US20070281797A1 - Golf club head with alignment indicia - Google Patents
Golf club head with alignment indicia Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070281797A1 US20070281797A1 US11/444,041 US44404106A US2007281797A1 US 20070281797 A1 US20070281797 A1 US 20070281797A1 US 44404106 A US44404106 A US 44404106A US 2007281797 A1 US2007281797 A1 US 2007281797A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- transparent plate
- alignment indicia
- ball alignment
- front surface
- ball
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0487—Heads for putters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0416—Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B53/00—Golf clubs
- A63B53/04—Heads
- A63B53/0441—Heads with visual indicators for aligning the golf club
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S273/00—Amusement devices: games
- Y10S273/14—Transparent
Definitions
- the present invention relates to golf clubs and, in particular, to a golf club head with alignment indicia.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,420 to Tang et al. discloses a putter head similar to that disclosed by the Pelz patent but with only two circular indicia.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,955 to Stoakes discloses a putter head with a removable cap having alignment indicia including arrowheads, lines, and circles.
- the present invention provides a golf club head including a body having a heel end, a toe end and a front surface.
- Ball alignment indicia is attached to the body and extends forwardly of the front surface of the body.
- a transparent plate is mounted on the body enclosing the ball alignment indicia between the body and the transparent plate.
- the transparent plate has a front face arranged for impacting a golf ball.
- the ball alignment indicia is located intermediate the heel and toe ends of the body and has a partial spheroid shape.
- a flange on the transparent plate is received in a recess in the body thereby forming a mechanical interlock between the transparent plate and the body.
- FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head incorporating the present invention
- FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the golf club head shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled golf club head shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a top view of the golf club head shown in FIG. 3 .
- a golf club head 10 preferably a golf putter head, includes a body 12 and a hosel 14 with a boss 16 counterbored for receiving a lower end of a golf club shaft (not shown).
- the body 12 has a front surface 18 , a heel end 20 and a toe end 22 .
- body 12 is cast or machined from a single piece of metallic material such as stainless steel or bronze.
- Body 12 is preferably formed so that a rear portion 24 thereof is shaped as an oblate partial spheroid having a spherical diameter such that its upper surface 26 thereof has a circular diameter approximately equal to the spherical diameter of a golf ball.
- a heel weight 28 and a toe weight 30 extend rearward from back surface 32 of body 12 .
- Body 12 has an elongated cavity 36 extending rearward from front surface 18 , and a partial spheroid shaped cavity 38 extends rearward from the elongated cavity 36 .
- Partial spheroid shaped cavity 38 is closed by ball alignment indicia 40 which has a partial spheroid shape 42 surrounded by a mounting flange 44 .
- the partial spheroid shape 42 of the ball alignment indicia 40 protrudes forwardly of the front surface 18 of the body 12 .
- Ball alignment indicia 40 is attached to body 12 and is located intermediate the heel and toe ends 20 , 22 of body 12 .
- a transparent plate 46 covers ball alignment indicia 40 to form the assembled club head 10 shown in FIG. 3 .
- the transparent plate 46 is mounted on body 12 with its rear surface 47 contacting the front surface 18 of body 12 .
- a front face 49 on the transparent plate 46 is arranged for impacting a golf ball.
- Heel and toe ends 46 a and 46 b of transparent plate 46 are located adjacent heel and toe ends 20 and 22 , respectively, of body 12 .
- transparent plate 46 may be adhesively bonded to body 12 ; however, in the preferred embodiment, it is retained by conventional means such as a mechanical interlock or a snap fit between an inwardly extending recess 50 formed in front surface 18 of body 12 and an outwardly projecting flange 52 formed on rear surface 47 of transparent plate 46 .
- the snap fit between body 12 and transparent plate 46 encloses ball alignment indicia 40 therebetween.
- the transparent plate 46 has a partial spheroid shaped cavity 51 that receives the partial spheroid shape 42 of the ball alignment indicia 40 .
- cavity 38 occupies a majority of body rear portion 24 thereby maximizing the moment of inertia of club head 10 about its vertical axis.
