GOLFER'S NATURAL TACTILE AND AUDITORY SENSORY SYSTEMS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to golf putters with improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission that resonates to the hands and ears of the player. More specifically, the invention relates to a golf putter grip which may be adjustably connected to conventional or new putters to tune and optimize tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player.

2. The Prior Art

[0002] An important element of any golfer’s round is putting. In putting, feedback received by the player includes tactile and auditory feedback which is transmitted through the club head, shaft, and grip to the player's hands and ears.

[0003] A golf club has a "sweet spot" on the face of the head. Striking the ball on the“sweet spot” facilitates distance and direction control. When a ball is struck at the "sweet spot", minimal torque is imparted to the club. In addition, when a ball is struck by a putter, the golfer is provided sensory feedback in the form of a distinct feel and sound. Valuable feedback for determining the proper putterhead velocity for a given length putt is gained through vibration felt in a player's hands and ears during prior putts of various lengths and slopes. Through repetitious putting and the resultant sensory feedback, a player develops muscle memory which facilitates improved distance and direction control.

[0004] The Rules of the United States Golf Association, the governing body for the sport, do not permit adaptations to golf equipment which allow sophisticated feedback devices such as lasers, electronics, internal gyros and the like, which could be exploited to ease or improve the use of a club. Thus, a player must sense or obtain feedback from his manipulation of the golf club largely through his natural senses of sight, hearing and feel without the aid of electronics.

[0005] The Rules of the United States Golf Association also do not permit modifications to golf equipment during a round.

[0006] Conventional putter grips generally provide a vibration transmission barrier between the putter shaft and the player's hands reducing or eliminating the vital vibrational feedback needed for distance control, or to let a golfer he or she is missing the "sweet spot" of the putterhead.

[0007] Therefore, the prior art methods and devices are simply ineffective to provide a player with improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback. The prior art methods and devices are also ineffective to provide a player with a golf putter that may be adjustably connected to conventional or new putters and tuned to provide optimized tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player.

[0008] There remains a need for a golf putter that provides improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission that resonates to the hands and ears of the player. There is also a need for a golf putter that may be adjustably connected to conventional or new putters and tuned to provide optimized tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a golf putter that provides improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission that resonates to the hands and ears of the player.

[0010] Another object is to provide a golf putter that may be adjustably connected to

conventional or new putters.

[0011] Still another object is to provide a golf putter that may tuned to provide optimized tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a golf putter that provides improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission that resonates to the hands and ears of the player that is simple to use, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive.

[0013] These together with other objects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention and alternative embodiments.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable grip for a golf putter held by a user's hand is provided. The putter comprises a head for impacting a golf ball and a shaft coupling the head to the grip. The improvement comprises a hollow grip for providing a handhold. A plurality of set screws adjustably connects the hollow grip to the shaft. Vibrational energy is coupled from the shaft through the set screws into the hollow grip. The hollow grip is generally tubular and has a portion between the set screws adapted for contact with distal portions of the user's hands. The hollow grip is made of hard resonant material so that vibrational energy coupled from the shaft through the set screws into the hollow grip causes vibrational ringing of the grip. As a result, tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission relating to the nature of impact of the golf putter with the golf ball resonates to the hands and ears of the player. The position of the adjustable grip on the shaft may be selectively changed to provide optimized tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player by loosening the set screws and translating the adjustable grip along the length of the shaft in either direction before tightening the set screws to affix the adjustable grip to the shaft. In a method of use, through grip adjustments, tightening and loosening of the set screws, repetitious putting, and the resultant sensory feedback, a player tunes the putter to optimize the tactile and auditory vibration feedback which facilitates improved distance and direction control.

[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the invention.

[0016] Before explaining the preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings, or to the methods described therein. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0018] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional putter.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of a conventional putter.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of a conventional putter without a grip.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view of a conventional putter without a grip.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a front view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line A— A of FIG. 5, showing threaded taps configured for threadably engaging corresponding set screws. [0025] FIG. 7 is a side view of set screws for threadable engagement with the threaded taps of FIGS. 5 & 6.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a front view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line B— B of FIG. 9, showing an adjustable grip positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a top view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line C— C of FIG. 9, showing an adjustable grip positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a front view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention affixed to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a side view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention affixed to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0032] FIG. 14 is a bottom view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line D— D of FIG. 13, showing set screws threadably engaging threaded taps to affix the grip to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0033] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of FIG. 14.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a top view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line E— E of FIG. 13, showing threaded taps configured for threadably engaging corresponding set screws. [0035] FIG. 17 is a front view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention positioned in an alternative position over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0036] FIG. 18 is a side view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention positioned in an alternative position over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0037] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line F— F of FIG. 18, showing an adjustable grip positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a top view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line G— G of FIG. 18, showing an adjustable grip positioned over the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a front view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention affixed in an alternative position to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0040] FIG. 22 is a side view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention affixed in an alternative position to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0041] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line H— H of FIG. 22, showing set screws threadably engaging threaded taps to affix the grip to the shaft of a conventional putter.

