Patents Examined by Michael D Dennis
  • Patent number: 11654339
    Abstract: Described herein is a tour iron having a golf club head with a faceplate, a body, and an insert. A sole, top rail, rear, and the faceplate enclose a cavity within the body. The cavity can house the insert. The insert can comprise a low-density material, allowing weight to be concentrated around the peripheral edge of the golf club head. The rear of the golf club head has an inflection seam running from the heel to the toe. The golf club head has an upper portion, above the inflection seam and a lower portion below the inflection seam. The upper portion can have a rear opening. The faceplate, body, and insert can be formed of different materials having different densities. The golf club head has a comparatively high moment of inertia and a low center of gravity. Other embodiments and methods are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob T. Clarke, Cory S. Bacon, Dave Wu, Martin R. Jertson, Travis D. Milleman, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 11642576
    Abstract: In one embodiment the golf club head includes three main components, a frame component, a rear cap component, and a striking plate. In another embodiment the club head may also comprise a front component, which is manufactured as a single unitary piece, and a rear cap component. The front component may also be overmolded by a thermoplastic polymeric outer portion which may or may not cover the striking face and which provides additional reinforcement at the load bearing sections of the club head and allows a more facile connection to the rear cap component. In another embodiment, a club head having a main body, crown insert, sole insert and metal face plate frame is formed by forming the sole insert and crown insert from a polymeric material using a thermoforming or thermosetting process and then injection molding the main body over the sole insert, crown insert and metal face plate frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Reber Wester, Nathan T. Sargent, Joseph Reeve Nielson, Christopher John Harbert, Hong G. Jeon
  • Patent number: 11633651
    Abstract: A high moment of inertia aerodynamic golf club head with a low deep center of gravity location and producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces. The club head has crown section attributes that impart beneficial aerodynamic properties and performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kraig Alan Willett, Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 11623240
    Abstract: Methods of applying a polymeric coating to a rear face surface of golf club heads with variable face thickness are disclosed herein. The coating, which preferably comprises polyurea, improves the durability of the face and reduces the hits to failure ratio of the golf club head. The coating improves the performance of the golf club head because it allows for reduction in overall face thickness and easy post-process manipulation to allow for fine-tuning of mass properties after production. The reduction in thickness leads to overall weight reduction, because the polymer is roughly a quarter of the density of titanium or stainless steel, and also reinforces the face, thereby increasing the lifespan of the club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan Samuel Reed, Denver Holt
  • Patent number: 11623134
    Abstract: A foosball table system is disclosed that includes a playing surface, a plurality of walls extending upward relative to the playing surface, wherein a plurality of rods extend through a first sidewall of the playing surface through a second sidewall of the playing surface, a first goal on a first end wall of the playing surface, a second goal on a second end wall of the playing surface, the second end wall opposite the first end wall, a first and second set of user input controls, a processor and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the processor and having logic stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes performance of operations including receive user input from either of the first set of user input controls or the second set of user input controls, and modifying gameplay of a foosball game currently being played using the foosball table system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOCA Football, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Plumer, Nicholas Runeckles, Wayne Rapp
  • Patent number: 11618052
    Abstract: Methods of applying a polymeric coating to a rear face surface of golf club heads with variable face thickness are disclosed herein. The coating, which preferably comprises polyurea, improves the durability of the face and reduces the hits to failure ratio of the golf club head. The coating improves the performance of the golf club head because it allows for reduction in overall face thickness and easy post-process manipulation to allow for fine-tuning of mass properties after production. The reduction in thickness leads to overall weight reduction, because the polymer is roughly a quarter of the density of titanium or stainless steel, and also reinforces the face, thereby increasing the lifespan of the club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.
    Inventors: Nathan Samuel Reed, Denver Holt
  • Patent number: 11612789
    Abstract: A golf club head, when oriented in a reference position, includes: a striking face; a top portion; and a sole portion opposite the top portion. The sole portion includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, at least one sole rail generally elongate in a front-to-rear direction, and a sole contact point located on the at least one sole rail. In a virtual vertical plane extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through the sole contact point, (i) the sole portion includes a sole length Ls measured in the front-to-rear direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge and (ii) the sole contact point is spaced rearwardly from the leading edge by a distance D1 no greater than 0.8*Ls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Darius Cyrulik, Anthony Munson
  • Patent number: 11602677
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a crown opposite a sole, a toe end opposite a heel end, a back end, and a hosel. The golf club head also includes a club face having a loft below a loft threshold in which increasing a coefficient of friction between a golf ball and the club face decreases the spin imparted on the golf ball after impact with the club face. A surface feature positioned on a portion of the club face is configured to increase the coefficient of friction between the golf ball and the club face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Jertson, Ryan Stokke, Evan Greer, Calvin Wang, Erik Henrikson
  • Patent number: 11583784
    Abstract: A play system, comprising: one or more toys comprising one or more electrically conductive parts, the one or more conductive parts defining a spatial pattern, the one or more toys having a physical configuration that is modifiable by a user, the spatial pattern being dependent on the physical configuration of the one or more toys, the one or more toys including a first toy; a magnetic field generating device arranged to generate a magnetic field for inducing an eddy current in one or more of the electrically conductive parts; a sensor configured to detect the induced eddy current; and a data processor; wherein the first toy and at least one of the magnetic field generating device and the sensor are movable relative to each other; wherein the sensor is configured to detect the induced eddy current during relative movement between the first toy and at least one of the magnetic field generating device and the sensor, and wherein the data processor is configured to: receive sensor data from the sensor, the sensor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Erik Hansen, Jesper Søderberg, Thomas Alan Donaldson
  • Patent number: 11571614
