US20070129163A1 - Customizable putter for golf - Google Patents

A customizable putter provides a platform having removable and adjustable weights. A customizable putter for golf is achieved by providing a platform with an embodiment having a vertical face portion and rearwardly extending flange portion attached to the bottom of the face portion. Weights may then be removably attached by threaded screws or bolts. The weights may have cavities within them into which weighted inserts may be fitted to provide further adjustment to the weight distribution and overall weight of the putter head. Such inserts, as well as the weight cavities, may take a variety of geometrical shapes and sizes.

Copyright Authorization

• Portions of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright and/or mask work protection. The copyright and/or mask work owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and/or mask work rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

• 1. Field of the Invention

• This invention relates to relates to golf clubs and more particularly a customizable golf putter head.

• 2. Description of the Related Art

• Those who have played the game of golf are well aware that putting often accounts for nearly half the golfer's total score. Although there are a wide variety of putters available to the golfers, they still seek improved designs that will assist them in lowering their total score.

• Golf putter heads have been designed to impart a rolling motion to the golf ball for short distances. The putter is specifically constructed for use in striking the golf ball accurately toward the cup once it has reached the putting green. Typically, the general construction of a golf club includes a grip portion adapted to be grasped by the golfer, a shaft extending linearly downward from the grip portion, to a club head at the end of the shaft opposite the grip portion. Typically, the club head extends traversely to the shaft and the shaft has a neck portion located at one end thereof, which is connected by a hosel to the shaft.

• The golfer addresses the golf ball by placing the club adjacent to the ball. The golfer then swings the club in a short, sweeping arc for a desired, but seldom achieved, perfect swing.

• Of importance to the control and swing of the golf putter is its balance. The balance is determined by the weight and weight distribution of the golf club in general, and in specifically the putter in the instance case. Much of this balance is derived from the putter head as it generally concentrates most of the mass of the club in this area.

• Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a golf club putter where the weight distribution at the putter head is controllable, selectable, and/or adjustable. In this way, forces and torques arising from the swing of the putter, as well as the striking of the golf ball, can be adjusted for a golfer's personal swing idiosyncrasies and characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• In view of the disadvantages inherent in the known types of putters and putter heads now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new golf putter head construction wherein the same can be used to accommodate and/or complement the golfer's unique or idiosyncratic swing of the golf club.

• The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new golf club putter head, construction, and method for providing same having many of the same advantages of golf club putters mentioned and/known heretofore along with many novel features that result in a new golf club putter head construction which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, taught, or even implied by any other prior art golf club putters and putter heads, either alone or any combination thereof.

• The golf club putter heads set forth herein use a unique construction and architecture whereby the weight and weight distribution of the putter head is selectable and adjustable according to the preferences and/or requirements of the particular golfer.

• As shown in the drawings, the putter head generally four distinctive portions, although these may be adjustable as well with the total number of configurable parts being determined by the demands of the golfer, his game, and his swing.

• The putter head platform has a face and a lower flange upon which individual weights may be attached. Generally it is better to attach the weights by screws or the like that are flush with the bottom of the flange. In this way, the face of the putter is not disturbed by the presence of the screwheads or the like.

• Each of the weights is separately configurable, but may share a common aesthetic scheme or sense in order to provide a more attractive golf club head. Generally, a weight is present at the heel, the center, and the toe of the putter head. With each of these weights may be cavities or recesses into which one or more inserts may be placed. The inserts may adjust the mass of the individual weights. Consequently, the overall mass of the weight can be crudely approximated in the casting of such weight. The inserts allow for a particular adjustment and minute alteration of the weight and weight distribution of the weights attached to the putter platform.

• As a result, the weights themselves do not need to be cast or formed at the exact mass, but can approximate it in order to make the resulting putter one that is tailored specifically to the specific golfer. Furthermore, should the golfer's game change, the inserts and/or the weights can be altered to accommodate new swing features of the particular golfer.

• In one embodiment of the present invention, a customizable golf putter head is set forth having a putter platform and a first weight attachable to the platform, the first weight defining a first cavity within the first weight, the first cavity adapted to receive a first insert such that the first weight is selectable in mass and shape to provide customization to the customizable golf putter head.

• In a second embodiment of the present invention, a customizable golf putter head is set forth having a putter platform, the putter platform having a face for putting a golf ball and a flange coupled to a bottom portion of the face. A first weight attachable to the platform also defines a first cavity within the first weight, the first cavity adapted to receive a first insert. A second weight attachable to the platform also defines a second cavity within the second weight, the second cavity adapted to receive a second insert. A third weight attachable to the platform also defines a third cavity within the third weight, the third cavity adapted to receive a third insert. The flange generally extends rearwardly and provides a lower support for the first, second, and third weights such that the first, second, and third weights are selectable in mass and shape to provide customization to the customizable golf putter head.

• In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a customizable golf putter head is set forth where the steps include providing a putter platform and attaching a first weight to the platform, the first weight being selectable in mass and shape, the first weight being detachably attachable to the platform, the first weight defining a first cavity within the first weight, the first cavity adapted to receive a first insert such that selection of the first weight is in mass and shape provides customization to the customizable golf putter head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1

  is a rear left side and perspective view of the customizable putter for golf according to the present invention.

• FIG. 2

  is a rear, left side, and exploded view of the customizable putter for golf shown in

  FIG. 1

  . Shown in exploded view are the weights, inserts, and screws which all function in conjunction with the putter head platform and its rearwardly extending flange.

• FIG. 3

  is a rear, left side, and exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the customizable putter for golf shown in

  FIG. 1

  . In

  FIG. 3

  , the center weight is shown in an alterative mallet-type-head embodiment that may be screwed or otherwise fixed to the putter head and defines cavities similar to the other weights.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

• The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

• The present invention resides in a customizable putter for golf wherein the weight distribution can be selectively altered by the addition and/or removal of both weights in gross as well as providing fine adjustment of the weight distribution by weight inserts into the larger weight blocks.

• Referring to the drawings where like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout, it will be noted that

  FIG. 1

  shows the Customizable Golf Putter 100 with its

  putter head

  102 and attached

  hosel

  104. The shaft and hosel ring are shown at the top of the drawing in phantom.

• The

  customizable putter

  102 has a

  platform portion

  106 with a

  face

  108 and rearwardly extending

  flange

  110. The sole 112 of the

  platform

  106 may be a flat or curved as may be the

  top

  114 of the

  flange

  110.

• FIG. 1

  shows the

  customizable putter head

  102 in an assembled configuration as with a

  heel weight

  120, a

  center weight

  122, and a

  toe weight

  124.

• In distinction to

  FIGS. 2 and 3

  ,

  FIG. 1

  shows a

  central recess

  126 which is an optional feature and one into which the

  center weight

  122 may fit in a snug or free-fitting manner and generally allows the mass of the

  center weight

  122 to be located generally along the center of the

  face

  108, immediate therebehind.

• Having set forth the general structure of the

  customizable putter head

  102,

  FIGS. 2 and 3

  show alternative embodiments of the

  putter head

  102 as well as additional features in parts of the weights 120-124.

• As shown in

  FIGS. 2 and 3

  ,

  screws

  130 pass through

  respective holes

  132 in order to engage threaded

  screw holes

  134 in each of the weights 120-124. Generally, the heads of the

  screws

  130 are mounted flush with the sole 120 of

  flange

  110. In this way, the screw heads do not interfere with the passage of the

  putter head

  102 as the sole 120 engages the ground beneath it during the golf stroke.

• FIGS. 2 and 3

  also show (in phantom) recesses and/or

  cavities

  140 in the interior of the weights 120-124. Note should be taken that the

  openings

  142 of the

  cavities

  140 are generally along the face of the weight engaging the

  backside

  144 of the

  face portion

  108 of the

  putter head

  102. This ensures that the openings are not readily accessible as the associated face of the weight 120-124 is generally in close contact with the back 144 of the

  face portion

  108. This generally holds the

  cavities

  140 closed and any

  inserts

  150 therein.

• Prior to assembly, when the

  screws

  130 are threaded into the screw holes 134,

  weighted inserts

  150 of a variety of shapes and sizes can be slid into the

  cavities

  140.

