Club Or Club Support Patents (Class 473/282)
  • Patent number: 11752409
    Abstract: An apparatus for precisely and accurately measuring the loft and lie of a golf club, and a method of using such apparatus, is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly powered by a pressure unit to immobilize the head of a golf club, a scoreline measurement unit to capture scoreline angle information, loft and lie measurement arrays that can be moved along horizontal y and x axes to capture loft and lie angle information of the golf club shaft, and a computer with an algorithm that uses information captured by the scoreline measurement unit and loft and lie measurement arrays to calculate final loft and lie angle values that are accurate within +/?0.125°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Alex Power, Dan Marin
  • Patent number: 11528989
    Abstract: A dust wand cleaner for dust wands that have radially-arrayed fibers that protrude to a define a generally cylindrical fiber head. The cleaner includes two open end sections and a midsection. Each end section has an internal passageway that preferably narrows from a first width that easily receives an inserted end of a generally cylindrical fiber head of a dust wand to a second width that compresses the fibers of the dust wand. The midsection has an internal passageway that is aligned with the internal passageways of the end sections, that is wider than the second width and that has inwardly extending bristles. When a dust wand is passed through the aligned passageways of the two open end sections and the midsection, debris adhering to the dust wand fibers is removed from the dust wand by being combed by the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Robert B. Jordan, IV, Eddie Alexander Meeks
  • Patent number: 11135484
    Abstract: A golf club head that includes a face portion, an abutment member which abuts against a back surface of the face portion, and a fixing portion which is provided at a position separated from the back surface of the face portion and to which the abutment member is fixed. The abutment member includes a non-metal distal end portion which abuts against the back surface of the face portion, and a metal body portion which is fixed to the face portion. The body portion including a convex engaging portion provided in an end portion of the body portion. The distal end portion including a concave engaging portion which engages with the convex engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonori Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 11045702
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated golf club support installed at the top of a golf club grip, distal from the club head. When the club is laid on the ground in the prone position, the support elevates the shaft of the club to prevent undesirable contact between the playing surface or ground and the golf club grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HD Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hayes Freeman, Daniel Poston
  • Patent number: 10632348
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with coupling mechanisms are presented herein. In some embodiments, a golf club comprises a shaft having a shaft bore and a first end, and a club head having a coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism including a hosel, an insert configured to be positioned within the hosel, the insert including a top end, a bottom end, an insert bore configured to receive the first end of the shaft, the insert bore having a bottom surface and an insert bore depth measured from the bottom surface to the top end of the insert, and a reinforcement member extending from the bottom surface of the insert bore, the reinforcement member configured to be positioned within the shaft bore to reinforce the coupling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Kultala, Ryan M. Stokke, Martin R. Jertson
  • Patent number: 10518146
    Abstract: A golf club head with a face stress-reduction structure disposed proximate a rear surface of a striking face is disclosed herein. In particular, the structure is an adjustable tension cable assembly extending from an upper portion of the golf club head, preferably a return section, to a lower portion of the golf club head, preferably a sole portion, approximately parallel with the rear surface of the striking face. The cable assembly comprises a cable portion, a hollow sleeve, and a screw plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Matthew Myers
  • Patent number: 10369435
    Abstract: A golf club head with a face stress-reduction structure disposed proximate a rear surface of a striking face is disclosed herein. In particular, the structure is an adjustable tension cable assembly extending from an upper portion of the golf club head, preferably a return section, to a lower portion of the golf club head, preferably a sole portion, approximately parallel with the rear surface of the striking face. The cable assembly comprises a cable portion, a hollow sleeve, and a screw plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew Myers, James A. Seluga
  • Patent number: 10363464
