Golf putter with adjustable weight system

• US 7,691,004 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2008
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Lueders
• Original Assignee: Robert Lueders
• Inventors: Lueders, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti; Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US12/031,932
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 473220-222, 473/251, 473/255, 473/233, 473/234, 473334-339, 473223-225, 473/340, 473/341, 473/349
• US Class Current: 473/222
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/52 modulated by measured values
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/04 Heads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/042 the face insert consisting of a material different from that of the head
• 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 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3685 Putters or attachments on putters, e.g. for measuring, aligning A63B69/3614 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved golf putter incorporating a weight management system that allows for adjustment of a golf club head weighting by incorporating an adjustable weight system wherein weights may be removed and replaced quickly and easily without requiring a specialized tool is disclosed. Weights received within weight ports formed in the heel and toe portions of the putter are maintained securely affixed within the club head body by plugs adapted for snap fit engagement with the club head. Unlike other putter weight adjustment systems disclosed in the art, the present invention does not require use of a special tool, such as a wrench, to remove and replace the weights. While the preferred golf club embodiment disclosed is a putter, the present invention contemplates incorporating any of the features and/or advancements disclosed herein into any golf club. In addition, the present invention further includes novel aspects relating to overall design, including mass distribution and a rearwardly projecting portion having an upwardly sloped sole that prevents the club from snagging the turf. Furthermore a hollowed out area formed within the rearwardly projecting portion is sized and shaped to receive a correspondingly sized and shaped sensing module adapted to measure club head movement and wirelessly transmit data to a remote graphical user interface.

Claims

1. A golf putter with an adjustable weight management system, said putter comprising:

a putter head having face having a heel portion, a toe portion, a top, and a sole;

said sole being convexly shaped between said toe portion and said heel portion;

said heel portion and said toe portion each defining a weight port;

at least one weight adapted for removable insertion within one of said weight ports;

said putter head including a rearwardly projecting portion disposed between said heel portion and said toe portion, said rearwardly projecting portion including a top and a bottom and defining an opening therebetween;

said rearwardly projecting portion top being generally planar;

said rearwardly projecting portion bottom being generally convex;

a sensing module including a housing shaped for removable insertion within said opening, said housing containing at least one 3-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope, a wireless transmitter;

an electronic device adapted to receive wireless transmissions from said sensing module, said electronic device configured to be worn on the human body.

2. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein said electronic device adapted to receive wireless transmissions is configured to be worn on the wrist.

3. A golf putter according to claim 1 wherein said electronic device adapted to receive wireless transmissions provides audible output.