Toe And Heel Weighting Patents (Class 473/341)
  • Publication number: 20120220386
    Abstract: Putter heads include a ball striking head body member and a rear body member. In some putter heads, the ball striking head body member includes a rearwardly extending body support having an opening defined therein, and the rear body member extends through this opening. In other putter heads, the rear body member includes a forwardly projecting platform that includes an alignment aid thereon. In still other putter heads, the ball striking head body member includes rearward extending arms at the heel and toe sides that extend rearward at an angle to a location outside the heel and toe edges, respectively, of the ball striking face. Additionally, the rear body member of other putter heads have a first end engaged at a heel side of the ball striking head body member and a free second end that is not engaged with any portion of the putter head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, Jason P. Martin, Carl A. Jonsson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120142449
    Abstract: Putter heads have a ball striking face portion and a rear body portion (as one or more parts). These putter heads may have a DCG/B ratio of at least 0.425 (where B is the overall breadth dimension and DCG is the depth of the center of gravity). Some putter heads may include: (a) a ball striking face body member having a ball striking face with plural openings defined in its central portion; (b) a polymeric material mostly located behind an exterior surface of the ball striking face, wherein a portion of the polymeric material is exposed at the exterior surface of the ball striking face through the openings; and (c) a rear body member engaged with the ball striking face body member. Rear body members or portions thereof can be interchanged to allow for customization and/or better fitting of the putter to the user's putting stroke and/or tastes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael R. Pinto, Carl Jonsson, Gregory Scott Hinzmann
  • 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: 20120083353
    Abstract: Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Jason P. Martin, Carl A. Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20120064993
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 8109838
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with a three-dimensional alignment member and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Leslie J. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8100779
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with a three-dimensional alignment member and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Richard R. Sanchez, John Souza
  • 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: 8025586
    Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head including a golf club head including a head body and a pair of balance adjustment portions formed in the head body, a plurality of weights detachably retained in each balance adjustment portion so that a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head is adjusted, the weights serving as balancers and differing from each other in density and mass, and an IC chip accommodating portion which is formed in the head body or one of the balance adjustment portions to house an IC chip which stores information on a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Aneeging Golf Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7959520
    Abstract: A golf putter includes a pair of aiming arms at each end of the putter head having opposite and inward facing arcuate surfaces corresponding to the outline of a golf hole. The aiming arms may be removed manually or may be made to pivot. In the latter, each arm is pivotally connected at opposing ends of the putter head and adapted to pivot about an axis between a forward aiming position and a second position away from the forward aiming position. Control of the rotation of the aiming arms may be by a lever operable from the putter shaft, or by a spring actuated by pushing downward on the putter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: True Putt Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Campadore, Alan N. O'Kain
  • Patent number: 7922597
    Abstract: A golf putter generally has a nearly flat sole surface, multiple or decorative sight lines used to align the putter with the target, or target line. This new design has an extremely rounded sole surface from heel to toe and from the ball striking face to the rear of the putter head. This works extremely well when putting through taller fringe grasses off the green. The well rounded heel and toe and leading angular surface contribute to stabilizing the orientation of the ball striking face when putting from extremely sloped side hill lies in the taller fringe grasses. It has a single brightly colored sight line from the ball striking face to the rear of the putter head to eliminate a majority of visual clutter. This focuses the golfers eyes completely on the sight line, target line, and center of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Valentine George Feret
  • Patent number: 7887432
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs, golf club heads and removable golf club weights are generally described herein. According to certain embodiments, an example golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, a backside portion, a sole portion, and one or more removable weights. According to such embodiments, the example golf club head may further comprise a vibration damping composition disposed between the removable weights and the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Jones, Richard R. Sanchez, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Publication number: 20110021287
    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. Further alternatives and modifications are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard B.C. Tucker, SR., George Tolen
  • Patent number: 7867104
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 7846036