    Abstract: A putter having a body with a striking surface, an upper surface that is visible to a player when in the address position and a sole plate that is coupled to a bottom surface of the body. The upper surface includes at least one aperture and the sole plate includes a sightline projection that extends into the aperture to form a sightline on the putter that is visible to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 10168121
    Abstract: An inside waistband holster includes a front panel comprising a waistband connector that holds a top side of the front panel at a waistline of a user's pants. The holster also includes a back panel attached to the front panel, such as along a bottom side of the back panel and the front panel and along lower sides of the back panel and the front panel. The front panel and the back panel define a pouch in which a firearm may in stored, and a top portion of the front panel is unattached to the back panel. The back panel includes a flap configured to extend over the front panel and to releasably connect to the waistband connector in a stored condition. The flap is also configured to be pulled upward such that the top portion of the front panel peels away from the back panel in an exposed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Turning Point Distribution, LLC
    Inventors: Cecil Wayne Gordon, David A. Foster
  • Patent number: 9717961
    Abstract: A putter having a body with a striking surface, an upper surface that is visible to player when in the address position and a sole plate that is coupled to a bottom surface of the body. The upper surface includes at least one aperture and the sole plate includes a sightline projection that extends into the aperture to form a sightline on the putter that is visible to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9556504
    Abstract: A bulk-glass forming Ni—Cr—Nb—P—B alloy is provided. The alloy includes Ni(100?a?b?c?d)CraTabPcBd, where the atomic percent a is between 3 and 11, the atomic percent b is between 1.75 and 4, the atomic percent c is between 14 and 17.5, and the atomic percent d is between 2.5 and 5. The alloy is capable of forming a metallic glass having a lateral dimension of at least 3 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Glassimetal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Na, Michael Floyd, Marios D. Demetriou, William L. Johnson, Glenn Garrett
  • Patent number: 9038821
    Abstract: A golf caddie device is disclosed that is designed for carrying golf equipment. The golf caddie device comprises a support rod having a spike and an ergonomically shaped handle. The golf caddie device also comprises a ball holder, a first cylinder comprising up to five openings for retaining golf clubs, and a second cylinder comprising up to five openings for retaining golf club shafts. Golf clubs are inserted into the golf caddie device by inserting the shaft part of the golf club through one of the first cylinder openings and into one of the openings of the second cylinder, thus, retaining the golf clubs within the golf caddie device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Proulx
  • Publication number: 20150126295
    Abstract: A combined golf club cover and stand comprises a substantially rigid base and a cover portion configured to securely hold a head of a golf club against the substantially rigid base. The substantially rigid base includes a bottom platform, a first side wall, and an opposing second side wall with a bottom ledge that extends toward the first side wall, such that when the head of the golf club is held against the substantially rigid base, a toe end of the head is in contact with an interior surface of the first side wall, and a heel end of the head sits on the bottom ledge of the second side wall. The assembled golf club and combined golf club cover and stand is thus capable of standing upright, without any outside support, when the bottom platform is on a substantially flat underlying ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Aaron Yarmuth
  • Publication number: 20150080145
    Abstract: A method of labeling products, including golf club products, is disclosed herein. In particular, a golf club comprising a head, a shaft, a grip, and at least one shrink wrap label comprising identifying information that refers to the golf club, wherein the at least one shrink wrap label is removably affixed to at least one of the head, shaft, and grip, is disclosed and claimed herein. The present invention also relates to methods of printing and affixing removable, shrink wrapped labels to golf club products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt A. Roller, Sam R. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8956239
    Abstract: An apparatus which uses a club having a head portion and a shaft. Integrated with the head portion is a golf ball holder. The golf ball holder is capable of gripping and holding a golf ball with a predetermined force requirement for release, which requires the user to execute a proper golf swing to release the ball. The predetermined force requirement may be adjustable. The user also may vary the angle of the club face on various planes relative to the shaft, thereby changing the swing required to release the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Swing Sensei, LLC
    Inventor: William Parks
  • Publication number: 20150045133