- the combination of the upper surface 26 of rear portion 24 having the same apparent diameter as ball alignment indicia 40 creates the appearance of a golf ball embedded in club head 10 when viewed by a golfer addressing a golf ball.
- This combination provides a virtual golf ball protruding forwardly of the front surface 18 of the body 12 thereby enabling a golfer to properly line up the club head 10 with a golf ball for more consistent and accurate putts.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to golf clubs and, in particular, to a golf club head with alignment indicia.
- It is generally accepted in the golf industry that use of alignment indicia on putter heads assists the golfer in properly aligning the putter head with a golf ball. One example of a prior art putter head with an alignment indicia is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,798 to Pelz. The Pelz patent discloses a putter head with alignment indicia in the form of a row of 2, 3, 4, or 5 golf ball shaped indicators aligned perpendicular to and behind the putter head.
- Another example of a prior art putter head with alignment indicia is U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,083 to Szczepanski. The Szczepanski patent discloses a putter head with a group of lines that converge toward the putter head face so that extensions of these lines meet at a point forward of the putter head face.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,420 to Tang et al. discloses a putter head similar to that disclosed by the Pelz patent but with only two circular indicia. U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,955 to Stoakes discloses a putter head with a removable cap having alignment indicia including arrowheads, lines, and circles.
- The present invention provides a golf club head including a body having a heel end, a toe end and a front surface. Ball alignment indicia is attached to the body and extends forwardly of the front surface of the body. A transparent plate is mounted on the body enclosing the ball alignment indicia between the body and the transparent plate. The transparent plate has a front face arranged for impacting a golf ball. The ball alignment indicia is located intermediate the heel and toe ends of the body and has a partial spheroid shape. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flange on the transparent plate is received in a recess in the body thereby forming a mechanical interlock between the transparent plate and the body.
-
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head incorporating the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the golf club head shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled golf club head shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 3 ; and -
FIG. 5 is a top view of the golf club head shown inFIG. 3 . - With reference to
FIGS. 1-3 , agolf club head 10, preferably a golf putter head, includes abody 12 and ahosel 14 with aboss 16 counterbored for receiving a lower end of a golf club shaft (not shown). Thebody 12 has afront surface 18, aheel end 20 and atoe end 22. Preferablybody 12 is cast or machined from a single piece of metallic material such as stainless steel or bronze.Body 12 is preferably formed so that arear portion 24 thereof is shaped as an oblate partial spheroid having a spherical diameter such that itsupper surface 26 thereof has a circular diameter approximately equal to the spherical diameter of a golf ball. Aheel weight 28 and atoe weight 30 extend rearward fromback surface 32 ofbody 12. -
Body 12 has anelongated cavity 36 extending rearward fromfront surface 18, and a partial spheroid shapedcavity 38 extends rearward from theelongated cavity 36. Partial spheroid shapedcavity 38 is closed byball alignment indicia 40 which has apartial spheroid shape 42 surrounded by amounting flange 44. Thepartial spheroid shape 42 of the ball alignment indicia 40 protrudes forwardly of thefront surface 18 of thebody 12.Ball alignment indicia 40 is attached tobody 12 and is located intermediate the heel andtoe ends body 12. - A
transparent plate 46 coversball alignment indicia 40 to form the assembledclub head 10 shown inFIG. 3 . Thetransparent plate 46 is mounted onbody 12 with itsrear surface 47 contacting thefront surface 18 ofbody 12. Afront face 49 on thetransparent plate 46 is arranged for impacting a golf ball. Heel and toe ends 46 a and 46 b oftransparent plate 46 are located adjacent heel andtoe ends body 12. - Referring to
