Patents by Inventor Byron Cole Slaughter

Byron Cole Slaughter 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: 8702530
    Abstract: A device for changing the mass characteristics of a golf club may include a first movable mass. The device may also include a first movable mass guide configured to accommodate longitudinal travel of the first movable mass along the golf club shaft. The first movable mass guide may not extend beyond the distal end of the golf club shaft. The golf club head may include a second movable mass and a second movable mass guide that accommodates travel of the second movable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Cole Slaughter, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael G. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8506414
    Abstract: A golf club sleeve for use with various golf club structures is presented. The golf club sleeve may have an airfoil shaped cross section and may extend over at least a portion of the shaft of the golf club to reduce drag associated with the shaft during a golf swing, thereby increasing swing speed. The golf club sleeve may be rotatable relative to the shaft of the golf club to orient itself during a swing in order to improve air flow over the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Snyder, Michael G. Taylor, Byron Cole Slaughter, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20120094780
    Abstract: A device for changing the mass characteristics of a golf club may include a first movable mass. The device may also include a first movable mass guide configured to accommodate longitudinal travel of the first movable mass along the golf club shaft. The first movable mass guide may not extend beyond the distal end of the golf club shaft. The golf club head may include a second movable mass and a second movable mass guide that accommodates travel of the second movable mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Byron Cole Slaughter, Jeremy N. Snyder, Michael G. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20110077098
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron Cole Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20090062032
    Abstract: Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and (e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.). Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Byron Cole Slaughter, Charles Jack Green, III
  • Patent number: 7300361
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nike, Inc
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron Cole Slaughter
  • Patent number: 6986716
    Abstract: A golf putter is disclosed that includes a shaft and a head secured to the shaft. The head includes a forward portion that defines a face, and the head includes a rear portion positioned rearward of the face. The rear portion may have the configuration of a ring structure. Whereas the forward portion is formed of a first material, the rear portion may be formed of a different material with greater density. In manufacturing the head, the rear portion may be formed and then placed within a mold having the shape of the entire head. Molten first material is then introduced into the mold to form the forward portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lukasiewicz, Jr., Carl L. Madore, Byron Cole Slaughter, David N. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6923732
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron Cole Slaughter
  • Patent number: 6918840
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron Cole Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20040110575
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: NIKE, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron Cole Slaughter