    Abstract: A club restraining device comprising a sleeve having an axial sleeve opening sized and configured to receive the shaft of a golf club. An engagement plate is moveably coupled to the sleeve and includes a first face and an opposing second face. The engagement plate includes a first opening extending from the first face toward the second face. A first magnet is disposed in the first opening, with the first magnet being configured to magnetically urge the club head toward the magnet and into engagement with the second face when the club head is positioned in proximity to the engagement plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: MICHAEL A. BARRY
  • Publication number: 20150045132
    Abstract: A device and method for restraining the motion of a stored golf club. The golf club may be inserted shaft-first into a tube with a restraining element at the upper portion of the tube. The restraining element may be, for example, a flexible snap-in housing for the golf club head, or a flexible membrane which fits snugly around the golf club hosel in combination with a magnet for attachment to the golf club head. The magnet may be designed to swivel to conform to many different golf club head surface designs, formed to mitigate damage to the golf club head, and include a magnet release mechanism for ease of disengagement. Embodiments without the tube are also contemplated, as well as methods for engagement and disengagement of a golf club with the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BARRY, SHANTI BARRY WINTER
  • Publication number: 20150018113
    Abstract: A magnetic attraction type iron golf club rack includes a rack body fastened to a golf bag and having multiple locating blocks and locating grooves alternatively arranged in series at a top side of an elongated base portion thereof, each locating block defining a support wall for supporting the head of one respective golf iron in one locating groove, magnets respectively mounted in the locating blocks for attracting the head of the respective golf iron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Fu-Hsing TAN
  • Patent number: 8925790
    Abstract: A novel method for attaching a hosel to a putter head is disclosed. A hosel having a hole is inserted into a putter head cavity and the cavity and hole in the hosel are filled with a fixative configured to permanently attach the hosel shaft to the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: David Edel
  • Patent number: 8926454
    Abstract: In one example, a system for fitting golf equipment for an individual can be configured to be used with an electronic device comprising a fitting processor module and a camera. The system can comprise an image analysis module configured to receive image data of at least a portion of the individual and one or more physical indicia proximate to the individual, where the image data can be captured by the camera. The image analysis module can also be configured to recognize one or more reference features of the individual from the image data, and to calculate one or more fitting dimensions between the one or more reference features in the image data. Other examples, devices, and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Solheim, Roger J. Cottam
  • Patent number: 8900065
    Abstract: A unique quiet reliable golf club capable of driving a golf ball varying distances utilizing a case-less propellant formulation, fired electronically without swinging the club. The golf club contains multiple loads of case-less propellant formulation in a shaft magazine capable of playing an entire game of golf without reloading. The striker piston and cylinder are disposed within the golf club head casting that contains a silencing chamber to lower the db output level. The striker piston is propelled outward by a high pressure case-less propellant gas injected into a vortex generator, located at the breech end of the cylinder. The vortex generator disperses the gas according to a desired distance setting of a ball travel distance scale. The one piece striker piston is sealed with a piston ring and is movable on a hard-coat cylinder-bearing surface that eliminates lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Roy Howard Taylor
  • Patent number: 8844588
    Abstract: A head cover for a golf club includes a first surface having a removable cleaning pad thereon, and a second surface on which at least one golf accessory constructed of a ferrous metal is removably attached thereto. The second surface is part of a tri-layer construction with magnets forming the second middle layer so as to so retain the golf accessory thereon. The cleaning pad is removed by the golfer from the first surface and includes a scrubbing area to remove grit and/or debris from one of a golf ball and a golf club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Low, James Richard Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8845447
    Abstract: The golf putter attachment is an apparatus that is able to grasp golf balls from hard-to-reach places and is able to prop up the grip of a golf putter. The apparatus includes a grip insert, two separate bodies, a locking mechanism, a hinge, a thumbnail opener, a suction cup, and a ball marker. The grip insert attaches the apparatus to a golf putter. The suction cup is used to grasp a golf ball by using the full length of a golf putter. The locking mechanism allows the two bodies to attach and detach from each other, which allows the two bodies to reconfigure themselves and prop up the golf putter. The thumbnail opener can separate the two bodies, and the hinge keeps the two bodies adjoined while the two bodies are separated. The ball marker is detachable component used to mark the location of a golf ball during a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: William Gardiner, Timothy Carr
  • Publication number: 20140235365
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf club support 10 comprising an elongate shaft 12, having a first and a second end 12a, 12b; a ground engaging member 14, positioned towards said first end; a golf club rest 16 on said shaft positioned towards said second end in which said golf club rest comprises an elongate support member 20 having a first 20a and a second end 20b and a longitudinal axis Y and in which said first end 20a is secured to said shaft 12 and said member 20 extends substantially perpendicular thereto and by an end stop 22 at said second end 20b extending in at least two substantially perpendicular directions from said member. Such an arrangement allows for the support of multiple golf clubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Ranjit NAGI
  • Publication number: 20140228144
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for making golf club parts that are multi-colored, each having a unique appearance. The invention provides methods for making golf club parts that have multiple colors so that each part will match a club that features one of the multiple colors. A pattern of multiply-colored molding pellets can be arranged in a club part compression mold. By varying the arrangement, the sizes of the pellets, or the color combinations, batches are made in which all of the parts have the same colors and each part is unique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Cameron J. Day
  • Patent number: 8801541
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head have a high moment of inertia and variable thickness face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Joseph Henry Hoffman, Drew T. DeShiell
  • Publication number: 20140213384
    Abstract: Golf clubs formed from bulk-solidifying amorphous metals (i.e., metallic glasses) having high elastic modulus and fracture toughness, and to methods of forming the same are provided. Among other components, the golf club materials disclosed enable fabrication of flexural membranes or shells used in golf club heads (drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters) exhibiting enhanced flexural or bending compliance together with the ability to deform plastically and avoid brittle fracture or catastrophic failure when overloaded under bending loads. Further, the high strength of the material and its density, comparable to that of steel, enables the redistribution of mass in the golf club while maintaining a desired overall target mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GlassiMetal Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Johnson, David S. Lee, Marios D. Demetriou, Jong Hyun Na, Glenn Garrett
  • Publication number: 20140194217
    Abstract: A stand arrangement for a golf club having a club head and club shaft may include a plunger rod movably secured within the club shaft and displaceable between a retracted position entirely within the club shaft and an extended position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the plunger rod extends from a channel in the club shaft to an exterior of the golf club. The stand arrangement may further include an actuation sleeve extending around a periphery of the club shaft and a connecting member extending through a wall of the club shaft and coupling the actuation sleeve with the plunger rod. The actuation sleeve may be selectively actuatable to secure the plunger rod in both the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Richard L. KARCHER
  • Patent number: 8758158
    Abstract: An improved golf club shaft comprised of a flexible insert device that adds additional flexibility to said club shaft and creates one or more pivot points along said shaft. The increased flexibility of the golf club shaft enables a golfer to impart greater force on a golf ball, and also dampens or reduces the amount of vibration and/or shock otherwise imparted to the golfer when the golf club head strikes the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Jennings
  • Publication number: 20140135142
    Abstract: A golf club accessory stand is characterized by a unitary frame having retractable lower end and an extendable upper end. The retracted lower end of the leg is inserted into the ground and the extendable upper end has a receptacle to retrieve a golf ball from the water. The stand is lightweight and used by a golfer to support a number of golf clubs when the golfer is separated from his golf bag. The accessory stand includes a removable cup holder, cigarette holder and cigar holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Wilson David, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140128172
