Patents Examined by Alvin A. Hunter, Jr.
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Patent number: 6849003Abstract: A golf club head made of a fiber reinforced resin, comprising: a face hitting a ball; a crown forming an upper surface of the head; a sole forming a bottom surface of the head; a side extending between the crown and the sole from an edge on a toe side of the face to an edge on a heel side through a back face; and a hosel into which a shaft is inserted, wherein the crown has a thickness of equal to or less than 2.2 mm, and includes at least partially a high elastic part made of a fiber reinforced resin reinforced by at least one kind of fiber having a tensile elasticity modulus between 380 and 900 (GPa), and the hosel is provided with a vibration absorbent having a loss tangent between 0.7 and 1.5 at a temperature of 10° C. in the vicinity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Tomio Kumamoto
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Patent number: 6849010Abstract: A hanet ball game and method comprises an elongated rectangular playing field having two opposite ends. A ground standing tubular goal net at both ends of the playing field. The goal net is approximately 12 feet in diameter and 3½ feet tall and has a goalkeeper playing within it. Two teams of five to seven players attempt to get the ball into the opponents goal net.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Fritz Valdeus, Jr.
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Patent number: 6837806Abstract: An upper hemisphere (2) of a golf ball can be divided into five units (7) by five circular arcs (6) extending from a pole (4) to a great circle zone (5). Similarly, a lower hemisphere can be divided into five units (7). The dimple patterns of the respective units (7) are equivalent to each other. Each unit (7) has four first predetermined polygons (8) whose entirety is included therein and two first predetermined polygons (8) whose half is included therein. The number of the first predetermined polygons (8) that can be formed on the surface of the golf ball is 50. The golf ball has 50 large flat portions present in a region other than a region proximate to a great circle zone (5).Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Takahiro Sajima
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Patent number: 6832963Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball with a core and a polymeric layer reinforced with fillers. Such layer can be the cover, a portion of the cover, an intermediate layer, a portion of the intermediate layer, or any layer in the golf ball. The fillers are selected to provide efficient increases in flexural modulus as a function of weight percentage of filler in the polymeric layer. A preferred filler is barium sulfate.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Antonio U. DeSimas
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Patent number: 6814676Abstract: Provided is a multi-piece solid golf ball, wherein an outer layer cover has a polyurethane based elastomer as a main component; a solid core surface Shore D hardness is 50 to 60, an inner layer cover Shore D hardness is 53 to 61, and an outer layer cover Shore D hardness is 52 to 58; an average surface Shore D hardness of the solid core and inner and outer layer covers is 53 to 58; a value obtained by dividing a thickness of the outer layer cover by a thickness of the inner layer cover is 0.48 to 1.00, and a total thickness of the outer and inner layer covers is 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm; and a dimple volume occupying ratio VR value is 0.66% to 0.85%. The golf ball is excellent in flight performance, feeling characteristic, and controllability, and is improved in scratch resistance and durability against hitting.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Watanabe, Junji Umezawa, Yasushi Ichikawa, Rinya Takesue
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Patent number: 6811498Abstract: A two piece golf ball has a core compression in the range of 75 PGA to 89 PGA, a core diameter in the range of about 1.535 inches to 1.545 inches, a cover hardness in the range of 42 to 60 Shore D, and a dimple pattern based on the geometry of a icosahedron. An uninterrupted equatorial great circle path, corresponding to a mold parting line, is provided in the design for forming a cover of the golf ball in two parts. A ball having such characteristics exhibits superior distance performance without compromising shot-making feel.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Dunlop Maxfli SportsInventors: Brent D. Emerson, George R. Wallace, Matthew B. Stanczak, Sanjay Kuttappa
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Patent number: 6805644Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having long flight distance, by accomplishing high launch angle and low spin amount immediately after hitting, while maintaining soft and good shot feel when hitting at low head speed. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center, an intermediate layer formed on the center, and an outer layer covering the intermediate layer, wherein the center has a central point hardness in JIS-C hardness of 55 to 75 and a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of 65 to 85, the surface hardness is higher than the central point hardness by 10 to 20, a JIS-C hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than the surface hardness of the center by 10 to 20, and a JIS-C hardness of the outer layer is higher than the hardness of the intermediate layer by 5 to 15.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Keiji Moriyama, Kazunari Yoshida, Satoshi Iwami, Keiji Ohama
