WO2015160557A1

WO2015160557A1 - Golf putter with vibration dampening intermediate body

Info

Publication number: WO2015160557A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/024545
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling; James R. Varney
Original assignee: Product Insight, Inc.
Priority date: 2014-04-15
Filing date: 2015-04-06
Publication date: 2015-10-22

Abstract

A golf putter head includes a back body and a face body having a golf ball contact surface. The face body further has an entirety of the contact surface such that an outermost perimeter of the face body defines an outermost perimeter of the golf putter head. The back body and the face body have surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, with at least one of the surfaces being planar. The golf putter head further includes a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another. The intermediate body is affixed to the back and face bodies. The intermediate body extends to and forms portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner.

Description

GOLF PUTTER HEAD WITH VIBRATION DAMPENING INTERMEDIATE BODY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/979,605 entitled "GOLF PUTTER WITH VIBRATION

DAMPENING INTERMEDIATE BODY," filed on April 15, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to golf clubs, and more particularly to a golf putter head.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A golf putter is a club used in golf to move the golf ball very short distances, typically on a putting green. The act of putting requires the player to precisely strike the golf ball along the putting green into a golf hole. Designs of golf putters are directed to improving the smoothness of the stroke, the glide of the golf putter along the putting surface, the ability to achieve solid impact when striking the golf ball, and reducing bounce when striking the golf ball to encourage topspin during the roll of the golf ball. Most golf putters include an elongate shaft and a head with a striking surface having a one to five percent loft. The shaft includes a grip that does not have to be round, but can include a flat top and curved underside.

Some golf putters incorporate inserts to dampen the vibration of the surface striking the ball when putting. Examples of golf putters having inserts can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,820,481, 6,334,818, 6,336,869, 6,406,379, 6,431,997, 6,663,502, 6,951,518,

7,048,646, 7,175,540, 7,354,356, 7,473,186, 7,500,923, 7,806,779, to name a few.

Reference also can be made to U.S. Patent No. 8,523,698, entitled GOLF PUTTER, which is owned by the assignee of this disclosure and discloses embodiments of a golf putter having such an insert to dampen vibration. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a golf putter head comprising a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft and a face body including a golf ball contact surface. The face body further includes an entirety of the contact surface such that an outermost perimeter of the face body defines an outermost perimeter of the golf putter head. The back body and the face body have surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, with at least one of said surfaces being planar. The golf putter head further comprises a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another. The intermediate body is affixed to the back body and the face body. The intermediate body extends to and forms portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner.

Embodiments of the golf putter head further may include configuring the surfaces of the back body and face body defining the gap to be planar but non-parallel. The surfaces of the back body and face body defining the gap may be planar and parallel, but are non-parallel to the front striking face. The surface of the face body defining the gap may be planar and the surface of the back body defining the gap is at least partially non-planar. The partially non-planar surface of the back body may be curved, stepped, or undercut. The surface of the back body defining the gap may be planar and the surface of the face body defining the gap is at least partially non-planar. The partially non-planar surface of the face body may be curved, stepped, or undercut. The back body may be comprised of at least two parts. The intermediate body may be comprised of at least two parts. The parts of the intermediate body may be fabricated from polymeric materials, each with potentially different durometers. At least one rigid component may be included with the dampening material. The vibration dampening intermediate body may include a polymeric material. The polymeric material may include at least one of the following materials - thermoplastic elastomer, urethane, polyester, silicone, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, nylon, acrylic, and acetal. The intermediate body may be at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a golf putter head comprising a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft and a face body including a golf ball contact surface. The face body includes an entirety of the contact surface such that an outermost perimeter of the face body defines an outermost perimeter of the golf putter head. The back body and the face body have surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, with at least one of said surfaces being planar. The golf putter head further comprises a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another. The intermediate body is affixed to the back body and the face body. The intermediate body extends to and forms portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner. The surface of the face body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the back body defining the gap is at least partially non- planar.

