Dual radius putter

• US 6,179,727 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louis J. Giordano
• Original Assignee: Louis J. Giordano
• Inventors: Giordano, Louis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US09/187,841
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 473/330, 473/331, 473/324, 473/340, 473/251, 473/313, 473/341, 473/342, D21/736-746
• US Class Current: 473/330
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• 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 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

Several embodiments of a golf club putter having a novel putter head with a striking face defined by two unequal radii are disclosed. In one embodiment, the convex striking face is defined by an upper radius and a lower radius meeting along a linear path to provide an single point of contact for the engagement of a golf ball. In a second embodiment, the upper radius and lower radius meet along an arcuate path, and a protruding bottom surface mimics this arcuate path, to provide an optimum point of contact for a golf ball regardless of the longitudinal angle of address of the putter. Dual radius putters having weighting schemes and composite or plastic inserts are also disclosed to further improve the true roll of a golf ball generated by an engagement with the instant putter.

Claims

1. A putter for putting a golf ball comprising:

a shaft with a handle end and a mounting end;

a handle secured to said handle end; and

,

a putter head fixably mounted to said mounting end having a front surface for engaging a golf ball, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said front surface having a substantially convex shape defined by an upper radius and a lower radius, said upper radius being smaller than said lower radius, said upper and lower radii meeting longitudinally along a linear path on said putter head, said rear surface having toe, mid-toe, center, mid-heel, and heel portions, said toe, center, and heel portions protruding outwardly beyond said mid-toe and mid-heel portions, wherein said mid-toe and mid-heel portions are filled with weighted material having a greater density than that of said putter head.

2. The putter of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower radii meet along an arcuate path defined by a path radius.

3. The putter of claim 2 wherein said rear surface has toe and heel portions with a center portion therebetween protruding outwardly beyond said toe and heel portions, said center portion having a convex bottom surface defined by a bottom radius.

4. The putter of claim 3 wherein said path radius is complementary to said bottom radius.

5. The putter of claim 4 wherein said toe and heel portions are filled with weighted material having a greater density than that of said putter head.

6. A putter for putting a golf ball comprising:

a shaft with a handle end and a mounting end;

a handle secured to said handle end; and

,

a putter head fixably mounted to said mounting end having a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottom surface, said front surface having a substantially convex shape defined by an upper radius and a lower radius meeting longitudinally on said putter head, said lower radius being larger than said upper radius, and said front surface having an insert member for engaging a golf ball fittingly disposed in said front surface comprised of a material with a lower density than said putter head, said insert member conforming to said substantially convex shape of said front surface as defined by said upper radius and said lower radius.

7. The putter of claim 6 wherein said upper and lower radii meet along a linear path.

8. The putter of claim 7 wherein said rear surface has toe, mid-toe, center, mid-heel, and heel portions, said toe, center, and heel portions protruding outwardly beyond said mid-toe and mid-heel portions.

9. The putter of claim 8 wherein said mid-toe and mid-heel portions are filled with weighted material having a greater density than that of said putter head.

10. The putter of claim 6 wherein said upper and lower radii meet along an arcuate path defined by a path radius.

11. The putter of claim 10 wherein said rear surface has toe and heel portions with a center portion therebetween protruding outwardly beyond said toe and heel portions, said center portion having a convex bottom surface defined by a bottom radius.

12. The putter of claim 11 wherein said path radius is complementary to said bottom radius.

13. The putter of claim 11 wherein said toe and heel portions are filled with weighted material having a greater density than that of said putter head.

14. A putter for putting a golf ball comprising:

a shaft with a mounting end and a handle end,

a handle secured to said handle end, and

a putter head fixably attached to said mounting end, said putter head having a front face for engaging a golf ball, a front portion longitudinally opposed to a rear portion, and a bottom surface, said front face defined by a first radius of curvature and a second radius of curvature, said first and second radii of curvature being unequal and meeting longitudinally along an arcuate path defined by a path radius on said putter head and in a substantially smooth manner so as to produce a continuous but nonuniform convex front face, said bottom surface having a convex shape defined by a bottom radius, said bottom radius being complementary to said path radius, and said putter head having weights fixably disposed in said front and rear portions.

15. The putter of claim 14 further comprising an insert for engaging said golf ball fittingly disposed in said front face conforming to said first and second radii of curvature and having a lower material density than that of said putter head.