Patents Examined by Sneh Varma
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Patent number: 6777640Abstract: 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 the 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 H1, 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: K.K. Endo SeisakushoInventor: Hitoshi Takeda
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Patent number: 6588751Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Patent number: 6524196Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Wang-Chiu Yeh
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Patent number: 6520868Abstract: A golf club head which comprises a steel alloy which contains maximum amounts of 0.03% of C by weight, 0.2˜0.6% of Si by weight, maximum amounts of 0.15% of Mn by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of P by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of S by weight, 10.5-13.5% of Cr by weight, 0.8-1.4% of Mo by weight, 0.8-1.4% of Al by weight, 0.8˜1.4% of Ni by weight, 0.02˜0.1% of Nb by weight, maximum amounts of 0.01% of N by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of Cu by weight, and the rest being Fe. The steel alloy is made by a metallurgical method involving vacuum melting process and normalizing process, whereby the main crystal structure of the steel alloy is Fe.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Inventor: Archer C. C. Chen
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Patent number: 6517448Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: K.K. Endo SeisakushoInventor: Hitoshi Takeda
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Patent number: 6517447Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Inventor: Douglas Boyd Buchanan
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Patent number: 6508721Abstract: A flexible, transparent, water-resistant, tubular-shaped rain shield for covering and keeping a golfer's hands, glove and golf club grip dry while using the golf club during the course of play in the rain.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Kriser Enterprises, LLCInventor: Jill A. Kriser
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Patent number: 6502392Abstract: An exhaust filtration system for filtering exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine may comprise a fan having an intake side and a discharge side and an air inlet operatively associated with the intake side of the fan. A filter having an inlet surface and an outlet surface is positioned adjacent the fan so that the inlet surface of the filter is positioned adjacent the discharge side of the fan. An influx tube connected to the internal combustion engine is positioned so that its outlet end is located adjacent the intake side of the fan, so that the fan draws in air from the air inlet and exhaust gases from the outlet end of the influx tube and discharges a mixture of air and exhaust gases from the discharge side and into the inlet surface of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Dry Systems TechnologiesInventor: Norbert Paas
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Patent number: 6500279Abstract: A material having capacity of absorbing vibration contains maximum amounts of 0.03% of C by weight, 0.2˜0.6% of Si by weight, maximum amounts of 0.15% of Mn by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of P by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of S by weight, 10.5˜13.5% of Cr by weight, 0.8˜1.4% of Mo by weight, 0.8˜1.4% of Al by weight, 0.8˜1.4% of Ni by weight, 0.02˜0.1% of Nb by weight, maximum amounts of 0.01% of N by weight, maximum amounts of 0.03% of Cu by weight, and the rest being Fe. The material being made by a metallurgical method involving vacuum melting process and normalizing process, whereby the main crystal structure of the material is Fe.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Archer C. C. Chen
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Patent number: 6497629Abstract: A manufacturing method for a golfing iron club and an iron golf club manufactured by the method. A shaft is connected to a head 1 having a face 3 on a front and a shaft attachment portion on one side. After a pre-forging stage using an upper die and a lower die, a rear region corresponding section 9′A and a lower peripheral face corresponding section 11A are machined with an end mill A. Then post-forging is performed using an upper die and a lower die to form the head 1. Thereafter, post-machining is performed using an end mill B. Thus, a rear region 9A and a lower peripheral face 11 can be formed without forging. Machining can be carried out between the pre-forging and post-forging stages, so that locations which are difficult to forge can be accurately formed. In addition, the head 1 is able to be formed more freely, owing to a post-machining stage.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: K.K. Endo SeisakushoInventor: Hitoshi Takeda
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Patent number: 6491591Abstract: The putt stabilizer improves a players putting stroke by providing a simple means to keep the wrist and forearm in position while making the stroke. The device braces the angle formed between the player's outside forearm and the putter shaft, allowing the player to keep this angle constant throughout the putt stroke. As the player learns to hold the proper position, they can gradually reduce their forearm pressure against the device until the preferred putting stroke can be made without aid from the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Paul Scott Schuster
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Patent number: 6491592Abstract: A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60) and an aft-body (61) is disclosed herein. The face component (60) has a striking plate portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61) is composed of a crown portion (62), a sole portion (64) and optionally a ribbon section (90). The face component (60) is composed of a metal material, and the aft-body (61) is composed of a non-metal material such as a composite material or a thermoplastic material. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has an aspect ratio less than 1.7. The striking plate portion (72) preferably has concentric regions of thickness with the thickness portion in the center (102). The club head (42) has a volume in the range of 300 cubic centimeters to 600 cubic centimeters, a weight in the range of 165 grams to 300 grams, and a striking plate portion (72) surface area in the range of 4.00 square inches to 7.50 square inches. The golf club head (42) has a coefficient of restitution greater than 0.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Matthew T. Cackett, J. Andrew Galloway, Herbert Reyes, Alan Hocknell, Richard C. Helmstetter, James M. Murphy, Peter L. Soracco, Augustin W. Rollinson
