Patents Examined by Michael Dennis
  • Patent number: 9555299
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head comprises an upper heel-side region having a specific gravity ?1, a lower heel-side region having a specific gravity ?2, an upper middle region having a specific gravity ?3, a lower middle region having a specific gravity ?4, an upper toe-side region having a specific gravity ?5 and a lower toe-side region having a specific gravity ?6 which satisfy the following conditions: ?1<?2, ?3<?4, ?5<?6, ?4<?2, ?4<?6, ?3<?1, and ?3<?5. These six regions are sectioned by a horizontal plane, a toe-side vertical plane and a heel-side vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Takahiro Norimura
  • Patent number: 9552685
    Abstract: A transparent, automatic ball blower configured to generate random outcomes for a game by air-mixing Ping-Pong-style balls in a mixing chamber. During game play, the balls extracted from the mixing chamber via an extractor pipe are subsequently carried by a computer-controlled, motorized ball carrier mechanism to an inlet of a ball accumulator compartment. The ball accumulator compartment may be located proximate to the ball mixing chamber. The ball carrier mechanism moves and drops the extracted balls, one-at-a-time, into the ball accumulator compartment. The balls fall into the ball accumulator compartment by means of gravity alone. The balls fill the ball accumulator compartment which, in one version, accommodates a single vertical layer of balls allowing visual inspection of the balls. At the end of game play, the balls are released from the ball accumulator compartment into the mixing chamber through a computer-controlled, motorized ball release gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fortunet, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Itkis, Leo Schpak, Valeri Tsaturyan
  • Patent number: 9550102
    Abstract: A system includes a tackle training apparatus that comprises a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure comprises at least one recessed portion in a curved surface of the cylindrical surface. Each recessed portion of the at least one recessed portion corresponds to a security strap. The system comprises placing a first flat surface of the cylindrical structure on a playing surface of a practice field, wherein the cylindrical structure stands upright upon the playing surface. The system comprises placing a ball in a recessed portion of at the least one recessed portion, wherein the recessed portion and a corresponding securing strap secure the ball to the tackle training apparatus. The system includes a player approaching the cylindrical structure in a tackling disposition, wherein the player targets the ball with a facemask portion of a helmet worn by the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Tackle Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Dillon George, J Raschke
  • Patent number: 9545547
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a hinged face component is disclosed herein. The face component is preferably a partial face cup with striking face, a flange, and a grooved hinge region between the striking face and the flange, which allows the striking face to flex and improves the sound of the striking face when it makes contact with a golf ball. The face component can be L-shaped, r-shaped, or cup shaped, and the groove preferably extends along the entire horizontal length of at least one hinge. In other embodiments, the groove may extend along a horizontal midline of the rear surface of the face cup striking face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Craig E. Abbott, Augustin W. Rollinson, Brett Carter, Kevin P. Dacey, Daniel B. McFarland
  • Patent number: 9533200
    Abstract: An insert for a golf club head, wherein the insert includes a generally planar base surface and a maximum thickness, Tmax, measured perpendicular to the base surface. The insert further includes a first component comprising a non-metallic material, and a second component coupled to the first component and comprising a continuous, formed metal sheet having a thickness between 0.01 mm and 3.0 mm, the second component extending a maximum distance, D, in a direction perpendicular to the base surface, that is no less than 6 mm. The insert is configured such that a ratio D/Tmax is no less than 0.50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Company Limited
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Nick Trahan, Phillip Seagram, Mika Becktor
  • Patent number: 9533235
    Abstract: An acousto-optical baby toy includes a cantilever control unit, an acousto-optical unit connected with the cantilever control unit, and a support unit connected with the cantilever control unit. The acousto-optical baby toy further comprises a remote controller connected with the circuit board of the cantilever control unit in a wireless manner. Thus, the acousto-optical baby toy presents the sound and image messages of the baby cot in a wireless manner so that the parents can operate the acousto-optical baby toy in a remote control manner to watch the instant condition of the baby placed in the baby cot. In addition, the acousto-optical baby toy indicates the environmental messages, functions as a night lamp, has an interactive acousto-optical effect and provides a vibrating function, thereby facilitating the parents taking care of the baby in the baby cot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Way-Hong Chen
  • Patent number: 9533233
    Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Austin Rucker, C. Evangelos Kafantaris, Susie E. Buckman, Leo Shen, Roy Hu, Josiah T. S. Li
  • Patent number: 9526999
    Abstract: A traveling toy includes a gyroscopic unit, a traveling unit and an ornamental toy unit. The gyroscopic unit includes a motor having co-rotatable upper and lower output shafts, a rigid body having a rotational symmetry, and mounted co-rotatably on the upper output shaft of the motor, a driving gear mounted co-rotatably on the lower output shaft, and a transmission gear meshing the driving gear. The traveling unit is disposed below the gyroscopic unit, and includes a first bottom wheel adapted for traveling on a surface, and a gear train disposed between and meshing the transmission gear and the first bottom wheel. The ornamental toy unit is provided on the gyroscopic unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GENIUS TOY TAIWAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 9522309
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Joshua M. Boggs, Matthew P. Rubal
  • Patent number: 9522726
    Abstract: A cockpit yoke assembly adapted for mounting on top of a RC transmitter for controlling the operation of a model airplane. The yoke assembly includes a first control arm with a throttle knob. The first control arm is attached to a first ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment a first joystick on the transmitter. A rudder control lever is attached to the first control arm. The yoke assembly includes a second control arm with an elevator knob. The second control arm is attached to a second ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment to a second joystick on the transmitter. An aileron control lever is attached to the second control arm. The first and second ball and socket linkage are used for moving the first and second joysticks fore or aft and left or right during the operation of the model airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventor: Richard A. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9517420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a deflector for a water dump apparatus positioned within a flow path of water discharged from a selectably dischargable container. The deflector comprises a deflector body having a top deflection surface thereon, a pivot mount for pivotally supporting the deflector body and an adjustor for selectably fixing the deflector plate at an orientation desired by a user. The deflector body may extend between first and second ends and be pivotally supported at the first end thereof. The deflector surface may be a planar concave or convex surface. The deflector body has an exterior edge which is substantially circular. The adjustor may comprise an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a pin selectably engageable within one of a plurality of notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Jill White, James Irvine
  • Patent number: 9517419
    Abstract: The playground for handicapped children is a collection of playground equipment designed for use by handicapped children. The playground for handicapped children comprises a bridge, a slide, a swing set, and a ball pen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventors: Tre Lisa Lee, Bobby Lee, Trellany Lee
  • Patent number: 9517391
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Joshua M. Boggs, Matthew P. Rubal
  • Patent number: 9511301
    Abstract: A model includes arm parts each including a rotational shaft portion, and a body part including a shaft supporting portion and being connected to and rotatable relative to the arm part. The arm part includes a projecting portion. The body part includes a recessed portion into which the projecting portion is fitted when the rotational shaft portion is inserted into the shaft supporting portion. The rotational shaft portion and the shaft supporting portion include respective locking members that are engageable with each other and limit the movement of the rotational shaft portion in an axial direction within a range between a first position where the projecting portion is fitted in the recessed portion and a second position where the projecting portion is out of the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Bandai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Fukuchi, Yuki Sato, Yasuhiro Ishikawa, Yukihide Ide
  • Patent number: 9504886
    Abstract: A multi-material aerodynamic golf club head producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces via the curvature of a crown section. At least a portion of the crown section may be composed of low density materials, including nonmetallic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Albertsen, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 9504928
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a child activity device is disclosed. The system may comprise a child activity device. The child activity device may comprise a main portion; one or more playthings for engaging children; and one or more attachment mechanisms to couple the one or more playthings with the main portion. In some embodiments, the main portion may be a headpiece comprising at least one of a hat, a cap, a visor, a headband, or a bonnet. In other embodiments, the main portion may be a garment comprising at least one of an apron, a shirt, a jacket, a vest, or a belt. In yet other embodiments, the main portion may be a stand-alone structure comprising at least one of a tent, a blanket, a pillow, a wallpiece, a stroller, a stroller attachment, a crib, a crib attachment, a carseat, or a carseat attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: EXCITING UNLIMITED LLC
    Inventors: Clarissa Fingerer, Moses E. Fingerer, Isaac C. Fingerer
  • Patent number: 9504926
    Abstract: A relay segment for a toy track set, the relay segment having: an incoming track segment pivotally mounted to the relay segment for adjustable movement with respect to the relay segment in a first plane; a trigger movably mounted to the relay segment for movement between a first position and a second position, the trigger being located proximate to the incoming track segment such that a portion of the trigger is positioned above the incoming track segment, wherein the portion moves away from the incoming track segment as the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position; and a launching element for launching a vehicle away from the relay segment when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Lynn O'Connor, Michael W. Nuttall
  • Patent number: 9504906
    Abstract: A game set which includes a plurality of cards upon which at least one of words and images are displayed in an other than normally recognizable format, a mirror by which a reflection of the words and/or images on the plurality of cards can be viewed in their corresponding normal recognizable format, and a timer for measuring the time it takes a player of the game to correctly recognize the words and/or images displayed on the plurality of cards without the use of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Barry Magyaros
  • Patent number: 9498736
    Abstract: An infant development toy that comprises a body configured to be held by a person and a light source located on or with the body. The light source being configured to be energized by motion of the body and deactivated automatically after a period of time of inactivity but then re-energized when motion reoccurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Marcia L. Haut
  • Patent number: 9492719
    Abstract: Golf club heads include a golf club head body, a ball striking face, and a shaft engaging member configured to engage a golf club shaft with the golf club head body. Further, the shaft engaging member may be configured to engage the golf club head body and the shaft below a center of gravity of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Chewei Tai