pegg
  • Patent number: 7473185
    Abstract: A free standing golf putter is provided and configured to contact a golf ball at a point above the center of the golf ball. The mass of the central portion of the putter is greater than the mass of the toe and heel of the putter. The putter is utilized to view and evaluate the slope of a green by placing the putter in an upright, free standing orientation, by stepping away from the putter with the putter intermediate the golfer and hole, and by viewing the green to either side of the putter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventors: Carl T. Anderson, David A. Zamora
  • Patent number: 7462111
    Abstract: A putter with a ball striking surface sufficiently large enough to inspire confidence that the ball will be struck within the sweet spot that is weighted to facilitate a pendulum putting stroke. The center of gravity of the putter head is higher than the center of gravity of a golf ball so that topspin is imparted to the golf ball when struck. Right and left hand putters are disclosed as are double-faced putters suitable for both. Methods of putter construction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Danicl E. Little
  • Publication number: 20080200281
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shank, a grip portion, and a head portion. Thus, the head portion is provided with a first hitting face and a second hitting face, so that the user can use the head portion to hit the golf ball from the right side or the left side of the head portion. In addition, the first hitting face and the second hitting face of the head portion are used to move the golf ball outwardly from the obstruction no matter when the golf ball is located at the right side or left side of the obstruction, so that the user can move the golf ball outwardly from the obstruction easily and quickly without having to replace another golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ACAS DESIGN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feng-Yi Tien
  • Publication number: 20080167139
    Abstract: A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head has a first contact surface, a rear wall, a top surface, and a sole. The first contact surface has a concave, partially-spherical face. In a version of the invention, the first contact surface has a first concave, cylindrical face instead of the partially-spherical face. Some versions have a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first contact surface and the second contact surface may have a partially-spherical face, a cylindrical face, or a combination of the two faces. In embodiments with two contact surfaces, the shaft is configured to be reversible such that either contact surface can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Grossbard
  • Patent number: 7396292
    Abstract: A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head has a first contact surface, a rear wall, a top surface, and a sole. The first contact surface has a concave, partially-spherical face. In a version of the invention, the first contact surface has a first concave, cylindrical face instead of the partially-spherical face. Some versions have a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first contact surface and the second contact surface may have a partially-spherical face, a cylindrical face, or a combination of the two faces. In embodiments with two contact surfaces, the shaft is configured to be reversible such that either contact surface can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Grossbard
  • Patent number: 7374500
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved putter that assists a player in perfecting a putt stroke during practice and repeating it with the same club during play. The shaft is attached to the clubhead such that it can swivel from a practice configuration to a play configuration. The putter also comprises a hosel with an attached alignment cap has lobes which matingly engage a series of recesses on the clubhead to secure the clubhead to the shaft. The putter conforms to the Rules of Golf so that the player does not have to change clubs between practice and play. The club may be used for either a right or left-handed stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Duane Charles John Engdahl
  • Patent number: 7264557
    Abstract: A golf putter having a shaft and a putting head connected to the shaft, where the putting head has a first contact surface, a rear wall, a top surface, and a sole. The first contact surface has a concave, partially-spherical face. In a version of the invention, the first contact surface has a first concave, cylindrical face instead of the partially-spherical face. Some versions have a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first contact surface and the second contact surface may have a partially-spherical face, a cylindrical face, or a combination of the two faces. In embodiments with two contact surfaces, the shaft is configured to be reversible such that either contact surface can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Grossbard
  • Patent number: 7244189
    Abstract: A golf club is disclosed that can be used with a structure of a golf club head that has a space between the front striking face and the back piece of the club head. The front face and the back piece are attached to each other at the heel edge and the toe edge. This new club head can replace the presently used perimeter weighting with this new heel and toe weighting. This new club head is able to strike a golf ball more accurately and with more control. With rotation of the shaft on the club head, the golf club can become a four way device whereby the front face, the back face, the heel edge or the toe edge may be used to strike a golf ball. With a rotatable shaft that is moveable on the golf club head at the heel edge, at the toe edge or at the central part of the back piece, the golf club can become a four way device for a left hander or a right hander. The front face, the heel edge, the toe edge or the back face can be used to strike a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Richard E. Stobbe
