With Element Displaceable With Respect To Another Head Element During Swing Patents (Class 473/333)
  • Patent number: 11232772
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for reducing resonant vibrations in impact tools. The embodiments disclosed herein include the use of certain particles positioned within an impact tool, such as a hammer, for converting the energy of vibration to heat energy resulting from collisions between the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: William R. Benner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10967231
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The front portion may include a front pocket defined by an interior wall. The golf club head may include a face portion and a polymer insert between the face portion and the interior wall. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Patent number: 10716984
    Abstract: A golf club head having an adjustable assembly comprising a weight arm that is at least partially suspended within an interior cavity of the body of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The weight arm, which comprises a bar with a weighted portion affixed to one end of the bar, can be moved within the interior cavity to change the golf club head center of gravity, thereby adjusting the bias of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Austin L. Frederickson
  • Patent number: 10486042
    Abstract: A golf club head having an adjustable assembly comprising a weight arm that is at least partially suspended within an interior cavity of the body of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The weight arm, which comprises a bar with a weighted portion affixed to one end of the bar, can be moved within the interior cavity to change the golf club head center of gravity, thereby adjusting the bias of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Austin L. Frederickson
  • Patent number: 10376757
    Abstract: A golf club head, including a weight system including an adjustable weight including an aperture, the aperture dimensioned to receive a fastener, a bore formed in the sole, a fastener configured to pass through the aperture of the adjustable weight and engage the bore, wherein rotation of the adjustable weight alters the location of the center of gravity of the body, wherein the adjustable weight comprises a first engaging arm and a second engaging arm, wherein the sole of the golf club head comprises a first engagement member and a second engagement member, the first and second engagement members adapted to engage any one of the engaging arms when the adjustable weight is in the locked position, the first and second engagement members preventing the adjustable weight from rotating relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Golden, Mark C. Myrhum
  • Patent number: 10307650
    Abstract: Golf club heads which may include an iron-type golf club head body and an adjustable member configured to be engaged with iron-type golf club head body. The adjustable member may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a first orientation. Additionally, the second surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites, Hiromitsu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10232235
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a body portion with a toe portion, a heel portion, a top portion, a sole portion, a back portion, and a front portion. The golf club head may include a first mass portion, a second mass portion, an interior cavity, and a port connected to the interior cavity and configured to receive the first mass portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Patent number: 9675855
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Double Action Golf Putter Head that when the putter strikes the golf ball the force causes a spring loaded weight to compress the forward spring in a secondary striking action to accelerate the forces against the golf ball along with an optional set of balance adjustment weights on the extensions on either side of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Floyd B. Jones
  • Patent number: 9623294
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a means for adjusting the location of the center of gravity is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head of the present invention comprises a first channel that includes a rail extending upwards from its floor and a second channel including a groove extending into its floor. The second channel intersects the first channel at a junction, and a slidable weight comprising a contoured body portion, one or more mechanical fasteners, and a clamping structure that engages the rail or the groove when the one or more fasteners are tightened is disposed within at least one of the channels. The slidable weight can be moved into either of the channels without being removed from the golf club head and indexed, thus saving a golfer time during adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Keith L. Kingston, Matthew Myers, Wee Joung Kim
  • Patent number: 9446293
    Abstract: A golf club having a face adapted to directly strike a golf ball thereon, a pipe-shaped shaft coupled to the club head, and a grip coupled to the top end periphery of the shaft, includes a first protrusion formed on one side of an internal surface of a face thereof; a second protrusion formed on the rear surface of the interior thereof in such a manner as to face the first protrusion and having a lubricating oil inlet passage formed thereon in such a manner as to be connected to the outside; a spring disposed engagedly between the first protrusion and the second protrusion; a bolt detachably mounted on the entrance of the lubricating oil inlet passage of the second protrusion; and an elastic structure slidingly operating along the spring in such a manner as to surround the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Sang Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 9427639
    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 specific holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, James A. Niegowski
  • Patent number: 8911301
    Abstract: A golf iron clubhead configuration tor increasing and controlling face flexure while stabilizing the face in all directions other than the flexure direction and reducing face vibration. The two features that contribute to these results are firstly to free the facewall from z axis restraint by the other portions of the clubhead to the maximum extent possible, limited by clubhead integrity. The second is to stabilize the free face in x and y coordinates of the facial plane with a horizontally elongated tongue or piston attached indirectly, not directly to the face. This tongue slides and is stabilized in a tight-fitting lubricated groove in the rear of the clubhead positioned downwardly from the geometric center of the clubface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 8702530
