Patents by Inventor Donald S. Rahrig
Donald S. Rahrig has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9022874Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads (102), may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert (116) forming at least a portion of the ball striking face (104) and contained within the putter body. The insert (116) may have a plurality of sides (118a, 118b, 118c, 118d), each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter (100). In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert (116) may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert (116) may be removably mounted within the putter head (102). In some arrangements, the insert (116) may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head (102).Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8814715Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig, Jeremy N. Snyder
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Patent number: 8747245Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves or openings formed therein. This base may be joined with another material (such as a polymer backing material) to form the insert, wherein the backing material at least partially fills the grooves or openings. In some arrangements, the backing material of the insert may be visible at the top and/or bottom surfaces of the putter structures. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig, Jeremy N. Snyder
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Publication number: 20140148268Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads (102), may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert (116) forming at least a portion of the ball striking face (104) and contained within the putter body. The insert (116) may have a plurality of sides (118a, 118b, 118c, 118d), each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter (100). In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert (116) may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert (116) may be removably mounted within the putter head (102). In some arrangements, the insert (116) may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: NIKE INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig, Jeremy N. Snyder
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Publication number: 20140045606Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig, Jeremy N. Snyder
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Patent number: 8579717Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8475292Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a hosel to receive a golf club shaft; (b) a club head; and (c) a ball striking face. The club head include may include: a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes, and an exterior cover structure (e.g., an exterior skin) that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the exterior cover structure defines the shape of the club head. Additionally, the ball striking face may be engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and/or at least two of the tubes. The plurality of weights may include a first weight, a second weight, a third weight, and a fourth weight that are all engaged with the striking face.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Donald S. Rahrig, Robert Boyd, James S. Thomas
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Publication number: 20130109496Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8425342Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves or openings formed therein. This base may be joined with another material (such as a polymer backing material) to form the insert, wherein the backing material at least partially fills the grooves or openings. In some arrangements, the backing material of the insert may be visible at the top and/or bottom surfaces of the putter structures. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, John T. Stites, N. Franklin David, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8353780Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert forming at least a portion of the ball striking face and contained within the putter body. The insert may have a plurality of sides, each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter. In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be removably mounted within the putter head. In some arrangements, the insert may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8292754Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, Donald S. Rahrig, John T. Stites
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Patent number: 8216081Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8187116Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club heads which include a wood type golf club head body with a double wall structure that includes a ball striking face portion, which is configured to be disengaged from a rear portion of the golf club head body. Further aspects relate to a second wall portion which is configured to be disengaged from the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Donald S. Rahrig, Andrew Oldknow, George W. Moody, Jr., Philip J. Hatton
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Publication number: 20120071269Abstract: A golf club with a golf club head having a plurality of grooves formed using electrical discharge machining is presented. The grooves may be formed in a ball striking surface of the golf club head and may include portions having a texture. In some examples, the roughness of the texture may vary as the groove extends from the ball striking surface along a sidewall of the groove. For instance, texture formed along an edge radius of the groove extending between the ball striking surface and the sidewall may be rougher than texture extending lower along the sidewall. In some examples, portions of the sidewall and/or bottom of the groove may be void of texture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Donald S. Rahrig, Robert Boyd, William J. Ritchie
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Publication number: 20120028732Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an adjustable ball striking face insert forming at least a portion of the ball striking face and contained within the putter body. The insert may have a plurality of sides, each of the sides having different performance characteristics to permit customization of the putter. In some examples, the adjustable ball striking face insert may be rotatably mounted within the putter head. Additionally or alternatively, the insert may be removably mounted within the putter head. In some arrangements, the insert may be finely adjustable to alter the loft angle of the putter head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Jeremy N. Snyder, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8092318Abstract: A golf club head includes a body member having a front surface, a major recess formed in the front surface, and a plurality of minor recess formed in a surface of the major recess. A face plate includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the rear surface. The face plate is received in the major recess, and each projection is received in a corresponding minor recess. A layer of resilient material may be disposed between each projection and the corresponding minor recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 8070624Abstract: A golf club with a golf club head having compressible v-shaped grooves is presented. The club head may include a plurality of grooves formed in a striking face. In some arrangements, the grooves have a rectangular cross section. The grooves may also include a compressible insert having a v-shaped end and being formed of a material softer than that of the grooves. As the club head strikes a golf ball, the insert may compress, thereby allowing additional contact between the groove and the ball to impart spin on the ball. In an alternate arrangement, the groove may include a compressible support arranged between the insert and an end of the groove. The compressible insert may be formed of a material softer than the groove and/or the insert and is configured to compress when the club head strikes a golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig
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Publication number: 20110275446Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs as described herein may include: (a) a hosel to receive a golf club shaft; (b) a club head; and (c) a ball striking face. The club head include may include: a plurality of weights, a plurality of tubes, and an exterior cover structure (e.g., an exterior skin) that covers at least a portion of the plurality of weights and at least a portion of the plurality of tubes, and wherein the exterior cover structure defines the shape of the club head. Additionally, the ball striking face may be engaged with at least two of the plurality of weights and/or at least two of the tubes. The plurality of weights may include a first weight, a second weight, a third weight, and a fourth weight that are all engaged with the striking face.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Donald S. Rahrig, Robert Boyd, James S. Thomas
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Publication number: 20110086722Abstract: A golf club head includes a body member having a front surface, a major recess formed in the front surface, and a plurality of minor recess formed in a surface of the major recess. A face plate includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the rear surface. The face plate is received in the major recess, and each projection is received in a corresponding minor recess. A layer of resilient material may be disposed between each projection and the corresponding minor recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig
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Patent number: 7922603Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a first arm and a second arm extending outwardly therefrom. A bar has a first end connected to a free end of the first arm and a second end connected to a free end of the second arm. A weighted member is positioned along the bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Robert Boyd, Donald S. Rahrig, Philip J. Hatton, Andrew G. V. Oldknow