GB2432327A

GB2432327A - Apparatus for extending a golf putter handle

Info

Publication number: GB2432327A
Application number: GB0523496A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Arthur Craven
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-18
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Also published as: GB0523496D0

Abstract

An apparatus for extending the length of a golf putter comprises (i) an extension member 206 having a handle end and an opposed connecting end, (ii) a first threaded connector 202 for insertion into a shaft 103 of a putter, and (iii) a second threaded connector 203 for insertion into the connecting end of the extension member 206, such that the extension member can be attached to the putter shaft by screwing the two connectors together. The extension member 206 may have a bore 207 for receiving the second connector 203, and the first connector 202 may deform in order to fit tightly within the shaft 103. The connectors may be configured to receive an allen screw (not shown), and the apparatus may further comprise a stopper (204, fig. 2) which can be screwed into the first connector 202 when the extension member 206 is not attached to the puffer shaft 103. The connectors may be held in place with glue. An end of the putter may be removed, e.g. using a hacksaw, prior to insertion of the first connector, and the extension member may be cut to a desired length, e.g. using a hacksaw, prior to insertion of the second connector.

Description

Golf Putter Extension

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates apparatus for extending the length of a golf puffer, and extended golf puffer, and a method of extending a golf puffer.

Many golfers have a puffer which they particularly enjoy playing with, but in certain situations they require a puffer with a longer handle, such as to waist or chest height. The present invention allows a puffer to be extended to any length.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for extending the length of a golf puffer comprising: an extension member having an opening at one end and a handle at the opposing end; a first connecting member configured to be inserted into a shaft of a puffer, said first connecting member having a first threaded portion; a second connecting member configured to be inserted into the extension member, said second connecting member having a second threaded portion configured to mate with said first threaded portion, whereby after insertion of said first and second connecting members into the shaft and extension member respectively, said connecting members are connectable by interaction of said first and second threads.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows an unextended golf puffer; Figure 2 shows a kit of parts according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows components to extend a golf putter according to the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a golf putter with different lengths of extension.

Written Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an unextended golf putter 101. Putter 101 comprises a head 102, a shaft 103 and a handle 104. Shaft 103 is of hollow construction. Handle 104 fits over shaft 103, such that shaft 103 extends the entire length of the putter from head 102 to the furthest end of handle 104.

Figure 2 A kit of parts to extend putter 101 is shown in Figure 2.The kit includes extension member 201, first connecting member 202, second connecting member 203, and end stopper 204. Extension member 201 has a handle 205 and a hollow shaft 206 with bore 207.

First connecting member 202 has approximately the same diameter as the bore of putter shaft 103. Second connecting member 203 has a diameter approximately the same as that of the bore 207 of extension member shaft 206. First connecting member 202 includes a threaded portion, which in this embodiment is internal, making this the female connector. Second connecting member 203 includes a threaded portion 208, which in this embodiment is external, making this the male connector. The threads are configured to be opposing so that first connecting member 202 and second connecting member 203 can fit together.

End stopper 204 has a threaded portion 209 similar to that of second connecting member 203, such that end stopper 204 is also configured to interact with first connecting member 202. End stopper 204 has a diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter of putter handle 104.

Figure 3 Figure 3 illustrates how the components shown in Figure 2 interact in order to extend a golf puffer.

In a preferred embodiment, the first step of extending a golf puffer is to remove the end of puffer handle, in order to leave an opening into the bore 301 of shaft 103. The removal, in this embodiment, is done with a hacksaw, but it could be done with any cuffing tool. In a preferred embodiment, glue is then applied to the outer surface of first connecting member 202. First connecting member 202 is then inserted into bore 301 of shaft 103 which runs through handle 104 of golf puffer 101. Upon insertion of first connecting member 202 into bore 301, the outer surface of first connecting member 202 is configured to deform so as to form a tight fit. First connecting member 202 has an internal threaded portion 302 and opening 303 configured to receive threaded portion 208 of second connecting member 203.

In a preferred embodiment, shaft 206 of extension member 201 is cut to the desired length. In an alternative embodiment extension member 201 could be produced in a variety of lengths, such that a suitable length would be selected before purchase and therefore cuffing the extension member to size would not be required.

Once the desired length of extension member has been obtained, in this embodiment glue is applied to the outer surface of second connecting member 203. Second connecting member 203 is then inserted into bore 207 of shaft 206 of extension member 201. Upon insertion of second connecting member 203 into bore 207, the outer surface of second connecting member 203 is configured to deform so as to form a tight fit.

In an alternative embodiment, second connecting member 203 is supplied as part of extension member 201, permanently fixed thereto.

Once the two connecting members are fixed into the putter handle and extension member respectively, the two portions are screwed together by interaction of threaded portions 302 and 208.

In an alternative embodiment, first connecting member 202 and/or second connecting member 203 are configured to receive an allen screw when connected together. The allen screw goes through openings in the connecting members and anchors the two sections together.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows putters of various lengths, which have been extended according to the present invention. At 401, putter 101 is shown with end stopper 204 screwed into the top. End stopper 204 serves to allow a golfer to use his putter at its original length, after modification to allow the fitting of an extension member or extension members.

Putters 402, 403 and 404 are golf putters extended to various different lengths by the attachment of different extension members, in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for extending the length of a golf putter

comprising: an extension member having a handle at one end and an opposing end for connection to a golf putter; a first connecting member configured to be inserted into a shaft of a putter, said first connecting member having a first threaded portion; a second connecting member configured to provide a second threaded portion at said opposing end of said extension member and such that said second threaded portion is configured to mate with said first threaded portion, whereby after insertion of said first connecting members into the shaft, said connecting members are connectable by interaction of said first and second threads.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second connecting member is permanently attached to said extension member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second connecting member is separate from said extension member, configured to be attached thereto.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said extension member has an opening at said opposing end configured to receive said second connecting member.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first connecting member has an outer surface configured to deform so as to fit tightly inside the shaft.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said second connecting member has an outer surface configured to fit tightly inside said extension member.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first connecting member is male and said second connecting member is female.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and/or second connecting members are configured to receive an allen screw.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a stopper to be screwed into said first connecting member, when said extension member is not attached.

10. A golf putter comprising a head portion releasably connected to an extension portion, wherein said head portion comprises a shaft having a club head at one end and an opening at the opposing end, said opening containing a first connecting member which has a first threaded portion, and said handle portion comprising a shaft having a handle at one end and an opening at its opposing end, said opening containing a second connecting member which has a second threaded portion connected to said first threaded portion.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, including an allen screw configured to be screwed into the joint of said first and second connecting members.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, including a stopper to be screwed into said first connecting member, when said extension member is not attached.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said first connecting member is held in place by the application of glue.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein said second connecting member is held in place by the application of glue.

15. Apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein said second connecting member is permanently attached to said handle portion.

16. A method of extending a golf putter comprising the steps of: fixing a first connecting member into the open end of a golf putter; fixing a second connecting member into the open end of an extension portion; and screwing together threaded portions of said first and second connecting members.

17. A method according to claim 16 including the step of removing the end of a golf putter before fixing said first connecting member.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said end is removed by cutting with a hacksaw.

19. A method according to any of claims 16 to 18, including the step of cutting said extension portion to the desired length before fixing said second connecting member.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said cutting is carried out with a hacksaw.

21. A method according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein said first connecting member is held in place by the application of glue.

22. A method according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein said second connecting member is held in place by the application of glue.

23. A method according to any of claims 16 to 22, including the step of inserting an allen screw into the joint of the first and second connecting members.

24. Apparatus for extending the length of a golf putter, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.

25. A method of extending a golf putter, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.