Abstract:
In one embodiment of a putter the putter comprises a head, a cap, at least one brush insert, and a handle. The brush insert(s) may be positioned between the head and cap and retained by the engagement of the cap with the head. The head and cap may be formed with respective ball apertures such that a golf ball may pass through those apertures. The brush insert, which is replaceable, may be formed with a plurality of radially oriented brushes having distal ends extending inward. The putter may be used to retrieve a golf ball from a golf cup by lowering the putter into the cup and forcing the golf ball into the brush insert. Subsequently removing the golf ball coupled with inserting the golf ball into the brush insert cleans the golf ball.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims priority from provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 61/367,592 filed on Jul. 26, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a putter, and more specifically, to a putter for lifting a golf ball from a golf cup and simultaneously cleaning a golf ball. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many accessories and convenience items have been developed for the sport of golfing. One area that has received a great deal of attention is ball retrieval devices. These devices come in a wide variety of styles but may be generally defined by the particular environment in which they operate. 
     Some ball retrieval devices are specifically designed to retrieve golf balls from water hazards. The basic components of such devices generally include a telescoping type handle that enables the user to reach out far enough into the water hazard to retrieve the ball and an open net or cage-like device at one end of the handle which allows for drainage during the retrieval process. 
     A second type of ball retrieval device is specifically designed to accumulate a number of golf balls at one time. Such devices can be in the form of automatic sweepers that roll over the balls and sweep them up off the ground and into a bin. 
     A third type of device is specifically designed to pick the golf ball up off of the ground or from within the putting green golf cup. One type of device for accomplishing this function is a movable claw-type grabbing device that is attached to a pole. Generally, a trigger mechanism on the pole handle enables the user to open and close the claw in order to pick up the ball. 
     Many of the devices are manufactured to stand alone and therefore must be purchased as an addition to one&#39;s golf clubs. Such an approach in not only more expensive, but also requires the golfer to carry an additional device in his golf bag. 
     Some attempts have been made at designing items that incorporate several features into one object. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,658 discloses a putter with a golf ball pick-up structure in the center thereof. However, this design does not provide any structure for cleaning the golf ball during retrieval. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of the putter fully assembled. 
         FIG. 2A  provides an exploded view of the first embodiment of the putter with the handle removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 2B  provides an exploded view of a second embodiment of the putter with the handle removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 3  provides a detailed perspective view of the head from the first embodiment of the putter. 
         FIG. 4  provides a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the putter. 
         FIG. 5  provides a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the putter with a golf ball engaged therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Listing of Elements 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 ELEMENT DESCRIPTION 
                 ELEMENT # 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Putter 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Ball 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Fastener 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Alignment pin 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 Head 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Connector port 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 Alignment port 
                 21a 
               
               
                   
                 Head ball aperture 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Handle housing 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 Handle aperture 
                 23a 
               
               
                   
                 Head recess 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 Strike face 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 Head bottom contour 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 Interface ring 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 Interface ring ridge 
                 28a 
               
               
                   
                 Cavity 
                 29 
               
               
                   
                 Cap 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Connector receiver 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 Cap alignment port 
                 31a 
               
               
                   
                 Cap ball aperture 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Cap wall 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 Cap bottom contour 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                 Insert retainer lip 
                 38 
               
               
                   
                 Insert retainer ridge 
                 38a 
               
               
                   
                 Brush insert 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Brush 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Outer ring 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                 Semi-rigid insert 
                 46 
               
               
                   
                 Semi-rigid spacer 
                 48 
               
               
                   
                 Retainer 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Spacer 
                 52 
               
               
                   
                 Handle 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Grip 
                 62 
               
               
                   
                 Angle 
                 64 
               
               
                   
