Golf club having replaceable striking surface attachments and method for replacing same

• US 6,863,620 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2001
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wm. T. Burnett Ip, LLC
• Original Assignee: STX LLC (Wm. T. Burnett & Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Tucker, Richard B. C. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldarola, Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, THANH P
• Application Number:
  US09/758,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 473/288, 473/325, 473/340, 473/342, 473/345, 473/349, 473/214, 473/329, 473/335, 473/348, 473/350, 473/291, 473/339, 473/334, 294/60, 295/08, 295/30, 295/272, 294/47, 295/250.1
• US Class Current: 473/288
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0425 the face insert comprising two or more different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0466 wood-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/047 iron-type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0487 for putters A63B53/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/08 with special arrangements for obtaining a variable impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/52 with slits

Abstract

An adjustable customized golf club, e.g., a golf putter, as well as a method for using the club, wherein the club has a head, a striking surface attachment, and one or more lock fittings that positively lock the striking surface attachment to the head. The striking surface attachment is one of several selectable attachments, each with different performance characteristics, e.g., rebound. The one or more lock fittings positively lock the striking surface attachments to the putter head such that the club components are firmly fixed, yet are still quickly removable and replaceable. In a representative embodiment, the striking surface attachment can be removed by hand and without tools. A golfer quickly changes the striking surface attachments without losing the feel of the prior striking surface attachment, thereby enabling the golfer to realistically compare the differences between the attachments before selecting and playing with a particular striking surface attachment.

Claims

1. A golf putter comprising:

a putter head defining a cavity, the cavity having a surface that is one of metallic and magnetic;

a striking surface attachment disposed in the cavity of the putter head, wherein the striking surface attachment is made of a flexible elastomer; and

a flexible magnetic sheet attached to the striking surface attachment, wherein the flexible magnetic sheet bonds to the surface of the cavity of the putter head.

2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the surface of the putter head cavity comprises a second flexible magnetic sheet.

3. The golf putter of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed in the surface of the putter head cavity.

4. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head comprises a metal core and a thermoplastic shell molded around the metal core.

5. The golf putter of claim 4, wherein the surface of the cavity of the putter head to which the flexible magnetic sheet is bonded is a portion of the metal core exposed in the cavity.

6. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the striking surface attachment includes one of a tab, ridge, flange, and indentation for gripping and separating the striking surface attachment from the putter head.

7. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head includes an indentation proximate to the cavity for gripping and separating the striking surface attachment from the putter head.

8. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the putter head defines a groove in the cavity'"'"'s periphery and the striking surface attachment has a flexible rib on its outer periphery, and wherein the flexible rib is disposed within the groove.

9. The golf putter of claim 8, wherein the outer periphery of the striking surface attachment, including the flexible rib, is larger than the periphery of the cavity such that the flexible rib must deform for the striking surface attachment to pass into the cavity.

10. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the striking surface attachment has a flexible strap, wherein the putter head has a post, and wherein the flexible strap is retained by the post.

11. The golf putter of claim 10, wherein the putter head defines an opening through which the flexible strap is routed from the surface of the cavity to the post.

12. The golf putter of claim 10, wherein the flexible strap defines an opening in which the post is disposed.