Interchangeable putter system

• US 20070184915A1
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Mansfield
• Original Assignee: Peter Mansfield
• Inventors: Mansfield, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,563,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/340
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0433 with special sole configurations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0441 with visual indicators for aligning the golf club
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

An interchangeable putter system for the customization of putters to individual players and for increasing the versatility of putting on various putting surfaces. The system includes a club head and a plurality of interchangeable face plates. Each of the face plates includes a front surface having a pitch or loft. The face plates are removably attachable to the club head by securing fasteners to the face plates prior to its attachment to the club head. As a result the attachment of the face plate to the club head is simplified.

Claims

1. An interchangeable golf putter comprising:

a club head having a peripheral edge and a front surface, a first notch and an opposed second notch extending into the peripheral edge and the front surface;

at least one interchangeable face plate having a front striking surface and a back surface, wherein the interchangeable face plate is positionable adjacent the front surface of the club head; and

a first fastening member and a second fastening member secureable to the back surface of the face plate, the first and second fastening members being positionable in the first and second notches to secure the at least one interchangeable face plate thereto.

2. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the club head has a top surface having indicia to aid a golfer aligning the club head.

3. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the club head has a bottom surface having a raised portion extending away therefrom to reduce the amount of bottom surface area adjacent to a putting surface.

4. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the club head has a recess that defines a chamber between the club head and the at least one interchangeable face plate.

5. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the club head includes a bore extending therein to receive a measurable amount of weighted material.

6. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 5 further comprising a seal for sealing the bore.

7. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the first notch extends into a toe portion of the club head and the second notch extends into a heel portion of the club head.

8. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the first and second notches includes an inner surface having a lip, wherein the first and second fastening members engage the lip to secure the face plate to the club head.

9. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the back surface includes a pair of spaced bores to receive the first and second fastening members.

10. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the at least one interchangeable face plate can vary imparting a loft to the front surface of the at least one interchangeable face plate.

11. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 10, wherein a plurality of interchangeable face plates are provided with each of the face plates having a different loft.

12. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 11, wherein each of the face plates includes an identifying indicia.

13. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, further comprising a shaft mounted to the club head.

14. An interchangeable golf putter system comprising:

a club head having a heel portion, a toe portion and a front face, a first notch extending into the toe portion and a second notch extending into the heel portion of the club head;

at least one face plate having a back surface and a front surface; and

at least one fastener disposed to the back surface of the face plate, the at least one fastener having at least a first portion and a second portion extending away therefrom, wherein the first portion of the at least one fastener is mateable with the first notch followed by the second portion mating with the second notch of the club head, whereby the at least one face plate is secured to the club head.

15. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 14, wherein the first notch and the second notch extend into the front surface of the club head.

16. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 14, wherein the first notch and the second notch each have an inner lip to engage the first portion and the second portion of the at least one fastener.

17. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 14, wherein the at least one face plate has a width that varies across its height such that it has a particular loft.

18. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 17, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable face plates each having a different loft.

19. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 14, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the at least one fastener are threaded fasteners threaded to the back surface of the at least one interchangeable face plate.

20. A method of interchanging face plates on a putter comprising the steps of:

providing a club head having first and second notches spaced apart by a front surface;

providing a face plate having a front striking surface and a back surface;

attaching a first fastening member to the back surface of the face plate;

attaching a second fastening member to the back surface of the face plate;

inserting the first fastening member into the first notch;

aligning the face plate adjacent the club head;

inserting the second fastening member into the second notch; and

tightening the first and second fastening members with a tool, whereby the face plate is secured to the club head.