FIG. 4 ,transparent plate 46 may be adhesively bonded tobody 12; however, in the preferred embodiment, it is retained by conventional means such as a mechanical interlock or a snap fit between an inwardly extendingrecess 50 formed infront surface 18 ofbody 12 and an outwardly projectingflange 52 formed onrear surface 47 oftransparent plate 46. As shown inFIG. 4 , the snap fit betweenbody 12 andtransparent plate 46 enclosesball alignment indicia 40 therebetween. Thetransparent plate 46 has a partial spheroid shapedcavity 51 that receives thepartial spheroid shape 42 of theball alignment indicia 40. Also as shown inFIG. 4 ,cavity 38 occupies a majority of bodyrear portion 24 thereby maximizing the moment of inertia ofclub head 10 about its vertical axis. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the combination of theupper surface 26 ofrear portion 24 having the same apparent diameter asball alignment indicia 40 creates the appearance of a golf ball embedded inclub head 10 when viewed by a golfer addressing a golf ball. This combination provides a virtual golf ball protruding forwardly of thefront surface 18 of thebody 12 thereby enabling a golfer to properly line up theclub head 10 with a golf ball for more consistent and accurate putts.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/444,041 US7309291B1 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-05-31 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
US11/940,081 US7448955B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2007-11-14 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/444,041 US7309291B1 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-05-31 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/940,081 Continuation US7448955B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2007-11-14 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070281797A1 true US20070281797A1 (en) | 2007-12-06 |
US7309291B1 US7309291B1 (en) | 2007-12-18 |
Family
ID=38790959
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/444,041 Active 2026-06-14 US7309291B1 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2006-05-31 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
US11/940,081 Expired - Fee Related US7448955B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2007-11-14 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/940,081 Expired - Fee Related US7448955B2 (en) | 2006-05-31 | 2007-11-14 | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
Country Status (1)
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US (2) | US7309291B1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11135486B2 (en) * | 2019-03-01 | 2021-10-05 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Multi-component golf club head |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7959519B2 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2011-06-14 | Clear Golf, Llc | Golf club head with insert having indicia therein |
US7749105B2 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2010-07-06 | Donovan Zielke | Golf club head with insert having indicia therein |
US7309291B1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-18 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
BRPI0918292A2 (en) * | 2008-09-08 | 2015-12-22 | Intergraph Technologies Co | rugged computer capable of operating in high temperature environments |
US8480513B2 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2013-07-09 | Sri Sports Limited | Putter-type golf club head |
US8083611B2 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2011-12-27 | Sri Sports Limited | Putter-type golf club head |
USD623710S1 (en) | 2010-06-01 | 2010-09-14 | Callaway Golf Company | Putter head |
USD667070S1 (en) | 2011-08-23 | 2012-09-11 | Practicepro Putter, LLC | Golf practice putter head face |
US9526952B1 (en) * | 2015-03-19 | 2016-12-27 | Callaway Golf Company | Putter-type golf club head with sound chamber |
US9517394B1 (en) * | 2015-04-14 | 2016-12-13 | Callaway Golf Company | Putter-type golf club head with dampening screw |
US20230143221A1 (en) * | 2021-11-08 | 2023-05-11 | John L. Hill | Putter club head with profiled face insert |
Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3019022A (en) * | 1958-06-26 | 1962-01-30 | Murray H Ehmke | Golf club head |
US3134596A (en) * | 1962-01-15 | 1964-05-26 | Gus G Boznos | Golf club head with transparent insert |
US3866922A (en) * | 1972-11-24 | 1975-02-18 | Vincent C Marci | Golf putter with imbedded alignment indicator |
US4139198A (en) * | 1977-10-20 | 1979-02-13 | Kanavas James G | Training device for improving accuracy in hitting a ball |
US4411430A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1983-10-25 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US4659083A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1987-04-21 | Harry Szczepanski | Golf club with converging directional indicia |
US4688798A (en) * | 1985-10-15 | 1987-08-25 | Pelz David T | Golf club and head including alignment indicators |
US4714252A (en) * | 1986-11-20 | 1987-12-22 | Roraback Harry G | Dual-weighted golf putter head |
US4749196A (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1988-06-07 | Podgor Joseph E | Club and head for putting |