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Patent number: 6805643Abstract: A composite golf club head includes a strike plate having a neck formed at an end of the strike plate. A rear portion is formed at an upper side of the strike plate and extends backwards. An inner plate, made up of multiple layers of fiber prepreg material, is adhered to an interior surface of the strike plate by a first of two adhesive sheets. A cover, made up of multiple layers of the fiber prepreg material, is adhered to the back of the rear portion by a second of the adhesive sheets. A bottom plate, made up of a metal material, is adhered to bottom portions of the strike plate and the cover by the adhesive sheets to close the head. A seat is formed inside the bottom plate, and a hole is defined through the seat. A balance member is engaged in the hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: O-TA Precision Casting Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chon-Chen Lin
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Patent number: 6793587Abstract: A trial golf club and golf fitting system for determining at least one custom fitted golf club. The trial club includes a golf club head having a sole defined by a radius of curvature. The sole of the golf club head includes graduated indicia for identifying an optimal lie angle for the fitted club. When the golfer swings the trial golf club, the optimal lie angle of the fitted club is identified by locating the point of impact on the sole of the head of the trial golf club.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Mizuno CorporationInventors: David G. Llewellyn, William A. Price, Jr., Masao Nagai
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Patent number: 6786838Abstract: A golf ball having a multi-layered core comprising at least three core layers and a dimpled cover is disclosed. The core may have three layers, A, B and C, four layers, A, B, C and D, five layers, A, B, C, D and E or up to six layers, A, B, C, D, E and F. In accordance to the present invention, the radius or thickness of each core layer is at least twice as much as the adjacent outer core layer. One outer core layer can be a water vapor barrier layer to protect the ball from water vapor encroachment, which reduces the performance of the ball. Another outer core layer can be a thin dense layer with high specific gravity to increase the rotational moment of inertia to reduce the spin of the ball during flight. Another outer core layer can be a perforated spherical shell to increase the resilience and/or coefficient of restitution of the ball. Another outer core layer could be a cushioning layer to act as a shock absorber. The core layers may also have increasing or decreasing hardness.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Antonio U. DeSimas
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Patent number: 6780129Abstract: A frame supports as a base a plurality of goals rotatably. The goals are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the vertical axix from the view point of a player. Some goals hide others. When a ball shot by a player hits the frame of a goal. Then the goal rotates to guide the ball out of the goal. Unless a ball is directed to the central portion of the frame of the goal without hitting the frame, the possibility is low that the ball drops in the goal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Digital NineInventor: Ushio Higuchi
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Patent number: 6773364Abstract: A golf ball having a high rotational moment of inertial core assembly is disclosed. The core assembly may comprise a low specific gravity core and non-uniform thickness, high specific gravity intermediate layer. This sub-assembly is preferably encased within a soft cover. The low specific gravity core is preferably made from a foamed polymer or from a polymer with its specific gravity reduced, and the non-uniform thickness, high specific gravity core preferably has outer projections, inner projections or both disposed thereon. The projections increase the durability of the intermediate layer, thereby allowing polymers with high flexural modulus to be used as the intermediate layer. Alternatively, the inner and outer projections may extend circumferentially to form webs or ribs on the intermediate layer to increase its stiffness. The ball may comprise a second non-uniform thickness layer, wherein one or both of the intermediate layers comprise high specific gravity materials.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J Sullivan, Derek A Ladd
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Patent number: 6769995Abstract: A putter guide device and method for improving the putting stroke of a golfer. The device includes a flat mat having an opening at one end and a pair of perpendicular lines forming a “T” intersection. A pair of guide walls are magnetically held on the flat mat to enable a golfer to stroke a putter along a horizontal line between the pair of guide walls to repeatedly and accurately hit a golf ball held in the opening with the putter sweet spot. The method includes the use of the teaching device first without the guide walls and a golf ball, then with one guide wall and a golf ball and then with both guide walls. The guide walls may be adjusted to allow more or less space for a putter head being stroked therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Inventors: Charles R. Rhodes, Paul H. Warner, Vincent J. Tringali, Arthur J. Zanello, Daniel Burke
