Putter head

Abstract

A putter-type club head and system having interchangeable alignment inserts and interchangeable weight members which allow for the modification of the playing characteristics of the putter-type club head. The putter-type club head has a body defining a front face and an aft side, first and second spaced, aft-members extending substantially perpendicularly out of the aft side, interchangeable bridge members of varying weights that may be installed on the distal ends of the first and second spaced, aft-members and various interchangeable alignment inserts that may be removably installed between the first and second spaced, aft-members of the club head.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a putter-type club head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a putter-type club head having interchangeable weights and interchangeable alignment inserts.

BACKGROUND

Brief Description of Related Art

One example of a putter is described in is Uebelhor, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,484, for a Golf Putter Head. Uebelhor discloses a putter head with a U-shaped body and a block within the middle. The block has a lower specific gravity than the U-shaped body.

Yet another example is Rose et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,412 for a Golf Club, Particularly A Putter. The Rose patent discloses a center portion composed of a light metal material and the heel and toe portions composed of heavier metals. The metals are forged or cast to create the putter head.

An example of a putter having an interchangeable crown plate displaying an alignment mechanism that assists a golfer in properly aiming a golf ball toward a hole when putting is Tang et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,394, entitled Putter Head. Tang et al., teaches that the alignment mechanism displayed on the crown plate may comprise a large white strip or one or more circular symbols.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a putter-type club head and system including a body and a plurality of interchangeable alignment inserts and a plurality of interchangeable weight members which allow for the modification of the playing characteristics of the putter-type club head. The putter-type club head has a body defining a front face and an aft side, first and second spaced, aft-members extending substantially perpendicularly out of the aft side, interchangeable bridge members of varying weights that may be selectively and removably installed on the distal ends of the first and second spaced, aft-members, and interchangeable alignment inserts that may be selectively and removably installed between the first and second spaced, aft-members of the club head.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the present invention to be clearly understood and readily practiced, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a putter-type club head of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the putter-type club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the putter-type club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the putter-type club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the putter-type club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the putter-type club head of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an alignment insert for use with a putter-type club head and system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of an alignment insert for use with a putter-type club head and system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that may be well known. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The detailed description of the present invention and the preferred embodiment(s) thereof is set forth in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a putter-type club head of the present invention generally designated 20. The club head 20 has a body 22 that is preferably composed of a cast or forged metal. In a preferred embodiment, the body 22 comprises a material such as an aluminum alloy. Alternative materials for the body 22 include aluminum, titanium, titanium alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, and the like. The body 22 is preferably formed by casting, milling, welding, and/or forging. Formed pieces and the like may also be utilized without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The body 22 of the putter head 20 defines a front face 24 which may include an insert 25 of a different material which may include copper, stainless steel, plastics and/or polymers. The top of body 22 defines an aperture 28 into which a shaft or hosel may be installed, and a scored sight line 23 to aid in aligning the putter head during use. The body 22 also comprises an aft side 26 which is substantially planar and a pair of spaced, aft-members 30, 32 extending substantially perpendicularly out of aft side 26. An interchangeable bridge member 50 is removably installed on the distal ends of the first and second spaced, aft-members 30, 32 using allen bolts 51 or other fastening means such as socket bolts, screws, etc., inserted through apertures 54, 56 and screwed into threaded apertures 34, 36, respectively, as is well known in the art. The bridge member 50 may define a sight line 52, as shown in FIG. 2, as an additional alignment aid.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, an interchangeable and reversible alignment insert 40 is removably installed between the first and second spaced, aft-members 30, 32. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner surfaces of aft-members 30, 32 preferably define elongated slots 37 and 38, respectively, which receive one of the ribs 44, 46 defined by the edges 45, 47, respectively, of the insert 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, aft-members 30 and 32 may preferably comprise sections 31 and 33, respectively, made from a material of different color or density than the remainder of the respective aft-members 30 and 32. Such sections 31, 33 may be attached by welding, epoxy or by alien bolts 51 or other fastening means such as socket bolts, screws, etc., as is well known in the art.

