HOSEL WITH INTEGRATED ALIGNMENT FEATURE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE PRIORITIES

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/733,272, filed Dec. 12, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/758,522, filed Feb. 14, 2025, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to golf clubs and, more particularly, relates to hosel designs for center-shafted putters.

BACKGROUND

Conventional putter hosels are available in various designs, each intended to achieve specific feel, balance, and aesthetic qualities. The hosel interfaces between the shaft and the putter head and can be adjusted to modify the position of the shaft axis relative to the face center and/or putter head center of gravity. One common type of conventional hosel design is a center-shafted hosel. Center-shafted hosels are configured to align the shaft and hosel axis with the center of the putter face while having zero offset, resulting in a face-balanced putter. Center-shafted putters promote a straight-back and through putting stroke that permits the putter head to remain square to target on the putting takeaway and follow-through. Center-shafted putters are especially suitable for players with minimal rotation of the strike face in their putting stroke.

Generally, center-shafted hosels are inserted into the top line of the putter, often near or adjacent to the sight lines. However, the inherent curvature of the hosel profile interferes with the linearity of the sight lines, creating a visual inconsistency that can detract from alignment precision.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a center-shafted putter head according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the putter head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hosel of the putter head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a top view of a shroud of the putter head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a shroud of a putter head according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a putter head according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hosel of the putter head of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a shroud of the hosel of FIG. 7.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

Definitions

Described herein is a center-shafted putter head that has improved hosel geometries for better alignment. The center-shafted putter head of the present invention comprises a hosel having at least linear edge interfacing with the top line of the putter head that can be used to align and aim a putt. In some embodiments, the hosel may further comprise a sight line integrated with the hosel to further improve alignment.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise.

The term “geometric centerpoint,” or “geometric center” of the strike face, as used herein, can refer to a geometric centerpoint of the strike face perimeter, and at a midpoint of the face height of the strike face. In the same or other examples, the geometric centerpoint also can be centered with respect to an engineered impact zone, which can be defined by a region of grooves on the strike face. As another approach, the geometric centerpoint of the strike face can be located in accordance with the definition of a golf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The term “ground plane,” as used herein, can refer to a reference plane associated with the surface on which a golf ball is placed. The ground plane can be a horizontal plane tangent to the sole at an address position.

The term “loft plane,” as used herein, can refer to a reference plane that is tangent to the geometric centerpoint of the strike face.

The term “loft angle,” as used herein, can refer to an angle measured between the loft plane and an XY plane that is perpendicular to the ground plane and extends in a heel-toe direction.

The term “putter,” can, in some embodiments, refer to a putter-type club head having a loft angle less than 10 degrees. In many embodiments, the loft angle of the putter can be between 0 and 5 degrees, between 0 and 6 degrees, between 0 and 7 degrees, or between 0 and 8 degrees. For example, the loft angle of the club head can be less than 10 degrees, less than 9 degrees, less than 8 degrees, less than 7 degrees, less than 6 degrees, or less than 5 degrees. For further example, the loft angle of the club head can be 0 degrees, 1 degree, 2 degrees, 3 degrees, 4 degrees, 5 degrees, 6 degrees, 7 degrees, 8 degrees, 9 degrees, or 10 degrees. The putter-type golf club head can be a blade type putter, a mid-mallet type putter, or a mallet type putter.

The term “intended target line” as used herein, refers to a location in front of a player that the player attempts to hit to. A line through this location and the center of the golf ball creates a straight line that is the intended target line.

The term “square to target” as used herein, refers to the face angle being perpendicular to the intended target line. If this occurs, the player will start the golf ball on their intended target line, which will lead to making more putts.

The term “center of gravity” or “CG,” as used herein, can refer to the point at which the mass is centered within the body of putter head.

The term “front-to-rear CG axis,” as used herein, can refer to an axis extending through the front end and rear end of the body of a putter, while intersecting the geometric centerpoint of the strike face and the center of gravity. The front-to-rear CG axis is substantially centered between the heel end and toe end of the body.

The term “sight line,” as used herein, can refer to any linear feature on the body of a putter that allows a player to position the putter head square to target and hit a golf ball on the intended target line. A sight line may be collinear and/or parallel with the intended target line and/or front-to rear CG axis.

