Golf putter having adjustable center of gravity

Abstract

A golf putter, which is weighted with a positionable weight by means of which the center of gravity of the putter can be changed to accommodate the requirements of the user. This result is achieved by a weight, which can be slidably positioned along a pair of rods, which run between the faceplate and the back plate of the putter. The plate can be positioned slidably along the rods either against the faceplate or back plate or at any position there between. When the weight has been placed in the desired position, it can be locked in this position by screws, which fit through the weight and abut against the rods.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf putter with a positional weight and more particularly to such a putter in which the center of gravity can be readily changed to accommodate the requirements of the user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Prior art devices for adjusting the center of gravity of a putter are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,869 issued on Oct. 19, 1993 to Dingle et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,667 issued on Mar. 3, 1981 to Clark; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,053 issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Lane. The Lane patent describes the use of weighting bolts, which are positioned on opposite ends of the putter head and thus only are capable of providing lateral weighting adjustment. The Clark patent describes weighting to the rear of the faceplate of the putter involving a compartment filled with various amounts of shot. However, while the amount of weighting of the putter to the rear of the putter head can be varied by changing the amount of shot, the device of this invention describes weighting to the rear of the faceplate of the putter by employing a compartment filled with various amounts of shot. However, while the amount of weighting of the putter to the rear of the putter head can be varied by changing the amount of shot, opposite ends of the putter head and thus only are capable of providing lateral weighting adjustment. The Clark patent describes weighting to the rear of the faceplate of the putter involving a compartment filled with various amounts of shot. However, while the amount of weighting of the putter to the rear of the putter head can be varied by changing the amount of shot, the device of this invention does not enable changing the position of the center of gravity in the manner of the present invention. The Dingle patent is the closest to the present invention in that it provides bolts mounted to the rear of the putter face, the weight of which can be varied by changing the number of washers attached to each bolt. The device of this invention, however, does not provide the simplicity of adjustment of the present invention and requires the adjustment of three separate bolts to achieve the desired result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved result in Applicant's invention is achieved by means of a weight, which is slidable along rods positioned to the rear of the faceplate of the putter. The weight can be moved to a position towards or away from the faceplate to the desired weighting position and then locked in this position by means of screws or other temporary locking device.

In this manner, the center of gravity of the putter can rapidly and easily be adjusted either to a forward position suited to the needs of the golfer to provide a more forceful impact for slower green surfaces or to a rearward position to provide a less forceful impact for faster green surfaces. These adjustments can also be made to suite the golfer's grip, tempo and putting mechanics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the adjustable weight in a central position;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective of the preferred embodiment showing the adjustable weight in a central position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showing the weight in its most forward position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showing the weight in its central position; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showing the weight in its rearward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, faceplate 11 has a pair of rods 12 and 13 fixedly attached thereto either by welding, screws, or other suitable means. Back plate 14 is integrally formed with the faceplate 11. Central piece 15. are relatively narrow runs between the faceplate and the back plate and is integrally formed therewith.

The rear ends of rods 12 and 13 are fitted within receptacles 17 formed in back plate 14 and fixedly attached thereto by welding, threaded engagement or other suitable means.

Weight member 18 has apertures 18a running there through, The rods 12 and 13 are fitted through these apertures to enable slidable motion of the weight member on the rods. Weight member 18 is in the form of a rectangular block. The bottom surface of the putter is substantially T-shaped as can be seen in FIG. 2. Weight member 18 can be positioned in a central position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a rearward position as shown in FIG. 5, a forward position, as shown in FIG. 3 or any position between these positions. When the weight member is in the desired position, it is locked in this position by means of screws 19.

The weight member thus can be rapidly and easily be set in the desired position in accordance with the needs of the golfer.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that the coverage of this patent is determined by the following claims.

Claims

1. In a golf putter having a face plate and a back plate;

a central piece extending between the bottom edges of said faceplate and said back plate;

at least one rod connected between the faceplate and the back plate, said rod being attached to said faceplate and back plate;

a weight member slidably mounted on said rod, said weight member being positionable along said rod at a chosen position between said face plate and said back plate, and

means for locking said weight member to said rod in said chosen position.

2. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said putter includes two rods spaced from each and connected to the faceplate and back plate.

3. The golf putter of claim 2 wherein said rods are fixedly attached to said faceplate and said back plate.

4. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said means for locking said weight member in said chosen position are screws, which threadably engage the weight member and are tightened against said rods.

5. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein said central piece is relatively narrow as compared with the widths of said faceplate and back plate.

6. In golf club having a faceplate and a back plate, said club comprising:

a central piece integrally formed with said faceplate and back plate, said central piece running between the bottom edges of said faceplate and back plate and being substantially narrower than both said faceplate and back plate;

a pair of rods running between said faceplate and said back plate, said rods being spaced from each other in substantially parallel relationship;

a weight member slidably supported; on said rods, said weight member having paired apertures formed there through, said rod members running through said weight members in slidable relationship thereto; and

means for maintaining said weight member in any selected position on said rods.

7. The golf club of claim 6 wherein said means for maintaining said weight member in any selected position comprises screws which each threadably engage said weight member and abut against a respective one of said rods.

8. The golf club of claim 6 wherein said rods are fixedly attached to said faceplate and said back plate.

9. The golf club of claim 6 wherein said weight member is in the form of a rectangular block.

10. The golf club of claim 6 wherein the bottom surface thereof is substantially T-shaped.

11. The golf club of claim 6 wherein said golf club is a putter.