Abstract:
An interchangeable putter system for the customization of putters to individual players and for increasing the versatility of putting on various putting surfaces. The system includes a club head and a plurality of interchangeable face plates. Each of the face plates includes a front surface having a pitch or loft. The face plates are removably attachable to the club head by securing fasteners to the face plates prior to its attachment to the club head. As a result the attachment of the face plate to the club head is simplified.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/771,537, filed on Feb. 8, 2006 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to golf clubs and more particularly pertains to an interchangeable putter system for the customization of putters and for increased putting accuracy on various putting surfaces. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of adjustable putters is known in the prior art. More specifically, adjustable putters heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
   Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,447; U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,620; U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0130757; U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,647; U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,694; U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,832; U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,178; U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,346; U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,509; U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,974; U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,871; U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,303; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,739. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents fail to provide an adjustable putter that is easily assembled and disassembled prior to the start of a round of golf or during practice, but which remains fixed to the club during play as required by the United States Golf Association. 
   In these respects, the interchangeable putter system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and a design of the prior art, and in doing so provides a system primarily developed for the purpose of customization of putters to individuals and for the increased versatility of putting on various putting conditions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an interchangeable putter system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the adjustable putters mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an interchangeable putter system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art adjustable putters, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a club head and a plurality of interchangeable face plates designed to be removably attached to the club head. In one embodiment of the invention, the club head has a top surface having indicia to aid a golfer in lining up the club head with the golf ball prior to putting. The club head also includes a bottom surface having a raised portion extending away therefrom for reducing the amount of club head surface area adjacent to a putting surface or green. The upper surface and lower surfaces are separated by a peripheral edge that extends about a rear of the club head. 
   The club head also includes a front surface having a generally central recess that extends into the raised portion of the bottom surface of the club head. The recess provides an air chamber between the club head and the interchangeable face plate. A centrally disposed bore extending into the front surface of the club head to receive a measurable amount of weight for a particular golfer. 
   The club head also includes a first notch extending into a toe portion of the club head and a second notch extending into a heel portion of the club head. Each of the notches extends generally through the front surface and through at least a portion of the peripheral edge. Each of the notches includes an inner surface having a lip formed thereon that is generally perpendicular to an axis of the notches and proximate to the front surface of the club head. 
   The interchangeable face plate includes a back surface and a front surface. The back surface includes a pair of spaced bores that are designed to receive a fastener that is used to removably fasten the interchangeable face plate to the club head. The front surface of the interchangeable face plate can have a loft or pitch for striking a predetermined part of a golf ball during putting. In one embodiment, a plurality of interchangeable face plates having varying lofts can be provided to a user to allow the user to change the face plate for different conditions of play and/or for different styles of putting. 
   The interchangeable face plate is attached to the club head by first disposing the fasteners in the bores. A user is then able to, while holding onto the interchangeable face plate, insert one of the fasteners into the first or second notch. By inserting the fastener fully into the first or second notch the user is then able to insert the other fastener into the non-occupied first or second notch. Once both fasteners are disposed in the notches the interchangeable face plate can be centered and the fasteners tightened with a provided tool. Upon tightening, a portion of the fasteners engage the lip formed in the first and second notches, thereby fixing and preventing detachment of the interchangeable face plate from the club head. 
   One advantage of the invention is that it allows relatively easy or simplified attachment of the interchangeable face plate with the club head while complying with the requirements of the United States Golf Association. Other devices require aligning fasteners inserted through holes in the club head into detachable striking surfaces. This is particularly difficult if done in low light environments or in inclement weather. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it the simplified mode of attachment of the face plate to the club head is relatively easily done such that golfers with limited finger dexterity can change the face plates. This is considerably important in light of the fact that there are a relatively large number of senior golfers. 
   Yet another advantage of the invention is that it permits a putter to be easily customized to a particular golfer&#39;s putting style. 