    Abstract: A system enables a method of executing a game of baccarat with a side bet event. The system includes a gaming table with at least two distinct player positions. The gaming table having positions thereon for placing an initial wager on the game of baccarat and for placing a second wager on the side bet event from at least one of at least two player positions at the gaming table on the game of baccarat, the side bet resolved by final playing cards at the player hand position and the banker hand position. Each of the at least two player positions has a secondary random outcome indicator display. The gaming table has a random event generator providing distinct random event outcome indicators to the secondary random outcome indicator displays at each player position and each distinct random event outcome indicator represents a single digit number value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Jamie Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 11565170
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game apparatus for facilitating a gameplay, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the game apparatus may include a base member, a support member, and a game board. Further, the support member coupled to the base member. Further, the support member may include a first support member end and a second support member end. Further, the first support member end may be attached to the base member. Further, the support member may be configured for extending between positions in relation to the base member. Further, the game board may be rotatably coupled with the second support member end. Further, the game board may be configured for rotating about a board axis between first board positions. Further, the support member may be configured for elevating the game board to board positions in relation to the surface based on the extending of the support member between the positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hite
  • Patent number: 11554298
    Abstract: A golf club head having localized heat treatment is described herein. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Simone, Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 11541284
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf club heads having transition profiles to reduce aerodynamic drag during a swing are described herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes a crown transition profile having a first crown radius of curvature, a sole transition profile having a first sole radius of curvature, and a rear transition profile having a rear radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan M. Stokke, Sina Ghods
  • Patent number: 11534677
    Abstract: A board game system comprises a game board, having a surface adapted to receive a board game overlay, a detector array adapted to detect the respective positions of a plurality of game pieces placed on top of the board game overlay, and a transmitter adapted to transmit data indicating the respective positions to an entertainment device; and an entertainment device, having a receiver adapted to receive from the game board data indicating the respective positions of the plurality of game pieces, a game state analyser operable to update the state of a game in dependence upon the indicated respective positions of the plurality of game pieces, and an image generator operable to generate an image for output to a display, the content of the image being responsive to the detected state of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Kathrin Carolin Strangfeld
  • Patent number: 11527181
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously producing immersive visual effects on an inside of an enclosure and passive visual effects to be viewed from the outside of the enclosure. The enclosure includes a plurality of sidewalls each having a reflective inner surface facing one other. The system includes a digital video display positioned to direct digital video imagery through the semi-reflective sidewall and into the enclosure. Light of the digital video imagery reflects off the reflective inner surfaces of plurality of sidewalls, which allow a percentage of the light to leave the enclosure, making the visual effects observable from the outside. The light will continue this cycle of reflection and transmission, creating an observable infinity effect from the outside, and an entirely enclosed visual experience from the inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: David Ralph Cicirelli
  • Patent number: 11517798
    Abstract: Examples of golf club heads and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. In one example, a body portion of a golf club head may include a cavity having an opening and an interior structure defined by a wall portion and a base portion. A hosel portion may include an insert portion and a neck portion extending therefrom. The hosel portion may be attached to the body portion by an interference fit between the neck portion and the opening of the cavity. The insert portion may be received inside the cavity and may be spaced apart from the interior structure of the cavity. A space between the insert portion and the interior structure of the cavity may be partially or entirely filled with an adhesive to hold the hosel portion in place. Other examples may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: PARSONS XTREME GOLF, LLC
    Inventors: Caleb S. Kroloff, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Patent number: 11517808
    Abstract: A system including a deck of playing cards. A randomly generated number is printed on each playing card in the deck. An activation device is also provided, which contains a data file of each randomly generated number of the playing cards in the deck, and the order of each playing card in the deck. A playing card dealing shoe is also provided. The shoe includes a sensor for detecting the randomly generated number on a playing card as the playing card is drawn from the shoe. The shoe is associated with a processor, which is in communication with the sensor and the activation device to receive information therefrom. The processor determines whether a playing card drawn from the shoe is expected based on the information from the sensor and the activation device, and disables the shoe when the drawn playing card is not the expected playing card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The United States Playing Card Company
    Inventors: Carol Rouillard, Kory Gunnerson
  • Patent number: 11517811
    Abstract: A dice game assembly that is easy to assemble, disassemble, store and transport in a low-profile configuration, including: a left sidewall; a right sidewall; a backwall; wherein the left sidewall, the right sidewall, and the backwall form a dice collection region for collecting thrown dice proximate thereto; and twelve numerical gaming pieces, wherein the twelve numerical gaming pieces are independently rotatably displaceable between a first, unplayed position and a second, played position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Cal L. Tardiff, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11517797
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as an iron-type golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface and a rear surface, and a body connected to the face. The body has a sole member and a rear cavity defined at least partially by the sole member and the rear surface of the face. The body has an elongated, recessed channel extending within the cavity along a juncture line between the rear surface of the face and the sole member. Additionally, the head is formed in part by a face member having a first leg forming at least a major portion of the face and a second leg extending rearwardly from a bottom end of the first leg and forming at least a portion of the sole member. The head may further be formed by a body member connected to the face member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Robert M. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11504603
    Abstract: Disclosed is the game apparatus using a train device constituted by cars of different sizes. The play ball lowered along the lane assembly may enter any one of the cars. Depending on the car into which the play ball enters, a predetermined reward may be provided to the player. The play ball entering the car deviates through the opening and rises through the elevating device. The raised play ball may be waited to descend again through the lane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: ANDAMIRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ku In Jeong, Jeong Min Lee