Patents Examined by Alvin A. Hunter
  • Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads
    Patent number: 11298597
    Abstract: Examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a top portion of a golf club head may include an alignment aid having a first plurality of strip portions and a second plurality of strip portions. Each strip portion of the first plurality of strip portions and each strip portion of the second plurality of strip portions have a quadrilateral shape with a diagonal side. The diagonal sides of the first plurality of strip portions are aligned with one another to generate a first focal axis and the diagonal sides of the second plurality of strip portions are aligned with one another to generate a second focal axis that meets with the first focal axis at a focal point. Other examples and examples may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Matthew T. Andrews
  • Iron-type golf club head with flex structure
    Patent number: 11298596
    Abstract: Embodiments of an iron type golf club head with a flex structure, a face reinforcing structure, and a variable face thickness to increase face element bending while improving club head durability are described herein. The club head comprises a face element for striking a golf ball. The face element is formed integrally with the flex structure. The flex structure comprises a curved profile (e.g. S-shape or sinusoidal) that functions like a spring to support the face element during golf ball impacts. The face reinforcing structure comprises a looped rib that provides support around a center of the face element. The variable face thickness includes thickened and thinned regions to provide further face element bending or support. The combination of the flex structure, the face reinforcing structure, and the variable face thickness provides increased face element bending while improving club head durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Morales, Jeremy S. Pope, Thomas J. Nuttall
  • Adjustable weight club head
    Patent number: 11291892
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads having adjustable weighting systems with a plurality of discrete attachment locations capable of receiving one or more weights are described herein. The golf club heads described herein provide user adjustability of club head center of gravity to adjust ball flight while maintaining a high moment of inertia and low and back center of gravity position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin R. Jertson, Ryan M. Stokke, Xiaojian Chen, Cory S. Bacon, Jeremy Pope, Daniel K. Lee, David A. Higdon, Eric J. Morales
  • Self-defense device
    Patent number: 11280578
    Abstract: A hand weapon that appears to be an innocuous key carrying device is employed for self-defense. In a first preferred embodiment, the device includes a hollow handle having flexible cordage, typically a double cord, that passes through it to which a number of keys or other weighted objects are affixed via an attachment mechanism, usually a split-ring or similar mechanism. A spring-loaded plunger mechanism extending radially through a cross-section of the hollow handle pinches a portion of the flexible cordage in the interior of the hollow handle to hold it in position. A first position is where the attachment mechanism abuts a first end of the hollow handle. If an attacker threatens, the user depresses the spring-loaded plunger mechanism while slinging the first end with weighted objects affixed, typically keys, toward the attacker using a slashing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventors: Robert J. Moran, Marc Karl Losee
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 11278773
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a golf club head having improved mass distribution characteristics. The golf club head includes a body and a face positioned at a forward portion of the body. The golf club head also includes one or more mass elements positioned at predetermined locations about the head. The mass elements assist in achieving a desired relationship between the moment of inertia about a center of gravity x-axis and the moment of inertia about a center of gravity z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Peter L. Larsen, Joseph Henry Hoffman
  • Golf club head with vertical center of gravity adjustment
    Patent number: 11278777
    Abstract: Golf club heads include at least one weight port situated to retain weights and positioned above an approximate club face geometric center with the club in a standard address position. One, two, or more weight ports can be located above the club face center in a club crown or other portion of a club body. Club head vertical center of gravity can be selected to compensate dynamic loft associated with locating the club head center of gravity well behind the club face. Three-dimensional adjustment of club head center of gravity is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kraig Alan Willett, Todd P. Beach, Christopher John Harbert, Gery Mel Zimmerman
  • Device for measuring speed of tennis ball
    Patent number: 11266895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring speed of a tennis ball, which includes: a housing, a power supply, a main control device, a sensor device, a transmission device, a clamping device and a limiting device. The clamping device is clamped at the serve opening of a tennis ball machine, which can detect the serve speed of a tennis ball accurately with simple operation. The transmission device is engaged with the second sensor device, and the housing is slidably connected with the second sensor device. The emitting ends of the second sensor device and the first sensor device are positioned in the same vertical plane. The limiting device is connected with the second sensor device to limit excessive operation of the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Wuyi University
    Inventors: Tianlei Wang, Na Xiao, Yijia Deng, Junjie Xu, Zijian Li, Jingling Zhang, Yikui Zhai, Jiangyuan Chen, Chaojian Xie, Yiren Long
  • Analyzing sensor data associated with athletic equipment
    Patent number: 11266878
    Abstract: A device mountable on a shaft of exercise equipment is provided. The device comprises: a housing with a hole therethrough to receive an end of the shaft; a load sensor configured to generate an indication of weight of a load attached to the shaft; a motion sensor configured to generate an indication of motion of the load over time; and an interface configured to transmit, to an external device, (i) the indication of weight of the load and (ii) a time series descriptive of a trajectory of the load over a period of time. The external device is configured to apply a set of one or more processing rules to the indication of the weight and to the time series to generate a metric of forces applied to move the load along the trajectory and provide the metric via a user interface of a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: FRONTIER FITNESS LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Dornan, Ryan Harty
  • Interactive boxing trainer
    Patent number: 11253765
    Abstract: An interactive boxing trainer having a boxing object and a trainer is provided. An accelerometer is installed in the boxing head of the boxing object so that the acceleration of the boxing head can be sensed, and the force applied onto the boxing head, including its strength and direction, can be calculated accordingly. With this architecture, the cost of installation and maintenance is also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Eggplant Technologies Limited, Xiamen Hengtuo Electronic & Information Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Huang, Cheng Zhang
  • Rebound device to facilitate hockey training
    Patent number: 11253764
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an ice hockey puck rebounder includes a rigid base with ends and side faces. At least one resilient member has a first surface secured to at least one of the side faces. A first surface of the resilient member is received against and supported by the side face of the base along its entire length. The resilient member comprises a rubber material having a durometer between 50 and 60. A second, outwardly facing surface of the resilient member presents a rebound surface for being contacted by an ice hockey puck. The resilient member consistently, resiliently deflects an ice hockey puck away from the resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GIVE-N-GO HOCKEY