   Still yet another advantage of the invention is that a golfer can change the interchangeable face plates to accommodate the difference in the conditions of the putting surface or greens on which he or she will being playing. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable putter system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interchangeable putter system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interchangeable putter system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an interchangeable putter system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention illustrating a club head and shaft. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention illustrating the club head face plate and shaft. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the present invention illustrating a front surface of the club head. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention illustrating a notch extending into the club head. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the present invention illustrating a face plate and fasteners. 
       FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the present invention illustrating a face plate and fasteners. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the present invention illustrating the club head without a face plate. 
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of the present invention illustrating the club head without a face plate. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the present invention illustrating notches extending into the club head and a weight port for receiving a weighted material. 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the present invention illustrating alignment indicia. 
       FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the present invention illustrating a recess extending into the club head. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating a grip attached to a shaft. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 14  thereof, an interchangeable putting system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , the interchangeable putting system  10  generally comprises a club head  20  and a plurality of interchangeable face plates  40  that are designed to be removably attached to the club head  20 . In one embodiment of the invention, as particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the club head  20  has a top surface  22  having a raised portion  23  extending up from its top surface  22 . Further, the top surface  22  of the club head  20  includes indicia  24  to aid a golfer in lining up the club head  20  with a golf ball prior to putting. The indicia  24  can be lines, arrows, crosses, hatch lines, circles and the like. Any indicia can be used that will aid a user in lining up the putt. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the indicia  24  can extend on the top surface  22  and the raised portion  24  of the club head  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the club head  20  also includes a bottom surface  25  having a raised portion  26  extending away from its bottom surface  25 . The raised portion  26  of the bottom surface  25  reduces the amount of surface area of the club head  20  that is adjacent to a putting surface or green. Reducing the amount of surface area adjacent the putting surface reduces the potential for inadvertent contact between the club head  20  and the green, which can result in a poor putt. In one example embodiment of the invention, the raised portions  23  and  26  can have a generally semi-disk shape. Other configurations are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  9 - 11 , the upper surface  22  and lower surface  25  of the club head  20  are separated by a peripheral edge  28  that extends about a rear  29  of the club head  20 . The peripheral edge  28  generally forms a right angle with respect to the upper surface  22  and lower surface  25 . However, other angles, slopes, pitches and the like are also possible. Additionally, the width of the club head  20  can also vary over any portion of the club head  20 . 
   Turning to  FIGS. 5-6  and  10 - 11 , the club head  20  also includes a front surface  30  having a generally central recess or depression  31  that extends therein and into the raised portions  23  and  26  of the upper  22  and lower  25  surfaces respectfully. The recess  31  provides an air chamber between the club head  20  and the interchangeable face plate  40 . A centrally disposed weight port or bore  32  extends into the front surface  31  of the club head  20  to receive a determinable weight. The weight, which can be a powder, solid, liquid or the like is used to adjust the overall weight of the interchangeable putter system for a particular golfer during fitting the of the club. The weight port or bore  32  can be threaded to receive a weight that is also threaded. The threading allows the user to fix the weight inside of the club head  20 , while permitting it to be easily changed if needed. In another embodiment, the weight port or bore  32  can be sealed or blocked by a piece of material similar or dissimilar to the club head  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 ,  4 - 6 , and  9 - 11 , the club head  20  includes a first notch  33   a  extending into toe portion of the club head  20  and a second notch  33   b  extending into a heel portion of the club head  20 . Each of the notches  33   a  and  33   b  extends through the front surface  30  and through at least a portion of the peripheral edge  28 . Each of the notches  33   a  and  33   b  includes an inner surface having a lip  34  formed thereon that is generally perpendicular to an axis of the notches  33   a  and  33   b  and which can be proximate the front surface  30  of the club head  20 . The angle of the lip  34  can vary depending upon the general axis of the notches  33   a  and  33   b . For instance, the notches  33   a  and  33   b  can be angled toward each other or away from each other proximate the rear  29  of the club head  20 . In these particular embodiments, the lip  34  can be oriented at an angle generally perpendicular to an axis of the notches  33   a  and  33   b  or they can be generally parallel the front surface  30  of the club head  20 . 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1  and to  FIGS. 7-8 , the interchangeable face plate  40  that is removably attachable to the club head  20  includes a back surface  41  and a front surface  42 . The front surface  42  of the interchangeable face plate  40  can have a loft or pitch for striking a predetermined part of a golf ball. In one embodiment, a plurality of interchangeable face plates having varying lofts can be provided to a user to allow the user to change the face plate  40  for different conditions of play and for striking different parts of the golf ball. The pitch or loft can be positive, negative or have no loft at all. 
