Patents Assigned to Prince Sports, Inc.
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Patent number: 8079924Abstract: A sports racquet frame is formed from a plurality of frame sections, some sections formed of a single tubular member and other sections formed of double tubular members. The double tube sections preferably contain string port holes. Also, different frame sections can be made of different materials, e.g., carbon fiber-reinforced composites and aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 8079353Abstract: An archery bow is formed of multiple composite tubes bonded to one another along a common wall, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, resiliency, control, and aerodynamics of the bow.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Mauro Pezzato, Mauro Pinaffo, Roberto Gazzara, Michele Pozzobon, Stefano Conte
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Patent number: 8038551Abstract: A racquet frame has one or more string holes formed therein and a string bed plane, along which the string holes extend. The racquet frame is preferably formed by providing a frame bearing structure, which is aimed at providing flexural stiffness to said racquet frame, and structurally integrating the frame bearing structure with a frame binding structure, which is aimed at providing torsional stiffness to the racquet frame. The mutual integration of the frame bearing structure and the frame binding structure forms a composite frame structure, in which one or more of said string holes may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7935286Abstract: A sports racquet having a plurality of string port holes and conventional string holes is formed of a single tube of prepreg material. When molded, mold elements press opposed portions of the prepreg tube into contact with one another, and shape the adjoining prepreg material into a string port hole blanks. The portion of the pressed-together material which initially blocks the string port hole is removed after molding so that the string port holes extend through the frame. Alternatively, the mold elements cause the prepreg tube to follow a serpentine shape, thereby defining string port holes which are open alternately along the top and bottom surface of the frame. A pair of cover rings may be secured to the top and bottom racquet surfaces to cover the open sides of the string port holes.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7931839Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure using a single, hollow primary tube, preferably of a composite material, wherein ports are bonded to the walls of the hollow tube through aligned holes on opposite sides of the hollow tube. The ports improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics, and aesthetics of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Mauro Pezzato, Mauro Pinaffo, Roberto Gazzara, Michele Pozzobon
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Patent number: 7909713Abstract: A handle is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object A structure for a hockey stick is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the hockey stick.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7883434Abstract: A structure for a bat is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the bat.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7811178Abstract: A golf club head has a face, a hosel, and a hollow body. The body includes an outer peripheral region, when viewed from above, and center portions on the upper surface and sole, respectively. The outer peripheral region has a weight-per-unit of surface area which is greater than the weight-per-unit of surface area of the center portions. The weight differential may be accomplished by molding ports into the hollow body around the periphery, which contain weight plugs. Alternately or in addition, a vertically oriented port may extend through the center portions to reduce weight.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Davis
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Patent number: 7811500Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least a portion of a sports racquet frame that comprises a step a) of providing a moldable tube structure containing a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder. The first and second inflatable bladders are positioned on opposite first and second regions of the moldable tube structure. At an intermediate region, the tube structure comprises one or more cross channels, which pass through the moldable tube structure. The method according to the present invention comprises also a further step b) of inserting said tube structure inside a mold forming a mold cavity of a desired shape. Mold members are inserted into the cross channels of the tube structure, so that the outer surface of the mold member faces the inner surface of the corresponding cross channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7727095Abstract: A handle is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object. A structure for a hockey stick is described by using a single, hollow tube of composite material, wherein tubular “ports” extend through the hollow tube. The ends of the ports are bonded to the walls of the hollow tube. The ports improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the hockey stick.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7727096Abstract: A handle end is adapted to be held by a player and a striking end is adapted to contact and propel an object. The stick includes a shaft coupling the handle end and the striking end. The shaft is fabricated of a relatively rigid material with limited flexibility. The shaft has a hole extending there through with a cylindrical wall defining the hole for varying the playing characteristics of the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7651110Abstract: A structure for a bicycle frame system is described by using multiple composite tubes bonded to one another, wherein apertures, or “ports,” are molded between the tubes to improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of bicycle frame component.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pezzato, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon
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Patent number: 7575527Abstract: A bat preferably is formed of a single, hollow tube of composite material, wherein tubular “ports” extend through the hollow tube. The ends of the ports are bonded to the walls of the hollow tube. The ports improve the stiffness, strength, aerodynamics and comfort of the bat.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Davis, Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7503860Abstract: A sports racquet frame is formed from a plurality of frame sections, some sections formed of a single tubular member and other sections formed of double tubular members. The double tube sections preferably contain string port holes. Also, different frame sections can be made of different materials, e.g., carbon fiber-reinforced composites and aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Publication number: 20080274843Abstract: A racquet frame has one or more string holes formed therein and a string bed plane, along which the string holes extend. The racquet frame is preferably formed by providing a frame bearing structure, which is aimed at providing flexural stiffness to said racquet frame, and structurally integrating the frame bearing structure with a frame binding structure, which is aimed at providing torsional stiffness to the racquet frame. The mutual integration of the frame bearing structure and the frame binding structure forms a composite frame structure, in which one or more of said string holes may be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: PRINCE SPORTS, INC.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 7396303Abstract: The sides of a sports racquet, and optionally the tip and throat bridge, include axially extending cutout portions. An insert member, having a plurality of string port holes and optionally conventional string holes, is seated in each cutout portion. The frame and insert member are preferably formed of different materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Publication number: 20080058131Abstract: The sides of a sports racquet, and optionally the tip and throat bridge, include axially extending cutout portions. An insert member, having a plurality of string port holes and optionally conventional string holes, is seated in each cutout portion. The frame and insert member are preferably formed of different materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: PRINCE SPORTS, INCInventors: Roberto Gazzara, Mauro Pinaffo, Michele Pozzobon, Mauro Pezzato
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Patent number: 6800239Abstract: A composite sports racquet frame is made by placing a first prepreg tube into a first mold plate and a second prepreg tube into a second mold plate. A plurality of pin plates, each having a plurality of pins which are at least substantially parallel to one another, are secured to the mold plate so that, when the mold is closed, the pins extend between the two tubes. The tubes are pressurized to assume the shape of the mold and contact one another, and the mold is heated to allow resin to flow between the tubes as they cure, the pins forming pin holes in the frame. Once cured, the frame is removed from the mold, and the pins are withdrawn. If desired, the ends of the tubes forming the handle section can be kept separate from one another during the molding process, by using a removable mold plate. In this manner, not only do the two tubes become integral with one another, at least in the head portion, but string holes do not need to be drilled after the racquet is molded.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Prince Sports, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Davis