    Inventors: Brian Klanow, James P. Marinoff
  • Golf club and connecting member for golf club shaft and golf club head
    Patent number: 11253754
    Abstract: To obtain a golf club and a connecting member for a golf club shaft and a golf club head that can provide a flexibility in choice of reshafting to a user regardless of types of the golf club shaft and the golf club head and that can also provide excellent strength and/or appearance. A connecting member connects an inner-hosel-type golf club shaft and an over-hosel-type golf club head. The connecting member includes a hybrid structure combining different kinds of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikura Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Kogawa, Keigo Takahashi
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 11247107
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face, and scorelines. A hosel portion includes a hosel exterior surface and internal bore to receive a golf shaft. At least a portion of a recessed region is located in the hosel exterior surface where the hosel portion meets at least one of a sole portion, rear portion, and top portion. A first virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the virtual striking face plane and passes through a face center. A second virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through a heel-most extent of the scorelines, and the recessed region is located heel-ward of the second virtual vertical plane. A center of gravity is spaced from the first virtual vertical plane in a heel-to-toe direction by a distance no greater than 6.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Phill Seagram, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel, Patrick Ripp, Brian Herr
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 11247105
    Abstract: A high forgiveness wood-type golf club head comprises a body and a face. The body comprises a sole that forms a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown that forms a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt that forms a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. The face place is positioned at a front portion of the golf club head opposite a rear portion of the golf club head. The body defines an outer periphery having a generally triangular shape in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Peter L. Larsen, Bing-Ling Chao
  • Process for manufacturing a bi-material shaft
    Patent number: 11248641
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a putter with a bi-material shaft is disclosed herein. The putter comprises a putter head, the bi-material shaft, a mass member and a grip. The bi-material shaft comprises a body with a tip end and a butt end. The body comprises a metal section extending from the tip end to a connection point, and a composite section extending from the butt end to the connection point. The mass member is positioned within an opening at the butt end of the shaft. Mass from the shaft is transferred to the club head and the mass member in the butt end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Grace Hohn, Norm Smith, Augustin W. Rollinson
  • Golf club having an adjustable weight assembly
    Patent number: 11229827
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having an outer surface and a recessed channel defined in the outer surface of the body. A chamber is defined at one end of the recessed channel. The golf club head also includes a weight assembly having a weight at least partially disposed within the recessed channel and configured to slide therein. A cover having a first end and an opposite second end, the second end including a projection, and a fastener coupling the first end of the cover to the body. The fastener secures the first end of the cover to the body while the projection of the second end of the cover engages with the chamber of the recessed channel to retain a position of the weight within the recessed channel between the first end and the second end of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Sang Yi, Richard Sanchez, Richard L. Cleghorn, Thomas Orrin Bennett
  • Golf club
    Patent number: 11219803
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to golf club having a crown, a sole, a face, and a primary alignment feature hard tooled into the golf club head. In some embodiments the golf club has a primary alignment feature comprising a line delineating a transition between at least a portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with a shade or color of the face. The primary alignment feature is hard tooled into the golf club head with the face of the golf club body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Greaney, Andrew Kickertz, Todd P. Beach, Craig Richard Slyfield
  • Ball striking device having a covering element
    Patent number: 11219802
    Abstract: A ball striking device may include a ball striking plate having a front surface configured to strike a ball and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The ball striking device may include a covering element located behind the rear surface. The covering element may be affixed to the rear surface of the ball striking plate with an adhesive member. The adhesive member may include a double-sided tape. Further, a thickened portion of the ball striking plate may be located behind a desired-contact region of the ball striking plate and the covering element may be affixed thereto. The covering element may be a highly-contoured element. The ball striking device may be a golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Cardani, Jeremy N. Snyder
  • Rotational molded golf club head
    Patent number: 11220075
    Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads include: (a) a golf club head base member including a face member having a ball striking face; and (b) a polymeric body member engaged with the golf club head base member, wherein the polymeric body member is formed via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process) and/or engaged with the golf club head base member via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process). The polymeric body member forms at least a portion of a crown member of the club head in some structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Todd A. Waatti
  • Golf club including composite material with color coated fibers and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 11213726
    Abstract: A golf club including at least one component with a construction that includes a composite material with color/metallic coated fibers. In some embodiments, at least a portion of an outer surface of the golf club head is defined by a layered structure including color/metallic coated fibers. The layered structure may include a non-woven composite layer comprising a plurality of unidirectional fiber composite plies and woven composite layer disposed over the non-woven fiber composite layer and including color/metallic coated fibers. In some embodiments, an optically transparent coating may be disposed over the woven composite layer. In some embodiments, the color/metallic coated fibers may be electroplated fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Greaney, Mattieu Bovee, Colin O'Connell-Long, Todd Beach
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 11213727
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a face portion, a crown portion, a sole portion and a hosel portion. The head includes a head body formed by a metallic material and a cover member formed by a material having a rigidity lower than that of the metallic material forming the head body. The head body includes an opening and a beam part that extends so as to intersect the opening. The opening is covered by the cover member. The beam part includes an inward bending portion that is bent so as to project inward of the head. The head body includes bent portions located at respective two end portions of the beam part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naruhiro Mizutani