Abstract: A game racquet includes head portion and a handle portion. The head and handle portions include one or both of a fiber-reinforced thermoset material and a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material. The handle portion is coupled to the head portion by shock and/or vibration absorbing material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2005
Date of Patent:
November 20, 2007
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
William D. Severa, Po-Jen Cheng, Gerald J. LeVault, Donald G. Loeffler
Abstract: A sports racquet including a frame, a string bed, and at least one cantilevered member. The frame includes a head portion coupled to a handle portion. The head portion includes a distal region, first and second side regions, and a proximal region. A string bed is formed of a plurality of cross string segments and a plurality of main string segments. The cantilevered member has a first section coupled to one of the regions, such that at least one point on the first section remains substantially fixed in relation to the region to which the first section is coupled, and a second section that is deflectable relative to the region to which the first section is coupled. At least one of the string segments is operably engaged with the member, such that when a ball impacts the string segment, the second section deflects inward toward the string bed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 2006
Date of Patent:
October 23, 2007
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
Willie H. McMillan, William D. Severa, Donald G. Loeffler
Abstract: A reinforcing member for a badminton racquet wherein the racquet extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a frame having a tubular hoop portion supporting a string bed and a tubular handle portion. The reinforcing member includes a generally T-shaped body having first and second sections. The first section has an outer surface that defines a first cross-sectional area measured about a longitudinal plane positioned generally perpendicular to the string bed. The second section longitudinally and outwardly extends from the first section. The second section has an outer surface that defines a second cross-sectional area measured about a transverse plane. The first cross-sectional area is at least 50 percent greater than the second cross-sectional area. The first and second sections are configured for placement within the hoop and handle portions of the frame, respectively.
Abstract: A bat extending along a longitudinal axis and configured for impacting a baseball or softball in competitive play includes a handle portion coupled to a barrel portion. The handle portion has a distal end and includes a tubular tapered region positioned adjacent the distal end. The tapered region has a peripheral outer surface encircling the longitudinal axis and includes at least one window formed into the outer surface. The one or more windows can be defined by a latticework.
Abstract: A ball bat includes a substantially tubular frame having a handle portion and a primary hitting portion. The handle portion is formed of a non-steel material. The hitting portion is formed separately from, and coupled to, the handle portion. The hitting portion is formed of a steel and has an inner surface and an outer surface. At least a portion of hitting portion is carburized forming a carburized layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2007
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
Mark A. Fritzke, Bradley L. Gaff, Douglas G. Guenther
Abstract: A ball glove including a front glove portion, a back glove portion and a webbing. The back glove portion is coupled to the front glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a distal region and a proximal region. At least one through-stall opening is formed into the distal region of at least one of the finger stalls. The through-stall opening having a size of at least 0.25 square inches. The webbing is coupled to, and positioned between, the first finger stall and the thumb stall.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2005
Date of Patent:
September 26, 2006
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
Brian A. Sullivano, Shigeaki Aso, Patrick Udelhofen
Abstract: A bat has an elongate tubular striking member of a first material, and an elongate handle member of a second material. The handle may be of composite material laid up in selected layers and orientation to produce selected weight distribution, strength, and stiffness and improved batting capabilities. The striking member and handle member may have juncture sections which are substantially rigidly interconnected through mating configurations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2004
Date of Patent:
August 29, 2006
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
Douglas G. Guenther, Mark A. Fritzke, Bradley L. Gaff, Michael D. Eggiman
Abstract: An inflatable game ball including a carcass, a cover and at least one thin member. The cover has inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface of the cover is coupled to the carcass. At least one recess is formed into the outer surface of the cover. At least one thin member is coupled to the cover at the at least one recess. The member substantially fills the recess. The member has inner and outer portions. The outer portion is formed of a highly gripable material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2002
Date of Patent:
April 18, 2006
Assignee:
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Inventors:
Ming Hsin Lee, Douglas G. Guenther, Kevin L. Krysiak
Abstract: A ball glove including a front glove portion, a back glove portion, at least one abrasion resistant segment, and a webbing. The back glove portion is coupled to the front glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a distal region, a proximal region, and a central region positioned between the distal and proximal regions. The abrasion resistant segment is coupled to the distal region of at least one of the finger stalls. The webbing is coupled to, and positioned between, the first finger stall and the thumb stall.
Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a cover layer. The core is formed of a first composition and the cover is formed of a second composition. The specific gravity values of each of the first and second compositions are generally equal to each other. The first and second compositions are each sufficiently mixed such that the ball exhibits random orientation when floated in a solution of sufficient density to support the ball. The weight, size, spherical symmetry, initial velocity and overall distance of the ball conform to the requirements of the United States Golf Association.