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).

  • Publication number: 20050282657
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to and extends rearwardly from a back surface of the face member. The central member is connected to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. The first and second arms have top surfaces that slope downwardly as the first and second arms extend away from the face member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines, John Solheim
  • Patent number: 6966845
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to and extends rearwardly from a back surface of the face member. The central member includes a pair of wing portions connecting the central member to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. An end portion of the central member extends rearwardly of the wing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, David D. Jones, Derek W. Haines, John K. Solheim
  • Patent number: 6960140
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. A first cavity is formed in an upper surface of the central member between the first and second openings, and a second cavity is formed in the upper surface of the central member rearwardly of the first cavity and rearwardly of the first and second openings. First and second inserts are disposed, respectively, in the first and second cavities. The first cavity and the first insert each have a generally elongated crescent shape with a concave end while the second cavity and the second insert each have a generally semicircular shape with a convex side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, David D. Jones, Derek W. Haines, John K. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20050221912
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to and extends rearwardly from a back surface of the face member. The central member includes a pair of wing portions connecting the central member to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. An end portion of the central member extends rearwardly of the wing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines, John Solheim
  • Patent number: 6926615
    Abstract: A golf putter head with a heel end and a toe end includes a face member arranged for impacting a golf ball. A rear member extends in an arcuate path from one end of the face member to the other end of the face member. The face member and the rear member are made of a low density material such as carbon fiber. A first plurality of three weight members is disposed in the rear member, and each of these three weight members is each made of high density material, such as tungsten. A second plurality of two weight members is disposed in the face member, and each of these weight members is also made of high density material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Souza, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, David D. Jones, Eric J. Morales, John P. Fife, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050164806
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a face insert disposed in a cavity formed in the front face of the club head. The face insert has a front surface for impacting a golf ball and a back surface having a cavity formed therein for receiving a second insert. A second insert, composed of a material different from the first insert, is disposed in the cavity formed in the back of the first insert. Because the edges of the second insert are not exposed, the second insert can be made of very soft materials including silicone rubbers and gels, which would not be suitable for use in an application in which the edges are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones
  • Patent number: 6921343
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body (formed of cast titanium, steel, bronze, or the like) with a cavity formed therein behind a front face. An insert (e.g., an elastomeric insert) is provided through an opening exposed on a surface of the body (e.g., the sole of the club head) such that the insert is substantially encapsulated within the body. The opening or openings may be configured to provide a distinct visual appearance through the use of, for example, one or more rectangular and/or circular shapes. One or more supports and/or baffles may be provided within the cavity for altering the sound and feel of the club head during impact. Furthermore, the elastomeric insert may include a plurality of bubbles configured to alter the mechanical properties of the insert. The club head may be fabricated, for example, through the use machining techniques and/or a powdered metal or investment casting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20050159240
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. A first cavity is formed in an upper surface of the central member between the first and second openings, and a second cavity is formed in the upper surface of the central member rearwardly of the first cavity and rearwardly of the first and second openings. First and second inserts are disposed, respectively, in the first and second cavities. The first cavity and the first insert each have a generally elongated crescent shape with a concave end while the second cavity and the second insert each have a generally semicircular shape with a convex side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines, John Solheim
  • Publication number: 20050159242
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a face member with a front surface arranged for impacting a golf ball. A first arm extends substantially rearwardly from a heel end of the face member, a second arm extends substantially rearwardly from a toe end of the face member, and a central member extends rearwardly from the face member intermediate the heel and toe ends thereof. The central member is connected to and extends rearwardly from a back surface of the face member. The central member includes a pair of wing portions connecting the central member to the first and second arms rearwardly of the face member. An end portion of the central member extends rearwardly of the wing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines, John Solheim
  • Patent number: 6902496
    Abstract: A putter golf club head includes a body fitted with relatively high-density heel and toe inserts. A golf putter club head includes a body formed of a first material (e.g., titanium) having a density of approximately 3.0 g/cm3 to 7.0 g/cm3. Two cavities are formed in the body, one adjacent to the heel region of the body, and another adjacent to the toe region. Inserts are provided in each of the two cavities and are formed of a second material (e.g., tungsten) having a density ranging from approximately 15.0 g/cm3 to 20.0 g/cm3. The cavities may be configured such that they extend to (or are bounded by) the bottom surface and/or the front face of the body. In one embodiment, the body of the putter club head has an elastic modulus greater than approximately 90 GPa while the density of the insert material is greater than the density of the body material by a factor of at least 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Bradley D. Schweigert, Eric V. Cole
  • Patent number: 6893355
    Abstract: A golf putter includes a putter head having a face member, a heel end, a toe end and a rear member extending in an arcuate path from one end of the face member to the other end of the face member. First and second struts extend and are connected to the rear member and the face member while converging toward each other as they approach the face member. A third strut extends between and is connected to the rear member and the face member and lies between the first and second struts. The putter head has a width W of at least 15 centimeters and a depth D that is at least equal to ½ width W. In its preferred embodiment, the putter head has a width W of approximately 17 centimeters and a depth D of approximately 10 centimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Souza, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, David D. Jones
  • Patent number: 6890266
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club head includes a substantially hollow body wherein the hosel is substantially isolated from the top wall of the body. The hosel is attached to the heel region of the bottom wall and extends upwardly through a hosel cavity. A hosel sleeve is preferably provided to substantially isolate the top wall of the club head body from the hosel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Solheim, Anthony D. Serrano
  • Publication number: 20050090327
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a front face with a cavity formed therein. The cavity has at least one aperture passing through the cavity bottom wall to the rear surface of the club head body. A face insert is installed in the cavity by applying an adhesive layer between the face insert and the bottom of the cavity. As the face insert is pressed into the cavity, air and any excess adhesive escapes through the aperture to the rear surface of the club where it can easily be removed by wiping with solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John Solheim, David Jones, Derek Haines
  • Patent number: D503761
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Tuerschmann, Eric V. Cole, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: D504925
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: D505171
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: D507612
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Souza, Anthony D. Serrano, John A. Solheim, David D. Jones
  • Patent number: D507614
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: D508099
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Schweigert, Michael R. Nicolette, John A. Solheim
  • Patent number: D513052
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Tuerschmann, Eric V. Cole, John A. Solheim