Patents by Inventor Nicholas Yontz
Nicholas Yontz 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: 20190060734Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz
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Patent number: 10155137Abstract: A golf ball core for use in a multi-piece golf ball includes a solid sphere and between 100 and 300 spaced polygonal protrusions extending from the solid sphere in a radially outward direction. The sphere is substantially formed from an ionomeric material, and has a diameter (D) of between 24 mm and 32 mm. The polygonal protrusions extend from the sphere by a maximum distance of between 0.15 mm and 1.0 mm.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Feng Tay Enterprises Co., LTDInventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chen-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
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Patent number: 10137348Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz
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Publication number: 20170361193Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz
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Patent number: 9844702Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: FENG TAY ENTERPRISES CO., LTDInventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
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Patent number: 9782654Abstract: A method and system for using a low resolution image of a golfer's swing for analysis is disclosed. Cameras obtain images of various portions of a golfer's swing. A computer calculates parameters associated with a golfer and a golf club from the images. Parameters include body angles, head position, shoulder positions, arm positions, hand positions, leg positions, foot positions, club shaft angles, and club head position. Different portions of the swing are captured using the cameras, including a static initial address, a backswing, a downswing, a forward swing, and a follow-through. A computer uses measured parameters from two or more portions of the swing to determine comparative parameters during different portions of the swing. The computer uses the parameters to generate swing analysis outputs, including swing characteristic information and/or swing profile information. A correlation table relates identified swing analysis outputs to particular recommendations to the golfer to improve the swing.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz
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Patent number: 9573023Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, and intermediate layer, and a cover. The core has an outer surface that includes a plurality of depressions extending from a spherical land portion. Each depression has a maximum depth relative to the spherical land portion of between 0.15 mm and 2.0 mm. The intermediate layer surrounds the core and has a radially inward surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core. The cover layer surrounds the intermediate layer and defines an outermost portion of ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
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Patent number: 9566474Abstract: A golf ball has a cover with a Shore D hardness of at least about 59 and a coating on the cover that has at least one of (a) a pencil hardness of 2 B or less, (b) a Sward hardness of about 40 or less, or (c) a Hit (Young's Modulus)<20 N/mm2 and hmax>0.55 micrometer.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hideyuki Ishii, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Publication number: 20170021233Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
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Patent number: 9492716Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, an intermediate layer surrounding the core, and a cover layer surrounding the intermediate layer. The core defines an outer surface that includes a plurality of polygonal land portions substantially aligned on a common sphere, which has a diameter of between 22 mm and 32 mm. The intermediate layer has a radially inward-facing surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core, and has a radial thickness of between 4 mm and 9 mm. The outer surface of the core defines a first set of annular grooves disposed about a first axis, and a second set of annular grooves disposed about a second axis. Each of the first and second set of annular grooves extend radially inward from the common sphere, and the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
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Patent number: 9468814Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball includes a core, and intermediate layer, and a cover. The core has an outer surface that includes a plurality of depressions extending from a spherical land portion. Each depression has a maximum depth relative to the spherical land portion of between 0.15 mm and 2.0 mm. The intermediate layer surrounds the core and has a radially inward surface that is flush with the outer surface of the core. The cover layer surrounds the intermediate layer and defines an outermost portion of ball.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
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Publication number: 20160250522Abstract: A multi-layer golf ball that provides a consistent feel when struck with different golf clubs has a core center having a diameter D1 and a hardness H1; a first intermediate layer outward from and surrounding the core center; a second intermediate layer outward from and surrounding the first intermediate layer having a diameter D3 and a hardness H3; and a cover outward from and surrounding the second intermediate layer; wherein the ratio of H3 to D3 is at least about 94% of the ratio of H1 to D1 (H3/D3?0.94 H1/D1).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Chen-Tai Liu
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Patent number: 9381404Abstract: A golf ball is provided including a core, a cover encasing the core and a coating that comprises a resin applied to the outer surface of the cover. Particles comprising a high density material are included in the coating such that the coating has a density at least twice that of the core's density or contributes at least 0.60% of the golf ball's total moment of inertia, and the coating has a micro surface roughness at least 1.75 times larger than the roughness of a comparative ball. A method of making a golf ball is also provided, including providing a spherical core, encasing the core with a cover, applying a resin to the outer surface of the cover, and adding a plurality of particles comprising a high density material to form a coating material that has a second density at least two times the first density.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
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Patent number: 9339704Abstract: Methods for selecting golf balls based on environmental factors are provided. Such methods involve indicating a golfing environment and establishing one or more corresponding environmental factors. Such methods may include ascertaining one or more trajectory components that are dependent upon the environmental factors. One or more aspects of golf ball construction may pertinent to the environmental factors, or to the trajectory components, may then be determined. Upon identifying a plurality of golf balls and a selection criteria related to the golf ball construction aspects, a golf ball may be selected.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Nicholas A. Leech
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Patent number: 9268523Abstract: An electronic method for matching a user with a golf ball includes playing a first digital audio file to a user via a computer and playing a second digital audio file to the user via the computer. Each of the first digital audio file and the second digital audio file correspond to an acoustic response of a respective golf ball to a standardized impact force. The method then includes receiving an input from the user via the computer, where the input corresponds to a preferred acoustic response selected from the acoustic response of the first golf ball and the acoustic response of the second golf ball. Once the preferred response is determined, the method includes displaying a golf ball model that corresponds to the preferred acoustic response.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Nike Inc.Inventors: Yutaka Kabeshita, Nicholas A. Leech, Arthur Molinari, Nicholas Yontz
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Patent number: 9259623Abstract: Golf balls include: (a) a golf ball having a first set of construction specifications; (b) a coating of the golf ball having an exterior surface and (c) the exterior surface having an enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Nike International, Ltd.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
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Patent number: 9199133Abstract: Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface and includes enhanced micro surface roughness. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
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Patent number: 9186558Abstract: Golf balls having an exterior surface with a predetermined area which is smaller than the entire surface area of the exterior surface, includes enhanced micro surface roughness, and is in the form of an asymmetrical pattern on the exterior surface of the golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughness affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
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Patent number: 9186557Abstract: A golf ball kit having an abrasive material adapted for imparting enhanced micro surface roughness to an exterior surface of a golf ball. The enhanced micro surface roughening affects the aerodynamic properties of the ball as compared to golf balls having the same set of construction specifications but without enhanced micro surface roughness. The kit includes an instruction device having a plurality of correlations between at least one performance parameter and micro surface roughness for at least a first golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
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Patent number: 9149685Abstract: A golf ball having a soft outer surface coating having a hardness less than about HB on the ASTM D3363 scale, or less than about 40 on ASTM D2134 scale. The soft outer surface coating may contain polyurethane, a hydroxyl functional silicone material, or a hydroxyl functional fluoro material. Also, a method for making the golf ball. The golf ball having the soft outer surface coating exhibits a high spin rate over short shots essentially without degrading performance on driver shots, as compared with the performance of the uncoated golf ball.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Hideyuki Ishii, Yasushi Ichikawa, Arthur Molinari, Bradley C. Tutmark, Nicholas Yontz