Patents by Inventor Chris Hixenbaugh

Chris Hixenbaugh 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).

  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10022592
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball wherein each hemisphere has a dimple pattern based on a pyramid having dissimilar sides. The resulting overall dimple pattern is not based on preexisting polyhedral, and is not attainable using conventional dimple packing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball dimple plan shapes and methods of generating same
    Patent number: 9993690
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE SHAPE
    Publication number: 20180147450
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aesthetics and desirable aerodynamic properties due, at least in part, to the novel shape of the dimples on the surface thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a shape obtained from the intersection of a toroid and a sphere. The resulting curve of intersection represents the dimple perimeter and the intersecting portion of the surface of the toroid represents the dimple surface shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball dimple plan shapes and methods of generating same
    Patent number: 9943728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls having improved packing efficiency and aerodynamic characteristics and a high degree of dimple interdigitation. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball including at least a portion of dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions having high amplitudes. The present invention is also directed to methods of developing the dimple plan shape geometries, as well as methods of making the finished golf balls with the inventive dimple patterns applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball dimple plan shape
    Patent number: 9908004
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball dimple plan shape
    Patent number: 9908005
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPES AND METHODS OF GENERATING SAME
    Publication number: 20180036597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls having improved packing efficiency and aerodynamic characteristics and a high degree of dimple interdigitation. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball including at least a portion of dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions having high amplitudes. The present invention is also directed to methods of developing the dimple plan shape geometries, as well as methods of making the finished golf balls with the inventive dimple patterns applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball dimple shape
    Patent number: 9878212
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aesthetics and desirable aerodynamic properties due, at least in part, to the novel shape of the dimples on the surface thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a shape obtained from the intersection of a toroid and a sphere. The resulting curve of intersection represents the dimple perimeter and the intersecting portion of the surface of the toroid represents the dimple surface shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Dimple patterns with surface texture for golf balls
    Patent number: 9844701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples covering greater than 70 percent of the outer surface, wherein at least 20 percent of the dimples incorporate directional surface texturing therein. The directional surface texturing preferably comprises substantially parallel channels or protrusions formed within the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Dimple patterns with surface texture for golf balls
    Patent number: 9713746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an outer surface comprising a plurality of dimples covering greater than 70 percent of the outer surface, wherein at least 20 percent of the dimples incorporate directional surface texturing therein. The directional surface texturing preferably comprises substantially parallel channels or protrusions formed within the dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Chris Hixenbaugh, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • Golf balls having volumetric equivalence on opposing hemispheres and symmetric flight performance and methods of making same
    Patent number: 9707450
    Abstract: Golf balls according to the present invention achieve flight symmetry and overall satisfactory flight performance due to a dimple volume ratio that is equivalent between opposing hemispheres despite the use of different dimple geometries on the opposing hemispheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball having dimples with concentric grooves
    Patent number: 9707451
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the alteration of the dimple surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having circular perimeters and dimple profiles having a concentric groove on the surface of the dimple. The golf ball dimples of the present invention provide golf ball surfaces having unique appearances, while maintaining ideal aerodynamic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING VOLUMETRIC EQUIVALENCE ON OPPOSING HEMISPHERES AND SYMMETRIC FLIGHT PERFORMANCE AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20170189760
    Abstract: Golf balls according to the present invention achieve flight symmetry and overall satisfactory flight performance due to a dimple volume ratio that is equivalent between opposing hemispheres despite the use of different dimple geometries on the opposing hemispheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL HAVING DIMPLES WITH CONCENTRIC GROOVES
    Publication number: 20170189761
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the alteration of the dimple surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having circular perimeters and dimple profiles having a concentric groove on the surface of the dimple. The golf ball dimples of the present invention provide golf ball surfaces having unique appearances, while maintaining ideal aerodynamic characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE SHAPE
    Publication number: 20170182365
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aesthetics and desirable aerodynamic properties due, at least in part, to the novel shape of the dimples on the surface thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a shape obtained from the intersection of a toroid and a sphere. The resulting curve of intersection represents the dimple perimeter and the intersecting portion of the surface of the toroid represents the dimple surface shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20170151466
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball wherein each hemisphere has a dimple pattern based on a pyramid having dissimilar sides. The resulting overall dimple pattern is not based on preexisting polyhedral, and is not attainable using conventional dimple packing methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPE
    Publication number: 20170136308
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPES AND METHODS OF GENERATING SAME
    Publication number: 20170136307
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPE
    Publication number: 20170136305
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • NON-CIRCULAR GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20170136304
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by superposed curves. In addition, the present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the dimple plan shapes and resulting dimple patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh