Patents by Inventor Citra A. Ie

Citra A. Ie 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: 9409066
    Abstract: A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lin, Bing-Ling Chao, Citra A. Ie, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent, Peter L. Larsen, Marc Kronenberg, Drew T. DeShiell
  • Publication number: 20140171216
    Abstract: A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lin, Bing-Ling Chao, Citra A. Ie, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent, Peter L. Larsen, Marc Kronenberg, Drew T. DeShiell
  • Patent number: 8684864
    Abstract: A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lin, Bing-Ling Chao, Citra A. Ie, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent, Peter L. Larsen, Marc Kronenberg, Drew T. DeShiell
  • Publication number: 20110306439
    Abstract: A face insert for golf club head in one embodiment can comprise a substrate comprising a score line groove-free front surface. A cover layer is provided at least on the front surface of the substrate. The cover layer can alternatively overlay at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the substrate. The cover layer comprises a ball-striking surface spaced by the cover layer from the substrate. Plural elongated score line grooves can extend into the polymer layer from the ball-striking surface. In addition, visible markings are interposed between the cover layer and the front surface of the substrate, the visible markings being visible through the cover layer. In one form the visible markings comprise elongated score line markings and target markings in a central portion of the substrate. The visible markings can be screen-printed markings, which are then protected by the cover layer from wear. The cover layer can be molded and can be a polymer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Lin, Bing-Ling Chao, Citra A. Ie, Todd P. Beach, Benoit Vincent, Peter L. Larsen, Marc Kronenberg, Drew T. DeShiell
  • Patent number: 7914403
    Abstract: A composite hockey stick having a tubular hollow shaft and a blade is disclosed. The shaft includes a region of focused weight in the form of an overlay coating that is applied on top if the internal surfaces of the cured shaft using a coating plug. The blade includes a focused weight region that is inserted into a cavity within the cured composite blade. Methods and suitable materials for constructions of the various components of the blade and shaft are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Citra A. Ie
  • Patent number: 7871340
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7862452
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7850546
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20100096079
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20100099513
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20100048323
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20100035708
    Abstract: A composite hockey stick having a tubular hollow shaft and a blade is disclosed. The shaft includes a region of focused weight in the form of an overlay coating that is applied on top if the internal surfaces of the cured shaft using a coating plug. The blade includes a focused weight region that is inserted into a cavity within the cured composite blade. Methods and suitable materials for constructions of the various components of the blade and shaft are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Citra A. Ie
  • Patent number: 7628712
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20070293349
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd Beach, Jabaarr Flukers, Citra Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Patent number: 7267620
    Abstract: A golf club head comprising a body and a face insert is provided. The body defines a front opening, and the face insert is attached at and closes the front opening. The face insert comprises prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert further includes a layer of textured film that is co-cured with the prepreg plies to form a front surface of the face insert. The face insert may alternatively include a metallic cap on the front surface of the face insert instead of the layer of textured film. The face insert's total thickness is within a range of about 1 mm to about 8 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent
  • Publication number: 20070155548
    Abstract: A hockey stick with a shaft having a rectangular cross-section, in which an additional layer (or layers) of impact resistant material is added to one or more corners at one or more locations on the shaft to provide protection from damaging blows and to provide “proud” corners on the shaft to improve the handling and “feel” of the shaft for the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Edward Goldsmith, Citra Ie
  • Publication number: 20040235584
    Abstract: A golf club head having a composite face insert attached to a metallic body is provided. The club head preferably has a volume of at least 200 cc and provides superior durability and club performance. The face insert includes prepreg plies having a fiber areal weight (FAW) of less than 100 g/m2. The face insert preferably has a thickness less than 4 mm and a mass at least 10 grams less than an insert of equivalent volume formed of the metallic material of the body of the club head. A metallic cap with a peripheral rim is also provided to protect the ends of the composite material of the face insert. Related methods of manufacturing and alternative materials are disclosed. The resin content of the prepreg plies can be controlled through management of the timing and environment in which the resultant prepreg plies are cured and soaked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, Todd P. Beach, Jabaarr A. Flukers, Citra A. Ie, Benoit Vincent