    Abstract: A golf club swinging apparatus configured to support and provide for motion of a golf club along a pendulum swing path may comprise a frame, a rotation mechanism having club and frame coupling components, and an angle measurement mechanism. Another embodiment may comprise a frame, and a rotation mechanism configured to couple a golf club to the frame and to provide for rotation about a rotation point such that the golf club may follow a pendulum swing path through a strike position. Yet another embodiment may comprise a frame having a base component, a vertical component, and a cross-member component, a rotation mechanism rotatably coupled with the cross-member component, and a protractor having a freely rotatable arm configured to couple with the golf club and measure an angle at which the golf club is rotated about the rotation point along a swing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua Basile
  • Publication number: 20140100052
    Abstract: A golf club component, such as a golf club head and/or a golf club shaft, can comprise a golf club component substrate having an outer layer of titanium carbide, typically comprising at least forty percent (40%) carbon content. Alternatively, a golf club component can comprise a golf club component substrate, at least a portion of which is enveloped by a first coating layer of, for example, electroplated nickel, a second coating layer of, for example, electroplated chromium or palladium, and a third coating layer of titanium carbide applied by physical vapor deposition. The titanium carbide layer is durable and can provide the golf club component with a desired aesthetic appearance, such as a black color. Additionally, the golf club component can be coated with a fourth coating layer, such as a layer comprising a sealant or clear coat material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinhui Deng, Abram Stanley Harris
  • Publication number: 20140031137
    Abstract: A golf club swinging apparatus configured to support and provide for motion of a golf club along a pendulum swing path may comprise a frame, a rotation mechanism having club and frame coupling components, and an angle measurement mechanism. Another embodiment may comprise a frame, and a rotation mechanism configured to couple a golf club to the frame and to provide for rotation about a rotation point such that the golf club may follow a pendulum swing path through a strike position. Yet another embodiment may comprise a frame having a base component, a vertical component, and a cross-member component, a rotation mechanism rotatably coupled with the cross-member component, and a protractor having a freely rotatable arm configured to couple with the golf club and measure an angle at which the golf club is rotated about the rotation point along a swing path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Joshua Basile
  • Patent number: 8628429
    Abstract: A stand assembly for a golf club having a club head and club shaft may include a plunger rod movably secured within the club shaft and club head and displaceable between a retracted position entirely within the club head and an extended position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the plunger rod is extended through a channel in the club head to an exterior of the golf club. The stand assembly may further include an actuation sleeve configured to be disposed about the club shaft and a connecting member extending through a wall of the club shaft and coupling the actuation sleeve with the plunger rod. The actuation sleeve may be selectively actuable to secure the plunger rod in both the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Richard L. Karcher
  • Patent number: 8608592
    Abstract: A golf club component, such as a golf club head and/or a golf club shaft, can comprise a golf club component substrate having an outer layer of titanium carbide, typically comprising at least forty percent (40%) carbon content. Alternatively, a golf club component can comprise a golf club component substrate, at least a portion of which is enveloped by a first coating layer of, for example, electroplated nickel, a second coating layer of, for example, electroplated chromium or palladium, and a third coating layer of titanium carbide applied by physical vapor deposition. The titanium carbide layer is durable and can provide the golf club component with a desired aesthetic appearance, such as a black color. Additionally, the golf club component can be coated with a fourth coating layer, such as a layer comprising a sealant or clear coat material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinhui Deng, Abram Stanley Harris
  • Patent number: 8608585
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face. A brace extends from an inner surface of the body or from a perimeter weight system to a contact point on the rear surface of the face. This brace may extend from the sole or a sole oriented perimeter weight member to the rear surface of the face. The brace applies force to the face (at least when the face is flexed by a threshold amount) such that the area of the face surrounding the contact point has less flexibility relative to other areas of the face located away from the contact point. The brace and club head may include structures that allow one to control and customize the force applied to the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Adam Liber
  • Publication number: 20130325657
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Arluna, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Eric A. Larson, Robert Lukasiewicz, JR., George W. Moody, JR., Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Raymond J. Sander, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 8597134
