Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Best

Christopher B. Best 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: 9566483
    Abstract: A golf club head having a translucent insert disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. A translucent insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Publication number: 20140329617
    Abstract: A golf club head having a translucent insert disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. A translucent insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 8491412
    Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 8480515
    Abstract: A golf club head having a translucent insert disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. A translucent insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess. The insert may contain secondary inserts, such as weight members, therein in strategic locations. The insert may completely fill the recess, or may fill only a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 8480506
    Abstract: A golf club head having a recess located in a top portion thereof is described and claimed. The recess is located between the heel and the toe and extends toward the sole. The recess may be in the top line of the club head. An insert may be placed within the recess. The insert has a density that is less than the density of the club head body, and the insert preferably is a light-weight insert. The insert may include one or more damping materials. The recess removes material from the club head, which in turn may do one or more of the following: increase the overall size of the club head, expand the size of the club head sweet spot, lower the club head center of gravity, and/or produce a greater club head moment of inertia. Thus, the recess and insert produce a more forgiving and playable golf club. As an alternative to a recess, a thin protrusion may be provided at the top line of the club head and the insert provided with a corresponding groove to facilitate attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Gold Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 8235833
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Ryan L. Roach
  • Publication number: 20120094779
    Abstract: A golf club head having a translucent insert disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. A translucent insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess. The insert may contain secondary inserts, such as weight members, therein in strategic locations. The insert may completely fill the recess, or may fill only a portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan L. ROACH, Christopher B. BEST
  • Patent number: 8096039
    Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first body member and a second body member. The first body member includes a strike face and a top portion. The second body member is coupled to the first body member and extends away from the first body member in a direction opposite the strike face. At least a top portion of the second body member is camouflaged. A preferred method of camouflage is color differentiation, wherein the second body member is darker than the first body member. Specific color values and club head geometries are also disclosed and claimed. The club head may include a body member and a weight member such as a bar that extends rearward from the body member. A cover may be included to camouflage the weight member. A separate core member and high visibility sight lines may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Christopher B. Best, Thomas C. Morris
  • Patent number: 8079919
    Abstract: A golf club head having an undercut is disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. An insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Publication number: 20110201443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 7997999
    Abstract: A multi-piece iron-type golf club head with a substantial weight member is disclosed and claimed. The golf club head includes a plurality of body members. A first body member includes a face, a rear surface, and a hosel. A viscoelastic material is attached to the rear surface, and a second body member is attached to the viscoelastic material. The second body member, which may be a weight member, has a substantially larger mass than in known golf clubs. The viscoelastic member may form a substantial part of the club head. The club head may also have a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. A low-density insert may be positioned within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter L. Soracco, Christopher B. Best
  • Publication number: 20110143857
    Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 7942760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 7922604
    Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 7803064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a golf club head having multiple undercuts. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, and a back, and having a heel and a toe. The back contains a cavity. Multiple undercuts in the form of a plurality of recesses are provided within the cavity. The recesses extend away from the cavity. The recesses may be oriented in a variety of ways. In a first arrangement, the recesses are aligned longitudinally to the striking face in a heel-to-toe direction. In a second arrangement, the recesses are recesses are aligned transverse to the striking face in a front-to-back direction and extend in a heel-to-toe direction. In a third arrangement, the plurality of recesses includes both longitudinally arranged and transversely arranged recesses. An insert, such as a weight insert, a dampening insert, or a combination insert, is preferably positioned within each of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Publication number: 20100130307
    Abstract: A golf club head having an undercut is disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recess is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. An insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Publication number: 20100056297
    Abstract: A multi-piece iron-type golf club head with a substantial weight member is disclosed and claimed. The golf club head includes a plurality of body members. A first body member includes a face, a rear surface, and a hosel. A viscoelastic material is attached to the rear surface, and a second body member is attached to the viscoelastic material. The second body member, which may be a weight member, has a substantially larger mass than in known golf clubs. The viscoelastic member may form a substantial part of the club head. The club head may also have a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. A low-density insert may be positioned within the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter L. Soracco, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 7654914
    Abstract: A golf club head having an undercut is disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recesses is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. An insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Christopher B. Best
  • Patent number: 7641569
    Abstract: A golf club head with a vibration damping insert is disclosed. The club head includes a face member, a damping member, and a body member. The damping member is sandwiched between the face member and the body member and extends along a large percentage of the face member. The damping layer attenuates vibrations, providing consistent feel across the length of the striking face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Thomas C. Morris, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 7588503
    Abstract: A multi-piece iron-type golf club head with a substantial weight member is disclosed and claimed. The golf club head includes a plurality of body members. A first body member includes a face, a rear surface, and a hosel. A viscoelastic material is attached to the rear surface, and a second body member is attached to the viscoelastic material. The second body member, which may be a weight member, has a substantially larger mass than in known golf clubs. The viscoelastic member may form a substantial part of the club head. The club head may also have a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. A low-density insert may be positioned within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter L. Soracco, Christopher B. Best