Patents by Inventor Steven Aoyama

Steven Aoyama 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: 8033933
    Abstract: A golf ball having an improved surface pattern is disclosed. The golf ball has one or more bands on its surface. These bands may be either channels or raised beads. The bands have variable widths and/or heights/depths, either within the same band or between bands. These bands may decrease drag, or may increase lift. These bands may be linear, or may be curved, and may or may not fully circumscribe the golf ball. These channels or ridges may also be combined with traditional or non-traditional dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert
  • Publication number: 20110237355
    Abstract: A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a lift to weight ratio of greater than 1.9 at a Reynolds number of about 230,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20110237356
    Abstract: A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a drag to weight ratio of greater than 3.0 at a Reynolds number of about 230,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.085.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7988571
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimple groupings comprised of multiple angular spiral shaped arms that are arrayed to form polygonal perimeters, wherein the number of arms equals the number of perimeter sides. This allows greater symmetry about the dimple grouping center, thereby improving the consistency of the aerodynamic performance of the ball. In another unique feature of the present invention, the angular shape of the arms facilitates the formation of polygonal shaped dimple groupings, which can fit closely together to cover a greater proportion of the ball's surface, preferably more than about 85% surface coverage, thereby further enhancing aerodynamic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20110183778
    Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed having a plurality of dimples on its surface, the dimples being arranged in patterns determined by the science of phyllotaxis. Phyllotactic patterns are used to ascertain the placement of dimples in each polygonal face of a polyhedron based dimple pattern. Phyllotactic patterns provide for the arrangement of multiple spiral shaped strings of dimples within individual polygonal faces of a golf ball surface, with each polygonal face area having its own phyllotactic origination point at its center. The resulting multiple axes of symmetry in the overall dimple pattern provide improved symmetry of flight performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20110124437
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.095, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.7 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 2.7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7938745
    Abstract: A golf ball having a reduced distance while maintaining the appearance of a normal high performance trajectory. The golf ball has a core, an inner cover layer, and a cover. The core has a diameter of from about 1.300 to 1.620 inches, while the ball has a weight from 1.30 to 1.620 ounces, a diameter from 1.670 to 1.800 inches and a maximum Coefficient of Restitution from about 0.600 to about 0.790 as measured at 125 ft/sec incoming ball velocity. The ball has a lift to weight ratio of greater than 1.5 at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a spin ratio of about 0.095.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7927234
    Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed having a plurality of dimples on its surface, the dimples being arranged in patterns determined by the science of phyllotaxis. Phyllotactic patterns are used to ascertain the placement of dimples in each polygonal face of a polyhedron based dimple pattern. Phyllotactic patterns provide for the arrangement of multiple spiral shaped strings of dimples within individual polygonal faces of a golf ball surface, with each polygonal face area having its own phyllotactic origination point at its center. The resulting multiple axes of symmetry in the overall dimple pattern provide improved symmetry of flight performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7909711
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 138,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.142, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 0.9 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7901302
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a lift to weight ratio greater than about 1.7 at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.095, a COR of 0.790 or less, and a weight of about 1.39 to 1.62 oz; and wherein the cover layer has an outer surface including dimples covering 55% to 75% of the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7887439
    Abstract: A golf ball having an outside surface with a plurality of dimples formed thereon. The dimples on the ball have a cross-sectional profiles formed by a catenary curve. Combinations of varying dimple diameters, shape factors, and chordal depths in the catenary curve are used to vary the ball flight performance according to ball spin characteristics, player swing speed, as well as satisfy specific aerodynamic magnitude and direction criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 7878928
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 207,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.095, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.7 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 2.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7846043
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 184,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.106, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.4 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7837578
    Abstract: A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment and may be further defined by spoke-like ridges. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The multi-lobed dimple may include uniform and non-uniform dimples. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. Each dimple also includes a slightly convex floor that is continuous and smooth. The curvature may match that of the outer surface of the golf ball. Further, a sloped wall interrupted by spoke-like ridges may connect the convex floor with the outer surface of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7815528
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 230,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.085, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.9 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Patent number: 7815527
    Abstract: A golf ball including a core and a cover layer, wherein the golf ball has a weight of about 1.39 oz to about 1.62 oz, and at a Reynolds number of about 161,000 and a non-dimensional spin ratio of about 0.122, the golf ball has a lift-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.2 and a drag-to-weight ratio of greater than about 1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Steven Aoyama, Edmund A. Hebert, Derek A. Ladd, William E. Morgan, Michael D. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20100240473
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a substantially seamless design and a plurality of modified dimples, which synergistically improve the golf ball's symmetric flight performance. The modified dimples may be altered in any number of ways including, but not limited to, by means of changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and dimple plan shape. All such modifications are designed to produce golf balls wherein dimples positioned around the equator are balanced by dimples at the poles and elsewhere, thereby resulting in a ball that flies consistently regardless of orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Publication number: 20100234125
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf club and golf ball combination that maximizes the distance of travel when the golf club strikes the golf ball. More specifically, a golf club and golf ball combination capable of generating a higher launch angle combined with the lower spin rate to maximize the distance. The golf club in accordance with the present invention may generally have a lower center of gravity, a higher loft angle, or may even have a coating on the club face that optimizes the coefficient of friction between the golf club and the golf ball. The golf ball in accordance with the present invention may generally have a ratio of the coefficient of lift (CL) near the beginning of flight to the coefficient of lift near the end of the flight within a range that maximizes flight distance, with similar ratios in appropriate ranges for the coefficient of drag (CD) and the lift-to-drag ratio (CL/CD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, Andrew Curtis, Daniel Stone
  • Publication number: 20100197428
    Abstract: A golf ball mold having a non-planar parting surface formed by superimposing a base waveform with a least one shorter secondary waveform. The base waveform is defined by a series of concentric arcs wherein adjacent arcs are connected with a straight line segment that is tangent to the arcs and creates an acute angle. The length of the straight line segment being critical to the accuracy and predictability of the parting line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Aoyama, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, David P. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20100190583
    Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed having a plurality of dimples on its surface, the dimples being arranged in patterns determined by the science of phyllotaxis. Phyllotactic patterns are used to ascertain the placement of dimples in each polygonal face of a polyhedron based dimple pattern. Phyllotactic patterns provide for the arrangement of multiple spiral shaped strings of dimples within individual polygonal faces of a golf ball surface, with each polygonal face area having its own phyllotactic origination point at its center. The resulting multiple axes of symmetry in the overall dimple pattern provide improved symmetry of flight performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama