Toe And Heel Weighting Patents (Class 473/341)
  • Patent number: 11865414
    Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches, an overall breadth of at least 4.45 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 11839801
    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 face portion for striking a golf ball and an enclosed interior cavity. A filler material may be inside the interior cavity and may reinforce the face portion. The filler material may include a low density polymer material to enable discretionary mass placement to other areas of the golf club head to improve certain mass properties of the golf club head. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Matthew T. Andrews, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Patent number: 11806595
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, and a body coupled to the striking face. The body includes a crown, a sole disposed in generally opposed relation to the crown, and a back extending away from the striking face. The striking face and body collectively define a hollow interior chamber. A weight is disposed entirely within the interior chamber. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the body and the weight to enable external adjustment of the weight along three axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kline, John Rae, Pat Ripp
  • Patent number: 11771963
    Abstract: Disclosed golf club heads include a body defining an interior cavity, a face, a sole, a crown, and a hosel. Certain embodiments include a weight channel positioned in the sole and defining a path along the sole. Some embodiments include a weight member positioned in the weight channel that is configured to be adjusted to any of a range of selectable positions to adjust mass properties of the golf club head. A fastener may be configured to secure the weight member in any of the selectable positions, while the fastener itself, regardless of where the weight member is positioned along the path, may be secured to the body at a fixed location that is independent of the position of the weight member along the path. Additional discretionary mass elements may be added to the weight member, such as at its ends, to further adjust mass properties of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Story, Nathan T. Sargent, Justin D. Kleinert
  • Patent number: 11684828
    Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 11497973
    Abstract: Methods of creating golf products with complex structures that would be difficult, impossible, or cost prohibitive to produce, such as lattice structures, beam structures, and complex surface-based structures, and golf products that are created using those methods, are described herein. The structures described herein may be made from metal, non-metal materials, or combinations thereof, and may have one or more portions that are made from transparent or translucent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Brandon D. DeMille, Eric Stubben, David R. Handy, Irina Ivanova, Patrick Dawson
  • Patent number: 11097167
    Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 10780324
    Abstract: Golf clubs and/or golf club heads include a club head body defining an interior chamber, structure for engaging a shaft with the body, and/or a shaft engaged with the body. The club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.5 inches and an overall breadth of at least 4.2 inches. In other examples, the club head body may have an overall length of at least 4.6 inches and a ratio of the overall breadth dimension to the overall length dimension of 1 or less. If desired, the ratio of the head breadth to head length dimensions may be in a range from at least 0.94 to 1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 10493334
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club head. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown, and a sole. The sole includes a forward sole surface and a rearward sole surface. The substantially horizontally-oriented forward sole surface extends rearwardly from the ball striking face to a rearward edge. The substantially horizontally-oriented rearward sole surface extends forwardly from the rear of the club head. The rearward sole surface extends over and is offset in a height direction from the rearward edge. A cavity may be located above the forward sole surface, the cavity having a rearward facing opening located below the rearward sole surface. A projection may extend rearwardly from the rearward edge beneath the rearward sole surface, the projection having sides that extend in a generally breadthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd, Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 10456638
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head has a main body and a face component including a first element formed of a resilient material. The putter-type golf club head also has a second element forward of the first element and including a rigid material. The second element is secured directly to the first element. The first element has a thickness that gradually increases toward a sole portion of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Dan Nivanh, Mitch Samson, Joseph Chen, Mika Becktor, Michael Boyle, Dustin Brekke, Bryce Weir, Phillip C. Seagram
  • Patent number: 10420987
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head has: a moment of inertia Ix around a vertical axis of 4500 to 5900 g sq·cm; and a moment of inertia Iy around an inclined axis of 5300 to 6800 g sq·cm, which satisfy Iy=<1.071 I×Ix+482 g sq·cm. The vertical axis passes through the center of gravity of the head under a standard state in which the head is set on a horizontal plane so that a shaft center line is inclined at a lie angle of 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane within a vertical plane and a club face lies at the loft angle. The inclined axis passes through the center of gravity of the head and is inclined downwardly toward the toe from the heel at 62 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane within a plane parallel with the above-mentioned vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Kimizuka, Masahide Onuki
  • Patent number: 9956463
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf clubs, have a head that includes a face member including a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear side located behind the face, a rear member connected to the rear side of the face member, a first connection member connecting the face member to the rear member, and a resilient material separating the rear member from the face member. The first connection member is directly engaged with the rear member, and the club head further includes a first spacer separating the first connection member from the face member. The first spacer is flexible, and the first connection member indirectly engages the face member by compressing the first spacer against the face member. The resilient material engages the rear member and the face member and is configured to transfer momentum between the face member and the rear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Brian Kammerer
  • Patent number: 9433834
