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).

  • Publication number: 20070105649
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070105651
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070105654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070105655
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070105650
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20070105653
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Todd Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7198575
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising an outer shell and a strike plate having a strike face. The outer shell and the strike face define a club head volume. A heel/toe axis extends through the center of gravity of the club head. The heel/toe axis is generally parallel to the strike face and generally horizontal relative to a ground plane when the club head is at an address position. The rotational moment of inertia about the heel/toe axis is related to the club head volume by the equation Ixx ?,46*HV+77, where Ixx is the rotational moment of inertia about the heel/toe axis in units of kg-mm2 and HV is the club head volume in units of cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, David Anderson, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7186190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20060287118
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf-club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Wright, David Anderson, Peter Roberts, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7147570
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for effectively guiding golfers and/or their fitting professionals toward the selection of a particular wood-type golf club that is optimally matched or fitted to each golfer's particular swing characteristics, the selection being made from a set of golf clubs having at least three different head sizes and being made based on one or more swing characteristics for the golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Toulon, Gary Gallagher, A. J. Bonar, Jose Miraflor, David Anderson, Benoit Vincent, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 7140974
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a top, a sole, a toe end, a heel end, and a forward wall. The forward wall defines a front opening about which a face support is disposed. The face support receives a face plate, thereby enclosing the front opening of the body. The face support includes portions proximate to the top, the toe end, and the heel end, each portion having a peripheral member extending rearward from the forward wall and a rear member extending inward from the peripheral member, with respect to the front opening. The face support can be combined with a preferred face construction and weight elements to optimize club head performance to help a golfer achieve greater distance and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Brian Weed, Peter Larsen, Gery Zimmerman, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7083530
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head is disclosed that comprises a striking face, a heel, a toe and a sole bar, wherein a recess is formed in the sole bar. A cartridge comprised of a first material at least partially disposed the sole recess, and at least one pin, comprised of a second material coupled to the cartridge. The first material has a modulus of elasticity that are less than that of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Wahl, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7041014
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for matching a test golfer with a particular golf club selected from a group of golf clubs having a plurality of styles. The method utilizes data set derived in an initial procedure in which the club style preferences for each of a large number of pre-test golfers is recorded and correlated with a set of performance parameters for the golf swings of such pre-test golfers. This data enables the pre-test golfers to be classified into subgroups, in which golfers within the same subgroup generally prefer the same club style and golfers in different subgroups generally prefer different club styles. After this data set has been established, the test golfer takes a golf swing with a golf club, while performance parameters for the swing are measured. Based on the measured performance parameters and the previously established data set, the test golfer is classified according to swing type, and the optimum golf club is then selected from the plurality of styles of golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Wright, David Anderson, Peter J. Roberts, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20060035722
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Beach, David Anderson, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 6997820
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having an increased sweet spot across its club face. A preferred construction includes a face plate having vertical zone of increased thickness and a central region having a reduced thickness. An upward extension of the vertical zone comprises divergent segments separated by an upper region of reduced thickness. The face plate material is preferably metallic, but in alternative embodiments may be formed of a composite or non-metal material. Methods for manufacturing a golf club head having a face plate with the thicknesses of the present invention include forging and machining techniques. The club head may be a wood-type or iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kraig Willett, Joseph H. Hoffman, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 6991558
    Abstract: 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 horizontal 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Co., lnc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, David Anderson, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 6969326
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a wood-type golf club head having a body, a striking face and a crown. The body 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, 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 is disposed atop a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the striking plate and the crown is attached to the second portion by adhesive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20050255939
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Drew De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20050239575
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a top, a sole, a toe end, a heel end, and a forward wall. The forward wall defines a front opening about which a face support is disposed. The face support receives a face plate, thereby enclosing the front opening of the body. The face support includes portions proximate to the top, the toe end, and the heel end, each portion having a peripheral member extending rearward from the forward wall and a rear member extending inward from the peripheral member, with respect to the front opening. The face support can be combined with a preferred face construction and weight elements to optimize club head performance to help a golfer achieve greater distance and control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Brian Weed, Peter Larsen, Gery Zimmerman, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20050221915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Drew De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman