Interchangeable putter system

• US 7,563,172 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter Mansfield
• Original Assignee: Peter Mansfield
• Inventors: Mansfield, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US11/497,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20070184915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 473340-342, 473245-246, 473/288
• 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 53/0433 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 front surface, a rear surface, a first notch and a second notch in spaced relation, each notch having a continuous opening to the outside of the head along the entire length of the notch from the front surface to the rear surface of the club head;

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, each member having a first and second end, the first end of each fastening member being securable to the back surface of the face plate, the second end of each first and second fastening members being positionable in the first and second notches to secure the at least one interchangeable face plate to said head.

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 include 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. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch open to opposing sides of the club head.

15. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the first notch and the second notch each have an inner lip to engage the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener.

16. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the at least one face plate has a width that varies across its height such that it has a particular loft.

17. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable face plates each having a different loft.

18. The interchangeable golf putter of claim 1, wherein the at least one first fastener and the at least one second fastener are threaded to the back surface of the at least one interchangeable face plate.