Golf putter with adjustable characteristics

• US 6,238,303 B1
• Filed: 12/03/1996
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Fite
• Original Assignee: John Fite
• Inventors: Fite, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US08/758,788
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 473/342, 473/287, 473/288, 473/340, 473/290, 473/325, 473/334, 473/335, 473/324
• US Class Current: 473/342
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/02 Ballast means for adjusting the centre of mass A63B60/24, A63B60/54 take precedence

Abstract

A golf putter having a removable ball striking insert received in a recess formed in the front surface of a putter body. Ball striking inserts having various weight, texture and hardness characteristics may be interchanged with the putter body in order to provide different putting characteristics to the golf club.

Claims

1. A golf club for putting comprising:

a putter body having a shaft connection region and a ball striking surface, said ball striking surface having a first recess formed therein to a first predetermined depth;

a shaft having an end secured to said shaft connection region; and

a first ball striking insert detachably mounted in said recess, said insert having length, width and depth dimensions closely matching said recess so as to form a ball striking face substantially coplanar with said ball striking surface, whereby the putting characteristics of said golf club can be varied by using ball striking inserts of different weight, texture and hardness;

wherein said putter body is provided with an insert receiving slot adjacent said recess, and wherein said ball striking insert has a portion engageable with said slot.

3. The golf club of claim 1 wherein said putter body is provided with a relieved portion adjacent said recess to facilitate access to said grip recess.

2. A golf club for putting comprising:

a putter body having a shaft connection region and a ball striking surface, said ball striking surface having a first recess formed therein to a first predetermined depth;

a shaft having an end secured to said shaft connection region; and

a first ball striking insert detachably mounted in said recess, said insert having length, width and depth dimensions closely matching said recess so as to form a ball striking face substantially coplanar with said ball striking surface, whereby the putting characteristics of said golf club can be varied by using ball striking inserts of different weight texture and hardness;

wherein said putter body has a spaced pair of insert receiving slots at opposite ends of said recess, and wherein said ball striking insert has opposite end portions each engageable with a different one of said slots.

4. A golf club for putting comprising:

a putter body having a shaft connection region and a ball striking surface, said ball striking surface having a first recess formed therein to a first predetermined depth and an insert receiving slot adjacent said recess;

a shaft having an end secured to said shaft connection region; and

a first ball striking insert detachably mounted in said recess, said ball striking insert having a portion engagable with said slot, said insert having length, width and depth dimensions closely matching said recess so as to form a ball striking surface substantially co-planar with said putter body ball striking surface, said ball striking insert including a grip recess formed therein in a position accessible when said ball striking insert is mounted in said recess, whereby the putting characteristics of said golf club can be varied by using ball striking inserts of different weight, texture and hardness.

5. For use with a golf club for putting having a putter body with a ball striking surface and a recess formed in said ball striking surface, a ball striking insert having length, width and thickness dimensions closely matching the recess so as to form a ball striking face substantially co-planar with the ball striking surface when said insert is positioned in the recess, means for enabling said insert to be detachably mounted to the putter body, and a grip recess formed in said ball striking insert in a position accessible once said ball striking insert is mounted in said recess.

6. A golf club for putting comprising:

a putter body having a shaft connection region and a ball striking surface, said ball striking surface including a generally rectangular first recess formed therein to a first predetermined depth, said recess having top, bottom, left and right surfaces;

a shaft having an end secured to said shaft connection region; and

a plurality of ball striking inserts each fabricated from a different material selected from the group consisting of titanium, graphite, PTFE, copper, brass, nylon, resinous plastic material, polycarbonate resin, aluminum and steel, each said ball striking insert adapted to be detachably mounted in said recess, said insert having length, width and depth dimensions closely matching said recess so as to form a ball striking face substantially coplanar with said ball striking surface, whereby the putting characteristics of said golf club can be varied by using ball striking inserts of different weight, texture and hardness.