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd, Eric A. Larson, Kenneth W. Brown, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 9358434
    Abstract: Golf clubs having improved features and a golf swing training device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the golf club has a club head made of at least one material having a first specific gravity, and at least one weighting portion that has a higher specific gravity than the first specific gravity of the material forming the main body of the club head. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type, and the club head has a sole that is provided with “bounce” thereon. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head of the “iron” type that has a configuration that provides it with improved ability to cut through the “rough” on the golf course. In another embodiment, the golf club has a club head having a club face with at least one portion thereof that has a thickness that is modified to account for a groove in the striking surface of the club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Pelican Gold, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Vincent Bamber
  • Patent number: 9192831
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd, Eric A. Larson, Kenneth W. Brown, Sherry L. Jones, Yoshimasa Fujita
  • Patent number: 9168438
    Abstract: Golf club and golf club head structures having a void formed in the golf club head body are presented. In some arrangements, the golf club head may include a first arm and a second arm extending rearward from the golf club head body defining the void. In some examples, the golf club head body, first arm and second arm may form a substantially V-shaped golf club head. In other arrangements, the golf club head body may have a portion of the body removed to form a void defined by the golf club head body. In some arrangements, the void may be substantially T-shaped and may include a void insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc
    Inventor: Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 9168426
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with hosel inserts are presented herein. Other embodiments can be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole, Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 9022876
    Abstract: Putter heads include a ball striking head body member and a rear body member. In some putter heads, the ball striking head body member includes a rearwardly extending body support having an opening defined therein, and the rear body member extends through this opening. In other putter heads, the rear body member includes a forwardly projecting platform that includes an alignment aid thereon. In still other putter heads, the ball striking head body member includes rearward extending arms at the heel and toe sides that extend rearward at an angle to a location outside the heel and toe edges, respectively, of the ball striking face. Additionally, the rear body member of other putter heads have a first end engaged at a heel side of the ball striking head body member and a free second end that is not engaged with any portion of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, Jason P. Martin, Carl A. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 9017186
    Abstract: Embodiments of club heads with multiple density weighting and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin R. Jertson, John A Solheim
  • Publication number: 20150105179
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head is disclosed. When oriented in a reference position, the putter-type golf club head comprises a blade member and a central elongate member in communication with, and extending rearwardly from, the blade member. The blade member extends in a heel-to-toe direction and has a striking wall defining a substantially planar striking surface, and an upper surface of the central elongate member comprises at least one generally square-shaped alignment element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Mika BECKTOR, Keith DOLEZEL, Nick TRAHAN, Phillip C. SEAGRAM, Brian HERR, Jeff BRUNSKI, Adam SHELDON
  • Patent number: 8986134
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown, a sole and a centerline extending from the ball striking face to the rear. The sole includes a substantially horizontally-oriented sole surface extending rearwardly from the ball striking face to the rear. A first insert-receiving feature is located to a heel-side of the centerline, and a second insert-receiving feature is located to a toe-side of the centerline. The first and second insert-receiving features are substantially symmetrically located with respect to the centerline. The first and second insert-receiving features have substantially mirror-images shapes with respect to the centerline. A system having a golf club head with an insert-receiving feature and multiple interchangeable inserts configured for being received within the insert-receiving feature is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd
  • Patent number: 8979673
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with weight redistribution channels are described herein. Other examples and related embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Eric J. Morales, Eric V. Cole, Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 8968116
    Abstract: A golf club head with means for adjusting a center of gravity along more than one axis and means adjusting at least one of a characteristic selected from the group consisting of face angle, loft angle, and lie angle is disclosed herein. The golf club head comprises one or more adjustable features such as weight bars, weight screws, weight cartridges, and adjustable sole members, and preferably includes structural features such as pegs, teeth, and polymeric dampeners that serve to preload the one or more adjustable features on the golf club head and prevent or reduce unwanted vibrations when the golf club head is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew Myers, Wayne H. Byrne, Larry Tang
  • Patent number: 8961334
    Abstract: Putter heads have a ball striking face portion and a rear body portion (as one or more parts). These putter heads may have a DCG/B ratio of at least 0.425 (where B is the overall breadth dimension and DCG is the depth of the center of gravity). Some putter heads may include: (a) a ball striking face body member having a ball striking face with plural openings defined in its central portion; (b) a polymeric material mostly located behind an exterior surface of the ball striking face, wherein a portion of the polymeric material is exposed at the exterior surface of the ball striking face through the openings; and (c) a rear body member engaged with the ball striking face body member. Rear body members or portions thereof can be interchanged to allow for customization and/or better fitting of the putter to the user's putting stroke and/or tastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael R. Pinto, Carl Jonsson, Gregory Scott Hinzmann
  • Patent number: 8900064
