Patents by Inventor Alex T. Dee

Alex T. Dee 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).

  • Method and apparatus for testing shafts
    Patent number: 8028587
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing shafts, such as golf club shafts. In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a shaft tester comprising: a frame; a first shaft support supporting a first portion of a shaft at a first fixed position; a second shaft support supporting a second portion of the shaft at a second fixed position; and a third shaft support supporting a third portion of the shaft at a third fixed position. An actuator couples to the third shaft support to displace the third portion relative to the first and second portions to deflect the shaft. A sensor couples to one of the first, second and third supports outputting a signal corresponding to a force exerted by the shaft due. A controller controls displacement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is rotated while being deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikura Composite America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex T. Dee, ZhiChen Xi, Mark Chamberlain
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING SHAFTS
    Publication number: 20100313672
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing shafts, such as golf club shafts. In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a shaft tester comprising: a frame; a first shaft support supporting a first portion of a shaft at a first fixed position; a second shaft support supporting a second portion of the shaft at a second fixed position; and a third shaft support supporting a third portion of the shaft at a third fixed position. An actuator couples to the third shaft support to displace the third portion relative to the first and second portions to deflect the shaft. A sensor couples to one of the first, second and third supports outputting a signal corresponding to a force exerted by the shaft due. A controller controls displacement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is rotated while being deflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Fujikura Composite America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex T. Dee, Zhichen Xi, Mark Chamberlain
  • Method and apparatus for testing shafts
    Patent number: 7788982
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing shafts, such as golf club shafts. In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a shaft tester comprising: a frame; a first shaft support supporting a first portion of a shaft at a first fixed position; a second shaft support supporting a second portion of the shaft at a second fixed position; and a third shaft support supporting a third portion of the shaft at a third fixed position. An actuator couples to the third shaft support to displace the third portion relative to the first and second portions to deflect the shaft. A sensor couples to one of the first, second and third supports outputting a signal corresponding to a force exerted by the shaft due. A controller controls displacement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is rotated while being deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fujikura Composite America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex T. Dee, Zhichen Xi, Mark Chamberlain
  • Method and Apparatus for Testing Shafts
    Publication number: 20080264179
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing shafts, such as golf club shafts. In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a shaft tester comprising: a frame; a first shaft support supporting a first portion of a shaft at a first fixed position; a second shaft support supporting a second portion of the shaft at a second fixed position; and a third shaft support supporting a third portion of the shaft at a third fixed position. An actuator couples to the third shaft support to displace the third portion relative to the first and second portions to deflect the shaft. A sensor couples to one of the first, second and third supports outputting a signal corresponding to a force exerted by the shaft due. A controller controls displacement of the shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is rotated while being deflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIKURA COMPOSITE AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Alex T. Dee, Zhichen Xi, Mark Chamberlain