Putter Patents (Class 473/340)
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Publication number: 20090098947Abstract: This invention, in contrast to other golf club head inventions, presents an entirely new concept in the formulation of golf club heads. Wherein this invention utilizes the scientific properties of the spherical weight, resulting in substantial improvements in the functioning of the golf club heads and the corresponding improvements in the golf swing. A spherical weight is disposed in golf club heads, as specified, employing the scientific properties of the sphere, to develop an “in line momentum”. This results in a responsive control and an easier executed golf swing. The conventional golf club, actually, is made like a small paddle with an upright handle at one end. Whereas, the golf club, of this invention, because of its specifications, embodies the weight of the club head, the spherical weight, and the club shaft, substantially, all in one line, producing a superior functioning golf club.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventor: John Emmanuel Bennett
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Patent number: 7510484Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), include devices within and/or otherwise engaged with the ball striking head that allow users to selectively change the sound and/or other aspects of the “feel” associated with using the ball striking device to strike a ball. In this manner, a user, a club fitter, or the like can freely customize and adjust the sound and/or other aspects of the ball striking device's feel to correspond to a particular user's preferences.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, Todd A. Waatti, Carl L. Madore
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Patent number: 7510481Abstract: Golf club, comprising a shaft, which at one end thereof carries a striking head, which on the topside thereof facing the other end of the shaft has a pattern including a first line that extends parallel to a side face of the striking head, which forms a striking surface against a golf ball, two second lines connecting to ends of the first line and diverging at the same angle (?) from the ends of the first line and approaching the stroke surface, the angle (?) being in the range of 5-35.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Inventor: David Sevon
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Publication number: 20090082131Abstract: A golf club head with a vibration damping insert is disclosed. The club head includes a face member, a damping member, and a body member. The damping member is sandwiched between the face member and the body member and extends along a large percentage of the face member. The damping layer attenuates vibrations, providing consistent feel across the length of the striking face.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Thomas C. Morris, Peter L. Soracco
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Publication number: 20090069107Abstract: A putter-head (20) with a main body (22) having a striking face (24), a weight body (25) and an isolation layer 27 is disclosed herein. The striking face (24) has a dual milled pattern thereon. Preferably, a central area (40) has a first milled pattern and a periphery region (42) has a second milled pattern. The main body (22) is composed of a metal material, preferably a stainless steel material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANYInventors: RONALD K. HETTINGER, WAYNE H. BYRNE, LIONEL POINCENOT
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Patent number: 7500923Abstract: A putter head that includes: a head body having a face portion; and a face insert fitted in the face portion, the face insert including a high-hardness portion that forms a hitting surface, a low-hardness portion jointed to the high-hardness portion and having a hardness lower than that of the high-hardness portion, and a projecting portion formed at least on a central portion of the high-hardness portion, the low-hardness portion filling a recessed portion formed by the projecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuo Tateno
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Publication number: 20090054173Abstract: Golf clubs (including putters and wedges) include: a ball striking head and a shaft connecting member extending from the head; and (b) a shaft fixed to the shaft connecting member. The shaft may be fixed to the shaft connecting member without a hosel element and/or in such a manner that a smooth or substantially smooth exterior junction and/or overall handle member is provided. The connection may be made by welding, soldering, brazing, other fusing techniques, adhesives, mechanical connectors, or and the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites
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Patent number: 7494422Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Inventor: Jeffry A. Pegg
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Patent number: 7491131Abstract: Golf putter heads having a front piece and a rear piece that is separate from and connected to the front piece. Embodiments of the golf putter heads include rear pieces having arrowhead shapes. Embodiments of the golf putter heads include rear pieces with removably connectable weights that can be positioned about the perimeter of the rear piece. Golf clubs (e.g., putters) that include one of the present golf putter heads, and methods of treating the strike face of certain of the present golf putter heads.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Inventor: Philip G. Vinton
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Publication number: 20090042666Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventor: LUIS PEDRAZA
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Patent number: 7485047Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Bag Boy LLC.Inventor: Michael E. Evans
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Patent number: 7485051Abstract: A head on a golf putter is configured to create overspin on a putted golf ball. An exemplary embodiment employs a body with a ball-striking face including a first curved segment with a first radius of curvature and a second curved segment with a second radius of curvature. The first and second curved segments define a curved surface extending from a bottom surface of the body. The first segment is positioned proximate to the bottom surface and the second segment is positioned intermediate the bottom surface and an opposing top surface of the body. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature. The face may have a third curved segment positioned intermediate the second segment and the top surface, with a third radius of curvature greater than the first radius of curvature. The position of the center of mass of the head also promotes overspin.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Inventor: Joseph K. Richard, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090029798Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventor: Bernt Stellander
