Lie adjustable high moment of inertia putter

Abstract

A high moment of inertia is enabled in a novel golf putter head in which also infinite adjustment of the lie angle and adjustment of total weight over a very wide range are enabled. The putter can be configured for either right-handed or left-handed players. The putter head has a cylindrical recess partially open through the top of the head and fully open to the rear of the head allowing the insertion of a cylindrical shaft receiver disc. The shaft can be of any allowed length and the lie angle can be from 26 degrees to 10 degrees from vertical. The mass properties of the putter head may be changed and adjusted by addition or removal of weights at the extreme toe and heel ends of the putter head.

Claims

1. A golf putter comprising: a putter head, the head having a cavity and a seat surface surrounding the cavity; a disk disposed in the cavity and having an outer face, the disk extending from the cavity an interference dimension beyond the seat surface to the outer face; the disk configured to rotate within the cavity about an axis in an adjustment condition; a plate located in contact with the outer face with a portion of the plate extending beyond the outer face and parallel the seat surface; the portion biased toward and contacting the seat surface in a fixed condition; an elongated shaft fixed to the disk; and at least one set of balance weights, each set comprising at least two balance weights; the head configured to receive and removably retain each set of balance weights.

2. A golf putter, according to claim 1, and further comprising: multiple threaded fasteners securing the plate to the seat surface.

3. A golf putter, according to claim 2, and wherein: the head has a toe end and a heel end and includes a first and second weight support, the first weight support extending rearward from the toe end of the head and the second weight support extending rearward from the heel end of the head; wherein: each weight support is configured to receive and removably retain at least one balance weight.

4. A golf putter, according to claim 2, and wherein: each weight support comprises a respective threaded fastener.

5. A golf putter, according to claim 1, and wherein: the interference dimension is in the range of 0.003 and 0.007 inch.

6. A golf putter, according to claim 1 and wherein the disk includes a flat control surface; and further comprising: a set screw extending from the head and into the cavity and contacting the control surface in the fixed condition to resist rotation of the disk.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an assembled putter and putter head according to the invention.

(2) FIGS. 2 to 9 provide different views of the entire head portion, and detail sections, of the putter illustrated in FIG. 1.

(3) FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate components for securing a putter handle to the putter head according to the configuration of FIG. 1.

(4) FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate, in side view, alternative angular orientations of the putter handle in the putter head that are enabled by the configuration of the inventive putter of FIG. 1.

(5) FIGS. 16 to 22 illustrate various components of the putter head of FIG. 1.

(6) FIGS. 23 to 29 depict various weight components and their connecting elements of the putter head of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 30 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the putter head.

(8) FIG. 31 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the inventive putter.

(9) FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the putter head of FIG. 31 after removable weights have been removed.

(10) FIGS. 33A to 33D are various views of the putter head of FIG. 31.

(11) FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter.

(12) FIGS. 35 to 37 are exploded isometric and side views, respectively, of the configuration of FIG. 34.

(13) FIG. 38 is an isometric view of an alternative configuration of the inventive putter with a fixed shaft.

(14) FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate an alternative configurations of components of the inventive putter.

(15) FIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate details of the shaft receiver disc and the disc compression cover in one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) The following description relates to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 29. The following reference numeral list corresponds to the elements in the below description and the references provided in the accompanying drawing figures.

(17) TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Numerals 10 putter head 11 shaft 12 shaft receiver disc 13 putter head blade 14 base weight cylinder 15 additional weight cylinder 16 disc compression cover 17 alignment pin 18 grip 20 shaft disc assembly 21 disc cavity 22 shaft bore hole 23 rotation stop bore hole 24 rotation stop pin 31 cylinder attachment stud hole 32 weight reduction hole 33 rotation stop seat 34 set screw holes 35 set screw 36 putter face 41 weight cylinder hole 42 weight cylinder attachment stud 51 non-threaded weight cylinder hole 52 weight cylinder attachment screw 61 disc compression cover seat 62 disc compression cover screw hole 63 disc compression cover screw hole 64 disc compression cover attachment screw 71 alignment pin stud 73 alignment pin hole 74 alignment pin stud 80 weight support arm 81 blade toe end 82 blade heel end 90 first alignment indicia 91 second alignment indicia 112 alternative disc 114 set screws 115 control surface 120 cover seat surface 122 disk outer face

(18) The first embodiment of the putter head is illustrated as FIG. 1 having a shaft 11, a shaft receiver disc 12, a putter head blade 13, two base weight cylinders 14, two or more additional weight cylinders 15, two weight attachment screws 52, a disc compression cover 16, four disc compression cover attachment screws 64, an alignment pin 17, and a grip 18 (FIG. 10) for holding the putter by a user.