• It is anticipated that most of the

  inserts

  150 will be cylindrical in nature in a manner that allows easy manufacturing as the

  cavities

  140 can then be drilled with a cylindrical bit or the like. However, if the weights 120-124 are cast (or possibly milled), it is possible that other shapes of

  recesses

  140 could be achieved. This is shown in

  FIG. 2

  where a

  triangular recess

  154 may receive a

  triangular insert

  156 and a

  rectangular recess

  160 may receive a

  rectangular insert

  162. Generally, any size or shape of

  cavity

  140 or 150 may be achieved so long as the care is taken to provide for a generally close fit as it may be a distraction if the

  insert

  150 moves within the

  cavity

  140 as it would generally cause the

  putter head

  102 to rattle and would cause the weight distribution of the

  putter head

  102 to shift unpredictably. In a similar manner, the weights 120-124 should be securely fitted to the top 114 of the

  flange

  110 so that they do not move during the swing of the

  putter

  100, the striking of the ball, or at any other time.

• FIG. 3

  shows an alternative embodiment of the

  putter head

  102 shown in

  FIGS. 1 and 2

  . Instead of a block-

  like center weight

  122, an alternative mallet-head-type embodiment is achieved for the

  center weight

  170. As shown in

  FIG. 3

  , a mallet-type-

  weight

  170 has a lower and broader weight distribution which some golfers may find advantageous. This may lower the center of gravity for the

  putter head

  102 overall as well as possibly widening across the

  face

  108 of the

  putter head

  102 any “sweet spot” where the striking of the golf ball is particularly advantageous.

• While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept. Such variations include, but are not limited to, any distribution of the weights 120-124 along the

  flange

  110. Furthermore, the weights 120-124 and inserts 150 may be of any of a variety of materials, including synthetic materials, common metals, precious metals, or otherwise. The same is similarly true for the fabrication materials of the putter

  head platform portion

  106 and/or the

  hosel

  104. Materials for use in construction of the

  putter head

  102 may include materials ranging from steel, titanium, and/or aluminum to gold, silver, lead, platinum and any combination of such materials.

• Additionally, the heel, toe, and center weights 120-124 may be fused together in a single unit attached separately or in any combination thereof, attached with a single or multiple screws, and could also be attached to the

  putter platform

  106 from the sides and/or top if the

  putter platform

  106 was so conformed and/or constructed to allow for same. For example the flange could extend from the top of the

  putter face

  108 and not the bottom. Alternatively, flanges could extend from the sides of the

  putter face portion

  108 at the heel and/or the toe. Further, any combination of these putter platform designs could be putter platform constructions could also be achieved to possibly good effect.

• Of advantage in the particular system set forth herein for putter heads 102 is the fact that the weights 120-124 can be milled, cast, or otherwise fabricated in any shape or size as well as any mass. Additionally, the

  cavities

  140 can be milled, cast, or fabricated in any size or shape as well. Of course, room must be left for the screw holes 134 that are present in the weights 120-124. However, in the bulk of the weights 120-124, the cavities can be generally constructed as seen fit by the golfer and/or manufacturer.

• Furthermore, even though a certain configuration has been achieved with respect to the

  putter head

  102, the

  putter platform

  106, the weights 120-124, and/or the

  inserts

  150, this configuration can be adjusted and changed according to the preferences of golfer. Consequently, if one configuration is achieved that was initially thought to be the most advantageous but does not work to the expectations and/or the desires of golfer, such configuration can be changed with relatively little, if any, damage to the

  putter

  100. Reasonable experimentation may lead to predictable and reliable results with respect to individual putters once a swing analysis or other evaluation has occurred.

• From the foregoing, it can be seen that the

  customizable putter

  100 provides golfers means by which a better putter can be achieved. Furthermore, variation of the structure and weight of the

  putter head

  102 and its components provides the golfer means by which his putting game can be fine tuned via tailor fitting the putter golf club to the golfer's game. Ease of manufacturing and such adjustment can be made by the preparation of a variety of types, sizes, and masses of the weights 120-124 as well as their

  respective inserts

  150. In such tailoring, the golfer may want to control, alter, and/or adjust the weight distribution within the individual weights 120-124 by the propitious selection of the associated inserts 150. As set forth above, such configuration can be changed easily such that once that certain preferences are established regarding the weights 120-124, the

  inserts

  150 can be readily exchanged for different ones by simply detaching the weight from the

  platform portion

  106 via the

  screws

  130.