US4776594A (en) * | 1987-04-27 | 1988-10-11 | Rango Joseph F | Golf putter |
US5467538A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1995-11-21 | Acushnet Company | Method and apparatus of determining golfer's effective putter loft |
US5605510A (en) * | 1992-08-05 | 1997-02-25 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf putter with face plate insert |
US5839974A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-11-24 | Mcallister; William F. | Golf putter construction |
US5961392A (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 1999-10-05 | Hillock; Bart A. | Focused sweet spot for all golf clubs |
US5964669A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 1999-10-12 | Bloomer; William | Performance enhanced golfing putter |
US6244972B1 (en) * | 1999-04-01 | 2001-06-12 | William Drossos | Putter head having elastomeric core |
US20040147332A1 (en) * | 2003-01-23 | 2004-07-29 | Engdahl Duane Charles John | Balanced putter for practice and play |
US6780119B1 (en) * | 2003-04-23 | 2004-08-24 | George M. Gankas | Golf putter attachment |
US6821212B2 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2004-11-23 | Truroll Golf, Inc. | Device to convert a golf club into a training system |
US6837801B1 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2005-01-04 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf putter head with increased dimensions and increased moment of inertia |
US6905420B2 (en) * | 1999-09-03 | 2005-06-14 | Callaway Golf Company | Putter head |
US6988955B2 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2006-01-24 | Stoakes Norman L | Golf putter |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7309291B1 (en) * | 2006-05-31 | 2007-12-18 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf club head with alignment indicia |
-
2006
- 2006-05-31 US US11/444,041 patent/US7309291B1/en active Active
-
2007
- 2007-11-14 US US11/940,081 patent/US7448955B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3019022A (en) * | 1958-06-26 | 1962-01-30 | Murray H Ehmke | Golf club head |
US3134596A (en) * | 1962-01-15 | 1964-05-26 | Gus G Boznos | Golf club head with transparent insert |
US3866922A (en) * | 1972-11-24 | 1975-02-18 | Vincent C Marci | Golf putter with imbedded alignment indicator |
US4139198A (en) * | 1977-10-20 | 1979-02-13 | Kanavas James G | Training device for improving accuracy in hitting a ball |
US4411430A (en) * | 1980-05-19 | 1983-10-25 | Walter Dian, Inc. | Golf putter |
US4688798A (en) * | 1985-10-15 | 1987-08-25 | Pelz David T | Golf club and head including alignment indicators |
US4659083A (en) * | 1985-10-16 | 1987-04-21 | Harry Szczepanski | Golf club with converging directional indicia |
US4714252A (en) * | 1986-11-20 | 1987-12-22 | Roraback Harry G | Dual-weighted golf putter head |
US4749196A (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1988-06-07 | Podgor Joseph E | Club and head for putting |
US4776594A (en) * | 1987-04-27 | 1988-10-11 | Rango Joseph F | Golf putter |
US5605510A (en) * | 1992-08-05 | 1997-02-25 | Callaway Golf Company | Golf putter with face plate insert |
US5467538A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1995-11-21 | Acushnet Company | Method and apparatus of determining golfer's effective putter loft |
US5839974A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-11-24 | Mcallister; William F. | Golf putter construction |
US5964669A (en) * | 1997-11-18 | 1999-10-12 | Bloomer; William | Performance enhanced golfing putter |
US5961392A (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 1999-10-05 | Hillock; Bart A. | Focused sweet spot for all golf clubs |
US6244972B1 (en) * | 1999-04-01 | 2001-06-12 | William Drossos | Putter head having elastomeric core |
US6905420B2 (en) * | 1999-09-03 | 2005-06-14 | Callaway Golf Company | Putter head |
US6821212B2 (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2004-11-23 | Truroll Golf, Inc. | Device to convert a golf club into a training system |
US20040147332A1 (en) * | 2003-01-23 | 2004-07-29 | Engdahl Duane Charles John | Balanced putter for practice and play |
US6780119B1 (en) * | 2003-04-23 | 2004-08-24 | George M. Gankas | Golf putter attachment |
US6837801B1 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2005-01-04 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Golf putter head with increased dimensions and increased moment of inertia |
US6988955B2 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2006-01-24 | Stoakes Norman L | Golf putter |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11135486B2 (en) * | 2019-03-01 | 2021-10-05 | Karsten Manufacturing Corporation | Multi-component golf club head |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7448955B2 (en) | 2008-11-11 |
US7309291B1 (en) | 2007-12-18 |
US20080064524A1 (en) | 2008-03-13 |
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