                 Head engagement portion  
                 66 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of a putter  10 . The putter  10  generally includes a handle  60  connected to a head  20 . The handle  60  may be fashioned with a grip  62  at one end and an angle  64  near the end of the handle  60  opposite the grip  62 . The major length of the handle  60  is substantially linear. The grip  62  may be affixed to the handle  60  using any method and/or structure suitable for securing a grip  62 . The grip  62  may be constructed of rubber, leather, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. 
     An exploded view of a first embodiment of a head  20  and various elements adjacent thereto is shown in  FIG. 2A . The first embodiment includes a head ball aperture  22  generally formed in the center of the head  20 . A head recess  24  may surround the head ball aperture in the top surface of the head  20 . The recess may aide the user in retrieving a ball  12  from the head  20  after the user has used the putter to pick up the ball  12 , which operation is described in detail below. A plug  25  may be positioned within a portion of the head recess  24  for aesthetic reasons. In such an embodiment, the plug  25  may be formed with at least one connector port  21  therein so that the plug  25  may be secured to the head  20  and not detract from the functionality of the putter  10  during use. 
     A handle housing  23  may be integrally formed with the head  20 , as may a laser housing (not shown). The handle housing  23  includes a handle aperture  23   a , which provides an interface between the head  20  and the handle  60  at the head engagement portion  66  of the handle  60 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Laser ports (not shown) may be positioned on either side of the strike face  26  on the head  20 . It is contemplated that laser ports may be positioned so that they are far enough apart from one another that a ball  12  will fit between them. The electronics and/or optics required to create the laser beams may be stored in the laser housing. Such electronics and/or optics are not shown herein for purposes of clarity, but may be any type known to those skilled in the art that is suitable for use with the putter  10 . The strike face  26  is typically formed from a metal or metal alloy and is configured to contact the ball  12  during use. The brush  26  may be formed from other materials depending on the specific embodiment of the putter  10 . Additionally, the laser ports may be positioned in the strike face  26  in certain embodiments of the putter  10 . 
     A detailed view of the bottom surface of one embodiment of a head  20  for use with the putter  10  is shown in  FIG. 3 . A cavity  29  may be formed in the bottom surface of the head  20  into which a cap  30  (described in detail below) may be received. An interface ring  28  may be formed in the head  20  around the periphery of the head ball aperture  22 . The bottom surface of the interface ring  28  may include an interface ring ridge  28   a , which is described in detail below. The bottom surface of the head  20  may be formed with a head contour  27 , which may be configured to mimic the concave curvature of a golf cup (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A &amp; 2B , a cap  30  may be configured to engage the head  20  about the cavity  29 . The cap  30  is formed with a cap ball aperture  32  passing through the center thereof, which is generally concentric with the head ball aperture  22 . The cap  30  may also include an insert retainer lip  38  around the periphery of the cap ball aperture  32  and an annular cap wall  34  extending axially upward with respect to the cap ball aperture  32 . An insert retainer ridge  38   a  may be formed in the insert retainer lip  38 . 
     At least one brush insert  40  may be placed within the cap  30  so that the outer axial surface of the brush insert  40  is adjacent the inner axial surface of the cap  30 . Accordingly, the brush insert  40  may be sandwiched between the head  20  and the cap  30 . The first embodiment includes two brush inserts  40  so positioned. A retainer  50  may be placed between the brush insert  40  and the insert retainer lip  38  formed in the cap  30 , as shown best in  FIG. 3 . The retainer  50  may be sized so that upon retrieval, the ball  12  is positioned closer to the top side of the head  20  than it is to the bottom side thereof. A spacer  52  may be positioned between each brush insert  40  as needed for proper ball  12  placement upon retrieval. In other embodiments of the putter  10  not show herein, the cap  30  is not formed with a cap wall  34 , and the outer axial surface of the brush insert  40  is adjacent the inner axial surface of the cavity  29  formed in the head  20 . 