(19) The shaft 11 is comprised of a hollow tube and a grip 18. A hollow tube potion of shaft 11 in a preferred embodiment is made of steel tubing, but may be made of graphite or other composite material. The shaft 11 may be of generally conventional design and construction except as detailed here.

(20) The shaft receiver disc 12, putter head blade 13, disc compression cover 16, base weight cylinders 14, the additional weight cylinders 15 and the alignment pin 17 are preferably made of aluminum, but may be made of another metal. Alternatively, these elements may be formed of plastic or composite or other lightweight material having appropriate properties.

(21) The grip 18 in a preferred embodiment is a standard golf putter grip, but may have any golf putter grip configuration and construction, particularly those sanctioned by governing bodies such as the USGA (United States Golf Association).

(22) The putter face 36 is preferably planar, but may bulge forward (outward) in a convex curve. The putter face 36 forms the operative leading contact face of the putter head, whereby a golf ball is struck when a user performs a putting stroke. The putter face 36 is most preferably vertical with no loft, and preferably have a loft in the range of zero to two degrees. However, the other benefits of the inventive putter will be appreciated with greater loft angles.

(23) The putter head blade 13, disk cavity 21 and shaft receiver disc 12 should be configured to provide for a lie angle of the putter of any angle in the range of ten degrees to 26 degrees from vertical. These two angle orientations are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The angles are not expressly specified in the figures but may be discerned from the angular orientation of the shaft 11 relative to the head blade 13.

(24) The shaft disc assembly 20 in a preferred embodiment is configured to enable it to be removed from the disc cavity 21, reversed in orientation (rotated about the shaft), and reinserted into the disc cavity 21 to change a right-handed putter into a left-handed putter.

(25) The putter head blade 13 in a preferred embodiment has an overall length dimension from 5 inches to 7 inches long from the toe end 81 to heal end 82. The base weight cylinders 14 in a preferred embodiment are from one inches to two inches in diameter, based on the need to blend with the overall size and shape of the putter head blade 13. The overall depth of the putter from the putter face 36 to the back of the base weight cylinder or the additional weight cylinder may be in the range of 1.125 inches to 4.00 inches, although this dimension is not limiting on the inventive aspects.

(26) The assembled putter head 10 in a preferred embodiment has a total weight of from 300 grams to 650 grams depending on the combination of base weight cylinders and additional weight cylinders utilized.

(27) With particular reference now to FIG. 2, and FIGS. 23 to 29, the threaded weight cylinder attachment stud 42 has male threads which are threaded into the female threads in the female thread connecting stud hole 31. The stud 42 is tightened into a fixed position in the putter head blade 13. The stud 42 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent.

(28) A high moment of inertia is obtained in the present inventive device through an extreme configuration of weights added to the head blade 13. Base weight cylinders 14 and additional weight cylinders 15 are secured to the head blade 13 at the extreme toe and heel ends 81, 82 of the head blade 13 to maximize their distance from the blade center and the intended point of contact in use. To maximize mass at these locations, the weight cylinders 14, 15 extend orthogonally outward from the back of the blade 13. This enables a high inertia while maintaining a useful total weight for a putter head.

(29) the base weight cylinder 14 has female threads which are threaded into the male threads of the attachment stud 42. The base weight cylinder 14 is tightened into a fixed position on the attachment stud 42 against the back of the putter head blade 13. The base weight cylinder 14 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent. The additional weight cylinders 15 are attached to the base weight cylinder 14 by means of the weight cylinder attachment screw 52 (FIG. 1). The weight cylinder attachment screw 52 has male threads which are threaded into the female threads of the base weight cylinder 14. The weight cylinder attachment screws are tightened into a fixed condition into the base weight cylinder 14. The weight cylinder attachment screws 52 may be optionally further secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied gluing agent.

(30) Alternative shapes and sizes of the weight cylinders 14, 15 are contemplated and may be used with similar effect and function. The cylindrical shape is advantageous for multiple reasons including maximizing the mass at the extreme extent of the blade 13 while providing a smooth outline. Similarly, the method and mechanism of securing the cylinders 14, 15 to the blade 13 may be altered or replaced by others providing the same function.