Embodiments of the golf putter head further may include configuring the partially non-planar surface of the back body to be curved, stepped, or undercut. The intermediate body may be at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a golf putter head comprising a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft and a face body including a golf ball contact surface. The face body includes an entirety of the contact surface such that an outermost perimeter of the face body defines an outermost perimeter of the golf putter head. The back body and the face body have surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, with at least one of said surfaces being planar. The golf putter head further comprises a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another. The intermediate body is affixed to the back body and the face body. The intermediate body extends to and forms portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner. The surface of the back body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the face body defining the gap is at least partially non- planar.

Embodiments of the golf putter head further may include configuring the partially non-planar surface of the face body to be curved, stepped, or undercut. The intermediate body may be at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the figures which are incorporated herein by reference and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional top view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a putter head of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. This disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiment described and shown in this disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The putter head described herein has a face body including the entire golf ball contact surface, a back body that is attached to a shaft, the face and back bodies having surfaces that define a gap between them, at least one of said surfaces being planar, and an intermediate dampening body that fills the gap to completely separate the face and back bodies.

Allowing for at least one of the surfaces that define the gap between the face and back bodies to be planar is an advantage over prior golf putter head designs in that it can simplify construction and provide for different manufacturing methods and materials that may be more cost-effective while still providing the benefits of dampening the entire striking surface. For example, a planar surface may be more easily and effectively coated with an adhesive than a non-planar surface. The coating of the planar surface allows for the intermediate dampening body to be fabricated independent from the face and back bodies, and subsequently assembled together when and where it is advantageous to do so. Alternately, the intermediate dampening body may be fabricated with or assembled to the face or back body forming a sub-assembly, which can then be adhered or non-permanently affixed to the remaining body via their planar faces. If both gap-defining surfaces are planar and parallel, it is conceivable that a sheet stock of dampening material could be used to fabricate the intermediate body, further simplifying construction and reducing cost of assembly.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a golf club, and more particularly a golf putter head. The golf putter head is designed to be secured to a shaft, which is elongate in construction, typically 32- to 35-inches in length, but may also be longer. In the shown embodiments, the golf putter head includes an opening for receiving the shaft therein in a secure manner. For example, belly putters and long putters may be up to 48- inches in length. In one embodiment, the shaft is a tapered tube made of metal (usually steel) or carbon fiber composite (referred to as graphite). The shaft is roughly 0.5 to 1.0 inches in diameter near the grip. The shaft of the golf putter can weigh from 1.6 to 5.3 ounces, depending on the material and length of the shaft. The shaft includes a grip provided at an upper end of the shaft. The grip enables the golfer to easily grip and manipulate the golf putter when putting. The grip of the golf putter can have a circular cross-section, but may also include any cross section that is symmetrical along the length of the grip through at least one plane.

The golf putter head is attached to a lower end of the shaft and configured to strike a golf ball (not shown). The golf putter head further may include a hosel that is designed to connect the head to the shaft. In some embodiments, the hosel may be provided separately from the head or be integrally formed with the head. The hosel may be optimized to place as little mass as possible over the top of the golf putter head to lower the center of gravity of the golf putter head. In certain embodiments described herein, the golf putter head includes a back body and a face body. In some embodiments, the back body and the face body may be die cast, machined, forged or otherwise manufactured from the same or different materials. Such materials may include any suitable metal or alloy. Suitable non-metallic materials may include wood, ceramic, glass, stone, and the like.

