Abstract: An apparatus and method for limiting bit rate of compressed data is disclosed. The apparatus and method allows the generation of parameters for encoding digital image data based on the data bit rate resulting from the use of different parameters. In one embodiment, a statistical analysis is performed to determine the different parameters. The use of parameters results in a bit rate that would prevent a decoder to stall during decompression while allowing the encoder compress without affecting the quality. Therefore, a more efficient encoding and decoding can be achieved.

Abstract: A shoe traction system may have an attachment element to allow the orientation of a traction device, such as a golf spike or cleat, to change relative to a sole. The system may further include a positioning element made from a resilient material and returns the spike to a neutral position. The density of the resilient material may be selected according to a weight of a user of the shoe traction system. In operation, the shoe traction system may allow each spike secured to the outsole to form a dynamic positioning system for uneven or varying ground surfaces. The spikes may work independently of each other and all spikes may be adjusting at all times to any change in surfaces.

Abstract: A diagnostic golf club system having a diagnostic golf club, an interface means and a computing means is disclosed herein. The diagnostic golf club includes a plurality of sensors, an internal power supply, and a non-volatile memory for capturing data relating to a golf swing. The interface means is capable of transferring data from the diagnostic golf club to the computing means for processing the data and presenting the data in a useful and informative format. The data may be used to determine a shaft flex profile for a particular golfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a hollow golf club head is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first mold cavity having depressions formed therein, a second mold cavity having a shape complementary to the exterior of the desired club head, a ceramic core, and wax injecting means. Each depression of the first mold cavity has a depth equal to a desired wall thickness of a corresponding portion of the club head. When the ceramic core is placed in the first mold cavity and wax is injected, wax protuberances, which correspond to the depressions, are formed about the ceramic core. The wax protuberances position the ceramic core in the second mold cavity, where wax is deposited over the majority of the ceramic core.

Abstract: A method for a predicting golfer's performance is disclosed herein. The method inputs the pre-impact swing properties of a golfer, a plurality of mass properties of a first golf club, and a plurality of mass properties of a first golf ball into a rigid body code. Ball launch parameters are generated from the rigid body. The ball launch parameters, a plurality of atmospheric conditions and lift and drag properties of the golf ball are inputted into a trajectory code. This trajectory code is used to predict the performance of a golf ball if struck by the golfer with the golf club under the atmospheric conditions. The method can then predict the performance of the golf ball if struck by the golfer with a different golf club. The method and system of the present invention predict the performance of the golf ball without the golfer actually striking the golf ball.

Abstract: The iron golf club head (20) of the present invention is preferably composed of three main components: a periphery member (22), a central member (24) and a face plate 26. The periphery member (22) is preferably composed of a high density material such as a iron-nickel tungsten alloy. The central member (24) is preferably composed of a bulk molding compound. The face plate (26) is preferably composed of a titanium alloy material. The iron golf club head (20) preferably has high moments of inertia Izz and Ixx.

Abstract: A golf ball having a sinusoidal surface is disclosed. The golf ball has a sinusoidal structure. The golf ball of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches diameter requirement for USGA approved golf balls. The interconnected sine waves form a sinusoidal structure in the preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment has a parting line that alternates upward and downward along a sine wave.

Abstract: A golf club having a club head with a striking plate having a thickness in the range of 0.010 to 0.250 inch is disclosed herein. The club head may be composed of three pieces, a face member, a sole and a crown. The striking plate of the club head may have an aspect ratio less than 1.7. The striking plate may also have concentric regions of varying thickness, with the thickness portion in the center. The club head may be composed of a titanium material, have a volume in the range of 175 cubic centimeters to 400 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches. The golf club head may also have a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.8 under test conditions, such as the USGA test conditions specified pursuant to Rule 4-1e, Appendix II, of the Rules of Golf for 1998-1999.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention includes an alignment base for receiving a golf club head, an injector for injecting an adhesive material into a bore of the golf club head, and a mechanism for holding a shaft for attachment to the golf club head. The present invention allows for greater efficiency in the amount of adhesive material that is used to attach the shaft to the golf club head, and reduces the assembly time.

Abstract: A putter (100) having a club head (20) having a central aperture (32) with a rearward center of gravity is disclosed herein. The club head (20) has a body (22) that is preferably composed of stainless steel. The body (22) has a face portion (24), a crown portion (26), a sole portion (28) and an aft-mass portion (30). The face portion (24), the crown portion (26), the sole portion (28) and the aft-mass portion (30) define the central aperture (32). The crown portion (26) extends rearward from the face portion (24) over the aft-mass portion (30). The central aperture (32) separates the crown portion (26) from the sole portion (28) and the face portion (24) from the aft-mass portion (30). The crown portion (26) has an alignment means (40) thereon for aiming a golf ball during putting. The putter has novel inertial properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing golf balls is disclosed that prevents the cover from cracking due to thermal expansion of the core during the cover formation process. The method includes the forming a core. One or more optional boundary layers can be applied to the surface of the core. The core and any boundary layers are pre-heated such that the core and any boundary layer undergo volumetric thermal expansion. After the pre-heating, the cover of the ball is formed over the core and any boundary layer. The method of the present invention also decreases cover molding cycle times for golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball made by a process that prevents the cover from cracking due to thermal expansion of the core during the cover formation process. The method includes the forming a core. One or more optional boundary layers can be applied to the surface of the core. The core and any boundary layers are pre-heated such that the core and any boundary layer undergo volumetric thermal expansion. After the pre-heating, the cover of the ball is formed over the core and any boundary layer. The method of the present invention also decreases cover molding cycle times for golf balls.

Abstract: A curative blend for a thermosetting polyurethane material that allows for a polyurethane material with greater durability is disclosed herein. The curative blend is composed of 4,4′-methylenebis-(2,6-diethyl)-aniline and a second curing agent selected from the group consisting of N,N′-bis-alkyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N′-dialkylamino-diphenylmethane with tetrapropoxylated ethylenediamine and an aliphatic diamine. A preferred polyurethane prepolymer is polytetramethylene ether glycol terminated toluene diisocyanate prepolymer. The thermosetting polyurethane is preferably utilized as a cover for a golf ball. The cover is preferably formed over a core and boundary layer.

Abstract: The iron golf club head (20) of the present invention is preferably composed of three main components: a periphery member 22, a central member 24 and a face plate 26. The periphery member (22) is preferably composed of a high density material such as a iron-nickel tungsten alloy. The central member (24) is preferably composed of a bulk molding compound. The face plate (26) is preferably composed of a titanium alloy material. The iron golf club head (20) preferably has high moments of inertia Izz and Ixx.

Abstract: A curative blend for a thermosetting polyurethane material that allows for a polyurethane material with greater durability is disclosed herein. The curative blend is preferably composed of N,N″-dialkylamino-diphenyl-methane in an amount of 25 to 75 parts per one hundred parts of the curative blend and 4,4″-methylenebis-(2,6-diethyl)-aniline in an amount of 25 to 75 parts per one hundred parts of the curative blend. A preferred polyurethane prepolymer is polytetramethylene ether glycol terminated toluene diisocyanate prepolymer. The thermosetting polyurethane is preferably utilized as a cover for a golf ball. The cover is preferably formed over a core and boundary layer.

Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60) and an aft body (61) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The face component (60) is composed of a metal material, and the aft-body (61) is composed of a non-metal material such as a composite material or a thermoplastic material. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has an aspect ratio less than 1.7. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has concentric regions of thickness with the thickness portion in the center (102). The club head (42) has a volume in the range of 290 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate portion (72) surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches. The golf club head (42) has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.