Patents Examined by Alvin A. Hunter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7255654
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James M. Murphy, Herbert Reyes, Peter L. Soracco, Matthew T. Cackett, J. Andrew Galloway, Richard C. Helmstetter, Augustin W. Rollinson, Alan Hocknell
  • Patent number: 7252600
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James M. Murphy, Herbert Reyes, Peter L. Soracco, Matthew T. Cackett, J. Andrew Galloway, Richard C. Helmstetter, Augustin W. Rollinson, Alan Hocknell
  • Patent number: 7244191
    Abstract: A putter-type club head (20) having a body (22) that is preferably composed of a material having a density ranging from ranging from 2.0 g/cm3 to 3.0 g/cm3. and a plurality of mass members (56, 58 and 60). The body (22) has a plurality of mass ports (50, 52 and 54) for placement of the plurality of mass members (56, 58 and 60) therein. The body (22) preferably has a heel aperture (34) and a toe aperture (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Larry G. Tang, Augustin W. Rollinson
  • Patent number: 7244195
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball is provided which is improved in spin, feeling, and durability, prevents it trajectory from rising or dropping, and offers an increased flight distance. The multi-piece solid golf ball includes a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core. The outer cover layer has a surface formed with a plurality of dimples. A product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer and a portion VR (%) of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces each defined below a plane circumscribed by the dimple edge to the overall volume of a phantom sphere given on the assumption that the golf ball surface is free of dimples fall within predetermined ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Hiroshi Higuchi, Junji Hayashi, Akira Kawata
  • Patent number: 7238127
    Abstract: A limited contact boxing game and apparatus for playing the game includes a platform having an upper surface for supporting two individuals in a standing or crouched position. A platform is preferably in the shape of a square boxing ring and may be elevated and/or include a set of ropes surrounding the platform. The upper surface of the platform includes two or more spaced apart designated boundary areas of equal size and a tethered ball disposed in the space between the two designated areas. The tethered ball is adapted to be struck by each of the individuals toward the other in order to obtain a score by striking the individuals head or body or by causing the individual to step out of their designated boundary area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Hussain Saleh Al-Harbi
  • Patent number: 7238119
    Abstract: A golf club head having an undercut is disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recesses is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. An insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess. The insert may contain secondary inserts, such as weight members, therein in strategic locations. The insert may completely fill the recess, or may fill only a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 7232383
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having long flight distance by accomplishing low spin amount and high launch angle at the time of hitting, while maintaining good shot feel. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core composed of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and a cover covering the core and having many dimples on the surface thereof, wherein the center has a diameter of 10 to 20 mm and a central point hardness in JIS-A hardness of 20 to 90, the intermediate layer has a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of 50 to 65, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 55 to 70, a flexural modulus of not less than 280 MPa and a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Takahiro Sajima
  • Patent number: 7232381
    Abstract: An iron golf club head includes a head main body and an FRP body. The head main body includes a face portion, a first face along the face portion, second faces, and a recess behind the head portion. The second faces continue from a rear face of the face portion to the first face. The recess is defined by the first face and the second faces. The hollow FRP body is disposed in the recess, overlaps the first face and the second faces, and closes an opening portion of the recess. At least a part of crossing corner portions between the first face and the second faces has a curved face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Imamoto, Hisashi Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7232384
    Abstract: A perimeter weighted golf ball with a low compression core is provided. The core preferably comprises a diene polymer that has low cross-link density or not cross-linked with a reactive co-agent. This core has low compression and low specific gravity. The low specific gravity core is encased within a thin dense layer positioned outside of the centroid radius to provide the ball with a high moment of inertia. The same core can be encased within a plurality of intermediate layers having either increasing hardness or decreasing hardness to provide selective golf balls for either low swing speed players or advanced players. Alternatively, a thin layer of diene polymer highly cross-linked with reactive a co-agent may be incorporated into the ball to increase the hardness of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J Sullivan, Derek A Ladd, Peter R. Voorheis
  • Patent number: 7232379
    Abstract: A putter effective for use in both conventional strokes and side saddle strokes. The putter includes a shaft having a grip portion at one end and a putter head at an opposite end. The shaft includes a lower forward offset portion and a straight portion. The straight portion defines a majority of the length of the putter and is disposed at an upright lie angle allowing effective use of the putter in the side saddle approach. The forward offset portion allows effective use of the putter with a conventional putting stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Robert A. Riseley
  • Patent number: 7229363
    Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples arranged on its surface is provided wherein the ball surface is free of a great circle that does not intersect with dimples, at least 7% of the total number of dimples are non-circular dimples, and some non-circular dimples lie across the equator of the ball corresponding to a parting plane of a mold. The ball is improved in flight distance and aerodynamic uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsuki Kasashima
  • Patent number: 7229362
    Abstract: Ball striking devices may include: (a) a sole member; (b) at least one intermediate body member; (c) a crown member; and (d) a face member. The materials making up the sole member, the intermediate body member(s), and the crown member may be selected so that the densities of the materials generally increase as one moves in a direction from the sole member toward the crown member. Such devices may be formed as golf club heads and/or golf clubs (such as “wood-type” golf clubs and golf club heads).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary G. Tavares
  • Patent number: 7229364
    Abstract: A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment and may be further defined by spoke-like ridges. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The multi-lobed dimple may include uniform and non-uniform dimples. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. Each dimple also includes a slightly convex floor that is continuous and smooth. The curvature may match that of the outer surface of the golf ball. Further, a sloped wall interrupted by spoke-like ridges may connect the convex floor with the outer surface of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Steven Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7226366
    Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61) and a gasket (300) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is preferably composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The gasket (300) provides an interface between the face (60) and the aft-body (61) that reduces corrosion and improves manufacturing costs of the club head. The club head (42) preferably 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: J. Andrew Galloway
  • Patent number: 7223185
    Abstract: A hide-behind bunker system and kit for enabling a user to take cover behind at least one stand-alone, impact dampening structure. The system comprises at least one inflatable hide-behind structure cooperatively associated with an impact dampening anchor system. The hide-behind structure comprises an inferior bunker end, an opaque outer bunker surface, a matter-retaining inner bunker surface, and air inlet-outlet structure. The inner bunker surface defines an inner structure volume for receiving and retaining structure-erecting air. The impact dampening anchor system or assembly is attached to and extends outwardly from the outer bunker surface adjacent the inferior bunker end. The anchor system comprises at least three elastic link anchor assemblies, which assemblies each comprise a looped elastic member. The elastic member functions to absorb certain bodily impact when users collide therewith. The system and kit thus enable a user to take cover behind at least one stand-alone, impact dampening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Craig M. Miller, John M. Call
  • Patent number: 7214143
    Abstract: A golf club head (20) having a body (22) with a front wall (30) with an opening (32) and a striking plate insert (40) is disclosed herein. The striking plate insert (40) has a substrate base layer (40a) and a second layer (40b). The second layer (40b) is preferably composed of a nickel-iron alloy material. The golf club head (20) preferably has a volume between 200 cubic centimeters and 600 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (20) preferably has a mass between 140 grams and 215 grams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Uday V. Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 7207899
    Abstract: A golf club head having a head body, a face plate fixedly attached to the front surface of the head body, a weight fixedly attached to the front surface of the sole portion of the head body, and an elastic body charged into a first recess portion of the golf club head. The elastic body is compressed to stick fast to the rear surface of the face plate. The lower portion of the head body having first and second recess portions is formed as a bulging portion bulging at the rear of the head body. The JIS C hardness of the elastic body is preferably 15–80, more preferably 18–70, most preferably 20–60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Imamoto
  • Patent number: 7207901
    Abstract: A golf club head comprises a main body and a coating film covering a metallic surface of the main body, wherein the coating film comprises a clear foundation layer formed on the metallic surface and containing acid-modified polyolefin based resin as its base resin, and a colored clear second layer formed outside the foundation layer so that said metallic surface is visible through the coating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Yoshinori Sano, Yoshikazu Yabuki
  • Patent number: 7201672
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover of two inner and outer layers surrounding the core. The outer cover layer has a surface formed with a plurality of three types of dimples such that a product of the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer multiplied by the Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer and a proportion VR (%) of the total of the volumes of dimple spaces satisfy one of: (1) 1,500 to less than 2,000 VR: 0.8 to 1.1% (2) 2,000 to less than 2,500 VR: 0.75 to 1.05% (3) 2,500 to less than 3,000 VR: 0.7 to 1% (4) 3,000 to less than 3,500 VR: 0.65 to 0.95% (5) 3,500 to 4,000 VR: 0.6 to 0.9%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Hiroshi Higuchi, Junji Hayashi, Akira Kawata
  • Patent number: 7198576
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one non-surface layer that has been treated with a radiation source to effect a complete cure of the non-surface layer and methods for making same, wherein the radiation-curable non-surface layer includes a polymer component and, optionally, an initiator, a crosslinking agent, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Matthew F. Hogge, Derek A. Ladd