Patents by Inventor Benoit Vincent
Benoit Vincent 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).
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Patent number: 7540811Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Alan Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Henry Hoffman
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Patent number: 7530904Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
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Patent number: 7494425Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Patent number: 7452285Abstract: Individual weights and a related kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head are provided, allowing a golfer to fine-tune the club for his or her swing. The kit is useable with a club head that defines a plurality of weight recesses spaced about the club head. The kit includes a plurality of weights, including weights of different mass. Each weight is sized to be threadably received within a recess of the club head. Varying placement of the weights enables a golfer to vary impact conditions in the club head, for optimum distance and accuracy. The kit may further include a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights. The tool preferably includes a torque limiting mechanism configured to inhibit over-tightening of the weights into the recess of the club head. The tool and weights may be provided along with the golf club.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Brian Weed, Kraig A. Willett, Joseph H. Hoffman, Gery Zimmerman, Benoit Vincent
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Patent number: 7448963Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
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Patent number: 7445561Abstract: A golf club head in accordance with the invention includes a front wall defining a forward striking face having an engineered texture thereon. The engineered texture includes a prescribed, regular pattern of discrete, geometric shapes spaced at least 0.1 mm apart from each other, each shape having a volume that is less than 0.0007 mm3. Preferred methods of manufacturing the engineered texture of the forward striking face include treating the face by chemical etching, precision micro-saw-cutting, and laser cutting. The engineered texture enhances the performance of the golf club head upon striking a golf ball, providing one or more of an increased high backspin, a lower launch angle, and a higher balls speed, as compared to a golf club head not incorporating such an engineered texture.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Martin Newman, Nick Frame, Bret Wahl, Bing-Ling Chao, Benoit Vincent
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Patent number: 7407447Abstract: Embodiments of movable weights, such as weight assemblies and weight screws, for a golf club head are disclosed herein. One embodiment for a weight assembly, for example, comprises a mass element having a first end, a second end and a sidewall extending between the first end and the send end. The sidewall of the mass element defines a first bore extending through the mass element and at least a portion of the sidewall of mass element tapers in a direction from the first end to the second end. This embodiment further includes a retaining element configured to engage the first bore adjacent the first end of the mass element and defining a second bore. The weight assembly further includes an elongate fastener having a first end configured to be received within the second bore of the retaining element and a second end extending through the first bore and beyond the second end of the mass element when the mass element, retaining element and fastener are assembled together.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Vincent Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Alan Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20080167140Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20080139340Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20070293349Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd Beach, Jabaarr Flukers, Citra Ie, Benoit Vincent
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Publication number: 20070293342Abstract: A golf club head in accordance with the invention includes a front wall defining a forward striking face having an engineered texture thereon. The engineered texture includes a prescribed, regular pattern of discrete, geometric shapes spaced at least 0.1 mm apart from each other, each shape having a volume that is less than 0.0007 mm3. Preferred methods of manufacturing the engineered texture of the forward striking face include treating the face by chemical etching, precision micro-saw-cutting, and laser cutting. The engineered texture enhances the performance of the golf club head upon striking a golf ball, providing one or more of an increased high backspin, a lower launch angle, and a higher balls speed, as compared to a golf club head not incorporating such an engineered texture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Martin Newman, Nick Frame, Bret Wahl, Bing-Ling Chao, Benoit Vincent
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Patent number: 7281994Abstract: The present invention resides in a wood-type golf club head having a high coefficient of restitution (COR) that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking plate, a crown, and a surface veil. The body portion defines an upper opening, and the crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. The surface veil is provided about a junction of the crown and body portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Patent number: 7278928Abstract: A golf club head in accordance with the invention includes a forward striking face that comprises a substantially planar recessed surface and a plurality of discrete, solid geometric shapes projecting forward from the recessed surface. Each of the geometric shapes has a volume of less than 0.0007 mm3. The distance along the recessed surface between adjacent shapes is at least 0.1 mm. The total volume of the geometric shapes contained with a square reference region measuring 2.5 mm by 2.5 mm is less than 0.05 mm3.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Martin Newman, Nick Frame, Bret Wahl, Bing Ling Chao, Benoit Vincent
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Patent number: 7267620Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body and a face insert is provided. The body defines a front opening, and the face insert is attached at and closes the front opening. The face insert comprises prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert further includes a layer of textured film that is co-cured with the prepreg plies to form a front surface of the face insert. The face insert may alternatively include a metallic cap on the front surface of the face insert instead of the layer of textured film. The face insert's total thickness is within a range of about 1 mm to about 8 mm.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
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Patent number: 7261646Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
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Publication number: 20070117652Abstract: A club head for a golf club comprises a strike face and an outer shell. The strike face and the outer shell define a head volume of the club head. The club head has a first axis that extends generally horizontally and parallel to the strike face, a first moment of inertia about the first axis, a second axis that lies generally vertically and perpendicular to the first axis, a second moment of inertia about the second axis, and a center of gravity lying below a horizontal centerline of the club head. The first moment of inertia in units of kg-mm2 is greater than or equal to approximately 77 plus 0.46 times the head volume in units of cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.Inventors: Todd Beach, David Anderson, Benoit Vincent
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Publication number: 20070111817Abstract: Individual weights and a related kit for adjustably weighting a golf club head are provided, allowing a golfer to fine-tune the club for his or her swing. The kit is useable with a club head that defines a plurality of weight recesses spaced about the club head. The kit includes a plurality of weights, including weights of different mass. Each weight is sized to be threadably received within a recess of the club head. Varying placement of the weights enables a golfer to vary impact conditions in the club head, for optimum distance and accuracy. The kit may further include a tool having an engagement end configured to operatively mate with the fasteners of the weights. The tool preferably includes a torque limiting mechanism configured to inhibit over-tightening of the weights into the recess of the club head. The tool and weights may be provided along with the golf club.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Brian Weed, Kraig Willett, Joseph Hoffman, Gery Zimmerman, Benoit Vincent
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Publication number: 20070105647Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20070105652Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20070105648Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2007Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman