Putter and putter fitting system

• US 20050159236A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David M. Edel
• Original Assignee: David M. Edel
• Inventors: Edel, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,163,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/288
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/007 Putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

A putter-fitting system that allows for quick and easy alteration of various aspects of the putter including, but not limited to, weighting, lie angle, and hosel style is described. Also described are a cam-based putter face release mechanism, a cam-based hosel release mechanism and/or an interchangeable striking surface insert.

Claims

1. A golf club including:

a face portion;

a rear body portion configured to be secured to the face portion to form a club head, where, when the face portion is secured to the rear body portion, the face portion and rear body portion cooperatively define a recess in the club head; and

a hosel configured such that a portion of the hosel can be inserted into the recess.

2. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the face portion comprises an upper lip that extends rearwards and fits flush against the rear portion to form a seamless face.

3. The golf club of claim 2 further comprising a hosel securing mechanism within the club head configured to reversibly secure the hosel to the club head.

4. The golf club of claim 3 wherein the club head further comprises an orifice configured to provide access to the hosel securing mechanism.

5. The golf club of claim 4 wherein the hosel securing mechanism comprises a cam seated within a cam seat, the cam being configured to move from a first position to a second position, wherein, in the first position, the cam is configured to engage the portion of the hosel that is inserted into the cavity, thereby securing the hosel to the club head, and in the second position, the cam is configured to release the hosel, thereby allowing the hosel to be removed from the club head.

6. The golf club of claim 5 wherein the cam includes an engagement region that is accessible via the orifice in the club head.

7. The golf club of claim 1 wherein the club head further comprises a face portion release mechanism configured to allow detachment of the face portion from the rear body portion.

8. The golf club of claim 7 wherein the rear body portion includes a bore configured to provide access to the face portion release mechanism.

9. The golf club of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of interchangeable face portions, wherein each face portion may be secured to the rear body portion.

10. The golf club of claim 9 wherein two or more of the face portions differ from each other in lie angle.

11. The golf club of claim 9 wherein two or more of the face portions are formed from materials having a different specific gravity.

12. The golf club of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of interchangeable hosels, wherein each hosel may be secured to the club head.

13. A golf club having a face portion wherein the face portion further comprises a longitudinal recess extending along a substantial length and width of the face of the face portion, the longitudinal recess including an inner lip, the longitudinal recess being configured to receive an insert.

14. The golf club of claim 13 further comprising an insert configured to be received in the longitudinal recess.

15. The golf club of claim 13 further comprising a securing mechanism configured to reversibly secure the insert to the face portion.

16. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the insert is formed of a reflective material.

17. The golf club of claim 14, wherein the insert is formed of a substantially non-reflective material.

18. The golf club of claim 14 wherein, when the insert is secured within the longitudinal recess, the insert and club face provide a smooth, planar striking surface.

19. A golf club comprising:

a rear body portion;

a face portion; and

a face portion release mechanism comprising a cam seat within the rear body portion, and a cam seatable within the cam seat, wherein, when the cam is in the cam seat, the cam is movable from at least a first position to at least a second position.

20. The golf club of claim 19 wherein the cam includes an engagement region that is accessible via the bore within the rear body portion.

21. The golf club of claim 20 wherein the cam may be moved from the first position to the second position by a tool configured to access the cam via the bore and engage the engagement region of the cam.

22. The golf club of claim 19, wherein the face portion comprises one or more detents configured to be reversibly engaged with the cam when the cam is in the first position so as to secure the face portion to the rear body portion.

23. A golf club comprising:

a face portion having an upper lip that extends rearwards from the face portion; and

a rear body portion having an upper surface;

where, when the face and rear body portions are engaged with one another, the upper lip seats on top of the upper surface of the rear body portion so as to provide a seamless surface on the top and face of the golf club.