Games using tangible projectile – Golf – Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-09-04
Passaniti, Sebastiano (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Golf
Practice swingable implement or indicator associated with...
C473S295000, C473S296000, C473S276000, C473S239000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283874
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to golf clubs and more particularly to a golf putter adapted for one hand putting of a golf ball for elderly or handicapped golfers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The sport of golf has experienced ever increasing popularity due to the fact that persons of virtually any age, regardless of their athletic prowess or physical handicaps, may participate in the game. In the play of the game of golf it has been determined that the putter club is the single most important club used in the play of the game. Putters come in many different types of designs with it being found that the most accurate type of putter is that of the croquet type or pendulum type with the putting being accomplished by the pendulum type movement of the club between an individual's legs with the individual facing the direction in which the ball is to be putted. However, this style of putting between an individual's legs was ruled illegal by golf societies with it being required that a golfer putt with both feet on the same side of the ball.
In addition, while special clubs have been designed for use by elderly or handicapped persons in need of assistance, such clubs are difficult for the person to use during putting in order to obtain any accuracy such that the elderly or handicapped person is provided with still a greater handicap due to lack of appropriately designed putting clubs permitting efficient putting by such handicapped persons.
In an effort to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, a pendulum type golf putter was conceived of and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,668 issued to Flege. This device; however, has limitations in that the use of the pendulum type putter requires a pivotal movement of the user at the shoulder with the positioning of the hand with respect to the direction of ball movement being critical. Additionally, the contacting face of the pendulum putter disclosed in the '668 patent is of a limited dimension which may readily result in an off line putt. The pendulum putter of the '668 patent includes a fixed grip portion directed substantially in alignment with the putter face as well as a semi-circular band which rest against the arm of the user. Clearly, it is of absolute necessity that the user be able to align their hand in the exact direction of the line of the putt in order to ensure that the face of the putter contacts the ball perfectly. Should the user be unable to maintain their hand and wrist in such position, the path of travel of the ball will be inaccurate. This is exaggerated by the fact that the putter head is in the form of an elongated rectangular mallet. Likewise, should the user be unable to create a pendulum motion with their shoulder, it will be virtually impossible for the user to accomplish the appropriate putting stroke.
Clearly, there is a need for a golf putter which can be readily used by elderly and handicapped individuals not only for the purposes of putting accurately, but also for support prior to, during and after the putting stroke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings associated with the prior art devices.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a putter which essentially includes any known professional type putter head in conjunction with a support device for aiding either elderly or handicapped individuals in playing the game of golf.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a putter wherein the top portion of the putter includes a cane type structure so as to allow the club to be used for support as needed by elderly and handicapped golfers.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a design which allows the golfer to take advantage of pendulum type putting in either a forward or backward stroke.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a putter design wherein the upper most point of the pendulum type putting stroke is readily fix to aid in creating a smooth pendulum stroke.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a putter design wherein the angle of the club face with respect the user's hand position may be readily adjusted in order to accommodate the dexterity of the user.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a putter design wherein the length of the putter may be readily adjusted so as to accommodate individuals of varying heights and putting stances regardless of there age or handicapped condition.
The present invention recognizes the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available conventional type golf putters, as well as recognizing the disadvantage of one armed handicapped golf players, and provides a novel solution to both problems in the form of a pendulum type golf putter adapted for putting a golf ball with the use of only a single hand and which is adapted for use with the individual putting from the side of the ball as called for by conventional golfing rules.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a pendulum golf putter providing for the accurate and efficient one hand putting of a golf ball.
A further feature of the present invention provides a pendulum golf putter adapted for use by handicapped persons having use of only a single hand and which provides for the accurate putting by such handicapped persons.
Among the further features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a pendulum type golf putter which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which may readily accommodate golfers of various sizes and statutes; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.
These as well as additional object of the present invention are achieved by providing a putter for use in the game of golf comprising a first elongated shaft having a first and a second end, a second elongated shaft having a first end telescopically received within the second end of the first elongated shaft, a putter head fixedly secured to a second end of the second elongated shaft and a securing mechanism for fixing an axial and rotational position of the second elongated shaft with respect to the first elongated shaft. Additionally, the first end of the first elongated includes a mechanism for stabilizing the first elongated shaft with respect to the body of the user. Particularly, the stabilizer is received under an arm of the user and is capable of supporting the weight of the user should the user require assistance in walking or utilizing the putter. Particularly, the putter for use in the game of golf in accordance with the present invention includes a first elongated shaft in the form of a conventional putter which is received within a second shaft in the form of an upper portion of a quad cane. Accordingly, the present invention may be readily adaptable to any manufacturer's putter to suit the user. Additionally, the upper portion of the quad cane includes a set screw which is threadingly received in the elongated shaft and frictionally engages the shaft of the putter in order to secure both the axial as the rotational positioning of the shaft.
These as well as additional objects of the present invention will become apparent upon the following detailed description when read in light of the several figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1697846 (1929-01-01), Anderson
patent: 1967355 (1934-07-01), Edwards
patent: 2002108 (1935-05-01), Child
patent: 2949304 (1960-08-01), Williams
patent: 3524646 (1970-08-01), Wheeler
patent: 3663019 (1972-05-01), Palotsee
patent: 3874668 (1975-04-01), Flege
patent: 4252317 (1981-02-01), Vezina
p
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Passaniti Sebastiano
Studebaker Donald R.
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