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Publication number: 20090029800Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs and methods of manufacture are generally described herein. In one embodiment, a golf club head is provided comprising a golf club head housing including a hollow portion having a cavity. A material can be inserted into the cavity to dampen a frequency response of walls of the hollow portion. The golf club head further comprises sight cues to assist a golfer to align the golf club head with a golf ball. Various other embodiments may be described herein and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: David D. Jones, Xiaojian Chen
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Publication number: 20090023512Abstract: The golf club grip includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a forward-facing aspect and a rearward-facing aspect, the forward-facing aspect preferably having a substantially arcuate contour. The forward-facing aspect is adapted to support the user's thumb during use. The rearward-facing aspect includes first and second surfaces joined together at a vertex, the first and second surfaces being acutely angled with respect to one another. The first and second surfaces are adapted for gripping by the user's fingers. The golf club grip has an axial bore formed therein, and the golf club grip is preferably symmetric about a plane of symmetry extending between the vertex and a central point of the forward-facing aspect. The axial receives the upper end of a golf club shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventor: Jack Watson
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Publication number: 20090017934Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Sean Miller
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Publication number: 20090017933Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Sean Miller, David N. Franklin
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Publication number: 20090011853Abstract: A method of fitting a golf putter to an individual golf stroke of a person which comprises the steps of: (a) providing a golf putter to a person comprising a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, an attachment means for pivotably attaching a putter head to the distal end of the shaft, an elongate flat blade having opposed ends and a top side and a bottom side and pivotably attached on the top side to the attachment means allowing for selection of a desired angle of the blade relative to the shaft, one or more weights removably connected to the elongate flat blade, and an adjustable runner having a height and attached to the bottom side of the elongate flat blade; (b) determining the golf stroke of the person; (c) adjusting a runner height to the golf stroke of the person; (d) weighting the putter with the one or more weights to set a center of mass of the head to a point behind a contact area of the blade with a golf ball, particular to the golf stroke of the person; (e) pivoting the shaft with respeType: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2004Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventor: Lanny Leo Johnson
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Patent number: 7473186Abstract: A golf club head with a vibration dampening insert is disclosed. The club head includes a face member, a dampening member, and a body member. The dampening member is sandwiched between the face member and the body member and extends along a large percentage of the face member. The dampening layer attenuates vibrations, providing consistent feel across the length of the striking face.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Christopher B. Best, Thomas C. Morris, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7473185Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Inventors: Carl T. Anderson, David A. Zamora
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Patent number: 7473188Abstract: A head 2 has three regions, i.e., an anterior region Z positioned on the facemost side, a posterior region K positioned on the backmost side, and a joint region R positioned between the anterior region Z and the posterior region K, which are provided to divide the putter head equally in the face-to-back direction. The anterior region Z has an anterior thick part Z1 having a thickness of equal to or greater than 20 mm. The joint region R has a thin part 16 having a thickness of equal to or less than 7 mm. The posterior region K has a posterior thick part K1 having a thickness of greater than 7 mm. The joint region R has a full-width part 23 formed by making the full width of this joint region to correspond to the thin part 16. Provided that the length of the head 2 in the face-to-back direction is A1, the length of the full-width part 23 in the face-to-back direction is equal to or greater than (A1/6).Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Takumi Nishino
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Patent number: 7465240Abstract: The present disclosure provides a putter head that has a plurality of deflectable beams or projections for striking a golf ball. Upon impact with the ball, the beams deflect and rebound to impart topspin on the ball, thereby resulting in forward rotation of the ball shortly after impact. In certain embodiments, the striking surface of the putter is comprised of a plurality of generally parallel, vertically spaced, deflectable beams extending horizontally across a front surface of the putter. Each beam extends downwardly from a fixed end to a free end that can contact the ball. In one specific implementation, the beams can be formed directly in the front surface of the putter head. In another implementation, the beams are formed in an insert that is mounted to the front surface of the putter head.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventor: Nick Frame
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Patent number: 7462111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Inventor: Danicl E. Little