The term “arched rectangular” or “arched rectangle,” as used herein, can refer to a shape with four total sides, of which three are linear and one is arched. The first two of the linear sides are parallel and opposite one another, and the third linear side is perpendicular to the first two linear sides and opposite the arched side. An arched rectangular shape resembles a tombstone or arched doorway.

DESCRIPTION

Center-shafted putters having hosels with at least one linear edge that can be used as a sight line, or in conjunction with a sight line, to further improve alignment and aesthetics of a center-shafted putter head, are described herein. A center-shafted putter generally comprises a putter head, comprising a hosel and a body, and a shaft connected to the hosel. As shown in FIG. 1-2, the putter head 200 of a center-shafted putter comprises a hosel 205 and a body 201 having a heel end 204, toe end 206, a front end 208 extending between the heel end 204 and toe end 206 and a rear end 211 opposite the front end 208. The front end 208 forms a strike face 202 configured to contact a golf ball. The strike face 202 comprises a geometric center 209. The body 201 further comprises a center of gravity 213. Furthermore, the putter head 200 has a top line 210, provided with a hosel bore to receive a hosel 205, and a sole 203. A hosel axis 207 of the putter head 200 extends longitudinally through the hosel 205 and intersects the geometric center 209 or a front-to-rear CG axis 215 of the body. In many embodiments, the hosel axis 207 is coaxial with a hosel bore axis extending longitudinally through the hosel bore, such that the hosel bore is oblique relative to the top line 210. Furthermore, a shaft connected to the hosel 205 comprises a shaft axis coaxial with the hosel axis 207 and hosel bore axis. Center-shafted putters include a shaft axis, hosel bore axis, and hosel axis 207 all in alignment and intersecting a front-to-rear CG axis 215.

The hosel 205 of the center-shafted putter head 200 comprises a body connector 228, a shaft connector 226, and a shroud 227 therebetween, as best shown in FIG. 3. The body connector 228 extends between a hosel bottom end 225 and a body abutment ledge 232, defined at the bottom of the shroud 227. The shaft connector 226 extends between a hosel top end 223 and circular shaft abutment ledge 230, defined at the top of the shroud 227. When the hosel 205 is connected to the shaft, the circular shaft abutment ledge 230 restricts downward movement of the shaft of the center-shafted putter. Meanwhile, the shaft connector 226 is received within the shaft of the center-shafted putter to further couple the hosel 205 and the shaft. An adhesive material, such as epoxy, may be applied around the shaft connector 226 to enhance this connection. In some embodiments, one or more depressions 229 are formed within the shaft connector 226. The adhesive material may be applied within the one or more depressions 229 to enhance the connection between the hosel 205 and the shaft. Similarly, body connector 228 couples the hosel 205 to the putter head 200, as described in detail below.

The shroud 227 is visible to players when the hosel 205 is coupled to the shaft and the putter head 200. Meanwhile, the shaft connector 226 and body connector 228 are concealed from view within the assembled center-shafted putter. The shroud 227 comprises a linear toe edge 221 aligned with a front-to-rear CG axis 215 and adjacent to the top line 210 of the putter head 200, as best shown in FIGS. 2-3. The linear toe edge 221 can be located in the middle of the top line 210, substantially equidistant from the heel end 204 and the toe end 206. The linear toe edge 221 is further aligned with a body sight line 220, rearward of the top line 210 and disposed on the body 201 of the putter head 200. The linear toe edge 221 extends the body sight line 220 to the strike face 202 and facilitates the alignment of the putter head 200 with the intended target line 216. Particularly, players can aim the putter head 200 by lining up a line on the center of a golf ball with their intended target line 216, and then aligning the linear toe edge 221 with the line of the golf ball. The linear toe edge 221 increases the likelihood of the geometric center 209 of the strike face 202 contacting the golf ball during a putting stroke. Consequently, putter head 200 can be struck consistently while also enabling precise, repeatable alignment. In contrast, prior art center-shafted putters comprise hosel locations that visually interfere with the alignment of the body sight line and intended target line. Commonly, prior art center-shafted putters include hosels comprising a circular or arced toe edge that obscures and does not extend the body sight line to the strike face and intended target line. Many players find aiming these prior art center-shafted putters to be unsatisfying and/or difficult. The hosel 205 of the putter head 200 reduces aiming inconsistencies of center-shafted putters. Furthermore, the benefits of the putter head 200 can be especially pronounced on short range or mid-range putts (which range from 0 to 15 feet in length), because precise alignment has greater importance closer to the hole.

