IP Library Granted Patent US 9,387,368
Granted Patent B2
US 9,387,368 · App. 14/105,294 · Granted Jul 12, 2016

Golf club

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,387,368
App. No.
14/105,294
Granted
Jul 12, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A golf putter with a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is disclosed and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. A tube is coupled to the head, a coupling member is coupled to the distal end of the tube, and a shaft is also coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member connects the tube and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The longitudinal axes of the tube and the shaft may be substantially parallel. An alignment indicia is provided on the club head. The tube is coupled to the head at an angle such that it blocks the indicia from a user's view at address when the head is aligned properly. If the club head is not properly aligned, the golfer will be able to see the indicia and therefore know to adjust the club head before putting. Thus, putter disclosed and claimed herein provides both offset and a putting alignment aide.

Claims (35)

1. A golf club, comprising:

a head having a first specific gravity;

a tube comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the head, wherein the tube has a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the tube has a second specific gravity that is less than the first specific gravity;

a coupling member comprising a first member end and a second member end, wherein the first member end is coupled to the tube; and

a shaft coupled to the second member end, wherein the shaft has a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is offset from the tube, and wherein the coupling member provides the offset.

2. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the tube has a mass from about 3 grams to about 5 grams.

3. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the coupling member has a mass of about 5 grams to about 15 grams.

4. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is offset from the tube by 0.1 inch to 1 inch.

5. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein:

the head has a top line with a length; and

the tube is coupled to the top line in a middle third of the length.

6. The golf club of claim 1 , wherein:

the head has a top line with a length; and

the tube is coupled to the top line in a heel-end third of the length.

7. A golf club, comprising:

a head having a first specific gravity;

a tube comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the head, wherein the tube has a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the tube has a second specific gravity that is less than the first specific gravity;

a coupling member comprising a first member end and a second member end, wherein the first member end is coupled to the tube; and

a shaft coupled to the second member end, wherein the shaft has a second longitudinal axis that differs from the first longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is offset from the tube, and wherein the coupling member provides the offset.

8. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the tube has a mass from about 3 grams to about 5 grams.

9. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the coupling member has a mass of about 5 grams to about 15 grams.

10. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein the shaft is offset from the tube by 0.1 inch to 1 inch.

11. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein:

the head has a top line with a length; and

the tube is coupled to the top line in a middle third of said length.

12. The golf club of claim 7 , wherein:

the head has a top line with a length; and

the tube is coupled to the top line in a heel-end third of said length.

13. A golf club, comprising:

a head having a strike face, the head having a first specific gravity;

a tube coupled to the head, wherein the tube has a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the tube has a second specific gravity that is less than the first specific gravity;

a coupling member comprising a lower section and an upper section, wherein the tube is coupled to the lower section; and

a shaft coupled to the upper section and having a second longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is offset from the tube, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is closer to the strike face relative the first longitudinal axis.

14. The golf club of claim 13 , wherein the shaft is offset from the tube by 0.1 inch to 1 inch.

15. The golf club of claim 13 , wherein an extension of the second longitudinal axis intersects the strike face of the head.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061099/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (ASSIGNS 039506-0030) Recorded Aug 3, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS RESIGNING ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0414 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (032607/0744) Recorded Sep 7, 2016
From: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 039939/0524 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2016
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 039506/0030 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2014
From: ACUSHNET COMPANY
To: KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 032607/0744 →
PATENT OWNERSHIP Recorded Dec 13, 2013
From: CAMERON, DON T.
To: ACUSHNET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 031814/0873 →