Patents Examined by Benjamin Layno
  • Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads
    Patent number: 10099093
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a plurality of ports on the bottom portion and a plurality of inner support portions in the hollow body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Playing card handling devices, systems, and methods for verifying sets of cards
    Patent number: 10092819
    Abstract: Systems include an automatic card shuffler and a shoe. The automatic card shuffler may include a printing device for applying a randomly selected set symbol on each card of a set of cards. The shoe may include a set symbol reader for reading each card for a presence and identity of a set symbol. A shoe processor may be configured to receive a signal from a shuffler processor indicating the selected set symbol to enable the shoe processor to verify that each card belongs to the set of cards. An automatic card shuffler includes a processor programmed to randomly select a card set symbol and a card-marking system for forming the randomly selected set symbol on cards. Methods include forming a randomly determined set symbol on each card of a set of cards and detecting whether cards include a set symbol matching the determined set symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Haushalter, Nathan J. Wadds
  • Multi-deck automatic card shuffler configured to shuffle cards for a casino table game card game such as baccarat
    Patent number: 10092820
    Abstract: An automatic card shuffler to shuffle eight decks of cards (or less) and deal a round of Baccarat. The automatic shuffler comprises two pre-shuffle bins, each receiving approximately four decks of cards wherein the pre-shuffle bins are spaced apart from one another with card slides directing to a card-receiving area. Cards are randomly selected from the cards in each of the pre-shuffle bins and propelled onto the card slides directing the cards to the card-receiving area. Once a sufficient number of buffer cards (e.g., seven) have been deposited into the card-receiving area, a card flipper moves the seven cards against a face plate of an integral dealing shoe. A buffer-holder member maintains the buffer cards against the face plate for dealing as the card flipper returns to a home position to receive more shuffled cards while buffer cards are being dealt in a round of Baccarat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Shark Trap Gaming & Security Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte, Westley Thomas Davis, Zachary Joesph Cook, Joseph William Riesen, Brendan John O'Toole
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 10092797
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. In some embodiments, the crown includes a lattice-like structure having thin regions surrounded by a web of relatively thicker regions. In some embodiments, the club head includes one or more stiffening tubes attached between the sole and the crown to improve the acoustic performance of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Greensmith, Todd P. Beach, Nathan T. Sargent, Kraig Alan Willett, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Apparatus and method for playing poker-style games involving a draw
    Patent number: 10089831
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Berman, Erica Berman
  • Hollow golf club head
    Patent number: 10086241
    Abstract: A head 2 includes a face 10 and a sole 6. The face 10 has a face center Fc. The sole 6 includes a groove 20 extending from a toe side to a heel side. The whole groove 20 is located below the face center Fc. A bottom part of the groove 20 is curved so that it projects to a lower side along a shape of the sole 6. A maximum value of a groove depth D of the groove 20 is 5% or greater but 15% or less of a height of a center of gravity of the head. The head 2 is a hollow golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naruhiro Mizutani
  • Golf club head or other ball striking device with face having modulus variance
    Patent number: 10080935
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface, an inner surface opposite the ball striking surface, and a thickness defined between the ball striking surface and the inner surface, and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has a modulus gradient across the thickness of the face, such that the modulus of the face varies at different distances from the ball striking surface. The face may also include at least one of an insert, a composite material, a multi-layered structure, and/or a portion treated by a surface treatment to contribute to the modulus gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Mark J. Perry, Jay R. Sayre
  • Hollow golf club head
    Patent number: 10080942
    Abstract: A sole 6 of a head 2 includes a groove 20 extending from a toe side to a heel side. The groove 20 includes a center groove part 20c, a toe groove part 20t, and a heel groove part 20h. A toe boundary line kt is formed on a boundary between the center groove part 20c and the toe groove part 20t due to the change of a groove depth D. A heel boundary line kh is formed on a boundary between the center groove part 20c and the heel groove part 20h due to the change of the groove depth D. The toe groove part 20t and the heel groove part 20h extend so as to be inclined with respect to a face-back direction. The head 2 is a hollow golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Naruhiro Mizutani, Daisuke Kohno
  • Automated playing card retrieval system
    Patent number: 10058768
    Abstract: An automated playing card retrieval system is used with a physical gaming table that hosts live wager-based games. The system includes a movable receiving component that receives dealt physical playing cards and an automated card removal component that removes the cards to a discard region after the game. The movable receiving component can be a mechanized tray, can display card(s) to player(s) seated away from the table during game play, and can receive cards at a first position, move to a second position where cards are removed, and move to a third position where cards are displayed at a position elevated from and at a substantially non-parallel angle to the table surface. Additional system components can include an automated card return component that returns cards to another location for a future game, a robotic dealer, an automated card shuffler, a card shoe, and/or the table itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Fresh Idea Global Limited
    Inventor: Jay Chun
  • Distance enhancing head for a golf club
    Patent number: 10052533
