Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Kays

Christopher R. Kays 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: 8317635
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Publication number: 20110172023
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7955189
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert W Vokey, Peter J Gilbert, M Scott Burnett, Christopher R Kays
  • Publication number: 20100190572
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Vokey, Peter J. Gilbert, M. Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays
  • Publication number: 20100144460
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7662050
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7658685
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Vokey, Peter J. Gilbert, M. Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays
  • Patent number: 7653980
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Vokey, Peter J. Gilbert, M. Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays
  • Publication number: 20090275421
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7559850
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long, mid- and short irons with channel back configurations and a mass control insert. The mass of the insert is systematically varied through the set such that the mass distribution properties of the set may be systematically varied while retaining a continuous look and feel through the set. The mass of the insert is varied by altering the volume or the density of the insert through the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. In one embodiment, the mass control insert comprises a dense insert and a lightweight cover. The density of the dense insert can be easily varied to change the mass distribution properties of the club head. One application of the mass control insert is to provide customization of the club head at the point of sale or distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Publication number: 20090082130
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Robert W. Vokey, Peter J. Gilbert, M. Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays
  • Patent number: 7485049
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7473187
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Vokey, Peter J. Gilbert, M. Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays
  • Publication number: 20080207349
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7371190
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Bruce R. Pettibone, Michael Scott Burnett, Christopher R. Kays, Tomas Diaz
  • Patent number: 7281991
    Abstract: A hollow golf club having a hosel sleeve weight made from tungsten material in the upper hosel area and a tungsten toe plug in the lower toe portion of the club head. This combination creates an increase in the moment of inertia of the club head about the x, y and z axes of the club head. A composite core is bladder molded into a cavity in the club head to provide support for a relatively thin front face and the composite core is visible on the rear surface of the club head. The core material is less dense and has greater flexibility than the front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Tomas Diaz, Christopher R. Kays
  • Patent number: D572327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Tomas Diaz, Christopher R. Kays, Peter J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: D572328
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Tomas Diaz, Christopher R. Kays, Peter J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: D572788
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Tomas Diaz, Christopher R. Kays, Peter J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: D579996
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Jeffrey A. Harmet, Christopher R. Kays, Douglas C. Jorgensen, Bruce R. Pettibone, Daniel Stone, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Patent number: 5225407
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a compound which acts as an antagonist of 5-HT at 5-HT.sub.3 receptors in the treatment of autism or another disorder originating in childhood in which there is mental retardation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Glaxo Group Limited
    Inventors: Nigel R. Oakley, Ian H. Coates, Peter C. North, Alexander W. Oxford