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes an opening, a deflectable plate and a cutout. The opening is located behind a putter face, and is larger than a golf ball. The deflectable plate is coupled to the golf putter head, with a first end of the deflectable plate projecting into the opening. The cutout is located above the deflectable plate, the cutout having a width that is greater than or equal to a width of the deflectable plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7815519
    Abstract: A golf club head is composed of a first body having mass concentrations at the heel and toe ends joined by a relatively thinner central web portion that is recessed from the front, top and rear surfaces of the club head. A second body member selected from a plurality of second body members composed of a relatively less dense material is temporarily attached to the web portion of the first body to form a face portion that extends from the sole to the top rail of the club as well as the central portion of the top rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie J. Bryant, Anthony D. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20100255922
    Abstract: An improved golf putter incorporating a weight management system that allows for adjustment of a golf club head weighting by incorporating an adjustable weight system wherein weights may be removed and replaced quickly and easily without requiring a specialized tool is disclosed. Weights received within weight ports formed in the heel and toe portions of the putter are maintained securely affixed within the club head body. While the preferred golf club embodiment disclosed is a putter, the present invention contemplates incorporating any of the features and/or advancements disclosed herein into any golf club. In addition, the present invention further includes novel aspects relating to overall design, including mass distribution and a rearwardly projecting portion having an upwardly sloped sole that prevents the club from snagging the turf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Lueders
  • Patent number: 7803066
    Abstract: A golf club head has a front wall member and a rear wall member joined by a pair of arms that extend rearward from the from the heel and toe ends of the front wall member. An arcuate wall formed in the rear wall member provides an alignment aid. The club may have a protrusion extending above the top rail. The protrusion may have an arcuate surface that corresponds to the arcuate wall formed in the rear member to enhance alignment of the golf club head. The club head may include a transverse alignment aid to assist the user with proper eye position and lie of the club head when addressing the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Richard R. Sanchez, John C. Souza
  • Patent number: 7794334
    Abstract: A putter-type club head (20) having a main body (25) and a removable aft member (30) is disclosed herein. The putter-type club head (20) has a main body (25) that is preferably composed of an aluminum alloy. The removable aft member (30) is preferably composed of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hilton
  • Publication number: 20100222155
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs, golf club heads and removable golf club weights are generally described herein. According to certain embodiments, an example golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, a backside portion, a sole portion, and one or more removable weights. According to such embodiments, the example golf club head may further comprise a vibration damping composition disposed between the removable weights and the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Jones, Richard R. Sanchez, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Patent number: 7771285
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Warren J. Porter
  • Patent number: 7771286
    Abstract: A golf putter comprising a shaft, a putter head attached along a top surface to the shaft, the head including an elongated body having a central axis along the length of the body. The golf putter includes a pair of aiming arms, each arm pivotally connected at opposing ends of the elongated body and adapted to pivot about the central axis between a forward aiming position and a second position away from the forward aiming position. The golf putter also includes a lever adapted to control rotation of the aiming arms from the forward aiming position to the second position, the lever operable from a portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: True Putt Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Michael Campadore, Alan N. O'Kain
  • Publication number: 20100190566
    Abstract: A golf putter head having a body having a striking face, a top portion, a bottom portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The putter head further has at least one weight member connectable to the body at a predetermined location on the body such that the golf putter head has a first center of gravity. The at least one weight member is repositionable with respect to and connectable to the body such that repositioning the weight member and connecting the weight member to the body at the predetermined location on the body causes the golf putter head to have second center of gravity that is different both horizontally and vertically from the first center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Scott G. Haack, Robert C. Koch
  • Publication number: 20100167838
    Abstract: A putter head has a moment of inertia that can be adjusted easily by the golfer himself or herself. A putter head includes a body member having a face surface for hitting a ball and a back member turnably installed at the body member. The back member includes a plurality of movable parts, and the movable parts are turnably fixed to the body part. The movable part is turnably installed with one screw only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke HORII
  • Patent number: 7744485