     Each brush ring  40  may be comprised of an outer ring  44  from which a plurality of brushes  42  protrude. The brushes  42  are generally radially oriented and protrude radially inward from the outer ring  44  such that the distal ends of the brushes  42  form a circle having a diameter slightly less than that of a ball  12 . The outer ring  44  may be constructed of a polymer, metal, metallic alloy, cellulosic material, combination thereof, or any other suitable material for retrieving a ball  12 . The brushes  42  may be retained in the outer ring  44  though friction, by using a chemical adhesive, or any other structure and/or method suitable for securing the brushes  42  to the outer ring  44 . The brushes  42  may be constructed of a polymer, metal, metallic alloy, cellulosic material, combination thereof, or any other suitable material. 
     When the putter  10  is assembled, the brush insert(s)  40  are typically positioned between the bottom surface of the interface ring  28  in the head  20  and the top surface of the insert retainer lip  38  in the cap  30 . An interface ring ridge  28   a  may be formed in the interface ring  28  to securely locate the brush insert  40  adjacent the head  20  and to provide additional clearance between the brush insert  40  and the head ball aperture  22 . Similarly, the insert retainer ridge  38   a  may serve to securely locate the brush insert  40  adjacent the cap  30  and may provide additional clearance between the brush insert  40  and the cap ball aperture  32 . 
     The head  20  and the cap  30  may be secured to one another by any method and/or structure suitable for a putter  10 . However, in the embodiments pictured herein, two fasteners  14  (configured as bolts in the pictured embodiments) are positioned in the connector apertures connector ports  21  in the head  20  and plug  25  so as to engage corresponding connector receivers  31  formed in the cap  30 . To ensure that the cap  30  and head  20  are properly aligned, the head may be formed with an alignment port  21   a , and the cap  30  may be formed with a cap alignment port  31   a . One end of an alignment pin  16  may be inserted in the alignment port  21   a  in the head  20  and the opposite end of the alignment pin  16  may be inserted in the cap alignment port  31   a  to ensure the cap  30  is properly positioned with respect to the head  20 . 
     In the embodiments of the putter  10  pictured herein, the brush inserts  40  may be easily replaced. A user may simply remove the fasteners  14  and slide the cap  30  away from the head  20 , thereby exposing the brush inserts  40 . It is contemplated that this design will allow the user, to a certain extent, to customize the axial position along the head ball aperture  22  at which a ball  12  comes to rest during retrieval. This may be done using retainers  50  and/or spacers  52 . 
     The distal ends of the brush  42  will protrude into the head ball aperture  22  and cap ball aperture  32  such that the inner diameter of the brush insert  40  is slightly less than that of a ball  12 . The tensile strength, length, and the rigidity of the brushes  42  may be adjusted along with the inner diameter of the circle formed by the distal ends of the brushes  42  so that a ball  12  positioned within the inner diameter of the brush insert  40  will be retained therein unless acted upon by an outside force greater than normal gravitational force. Accordingly, in most embodiments of the putter  10  the brushes  42  will be at least somewhat flexible to allow positioning of a ball  12  within the inner diameter of the brush insert  40  and also facilitate removal therefrom. Furthermore, the configuration of the brushes  42  may further be designed to facilitate cleaning of the ball  12  during retrieval of the ball  12  from a cup and subsequent removal of the ball  12  from the putter  10 . 
     A second embodiment of the putter  10  is shown in  FIG. 2B . In the second embodiment of the putter  10 , instead of brush inserts  40  positioned in the head  20 , semi-rigid inserts  46  may be secured between the head  20  and the cap  30 . The other components of the putter  10  may be configured in substantially the same manner as shown in  FIG. 2A  for the first embodiment. Accordingly, brush inserts  40  and semi-rigid inserts  46  may be interchangeable within a single putter  10 . 
     At least one semi-rigid insert  46  may be placed within the cap  30  so that the outer axial surface of the semi-rigid insert  46  is adjacent the inner axial surface of the cap  30 . Accordingly, the semi-rigid insert  46  may be sandwiched between the head  20  and the cap  30 . The second embodiment of the putter  10  includes two semi-rigid inserts  46  so positioned. A retainer  50  may be placed between one semi-rigid insert  46  and the insert retainer lip  38  formed in the cap  30 , as shown best in  FIG. 2B . The retainer  50  may be sized so that upon retrieval, the ball  12  is positioned closer to the top side of the head  20  than it is to the bottom side thereof. A semi-rigid spacer  48  may be positioned between each semi-rigid insert  46  as needed for proper ball  12  placement upon retrieval. 