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Patent number: 6767294Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a pressurized foamed inner, spherical center component comprising a first matrix material selected from the group consisting of thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof, a blowing agent and a cross-linking agent and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise an additional outer core layer(s) that surround the outer core layer. The cover may be single or multi-layered.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: R. Dennis Nesbitt
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Patent number: 6767295Abstract: A new configuration for at least some of the dimples on the surface of a golf ball is characterized by undercut portions in the concave surface thereof. The undercut dimples have a first diameter at the surface of the golf ball and a second diameter beneath the surface which is greater than the first diameter. Thus, a portion of the ball surface overhangs an annular portion of the dimple at the periphery thereof. The undercut portions create additional turbulence at the surface of the golf ball as it flies through the air to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the dimples, thereby reducing drag and increasing the distance the ball will travel when struck.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
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Patent number: 6755751Abstract: An apparatus for improving a golfer's putting stroke along a line of intended travel of a golf ball. The apparatus enables the golfer to practice positioning his or hear head and feet in selected positions with respect to the golf ball and the line of intended ball travel, as well as the desired positioning of the putter, at the address position. The golfer can also practice the motion of the putting stroke according to either a “straight back/straight through” or “inside the line” stroke motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Inventor: Christopher Ray Chapman
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Patent number: 6752724Abstract: A golf training apparatus that includes a first elongated flexible strip of a stance length, and a second elongated flexible strip of a ball distance length. According to an example of the invention, the first elongated flexible strip and the second elongated flexible strip include an area of loop-type material, or material that cooperates with hook-type material. The first elongated flexible strip and the second elongated flexible strip may then be joined to one another by providing a separate section of hook-type material or by incorporating hook-type material onto the first elongated flexible strip and the second elongated flexible strip.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: Thomas Schumacher
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Patent number: 6749525Abstract: A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple. 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 curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. The multi-lobed dimples are preferably arranged in a hexagonal array and are preferably arranged in an icosahedron pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Steven Aoyama
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Patent number: 6743123Abstract: A progressive performance golf ball is disclosed. The progressive performance golf ball includes a low spin, high moment of inertia core assembly, which may comprise a low specific gravity core and/or non-continuous high specific gravity intermediate layer. This sub-assembly is encased within a soft cover with Shore D hardness less than 65. The low specific gravity core is preferably made from a foamed polymer, and the non-continuous high specific gravity core is preferably a geodesic or polyhedron screen or a perforated shell. The ball may comprise a non-continuous intermediate layer and a second intermediate layer, wherein one or both of the intermediate layers comprise high specific gravity materials. The cover is preferably made from thermoset polyurethane. Advantageously, the non-continuous screen or shell have a spring-like property, which allows the ball to readily regain its spherical shape after impact with a golf club.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Michael J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 6743124Abstract: There is provided a golf ball with a low spin rate, a high launch angle and an increased flight distance, characterized in a ratio of a primary natural frequency of the golf ball in a direction in which the ball deforms (in a longitudinal direction) (fn) and a primary natural frequency of the ball in a vibration mode in a direction of torsion, i.e., a ratio fc/fn provided in a range: 2.22≦(fc/fn)≦2.45. This relationship is satisfied by a golf ball for example having a core formed of a plurality of layers and having a center smaller in complex modulus than the core's outermost layer or having a cover with a complex modulus adjusted to have a large value.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masaya Tsunoda, Masahide Onuki