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs, golf club heads and removable golf club weights are generally described herein. According to certain embodiments, an example golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, a backside portion, a sole portion, and one or more removable weights. According to such embodiments, the example golf club head may further comprise a vibration damping composition disposed between the removable weights and the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Jones, Richard R. Sanchez, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Publication number: 20100160062
    Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head including a golf club head including a head body and a pair of balance adjustment portions formed in the head body, a plurality of weights detachably retained in each balance adjustment portion so that a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head is adjusted, the weights serving as balancers and differing from each other in density and mass, and an IC chip accommodating portion which is formed in the head body or one of the balance adjustment portions to house an IC chip which stores information on a three-dimensional gravity center position of the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ANEEGING SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Teramoto
  • Patent number: 7731600
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaft has upper and lower ends and a handle at the upper end. A putter head has a forward face plate and a rear, a sole plate below and a weight plate above, a toe and a heel. The weight plate and the sole plate each have an upper and lower surface. The lower end of the shaft is coupled to the upper surface of the weight plate adjacent to the heel. An alignment assembly includes an upper line on the upper surface of the weight plate and a lower line on the upper surface of the sole plate parallel with and spaced from the toe and the heel. The upper line is located above and parallel with the lower line. The lower line extends rearwardly a greater distance than the upper line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Richard W. Diesterheft
  • Patent number: 7691004
    Abstract: An improved golf putter incorporating a weight management system that allows for adjustment of a golf club head weighting by incorporating an adjustable weight system wherein weights may be removed and replaced quickly and easily without requiring a specialized tool is disclosed. Weights received within weight ports formed in the heel and toe portions of the putter are maintained securely affixed within the club head body by plugs adapted for snap fit engagement with the club head. Unlike other putter weight adjustment systems disclosed in the art, the present invention does not require use of a special tool, such as a wrench, to remove and replace the weights. While the preferred golf club embodiment disclosed is a putter, the present invention contemplates incorporating any of the features and/or advancements disclosed herein into any golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Lueders
  • Patent number: 7682263
    Abstract: A golf club head having a hollow structure including a club face having a toe-side extreme end and a heel-side extreme end between which a club face maximum width Wf is defined; and a rear part being rear of the club face and having a toe-side extreme end and a heel-side extreme end (excepting a hosel portion) between which a head maximum width Wh is defined, wherein a ratio (Wh/Wf) of the head maximum width Wh to the club face maximum width Wf is more than 1.0, but not more than 1.5 and the distance of the toe-side extreme end of the rear part and the distance of the heel-side extreme end of the rear part are not more than 0.2 times the distance of a front-side extreme end of the head, each distance measured in the back-and-forth direction of the head from a rear-side extreme end of the head, whereby the weight is distributed toward the toe, heel and rear of the head, and the depth of the center of gravity and the moment of inertia can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7670232
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 7666108
    Abstract: A golf club head is composed of a first body having mass concentrations at the heel and toe ends joined by a relatively thinner central web portion that is recessed from the front, top and rear surfaces of the club head. A second body member selected from a plurality of second body members composed of a relatively less dense material is temporarily attached to the web portion of the first body to form a face portion that extends from the sole to the top rail of the club as well as the central portion of the top rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Leslie Bryant, Anthony Serrano
  • Patent number: 7651411
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first rear mass is located substantially rearward of a heel end of the face member, and a second rear mass is located substantially rearward of a toe end of the face member. Upper and lower arms extend rearwardly from the face member connecting the face member to the first and second rear masses. A cavity is defined between the upper and lower arms, and three openings to the cavity are provided. One of the openings is located between the first and second rear masses. Another opening is located between the first rear mass and the face member, and a further opening is located between the second rear mass and the face member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7645199
    Abstract: A golf putter head adapted for attachment to a club shaft is provided with a face member having a strike face and a cylindrical back cavity, and a body member configured to fit and rotate within the back cavity is disclosed. Selective rotation of the body member within the back cavity sets a loft of the putter head. The weighting of the putter is adjusted by securing a weight member to the body member. A golf putter head having an increased moments of inertia is also disclosed. The putter head includes a face member, a body member, and a weight member. Placement of the weight member is such that the moments of inertia are increased and the putter head is stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20090312117