    Abstract: A device for changing the mass characteristics of a golf club may include a first movable mass. The device may also include a first movable mass guide configured to accommodate longitudinal travel of the first movable mass along the golf club shaft. The first movable mass guide may not extend beyond the distal end of the golf club shaft. The golf club head may include a second movable mass and a second movable mass guide that accommodates travel of the second movable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Cole Slaughter, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8187116
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club heads which include a wood type golf club head body with a double wall structure that includes a ball striking face portion, which is configured to be disengaged from a rear portion of the golf club head body. Further aspects relate to a second wall portion which is configured to be disengaged from the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Donald S. Rahrig, Andrew Oldknow, George W. Moody, Jr., Philip J. Hatton
  • Publication number: 20120094780
    Abstract: A device for changing the mass characteristics of a golf club may include a first movable mass. The device may also include a first movable mass guide configured to accommodate longitudinal travel of the first movable mass along the golf club shaft. The first movable mass guide may not extend beyond the distal end of the golf club shaft. The golf club head may include a second movable mass and a second movable mass guide that accommodates travel of the second movable mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Byron Cole Slaughter, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael G. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110151990
    Abstract: A golf club assembly is designed to self align its self when the golfer takes a practice swing before hitting a golf ball to the green. The golf ball trajectory to the hole on the green is more accurate, because of this self alignment screw added to the golf club head and the centerline line of the shaft is attached to the golf head to intersect with the centerline of the golf head. This centerline is developed from the sweet spot to the center of gravity of the club head. The club head is designed so it has the same height as the sweet spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Charles P. Guerriero
  • Publication number: 20110130213
    Abstract: For a golf club and a club head are provided, the golf club includes a club head and a rod extended from the top of the club head, and the club head includes a hollow club head body, an elastic structure having a hollow circular body, and a striking plate installed at a front end of the elastic structure. The club head body has a joint opening coupled to a rear end of the elastic structure, and the elastic structure has a plurality of ditches extended axially and arranged with an interval apart from each other on the circular surrounding surface of the elastic structure for facilitating a formation of a plurality of elastic ribs on the circular surrounding surface of the elastic structure, such that the elastic structure having the ditches and elastic ribs allows a golfer to strike a golf ball to a farther target position by the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Chih-Hung CHIU
  • Publication number: 20100298064
    Abstract: A putter club head is provided with an elongate cavity communicating to the exterior through a rectangular opening in the striking face thereof spaced above the club head lower surface so that the portion of the club head between the cavity opening and the lower surface forms a lower shielding structure to deflect any plant growth in the path of a putting stroke. A conforming cylindrical roller is then mounted for rotation within the cavity to provide a ball striking surface on its periphery generally elevated above the bottom surface to a height corresponding to the elevation of the contact periphery of a golf ball resting thereon. In this manner little or no spin is imparted to the ball when struck by the roller since the lower club surface shields the roller from any moments imparted by the growth covering the green.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: James S. Burrell
  • Patent number: 7798913
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a golf club head includes a body and a restrictor mechanism coupled to a first portion of the body. The restrictor mechanism can have a base coupled to the first portion of the body, and a weight coupled to the base. The restrictor mechanism can be configured to (1) present a first resistance to a first deformation of the base in response to a rotational inertia of the weight relative to a rotation of the golf club head in a first direction, and (2) present a second resistance to a second deformation of the base in response to the rotational inertia of the weight relative to a rotation of the golf club head in a second direction opposite the first direction, where the first resistance is greater than the second resistance. Other examples and related methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Jeff A. Blankenship, Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 7798914
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a golf club head has a body with a front section, a first restrictor of a restrictor mechanism coupled to a first portion of the body, and a weight having a first end coupled to the restrictor mechanism and to the body. The first restrictor has a first stiffness and is non-integral with the weight. Responsive to impact at a first zone of the front section, the first restrictor and the first end of the weight react towards each other, and the first stiffness can resist a deformation of the first restrictor by the first end of the weight. Responsive to impact at a second zone of the front section, the first restrictor and the first end of the weight react away from each other such that the first stiffness is substantially non-involved with first end of the weight. Other examples and related methods are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Jeff A. Blankenship, Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 7691006