The shroud 227 further comprises a shroud toe surface 222 formed between the circular shaft abutment ledge 230 and the linear toe edge 221. The shroud toe surface 222 smoothly transitions between the roundness of the circular shaft abutment ledge 230 and the linearity of the linear toe edge 221. Accordingly, the shroud toe surface 222 does not aesthetically interfere with the roundness of a golf shaft or straightness of the body sight line 220 provided on the putter head 200.

In many embodiments, the shroud 227 extends at an oblique angle relative to the top line 210 of the putter head 200. The shroud 227 may be more oblique in relation to the top line 210 to increase visibility of the linear toe edge 221 and shroud toe 222, while obscuring other components of the shroud 227 when the putter head 200 is viewed from above. Therefore, the shroud 227 can limit the visibility of a shroud heel surface 224 and accentuate visual focus on the linear toe edge 221 as an alignment feature of the putter head 200. The appearance of putter head 200 inspires confidence in players, because of the central, visible locations of the alignment features on the body 201. Specifically, the putter head 200 appears easy to align, which can make players feel like the putter will perform better than other putters.

The body abutment ledge 232 is defined by the linear toe edge 221 and one or more heel edges formed at the bottom of the shroud 227 by a shroud heel surface 224, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The shroud heel surface 224 can blend the roundness of the circular shaft abutment ledge 230 into any suitable shape for the body abutment ledge 232. In some embodiments, the body abutment ledge 232 can be rectangular, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the body abutment ledge 332 can have an arched rectangular shape formed by shroud 327, as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the body abutment ledge may be square, triangular, hexagonal, semi-circular, semi-ovular, or any other desired shape having at least one straight side. The body abutment ledge 232 contacts the top line 210 of the putter head 200 and acts as a mechanical stop that limits movement of the hosel 205. In embodiments where a hosel bore receives the hosel 205, the body abutment ledge 232 comprises a different shape and has a larger area than the hosel bore.

The body connector 228 is provided below the body abutment ledge 232 and extends to a hosel bottom end 225. In many embodiments, the body connector 228 comprises a geometry complementary to the shape and volume of a hosel bore depressed into the top line 210. In some embodiments, the body connector 228 includes guiding features that consistently align the hosel 205 within the hosel bore, ensuring that the linear toe edge 221 is centered along the top line 210 and aligns with the front-to-rear CG axis 215. An adhesive material, such as epoxy, can be applied within the hosel bore and/or around the body connector 228 to further secure the hosel 205 to the putter head 200. In alternative embodiments, the body connector 228 and hosel bore may be complementarily threaded so that the hosel 205 can be screwed into the putter head 200.

In another embodiment, the hosel 405 can comprise a hosel sight line 419 to further improve alignment of the putter head 400, as best shown in FIGS. 6-8. Like putter head 200, putter head 400 comprises a body 401 with a heel end 404, toe end 406, a front end extending between the heel end 404 and toe end 406, and a rear end 411 opposite the front end. The body 401 has a center of gravity 413. The front end defines a strike face 402, with a geometric centerpoint aligned with a front-to-rear CG axis 415 of the body 401.

The hosel 405 comprises a body connector 428, a shaft connector 426, and a shroud 427 therebetween, as best shown in FIG. 7. The body connector 428 extends between a hosel bottom end 425 and a body abutment ledge 432, defined at the bottom of the shroud 427. The shaft connector 426 extends between a hosel top end 423 and circular shaft abutment ledge 430, defined at the top of the shroud 427.

