Golf club with improved moment of inertia

• US 5,058,895 A
• Filed: 09/01/1989
• Issued: 10/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Y. Igarashi
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Y. Igarashi
• Inventors: Igarashi, Lawrence Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US07/402,061
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 273/167 R, 273/167 F, 273/167 H, 273/169-172, 273/167 A, 273/80 A, 273/173, 273/174, 273/78, 273/77 R
• US Class Current: 473/341
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0441 with visual indicators for aligning the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0454 Strengthening ribs on the rear surface of the impact face plate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• 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

The specification herein discloses a golf club having an improved moment of inertia. The improved moment of inertia is for both a driver and a putter. The driver is formed of an investment casting having peripheral weights proximate the toe side and heel side of the club. A third weight is provided at the rear of the club. The weights provide a three dimensional configuration for weighting the club wherein the rear weight provides an increased moment of inertia. By increasing the moment of inertia, the club has a lesser tendency to twist when it strikes the ball off the center of gravity thereby creating less torque or twist to the club head for more accurate direction. The putter has the moment of inertia weighting applied above its midline center of gravity so that it provides overspin or top spin to the ball when struck.

Claims

1. A golf putter with an increased moment of inertia resulting from three dimensional weighting, comprising:

a club shaft; and

a putter head secured to said shaft, comprising;

a head face terminating in a toe portion and a heel portion, the toe and heel portions tapering backwardly in the form of two angular portions to a rear portion;

means for increasing the peripheral weighting of the putter head to increase the club head moment of inertia, comprising heel and toe weighting means at the toe and heel portions for increasing the weighting at these portions, and rear peripheral weighting means for increasing the peripheral weight at said rear portion; and

wherein said heel, toe and rear portion weighting means comprises fixed, non-removable means so that the putter head weighting is fixed and not adjustable by the club user, and wherein said heel, toe and rear portion weighting means are provided as built-up portions around a pocket extending between the front face and the respective heel, toe and rear portion weighted areas, and said heel, toe and rear portion weighting means are joined by a web therebetween forming the base of said pocket; and

wherein said heel, toe and rear portion weighting means are disposed to position the center of gravity of the putter head above the midpoint of the putter head.

2. The putter of claim 1 wherein said toe, heel and rear portion weighting means are formed form a peripherally enlarged region overlying said web which is bonded to the lower portion of said putter head.

3. A golf putter with an increased moment of inertia, comprising:

a club shaft; and

a putter head secured to said shaft, comprising;

a head face for striking the golf ball, the head face terminating at the sides thereof in a toe portion and a heel portion, the toe and heel portions tapering backwardly in the form of tow angular side portions to a rear portion at the rear of the club head;

means for increasing the peripheral weighting of the putter head to increase the club head movement of inertia, characterized by heel and toe weighting means at the toe and heel portions, and rear peripheral weighting means for increasing the peripheral weight at said rear portion, said putter head further comprising a thin web laterally spanning the area between said face, heel, toe and rear portions, and wherein said face, toe heel and rear portions, said angular portions and said web define a first open pocket region extending above said web and between said heel, toe and rear portions, and wherein at least a second pocket is defined below said thin web to further concentrate the putter head mass at said heel, toe and rear portions; and

wherein said heel, toe and rear portions weighting means comprises fixed, non-removable means so that the putter head weighting is fixed and not adjustable by the club user.

4. The golf putter of claim 3 wherein said heel, toe and rear portion weighting means are substantially disposed above said web to position the center of gravity of the putter head above the midpoint of the putter head.

5. The golf putter of claim 3 further comprising second and third spaced webs extending below and transverse to said first web and extending between said face and said rear portion to divide said second pocket into a major open pocket region and tow lateral pocket regions, said second and third web providing reinforcement to the club face and increasing the rigidity of the club head while providing the formation of said major and lateral pocket regions which tend to lighten the intermediate club head region and enhance the peripheral weighting to further increase the moment of inertia.