    Abstract: A golf club having multiple interchangeable striking face plate inserts and a movable weight element positioned therewithin. A number of different angularly inclined striker face plates are keyed to a club head body allowing the club to function as a multiple club configuration. Adjustable weight inserts are provided which impart their kinetic energy during the club swing to increase striking power of the club with the target ball during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: William Burke
  • Patent number: 7674186
    Abstract: A golf putter has a putter head with an actively compliant beam which is parallel to the face of the putter. The beam connects to a shaft along its length and is separated from the head except for its ends. The force of impact between the face of the putter and the ball on the putter face sweet spot causes a stress to develop in the beam, resulting in a deflection in the beam proportional to the force of the impact, while maintaining the putter face orientation with respect to the putting line. Impacts which miss the sweet spot will cause the putter face to skew to an angle with respect to the putting line, also introducing a proportional flexure of the beam, depending on the distance between the sweet spot and the point of impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventors: David M. Bitko, Sheldon S. Bitko, Robert A. Coon, John Piotrowski
  • Publication number: 20100048320
    Abstract: A putter club head is provided with an elongate cavity communicating to the exterior through a rectangular opening in the striking face thereof spaced above the club head lower surface that forms a lower shielding structure to deflect any growth in the course of a putting stroke. A conforming tubular segment is then mounted for rotation within the cavity to expose a portion of its peripheral surface beyond the plane of the striking face generally elevated above the bottom surface to a height corresponding to the elevation of the contact periphery of a golf ball resting thereon. In this manner little or no spin is imparted to the ball when struck by the roller since the lower club surface shields the roller from any moments imparted by the growth covering the green.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: James S. Burrell
  • Publication number: 20100029409
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with variable moment of inertia and methods of manufacture thereof are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Randall B. Noble, Jeff A. Blankenship, Eric V. Cole
  • Publication number: 20100022326
    Abstract: Game apparatus, e.g., a game racquet or a golf club, with selectively variable and maintainable weight distribution, e.g. by moving material (e.g., liquid and/or solid weight members) within or on the apparatus and selectively positioning the weight(s) and maintaining weight position in or on the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Guy LaMonte McClung, III, Karen Therese McClung
  • Publication number: 20090170628
    Abstract: A head for a putter of golf club provides more effective result by improving top spin of golf ball rolling into a hole cup by a putting (striking) on a putting green and thus increasing a straightness that a direction of golf ball and a distance do not change even in a mistaken putting. The head for a golf putter includes a head body united with a shaft endmost part of putter as a kind of golf club and used for putting a golf ball; a putting wire assembled in zigzags with a club face as a putter face of the head body, to extendedly strike the golf ball in a way of surrounding a portion of the golf ball in a putting using the putter; and a tension control member to change a striking sensitivity transferred to the golf ball in the putting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Chang-Sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 7510484
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), include devices within and/or otherwise engaged with the ball striking head that allow users to selectively change the sound and/or other aspects of the “feel” associated with using the ball striking device to strike a ball. In this manner, a user, a club fitter, or the like can freely customize and adjust the sound and/or other aspects of the ball striking device's feel to correspond to a particular user's preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, Todd A. Waatti, Carl L. Madore
  • Publication number: 20080280692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus adapted for use with an assistive energy type golf club which is safe to use, inconspicuous, and able to release sufficient assistive energy at the optimum time during a golf swing to add prescribed incremental velocity to a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Donald R. Cage
  • Patent number: 7448959
    Abstract: A golf club head and a method of tuning the golf club head. The golf club head includes a body having a front surface, a back surface, a heel end, a toe end, a sole extending between the lower portions of the heel and the toe ends, a top portion extending between the upper portions of the heel and toe ends, and a cavity. One or more magnets are mounted in the cavity such that their distance into the cavity can be adjusted. A detachable face plate having one or more magnets attached to a back surface of the detachable face plate is slidably mated with guides extending from the body. At least two of the magnets are positioned such that the north pole of the magnet in the cavity faces the north pole of a magnet attached to the back surface of the detachable face plate. A repulsive force between the north poles pushes the detachable face plate away from the body and into a stop coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Blankenship, David E. Wright
  • Patent number: 7445563
    Abstract: An internal vibration damper for hollow golf club heads is disclosed. Of particular concern is vibration of the club sole and crown when the face of the club impacts a golf ball. At least one column extends from the sole to the crown, approximately perpendicular to the surfaces of the sole and crown. The column construction or its mounting acts to dampen and reduce vibrations of the sole and crown toward and apart from each other upon ball impact on the face of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Origin, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Werner
  • Patent number: 7354355