The shroud 427 comprises a shroud toe surface 422 formed between the circular shaft abutment ledge 430 and a linear toe edge 421. Shroud 427 further comprises an edge projection 417 protruding from the bottom of the shroud toe surface 422 and terminating at the linear toe edge 421, as best shown in FIG. 8. The edge projection 417 comprises a groove, ridge, or marking forming the hosel sight line 419. The hosel sight line 419 is perpendicular and aligned with the front-to-rear CG axis 415. The hosel sight line 419 is flush with the top line 410 when it formed by a marking. In embodiments where the hosel sightline 419 is formed by a groove, the linear toe edge 421 may be slightly indented relative to the top line 410. Alternatively, the toe edge 421 may be slightly raised relative to the top line 410 when the hosel sight line 419 is formed by a ridge. The hosel sight line 419 can be painted with a high contrast color to improve visibility. The putter head 400 need not include a body sight line 220, as shown in FIGS. 2, because of the presence of the hosel sight line 419. Consequently, putter head 400 is minimalistic, fitting the aesthetic preferences of some players without fully eliminating alignment features or sight lines. The hosel sight line 419 facilitates the alignment of the putter head 400 with an intended target line 416. In effect, players may also keep the putter head 400 more square to target throughout their putting stroke. In some embodiments, the hosel sight line 419 can also extend and align with a body sightline rearward of the top line 410, thereby providing a longer sight line as preferred by other players.

The hosel comprises a hosel length, defined between the hosel top end and hosel bottom end. The hosel length can be between 1.0 and 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel length is between 1.0 and 1.5 inches, 1.5 and 2.0 inches, 2.0 and 2.5 inches, 2.5 and 3.0 inches, or 3.0 and 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the hosel length is no more than 1.5 inches, no more than 2.0 inches, no more than 2.5 inches, no more than 3.0 inches, or no more than 3.5 inches. In other embodiments, the hosel length is at least 0.5 inches, at least 1.0 inches, at least 1.5 inches, at least 2.0 inches, at least 2.5 inches, or at least 3.0 inches.

The shroud of the hosel can define a shroud length defined between the shaft abutment ledge and body abutment ledge. The shroud length can be between 0.5 and 2.5 inches. A shroud length of 0.5 inches is the minimum length for the shroud to be sufficiently visible from above the putter head in an address position. The shroud length should also be 2.5 inches or less to reduce the total mass of the hosel. In some embodiments, the shroud length is between 0.5 and 1.0 inches, 1.0 and 1.5 inches, 1.5 and 2.0 inches, or 2.0 and 2.5 inches. In some embodiments, the shroud length is no more than 1.0 inches, no more than 1.0 inches, no more than 1.5 inches, no more than 2.0 inches, or no more than 2.5 inches. In other embodiments, the shroud length is at least 1.0 inches, at least 1.5 inches, or at least 2.0 inches.

Although figures and examples illustrate a center-shafted putter, the improved hosel geometries described herein may be applied to other hosel configurations or club head types. For example, the improved hosel design can be utilized with toe-balanced putters or putters featuring various offsets. Additionally, the hosel may be adapted for use in wedges, irons, hybrids, fairway woods, or drivers, as desired. The improved hosel design may also be used in putters with onset wherein the shaft inserts to the body of the putter head, behind the strike face, or behind the top line.

Method

The golf club head described herein can be made by additive manufacturing, casting, forging, fast forging, milling, metal injection molding, co-molding, injection molding, or any other manufacturing method for metal, plastics, or composites.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

EXAMPLES

Twenty players assessed the alignment features of a control center-shafted putter and an exemplary center-shafted putter and determined which putter they would align more confidently during a subsequent putting course. The control center-shafted putter comprised a conventional circular hosel. The exemplary center-shafted putter included a hosel comprising a linear toe edge aligned with a sight line of the putter. Players indicated their relative confidence of aligning the exemplary putter versus the control putter on a qualitative scale (much less confident, moderately less confident, slightly less confident, no difference, slightly more confident, moderately more confident, or much more confident). Players who indicated any higher level of confidence believed they would align the exemplary putter more consistently and precisely than the control putter. Furthermore, players with more confidence in their equipment gain a psychological edge and often perform better than their competition. The player responses are summarized in Table 1 below.

Ten players indicated that the exemplary putter inspired more confidence than the control putter. Of those players, nine indicated that the exemplary putter inspired slightly more confidence than the control putter, and one indicated that the exemplary putter inspired moderately more confidence than the control putter. Meanwhile, eight players felt no difference in confidence level between the control and exemplary putters, and only two players noted any decrease in confidence. Accordingly, a greater amount of players determined that the exemplary putter would be easier to align than the control putter. In particular, the hosel of exemplary putter (comprising a toe edge aligned with a body sight line) inspired more overall confidence in the players than the conventional circular hosel of the control putter.

