GB2505904A

GB2505904A - Golf putter head encompassing removable weights and replaceable rear portions

Info

Publication number: GB2505904A
Application number: GB1216384.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl Alan Neville; Clive Anthony Odell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-13
Filing date: 2012-09-13
Publication date: 2014-03-19
Also published as: GB201216384D0

Abstract

A head for a golf putter comprises a front part 3 which includes the striking face of the putter and a rear part 1 which can be selectively detached from the front part and replaced with one of a selection of alternative rear parts. Each rear part includes one or more cavities 13 for receiving complementary shaped weights 17. Thus the moment of inertia of the head can be varied at will and differently shaped rear parts can be attached to the front part of the putter head to suit the user of the putter. The alternative rear parts may be rectangular or triangular, and feature a heel. The head may be constructed from cast aluminium.

Description

Golf Putter Heads This invention relates to golf putter heads.

It is well accepted that the moment of inertia generated by a golf putter head in use is affected by the amount and distribution of weight located in The putter head. It is also well accepted that the performance of an individual using a golf putter can be improved by ensuring that the putter' s moment of inertia is appropriate for the individual. In particular, by matching the moment of inertia of a putter to the stature of the intended user can improve the individual's performance by, for example, increasing the resistance to unwanted twisting of the putter head during off-centre hits.

In the past, the selective use of removable weights has been employed to change the moment of inertia of golf clubs. Examples of clubs including this feature can be seen from G32459045, US2004/0138003, US5058895 and US3143349. In each of these documents the overall weight and balance of a golf club can be varied by selectively adding and changing one of several individual weights located in the heel of the club.

In each of these documents the front part of the club head which includes the striking face of the club head, and the rear part of the club head are formed as a single piece, weights being selectively added to or removed from the rear part effectively to change the moment of inertia of the club. One important disadvantage of this is that the extent to which the club head's moment of inertia can be changed is limited. P further disadvantage is that the shape and dimensions of the rear part of the club head are fixed and cannot be changed other than through the purchase of an alternative club.

The present invention sets out to remove these and other disadvantages by providing a two-part putter head, the front part including the striking face of the putter being readily detachable from the rear part, the latter including a plurality of cavities each able to receive one of a selection of different weights.

In one aspect the invention provides a head for a golf putter which comprises a front part which includes the striking face of the putter and a rear part selected from a plurality of rear parts each of which is selectively attachable to the front part and each of which includes one or more cavities each shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a plurality of complementary shaped and dimensioned weights.

The shape and/or size of some or all rear parts of the plurality of rear parts may differ one from another.

The plurality of rear parts may include at least one which is generally rectangular in plan with its longitudinal axis lying parallel to the striking face of the putter when the rear part is secured to the front part of the putter.

The plurality of rear parts may additionally or alternatively include at least one part which is generally triangular in plan with the apex of the triangle furthest from the striking face of the putter when the rear part is secured to the front part of the putter.

The plurality of rear parts may additionally or alternatively include at least one part which is generally rectangular in plan with its longitudinal axis lying normal to the striking face of the front part of the putter when the rear part is secured to the front part.

The front and/or rear parts of the putter head are preferably produced from aluminium or other suitable metal.

In another aspect, the invention provides a golf putter head comprising separable front and rear parts, the front part including a striking face and a rear face to which is attachable one of a plurality of separable rear parts each of which includes a front face connectable to the rear face of the front part and each of which includes a plurality of cavities each shaped and dimensioned to receive one of a plurality of complementary shaped and dimensioned weights.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figures 1 to 3 are respectively front, side and plan views of the rear part of a first golf putter head constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the front part of the putter head illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is a side view in section of the putter head front part illustrated in Figure 4 taken along line V-V; Figures 6 is a plan view from above of the rear part of a second golf putter head constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a section taken along line Vu-Vu of Figure 6; Figure 8 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow A of Figure 6; Figures 9 is a plan view of the rear part of a third golf putter head constructed in accordance with the invention; and Figures 10 to 12 are plan views of rear parts of further golf putter heads all constructed in accordance with the invention.

Rear and front parts 1 and 3 of a first embodiment of a golf putter head in accordance with the invention are respectively illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, and Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. Internal features of the rear part are shown in broken line in Figures 1 to 3.

The rear part 1 comprises a generally rectangular body 5 from one side of which project two flanges 7. Each flange 7 is formed with a through passage 9 through which a screw (not shown) can pass to enable the rear part of the putter head to be connected to the front part illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

When the two putter head parts are connected together, the longitudinal axis of the body 5 lies generally parallel to the striking face 11 of the putter.

As best seen in Figure 1, the rear part 1 of the putter head includes three identically shaped weight receiving cavities 13 spaced evenly across the body 5. Each cavity 13 has an upper section 15 for receiving one or more complementary shaped weights 17 (shown positioned in the cavities in Figure 3) and a lower section 19 formed with an internal thread.

The weights 17 have a main tubular body part of a first diameter and a second tubular body part of a reduced diameter. The second body part of each weight is formed with a thread whereby each weight can be received within the respective cavity 13 and screwed into place within the threads of the lower section 19 using an Allen key or the like. Means to lock the weights 17 in place may be provided to prevent weight changes during the course of a tournament.

The rear part of the putter is preferably produced from cast aluminium although other appropriate materials may be employed.

As will be seen from Figures 4 and 5, the front part of the putter head 3 comprises three sets of vertically spaced parallel flanges 21 each having vertically spaced arms 21A and 21E which project outwardly from the rear face of the putter head remote from the striking face 11. Each flange is formed with an opening 20.

As will be seen from Figure 5, the front part 3 is formed with a through passage 23 which terminates in a screw threaded member 25 located in the rear face of the striking face 11.

To connect the two head parts together, the flanges 21 are positioned within the spaces 27 defined between the flanges 21, with the through passages 9 of the rear part of the head in communication with the through passages 23 of the front part 3. Screws are then introduced through the through passages and enter the screw threaded members 25. The screws are then tightened to connect the front and rear parts together. When connected, the openings 20 of the front part are positioned over the cavities 13 of the rear part whereby the weights 17 extend through the apertures to provide additional connections between the front and rear parts.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) only the bottom flange 21B is present.

The golf putter head part 1 illustrated in Figures 6 to S is generally similar to that discussed above, the most striking difference being that in plan it is generally triangular. The rear part 1 includes a central arm 29 in which are formed three weight receiving cavities and two inclined side arms 31 each of which includes one weight receiving cavity. In this embodiment, therefore, five weight receiving cavities are provided, weights 17 are shown In the cavities.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative golf putter head rear part. In this embodiment the rear part 1 comprises an elongate member 33 which extends rearwards from the rear face of the front part of the putter head and includes three weight receiving cavities. When attached to the front part of the putter, the rear part locates behind the central of the three screw holes of the front part 3.

Further examples of rear parts of putter heads in accordance with the invention are illustrated in Figures 10 to 12.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that putters in accordance with the invention can readily be weighted and shaped to meet the needs of a wide variety of golfers.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of golf putters in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can be made to the putters described without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.