Patents by Inventor Frank H. Fan

Frank H. Fan 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).

  • Patent number: 8398508
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer obtained from a CMOS imaging system, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Peter Logitti, III, Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan
  • Publication number: 20110028247
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer obtained from a CMOS imaging system, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: PETER LIGOTTI, III, SCOTT R. MANWARING, FRANK H. FAN
  • Patent number: 7811182
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer obtained from a CMOS imaging system, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Peter Ligotti, III, Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan
  • Patent number: 6929558
    Abstract: A system for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The system inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The system can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The system of the present invention predicts the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan, Peter Ligotti, III
  • Patent number: 6821209
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan, Peter Ligotti, III
  • Publication number: 20040023724
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan, Peter Ligotti
  • Patent number: 6602144
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan, Peter Ligotti, III
  • Publication number: 20030119595
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring , Frank H. Fan , Peter Ligotti
  • Patent number: 6547676
    Abstract: A golf club having products of inertia Ixy, Ixz, and Iyz with absolute values below 100 g-cm2 is disclosed herein. The golf club has a large volume, a high moment of inertia, or both. Preferably, the moment of inertia, Izz, of the golf club head about a vertical axis Z through the center of gravity ranges from 3000 g-cm2 to 5000 g-cm2, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, about a horizontal axis Y through the center of gravity of the golf club head ranges from 1900 g-cm2 to 2050 g-cm2. Preferably, the golf club head is composed of plies of pre-preg sheets. The volume of the golf club head preferably varies form 300 g-cm2 to 600 g-cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, D. Clayton Evans, Frank H. Fan, Alan Hocknell, Richard C. Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 6527648
    Abstract: A method (100) and system (20) for predicting a coefficient of restitution (COR) of a golf club (30) or golf club head (36) is disclosed herein. The system (20) and method (100) are able to predict the COR in a non-destructive manner for a particular golf ball and impact speed. The system (20) and method (100) utilize a vibration sensor (24) attached to the face (34) of a golf club (30). The vibration sensor (24) is excited with an excitation device (26), and data is transmitted to an analyzer (22). A mathematical model of the golf club (30) is created allowing for the coefficient of restitution to be predicted without destroying the golf club (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Erickson, Frank H. Fan, Steven M. Ehlers, John B. Kosmatka
  • Publication number: 20030040376
    Abstract: A golf club having products of inertia Ixy, Ixz and Iyz with absolute values below 100 g-cm2 is disclosed herein. The golf club has a large volume, a high moment of inertia, or both. Preferably, the moment of inertia, Izz, of the golf club head about a vertical axis Z through the center of gravity ranges from 3000 g-cm2 to 5000 g-cm2, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, about a horizontal axis Y through the center of gravity of the golf club head ranges from 1900 g-cm2 to 2050 g-cm2. Preferably, the golf club head is composed of plies of pre-preg sheets. The volume of the golf club head preferably varies from 300 cm3 to 600 cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, D. Clayton Evans, Frank H. Fan, Alan Hocknell, Richard C. Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20030013547
    Abstract: A high moment of inertia golf club head composed of a composite material and having a metal weight strip in a ribbon section is disclosed herein. The metal strip may be composed of copper, tungsten or a similar metal. The moment of inertia, Izz, of the golf club head about a vertical axis Z through the center of gravity ranges from 3000 g-cm2 to 5000 g-cm2, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, about a horizontal axis Y through the center of gravity of the golf club head ranges from 1900 g-cm2 to 2050 g-cm2. The golf club head is preferably composed of plies of pre-peg sheets. The volume of the composite golf club head varies from 300 cm3 to 700 cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Helmstetter, Herbert Reyes, James M. Murphy, Matthew T. Cackett, Frank H. Fan
  • Patent number: 6506124
    Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Scott R. Manwaring, Frank H. Fan, Peter Ligotti, III
  • Publication number: 20030004007
    Abstract: A method (100) and system (20) for predicting the coefficient of restitution of a golf club (30) or golf club head (36) is disclosed herein. The system (20) and method (100) are able to predict the COR in a non-destructive manner for a particular golf ball and impact speed. The system (20) and method (100) utilize a vibration sensor (2) attached to the face (34) of a golf club (30). The vibration sensor (24) is excited with an excitation device (26), and data is transmitted to an analyzer (22). A mathematical model of the golf club (30) is created allowing for the coefficient of restitution to be predicted without destroying the golf club (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew J. Erickson, Frank H. Fan, Steven M. Ehlers, John B. Kosmatka
  • Patent number: 6425832
    Abstract: A golf club having products of inertia Ixy, Ixz and Iyz with absolute values below 100 g-cm2 is disclosed herein. The golf club has a large volume, a high moment of inertia, or both. Preferably, the moment of inertia, Izz, of the golf club head about a vertical axis Z through the center of gravity ranges from 3000 g-cm2 to 5000 g-cm2, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, about a horizontal axis Y through the center of gravity of the golf club head ranges from 1900 g-cm2 to 2050 g-cm2. Preferably, the golf club head is composed of plies of pre-preg sheets. The volume of the golf club head preferably varies from 300 cm3 to 600 cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, D. Clayton Evans, Frank H. Fan, Alan Hocknell, Richard C. Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20020019267
    Abstract: A golf club having products of inertia Ixy, Ixz and Iyz with absolute values below 100 g-cm2 is disclosed herein. The golf club has a large volume, a high moment of inertia, or both. Preferably, the moment of inertia, Izz, of the golf club head about a vertical axis Z through the center of gravity ranges from 3000 g-cm2 to 5000 g-cm2, and a moment of inertia, Iyy, about a horizontal axis Y through the center of gravity of the golf club head ranges from 1900 g-cm2 to 2050 g-cm2. Preferably, the golf club head is composed of plies of pre-preg sheets. The volume of the golf club head preferably varies from 300 cm3 to 600 cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, D. Clayton Evans, Frank H. Fan, Alan Hocknell, Richard C. Helmstetter