Golf putter

• US 20050245326A1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Jackson Family Trust
• Original Assignee: The Jackson Family Trust
• Inventors: Jackson, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,066,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/330
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0437 with special crown configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0462 characterised by tapering thickness of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like

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.

Claims

1. A golf putter head comprising, a ball striking plate having a first concave surface with a coating over the entire surface thereof, wherein the coating defines a flat golf ball striking surface.

2. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein the coating has a durometer hardness of between about 80 durometer A to about 75 durometer D.

3. The golf putter head according to claim 2 wherein the coating has a durometer hardness of about 90 durometer A.

4. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein the coating comprises polyurethane.

5. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein the first concave surface is further defined by a spherically curved surface.

6. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein the first concave surface is further defined by a cylindrically curved surface.

7. The golf putter head according to claim 5 including an elongate tail portion extending from a rearward side of said ball striking plate and defining a longitudinal axis, and wherein the center of a sphere defined by said spherically curved surface lies substantially on the longitudinal axis through the elongate tail portion.

8. The golf putter head according to claim 7 including a shaft neck connected to the tail portion and defining a neck axis that is normal to and radiating from the longitudinal axis of the tail portion, and wherein said neck axis intersects said longitudinal axis.

9. The golf putter head according to claim 8 in which the golf putter head has a center of mass on the longitudinal axis and in which the neck axis intersects the center of mass.

10. The golf putter head according to claim 1 wherein said ball striking plate further defines a second concave surface opposite said first concave surface, and wherein said second concave surface includes a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating defines a second flat golf ball striking surface.

11. A golf putter clubhead, comprising:

a clubhead including a ball striking face that is defined by a plano-convex lens, said plano-convex lens defined by a concave surface in the clubhead having a coating applied over the entire surface thereof.

12. The golf putter clubhead according to claim 11 wherein the plano-convex lens is defined by a concave surface having a radius of between about 5 to 10 feet, and wherein a the forward facing surface of the coating is flat.

13. The golf putter according to claim 12 wherein the coating is an elastic material.

14. The golf putter according to claim 13 wherein the coating has a durometer hardness of between about 80 durometer A to about 75 durometer D.

15-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A golf putter head comprising, a ball-striking plate having a first concave surface with a first coating over at least a portion thereof, and a second concave surface opposite said first concave surface with a second coating over at least a portion thereof, wherein the first and second coatings define respective first and second flat golf ball striking surfaces.

22. The golf putter head according to claim 21 wherein the first and second golf ball striking surfaces define piano-convex lenses.

23. The golf putter according to claim 21 wherein the trajectory of a golf ball impacted by the first golf ball striking surface is focused at a point between about 5 and 10 feet from the point of impact.

24. The golf putter head according to claim 23 wherein the first concave surface is defined by a spherically curved surface.

25. The golf putter head according to claim 23 wherein the first concave surface is defined by a cylindrically curved surface.