     The semi-rigid inserts  46  may be comprised of a material rigid enough to allow the putter  10  to qualify as a USGA approved putter  10 . Such material may include but is not limited to phenolic-based polymers, plastics, natural rubber, other polymers, other synthetic materials, and/or combinations thereof. The material for the semi-rigid inserts  46  may be chosen such that the putter  10  is still able to simultaneously allow the user to pick up and clean a ball  12 , as previously described for a putter  10  using brush inserts  40 . However, in an embodiment using semi-rigid inserts  46 , the inner diameter of the semi-rigid inserts  46  may be different than that of the brush inserts  40 . Furthermore, because of the difference in material properties, the semi-rigid inserts  46  may act on the ball  12  in more of a wiping or scraping manner than do the brush inserts  40  to both retrieve and clean the ball  12 . 
     In one embodiment of the putter  10 , the material used to construct the semi-rigid inserts  46  is a weather- and chemical-resistant santoprene rubber having a thickness of approximately 3/32 of an inch. Such a material is abrasion resistant and impact resistant. This material has a useable temperature range of −50 to 275 degrees F. The durometer rating of this material is 55A. Applicant has found that using this material in the putter  10  results in a product that the USGA will approve for use. It is contemplated that for a standard golf ball  12 , the inner diameter of the semi-rigid inserts  46  will be approximately 1.67 inches, and the outer diameter will be approximately 2.18 inches. These dimensions, when employed with the santoprene rubber described above, result in a putter  10  that is capable of simultaneously picking up a standard golf ball  12  from a golf cup and cleaning and/or wiping the ball  12 , which putter  10  is approved for use by the USGA. 
     It is contemplated that the putter  10  may be packaged as a kit including at least one brush insert  40  and at least one semi-rigid insert  46 . In this manner, the user may employ the brush inserts  40  during recreational play, and then switch to the semi-rigid inserts  46  for tournaments or other competitive play. 
     The optimal dimensions of the head  20 , handle housing  23 , head recess  24 , laser housing (not shown), strike face  26 , interface ring  28 , interface ring ridge  28   a , cavity  29 , cap  30 , cap wall  34 , insert retainer lip  38 , and insert retainer ridge  38   a  will vary from one embodiment of the putter  10  to the next, and are therefore in no way limiting to the scope of the putter  10 . Other dimensions of the various elements of the putter  10  will vary from one embodiment to the next depending on such factors including but not limited to height of the user, preferences of the user, and frequency of use. 
     In operation, the user may employ the laser ports to provide a direct line from the ball  12  to the golf cup in order to properly align the put. After the user has made the putt, the user may simply lower the head  20  of the putter  10  into the golf cup and press it down over the ball  12 , thereby forcing the ball  12  into the inner diameter of the brush insert(s)  40 . The user may then lift the head  20  and ball  12  from the golf cup using the handle  60 , thereby retrieving the ball  12  from the golf cup without physically reaching into the golf cup. 
     The optional head bottom contour  27  and cap bottom contour  37  may facilitate properly aligning the ball  12  during retrieval of the ball  12 . The user may then remove the ball  12  from the head  20  by pushing the ball  12  down through the brush insert(s)  40  and cap ball aperture  32  or by pushing the ball  12  up through the brush insert(s)  40  and head ball aperture  22 . Accordingly, each time the putter  10  is used to retrieve a ball  12  from a golf cup, the ball  12  is in moving contact with the brushes  42  twice (once during insertion and once during removal), thereby cleaning the ball  12 . 
     The various elements of the head  20  may be integrally formed with one another or they may be separately formed and later affixed to one another, as may the various elements of the cap  30 . The various elements of the putter  10  may be formed of any material known to those of ordinary skill in the art that is suitable for the application for which the putter  10  is designed. Such materials include but are not limited to rubber, silicon, polymers, metal, metallic alloys, cellulosic material, or combinations thereof. 
     Other methods of using the putter  10  and embodiments thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and in no way limit the scope of the putter  10  as claimed herein. 
     It should be noted that the putter  10  is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods for simultaneously picking a ball  12  from a golf cup and cleaning the ball  12 . Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the putter  10 .