    Abstract: A putter head has a front that strikes a golf ball during putting, a length a, a width b, a weight W, and a moment of inertia I. The width extends along a horizontal width axis perpendicularly intersecting the front of the putter head. The length extends along a horizontal length axis perpendicularly intersecting the horizontal axis. The dimensions are, for example, a?7 inches, b?a, and I/Wa2>0.30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Richard A. Brandt
  • Publication number: 20090305807
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with a three-dimensional alignment member and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Leslie J. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7625298
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: John Emmanuel Bennett
  • Publication number: 20090275420
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes an opening, a deflectable plate and a cutout. The opening is located behind a putter face, and is larger than a golf ball. The deflectable plate is coupled to the golf putter head, with a first end of the deflectable plate projecting into the opening. The cutout is located above the deflectable plate, the cutout having a width that is greater than or equal to a width of the deflectable plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090270196
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with a three-dimensional alignment member and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Richard R. Sanchez, John Souza
  • Patent number: 7604548
    Abstract: A method of forming a golf club head includes providing a body having an end portion such as a heel end or a toe end of the club head, wherein the body end portion includes a lower surface and a boss extending therefrom. The method comprises providing a weight having a top surface and a cavity configured to receive the boss, and inserting the boss on the body into the cavity in the weight by rotating the weight about an axis extending normal to the front surface of the body such that the boss interlocks with the cavity and so that at least a portion of the top surface of the weight contacts at least a portion of the lower surface of the body end portion. The weight further includes a protrusion having a concave surface and the body has a corresponding convex surface. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Cole
  • Publication number: 20090258725
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs, golf club heads and removable golf club weights are generally described herein. According to certain embodiments, an example golf club head comprises a face for striking a golf ball, a backside portion, a sole portion, and one or more removable weights. According to such embodiments, the example golf club head may further comprise a vibration damping composition disposed between the removable weights and the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: David D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090247319
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased MOI and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable Center of Percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090118036
    Abstract: A golf club head is composed of a first body having mass concentrations at the heel and toe ends joined by a relatively thinner central web portion that is recessed from the front, top and rear surfaces of the club head. A second body member selected from a plurality of second body members composed of a relatively less dense material is temporarily attached to the web portion of the first body to form a face portion that extends from the sole to the top rail of the club as well as the central portion of the top rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Leslie J. Bryant, Anthony D. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20090111606
    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: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Ilir Bardha
  • Publication number: 20090105009
    Abstract: Embodiments of weighted club heads and methods for forming the same are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 7520821
    Abstract: A golf club head, preferably a putter head, has a body fitted with inserts having a density greater than that of the club head body. Two cavities are formed in the body. One cavity is adjacent a heel region of the body, and the other cavity is adjacent a toe region of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the inserts and the cavities are provided with a suitable draft angle. The inserts are bonded within the cavities and are subsequently finished using a milling process or the like so that a front surface of each insert is substantially flush with the front face of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Eric V. Cole
  • Publication number: 20090088268
    Abstract: A golf putter including an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end with the shaft being tapered so as to have a larger diameter at its upper end than at its lower end. The shaft is approximately 3 feet 9 inches and has an elongated cylindrical, oversized grip approximately 2 feet 4 inches long mounted on the upper end of the shaft and which has a diameter of approximately 1 5/16th inches. A generally T-shaped putter head is secured to the lower end of the shaft in such a manner so that the shaft extends upwardly from the putter head at least 10° from vertical. The putter head has adjustable weights mounted at the rear end and at the forward sides thereof. The putter is preferably to be used as a side-straddle putter but may be used as a chest putter if so desired. A modified form of the golf putter is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Juan C. Elizondo