Traditional putter with elevated mass

Abstract

A golf putter head with traditional looks when viewed from above and an elevated center of gravity. The putter head comprises a central lower cavity portion under a weight flange, while the weight flange has been elevated towards the middle of the putter head, with mass relieved portions below the flange and on either side of the central mass relived cavity, with the bottom of the central weight relieved cavity forming the sole, and the upper side of the flange being compressed to maintain a traditional view from above.

1 . A putter head comprising: 
 a face;    a rearwardly extending flange having an undercut mass relieved central portion and heel and toe portions such that the flange has a generally traditional flange type putter shape when view from above;    a central mass relieved cavity below the undercut mass relieved central portion extending from behind the face to an opening facing towards the rear of the putter the central mass relieved cavity having a lower-most portion serving as an abbreviated sole portion behind the face, the central mass relieved cavity having an upper wall forming part of the undercut mass relieved central portions of the flange.    
   
   
       2 . The putter head of  claim 1 , the face having a top-line above the undercut mass relieved central portion.  
   
   
       3 . The putter head of  claim 1 , wherein the central mass relieved cavity is less than ⅓ the length of the putter head from heel to toe.  
   
   
       4 . A putter head comprising: 
 a face having a top-line and a sole portion;    a centrally undercut rearwardly extending flange;    a central lower cavity having a rearwardly facing opening located under a centrally undercut rearwardly extending flange to form an abbreviated sole with further mass relief, the flange further being undercut on its toe and heel portions on either side of the central lower cavity.    
   
   
       5 . The putter head of  claim 4 , wherein the middle of the central lower cavity is located under the flange portion of the putter head, but above the sole portion of the face.  
   
   
       6 . A golf putter head comprising: 
 a striking face;    a top portion;    an abbreviated sole portion;    a heel portion and a toe portion;    and an elevated rearwardly extending flange having toe and head portions that are relatively heavier as compared to a middle portion of the flange, the flange having essentially the same geometry and features as its traditional host design as viewed by a golfer at address in the top-view, yet positioned above the sole of the putter and below the top-line.    
   
   
       7 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein the flange has a lower centrally located cavity portion and an upper centrally located upwardly open cavity, the abbreviated sole portion being comprised of a lower centrally located extremity of the face portion, a lower portion of the lower cavity portion, and an upper cavity portion.  
   
   
       8 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein the head comprises a face portion having a top-line, a lower central mass-relieved cavity portion above the sole, a weighted flange portion above the cavity and below the top-line, wherein the center of gravity is above the geographical horizontal center line of the putter head.  
   
   
       9 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein the head is milled from metal.  
   
   
       10 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein the head is investment cast in metal.  
   
   
       11 . The putter head of  claim 6 , wherein the top-line portion less than 25% of the width of the head.  
   
   
       12 . The putter head of  claim 7 , wherein the sole portion of the lower centrally located cavity portion is less than ⅓ rd  the length of the putter head from heel to toe.  
   
   
       13 . A putter head comprising: 
 a face;    a weighted flange having:    a lower sole portion having a hollow rearwardly open cavity portion and a top forming the underside of the weighted flange, the cavity having a bottom forming the sole and wherein the upper portion of the flange is raised above the horizontal center line of the head.