    Abstract: A golf club having a value of L not less than 45.5 inches, with L representing a club length measured with a 60-degree method, includes a shaft, a grip attached to one end of the shaft, and a head attached to the other end of the shaft. A value of r/L is equal to or not smaller than 0.658 and equal to or not greater than 0.732, where r represents a distance from an upper end of the grip to the center of gravity of the golf club. Thus, a long-length golf club achieving an increased head speed can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Naruo, Tetsuya Kanayama, Kazuya Ishida, Takashi Kimura, Yoshinobu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8579721
    Abstract: A unique quiet reliable golf club having a Clean Burning Vortex Generator capable of varying the degree of kinetic energy applied to driving a golf ball in a linear fashion, without swinging the club. The striker piston and cylinder are disposed within the golf club head casting that contains a silencing chamber to lower the db output level. The striker piston is propelled outward by a firing mechanism releasing kinetic energy to fire a cartridge. The cartridge injects burning gas pressure into a vortex generator, located at the breech end of the cylinder. The vortex generator eliminates unburned gas and disperses the gas according to a desired distance setting of a ball travel distance scale. The one piece striker piston is sealed with a piston ring and is movable on a hard-coat cylinder-bearing surface that eliminates lubrication for the purpose of driving a golf ball in a new sport played by non-golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Roy H. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130296065
    Abstract: The subject golf clubs have a shaft and clubhead. The shaft has a tip-end coupled to the clubhead, a butt-end, a reduced-EI portion located adjacent the tip-end, and a remaining portion extending between the butt-end and the reduced-EI portion. The portions are coupled together at an interface. The remaining portion exhibits a respective rate of stiffness reduction as a function of distance from the butt-end. The reduced-EI portion is typically shorter than and has less stiffness than the remaining portion. The reduced-EI portion exhibits a respective rate (which can be zero) of stiffness reduction as a function of distance toward the tip-end. These rates can be similar or different. The interface can exhibit a greater rate in stiffness reduction than the other portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Drew T. DeShiell, Todd P. Beach
  • Patent number: 8574100
    Abstract: A fitting method includes steps of preparing a relationship C of a shaft flex point Y and a face angle X before impact or at impact; measuring a subject's face angle X before impact or at impact by using a test club; and selecting a shaft fitted to the subject on the basis of the measured face angle X and the relationship C. The relationship C is created by using correlation R of the face angle before impact or at impact and a hitting result. The correlation R is based on hitting results of a plurality of golf clubs having different shaft flex point rates. Preferably, the relationship C is a relational expression F1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masahide Onuki
  • Publication number: 20130252753
    Abstract: A unique quiet reliable golf club capable of driving a golf ball varying distances utilizing a case-less propellant formulation, fired electronically without swinging the club. The golf club contains multiple loads of case-less propellant formulation in a shaft magazine capable of playing an entire game of golf without reloading. The striker piston and cylinder are disposed within the golf club head casting that contains a silencing chamber to lower the db output level. The striker piston is propelled outward by a high pressure gas injected into a vortex generator, located at the breech end of the cylinder. The vortex generator disperses the gas according to a desired distance setting of a ball travel distance scale. The one piece striker piston is sealed with a piston ring and is movable on a hard-coat cylinder-bearing surface that eliminates lubrication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Roy H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8540585
    Abstract: A golf handle supporting device (10) having a proximate end (20) and a distal end (30) for resting on a ground surface as oppose to getting the club handle wet or dirty. A first arm (40) extending in a first direction from a proximate end (20) and a second arm (50) extending from the proximate end (20) in a second direction offset from the first direction; the first arm (40) and second arm (50) each defining a mid-portion comprising a first bend (60) and a second bend (70) which extend downwards in the direction of the ground and terminate at an end of their respective first arms (40) and (50); a first leg (80) and a second leg (90) extending from their respective ends (60) and (70) to the distal ends (30) and generally widen outwards to provide further support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Gary G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8512163