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Patent number: 6488595Abstract: 10A golf putter having a moment of inertia in the 12,000-28,000 gm/cm2range. The main body of a putter blade is disposed in trailing relation to a ballstriking surface and includes a frame part formed of a preselected light-in-weight material. The frame part has enlarged openings at its toe and heel ends for receiving toe and heel weight members. The toe and heel weight members are formed of a preselected material heavier than the material that forms the frame part. One embodiment has a length of about seven and one-half inches, a weight of about five hundred fifty grams, and a moment of inertia of about 28,000 gm/cm2.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventor: Robert M. Grace
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Patent number: 6488594Abstract: A club head for a golf putter includes a bottom surface, a toe, a heel opposite the toe and a ball striking side on one side of the club head. The ball striking side extends between the toe and the heel and has a center disposed between the heel and the toe. A face insert is carried by a portion of the club head and defines at least part of a ball striking surface on the ball striking side of the club head. The face insert is adapted to absorb energy near the center of the ball striking side so as to produce a coefficient of restitution that is substantially similar and consistent over a majority of the ball striking surface. The face insert deadens the ball striking side at or near the center of the club head so that the distance of putts, whether struck near the center or whether mis-hit and struck closer to the heel or toe, are substantially the same.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventors: Richard C. Card, Mark C. Myrhum
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Patent number: 6482104Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a set of golf club heads is disclosed. The set includes golf club heads with peripheral weights. The dimensions and configuration of at least the peripheral weights are changed from club-to-club along the set so that the center of gravity rises from the long irons to the short irons. By raising the center of gravity from the long irons to the short irons, a golfer will see a peak trajectory height along a line for each club head that is substantially more consistent along that line throughout the set than prior art clubs provide.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Peter J. Gilbert
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Patent number: 6478691Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club head in which a mass-adjusting weight is inserted into the inside of a cylindrical hosel portion, wherein a flange that can be deformed in a radial direction of the hosel portion is formed in a peripheral portion of the foregoing weight and the diameter of the flange is increased so as to fix the foregoing weight to the foregoing hosel portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Okoshi
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Patent number: 6475098Abstract: A golf training device for aiding in golf swing training and golf warm-up activities. The golf training device includes a golf club-like shaft, an at least one weighted member, and a stopper. The at least one weighted member is adapted to removably mount onto the shaft, and is defined by two temporary lockable interdigitating members and a locking member. The stopper, which attaches to the bottom end of the shaft, further aids in preventing the at least one weighted member from inadvertent disengagement from the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Inventor: Stephen A. Nemeckay
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Patent number: 6475102Abstract: A golf club head has a four-faceted sole. The golf club head has a body that has a volume between 140 cubic centimeters and 350 cubic centimeters. The body of the golf club head weighs between 140 grams and 215 grams. The golf club head preferably has a bismuth weighting system. The golf club head is preferably a driver, but may also be a fairway wood. The four-faceted sole is composed of a central facet, a toe facet, a heel facet and a rear facet.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Richard C. Helmstetter, Roger C. Cleveland, D. Clayton Evans, J. Andrew Galloway
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Patent number: 6475099Abstract: A golf club head comprises a ball striking face having a loft angle of from 6 to 30 degrees, and has a depth of the gravity center of not less than 18 mm, wherein the ball striking face is provided with a high frictional region of which maximum static friction coefficient at a high load of 400 kgf is not less than 0.35 whereby back spin of a hit ball is decreased and the flying distance of the ball can be increased. The high-load friction coefficient can be obtained by means of surface treatment, for example, etching, blasting, polishing, spraying a metal compound, vapor deposition of a metal compound and the like.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Norio Sumitomo, Masaya Tsunoda
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Patent number: 6471602Abstract: A golf club, such as a sand wedge 20, is formed with a head 26 having a front face 42 and a centrally located ball-impact surface 44 having a width greater than either of two passages 46 and 50 formed in the front face on each side of the ball-impact surface. A hood 72 is formed in cantilever on the head 26 and extends from an edge of the front face 42 adjacent the ball-impact surface 44 and the passages 46 and 50. A mark 80 is formed on a portion of the hood 72 and is aligned with the ball-impact surface 44, and is visible by a golfer when using the sand wedge 20. A mass 78 is formed in the head 26 to the rear of the ball-impact surface 44 on a rear face 54 of the head 26.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Michael P. D'Orazio