    Abstract: Putter heads include one or more of a main putter body portion which may including a ball striking face member, a first arm, a second arm, a central member which aligns with the heel-to-toe center of the ball striking face. The central member may include a center portion through which a center line of the putter heads extends and a rear portion. The first arm and the second arm may be symmetrical with respect to the center line of the putter head. The first arm may be configured to be angled towards the center line of the putter head such that the first arm defines a first line which, when extended, is tangent to a portion of an outside diameter of a golf ball when the golf ball is positioned in front of the ball striking member with the center of the golf ball aligned with the center line of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8876631
    Abstract: A golf club iron having a head center of gravity that is low and forward enough to provide a better swing, good striking and swinging feel, and improved ball flight is disclosed. The iron has a recess in a leading edge region and a high density insert disposed within the recess to achieve the desired center of gravity location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Cackett, Brandon T. Vincent
  • Patent number: 8870679
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head. The club head includes a body member having a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a back, a crown, a sole, and a hosel region located at the intersection of the ball striking face, the heel and the crown. The sole includes a channel extending from the hosel region toward the toe. An insert is received within the channel. The club head further includes means for detachably securing the insert to the channel. A second insert configured for being received within the channel may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. V. Oldknow
  • Patent number: 8834285
    Abstract: Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Jason P. Martin, Carl A. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8777775
    Abstract: The mallet putter head in this present invention is comprised of a body cast in 304 stainless steel having a smooth putting face with a 3 degree loft and also balancing weights starting at the putter face and continuing to the rear curve of the putter head giving a proper look, weight and feel. There are three painted grooves perpendicular to the putter face to assist the golfer in aligning the putter to the intended line of the putt. A hole just smaller than a golf ball is also provided that will assist the golfer in aligning the putt. The sole of the putter is curved to permit easy movement of the putter head in the pendulum swing and also in or out in front of the body. The rear end of the putter allows the golfer to pick up a golf ball, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Lyle Dean Johnson
  • Patent number: 8758154
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a club body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The club head also having a central portion connected with the front portion. A frame is connected with the central portion configured to provide a lightweight crown portion being located above an offset plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Demkowski, Bret H. Wahl, Sean Toulon, Marni D. Ines, Robert Nunez, Bill Price, Jose Miraflor
  • Patent number: 8740721
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head comprises a head main portion having a face for hitting a golf ball, and weight members made of metallic material having heavier specific gravity than the head main portion. The head main portion has a tubular portion provided on a heel side of the face and having a shaft inserting hole. The tubular portion is provided continuously on the lower side of the shaft inserting hole with a bottomed hole part for arranging the weight members. The weight members include a heel-side weight member disposed in the bottomed hole part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8721472
    Abstract: An adjustable golf club incorporates instructions into the golf club, and more particularly, in connection with the club head. More specifically, encoded information is visibly provided on the club head, the encoded information relating to the performance of the club head. In addition to the encoded information, a decoder or device for interpreting the encoded performance information is also provided on the club head. The encoded information, in conjunction with the decoder, allows the golfer to easily adjust his or her club head based on playing conditions or his or her swing. Typically, the encoded information relates to a weight of the club head, and may be used to vary the weight of the club head. A method of configuring a putter-type golf club head adaptable to a plurality of configurations is described, as well as a kit for selectively configuring components of a golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Jimmy Kuan, Christopher R. Cooper, Michael Sandoval, Adam K. Sheldon, Edward Mendoza
  • Patent number: 8672771
    Abstract: A golf putter having a head with a negative loft angle on the two ball striking surfaces, heel, and toe surfaces. The overall weight of the putter may be adjusted and the center of gravity of the putter may be shifted laterally as desired with removable weights that are coupled to the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Vlosich
  • Patent number: 8668600
    Abstract: A unique golf club putter head having a fluted rear mass design. This rear mass is shaped as a concave mass that merges with the sole of the blade and dips just below the sweet spot of the head at the center thereof. It lowers the center of gravity of the head along the sweet spot while also controlling the mass at heel and toe. Fluting the rear mass permits controlled variation in the distribution of the mass from heel-to-center-to-toe so that it doesn't overwhelm the ball-hitting surface and instead produces stable smooth roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Butler Cabin Golf, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Byron Butler
  • Patent number: 8616991
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased moment of inertia (MOI) and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable center of percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Publication number: 20130337932
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body, a first arm and a second arm. The body has a ball striking face for striking a golf ball and extends from a heel-side to a toe-side. The first arm projects rearwardly from the body. The second arm also projects rearwardly from the body. The second arm is spaced from the first arm in a heel-to-toe direction to thereby define a gap. The club head further includes a tension member spanning the gap between the first and second arms. The tension member has a first end attached to the first arm and a second end attached to the second arm. The tension member may be pre-tensioned, thereby imparting increased rigidity to the club head. A golf club, particularly a putter, may be provided with this club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Kammerer
  • Patent number: 8579728