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Publication number: 20080300067Abstract: The invention provides a golf putter 100 having a putter head 1 and a shaft 3 in which the putter head has ball striking and side surfaces, 4 and 7 respectively, that are perpendicular to each other and to the ground when the head is in a ball-striking position. The side face extends rearwardly from the heel end 6 of the ball striking face, so that it faces a player facing the side of the club. The shaft extends upwardly from the head and towards the player passing through a plane that contains the plane of the side face. The head when in the ball striking position and when seen in plan view from above is preferred to be of substantially right angled triangular form. The putter head may be formed of a first plate-like member 13 bearing the ball striking face and a second plate-like member 14 bearing the side face. A gusset 16 may be provided between and secured to the members 13 and 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventor: Thomas Hamlin
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Patent number: 7458899Abstract: A putter training apparatus and method of use are provided. In one form, a putter training apparatus includes a putter head generally formed as a mallet attached to a standard golf shaft. The putter head includes an opening through the vertical distance of the putter head, generally centered in the putter head. The putter head further includes a standard golf ball, generally centered within the opening. The golf ball is attached to an extension and retraction system comprising two spherical seats inserted in the heel side and toe side of the opening and two ligaments connecting the spherical seats to the golf ball. The extension and retraction system allows the golf ball to extend from the opening during use, and remain visible to the user through the opening, as long as the user employs a smooth, in line, and in tempo putting stroke.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Inventor: Mark David Michaud
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Publication number: 20080293513Abstract: A golf putter has a putter head with an actively compliant beam which is parallel to the face of the putter. The beam connects to a shaft along its length and is separated from the head except for its ends. The force of impact between the face of the putter and the ball on the putter face sweet spot causes a stress to develop in the beam, resulting in a deflection in the beam proportional to the force of the impact, while maintaining the putter face orientation with respect to the putting line. Impacts which miss the sweet spot will cause the putter face to skew to an angle with respect to the putting line, also introducing a proportional flexure of the beam, depending on the distance between the sweet spot and the point of impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventors: David M. Bitko, Sheldon S. Bitko, Robert A. Coon, John Piotrowski
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Publication number: 20080293514Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), have a high moment of inertia about their center, to help prevent twisting and mis-hits, particularly when the ball striking device hits the ball at a somewhat off-center position. The ball striking head of the ball striking device may be structured and/or weighted (optionally with separately attachable weight elements) to have a moment of inertia about a center of the ball striking surface of at least 10,000 g-cm2, and in some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 11,000 g-cm2, or even at least 12,000 g-cm2. In some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 20,000 g-cm2, or even at least 25,000 g-cm2 or at least 28,000 g-cm2.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
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Patent number: 7455599Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face arranged for impacting a golf ball. The face has a heel end, a toe end, and a middle section disposed between the heel and toe ends. A rear mass is located substantially rearwardly of the face, and a pair of arms extend rearwardly from the face toward the rear mass. Portions of the heel and toe ends of the face, the arms and the rear mass are included in a bottom component. Other portions of the heel and toe ends of the face and the middle section of the face are included in a top component. The bottom component is made of high density material such as metal while the top component is made of low density material such as polymer in order to provide the putter head with a low center of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventor: David D. Jones
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Publication number: 20080287211Abstract: A golf club with a shaft and an asymmetrical head, wherein said head has a gravitational center which is further from a trailing edge than said striking face and is disposed on a vertical plane which includes said grip axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: LUIS PEDRAZA, Bryan R. Hotaling
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Publication number: 20080287215Abstract: A golf club component, such as a golf club head and/or a golf club shaft, can comprise a golf club component substrate having an outer layer of titanium carbide, typically comprising at least forty percent (40%) carbon content. Alternatively, a golf club component can comprise a golf club component substrate, at least a portion of which is enveloped by a first coating layer of, for example, electroplated nickel, a second coating layer of, for example, electroplated chromium or palladium, and a third coating layer of titanium carbide applied by physical vapor deposition. The titanium carbide layer is durable and can provide the golf club component with a desired aesthetic appearance, such as a black color. Additionally, the golf club component can be coated with a fourth coating layer, such as a layer comprising a sealant or clear coat material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Xinhui Deng, Abram Stanley Harris