(31) With reference to FIG. 10 the shaft 11 is secured in the shaft receiver disc 12 by means of epoxy or other permanent fixing means; and the grip is secured to the shaft by means of double-sided tape (the grip 18 is shown separated for clarity of illustration). The rotation stop pin 24 is secured in the shaft receiver disc 12 by means of epoxy or other permanent fixing means. This combination of shaft 11 and receiver disc 12 may be alternatively provided by an integral construction or other construction combinations resulting in the same end result.

(32) With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 16 and 21 the alignment pin 17 is attached to the disc compression cover 16. The male threaded alignment pin stud 74 is threaded into the female threads in the alignment pin hole 73. The alignment pin 17 tightened into a normally not rotating position into the disc compression cover 16. The alignment pin 17 may be secured by means of epoxy or other liquid applied adhesive agent. Other configurations of alignment pin 17 and securing the same to the putter head are contemplated and variations may be used without deviating from the benefits and intentions of the invention.

(33) With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 14 and 15 the shaft receiver disc 12 with the shaft and rotation stop pin 24 attached is slid into the disc cavity 21 with the shaft 11 and rotation stop pin 24 sliding into the opening between the opposing rotation stop seats 33. In this configuration, the shaft receiver disc 12 can initially freely rotate in the disc cavity 21 between the limits of the rotation stop seats 33. Other constructions providing the same rotational movement between the shaft 11 and blade 13 and providing the same operational functions may be used with equal effect.

(34) The shaft receiver disc 12 is retained in the disc cavity 21 by the disc compression cover 16. The disc compression cover 16 is secured into place in the disc compression cover seat 61 by means of four disc compression cover attachment screws 64. The shaft receiver disc 12 is at least 0.003 thicker that the depth of the disc cavity 21. This difference in dimensions causes the disc compression cover 16 to bind the circumferential edge of the shaft receiver disc 12. The disc compression cover 16 is thin enough to bend by the force of the four disc compression cover attachment screws 64 applied at four corners of the disc compression cover 16. This warping of the disc compression cover 16 reduces the frictional pressure on the rear surface of the shaft receiver disc 12 while at the same time increasing the frictional binding pressure at the circumferential edge of the shaft receiver disc 12. The shaft receiver disc 12 is pinched in place at its edge rather than being restrained from rotation by simple surface friction. This is illustrated in FIG. 40, an enlarged section view of a portion of the putter head blade including the receiver disk 12 in the disk cavity 21 and the compression cover 16. The disk 12 may rotate about its axis 150 during adjustment. In the figure it can be seen that the axial dimension (thickness) DT of the disc 21 is slightly greater than the disc cavity depth CD. The cavity depth CD extends axially from the bottom 123 of the disc cavity 21 to the seating surface 120. The seating surface 120 is formed on the head blade 13 and is configured to receive the compression cover 16. The receiver disk 12 extends axially outside the cavity 21 such that the outer face 122 of the receiver disc 12 is outside the plane of the seating surface 120. The difference between the axial dimension DT and the cavity depth CD is the interference dimension ID. The interference dimension ID must be greater than zero and large enough that when the compression cover 16 is in contact with the outer face 122 and unsecured there is a gap between portions 116 of the compression cover 16 that extend beyond the disk 12 and the seating surface 120. When the attachment screws 64 are then fully engaged, the compression cover portions 116 are deformed to allow them to reach and contact the seating surface 120, thereby establishing a rigid connection. The deformation (warping) of the compression cover 16 results in increased compression force at the perimeter of the outer face 122. This deformation is illustrated in the figure wherein the compression cover 16 is bowed up at the center in reaction while the compression cover 16 is bent downward over the perimeter of the disk 12. This pinching action provides a needed rigidity not otherwise obtainable. The interference dimension ID must not be too large, otherwise it will not be possible to fully engage the compression cover 16 with the seating surface 120, resulting in a unstable condition. The interference dimension ID must be no more than a small fraction of the thickness of the compression cover 16 so that the compression cover 16 is not plastically deformed when fully secured. The interference dimension should at least 0.0030 inches and no greater than 0.0070 inches for these reasons. FIG. 41 is a further enlargement of the compression cover 16 and disk 12 at the perimeter where the described pinching occurs. In this figure, the compression cover 16 is in contact with the disk 12 prior to deformation to enable contact with the cover seat surface 120. The gap between the compression cover 16 and cover seat surface 120 is not to scale but emphasized for clarity.

(35) A function of the compression cover 16 is to provide a device and means of providing adjustable frictional constraint to relative rotation of the disc 12 within the cavity 21. This enables user adjustment of the lie angle as described in the following.