The golf putter head of embodiments of the present disclosure further includes a vibration dampening intermediate body, which is provided to fill a gap between a surface forming an opening of the metal back body and an outer surface of the metal face body to isolate the metal back body from the metal face body. In one embodiment, the vibration dampening intermediate body includes a polymeric material. Particularly, the polymeric material may include at least one material selected from the group of following materials: urethane, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) polyester, silicone, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadien-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, acrylic, acetal, and the like. The result is that the metal face body is joined to the metal back body. The vibration dampening intermediate body acts as a vibration dampening device in addition to mechanically joining the two metal face and back bodies together. The golf putter head is assembled by placing the metal back body and the metal face body in a mold (not shown) designed to ensure the gap is provided between the respective bodies, into which a liquid polymer (or other suitable material) is poured or otherwise injected to substantially fill the gap. Once the polymer is set, the golf putter head is removed from the mold where it can be attached to the shaft.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 10, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 12 (left), a back body 14 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 16. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 16 is wedge-shaped in construction, tapering from a wider base to a narrower top. Surfaces of the face body 12 and the back body 14 defining the gap are planar but non-parallel.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 20, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 22 (left), a back body 24 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 26. As shown, the intermediate damping member 26 is wedge-shaped in construction, tapering from a wider top to a narrower base. Surfaces of the face body 22 and the back body 24 defining the gap are planar but non-parallel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 30, showing a face body 32 (left), a back body 34 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 36. The back body 34 has an opening 38 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 36 is wedge-shaped in construction, tapering from a wider base end to a narrower distal end. Surfaces of the face body 32 and the back body 34 defining the gap are planar but non-parallel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 40, showing a face body 42 (left), a back body (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 46. The back body 44 has an opening 48 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 46 is wedge-shaped in construction, tapering from a wider distal end to a narrower base. Surfaces of the face body 42 and the back body 44 defining the gap are planar but non- parallel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 50, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 52 (left), a back body 54 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 56. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 56 is angled between the face body 52 and the back body 54 so that an upper end of the intermediate damping member is positioned more closely to a striking face of the face body 52. Surfaces of the face body 52 and the back body 54 defining the gap are planar and parallel, but are non-parallel to the striking face of the face body.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 60, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 62 (left), a back body 64 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 66. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 66 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 62 of the putter head 60. The intermediate dampening member 66 is uniquely shaped to include a wider portion in the middle thereof, with a surface of the intermediate dampening member being parallel to the striking face of the face body 62. A surface of the face body 62 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the back body 64 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 70, from a side of the putter head, showing the face body 72 (left), a back body 74 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 76. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 76 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 72 of the putter head 70. The intermediate dampening member 76 includes a wider portion proximate a base of the putter head, with a surface of the intermediate dampening member being parallel to the striking face of the face body 72. A surface of the face body 72 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the back body 74 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 80, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 82 (left), a back body 84 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 86. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 86 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 82 of the putter head 80, and includes a portion that extends perpendicularly to the striking face of the face body within the back body 84. The intermediate damping member 86 is generally T-shaped in construction, with a surface of the intermediate dampening member being parallel to the striking face of the face body 82. A surface of the face body 82 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the back body 84 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 90, showing a face body 92 (left), a back body 94 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 96. The back body 94 has an opening 98 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 96 is stepped in construction to be wider at its middle portion and narrower at its end portions toward the ends of the putter head, with the middle portion extending toward the back body 94. A surface of the face body 92 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the back body 94 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 100, showing a face body 102 (left), a back body 104 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by the intermediate dampening member 106. The back body 104 has an opening 108 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 106 is stepped in construction, becoming progressively narrower from a base of the putter head 100 toward a distal end of the putter head. A surface of the face body 102 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the back body 104 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 110, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 112 (left), a 114 back body (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 116. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 116 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 112 of the putter head 110, and includes a middle portion that extends perpendicularly toward the striking face of the face body. A surface of the back body 114 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the face body 112 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 120, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 122 (left), a back body 124 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 126. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 126 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 122 of the putter head 120, and is stepped in construction, having a wider portion at a base of the putter head and a narrower portion at a top of the putter head. A surface of the back body 124 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the face body 122 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 130, showing a face body 132 (left), a back body 134 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 136. The back body 134 has an opening 138 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 136 is stepped in construction to be wider at its middle portion and narrower at its end portions toward the ends of the putter head, with the middle portion extending toward the face body 132. A surface of the back body 134 defining the gap is planar and a surface of the face body 132 defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 140, showing a face body 142 (left), a multiple part back body 144 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 146. The multiple part back body 144 is formed from three parts 144A, 144B, 144C, with part 144C having an opening 148 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the intermediate damping member 146 is generally rectangular in construction, being parallel to a striking face of the face body 142.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 150, showing a face body 152 (left), a two-part back body 154 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 156. The back body 154 is formed from two parts 154A, 154B, with part 154A having an opening 158 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter and part 154B being positioned within part 154 A. As shown, the intermediate damping member 156 is generally rectangular in construction, being parallel to a striking face of the face body 152.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 160, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 162 (left), a two-part back body 164 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by an intermediate dampening member 166. The back body 164 is formed from two parts 164A, 164B, with part 164 A being positioned over part 164B. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 166 extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 162 of the putter head 160.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top plan view of a putter head, generally indicated at 170, showing a face body 172 (left), a back body 174 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by a multiple part intermediate dampening member 176. The back body 174 has an opening 178 formed therein for receiving a shaft of the putter. As shown, the multiple part intermediate damping member 176 is formed from three parts 176 A, 176B, 176C, and is generally rectangular in construction, being parallel to a striking face of the face body 142. The result is that the parts 176A, 176B, 176C of the intermediate dampening member 176 can be fabricated from polymeric materials, each with potentially different durometers.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a putter head, generally indicated at 180, from a side of the putter head, showing a face body 182 (left), a back body 184 (right), and a gap between the face body and the back body that is filled by a multiple part intermediate dampening member 186. As shown, the intermediate dampening member 186 is formed from parts 186A, 186B, 186C, and extends in a direction that is generally parallel to a striking face of the face body 182 of the putter head 180. Fasteners, each indicated at 188, are provided to secure parts 186A, 186B, 186C to the face body 182 and to the back body 184. The result is that at least one rigid component can be included with the dampening material.