   The back surface  41  includes at least one bore for receiving a fastener designed to secure the face plate  40  to the club head  20 . As illustrated in the example embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a pair of spaced bores can extend into the back surface  41  of the face plate  40  with each being designed to receive a pair of fasteners  43   a  and  43   b . The bores are preferably spaced apart such that they are in register with the notches  33   a  and  33   b  when fastened to the club head  20 . 
   The fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  can comprise threaded screws having an allen wrench head, phillips head or the like. In this respect a tool is needed to secure or remove the interchangeable face plates  40  to the club head  20 . In another embodiment, a tool is not needed and the golfer can instead use his or her fingers, coin, golf tool or the like to change the face plates  40 . 
   In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , indicia  44  can be placed on the back surface  41  to permit a golfer to easily see or select the desired face plate  40 . The indicia  44  can comprise numbers, letters or the like to indicate a particular loft or pitch of the face plate  40 . Ball position indicia  45  may be placed on an upper edge  46  of the face plate  40 . The ball position indicia  45  may comprise a single line defining an approximate region where the golf ball should be positioned before the putter. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  7 , a lower edge  47  of the face plate  40  can have generally tapered ends  48   a  and  48   b  such that a generally central portion of the face plate  40  is wider then its ends. Although the Figures are shown having the lower edge  47  generally angled toward the ends and the upper edge  46  it should be appreciated that the upper edge  46  can also be angled toward the lower edge  47 . It should also be appreciated that the face plate  40  does not need to taper or have any portion of it generally angled. 
   Mounted to and extending away from the club head  20  is a shaft  50  that generally creates an angle of approximately ten degrees with an axis that is tangent to a plane of the bottom of the club head  20 . Other angles are also possible and should be considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. The shaft  50  can comprise any material such as graphite, steel, or aluminum. The shaft can also be bent or straight depending upon the preference of the golfer. Attached to the end of the shaft  50  is a grip  52  that can comprise a tape, rubber sleeve or the like. Any grip  52  may be utilized. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention heal to toe balance can be changed by using fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  of various weights. In yet another embodiment of the invention, removable weights, such as washers, can be added to the fasteners to add weight to the toe or heel of the club head  20 . 
   In use, the interchangeable face plate is attached to the club head  20  by first disposing the fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  in the bores of the face plate  40 . This reduces the difficulty of attaching the face plate  40  to the club head  20 . A golfer is then able to insert the first fastener  43   a  into the first notch  33   a . By inserting the first fastener  43   a  fully into the first notch  33   a , the user is able to rotate the second fastener  43   b  passed the club head  20  and slide it into the second notch  33   b . Once both fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  are disposed in the first notch  33   a  and the second notch  33   b  respectively the interchangeable face plate can be centered and the fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  tightened by using the provided tool or in other embodiments their fingers. 
   As the golfer tightens the fasteners  43   a  and  43   b  they begin to travel into the bores drawing the face plate  40  into engagement with the front surface  30  of the club head  20 . A portion of the fasteners  43   a  and  43   b , such as their heads, engage the lip  34  in the notches  33   a  and  33   b  respectively securing the face plate  40  to the club head  20 . 
   As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.