(36) During an adjustment of the lie angle of the putter, the disc compression cover attachment screws 64 are partially loosened to allow rotation of the shaft receiver disc 12 in the shaft disc cavity 21. This allows controlled rotation of the disc 12 while maintaining its location within the cavity 21. When the desired lie angle is determined and established, the disc compression cover attachment screws can be tightened which eliminates rotation. Once the disc compression cover 16 is secured, set screws 35 located in the bottom of the putter blade 13 can be tightened. With both the set screws 35 and disc compression cover attachment screws 64 fully tightened the shaft receiver disc can no longer rotate at all and the lie angle is locked.

(37) Together, the disc compression cover 16 and the screws 35 provide attachment means that provide adjustable and also rigid securing of the shaft 11 to the blade 13. Other devices and mechanisms that provide the same or equal function and result are contemplated and further devices and mechanism may become obvious to those skilled in the art or be developed in the further.

(38) Accordingly, the invention includes putter embodiments having: A golf putter head having: a putter blade with a striking face, a cylindrical disc cavity behind the striking face, a cylindrical shaft receiving disc which can be inserted into the disc cavity, and capable of rotation in the disc cavity for lie angle adjustment, said shaft receiving disc having a shaft bore hole and a putter shaft installed in the said shaft bore hole, said shaft receiving disc having a rotation stop bore hole and the rotation stop pin installed in the rotation stop bore hole, said rotation stop limiting the rotation of the shaft receiving disc, said disc cavity being open to the top of the putter blade, and said opening in the putter blade formed by opposing rotation stop seats that obstruct the rotation of the shaft on the proximal side of the hole into the disc cavity and obstructs the rotation of the rotation stop pin on the distal side of the hole into the disc cavity, said rotation stop seats together limiting the lie angle to from 10 degrees from vertical to 26 degrees from vertical, said disc cavity also being open to the rear of the putter blade, with the rear opening of the disc cavity covered by a disc compression cover incised into the back of the putter blade, said disc compression cover being attached to the putter head by means of four screws, limiting the rotation of the shaft receiving disc, said disc cavity also having two holes through the bottom of the disc cavity and through the bottom of the putter blade for the insertion of two set screws, said set screws being the primary means for securing the shaft receiving disc in the required rotation for a desired lie angle, said putter blade having a holes bored in the back of the putter blade for the attachment of cylindrical weights onto the proximal (heel) and distal (toe) ends of the putter blade back, said cylindrical weights having a hole bored through the weight center for the insertion of a threaded stud, with the said threaded stud being inserted also into the hole in the back of the putter blade, said cylindrical weight alternatively having a non-threaded through which a screw is inserted into the hole in the back of the putter blade, said putter head being flat on the bottom with all elements on a single plane, putter head has an indicium on top of the putter head 1.68 inches wide.

(39) FIG. 30 illustrates an alternative configuration of the putter in which base weights are not included but rather the additional weight cylinders 15 are secured directly to the putter head blade 13. This configuration is otherwise equal to that described above but may be applied were less added weight is needed, or otherwise a single set of weights is sufficient.

(40) FIGS. 31 to 33D depict a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter. In this configuration similar weights are provided at the extreme ends 81, 82 of the head blade 13 to maximize their distance from the blade center and the intended point of contact in use. To maximize mass at these locations, weight cylinders 15 extend upward in a vertical stack from a weight support arm 80. The support arm 80 extends outward horizontally from the back of the blade 13 and includes a mechanism to secure the weight cylinders 15. In the configuration shown, an attachment screw 52 is used to secure the cylinders 15 to the support arm 80, in the same manner as described above. The support arm 80 is preferably formed integral with the blade 13. It should be understood that the orientation of the weight cylinders 15 in the various configurations of the invention is not critical if their relative center of mass location is the same. In this way, the configuration of FIG. 31 is equivalent to that of FIG. 1.

(41) FIGS. 34 to 37 depict a further alternative configuration of the inventive putter and putter head 10. This configuration incorporates the same putter blade 13 and base weight cylinders 14 as the configuration depicted in FIGS. 1 to 29. The base weight cylinders 14 are formed separate but preferably permanently secured to extend backward (in a direction opposite to the outward normal of the putter face 36) in the same location as discussed previously. They may be secured via threaded fasteners and permanent bonding adhesive or an equivalent that provides rigid joining. A set of additional weight cylinders 15 may be removably secured by center threaded fasteners such as the attachment screw 52. Other devices and mechanisms to provide an equivalent securing are also contemplated.