It should be noted that embodiments of the putter heads shown from the side views include openings for receiving and securing shafts therein, similar to the openings of the embodiments of the putter heads shown from the top views.

The construction methods described herein allow for the dampening effect to be variable across the face of the putter. This can be used for various advantageous effects, including:

I. Compensating for off-center hits by dampening the "sweet spot" more than the rest of the face. Examples can be found with the putter heads 60, 80, 90, 110 and 130, which are illustrated in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, 11 and 13, respectively.

II. Dampening a toe section of the putter head less than the rest of the face of the putter head to compensate for a "push" mishit. Examples can be found with the putter heads 30, 40 and 10, which are illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 10, respectively.

III. Dampening across a bottom- or sole-side of a face of the putter head more than a top or crown of the putter head to promote forward roll of a ball on impact by increasing dwell time. Examples can be found with the putter heads 10, 70 and 120, which are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7 and 12, respectively.

IV. Reducing dampening across a bottom- or sole-side of a face of the putter head to compensate for loss of power when hit "thin." Examples can be found with the putter heads 20 and 50, which are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, respectively.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 10 illustrate a putter head where either the face body or the back body is thicker toward the toe than the heel. Since the same volume of polymer weighs less than that of metal (especially steel, which is commonly used in putter construction), this configuration effectively shifts the putter head' s center of mass toward the toe. This is beneficial for creating a putter that fits an arcing stroke.

Due to physiological preference, habit, or training, golfers will use either an arcing stroke or a straight-back-straight- through (SB ST) stroke when swinging a putter. In the industry, putters are designed in general to fit one or the other of these swing preferences, with one of the main differences being the position of the center of mass of the putter head relative to the shaft. During the backswing of an arcing stroke, the putter head is said to "open up," e.g., rotate on an axis formed by the shaft so that the face points to the right of the target line. Then on the forward swing, the face "closes" so that it returns to aim directly at the target line on impact with the ball. This opening and closing of the face during the stroke is a byproduct of the putter following an arcuate path when viewed from above. Golfers using this technique benefit from a putter whose center of mass is positioned between the shaft and the toe of the putter head.

