Patents Examined by Paul T. Sewell
  • Method of and apparatus for handling tandem containers
    Patent number: 6530301
    Abstract: Apparatus for, and method of, conveying tandem thermoplastic containers from a molding machine to a tail removal station, the tandem containers being positioned with their axes extending horizontally but possibly out of parallel with one another and with their ends possibly out of alignment with one another. The apparatus includes a spaced pair of synchronously driven endless conveyors that convey tandem containers to a downwardly inclined ramp, the ramp having a wedge on its tandem supporting surface that engages outwardly projecting beads on each of the containers of the tandem to orient the tandems with their ends parallel, the downwardly inclined ramp also serving to orient the tandems with their axes parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Seitz, James E. Gerdeman
  • Golf swing plane trainer
    Patent number: 6530845
    Abstract: A golf swing aid for coupling to a golf club having a shaft having a head on a bottom end thereof and a free top end. The golf swing aid includes a gyro assembly adapted for mounting on the golf club such that a user feels a sensation upon the golf club being swung improperly. The gyro assembly may be removably attached to the golf club, such as the top end thereof, and may further be rotatably and swivelly mounted on the golf club so as to allow a shaft of the gyro assembly to remain vertical during the swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: William W. Corbett
  • Pool training device
    Patent number: 6527647
    Abstract: The present invention is a pool training device, including a base configured to be placed on a pool tabletop surface, a mounting mechanism secured to the base, and a truncated circular element perpendicular to and attached to the base via the mounting mechanism. When attached, the height of the assembled device is equal to the height of a pool ball. The truncated circular element has an orifice extending perpendicularly through the center of the truncated circular element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Robert W. Ringeisen
  • Pentagonal hexecontahedron dimple pattern on golf balls
    Patent number: 6527653
    Abstract: Golf balls are disclosed having novel dimple patterns determined by a pentagonal hexecontahedron. A method of packing dimples according to a pentagonal hexecontahedron is also disclosed. For each disclosed dimple pattern, a pentagonal hexecontahedron extend from a pole of the golf ball and dimples are positioned on the golf ball surface according to a pentagonal hexecontahedron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Winfield, Steven Aoyama
  • Method for cutting a web feeding tail and a corresponding cutting device
    Patent number: 6526854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a web feeding tail and a corresponding cutting device. In the method the web feeding tail is detached from a roll and tension ed for cutting. The web feeding tail is cut by the blade of a cutting device, without a counter blade, and the cut web feeding tail is guided forwards in the desired direction to a next web feeding device. The cutting device is located on the opposite side of the web feeding tail to the aforesaid following web feeding device. The web feeding tail is cut by the blade over the entire width of the web feeding tail. At the same time, the cut web feeding tail is guided in a single layer from the blade to the aforesaid web feeding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul I Kytönen, Pekka Koivukunnas, Juha Lipponen
  • Method of forming patterns, trademarks and balance weight in a golf club head and product using the same
    Patent number: 6524196
    Abstract: A method of forming patterns, trademarks and balance weight in a golf club head includes fabricating a rough working piece of the club head which has a trough located at a lower portion and reverse recesses for selected patterns and trademarks located at an upper portion thereof. Then fill and stuff the trough and recesses with a metallic material different from the club head that has a lower melting point (such as copper powder). Thereafter the stuffed recesses and trough and rough working piece of the club head are heated until the stuffed metallic material melted to form a strong binding with the rough working piece. Then grinding the rear side of the stuffed patterns and trademarks to expose the patterns and trademarks. The stuffed material in the trough becomes a balance weight. Finally to engage a hitting plate with a front circumferential edge of the trough to form a finished club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Wang-Chiu Yeh
  • Thread-wound golf ball
    Patent number: 6524200
    Abstract: A thread-wound golf ball, such as a balata-covered golf ball, formed of a center 1a, a rubber thread layer 1b covering the center 1a, and a cover 2 is provided. The center 1a has an outer diameter of 28-35 mm and a Shore A hardness of 10-50. The cover 2 is formed of a mixture containing ionomer resin, thermoplastic elastomer and tackifier and has a Shore D hardness of 45-60. As such, the golf ball exhibits great carry distance with good shot feel, provides high spin rate when shot from the rough or in a raining condition, and that easily comes to a halt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Keiji Moriyama, Satoshi Iwami
  • Billiards chalk assembly
    Patent number: 6520863
    Abstract: A billiards chalk assembly includes a clip, a billiards chalk holder releasably attached to the clip, and billiards chalk insertable insertable into the holder. The clip includes a base having a retention slot formed thereon for securing the billiard chalk holder. A plate is pivotally attached to the base opposite the chalk holder. A spring is interposed between the base and the plate to maintain the plate in a biased closed position. The retention slot is defined by a lip extending inwardly from a lower edge of the base and forming a groove and an open-faced slot. The chalk holder includes an extension having a post which is insertable into the open-faced slot, and an outwardly extending ridge which is insertable into the groove of the retention slot. A locking mechanism is engageable with the chalk holder and releasably locks the chalk holder in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Creative Inventions
    Inventor: Joseph Porper
  • Channeled mesh webbing pocket assembly for a lacrosse stick
    Patent number: 6520875
    Abstract: An expandable mesh web for use with a lacrosse stick head. The head includes a frame member having first and second side walls, each side wall having a proximal end and a distal end. The frame member further has a scoop extending between the distal ends of the side walls, and a stop extending between the proximal ends of the side walls. The expandable mesh web is attached to the frame member, and includes at least two ball channel walls that extend longitudinally along the length off the frame member and are generally thicker and more dense than the rest of the expandable mesh web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: STX LLC
    Inventor: William C. Crawford
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6520870