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), include devices within and/or otherwise engaged with the ball striking head that allow users to selectively change the sound and/or other aspects of the “feel” associated with using the ball striking device to strike a ball. In this manner, a user, a club fitter, or the like can freely customize and adjust the sound and/or other aspects of the ball striking device's feel to correspond to a particular user's preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, Todd A. Waatti, Carl L. Madore
  • Patent number: 7288030
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a a heel end, a toe end, and a front surface extending between the heel and toe ends. A face plate is coupled to the body by a piston assembly through a fluid. The golf club head is tuned by changing the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 7264558
    Abstract: A golf club head including filler material contained in a bladder disposed in a cavity that is formed in a club head body. A face plate is attached to the body and is arranged for impacting a golf ball. The bladder is located behind the face plate. When the club head strikes a golf ball on the face plate, the filler material dampens vibration which results. In one embodiment, the filler material is compressed air. In other embodiments, the filler material is a gel-like material or a granular material such as sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Tania P. Kubica, legal representative, Daniel J. Kubica, deceased
  • Patent number: 7261642
    Abstract: A method for tuning a golf club head where the golf club head includes a body having a front surface, a back surface, a heel end, a toe end, a sole extending between lower portions of the heel and the toe ends, and a top rail extending between upper portions of the heel and toe ends. A face is coupled to the body through a rheological fluid. The golf club head is tuned by changing the viscosity of the rheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 7192363
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a front surface, a back surface, a heel end, a toe end, a sole extending between lower portions of the heel and the toe ends, and a top rail extending between upper portions of the heel and toe ends. A face is coupled to the body through a rheological fluid. The golf club head is tuned by changing the viscosity of the rheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 7140977
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises a front striking plate that in turn comprises a front striking surface, a rear surface, and a first boss generally centrally located on and attached to the rear surface. A rear body section is fixedly coupled to the front striking plate. A longitudinal member is adjustably coupled to the rear body section and has a first end configured for pivotal movement in engagement with the first boss. The longitudinal member applies a force of compression onto the rear surface of the striking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Atkins Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Clyde D. Atkins, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7070514
    Abstract: An improved golf club head having an internal impact assembly configured to improve the direction and distance of travel of a golf ball. The impact assembly is configured to impact the inside wall of the club face at an impact spot immediately after the golf ball is hit to provide a kick to the golf ball so as to direct it along the desired direction of travel. The impact assembly is in a club head cavity and comprises a support member attached to the cavity, a spaced apart hammer member and a connecting member interconnecting the support member and hammer member. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting member is fixed to the support member and configured, such as being made out of graphite or the like, to flex the hammer member into the impact spot. In an alternative embodiment the connecting member is pivotally connected to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: William C. Borunda
  • Patent number: 7037213
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf club head, in which a stable high-inertia moment is generated at the time of down swinging and impacting of a golf club, thereby reliably achieving the effect of increase in driving distance. A golf club head has a plurality of hollow chambers 3 arranged in mutually parallel relation and in mutually adjacent relation within a head 1 from a heel 6 toward a toe 7. Each hollow chamber 3 is faced with a sole-forming wall. A weight 9 composed of a granular body or liquid body is sealed in each of the hollow chambers 3, and each of the hollow chambers 3 is provided with an openable and closable inlet/outlet port 8 for charging the weight 9 into each of the hollow chambers 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Peparlet Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Otoguro
  • Patent number: 6976924
    Abstract: A golf club iron having a thin front face which is supported by a biasly bent L-shaped insert that is disposed into a rear cavity of the iron to both support the front face and to create a “spring like” effect. The coefficient of restitution of the club head is greater than 0.8. The insert has a lower specific gravity and a higher Young's Modulus than the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Douglas C. Jorgensen, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6964620
    Abstract: A golf club iron having a thin front face supported by a biasly bent U-shaped insert that is inserted into a rear cavity and sole recess of the iron to not only support the front face and to create a “spring like” effect, but to create a void between the insert and the front face and sole portion of the club head. The coefficient of restitution of the club head is greater than 0.8. The insert has a lower specific gravity and a higher Young's Modulus than the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Douglas C. Jorgensen, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6872148
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head attached to the shaft. The head has forward and rear ends and a ball-striking face positioned adjacent the forward end. The golf club is also provided with a movable member having a propellant charge therein. The movable member is positioned in the head and is movable between a first position, in which it is positioned adjacent the rear end of the head, and a second position, in which is it positioned adjacent the front end of the head. A detonating mechanism is provided for detonating the charge when the movable member moves from its first position to its second position during the movement of the head. The charge causes the head to accelerate in a generally forward direction when the charge is detonated by the detonating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Steven P. Lee
