GB2443800A

GB2443800A - Elevated striking face for golf putter

Info

Publication number: GB2443800A
Application number: GB0622672A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Mcateer; Raymond Franchetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-14
Filing date: 2006-11-14
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: GB0622672D0

Abstract

A putter head comprises a base surface 20 and an elevated surface 30 providing a striking face. The putter includes a third surface 60 connecting the striking and base surfaces. The surface 60 may be at an oblique angle when the striking surface is vertical. Typically the striking face 30 is elevated from the ground by between 5 and 10mm. Therefore, the base surface 20 and the boundary 62 typically skim the ground during a stroke but the striking face 30 does not. This prevents debris from collecting on the striking face 30.

Description

1 2443800 Golf Club The present invention relates to golf clubs. In

particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to golf putter heads.

Known golf clubs, and putters in particular, have a planar striking face which extends from the bottom edge or surface of the club. Typically, the bottom edge or surface skims the ground during a stroke. However, this can cause debris, such as grass, dirt, or surface water, to adhere to the striking face. Not only does this debris cause inconvenience to the player since repeated cleaning is required but the debris can cause a poor contact with the ball thus affecting the player's performance.

Also, the bottom edge of the club can dig in to the ground which can damage the green. It also makes a shot from off the green, which is sometimes necessary, more difficult.

Furthermore, every club has a location, often referred to as the sweet spot, at which it is preferable to make contact with the ball during a stroke.

This is often at the centre of the striking face. However, the striking face of known clubs is relatively large which makes it more difficult to strike the : .. ball atthis location. I... * I ****

The problems described above are faced by all golfers, but are particularly 25 severe for players with less ability.

*****I * * According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a putter head comprising a base surface and an elevated surface, the elevated surface providing a striking face.

The term "elevated surface" is to be interpreted as a surface which is offset from the ground when the base surface is in contact with the ground.

Preferably the elevated surface is offset from the ground by between 1 and 12 mm, most preferably between 5 and 10 mm, when the base surface is in contact with the ground.

Preferably the putter head includes one or more surfaces interposing the elevated surface and the base surface.

Preferably at least one interposing surface is at an oblique angle when the frontal surface is at a vertical orientation. Preferably the at least one interposing surface tapers from the front towards the rear of the putter head.

Alternatively, two or more interposing surfaces may be provided which have an alternating horizontal and vertical orientation when the frontal surface is at a vertical orientation. The interposing surfaces would thus have a stepped profile.

Preferably at least one interposing surface has a bottom boundary which . is in contact with the ground when the base surface is in contact with the S..

ground.

* * 25 Preferably the interposing surface is connected to the base surface at the bottom boundary. Preferably the bottom boundary is filleted. The *:*. interposing surface and the base surface may be integral.

The term "bottom boundary" may refer to a defined edge or to the contact line of a fillet.

Preferably at least one interposing surface has a top boundary and the interposing surface is connected to the elevated surface at the top boundary. The interposing surface and the elevated surface may be integral.

Preferably the bottom boundary has a length which is less than the width of the elevated surface.

Preferably the putter head includes a first and second side surface. At least one interposing surface may tapers from the first side surface towards the second side surface.

Preferably the striking face is planar. Preferably the elevated surface is planar.

Preferably the putter head includes a rear surface which is spoiled to inhibit use of the rear surface as a striking face.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ****** putter head comprising: a first base surface; and * * 25 a second frontal surface providing a striking face, a third surface interposing the first base surface and the second * frontal surface, the second frontal surface extending upwards from a ****** boundary of the third surface, wherein the third surface is at an oblique angle when the second frontal surface is at a vertical orientation.

Preferably the third surface tapers from the front towards the rear of the putter head.

Preferably the third surface has a bottom boundary which is in contact with the ground when the first base surface is in contact with the ground.

Preferably the third surface has a vertical height of between 1 and 12 mm, most preferably between 5 and 10 mm, when the first base surface is in contact with the ground.

Preferably the third surface is connected to the first base surface at the bottom boundary. Preferably the bottom boundary is filleted. The interposing surface and the first base surface may be integral.

Preferably the third surface has a top boundary and the third surface is connected to the second frontal surface at the top boundary. The interposing surface and the elevated surface may be integral.

Preferably the bottom boundary has a length which is less than the width of the second frontal surface. * ** * * I **SI

Preferably the putter head includes a rear surface which is spoiled to I...

inhibit use of the rear surface as a striking face.

* S....

* * 25 According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a putter comprising a shaft and a putter head in accordance with the first or *:*. the second aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a putter head; Fig. 2 is a side view of a putter head; and Fig. 3 is a front view of a putter head.