Preferably, one or more alignment features, symbols or indicia, 49, 60 or 61, including without limitation lines, circles, arrows and other designs and geometric shapes, may be disposed on or defined by one or both sides 41, 43 of alignment insert 40, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8. In the case where alignment insert 40 has one or more alignment features, symbols or indicia 49 on both sides 41 and 43 with side 41 facing upward, such alignment insert 40 may be pulled out of head 22, after bridge member 50 has been removed, and re-inserted so that side 43 is facing upward. Thereafter, bridge member 50 is re-installed to secure insert 40 within the body 22 of the putter head 20. In this manner, the alignment features 49 of the putter head 20 may be quickly and easily changed by the user, even while on the golf course. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4,5, 7 and 8, the sides 41, 43 of the alignment inserts 40 may be planar or concave. The sides 41, 43 may also be convex.

In a similar fashion, a preferred system of the present invention provides for the quick and easy modification of the overall weight of the putter head 20 through the provision of a plurality of interchangeable bridge members 50, wherein each of the bridge members 50 has a distinct weight with respect to each of the other plurality of bridge members 50. Only one of the bridge members at a time is removably installed on the first and second spaced, aft-members 30, 32 of the putter head 20. The user may removably install a bridge member 50 having a weight to his or her liking by using allen bolts 51. In addition, the plurality of bridge members may be provided in a variety of different shapes, colors and materials, including without limitation metals, such as steel, aluminum and copper, plastics, polymers and resins, to provide further flexibility with respect to the appearance and weight of the putter head 20.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes, modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A putter-type club head comprising:

a body defining a front face and an aft side;

first and second spaced, aft-members extending out of said aft side;

a bridge member installed on said first and second spaced, aft-members; and

an insert disposed between first and second spaced, aft-members.

2. The putter-type head of claim 1 further comprising an alignment feature defined by said insert.

3. The putter-type head of claim 1 further comprising an alignment indicium defined by said insert.

4. The putter-type head of claim 1 further comprising an alignment symbol defined by said insert.

5. The putter-type head of claim 1 further comprising one or more alignment features, symbols or indicia disposed on a first side of said insert.

6. The putter-type head of claim 5 further comprising one or more alignment features, symbols or indicia disposed on a second side of said insert.

7. The putter-type head of claim 6 wherein said first side of said insert faces upward and said second side of said insert faces downward.

8. The putter-type head of claim 7 wherein said insert may be removed from between said first and second spaced, aft-members and repositioned therebetween so that said second side of said insert faces upward and said first side of said insert faces downward.

9. The putter-type head of claim 1 wherein said bridge member is removably installed on said first and second spaced, aft-members.

10. The putter-type head of claim 1 wherein said insert is disposed between said bridge member and said aft side of said body.

11. The putter-type head of claim 10 wherein said bridge member may be removed from said first and second spaced, aft-members to allow for the removal of said insert that is removably disposed between said first and second spaced, aft-members.

12. The putter-type head of claim 1 wherein said aft side of said body is substantially planar and each of said first and second spaced, aft-members is disposed substantially perpendicular to said aft side of said body.

13. The putter-type head of claim 1 wherein an inner portion of each of said first and second spaced, aft-members defines a slot.

14. The putter-type head of claim 13 wherein first and second edges of said insert each define a rib which is received in one of said slots defined by said first and second spaced, aft-members.

15. A putter-type club head system comprising:

a body defining a front face and an aft side;

first and second spaced, aft-members extending out of said aft side; and

a plurality of interchangeable bridge members, wherein each of said bridge members has a distinct weight with respect to each of the other plurality of bridge members, wherein only one of said bridge members at a time may be removably installed on said first and second spaced, aft-members.

16. The putter-type head system of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of interchangeable alignment inserts, wherein each of said plurality of alignment inserts comprises at least one alignment feature, symbol or indicium, and wherein only one of said alignment inserts at a time may be removably installed between said first and second spaced, aft-members.

17. The putter-type head system of claim 16 wherein an inner portion of each of said first and second spaced, aft-members defines a slot.

18. The putter-type head system of claim 17 wherein each of said alignment inserts comprises first and second edges, wherein each of said first and second edges defines a rib which is received in one of said slots defined by said first and second spaced, aft-members when its respective alignment insert is removably installed between said first and second spaced, aft-members.