  • Publication number: 20070161430
    Abstract: A golf club having a shaft and an elongated head projecting at a lie angle relative to the shaft, the head having the shape of a regular polygon in a cross section at right angles to the central axis of the head, with each face being formed of a material that provides a different ball rebound factor, the head section being rotatable about the central axis so that any one of the faces may be presented for use with the club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Ilir Bardha
  • Patent number: 7169058
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf putter head that is suitable for putting a golf ball by either left-handed or right-handed golfers by swinging the putter in the typical pendulum motion or by pushing the putter in a shuffleboard-like motion. Further, the present invention provides a golfer with the ability to select the angle of the golf putter shaft to the golf putter head. The golf putter head comprises a top, a bottom, at least one flat striking surface, at least one curvilinear striking surface and a shaft receiving aperture. The top contains an insert having a variety of shaft receiving apertures. The shaft receiving apertures are of different angles to allow a golfer to pick the desired angle to better fit his or her needs. Further, the radii of the curvilinear striking surfaces are of such dimensions that the curvilinear striking surface, when used in the shuffleboard-like motion, strikes a golf ball above the golf ball's horizontal midline, which encourages topspin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Robert P. Fagan
  • Patent number: 7096558
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club head comprises: hot forging a material of a beta titanium alloy into the face plate, slow cooling the forged face plate; and assembling a golf club head from the face plate and other component(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sano
  • Patent number: 7066831
    Abstract: A golf putter has a clubhead that includes a ball striking surface defined by a curved concave surface over which a coating material has been applied. The outer surface of the coating material is substantially flat. The coating material is selected according to desired functional characteristics and hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Robert E. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7041004
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved putter that combines several features to provide a balanced putter, which assists a player in perfecting a putt stroke during practice and repeating it with the same club during play. The shaft is attached to the clubhead such that it can swivel from a practice configuration to a play configuration. The clubhead has tapered top and bottom surfaces such that the angle of the shaft relative to the sole of the putter is no more than 80 degrees. The clubhead has a playing surface on one face that is parabolic and can be flat in the extreme. The clubhead has a practice surface on the other face that is curved, preferably elliptical, to assist the golfer in learning the proper stroke. The putter conforms to the Rules of Golf so that the player does not have to change clubs between practice and play. The club may be used for either a right- or left-handed stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Duane Charles John Engdahl
  • Patent number: 6979269
    Abstract: A combination chipper and putter golf club has a club head with a ball putting side surface and an opposing ball chipping side surface. The club head has a bore formed perpendicularly therethrough which receives a tube extension fixed to a hosel short depending shaft. Hosel orientation detents are provided by an opposing pair of detent notches formed into the tube extension lower end which fit onto a raised portion of a plug closing the bottom of the bore. A tension spring installed through the hosel tube extension is rotatably connected between the hosel pivot shaft and the bore bottom plug to hold the hosel tightly to the club head while permitting the hosel to be lifted sufficiently to retract the tube extension detent notches from the plug raised portion so that the hosel can be reoriented 180 degrees relative to the club head according to which chipping or putting surface is to be used. Alternatively hosel detents are formed at the top of the club head for use with the tension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Eizo Nohara
  • Patent number: 6863620
    Abstract: An adjustable customized golf club, e.g., a golf putter, as well as a method for using the club, wherein the club has a head, a striking surface attachment, and one or more lock fittings that positively lock the striking surface attachment to the head. The striking surface attachment is one of several selectable attachments, each with different performance characteristics, e.g., rebound. The one or more lock fittings positively lock the striking surface attachments to the putter head such that the club components are firmly fixed, yet are still quickly removable and replaceable. In a representative embodiment, the striking surface attachment can be removed by hand and without tools. A golfer quickly changes the striking surface attachments without losing the feel of the prior striking surface attachment, thereby enabling the golfer to realistically compare the differences between the attachments before selecting and playing with a particular striking surface attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: STX, LLC
    Inventor: Richard B. C. Tucker, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6776727