(42) Two alignment indicia 90, 91 are used to provide visual alignment cues to a user. Each is secured to the top of one of the base weight cylinders 14 in a common manner and particular location relative to the head face 36. The two alignment indicia 90, 91 are configured, located and secured such that during appropriate placement of the putter in use, the alignment indicia 90, 91 have a common vertical visual projection. This visual projection should be visually contrasting with respect to all other elements of the putter head 10. This may be accomplished by using contrasting colors, preferably with the alignment indicia 90, 91 having either a white or light metallic color and the other elements having darker surface color. The alignment indicia 90, 91 should be located a common distance rearward from the plane of the head face 36 and symmetrically distanced on the two sides (toe-ward and heel-ward) of the intended strike point on the head face 36. The vertical projection of the alignment indicia 90, 91 is preferably circular and approximately with a diameter equal that of a regulation golf balltypically about 1.7 inches, although somewhat smaller and larger diameters will function similarly. The vertical projection may be formed of a circular horizontal planar surface of the alignment indicia as shown in the figures, or other surface shapes appearing circular in vertical projection.

(43) Using the alignment indicia 90, 91 as described, a user looking downward onto the inventive putter head 10, that is aligned with a golf ball in preparation of striking it, is induced to see and coordinate in their mind the location of the 90, 91 with the golf ball. Due to the symmetric location of the alignment indicia 90, 91 and their clearly discerned location, the user will naturally align the putter head 10 in the desired orientation: with the putter face 36 perpendicular to the desired golf ball travel path.

(44) Each alignment indicia 90, 91 preferably has a concave cylindrical backside face to mate with the curved perimeter sides of the base weight cylinders as shown. Preferably, the each alignment indicia 90, 91 would be weightless to eliminate influence on the mass properties of the head 10. Toward this goal, the alignment indicia 90, 91 should be formed of very light weight material that is also resistant to weathering. Low density metals such as aluminum or plastics may be used. Each balancing saddle weight is preferably secured permanently to a respective base weight cylinder 14 using permanent adhesive or equivalent material, device or mechanism.

(45) FIG. 38 illustrates an alternative configuration of a putter according to the invention. The putter head includes a head blade 13 that is rigidly secured to or integral with the shaft 11. The previously described structures and elements providing for relative angular adjustment of the shaft 11, such as the shaft receiving disk and compression cover (12, 16 FIGS. 1, 31) are not included. The weight balancing elements and operations described respecting the prior configurations are functional and beneficial in a putter not having shaft adjustment. In this exemplary configuration, the same weight support arm 80 and cylinders 15 are included and function in the manner described above.

(46) FIGS. 39A and 39B illustrate an alternative configuration of the shaft receiver disc 12 discussed above. The two figures illustrate two exemplary alternative angular orientations of an alternative disc 112 within a putter head 10. The figures provide a detailed partial section view of the putter head 10. The essential form and function of this alternate disc 112 is the same, but it includes distinct features for controlling the relative angular orientation of the alternative disc 112 together with the attached shaft 11. First, the alternate disc 112 includes a control surface 115 as a flat surface formed through a chord line across the circular cross-section of the disc body. The plane of the control surface 115 is preferably about 70 degrees from the centerline of the shaft 11 (and from the shaft-receiving hole in the disc). This angle establishes the relative angle of the shaft 11 to the head 10 when fully assembled as intended. The alternative disc 112 is received in the disc cavity 21 in the same manner as described above. The cavity 21 includes a flat bottom portion that, in cooperation with the control surface 115, defines limits to the range of rotation of the alternative disc 112. This angular control is fixed by the geometry of the respective elements.

(47) A second feature for controlling the angular orientation of the disc 112 are two rigid stops in the form of set screws 114 that each extend from the body of the head 10 and into the disc cavity 21 towards the control surface 115. The function of the set screws 114 is to provide a positive interference with the control surface 115 to prevent rotation of the alternative disc 112 when in an adjusted fixed condition. The particulars of the position and length of the set screw 114 may vary and depend on the specific geometry of the control surface 115. In use, the alternative disc 112 is located in the desired rotational position, aided by the cooperating control surface 115 and set screws 114, and then secured for use in the same manner as detailed previously. Because each set screw 114 is adjustable, the angular orientation of the alternative disc 112 may be set or limited at a variety of different positions.

(48) Other configurations and devices for accomplishing the same or equivalent inventive functions and results as described in the above examples are contemplated and will be discernable from the above discussion and the teachings herein.