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads with weight redistribution channels are described herein. Other examples and related embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Morales, Eric V. Cole, Jeffrey A. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 8579718
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIXX) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIZZ) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIZZ is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIXX is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 8506415
    Abstract: Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20130203522
    Abstract: A putter head has a putter body having a base member defining a ball striking face surface. The putter body further has a first arm extending away from the base member and a second arm extending away from the base member, and a central member extending away from the base member and positioned between the first arm and the second arm. A weight assembly is supported by the putter body. The weight assembly has a beam member having a first end, a second end and a central portion. The central portion is supported by the central member along a first plane, and the first end of the beam member is supported by the first arm along a second plane. The second plane is generally transverse to the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Nike, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130165256
    Abstract: A putter head includes a hosel connectable to a club shaft, a frame cooperable with the hosel, and a putter face connected to the frame. The putter face includes a toe portion and a corresponding toe shoulder and a heel portion and a corresponding heel shoulder. The toe shoulder and the heel shoulder define an encasement. Weights are positioned in the encasement respectively adjacent the toe shoulder and the heel shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8449405
    Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a body with a receptacle, and a multi-density weight. The multi-density weight can comprise a first weight component with a first density, an inner portion and a periphery around the inner portion, and a second weight component with a second density and secured to the inner portion of the first weight component. The body, and the first and second weight components can comprise materials different from each other. The receptacle can have a receptacle base and a receptacle wall. The second weight component can comprise a material having a weld-averse trait with respect to the body. The surface of the body can be proximate to at least one of a hosel region, an upper toe region, a lower toe region, a heel region, a backside region, an upper-half region, or a lower-half region of the body. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: 8414413
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), have a high moment of inertia about their center, to help prevent twisting and mis-hits, particularly when the ball striking device hits the ball at a somewhat off-center position. The ball striking head of the ball striking device may be structured and/or weighted (optionally with separately attachable weight elements) to have a moment of inertia about a center of the ball striking surface of at least 10,000 g/cm2, and in some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 11,000 g/cm2, or even at least 12,000 g/cm2. In some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 20,000 g/cm2, or even at least 25,000 g/cm2 or at least 28,000 g/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 8382606
    Abstract: Ball striking devices, such as golf club heads (including putter heads), have a high moment of inertia about their center, to help prevent twisting and mis-hits, particularly when the ball striking device hits the ball at a somewhat off-center position. The ball striking head of the ball striking device may be structured and/or weighted (optionally with separately attachable weight elements) to have a moment of inertia about a center of the ball striking surface of at least 10,000 g/cm2, and in some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 11,000 g/cm2, or even at least 12,000 g/cm2. In some examples, the moment of inertia may be at least 20,000 g/cm2, or even at least 25,000 g/cm2 or at least 28,000 g/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 8382604
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased MOI and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable Center of Percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Patent number: 8348781
    Abstract: Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marni D. Ines, Bret H. Wahl
  • Patent number: 8328654
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a club body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The club head also having a central portion connected with the front portion. A frame is connected with the central portion configured to provide a lightweight crown portion being located above an offset plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Demkowski, Bret H. Wahl, Sean Toulon, Marni D. Ines, Robert Nunez, Bill Price, Jose Miraflor
  • Publication number: 20120289362
    Abstract: A putter head has a front that strikes a golf ball during putting, a length a, a width b, a weight W, and a moment of inertia I. The width extends along a horizontal width axis perpendicularly intersecting the front of the putter head. The length extends along a horizontal length axis perpendicularly intersecting the horizontal axis. The dimensions are, for example, a?7 inches, b?a, and I/Wa2>0.30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Richard A. BRANDT
  • Patent number: 8303434
    Abstract: A putter golf club that resists twisting by increasing the rotational inertia of the golf club to the maximum degree possible by distributing mass away from the center of mass of the putter, and thereby expands the sweet spot of the putter. Rotational inertia is maximized via use of a heel control wing and a toe control wing extending rearwardly and outwardly from a striking face of the putter as well as a tail rod extending perpendicularly from striking face. Further increase of rotational inertia is accomplished via s symmetrical recesses incorporated into heel and toe control wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Richard DePaul
  • Patent number: 8282501
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club comprising an alignment system and a club head assembly. The putter-type club head has a body that is preferably composed of aluminum, with a rear weight disk and small inserts composed of a material denser than the material used for the remainder of the club head (excluding the neck of the club). The body has an alignment channel that is approximately the same width as a standard golf ball, and which runs from the face to the rear of the club head. In a preferred embodiment this alignment channel is black or dark in color with a white or light-colored border. The putter-type club has a neck that is inserted laterally through the side of the club head, such that it runs parallel to the face of the club head and for substantially the length of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Seraph Sports Limited
    Inventors: Ashley Smith, Simon Chan