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft, high resilience, solid core, comprising, in part, a combination of high molecular weight polybutadiene rubbers, and a soft outer cover disposed about the core. The core preferably is relatively large and durable, and the cover is preferably thin and includes a specific combination of hard and/or soft, yet durable, resinous materials. Preferably, the ball is a two-piece golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, John L. Nealon
  • Apparatus and product for improving a golfer's swing
    Patent number: 6517446
    Abstract: An improved training aid and method for teaching and improving the swing of a golfer. The device includes a rigid upper torso support, a rigid thigh support, and a rigid calf support that are strapped on a selected side of the body of the golfer. A rigid stabilizer is secured between the rigid upper torso and the rigid thigh support. The method includes the use of the training aid strapped on one side of the body of the golfer and to aid the golfer in turning and maintaining balance over a ball during a golf swing, while preventing a reverse C and unwanted movement toward or away from the ball, or the direction it is desired that the ball travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert T. Waddell
  • Golf club and connection therefor
    Patent number: 6517447
    Abstract: A golf putter is provided. The golf putter includes a head having a cavity. An insert member is supported within the cavity by Neoprene resilient O-rings and a shaft or hosel member is connected to the insert. Because the insert member is insulated from the head by the resilient O-rings, less impact energy is dissipated within the head. The insert member is arranged to be at the sweet spot of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas Boyd Buchanan
  • Golf club and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6517448
    Abstract: A golf club with an enhanced degree of freedom with respect to design, and a method for manufacturing the same. A head 1 is formed with a face 3 on a front face, a cavity 9 on a rear face and a shaft attachment portion 8 on one side, to which is connected a shaft 2. If a maximum height of a bottom surface 9A of the cavity 9 in the top-to-sole direction is denoted by H1, and a maximum width thereof in the toe-to-heel direction is denoted by W1, the cavity 9 is formed to satisfy an inequality: H1/W1≧0.6. Further, if a maximum height of the face 3 is denoted by H2, then the cavity 9 is formed to satisfy an inequality: 0.7≦H1/H2≦0.85. Thus, the face 3 can be easily resiliently bent at the time of striking balls, thereby developing a greater repulsive force, elongating travelling distances of balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: K.K. Endo Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hitoshi Takeda
  • Baseball training apparatus
    Patent number: 6517452
    Abstract: A device for training a baseball pitcher has a baseball catching element operative for catching a baseball, a baseball throwing element operating for throwing a caught baseball in accordance with a catapult principle, and a drive connecting with the baseball throwing element and actuating the baseball throwing element when the baseball is received by the baseball throwing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Wilhelm Endres
  • Golf ball composition
    Patent number: 6517451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid golf ball having a diameter of less than about 1.70 inches, including a core formed from a rubber base material having a resilience index of at least about 40 and an outer diameter of at least about 1.58 inches, and a cover disposed about the core formed of a material having a Shore D hardness of less than about 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Cavallaro, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Michael D. Jordan, Herbert C. Boehm, Samuel A. Pasqua, Jr.
  • Band putter
    Patent number: 6517450
    Abstract: A golf club of the putter type, with a club head (11) with at the outset a level, vertical or largely vertically positioned strike area (19). The strike area (19) is arranged as a long-shaped, lengthways extended interchangeable/replaceable tension bar (15), which is clamped to two fastening clamps at the opposite ends of the club head (11) by means of the two opposite end parts (18a and 18b) of the lengthways extended interchangeable/replaceable tension bar. The lengthways extended interchangeable/replaceable part has, in an area between the two opposite end parts (18a and 18b), a main part (15a) which extends freely over a hollow (11e) in the club head (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Clyve AS
    Inventor: Jon Klyve
  • Golf ball with non-aqueous liquid center
    Patent number: 6514157
    Abstract: A golf ball having a diameter and being comprised of a core and a cover, wherein the core is further comprised of a non-aqueous liquid mass at the center of the ball. The ball includes a first solid layer surrounding the fluid mass and a second, layer surrounding and abutting the first layer. The first layer has an inner diameter of 15 to 70% of the ball diameter and is a polymeric material and the second layer has an outer diameter of 80 to 98% of the ball diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Jordan, Jeffery L. Dalton
  • Training device for golfers
    Patent number: 6514151
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a training device for use by golfers to help them establish a shot routine to consistently line up, set-up, maintain a fixed head position during the golf swing and act as a guide or target to direct the club head during the down swing. The training device is shaped and arranged relative to the ball such that it presents a visual indication of head position to a player as he executes his golf line up, set-up and swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Nick Delaplane
  • Batting aid
    Patent number: 6514163
    Abstract: A batting aid which is designed to improve a baseball player's batting swing and to strengthen his leading batting arm comprises an upper arm cuff attached to the upper portion of the leading arm of a person preparing to swing a bat, a wrist cuff attached to the wrist of the batter's arm, and an elastic strap connecting them. The wrist cuff has a thumb strap to hold the wrist cuff in place. The wrist cuff and the upper arm cuff are connected by an elastic strap such that, when the batter's leading arm is flexed the elastic strap is slack, and when the arm is extended, the elastic strap becomes taught and provides a resisting force against the further extension of the leading arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kevan C. Burns
  • Hockey training tool
    Patent number: 6514162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hockey training device. In its broadest context, the present invention includes a hollow vertical housing with both a loading end and a discharge end. The intermediate extend of the housing is adapted to store a number of hockey pucks. A discharge device, such as a solenoid actuated plunger or spring urged driving bar, is employed in forcing pucks out through the discharge end of the housing. In this manner, the device can be used in driving pucks, one at a time, vertically and flat across the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: John J. Karellas