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).

  • Patent number: 9108085
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
  • Publication number: 20150199170
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kabeshita, Nicholas A. Leech, Arthur Molinari, Nicholas Yontz
  • Patent number: 9067105
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a golf ball having a cover layer including a first cover layer portion having one hardness values and a second cover layer portion having a second hardness value. The disclosure further relates to methods of making such a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20150165277
    Abstract: A method includes providing a golf ball having a core and a cover layer surrounding the core, and receiving a set of user input criteria via a user interface. The method includes generating a customized feature request signal using the received set of user input criteria, wherein the customized feature request corresponds to a custom surface feature of the cover layer. Material is laser cut from a surface of the cover layer using a laser head of a laser cutting machine in response to the customized feature request signal to thereby form the custom surface feature on the cover layer. A system includes a laser head, computer numerical controller which controls the laser head, and a user interface in communication with the controller. The user interface executes the method noted above to thereby form the custom surface feature on the cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahisa Ono, Nicholas Yontz
  • Patent number: 9050739
    Abstract: A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method may include melting a golf ball made of layers each having a different melting point. The materials may be separated by melting the different layers one by one. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls made of materials having differing amounts of magnetic additive into particles. The particles may be separated by a magnetic field. At least a portion of the particles may be reused to make a new golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Yasushi Ichikawa, Bradley C. Tutmark, Nicholas Yontz, Hsin Cheng
  • Patent number: 9033825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Anderl, Nicholas Yontz, Derek A. Fitchett
  • Patent number: 9033826
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek A. Fitchett, Nicholas Yontz, Johannes Anderl
  • Publication number: 20150018127
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Publication number: 20150018124
    Abstract: 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 potions 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
  • Publication number: 20150011331
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Publication number: 20150011330
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chen-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu, Shih-Kai Lin
  • Publication number: 20150011334
    Abstract: 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 protrusions extending from a spherical land portion. Each protrusion has a maximum height 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 outward 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Publication number: 20150011332
    Abstract: 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 protrusions extending from a spherical land portion. Each protrusion has a maximum height 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 outward 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: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Nicholas Yontz, Jun Ichinose, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Publication number: 20140274473
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hideyuki Ishii, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Publication number: 20140045623
    Abstract: A golf ball is provided that has a cover layer with an increased hardness. The golf ball may have an inner core made from a highly neutralized polymer. The golf ball may have a four-piece construction, including an inner core, an outer core, a mantle layer, and the cover layer. The cover layer may be made of a thermoplastic polyurethane. The thermoplastic polyurethane cover layer may be formed of a material having a plaque hardness of at least about 44 Shore D. For example, the cover layer may be formed of a material having a plaque hardness of from about 44 to about 50 Shore D, or about 46 Shore D in particular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Molinari, Nicholas Yontz, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Patent number: 8641548
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130324323
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a golf ball having a cover layer including a first cover layer portion having one hardness values and a second cover layer portion having a second hardness value. The disclosure further relates to methods of making such a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130324324
    Abstract: A recyclable golf ball is disclosed. The structure of the disclosed golf ball and/or the materials used to make the golf ball may enhance the ability to recycle the golf ball. As a result, the disclosed golf ball may decrease waste and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The golf ball may be made of materials that make it easier to separate the materials in a used golf ball for recycling. The golf ball may be made of materials having different densities. The golf ball may be made of materials having different melting points. The golf ball may be made of materials mixed with a magnetic additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Takahisa Ono, Hsin Cheng, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Aaron Bender, Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130320576
    Abstract: A method of making and recycling a golf ball is disclosed. The method may include processing a used golf ball to make the materials of the used golf ball reusable in a new golf ball. As a result, the disclosed method may decrease the waste of disposing of used golf balls and the costs associated with acquiring and/or processing new materials. The method may include melting a golf ball made of layers each having a different melting point. The materials may be separated by melting the different layers one by one. The method of recycling a golf ball may generally include pulverizing used golf balls made of materials having differing amounts of magnetic additive into particles. The particles may be separated by a magnetic field. At least a portion of the particles may be reused to make a new golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Aaron Bender, Yasushi Ichikawa, Bradley C. Tutmark, Nicholas Yontz, Hsin Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130324310
    Abstract: A ball having enhanced visibility to video camera- or radar-based launch monitoring and/or tracking systems includes a core, an intermediate layer, a cover or outer surface having a reflective material incorporated therein or applied thereto. The reflective material may be retro-reflective crystals, reflective metal, a conductive polymer, or a reflective coating. The reflective material may be added to an ink used to print indicia on the ball, or incorporated into a paint or other coating applied to the ball. The reflective material may be applied during manufacture of a ball, or existing balls may be retrofitted to contain a reflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Nicholas Yontz