After the assessment of confidence, the mid-range putting performance of the exemplary center-shafted putter was tested against the control center-shafted putter. Generally, mid-range putts can range from around 7 to 15 feet, and skilled players usually average around 1.5 to 1.8 putts to hole out from mid-range. Players rapidly lower their overall golf scores after developing their mid-range putting. Furthermore, proper and repeatable putter alignment is crucial on mid-range putts. Twenty-one players completed a three-hole, mid-range putting course once with the control putter and again with the exemplary putter, or vice versa. The putting holes were around eight feet in length with varying side slopes. The first hole was substantially straight, with minimal side slope interfering in the natural roll of the putt. The second hole was sloped from right to left. The third hole was sloped from left to right. When using the exemplary putter, players aligned the toe edge of the hosel and body sight line with the center of the golf ball and their intended start line. Meanwhile, players aimed the control putter solely by aligning a sight line rearward of the top line with the center of the golf ball. The number of putts the players made before finishing each hole was averaged for the control and exemplary putters. Table 2 summarizes the results of the performance test.

The exemplary putter equaled or exceeded the performance of the control putter, regardless of side slope direction. On hole 1, players holed out after an average of 1.5 putts with the exemplary putter and 1.8 putts with the control putter. On hole 2, players holed out after an average of 1.4 putts with the exemplary putter and 1.8 putts with the control putter. On hole 3, players holed out after an average of 1.8 putts with the exemplary putter and also 1.8 putts with the control putter. Players aligned their putts more precisely and repeatably with the exemplary putter than the control putter. The exemplary putter led to an average improvement of approximately 0.23 putts per hole, which equates to an average score improvement of 4.2 strokes over the course of a normal eighteen-hole round. Accordingly, the hosel of the exemplary putter led to better overall mid-range putting performance and has the potential to improve overall golf scores.

CLAUSES

Clause 1: A putter-type golf club comprises a shaft and a putter head having a body. The body comprises a toe end, a heel end opposite the toe end, a front end defining a strike face having a geometric centerpoint, and a rear end opposite the front end. The body further comprises a center of gravity and a front-to-rear CG axis intersecting the geometric centerpoint and center of gravity and extending through the front end and rear end. The body also includes a sole and a top line having a hosel bore. The golf club further comprises a hosel, which comprises a shaft connector received within the shaft, a body connector received within the hosel bore, and a shroud extending between the shaft connector and the body connector. The shroud comprises a shaft abutment ledge contacting the shaft, a body abutment ledge contacting the top line, and a shroud toe surface extending towards the toe end and defining a linear toe edge adjacent to the top rail. The shroud toe surface is oblique relative to the top line, and the linear toe edge aligns with the front-to-rear CG axis.

Clause 2: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a body having a body sight line rearward of the top rail and aligned with the linear toe edge.

Clause 3: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a hosel having an edge protrusion extending from the bottom of the shroud toe surface and terminating at the linear toe edge.

Clause 4: The putter-type golf club of clause 3 comprises an edge protrusion having an indented groove defining a hosel sight line.

Clause 5: The putter-type golf club of clause 3 comprises an edge protrusion having a ridge defining a hosel sight line.

Clause 6: The putter-type golf club of clause 3 comprises an edge protrusion having a marking defining a hosel sight line.

Clause 7: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a shaft connector having one or more circular depressions.

Clause 8: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a body connector that threadably engages the hosel bore.

Clause 9: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a hosel having a hosel length defined between a hosel top end and a hosel bottom end, wherein the hosel length is between 1.0 and 3.5 inches.

Clause 10: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a shroud having a shroud length defined between the shaft abutment ledge and body abutment ledge, wherein the shroud length is between 0.5 and 2.5 inches.

Clause 11: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a hosel having a hosel axis intersecting the front-to-rear CG axis.

Clause 12: The putter-type golf club of clause 11 comprises a hosel bore that is oblique relative to the top line and comprises a hosel bore axis that is coaxial with the hosel axis.

Clause 13: The putter-type golf club of clause 12 comprises a shaft having a shaft axis coaxial with the hosel bore axis and hosel axis.

Clause 14: The putter head of clause 1 comprises a shaft connector further secured within the shaft with epoxy.

Clause 15: The putter head of clause 1 comprises a body connector further secured within the shaft with epoxy.

Clause 16: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a shaft abutment ledge that is circular.

Clause 17: The putter-type golf club of clause 1 comprises a body abutment ledge having a rectangular or arched rectangular shape.