Patents by Inventor Alex G. Woodward

Alex G. Woodward has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11944879
    Abstract: Embodiments of an iron-type golf club head comprising an L-shaped faceplate configured for flexibility are described herein. The L-shaped faceplate comprises a strike face portion and a sole return that wraps around a leading edge of the golf club head. In some embodiments, the L-shaped faceplate further comprises a top rail extension and a toe extension that extend to the peripheries of the golf club head. The golf club head comprises a rear body configured to receive the L-shaped faceplate to form a hollow interior cavity. The rear body comprises a sole ledge configured to receive the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises a weight pad that overhangs a portion of the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises dynamic lofting features that increase the bending in the rear body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Ryan M. Stokke, Xiaojian Chen, Suraj Megharaja
  • Patent number: 11918864
    Abstract: Embodiments of putter-type golf club head comprising a striking surface capable of achieving consistent ball speeds across the striking surface to account for various ball impact locations are described herein. The striking surface has at least two materials that differ in concentration away from the geometric center of the striking surface to provide this consistency. Consistent (or uniform) ball speed is achieved throughout the striking surface as the portion of the golf ball that contacts the striking surface interacts with at least two materials having a differing material characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Matthew T. Schier, Murphy R. Alexander, Anthony D. Serrano, James D. Willmott, Erik M. Henrikson, David A. Higdon, Cole D. Brubaker, John A. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20230390617
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an iron-type golf club head comprising a suspended weight bar within the interior cavity. The weight bar can be attached to and suspended in front of an internal mass pad. The weight bar overhangs at least a portion of the sole and is spaced away from the strike face. The weight bar thereby provides a low and forward center of gravity (CG) position without hindering the flexure of the strike face or the sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Thomas M. Malota, Cole D. Brubaker
  • Publication number: 20230390613
    Abstract: Embodiments of an iron-type golf club head comprising an L-shaped faceplate configured for flexibility are described herein. The L-shaped faceplate comprises a strike face portion and a sole return that wraps around a leading edge of the golf club head. In some embodiments, the L-shaped faceplate further comprises a top rail extension and a toe extension that extend to the peripheries of the golf club head. The golf club head comprises a rear body configured to receive the L-shaped faceplate to form a hollow interior cavity. The rear body comprises a sole ledge configured to receive the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises a weight pad that overhangs a portion of the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises dynamic lofting features that increase the bending in the rear body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Ryan M. Stokke, Mark C. Bloxham
  • Publication number: 20230338785
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Jacob T. Clarke, Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Evan R. Greer, Eric V. Cole, David S. Kultala
  • Patent number: 11771961
    Abstract: Embodiments of a golf club head with an internal lattice structure are described herein. The golf club head can be an iron or putter-type club head. The lattice structure can have varying beam thicknesses that correlate to the effective density profile of the lattice. The effective density of the lattice structure can range between 0 g/mm3 and 0.0075 g/mm3, achieving beneficial product of inertia values for irons and a forward CG location for a putters. For irons, an Ixy product of inertia can be greater than or equal to ?40 g·in2. An Ixz product of inertia can be less than or equal to ?25 g·in2, resulting in improved sidespin for high and low face impacts. The lattice structure can concentrate mass into a high-toe and a low-heel quadrant or region of the iron to achieve the product of inertia values. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KARSTEN MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cole D. Brubaker, Alex G. Woodward, Erik M. Henrikson
  • Publication number: 20230264081
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with adjustable loft, lie, head mass and methods of manufacturing golf clubs with adjustable loft, lie, and head mass are generally described herein. Other embodiments can be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Martin R. Jertson, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Publication number: 20230226416
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Jacob T. Clarke, Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Evan R. Greer, Eric V. Cole, David S. Kultala, Martin R. Jertson
  • Publication number: 20230201673
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of the following parameters: a low and back club head center of gravity position, a high moment of inertia, a large Ixy product of inertia, and low aerodynamic drag. Methods of manufacturing the embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of club head center of gravity position, moment of inertia, product of inertia, and aerodynamic drag are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Christopher M. Broadie, Erik M. Henrikson, Paul D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20230158371