    Abstract: An enhanced club head for a golf club that improves the distance achieved on a golf shot. ‘Metal head’ golf clubs, such as drivers, fairway metals, and hybrids have metallic sidewalls defining an interior cavity of the club head. A clubface of the metal head is enhanced by inserting a plurality of screws in a spaced apart relation to improve the sweet spot of clubface. It is believed that the plurality of screws in the clubface reduces the deflection of the clubface when the club strikes the golf ball, thereby imparting greater energy into the ball to obtain a greater distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Russell G. Kuc
  • Freestanding golf putter with rounded clubface
    Patent number: 10052536
    Abstract: A freestanding putter with a T-shaped head and rounded clubface is disclosed. The rounded clubface prevents a ball from bouncing or skidding when struck by the putter. The freestanding nature of the putter enables a golfer to repeatedly step away from the putter for a view of the ball to the cup and return to the putter to adjust the direction in which the putter is aiming. Once the golfer is ready to attempt a putt, he or she can address the putter and ball without losing the previously established aim of the putter. Accordingly, the putter enables the golfer to aim and subsequently strike a golf ball with greater accuracy and consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: David Michael Janus, Sr., David Michael Janus, Jr., Theresa Ann Janus
  • Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads
    Patent number: 10052532
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a plurality of ports on the bottom portion and a plurality of inner support portions in the hollow body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • System and method for weighting a golf club
    Patent number: 10046217
    Abstract: A system and method for weighting a golf club. The system is configured to adjust the overall club weight and the weight balance of a golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Charles E. Golden, Noah de al Cruz, Daniel Stone
  • Iron-type golf club head with damping features
    Patent number: 10039965
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head comprising a body with a striking face and a hollow cavity portion, a medallion, and a damping insert that is spaced from, and does not contact any portion of, the striking face is disclosed herein. The damping insert is trapped between the medallion and a support structure that extends from the body of the club head approximately parallel with the striking face, and is at least partially suspended over or in the cavity portion. The structure may be an elongated stiffening member that connects upper and lower portions of the body to one another, or a rectangular lip section. The damping insert is affixed to only one of the medallion and the structure with an adhesive material, and damps vibration in the striking face after the striking face makes contact with a golf ball, while the striking face is rebounding from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: James A. Seluga, Matthew Myers
  • Golf club with movable weight
    Patent number: 10035051
    Abstract: A golf club head having an exterior surface opposite the hollow golf club interior, the body having a center of gravity, wherein the body comprises an elongate weight receptacle, a weight retainer located in the weight receptacle, wherein the weight receptacle comprises a plurality of weight mounts, wherein the weight retainer is configured to slide along the weight receptacle between each of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is unlocked, and wherein the weight retainer is configured to reside in any of the plurality of weight mounts when the weight retainer is locked, and wherein the weight receptacle comprises a weight receptacle installation feature configured to receive the weight retainer, wherein the weight receptacle installation feature is located between two of the plurality of weight mounts, wherein the two of the plurality of weight mounts are located adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Cleghorn, Nick Frame, Darryl C. Galvan
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 10035050
    Abstract: A head 2 includes a face 4, a crown 6, and a sole 8. At least a part of the crown 6 and/or at least a part of the sole 8 is formed by a clad material. The clad material is joined to an adjacent portion brought into contact with a peripheral edge of the clad material. The clad material includes a first layer s1 and a second layer s2. The first layer s1 is the outermost layer. The first layer s1 is welded to the adjacent portion. The second layer s2 does not have an affinity for welding with the adjacent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Motokawa
  • Poker game
    Patent number: 10029170
    Abstract: A casino table poker game where all cards are dealt face-up and the dealer plays a hand. Players each place an ante wager and are initially dealt a partial face-up poker hand and the dealer is dealt a complete face-up poker hand. If the dealer's poker hand meets or exceeds a kick out threshold, the dealer folds her poker hand. The kick out threshold can vary based on the number of players in the game. Then, from lowest to highest rank of partial face-up poker hands, players can fold or pay an additional wager to receive additional cards to complete their face-up poker hand. The pot is awarded to the dealer or player with the best poker hand according to a predetermined set of poker game rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: John P. Miller
  • Golf club having removable weight
    Patent number: 10029161
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a club head body and a weight member that is secured to the body. The weight member is constructed to utilize lateral forces to couple to the head body to minimize the structure required to retain the weight member, and the weight member is preferably constructed so that it has a low profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Knutson, Noah de la Cruz, Andrew McCarthy, Grant M. Martens, Michael E. Franz
  • Golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads
    Patent number: 10010770
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a golf club head may include a hollow body portion having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, a bottom portion, a top portion, a plurality of ports on the bottom portion and a plurality of inner support portions in the hollow body portion. Other examples and embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Robert R. Parsons, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Device with multi-directional moving members
    Patent number: 10004978
    Abstract: A game piece, comprising members that are associated with one another with pivot axes, where a member provides a pivot support that allows independent rotation and or translation motions of a next member in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Andrew Carlow, Eugenia Chen Carlow