A common mishit for golfers using the arcing putting stroke is to fail to close the face completely at impact, resulting in a "push". This will cause the ball to roll to the right of the intended line and for a shorter distance than intended. The reduced dampening effect created by utilizing a thinner intermediate body toward the toe, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 10, serves to partially correct for a push mishit by adding additional roll distance than would otherwise be expected, getting the ball closer to the hole albeit off line.

Variable dampening as described above can be achieved by varying the thickness of the face body, the intermediate body, the back body, or any combination of these body parts of the golf putter head. Non-planar surfaces that define the gap between the face body and the back body may be stepped, faceted, curved, pocketed, undercut, perforated, or otherwise shaped.

The face body, the back body, and the intermediate body may be combinations of multiple parts or materials. It may be advantageous for the back body to have added weights, for instance, or to be made of multiple segments that are attached together for weight, MOI, alignment, assembly, or other advantageous effect. Examples can be found with the putter heads 140, 150 and 160, which are illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, respectively.

The intermediate body may include at least two dampening materials, potentially with different color or durometer, allowing for additional dampening variability across the face of the golf putter head. An example can be found with the putter head 170, which is shown in FIG. 17. In another embodiment, the intermediate body may include at least one rigid component for mechanical assembly or alignment of the intermediate body with the face body and the back body. An example can be found with the putter head 180, which is shown in FIG. 18. This rigid component may include bosses or recesses for interfacing with the face body or the back body with pins, dowels, threaded fasteners, adhesive, or other means.

One method of fabricating a head of a golf putter includes placing the metal back body and the metal face body in a mold with the a gap being provided between the metal back body and the metal face body, and depositing a polymeric material in the mold to create the vibration dampening intermediate body positioned between the metal back body and the metal face body. After curing, the head is removed from the mold.

Another method of fabricating a head of a golf putter, which is specifically enabled by the embodiments of the present disclosure, is that only one of either the face body or back body can be individually molded with the intermediate body as described in the paragraph above to create a subassembly. This subassembly (consisting of the face body and intermediate body or the back body and intermediate body) can be adhered or non- permanently affixed to the remaining body to form a complete putter head.

A benefit of the golf putter head of the present disclosure is the ability to customize the putter to a golfer's individual specifications by manually assembling a face body, back body, and intermediate body. The intermediate body (or bodies) can be fabricated separately from the face and back bodies, then all components can be assembled in a permanent (with adhesive) or non-permanent (for instance with screws as shown in FIG. 18) manner. This would allow golfers to choose whichever combination of materials, finishes, colors, etc. of the face body, back body, and intermediate body suited them instead of selecting from a limited number of mass produced options. The embodiment shown in FIG. 17 can provide a level of customization for performance as well; for example, a golfer who tends to mishit his putter toward the heel could select a higher durometer polymer section of the intermediate body at the heel and a lower durometer in the center and toe sections.

Thus, it should be observed that the contact surface of the golf putter of embodiments of the disclosure can be isolated from the remaining components of the golf putter, including the back body and the shaft, to achieve softer contact and less bounce off the contact surface during a putting stroke. The entire contact surface is dampened, not just a face insert as with prior putter designs, thus achieving consistent dampening across the entire contact surface. Since the dampening occurs between the back body and the face body, the contact surface is maintained for improved feel, applications of grooves, and better durability than prior polymer inserts. Since the vibration dampening intermediate body is introduced into the mold as a liquid and then set as a solid, any desired shaped gap may be filled between the back body and the face body. This construction enables the bodies and the dampening intermediate body to take on any shape and thickness, which may be desired when designing golf putters.

Having thus described at least one embodiment of the present invention, various alternations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. The invention's limit is defined only in the following claims and equivalents thereto.