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms for joining golf club heads and shafts are described herein. The golf coupling mechanism allows for adjustment of a club head loft angle, a club head lie angle, and a golf club shaft length while utilizing one club head and one shaft. In a fully extended configuration, the golf coupling mechanism includes a shaft sleeve, a removable spacer, and a removable extender, wherein a fastening assembly secures the golf coupling mechanism to the golf club head. In a contracted configuration, the golf coupling mechanism includes the shaft sleeve. The golf coupling mechanism further includes a shaft cap to soften the interaction between the shaft and the golf coupling mechanism. The golf coupling mechanism further comprises one or more arcuate coupler sets to frictionally lock the shaft relative to the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Evan R. Greer, Jacob T. Clarke, Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Eric V. Cole, David S. Kultala, Martin R. Jertson, Alex G. Woodward
  • Patent number: 11638860
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with adjustable loft, lie, head mass and methods of manufacturing golf clubs with adjustable loft, lie, and head mass are generally described herein. Other embodiments can be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Martin R. Jertson, Ryan M. Stokke
  • Patent number: 11607590
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf coupling mechanisms are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Jacob T. Clarke, Eric J. Morales, Ryan M. Stokke, Evan R. Greer, Eric V. Cole, David S. Kultala
  • Publication number: 20230023428
    Abstract: Described herein is a hollow body iron-type golf club head having a sole and ballast configured to relieve stress within a forward portion of the sole. In a first configuration, the golf club head comprises a ballast undercut for relieving stress. In other configurations, the ballast undercut is combined with additional stress relief features, such as a cascading sole near the face sole juncture, for further reductions to face thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Calvin S. Wang, Alex G. Woodward, Eric J. Morales
  • Patent number: 11541287
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of the following parameters: a low and back club head center of gravity position, a high moment of inertia, a large Ixy product of inertia, and low aerodynamic drag. Methods of manufacturing the embodiments of golf club heads having a balance of club head center of gravity position, moment of inertia, product of inertia, and aerodynamic drag are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Christopher M. Broadie, Erik M. Henrikson, Paul D. Wood
  • Publication number: 20220362637
    Abstract: Embodiments of putter-type golf club head comprising a striking surface capable of achieving consistent ball speeds across the striking surface to account for various ball impact locations are described herein. The striking surface has at least two materials that differ in concentration away from the geometric center of the striking surface to provide this consistency. Consistent (or uniform) ball speed is achieved throughout the striking surface as the portion of the golf ball that contacts the striking surface interacts with at least two materials having a differing material characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Matthew T. Schier, Murphy R. Alexander, Anthony D. Serrano, James D. Willmott, Erik M. Henrikson, David A. Higdon, Cole D. Brubaker, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: 11458373
    Abstract: Described herein is a hollow body iron-type golf club head having a sole and ballast configured to relieve stress within a forward portion of the sole. In a first configuration, the golf club head comprises a ballast undercut for relieving stress. In other configurations, the ballast undercut is combined with additional stress relief features, such as a cascading sole near the face sole juncture, for further reductions to face thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin S. Wang, Alex G. Woodward, Eric J. Morales
  • Publication number: 20220233924
    Abstract: Embodiments of an iron-type golf club head comprising an L-shaped faceplate configured for flexibility are described herein. The L-shaped faceplate comprises a strike face portion and a sole return that wraps around a leading edge of the golf club head. In some embodiments, the L-shaped faceplate further comprises a top rail extension and a toe extension that extend to the peripheries of the golf club head. The golf club head comprises a rear body configured to receive the L-shaped faceplate to form a hollow interior cavity. The rear body comprises a sole ledge configured to receive the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises a weight pad that overhangs a portion of the sole return. In some embodiments, the golf club head further comprises dynamic lofting features that increase the bending in the rear body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Ryan M. Stokke, Xiaojian Chen, Suraj Megharaja
  • Publication number: 20220212070
    Abstract: Described herein is a hollow body iron-type golf club head having a sole and ballast configured to relieve stress within a forward portion of the sole. In a first configuration, the golf club head comprises a ballast undercut for relieving stress. In other configurations, the ballast undercut is combined with additional stress relief features, such as a cascading sole near the face sole juncture, for further reductions to face thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Eric J. Morales, Suraj Megharaja
  • Publication number: 20220080270
    Abstract: Embodiments of a golf club head with an internal lattice structure are described herein. The golf club head can be an iron or putter-type club head. The lattice structure can have varying beam thicknesses that correlate to the effective density profile of the lattice. The effective density of the lattice structure can range between 0 g/mm3 and 0.0075 g/mm3, achieving beneficial product of inertia values for irons and a forward CG location for a putters. For irons, an Ixy product of inertia can be greater than or equal to ?40 g·in2. An Ixz product of inertia can be less than or equal to ?25 g·in2, resulting in improved sidespin for high and low face impacts. The lattice structure can concentrate mass into a high-toe and a low-heel quadrant or region of the iron to achieve the product of inertia values. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Cole D. Brubaker, Alex G. Woodward, Erik M. Henrikson
  • Patent number: D989898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Alex G. Woodward, Xiaojian Chen