Fig 1 shows a putter head 10 which comprises a first base surface 20, a second frontal surface 30, a rear surface 40 and side surfaces 50. It is to be appreciated that, in other embodiments, one or more of these surfaces may merge or be integral. The putter head includes a socket 12 for receiving a club shaft.

The putter head also includes a third surface 60 interposing and connecting the frontal surface 30 and the base surface 20. This interposing surface 60 is at an oblique angle when the frontal surface 30 is vertical orientation. The interposing surface 60 tapers from the front towards the rear of the putter head 10. The interposing surface 60 has a bottom boundary 62 which is in contact with the ground when the base surface 20 is in contact with the ground. This bottom boundary 62 may be filleted. S...

* S....

* 25 The frontal surface 30 is planar and provides the striking face. As it is S.....

* separated from the base surface 20 by the angled interposing surface 60, the frontal surface 30, and the striking face in particular, is elevated from *:*. the ground when the base surface 20 is in contact with the ground.

Typically, the striking face is elevated from the ground by between 5 and 10mm.

Therefore, the base surface 20 and the bottom boundary 62 typically skim the ground during a stroke but the striking face does not. This prevents debris from collecting on the striking face.

Indeed, the angled interposing surface 60 assists the club to smoothly skim the ground. The filleted bottom boundary 62 also assists in this. The player's performance may therefore be improved. Also, the bottom edge of the club is unable to dig in to the ground. A shot from off the green is also made easier.

Furthermore, a putting stroke strikes the centre of a ball and this centre is also offset from the ground. Using a club with an elevated striking face improves the chance of striking the ball at the sweet spot of the club. In addition, the striking face of the club is reduced which again makes it more likely to strike the ball at this location.

As shown in Figure 3, the bottom boundary 60 has a length which is less than the width of the frontal surface 30. The base surface 20 has a width equal to the length of the bottom boundary 60. Because of this, a smaller portion of the club head 10 is in contact with the ground as the club head . 10 skims the ground and this also assists the club to smoothly skim the .. ground.

:: 25 The rear surface 40, as with conventional clubs, is spoiled to inhibit use of the rear surface as a striking face.

Various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A putter head comprising a base surface and an elevated

surface, the elevated surface providing a striking face.
2. A putter head as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the elevated surface is offset from the ground by between 1 and 12 mm when the base surface is in contact with the ground.
3. A putter head as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the elevated surface is offset from the ground by between 5 and 10 mm when the base surface is in contact with the ground.
4. A putter head as claimed in any preceding claim, including one or more surfaces interposing the elevated surface and the base surface.
5. A putter head as claimed in Claim 4, wherein at least one interposing surface is at an oblique angle when the frontal surface is at a vertical orientation.
6. A putter head as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the at least one :.:::. interposing surface tapers from the front towards the rear of the putter * * II,'J.

**.*** * 25
7. A putter head as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one **....

* interposing surface has a bottom boundary which is in contact with the ground when the base surface is in contact with the ground. ** * * S * * **
8. A putter head as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the interposing surface is connected to the base surface at the bottom boundary.
9. A putter head as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the bottom boundary is fihleted.
10. A putter head as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 9, wherein at least one interposing surface has a top boundary and the interposing surface is connected to the elevated surface at the top boundary.
11. A putter head as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the bottom boundary has a length which is less than the width of the elevated surface.
12. A putter head comprising: a first base surface; and a second frontal surface providing a striking face, a third surface interposing the first base surface and the second frontal surface, the second frontal surface extending upwards from a boundary of the third surface, wherein the third surface is at an oblique angle when the second frontal surface is at a vertical orientation.
13. A putter head as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the third surface *...

tapers from the front towards the rear of the putter head.

* 25
14. A putter head as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein the third I....

* surface has a bottom boundary which is in contact with the ground when the first base surface is in contact with the ground. ** I * *I * SI
15. A putter head as claimed in any of Claims 1210 14, wherein the third surface has a vertical height of between 1 and 12 mm when the first base surface is in contact with the ground.
16. A putter head as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the third surface has a vertical height of between 5 and 10 mm when the first base surface is in contact with the ground.
17. A putter head as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the third surface is connected to the first base surface at the bottom boundary.
18. A putter head as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the bottom boundary is filleted.
19. A putter head as claimed in Claim 17 or 18, wherein the bottom boundary has a length which is less than the width of the second frontal surface.
20. A putter comprising a shaft and a putter head as claimed in any of Claims I to 19. * S. *5 * S... * . S...

S S.... * S

S

S..... * . * S *. . * 55 S.