Top weighted putter

• US 6,019,686 A
• Filed: 07/31/1997
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William R. Gray
• Original Assignee: William R. Gray
• Inventors: Gray, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US08/903,962
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 473/324, 473/325, 473/330, 473/331, 473/334, 473/335, 473/336, 473/337, 473/338, 473/339, 473/340, 473/341, 473/349, 473/350, 473/305-315, 473/288, 473/246, 473/245 , 473/247, 473/248, 473/256, 473/251, 473/242, 473/219, 473/226
• US Class Current: 473/313
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0408 characterised by specific dimensions, e.g. thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/004 Striking surfaces coated with high-friction abrasive materials

Abstract

A golf putter with a face of light weight construction, such as aluminum, and perimeter, heel-toe, weights, such as brass, attached above the striking area of the putter face on stilts that extend upward on the heel and toe of the putter face. The weights constitute the majority of the weight of the putter head. Slots in the stilts through which the weights are attached make the height of the center of gravity of the putter adjustable. When a ball is stroked with the putter with an ascending blow, to diminish the effect of the loft, the friction with the ball and the putter face allows the vertically high moment of inertia to impart overspin to the ball because the putter head rotates as such slightly at the moment of impact. When a ball is stroked with the putter with a descending blow, the putter head rotates slightly causing the friction of impact to break which allows the balls contact and friction with the putting green to have a greater effect on how the ball starts rolling.

Claims

1. A golf putter club head comprising:

a front face including a ball striking surface and having a heel end having an integral heel extension adjacent thereto and a toe end having an integral toe extension adjacent thereto, a top surface, a back surface and a sole;

said ball striking surface being bounded by the top surface, the sole, the heel extension and the toe extension;

each of said toe extension and said heel extension extending substantially vertically from said sole and protruding upwardly beyond the plane of the top surface and having an uppermost surface;

said club head including a center of gravity located between said heel end and said toe end;

a flange connected to said top surface intermediate said heel extension and said toe extension;

said flange including a hosel adjustably attached thereto;

said hosel including an upper end and a lower end;

said upper end configured for receiving a golf club shaft;

said lower end being adjustably attached to said flange;

each of said toe extension and said heel extension including a substantially vertical slot extending generally from the sole toward said respective uppermost surface;

said slot extending through each of said toe extension and said heel extension in a front-to-rear club head direction and dimensioned to receive a bolt passing therethrough;

a heel weight adjustably positioned on said heel extension;

a toe weight adjustably positioned on said toe extension;

each of said heel weight and said toe weight being adjustably connected to said heel extension and said toe extension, respectively, with said bolts;

said heel weight and said toe weight being made of a material that is more dense than the material from which the club head is fabricated, whereby the heel weight and the toe weight may be selectively positioned along the slots and held stationary with said bolts in order to raise or lower the location of the center of gravity of the club head.

2. The golf putter club head of claim 1 wherein said flange further comprises a pair of bolts passing through said flange and engaging said lower end of said hosel.

3. The golf putter club head of claim 2 wherein said pair of bolts passing through said flange are offset relative to one another.

5. The golf putter club head of claim 1 wherein the toe weight and the heel weight further each include a plurality of weights.

6. The golf putter club head of claim 1 wherein the front face is provided with a loft with respect to a vertical plane passing through said club head in a heel-to-toe direction.

7. The golf putter club head of claim 6 wherein the loft is about 3 degrees.

8. The golf putter club head of claim 1 wherein the ball-striking surface is coated with a friction reducing coating.

9. The golf putter club head according to claim 6 wherein said loft is provided through the addition of one or more washers positioned between said flange and said hosel.

4. The golf putter club head of claim 4 wherein the offset defines an axis that is offset about 10 degrees from a vertical plane passing through the club head in a front-to-rear direction.