  • Patent number: 6872153
    Abstract: A golf club iron having a thin front face supported by a biasly bent insert that is inserted into a rear cavity of the iron to both support the front face and to create a “spring like” effect. The coefficient of restitution of the club head is greater than 0.8. The insert has a lower specific gravity and a higher Young's Modulus than the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Douglas C. Jorgensen, Stephen S. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20040127301
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a head attached to the shaft. The head has forward and rear ends and a ball-striking face positioned adjacent the forward end. The golf club is also provided with a movable member having a propellant charge therein. The movable member is positioned in the head and is movable between a first position, in which it is positioned adjacent the rear end of the head, and a second position, in which is it positioned adjacent the front end of the head. A detonating mechanism is provided for detonating the charge when the movable member moves from its first position to its second position during the movement of the head. The charge causes the head to accelerate in a generally forward direction when the charge is detonated by the detonating mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Steven P. Lee
  • Publication number: 20040110573
    Abstract: Deadblow hammers capable of minimizing or eliminating recoils when the hammers impact their targets are discussed which have easy access anti-recoil chambers and which have open sockets for receiving handles that extend the length of the hammerhead body. These hammers incorporate filler materials, which function to negate the effects of the hammer recoils, with improved filling port(s) for filling the filler materials. Golf clubs with anti-recoil chambers and insert elements are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony Krallman
  • Patent number: 6641490
    Abstract: A golf club, namely a driver, includes a flowing moving part within the head such as mercury or a flowable solid in an inclined U shaped hollow passage (11). The moving part (12) remains captive at the rear of the head during the downswing on an axis defined by the direction of travel and the center of mass. A golf ball impacting the head away from this axis e.g. at the toe (17) causes the head to rotate and subsequently causing the flowing moving part (18) and hence the center of mass to move to behind the point of impact i.e. the toe, thus reducing head rotation head rotation and increasing the sweet spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: John Warwick Ellemor
  • Patent number: 6575854
    Abstract: An automatic adjusting device for adjusting the position of the center of gravity of an object comprises a weighting element, an elastic element, a base seat, and a hollow tube body. One end of the weighting element is connected to the elastic element and another end of the elastic element is connected to the base seat, such that the weighting element, the elastic element and the base seat are positioned within the hollow tube body. Initially, the C.G. of the device is located at the handle region of the device, and when the tube body is rapidly swung, the weighting element produces a centrifugal force that is greater than the force of the elastic element to move the weighting element to the front end of the tube body and move the C.G. simultaneously. When the swinging force of the tube body is released, the pulling force of the elastic element will cause the weighting element to be restored to its original position, and the C.G. will be simultaneously restored to its original position as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: Jian Kuo Yang, Chia-Ching Lin, Der-Chuan Lin, San Hsiang Yeh
  • Patent number: 6551199
    Abstract: A golf club having an inertia capsule for supporting the strike face of the club, the inertia capsule having a novel air relief channel that is partially filled with mercury and inserted in a hollow club head to transmit ball impact to transition curves cast into the club face uniformly across the club face. A feature of the inertia capsule is that it is configured to be selectively, partially filled with mercury fluid for imparting controlled force against distribution curves cast in the club face. The inertia capsule is supported in the interior chamber by a pair of saddle members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony A. Viera
  • Patent number: 6443855
    Abstract: A head of golf club having a hollow body with a first semi-phere integrally formed therein and a filling line integrally formed between the first semi-sphere and the bottom of the body portion, a face welded on a front end the body, a float received between the first semi-sphere and a second semi-sphere which is combined with the first semi-sphere by welding, and a casing welded on a back end of the body portion, whereby the center of mass of the golf club is self-optimizing, and the structure of the golf club head is simple and firm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Tseng
  • Publication number: 20020082114
    Abstract: A golf club, namely a driver, includes a flowing moving part within the head such as mercury or a flowable solid in an inclined U shaped hollow passage (11). The moving part (12) remains captive at the rear of the head during the downswing on an axis defined by the direction of travel and the center of mass. A golf ball impacting the head away from this axis e.g. at the toe (17) causes the head to rotate and subsequently causing the flowing moving part (18) and hence the center of mass to move to behind the point of impact i.e. the toe, thus reducing head rotation head rotation and increasing the sweet spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: John Warwick Ellemor
  • Patent number: 6386987
    Abstract: A golf club features a hollowed club head having an insert movably mounted therein. The insert is weighted so that it works like a pendulum during a user's swing of the club. The insert has a flat face that shifts to present a face to the ball that corrects for improper technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Francis E. Lejeune, Jr.