Putter head with pre-machined insert

Abstract

The invention provides a head for a putter. The face of the putter head includes very shallow markings having a depth of the order of 50 microns (0.05 mm). The markings are formed on an insert defining the sweet spot of the putter face by an end milling process with the insert being resiliently supported and fixed within a cavity in the head by means of resilient O-rings. Since the resilient O-rings take up any clearance the insert does not need to be made to tight tolerance and can be machined out with the head prior to insertion within the head cavity. The markings produced are radial and non-concentric grooves.

1 . A head for a putter, the head including a striking face having markings formed on a part of the striking face, the markings being of micron size.  
     
     
         2 . A head for a putter according to  claim 1  wherein the markings have a depth of 50 microns (0.05 mm)  
     
     
         3 . A head for a putter according to  claim 2  wherein the markings are V-shaped grooves having a pitch of 0.7 mm.  
     
     
         4 . A head for a putter according to  claim 1  wherein the markings are curvilinear and non-concentric.  
     
     
         5 . A head for a putter according to  claim 1  wherein the markings are formed on an insert located within a closed cavity formed within the head.  
     
     
         6 . A head for a putter according to  claim 5  wherein the insert is spaced from the head by means of a clearance space.  
     
     
         7 . A head for a putter according to  claim 6  wherein the insert is made from bar stock material.  
     
     
         8 . A head for a putter according to  claim 6  wherein the insert is made from as cast material.  
     
     
         9 . A head for a putter according to  claim 7  or  claim 8  wherein the insert has a front face, the front face only being machined from either the bar stock or as cast material.  
     
     
         10 . A head for a putter according to  claim 1  wherein the markings are produced by means of a milling process.  
     
     
         11 . A head for a putter according to  claim 10  wherein the milling process uses an end mill.  
     
     
         12 . A head for a putter according to  claim 5  wherein the insert defines the sweet spot of the putter.  
     
     
         13 . A head for a putter substantially as herein described with reference to any one of FIGS.  1  to  6  of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         14 . An insert for a putter head, the insert having markings formed on a face thereof, the markings being of micron size.  
     
     
         15 . An insert for a putter head according to  claim 14  wherein the markings have a depth of 50 microns (0.05 mm)  
     
     
         16 . An insert for a putter head according to  claim 14  wherein the markings are curvilinear and non-concentric.  
     
     
         17 . An insert for a putter head substantially as herein described with reference to FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.