For example, although most golf putters have a 32-inch to a 35-inch shaft (slightly shorter for most ladies and juniors, longer for most men), golf putters are also made with longer shaft lengths and grips, and are designed to reduce the number of moving parts during the putting motion. One example is a belly putter, which is typically about six to eight inches longer than a normal putter and is designed to be anchored against the stomach of the player. This design reduces or removes the importance of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders and thus reduces the number of moving parts while putting. Another example is a long putter, which is even longer than a belly putter and is designed to be anchored from the chest or even the chin and similarly reduces the impact of the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. The principles disclosed herein with reference to golf putters may be applied to belly putters and long putters.

As putting is one of the most important aspects of a player's golf game, a variety of teaching tools are available to assist the player in learning correct putting technique. The principles disclosed herein also may be applied to teaching tools, such as training clubs designed to teach the golfer to use a steady, even putting motion without any sudden pressure applied by the hands or arms to swing the club or to hit a straight shot.

In addition, the shape of the cavity created by the back and the face bodies may be designed to have any suitable shape to enable the vibration dampening intermediate body to assume any suitable shape.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A golf putter head comprising:

a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft;

a face body including a golf ball contact surface, the face body including an entirety of the contact surface such that an outermost perimeter of the face body defines an outermost perimeter of the golf putter head,

the back body and the face body having surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being planar; and

a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another, the intermediate body being affixed to the back body and the face body, the intermediate body extending to and forming portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner.

2. The golf putter head of claim 1 , wherein the surfaces of the back body and face body defining the gap are planar but non-parallel.

3. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the back body and face body defining the gap are planar and parallel, but are non-parallel to the front striking

4. The golf putter head of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the face body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the back body defining the gap is at least partially non- planar.

5. The golf putter head of claim 4, wherein the partially non-planar surface of the back body is curved, stepped, or undercut.

6. The golf putter head of claim 1 , wherein the surface of the back body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the face body defining the gap is at least partially non- planar.

7. The golf putter head of claim 6, wherein the partially non-planar surface of the face body is curved, stepped, or undercut.

8. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein the back body is comprised of at least two parts.

9. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein the intermediate body is comprised of at least two parts.

10. The golf putter head of claim 9, wherein the parts of the intermediate body are fabricated from polymeric materials, each with potentially different durometers.

11. The golf putter head of claim 9, wherein at least one rigid component is included with the dampening material.

12. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein the vibration dampening intermediate body includes a polymeric material.

13. The golf putter head of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material includes at least one of the following materials - thermoplastic elastomer, urethane, polyester, silicone, rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS, PVC, nylon, acrylic, and acetal.

14. The golf putter head of claim 1, wherein the intermediate body is at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.

15. A golf putter head comprising:

a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft;

the back body and the face body having surfaces without contact across a gap defined by the surfaces, at least one of said surfaces being planar; and a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another, the intermediate body being affixed to the back body and the face body, the intermediate body extending to and forming portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner,

wherein the surface of the face body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the back body defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

16. The golf putter head of claim 15, wherein the partially non-planar surface of the back body is curved, stepped, or undercut.

17. The golf putter head of claim 15, wherein the intermediate body is at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.

18. A golf putter head comprising:

a back body configured to be secured to a golf club shaft;

a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the face body from the back body by completely separating the back body and the face body from one another, the intermediate body being affixed to the back body and the face body, the intermediate body extending to and forming portions of multiple outer surfaces of the putter head excluding the contact surface in a continuous manner,

wherein the surface of the back body defining the gap is planar and the surface of the face body defining the gap is at least partially non-planar.

19. The golf putter head of claim 18, wherein the partially non-planar surface of the face body is curved, stepped, or undercut.

20. The golf putter head of claim 18, wherein the intermediate body is at least temporarily affixed to one of the back body and the face body prior to being affixed to the other of the back body and the face body.