Golf putter

• US 3,967,826 A
• Filed: 12/30/1974
• Issued: 07/06/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clay Judice
• Original Assignee: Clay Judice
• Inventors: Judice, Clay
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US05/537,570
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 273/77 R, 273/78, 273/80 C, 273/164, 273/167-175, D34/5 GC, D34/5 GH
• US Class Current: 473/313
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/007 Putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/021 the shaft axis being forwardly offset relative to the striking face of the head

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf club having a shaft, a club head, and a shank connected between the shaft and head. The club head has a recess opening through the bottom thereof or in another form hereof to the rear side of the club head and which recess is disposed toward the heel portion of the head whereby the center of gravity of the club head lies outwardly of the club head median. In one form hereof, the flat striking surface of the club head lies in a plane generally parallel to a plane containing the shaft and a portion of the shank, such planes being spaced a distance substantially equal to the radius of the golf ball. The axis of the shaft lies in an oblique plane normal to the first-mentioned planes and the lower portion of the shank extends normal to such oblique plane for connection with the heel of the club head. The club is configured, weighted and balanced to provide a broad striking area with nominal or small variation in torque applied to the club when the ball is stroked. The club also provides for a symmetrical optical alignment of the club shaft, shank and head with the golf ball as well as a weighted alignment by balanced distribution of weight in the club. In another form, the recess is located such that a true vertical line extending through the center of the grip intersects the center of the club face to improve control of the ball when putting. A second cavity is located between the putter face and the first mentioned cavity to provide a uniform face depth assuring like reaction to the ball when struck to either side of the center or "sweet spot" of the club head.

Claims

1. A golf club for stroking a golf ball comprising an elongated shaft, a head having a flat surface for striking a golf ball and a shank connecting one end of said shaft and said head, said shaft having an axis forwardly of and in a plane generally parallel to and spaced forwardly a predetermined distance from a plane containing said striking surface so that the axis extended is adapted to intersect a golf ball when said head lies in striking position relative to the ball, said shank extending from said shaft for connection with the striking surface of said head at a heel portion thereof, said head having a cavity opening downwardly through the bottom face of said head, the cavity being offset toward the heel portion of said head to provide a greater weight in the toe portion of said head than in the heel portion thereof, thereby shifting the center of gravity of the head towards said toe portion the connecting portion of said shank and the heel portion of said head lying on one side of an oblique plane containing the axis of said shaft and extending normal to a plane containing said striking surface, the toe portion of said head and the center of gravity of said head lying on the other side of said oblique plane, the cavity being so located to balance the club about the shaft axis such that when the shaft lies in a horizontal position the club head will be so oriented that the striking face lies in a horizontal plane;

said head further including a recess formed along its upper face and a side face thereof remote from said striking surface, and spaced midway between the heel and toe portion of said head the recess locating the center of gravity of said head above the median of the head height;

the bottom face of said head being recessed between its heel and toe portions so that drag resistance during stroking is minimized.

2. A golf club according to claim 1 wherein the connecting portion of said shank extends normal to said striking surface with the remaining portion of said shank lying in the first-mentioned plane.

3. A club according to claim 2 wherein a portion of said shank inclines upwardly from the connecting portion thereof toward said shaft and lies on the same side of said oblique plane as the heel portion of said head.

4. A golf club according to claim 1 wherein said head is formed of a heavier material than the material forming said shank.

5. A golf club according to claim 4 wherein said head is formed at least in part of brass and said shank is formed at least in part of aluminum.