Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Roberts

Douglas E. Roberts 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).

  • Publication number: 20180241854
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. RAE, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Trent E. GARNER, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Jeff D. BRUNSKI, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Scott A. CARLYLE, Stephen C. CHIEN, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Dan S. NIVANH, Michael J. WALLANS
  • Patent number: 10010769
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 9968833
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Andrew Curtis, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 9908018
    Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 9855474
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20170209754
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head includes a striking face; a base surface opposite the striking face; and a perimeter weighting element surrounding the base surface and including a top-line portion, a sole portion, a heel portion, and a toe portion. A first auxiliary cavity is delimited by the perimeter weighting element and a first perimeter wall, the first perimeter wall coupled to the sole portion and to the heel portion of the perimeter weighting element. A second auxiliary cavity is delimited by the perimeter weighting element and a second perimeter wall, the second perimeter wall coupled to the sole portion and to the toe portion of the perimeter weighting element. A central cavity is at least partially delimited by the base surface, the perimeter weighting element, the first perimeter wall, and the second perimeter wall, and an insert is within the central cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sharon J. PARK, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Andrew P. CHICK
  • Patent number: 9643066
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head includes a striking face; a base surface opposite the striking face; and a perimeter weighting element surrounding the base surface and including a top-line portion, a sole portion, a heel portion, and a toe portion. A first auxiliary cavity is delimited by the perimeter weighting element and a first perimeter wall, the first perimeter wall coupled to the sole portion and to the heel portion of the perimeter weighting element. A second auxiliary cavity is delimited by the perimeter weighting element and a second perimeter wall, the second perimeter wall coupled to the sole portion and to the toe portion of the perimeter weighting element. A central cavity is at least partially delimited by the base surface, the perimeter weighting element, the first perimeter wall, and the second perimeter wall, and an insert is within the central cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Douglas E. Roberts, Andrew P. Chick
  • Publication number: 20170100647
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. RAE, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Trent E. GARNER, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Jeff D. BRUNSKI, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Scott A. CARLYLE, Stephen C. CHIEN, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Dan S. NIVANH, Michael J. WALLANS
  • Patent number: 9616301
    Abstract: The invention includes a releasable component for use on a golf club head, wherein the component itself may serve as a portion of the club head face, crown, sole, or other portion of the club head body when attached to the club head. The component includes an anti-over rotation mechanism configured to prevent overtightening of the component to a corresponding counterbore on the golf club head. The anti-over rotation mechanism is embodied as a taper design defined on a flange of a threaded component and a corresponding taper design on a flange surface of a counterbore. The counterbore is configured to receive and retain the releasable component by way of a threaded engagement, wherein the interaction between the corresponding taper flange designs of the releasable component and counterbore prevents over rotation of the releasable component, particularly resisting rotation due to ball strike impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl Clausen, Tim A. Beno, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20170072278
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Andrew Curtis, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 9561405
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20160354658
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9498686
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Andrew Curtis, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 9433836
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Andrew Curtis, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 9427632
    Abstract: Golf club heads with enlarged grooves, wherein a portion of the finish adjacent or within the groove is removed to create the visual appearance of enlarged grooves. The surface finish of the groove enhancement area surrounding the groove is matched to be the same as the surface finish of the groove, preferably a bright, smooth or shiny metallic finish. This surface finish of the remainder of the striking face of the golf club is a second surface finish, preferably a dark or black matte, or rough finish. The contrast between the two finishes gives the perception that the grooves are larger than they are physically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Douglas E. Roberts, James G. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9421438
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20160089583
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to golf clubs with adjustable mass properties. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for adjusting a club head center of gravity and/or moment of inertia by way of an adjustable weight assembly positionable along the sole of the club head body. When in a first position, the weight assembly provides a lower center of gravity so as to increase launch angle and reduce spin rate, resulting in greater overall distance of ball flight. When in a second position, the weight assembly provides a greater mass moment of inertia, which effectively enlarges the sweet spot and produces a more forgiving club for off-center hits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Andrew Curtis, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Scott H. Moreira, Douglas E. Roberts, Ryan L. Roach
  • Publication number: 20160082326
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional cover for a golf club head. In addition to serving as a protective cover for a golf club head, the cover is configured to provide a standing means for the golf club. The cover is shaped and designed so as to be placed on a ground surface (e.g., grass playing surface on course, display floor of a retail store), or any relatively level surface, and provide the golf club in an upright position when the club head is inserted and positioned within the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Cameron J. Day, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20160074716
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf club heads with improved mass distribution provided by novel cellular features. Because a club head can have very low mass density in certain parts, the club head can have much more mass in other parts, while keeping the overall club head mass equal to the mass of prior art club heads. A club head can be provided with optimized MOI and CG. The novel cellular structures of invention provide extensible functionality in the form of pockets, recesses, and windows and provide materials with excellent strength and restitution properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Joshua G. Breier, Douglas E. Roberts, Lauren Wilson
  • Publication number: 20160051870
    Abstract: A plurality of golf club heads wherein the difference in spin is minimized is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a plurality of fairway wood type golf club head with a volume of between about 110 cubic centimeters (cc) and about 250 cc, wherein the change in backspin between any two clubs within the plurality of metal wood type golf club heads is less than about 600 revolutions per minute (rpm). A plurality of golf clubs in accordance with the present invention may generally have all of its clubs maintain a center of gravity (CG) location that is less than about 8.0 mm away from a neutral axis of the golf club head regardless of the difference in loft of the specific golf club head within the plurality of golf club heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Douglas E. Roberts