Patents by Inventor Laurent C. Bissonnette
Laurent C. Bissonnette 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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Publication number: 20040106468Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Antonio U. Desimas, Samuel A. Pasqua
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Patent number: 6729976Abstract: A golf ball with aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, resulting in improved flight performance, such as increased carry and flight consistency regardless of ball orientation. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having increased flight distance as defined by a set of aerodynamic requirements, at particular spin ratios and Reynolds Numbers. The invention is also directed toward golf balls with dimple diameters of greater than 6.5 percent of the ball diameter and dimples with a profile defined by a catenary curve.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Steven Aoyama
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Patent number: 6710114Abstract: Golf balls having a portion or layer formed from a polymeric composite that preferably includes at least two polymers with distinct microstructures. In particular, the balls can include a polybutadiene having at least about 80 percent cis-isomer polybutadiene blended with a polybutadiene having at least about 50 percent trans-isomer polybutadiene. Methods of preparing such golf balls are also recited.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Roman D. Halko, David A. Bulpett, Michael P. Mallamaci
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Patent number: 6679789Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Antonio U. Desimas, Samuel A. Pasqua, Jr.
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Publication number: 20030199334Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head provided with a face and a body. The face has a central zone and a intermediate zone adjacent and surrounding the central zone. The central zone has a first flexural stiffness and the intermediate zone has a second flexural stiffness. The club head face is configured and dimensioned such that the first flexural stiffness is significantly greater than the second flexural stiffness such that upon ball impact with the face, the intermediate zone exhibits substantial deformation so that the central zone moves into the club head. At the same time, the central zone exhibits minimal deformation so that it moves into and out of the club head as a unit. Furthermore, the face exhibits a high coefficient of restitution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Raymond L. Poynor
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Patent number: 6605007Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head provided with a face and a body. The face has a central zone and a intermediate zone adjacent and surrounding the central zone. The central zone has a first flexural stiffness and the intermediate zone has a second flexural stiffness. The club head face is configured and dimensioned such that the first flexural stiffness is significantly greater than the second flexural stiffness such that upon ball impact with the face, the intermediate zone exhibits substantial deformation so that the central zone moves into the club head. At the same time, the central zone exhibits minimal deformation so that it moves into and out of the club head as a unit. Furthermore, the face exhibits a high coefficient of restitution.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Raymond L. Poynor
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Patent number: 6595057Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head provided with a face and a body. The face has a central zone and a intermediate zone adjacent and surrounding the central zone. The central zone has a first flexural stiffness and the intermediate zone has a second flexural stiffness. The club head face is configured and dimensioned such that the first flexural stiffness is significantly greater than the second flexural stiffness such that upon ball impact with the face, the intermediate zone exhibits substantial deformation so that the central zone moves into the club head. At the same time, the central zone exhibits minimal deformation so that it moves into and out of the club head as a unit. Furthermore, the face exhibits a high coefficient of restitution.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Raymond L. Poynor
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Publication number: 20030130054Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitor system that measures flight characteristics of at least one object moving in a predetermined field-of-view using at least one fluorescent marker. The system may include a lighting unit with a light filter, at least one camera unit with a camera filter. The lighting unit directs light in the direction of the object. If there is a light filter the light is filtered prior to reaching the object. The camera unit is pointed toward the object and the camera filter inhibits all wavelengths except those in a certain range. The reflected light from the object is transmitted to the camera through the camera filter. In one embodiment, the system includes a camera filter that is electronically switchable between at least two colors. The present invention further includes methods for monitoring at least one object with at least one marker using filters.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, William Gobush, Diane I. Pelletier, Mitchell E. Lutz
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Publication number: 20030119989Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center including a material formed from the conversion reaction of sufficient amounts of polybutadiene, a free radical source, and a cis-to-trans catalyst to convert a portion of cis-isomer to trans-isomer in the polybutadiene, wherein said material has an amount of trans-isomer greater than the amount of trans-isomer present before the conversion reaction, and wherein the reaction product is susbstantially free of antioxidant.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Derek A. Ladd, Laurent C. Bissonnette, David A. Bulpett, Murali Rajagopalan
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Patent number: 6571600Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantifying the stiffness of a golf ball or golf ball core under normal use conditions while also measuring the contact time, wherein an air cannon, or the like, is used to shoot an object horizontally against a block while the inbound and outbound velocities of the object are measured by two light gates separated by a given distance and the contact time is measured by optical sensors located at the block, and wherein the measured times and calculated velocities are then used to calculate the coefficient of restitution and contact time of the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Charles A. Days, Roman D. Halko, Emanuel Vieira, Douglas C. Winfield
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Publication number: 20030100382Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Antonio U. Desimas, Samuel A. Pasqua
