Patents by Inventor John A. Solheim

John A. Solheim 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).

  • Iron-type golf club head
    Patent number: 7351164
    Abstract: The present invention provides an iron-type golf club head comprising a primary cavity that is approximately parallel to the ground when the club head is resting at normal address. A secondary cavity, positioned within the primary cavity, has a bottom wall that is approximately parallel to the club face and is positioned above the club head sole. An interior wall that forms the secondary cavity is uniform in height while increasing in width in a bottom segment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, John A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole
  • Golf club head with a variable thickness face
    Patent number: 7338388
    Abstract: A a golf club head with a variable thickness face plate having a central thickened region surrounded by a transition region tapering from the central thickened region to a thinner peripheral region. The golf club head is made by locating a ball end mill revolving about an axis generally normal to the inner surface of the face plate at an initial location on a circumferential intersection between the outer edge of the central thickened region and a transition region. The inner surface of the face plate is machined by moving the revolving ball end mill in a radial direction outwardly toward and through the transition region and the peripheral region to machine the inner surface of the face plate creating a tool channel having a width as the ball end mill traverses the transition region and thereby vary the thickness of the face plate in the tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, John A. Solheim
  • Method of Manufacturing A Golf Club Head With A Variable Thickness Face
    Publication number: 20080039227
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club head with a variable thickness face having a central thickened region surrounded by a transition region tapering from the central thickened region to a thinner peripheral region. The method includes locating a ball end mill revolving about an axis generally normal to the inner surface of the face plate at an initial location on a circumferential intersection between the outer edge of the central thickened region and a transition region. The inner surface of the face plate is machined by moving the revolving ball end mill in a radial direction outwardly toward and through the transition region and the peripheral region to machine the inner surface of the face plate creating a tool channel having a width as the ball end mill traverses the transition region and thereby vary the thickness of the face plate in the tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Schweigert, John Solheim
  • Methods and apparatus for a toe-up putter club head
    Publication number: 20070265110
    Abstract: A club head is configured such that the toe thickness is greater than the heel thickness in order to compensate for the toe-down look encountered, for example, in extended-length putters. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the club head body in the heel region is weight-compensated to substantially balance with the toe region. In accordance with one embodiment, a bore configured to accept the shaft is provided at substantially the center of the top rail. In accordance with one embodiment, cut-out regions are provided in the back of the club head body in the toe region and the heel region to provide the required weight compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Schweigert, John Solheim
  • Metal-organic composite golf club head
    Publication number: 20070155533
    Abstract: A golf club head is formed of a hollow body, the rear body portion of which includes a metallic stringer that extends along the crown-skirt interface and a plurality of ribs intersecting the metallic stringer to form a lattice frame, the openings of which are filled with an organic composite material such as graphite epoxy. An additional aperture formed in the skirt is also filled with the same graphite epoxy material. Because the graphite epoxy is lighter than the surrounding metal frame, the rear body portion of the golf club head is lighter than a comparable all metal club head. Yet, the presence of the metallic stringer and frame renders the metal-organic composite rear body portion substantially stiffer than a comparable all-composite rear body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: John Solheim, Eric Morales, Anthony Serrano, John Bliss, Dale Obeshaw
  • Golf putter head with a visual alignment aid and an increased moment of inertia
    Patent number: 7235021
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends generally rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends generally rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly intermediate the heel and toe ends of the face member. The central member has an inner end adjacent the face member and an outer end spaced from the face member. The central member includes a pair of wings extending in opposite directions at the outer end thereof connecting the central member to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. A portion of the central member extends rearwardly of the wings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, David D. Jones, Derek W. Haines, John K. Solheim
  • Golf club head weight adjustment member
    Patent number: 7207900
    Abstract: The present invention relates to certain weight adjustment members that can be used in connection with iron-type golf clubs. The weight adjustment members of the present invention comprise a relatively uniform and/or symmetrically configured width. In addition, the members comprise a substantially linear back-side. The weight adjustment members of the present invention, therefore, provide a consistent level of performance across the members and, moreover, can be mass produced using more simplified molds when compared to other members known in the art. Still further, the present invention provides iron-type golf heads and golf clubs that comprise the weight adjustment members of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Nicolette, Ricky A. Solesbee, Leslie J. Bryant, John A. Solheim, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Golf putter head with a visual alignment aid and an increased moment of inertia
    Publication number: 20070049395
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends generally rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends generally rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly intermediate the heel and toe ends of the face member. The central member has an inner end adjacent the face member and an outer end spaced from the face member. The central member includes a pair of wings extending in opposite directions at the outer end thereof connecting the central member to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. A portion of the central member extends rearwardly of the wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines, John Solheim
  • Weight adjustment member for golf club head
    Publication number: 20070042834
    Abstract: A weight adjustment member may be mounted in a tuning port in a golf club head and secured therein using adhesive. The weight adjustment member includes a lip which prevents excess adhesive from escaping the tuning port and hides adhesive that might otherwise be visible between the weight adjustment member and the tuning port. Locating devices that mate with each other are included in the tuning port and on the weight adjustment member. A method of mounting the weight adjustment member in the tuning port of a golf club head is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Nicolette, John Solheim, Bradley Schweigert
  • Metal-organic composite golf club head
    Publication number: 20070032313
    Abstract: A golf club head is formed of a hollow body, the rear body portion of which includes a metallic stringer that extends along the crown-skirt interface and a plurality of ribs intersecting the metallic stringer to form a lattice frame, the openings of which are filled with an organic composite material such as graphite epoxy. An additional aperture formed in the skirt is also filled with the same graphite epoxy material. Because the graphite epoxy is lighter than the surrounding metal frame, the rear body portion of the golf club head is lighter than a comparable all metal club head. Yet, the presence of the metallic stringer and frame renders the metal-organic composite rear body portion substantially stiffer than a comparable all-composite rear body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Serrano, John Bliss, John Solheim
  • Metal-organic composite golf club head
    Publication number: 20070032312
    Abstract: A golf club head is formed of a hollow body, the rear body portion of which includes a metallic stringer that extends along the crown-skirt interface and a plurality of ribs intersecting the metallic stringer to form a lattice frame, the openings of which are filled with an organic composite material such as graphite epoxy. An additional aperture formed in the skirt is also filled with the same graphite epoxy material. Because the graphite epoxy is lighter than the surrounding metal frame, the rear body portion of the golf club head is lighter than a comparable all metal club head. Yet, the presence of the metallic stringer and frame renders the metal-organic composite rear body portion substantially stiffer than a comparable all-composite rear body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Serrano, John Bliss, John Solheim, Eric Morales
  • Golf iron head
    Patent number: D537494
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Xiaojian Chen, John A. Solheim, Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert
  • Golf iron head
    Patent number: D539864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Nicolette, Bradley D. Schweigert, Marty R. Jertson, Xiaojian Chen, John A. Solheim
  • Golf iron head
    Patent number: D540898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Xiaojian Chen, Bradley D. Schweigert, Marty R. Jertson, Michael R. Nicolette
  • Golf iron head
    Patent number: D541360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, Marty R. Jertson, John A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole
  • Golf iron head
    Patent number: D544056
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Nicolette, Marty R. Jertson, Bradley D. Schweigert, Xiaojian Chen, John A. Solheim
  • Golf iron head weight
    Patent number: D547410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Nicolette, Marty R. Jertson, Bradley D. Schweigert, Leslie J. Bryant, John A. Solheim
  • Golf hybrid head
    Patent number: D563498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, Xiaojian Chen
  • Golf hybrid head
    Patent number: D564054
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, Xiaojian Chen
  • Golf club face
    Patent number: D569942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, Xiaojian Chen