    Abstract: A golfing accessory having a golf club handle holder, a divot repair tool, and a golf ball marker retainer. The accessory has a pair of prongs attached to each end of its body. The first end having prongs that form a U-shape adapted to cradle a golf club handle. The opposite end of the accessory has a second set of prongs attached thereto that form a V-shape, divot repair tool. When the second end of the accessory is planted into the ground, a collapsible stand may be extended and a golf club handle may be laid upon the device to provide a stable way to hold the club aloft above the soil. The middle portion of the accessory's body contains a round cut-out for storing a golf ball marker of predetermined size and shape. This cut-out is lined with a magnetic material to facilitate retention of a marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Ulysses McDowell, Larry McDowell
  • Publication number: 20130203517
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a grip for a golf club for housing an accessory to enhance the enjoyment of the game of golf. A grip of the invention prevents relative motion between the accessory and the club when the accessory is coupled to the club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jesse Bolane, James G. Lewis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira
  • Patent number: 8496536
    Abstract: A blade assembly for a golf putter includes an outer body, a pin, and a blade. The outer body is sized to fit partially within the putter shaft. The pin has a pin shaft and a pin head, each of which have a diameter, and the diameter of the pin head is greater than the diameter of the pin shaft. The blade has a channel sized to receive the pin head. In a first position, the blade extends into the outer body and the putter shaft, substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the putter shaft. In a second position, the outer body and pin support the blade at an angle between 15 and 165 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the putter shaft. A golfer can thus use the putter and extended blade as a pendulum and angle finder to read the break of a green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Eual Ray McIntosh
  • Patent number: 8449403
    Abstract: Provided is a golf club support on which a wooden club, etc. can be suspended in a desired direction while being prevented from falling or tumbling. The golf club support for supporting a golf club of which head portion has an R shape on a base end side has a columnar shape, has an opening 10 in the circumferential surface thereof, and has a guide portion 12 which is formed from the opening toward the inside. A first support member 16, a second support member 18, and a third support member 20 are formed on at least the top surface of the golf club support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nikken Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Mitsumoto
  • Publication number: 20130130822
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved golf club intended to be used for chipping. The club is a long-shafted iron with a wedge-type head having a high lie angle and an extended grip. When used is a pendulum fashion like a long shaft putter, the club's head has a greater chance of staying within the desired impact zone during the swing. The club according to the invention comprises a club head with a lie angle of at least about 64 degrees, preferably about 67 degrees, most preferably about 72 degrees, a shaft, and a grip, the overall length of the club at least about 44-inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Uvena
  • Publication number: 20130123037
    Abstract: A stand assembly for a golf club having a club head and club shaft may include a plunger rod movably secured within the club shaft and club head and displaceable between a retracted position entirely within the club head and an extended position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the plunger rod is extended through a channel in the club head to an exterior of the golf club. The stand assembly may further include an actuation sleeve configured to be disposed about the club shaft and a connecting member extending through a wall of the club shaft and coupling the actuation sleeve with the plunger rod. The actuation sleeve may be selectively actuable to secure the plunger rod in both the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Richard L. KARCHER
  • Patent number: 8439768
    Abstract: A golf tool comprises a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, at least first and second prongs depending from the body for repairing a golf ball pitch-mark, an s-shaped serpentine structure extending from the upper portion of the body, the serpentine structure having a first end connected with and generally in vertical alignment with the body and a second end connected to a multi-purpose holder, the second end being offset from the body, the serpentine structure having a segment opposite the body defining a clip for clipping the golf tool to a golf bag, the multi-purpose holder having a shaft holder which is generally U-shaped and vertical in orientation, the multi-purpose holder separated from the body by the s-shaped serpentine structure, a channel having an axis which is generally horizontal and transverse to the shaft holder, wherein the golf tool is capable of a first position clipped to the golf bag and a golf shaft held in vertical
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Sarmad Shah