Patents by Inventor Dale J. Zwack
Dale J. Zwack 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).
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Publication number: 20240269522Abstract: A racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the frame are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under the racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about the longitudinal axis. The head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 20 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Applicant: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 11986705Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 8.5 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 11986706Abstract: A racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the frame are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20240050812Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.5 mm when measured in a first direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of less than 7.3 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Michael W. Schaeffer, Eloisa M. Compostizo, Robert T. Kapheim, David A. Vogel, Dale J. Zwack
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Patent number: 11541282Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion is a tubular structure including inner and outer peripheral walls, each having inner and outer surfaces. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each includes a pair of plies defining first and second angles with respect to a composite axis. A section of the outer peripheral wall from the inner surface to the outer surface includes at least three ply arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements being at least 35 degrees. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20220212065Abstract: A racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the frame are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under the racquet lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction that is parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20220212064Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. When the racquet is tested under a racquet forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 8.5 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20210252356Abstract: An example pickleball paddle may include a handle and a head coupled to the handle. The head may include an inner layer sandwiched between a first outer faceplate and a second outer faceplate. The inner layer may include a lattice. At least portions of the handle, the inner layer, the first outer faceplate and the second outer faceplate are integrally formed as a single unitary body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: Robert T. Thurman, David A. Vogel, Ninad Trifale, William D. Severa, Nadine Lippa, Scott M. Doyle, Robert T. Kapheim, Dale J. Zwack, Eloisa M. Compostizo, Sean P. Griffin, Hudson R. Vantrease, Wayne C. Klinger
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Publication number: 20210162271Abstract: A racquet including a frame including a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion. The head portion is a tubular structure including inner and outer peripheral walls, each having inner and outer surfaces. The head portion of the racquet being formed of a fiber composite material. The fiber composite material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each includes a pair of plies defining first and second angles with respect to a composite axis. A section of the outer peripheral wall from the inner surface to the outer surface includes at least three ply arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three ply arrangements being at least 35 degrees. When the racquet is tested under a racquet torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about a longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 10946253Abstract: A racquet extends along a longitudinal axis and is capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test and a racquet torsional stability test. The racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to a first test fixture at a first longitudinal location, attaching a clamp to the racquet at a second location, operably engaging a deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a first predetermined weight to the racquet at a third location, and removing the first weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis. The racquet torsional stability test includes mounting the racquet to second and third test fixtures at sixth and seventh locations of the racquet, respectively, placing a third predetermined weight on an arm extending from the second test fixture, removing the third predetermined weight to obtain an angular deflection about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20200298070Abstract: A racquet extends along a longitudinal axis and is capable of being tested under a racquet lateral bending test and a racquet torsional stability test. The racquet lateral bending test includes mounting the racquet in a first orientation to a first test fixture at a first longitudinal location, attaching a clamp to the racquet at a second location, operably engaging a deflection indicator to the clamp, applying a first predetermined weight to the racquet at a third location, and removing the first weight to obtain a lateral deflection measurement of the racquet with respect to the longitudinal axis. The racquet torsional stability test includes mounting the racquet to second and third test fixtures at sixth and seventh locations of the racquet, respectively, placing a third predetermined weight on an arm extending from the second test fixture, removing the third predetermined weight to obtain an angular deflection about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: WILSON SPORTING GOODS CO.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 10751581Abstract: A tennis racquet extending along the longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a forward/rearward bending test and a torsional stability test includes a frame having a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. When the racquet is tested under the forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 9.0 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under the torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 10653924Abstract: A sports racquet capable of being tested under a racquet vibration test, and including a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The head portion including a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface. The distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces defines a beam height distance. The head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm. When the racquet is tested under the racquet vibration test, the racquet has a vibration of no greater than 130 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 10646753Abstract: A racquet includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes head and handle portions, and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head and throat portions are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each of the arrangements includes one ply having a first plurality of fibers defining a first angle with respect to a composite axis, and another ply having a second plurality of fibers defining a second angle with respect to the composite axis. The first and second angles are substantially the same except the angles have opposite polarities with respect to the composite axis. The head portion includes at least three arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three arrangements are at least 35 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20190275377Abstract: A tennis racquet extending along the longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a forward/rearward bending test and a torsional stability test includes a frame having a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. When the racquet is tested under the forward/rearward bending test, the racquet has a forward/rearward deflection with respect to the longitudinal axis of at least 9.0 mm when measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. When the racquet is tested under the torsional stability test, the racquet has an angular deflection of less than 5.5 degrees about the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20190275379Abstract: A sports racquet capable of being tested under a racquet vibration test, and including a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head portion and the handle portion. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The head portion including a forward hoop surface and a rearward hoop surface. The distance between the forward and rearward hoop surfaces defines a beam height distance. The head portion has a maximum beam height distance of at least 19 mm. When the racquet is tested under the racquet vibration test, the racquet has a vibration of no greater than 130 Hz.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Publication number: 20190275378Abstract: A racquet includes a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame includes head and handle portions, and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head and throat portions are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The material includes a plurality of ply arrangements. Each of the arrangements includes one ply having a first plurality of fibers defining a first angle with respect to a composite axis, and another ply having a second plurality of fibers defining a second angle with respect to the composite axis. The first and second angles are substantially the same except the angles have opposite polarities with respect to the composite axis. The head portion includes at least three arrangements overlaying each other, and the first and second angles of at least two of the at least three arrangements are at least 35 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo
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Patent number: 10328316Abstract: A tennis racquet extending along a longitudinal axis and capable of being tested under a lateral bending test and a forward/rearward bending test, includes a frame having a head portion, a handle portion, and a throat portion positioned between the head and handle portions. The head portion forms a hoop that defines a string bed plane. At least the head portion and the throat portion of the racquet are formed at least in part of a fiber composite material. The throat portion includes a pair of throat elements. When the racquet is tested under the lateral bending test, the racquet has a lateral deflection of at least 6.0 mm when measured in a direction parallel to the string bed plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.Inventors: William D. Severa, Dale J. Zwack, Robert T. Kapheim, Eloisa M. Compostizo