Golf club putter head

• US 6,428,423 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andy Merko
• Original Assignee: Andy Merko
• Inventors: Merko, Andy V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Passaniti, Sebastiano
• Application Number:
  US09/790,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20020055394A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 473/334, 473/335, 473/336, 473/337, 473/338, 473/339, 473/332, 473/329, 473/340, 473/341, 473/288, 473/245, 473/246, 473/247, 473/248, 473/251, 473/305-315, 473/409, 473/324
• US Class Current: 473/307
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2053/0491 with added weights, e.g. changeable, replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/02 Joint structures between the head and the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 53/0416 Heads having an impact surface provided by a face insert
• 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

Abstract

A modular-design putter head, having an extruded main body with detachable, heat treated face and hosel bracket. A unique floating-face feature impart trampoline effect when a ball is struck. A flexible hosel, fastened at two points at the rear of the main body acts as a spring for softer touch. Acoustical properties are enhanced with an internal echo chamber which can be filled with foam. A further departure of the traditional putter design and method of manufacture involve the use of extruded metal to form the main putter head. The extruded stock can be cut to desired lengths allowing for economical production of different weight putter heads.

Claims

1. A putter head comprising:

a. a main body;

said body having a front and a back, a transverse echo chamber and a transverse weight cavity;

b. a weight inserted through said weight cavity;

said weight having the same shape as said weight cavity;

said weight having a front and a back;

c. a hosel bracket attached to said back of said weight;

said hosel bracket including a 90 degree bend to produce an upwards facing surface;

d. a shaft socket attached to said upward facing surface so as to create a hosel; and

e. a distinct face plate attached to said front of said weight.

2. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 in which said echo chamber is filled with foam.

3. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 in which said hosel bracket is attached to said weight and said weight is attached to said face plate with threaded fasteners.

4. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 in which said hosel bracket is attached to said weight and said weight is attached to said face plate with adhesive.

5. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising washers between said hosel bracket and said weight and between said weight and said face plate.

6. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 in which the flexibility of said hosel bracket is adjusted to a desired value by heat treatment.

7. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an additional weight attached to the rear of said hosel bracket.

8. A putter head as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a gasket between said face plate and said main body.

9. A method of fabricating a putter head comprising the steps of:

a. providing a main body;

said body having a front and a back, a transverse echo chamber and a transverse weight cavity;

b. providing a weight;

said weight having the same shape as said weight cavity;

said weight having a front and a back;

c. providing a hosel bracket;

d. forming a 90 degree bend in said hosel bracket to produce an upward facing surface;

e. providing a shaft socket;

f. providing a face plate;

g. attaching said shaft socket to said upwards facing surface to create a hosel;

h. inserting said weight through said weight cavity;

i. attaching said hosel bracket to said back of said weight; and

j. attaching said face plate to said front of said weight.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the step of filling said echo chamber with foam.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 in which said hosel bracket is attached to said weight and said weight is attached to said face plate with threaded fasteners.

12. A method as claimed in claim 9 in which said hosel bracket is attached to said weight and said weight is attached to said face plate with adhesive.

13. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of inserting washers between said hosel bracket and said weight and between said weight and said face plate.

14. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the step of heat treating said hosel bracket to obtain desired flexibility.

15. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of

a. providing an additional weight; and

b. attaching said additional weight to the rear of said hosel bracket.

16. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of heat treating said face plate.

17. A method as claimed in claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

a. providing a gasket having a shape essentially the same as said face plate

b. interposing said gasket between said main body and said face plate.