Patents Represented by Attorney D. Michael Burns

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  • Golf club iron
    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
  • Apparatus for plasma treatment of golf balls
    Patent number: 6923886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for plasma treatment of golf ball surface. The improved apparatus comprises a cylindrical basket shaped rotating tumbler made from aluminum sheet metal that holds a plurality of golf balls within a sealed casing for surface preparation. A staggered hole pattern yields about 57% of open area in the tumbler surface to insure evacuation with minimum resistance. The holes are individually machined and have machined radiuses at each side of the sheet metal to allow for adequate coverage of a hard anodic coating which is necessary for protection of the sheet metal from the high intensity plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Method for molding and stripping golf ball cores from a three plate mold
    Patent number: 6913726
    Abstract: An improvement in the method of molding is disclosed which utilizes a three plate mold to form golf ball cores having dual parting lines. A method of stripping the cores from the mold and the flashing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6893360
    Abstract: A method of surface treating a golf ball by applying a thin coat of a lubricant having a hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, such as oleic acid. Prior to the stamping of indicia onto the surface of a ball having been prepped with a water-based primer coat, a lubricant is required to aid the ball in a spinning action which is necessary for properly orienting the equator of the ball in a holding mold. After the stamping of indicia, the ball is then painted with a solvent-based clear finishing coat. A thin chemical interface is created wherein the hydrophilic nature of the oleic acid attaches to the primer coat and the hydrophobic nature attaches to the solvent-based finishing topcoat, thereby avoiding compatibility issues between the water and solvent based paints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Stanley W. Brown
  • Mold and method of molding golf ball having dimples on the equator
    Patent number: 6893362
    Abstract: A method and mold for making a multi-parting line golf ball by compressing a dimple arrangement about a pre-formed sphere. The mold comprises at least three mold inserts having dimple producing projections on their inner spherical surfaces. Upon the dimples being molded to the pre-formed sphere, the resulting parting lines which are offset to the equator of the sphere, are visually inconspicuous, due to the pre-formed sphere being of a net size and weight very similar to the finished golf ball. The method of the invention allows for dimples to be located at and on the equator of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Golf club iron
    Patent number: 6875124
    Abstract: An iron golf club head having a thin (less than 0.12 inches) first section that has an expanded unsupported front face region. The first section including a central portion forming part of a leading edge and wrapping around a sole section of the club, to create an increase the coefficient of restitution of the club head to greater than 0.8. The club head utilizes a rear insert that in addition to providing support for the front face, also allows for the fine tuning of swing weights with no change in geometry or size of the club head. This is accomplished this by the utilization of weight adjustment inserts that impregnate tungsten loaded plastic into sheets of carbon graphite and epoxy. The percentage of tungsten creating a weight range without any size change in the sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Heating of golf balls prior to painting
    Patent number: 6872423
    Abstract: A method for preheating golf ball covers prior to painting. The process comprises forming a golf ball with a cover, then heating the cover from about 90° F. to about 150° F. for 1 to 3 hours in a heated enclosure prior to applying a coat of primer or paint to the ball. This is done to accelerate the evaporation of paint solvents, immediately after the paint is applied. The painted balls are subsequently dried in a heated enclosure at about 105° F. to 108° F. All additional coats of primer or paint are applied in a similar fashion, wherein the balls are painted while still in the heated state and not cooled down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Stanley W. Brown, David W. Sauerbrey, Robert N. Lammi
  • Golf club iron
    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
  • Method for plasma treatment of golf balls
    Patent number: 6869645
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for plasma treatment of golf ball surface. The improved apparatus comprises a cylindrical basket shaped rotating tumbler made from aluminum sheet metal that holds a plurality of golf balls within a sealed casing for surface preparation. A staggered hole pattern yields about 57% of open area in the tumbler surface to insure evacuation with minimum resistance. The holes are individually machined and have machined radiuses at each side of the sheet metal to allow for adequate coverage of a hard anodic coating which is necessary for protection of the sheet metal from the high intensity plasma. A two stage dry vacuum pumping system is used to reduce hydrocarbon impurities and improve print and paint adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Golf ball cores with dual parting lines made from a three plate mold
    Patent number: 6863627
    Abstract: An improvement in the manufacture of golf ball cores utilizing a three plate mold to form the cores therein providing the cores with dual parting lines. The apparatus comprises top, center and bottom plates, each having at least one mold insert. Each insert having a cavity therein. The three cavities collectively forming a spherical shape for molding a golf ball core. Upon the cores being formed, the center plate holding the cores, is lifted and rotated to a juxtaposed position against a stripping plate, whereby the cores are mechanically separated from both the mold and overflow flashing. The dual parting lines of different distances from their respective polar ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: William Brum
  • Metal wood
    Patent number: 6857969
    Abstract: A golf club head having a stamped metal cup-shaped front section welded to a cast body, and a split hosel comprising upper and lower hosel elements, both integrally cast within the body of the club head for reduction of weight in the hosel area. The lower hosel element including varying boss members for receiving the bottom of a shaft. Each individual boss member having a shaft opening corresponding to a pre-determined club lie and club face angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Scott A. Rice
  • Infrared heating method for creating cure gradients in golf balls and golf balls cores
    Patent number: 6855070
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a golf ball core that has hardness gradients created in its outer skin by the application of high temperatures from infrared radiation. The outer 0.001 to 0.040 inches of the core has a different hardness than the rest of the core. The skin can either be harder or softer than the rest of the core. The core can be compounded by materials that will only be reactive at temperatures produced by infrared radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Matthew F. Hogge, Michael J. Sullivan
  • Set of golf club irons
    Patent number: 6855066
    Abstract: A set of golf club irons with improved vibration damping and weight distribution, each golf club comprising a shaft and a head comprising a body portion having a front portion and a back portion, wherein the body portion defines an upper aperture and a lower aperture extending through the body portion communicating with the front portion and the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Christopher B. Best
  • Golf balls with thermoplastic polycarbonate-urethane copolymers
    Patent number: 6855793
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core, a cover, and, optionally, at least one intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, wherein at least one of the cover or the intermediate layer comprise a thermoplastic polycarbonate-urethane copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Kevin M Harris, Murali Rajagopalan
  • Divot repair tool
    Patent number: D502242
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Don T. Cameron
  • Golf shoe outsole
    Patent number: D507400
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Douglas K. Robinson, Jr., John J. Erickson, Richard A. Mochen
  • Scoreline pattern for a golf club head
    Patent number: D508102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Raymond L. Poynor
  • Golf shoe outsole
    Patent number: D509948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Douglas K. Robinson, Jr., John J. Erickson, John F. Lane, III, James M. Feeney
  • Golf shoe outsole
    Patent number: D510796
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: John J. Erickson, John F. Lane, III, Wayne H. Mullin
  • Golf shoe upper
    Patent number: D511882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Acushnet Co.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Robinson, Jr., John J. Erickson, John F. Lane, III, James M. Feeney