Golf putter head with adjustable hosel

• US 5,340,104 A
• Filed: 07/08/1993
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald D. Griffin
• Original Assignee: Ronald D. Griffin
• Inventors: Griffin, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Theatrice
• Assistant Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US08/089,886
• Time in Patent Office: 411 Days
• Field of Search: 273/80.1, 273/80.2, 273/79, 273/80 C, 273/167 G, 273/167 F, 273/169, 403/101, 403/102, 403/359
• US Class Current: 473/340
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/025 lie angle only, i.e. relative angular adjustment between the shaft and the club head about an axis parallel to the intended line of play when the club is in its normal address position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/065 for putters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/472 including mechanical interlock

Abstract

An adjustable golf putter head assembly is described including a putter head and an adjustable hosel for connecting the head to a putter shaft. The putter head includes a forward ball striking surface formed substantially along a ball striking plane, a bottom sole surface, and a rearwardly facing back surface. The putter head further includes opposed toe and heel ends between which said forward ball striking surface, bottom sole surface and back surface extend. The hosel is of a goose neck configuration, and includes a first end for attachment to the putter head, and a second end for attachment to a club shaft. A pivot connection on the putter head back surface and the first end of the hosel interconnects the hosel and putter head at a location on the putter head substantially midway between the toe and heel ends, for selective pivot adjustment of the hosel relative to the putter head about a first axis substantially normal to the ball striking plane. An interlock component such as an epoxy adhesive joins the first end of the hosel and putter head within the pivot connection to affix the putter head and hosel together after initial adjustment in a selected angular relationship about the axis. The club head is substantially symmetrical to facilitate constant balance and afford adjustment for left or right handed golfers.

Claims

1. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, comprising:

a putter head including a forward ball striking surface formed substantially along a ball striking plane, a bottom sole surface, and a rearwardly facing back surface;

wherein the putter head further includes opposed toe and heel ends between which said forward ball striking surface, bottom sole surface and back surface extend;

a hosel including a first end for attachment to the putter head, and a second end for attachment to a club shaft;

a pivot connection including a substantially cylindrical mortise and tenon on the putter head back surface and the first end of the hosel interconnecting the hosel and putter head at a location on the putter head substantially midway between the toe and heel ends, for selective pivot adjustment of the hosel relative to the putter head about a first axis substantially normal to the ball striking plane; and

an interlock component joining the first end of the hosel and putter head at the pivot connection to affix the putter head and hosel together in a selected angular relationship about said first axis.

2. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the putter head forward of the back surface thereof.

3. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the first axis forward of the back surface of the putter head.

4. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 wherein the pivot connection includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis.

5. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 wherein the pivot connection includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis;

and

wherein the interlock component is comprised of an adhesive received between the mortise and tenon.

6. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 wherein the pivot connection includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis;

and further comprising adhesive flow and interlock channels formed in the tenon;

wherein the interlock component is comprised of an adhesive received between the mortise and tenon and within the interlock channels.

7. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1, wherein the bottom sole surface includes oppositely inclined surfaces leading from a central sole section upwardly toward the heel and toe ends.

8. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1, wherein the bottom sole surface includes oppositely inclined surfaces leading from a central sole section located below the axis and leading upwardly from the central sole section toward the heel and toe ends;

and

wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the club head adjacent the central sole section.

9. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1 comprising:

wherein the bottom sole surface includes oppositely inclined surfaces leading from a central sole section located below the axis and leading upwardly from the central sole section toward the heel and toe ends;

wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the central sole section forward of the back surface thereof; and

the pivot connection includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis.

10. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1:

wherein the bottom sole surface includes oppositely inclined surfaces leading from a central sole section located below the axis and leading upwardly from the central sole section toward the heel and toe ends;

wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the central sole section forward of the back surface thereof;

wherein the interlock component includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis; and

wherein the interlock component is comprised of an adhesive received between the mortise and tenon.

11. An adjustable golf putter head assembly, as defined by claim 1:

wherein the bottom sole surface includes oppositely inclined surfaces leading from a central sole section located below the axis and leading upwardly from the central sole section toward the heel and toe ends;

wherein the hosel is goose neck shaped, with the second end defining a shaft axis intersecting the central sole section forward of the back surface thereof;

wherein the pivot connection includes a mortise formed in the putter head along the back surface thereof and a tenon formed at the first end of the hosel, said mortise and tenon being substantially cylindrical along the first axis;

and further comprising adhesive flow and interlock channels formed in the tenon; and

wherein the interlock component is further comprised of an adhesive received between the mortise and tenon.