[0042] FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of FIG. 23.

[0043] FIG. 25 is a top view of an adjustable grip of the preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along line I— I of FIG. 22, showing set screws threadably engaging threaded taps to affix the grip to the shaft of a conventional putter. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0044] While this present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, a preferred embodiment, with like parts designated by like reference numerals and with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the claims to the illustrated preferred embodiment.

[0045] Reference is made to FIGs. 1 & 2 wherein a conventional putter is illustrated. The putter, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, is comprised of a shaft 20 having a first end 22 connected by conventional means to a putter head 30 and a second end 24 generally defining a putter grip area 26 having a conventional putter grip 40 disposed thereon. Shaft 20 is a conventional putter shaft which may be solid or hollow and have any desired exterior

configuration, tapering, fluting, cross section, step diameters or other structure as may be desired, now known or later devised. Putter head 30 is a conventional putter head. However, it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that putter head 30 and shaft 20 may employ any design now known or later conceived, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Conventional putter grip 40 may also employ any design now known or later conceived, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGs. 3 & 4, the conventional putter grip 40 is removed to expose the putter grip area 26 the shaft 20. However, it is contemplated that a putter 10 having no conventional putter grip 40 may be alternatively employed, or that one or more portions of the putter grip 40 may remain, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. [0047] In the preferred embodiment, an adjustable grip 50 comprising a generally hollow tube having a diameter larger than the diameter of a conventional putter grip 40 is provided, as shown in FIGs. 5 & 6. However, it is contemplated that an adjustable grip 50 having a frusto-conical shape may be alternatively employed, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0048] As shown in FIGs. 6 & 7, the adjustable grip 50 includes a plurality of threaded taps 52 configured for threadably engaging a plurality of corresponding set screws 54.

[0049] In a method of use, as shown in FIGS. 7- 29, the adjustable grip 50 is positioned over the putter grip area 26 and the set screws 54 may be hand-tightened and/or tightened with an Allen wrench (not shown) to affix the adjustable grip 50 to the shaft 20 before play (Rules of Golf No.

4 provides that a golf club cannot be altered during a round of golf), although it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that other suitable threaded members and fastening tools may be employed, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0050] In FIGs. 7-11, the adjustable grip 50 is positioned over the putter grip area 26.

[0051] In FIGs. 12-16, the adjustable grip 50 is positioned over the putter grip area 26 and the set screws 54 are tightened to affix the adjustable grip 50 to the shaft 20. In FIGs. 14 & 15, the set screws 54 are threadably engaging the threaded taps 52 to affix the adjustable grip 50 to the shaft 20 of a conventional putter 10.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment, the threaded taps 52 and set screws 54 are radially-spaced to provide opposing forces on the adjustable grip 50 and shaft 20 to facilitate vibration transmission to the player’s hands.

[0053] In the preferred embodiment, adjustable grip 50 is constructed of aluminum and has its outer surface 56 knurled, machined, roughened, or otherwise constructed to enhance friction and grip with the player's hand, although it should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that other suitable materials of construction and surfaces within the Rules of the United States Golf Association may be employed, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0054] It has come to be appreciated that the adjustable grip 50 made of hard resonant material and having a diameter larger than the diameter of a conventional putter grip 40 provides an improved sense of feel compared to conventional putters of smaller diameter and softer grip material.

[0055] In an another method of use, as shown in FIGS. 17-25, the position of the adjustable grip 50 on the shaft 20 may be selectively changed by loosening the set screws 54 and translating the adjustable grip 50 along the length of the shaft 20 in either direction before tightening the set screws 54 to affix the adjustable grip 50 to the shaft 20, to provide adjustments to the length of the putter 10, as well as providing a method of tuning the putter 10 to provide improved tactile and auditory vibration feedback transmission to the hands and ears of the player. It is contemplated that through selective grip adjustments, tightening and loosening of the set screws, repetitious putting, and the resultant sensory feedback, a player may selectively tune the putter 10 to optimize the length of the putter and the tactile and auditory vibration feedback which facilitates improved distance and direction control for the individual player.

[0056] Hence, while the invention has been described in connection with a preferred

embodiment and alternative embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended that the invention be limited to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed. [0057] As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relevant to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided.

[0058] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum

proportions for the elements of the invention, and variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and a 11 equivalent relationships described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0059] Therefore, the foregoing is considered illustrative of only the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact method, construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.