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Publication number: 20080287214Abstract: A club head for use with a golf putter is provided. This club head includes a body having a center longitudinal axis passing lengthwise therethrough; a first guide rod mounted within and passing through the body parallel to the center longitudinal axis and on one side thereof, wherein the first guide rod is selectively positionable lengthwise within the body; and a second guide rod mounted within and passing through the body parallel to the center longitudinal axis and on the opposite side thereof, wherein the second guide rod is selectively positionable lengthwise within the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventors: Timothy L. Miller, Jody Capuano
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Patent number: 7452283Abstract: A putter-head (20) with a main body (22) having a striking face (24), a weight body (25) and an isolation layer 27 is disclosed herein. The striking face (24) has a dual milled pattern thereon. Preferably, a central area (40) has a first milled pattern and a periphery region (42) has a second milled pattern. The main body (22) is composed of a metal material, preferably a stainless steel material.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Ronald K. Hettinger, Wayne H. Byrne, Lionel Poincenot
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Patent number: 7448959Abstract: A golf club head and a method of tuning the golf club head. The golf club head includes a body having a front surface, a back surface, a heel end, a toe end, a sole extending between the lower portions of the heel and the toe ends, a top portion extending between the upper portions of the heel and toe ends, and a cavity. One or more magnets are mounted in the cavity such that their distance into the cavity can be adjusted. A detachable face plate having one or more magnets attached to a back surface of the detachable face plate is slidably mated with guides extending from the body. At least two of the magnets are positioned such that the north pole of the magnet in the cavity faces the north pole of a magnet attached to the back surface of the detachable face plate. A repulsive force between the north poles pushes the detachable face plate away from the body and into a stop coupled to the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Jeffery A. Blankenship, David E. Wright
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Patent number: 7445562Abstract: A golf putter head includes: a head body having a face surface; and a different member fixed to the head body and having a plurality of end portions as fixed portions to the head body, and a spaced extension extended between the end portions and spaced away from the head body, the different member fixed to the head body as elastically deformed by being fixed to the head body in a manner that the end portions thereof have a relative positional relation varied from that when the different member is in an independent piece state.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: SRI Sports Ltd.Inventor: Yoshinori Sano
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Patent number: 7442129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventor: Ilir Bardha
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Publication number: 20080261718Abstract: 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 secondaryType: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventor: Kevin O'Neill
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Patent number: 7438648Abstract: A high inertia golf putter head is generally wedge-shaped, with the leading face being less wide than the trailing face. Cavities and weights are provided to optimize the moment of inertia.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Bret H. Wahl, Mike Walker, Robert Nunez, Marni Ines
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Patent number: 7435188Abstract: A golf putter head includes a hollow-structured body frame made of a metal material having a specific gravity of 4 to 9, which includes a face forming a recess, a crown forming in a center thereof a depression occupying at least 35% of an entire area of the crown, a toe, a heel, first and second sides extending backward from the toe and the heel respectively, a back connecting the first side and the second side, and a sole. A weight distribution is provided so that the toe, the heel, and the back are increased in wall thickness relative to a remaining portion. A face member made of a material having a specific gravity of 0.9 to 3 is attached to the recess of the face. A crown member made of the material having the specific gravity of 0.9 to 3 is attached to the depression of the crown.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsuo Tateno, Yasunori Imamoto
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Publication number: 20080248892Abstract: An improved putting method and apparatus include an improved putter and a swinging stance of specific features. The improved putter includes a putter head, a shaft and a handle. The putter head is attached to one end of the shaft and the handle is formed on the other end of the shaft. The handle includes a gripping portion, which is terminated with a substantially spherical ball. The elements of the swinging method include resting a back of one hand against a leg thigh; placing the substantially spherical ball into the palm of the one hand; grasping the spherical ball with the fingers and thumb of the one hand; grasping the gripping portion with the other hand; and retracing an arcuate path to strike the golf ball. Preferably, the one hand is closest to the target. The putter head is preferably swung parallel to the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventor: Jimmy H. Walworth
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Publication number: 20080248894Abstract: A golf putter head dimensioned to closely simulate the size of a regulation-sized golf hole and including at least an indicium approximating the size of a golf ball, whereby a golfer is presented with a visual representation of the size of the target at which he/she is aiming. The golf putter head further indicia for indicating a direction of initial travel of the ball. Further, the golf putter head includes three-dimensional indicia to assist the golfer in properly aligning his/her eyes and hands above the golf putter head while addressing the golf ball to be struck. When the golfer is in a proper stance the three-dimensional indicia substantially “disappear.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: MPH Golf, LLC d.b.a. GAIM GolfInventor: David Vincent Henry