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Publication number: 20030056567Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for quantifying the stiffness of a golf ball or golf ball core that would be experienced during typical use (i.e., impact) while also measuring the contact time. Preferably, the invention comprises an air cannon for shooting an object horizontally against a block. The velocities of the object towards and away from the block can be measured by two light gates separated by a given distance. The contact time can also be measured by optical sensors located at the block. The measured times and calculated velocities can then be used to calculate the coefficient of restitution and contact time of the object. These quantities can be further used to gauge the dynamic stiffness and resilience of a golf ball, or portion thereof, typically under conditions of normal use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Charles A. Days, Roman D. Halko, Emanuel Vieira, Douglas C. Winfield
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Publication number: 20030045378Abstract: A golf ball with aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, resulting in improved flight performance, such as increased carry and flight consistency regardless of ball orientation. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having increased flight distance as defined by a set of aerodynamic requirements, at particular spin ratios and Reynolds Numbers. The invention is also directed toward golf balls with dimple diameters of greater than 6.5 percent of the ball diameter and dimples with a profile defined by a catenary curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Steven Aoyama
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Publication number: 20020189356Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head provided with a face and a body. The face has a central zone and a intermediate zone adjacent and surrounding the central zone. The central zone has a first flexural stiffness and the intermediate zone has a second flexural stiffness. The club head face is configured and dimensioned such that the first flexural stiffness is significantly greater than the second flexural stiffness such that upon ball impact with the face, the intermediate zone exhibits substantial deformation so that the central zone moves into the club head. At the same time, the central zone exhibits minimal deformation so that it moves into and out of the club head as a unit. Furthermore, the face exhibits a high coefficient of restitution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Raymond L. Poynor
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Patent number: 6494791Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball and methods for preparing a portion thereof including a core having at least one core layer, a mantle having at least one layer including an amount of reinforcing polymer component and a resilient polymer component disposed concentrically adjacent the core, and at least one cover layer disposed concentrically adjacent the mantle, wherein the layer of the mantle is sufficiently rigid to inhibit the resilient polymer component from substantially altering shape prior to crosslinking. The invention also includes an elastomeric composition including a polybutadiene having a high molecular weight average and a predominantly 1,4-cis content, a free-radical initiator, and a reinforcing polymer component having a sufficiently low viscosity at a mixing temperature to permit substantially uniform dispersion of the polymer component with the polybutadiene and having a crystalline melting point sufficiently low to permit mixing while avoiding substantial crosslinking.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Antonio U. Desimas, Samuel A. Pasqua, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020173367Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitor system that measures flight characteristics of at least one object moving in a predetermined field-of-view using at least one fluorescent marker. The system may include a lighting unit with a light filter, at least one camera unit with a camera filter. The lighting unit directs light in the direction of the object. If there is a light filter the light is filtered prior to reaching the object. The camera unit is pointed toward the object and the camera filter inhibits all wavelengths except those in a certain range. The reflected light from the object is transmitted to the camera through the camera filter. In one embodiment, the system includes a camera filter that is electronically switchable between at least two colors. The present invention further includes methods for monitoring at least one object with at least one marker using filters.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: William Gobush, Diane Pelletier, Mitchell E. Lutz, Laurent C. Bissonnette
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Patent number: 6465578Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center and a cover, made from a polybutadiene reaction product having polybutadiene, a cis-to-trans catalyst including an organosulfur component, and a free radical source. The reaction product has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. A multi-layer golf ball having a center, at least one intermediate layer disposed concentrically about the center, and a cover. At least a portion of at least one of the center, intermediate layer, or both, are made from a reaction product including polybutadiene having a cis-to-trans catalyst that includes at least one organosulfur component and a free radical source. The reaction product has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, David A. Bulpett, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Derek Ladd, Steven M. Gosetti, Murali Rajagopalan, Mark N. Wrigley
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Patent number: 6458895Abstract: A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center and a cover, made from a polybutadiene reaction product having polybutadiene, a cis-to-trans catalyst including a Group VIA element, such as at least one of sulfur, polymeric sulfur, selenium, or tellurium, and a free radical source. The reaction product typically has a first dynamic stiffness measured at −50° C. that is less than about 130 percent of a second dynamic stiffness measured at 0° C. A multi-layer golf ball having a center, at least one intermediate layer disposed concentrically about the center, and a cover. At least a portion of at least one of the center, intermediate layer, or both, are made from a reaction product including polybutadiene having a cis-to-trans catalyst that includes at least one elemental sulfur, polymeric sulfur, selenium, or tellurium component and a free radical source.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Mark N. Wrigley, David A. Bulpett, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Derek Ladd, Steven M. Gosetti, Murali Rajagopalan, Laurent C. Bissonnette
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Publication number: 20020119837Abstract: Golf balls having a portion or layer formed from a polymeric composite that preferably includes at least two polymers with distinct microstructures. In particular, the balls can include a polybutadiene having at least about 80 percent cis-isomer polybutadiene blended with a polybutadiene having at least about 50 percent trans-isomer polybutadiene. Methods of preparing such golf balls are also recited.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Laurent C. Bissonnette, Roman D. Halko, David A. Bulpett, Michael P. Mallamaci
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Patent number: 6261500Abstract: A golf club shaft is made from sheets of carbon fibers in a thermoplastic matrix. A method and apparatus are also set forth for making a golf club shaft in a substantially voidless manner. An improvement in vibration dampening is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Phoenixx TPC, Inc.Inventors: David B. Park, Laurent C. Bissonnette, Jerald A. Rolla