    Abstract: Several features are combined to provide a balanced putter, which assists a player in perfecting a putt stroke during practice and repeating it with the same club during play. The clubhead is substantially symmetric around the shaft and has tapered top and bottom surfaces such that the angle of the shaft relative to the sole of the putter is no more than 80 degrees. The shaft is attached at the center of the clubhead, and the clubhead and shaft are arranged so that the center of gravity of the clubhead strikes the center of the golf ball. The clubhead has a playing surface on one face that is parabolic and can be flat in the extreme. The clubhead has a practice surface on the other face that is curved, preferably elliptical, to assist the golfer in learning the proper stroke. The putter conforms to the Rules of Golf so that the player does not have to change clubs between practice and play. The club may be used for a right- or left-handed stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Duane Charles John Engdahl
  • Patent number: 6692372
    Abstract: A putter head with two thin rails that extend from the back of the putter face to the rear of the putter head on the bottom of the putter head. The two thin rails reduce resistance from the turf during putting, assist a golfer to position the putter head, position the golfers head at address and pick up a golf ball form the turf or out of a golf hole. The two striking faces, one front striking face is for normal use and the other smaller striking in the back of the putter head is for practice or hitting a golf ball left handed. The three long plastic insert sighting lines on a flat surface, one thin and the other two dimensioned wider to assist a golfer to line up with the intended target while putting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Nicholas Colucci
  • Publication number: 20030069081
    Abstract: A golf putter club comprising: a putter head having a first ball striking face formed between a toe end and a heel end; a second ball striking face formed on said toe end, said second ball striking face narrower than said first ball striking face; a shaft attached closer to the heel end of said putter head, said shaft having a grip of circular cross section, said shaft shaped to allow a player to address a ball with said second putting face by aligning said second putting face by manually rotating the putter toe counterclockwise by 90 degrees from the first gripping position when a player is in a right handed stance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Man Young Jung
  • Publication number: 20030060301
    Abstract: A compound putter with variable angles is composed of a shaft, a head, a putter face and a chipper face characterized by that a transverse through hole having its both outer sides respectively provided with an elastic washer is disposed at the lower end of the shaft adapted to a pivot; a recess in the upper side of the head to receive the lower end of the shaft and a through hole each provided in both sides of the recess so that with the lower end of the shaft in the recess and the pivot penetrating the through holes in the head and in the shaft to pivot the shaft to the head then a putter face and a chipper face are provided on both sides of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Yung-ho Hsu
  • Patent number: 6533678
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf putter that has an interchangeable striking face, while maintaining the same head, shaft and grip. The various striking faces are made of different materials such that the golfer can change the rebound characteristics and resulting distance the golf ball travels from the putter face, while maintaining the exact same golf swing, by selecting an appropriate striking face as dictated by the current conditions of the putting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Gary O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6464598
    Abstract: A golf club has a club head with a wedge face, a rounded sole, and a putting face located along a blade area between the wedge face and a front portion of the rounded sole. The putting face is located at a height above the crown of the rounded sole so that the putting face strikes a golf ball above the equator of the ball to impart top spin when putting. The wedge face preferably has a 90° loft. The club can be used for short chips by placing the hands forward of the club head to “de-loft” the wedge face, and chipping in an otherwise conventional manner. Also, the wedge face can be closed in order to hit high lob shots. A leading apex on the club head located at the intersection of the wedge face, the rounded sole, the toe of the club head, and the putting face points forward when the wedge face is closed to hit a high lob shot. The grooves on the wedge face are aligned to impart backspin when the wedge face is closed so that the leading apex is facing towards the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Dale D. Miller
  • Patent number: 6340336
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a putter head for a golf club designed to precisely strike the upper portion only of a golf ball 16 in order to make it roll truer. The club face has an upper vertical face 22 and a lower face 24 constructed at such an angle away from the golf ball so as to prevent contact with the lower part of the golf ball 16, and, having the shaft 18 connecting to the club head on the side of the club head 10 being usable by a right or left handed golfer. An alternative embodiment is provided wherein the shaft 18 connects intermediate of the club head 10 having grooves 36 therein for insertion of weights 38 onto the upper leading and trailing edges of the putter head for balancing the putter head 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J Loconte
  • Patent number: RE49856
    Abstract: A golf club head including a club face defined by a toe end, a heel end, a top rail and a sole. The golf club head including a plurality of grooves disposed on the club face between the top rail and the sole. Each groove extends between the toe end and the heel end. Depths of the grooves vary in a direction extending between the top rail and the sole and in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end. Widths of each of the plurality of grooves vary in a direction extending between the heel end and the toe end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Serrano, Paul D. Wood, Bradley D. Schweigert, Calvin S. Wang, John A. Solheim