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Publication number: 20080248893Abstract: A golf putter head is generally triangular, when viewed from the top, with a flat, front face and a trailing, central tail. When viewed from the side, the head has a generally straight front face and a flat or slightly curved or rounded bottom surface. The shaft for the grip is anchored to the head at a generally central position on the top of the head, with the axis of the shaft from the ball contact point on the face of the putter head being about one-half the diameter of a legal U.S. golf ball. The head is formed and/or weighted so that the shaft is on the horizontal center of gravity of the putter head, and the vertical center of gravity is about midway between the top and bottom surfaces of the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventor: LARRY A. DAVIS
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Patent number: 7431662Abstract: 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. One embodiment provides a golf club comprising a head defining at least one slot, and a replaceable striking surface attachment having protrusions compressed within the at least one slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: WM. T. Burnett & CompanyInventors: Richard B. C. Tucker, Sr., David Reeb
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Patent number: 7431660Abstract: A putter-type club head comprises a head main body with a face for hitting a ball in a front side, and a plurality of rod members firmly fixed to said head main body and extending to a rear side of the head. The rod members comprise a toe side rod member provided in a toe side, a heel side rod member provided in a heel side and an intermediate rod member provided therebetween. Each rod member has a high specific gravity larger than said head main body.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
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Publication number: 20080242435Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf putter mainly used for a putting stoke in golf clubs. The golf putter in accordance with the present invention adds a putting information providing apparatus 4, which provides putting information to a player, to an ordinary golf putter including a head 1, a shaft 2 and a grip 3. The putting information providing apparatus 4 comprises an operation switch 41, through which a player inputs distance information from a golf ball to a hole; an LCD 46 displaying putting information; and a gradient sensor 44 providing gradient information corresponding to a tilted state when the putter is laid on a horizontal surface. The putting information providing apparatus 4 displays position information of an imaginary hole against an actual hole based on the distance information and gradient information so that the player can perform a putting stroke toward the imaginary hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventor: Wook Je CHO
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Patent number: 7419439Abstract: A golf putter with a new and useful head configuration is provided. The putter head is designed to facilitate a golfer's ability to effectively contact and project a golf ball along a desired path on a putting surface. The head is designed to enable a golfer to effectively align the putter head with a golf ball as the golf ball is addressed, and easily and effectively swing the putter, to propel the golf ball along a desired path on the putting surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Inventor: Aran S. Aleamoni
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Publication number: 20080207348Abstract: A golf club head having a body and a strike face for striking a golf ball. The strike face is arranged at the front of the body, and a projection projecting forwardly of the body at one side of the strike face. In use, the projection extends in the same direction as a strike direction of the strike face. The golf club head further comprises an alignment marking which extends along an upper surface of the projection.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventor: Warren J. Porter
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Patent number: 7416494Abstract: A putter-fitting system that allows for quick and easy alteration of various aspects of the putter including, but not limited to, weighting, lie angle, and hosel style is described. Also described are a cam-based putter face release mechanism, a cam-based hosel release mechanism and/or an interchangeable striking surface insert.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Inventor: David M Edel
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Publication number: 20080200282Abstract: A putter head comprising a body having an open, frame-like structure having an improved mass distribution for optimizing the moment of inertia and placement of the center of gravity. The body includes a front portion, a rear portion, toe and heel portions extending between and interconnecting respective ends of the front and rear portions, and a central portion interconnecting the front and rear portions along the longitudinal axis of the body. A first main opening of the body is bounded by the toe portion, the central portion, and part of the front portion. A second main opening of the body is bounded by the heel portion, the central portion, and part of the front portion. The heel and toe portions desirably are formed with respective elongated openings extending substantially the entire lengths of the heel and toe portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventors: Nick Frame, Maresala Milo, Jose Miraflor, Marni Ines
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Publication number: 20080200278Abstract: A golf club head is configured for an orientation of the face such that an intended target line is directed along an actual target line for a non-zero lofted club face and a preselected non-zero sole angle selected from sole angles within heel up and toe up orientations of the golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2007Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Jeremiah L. Oyer
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Publication number: 20080188321Abstract: Golf putter heads have a one-piece heat treated high hardness stainless steel body having an upstanding wall with a striking face, and directly behind it, a downwardly disposed thin unbounded through-cavity to provide distinct repeatable audible feedback. The putter heads can have a centrally located rearwardly extending mass of body material in the form of an integral spherical mound to provide balance and a high moment of inertia. Methods of making the putter heads are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventor: John J. Feighery