Patents by Inventor John J. Rae

John J. Rae 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: 11883721
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20220126177
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 11241604
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 11063996
    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: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    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: 20200322462
    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: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    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: 20200298075
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 10721339
    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: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    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: 10695622
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 10596422
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club head includes first and second ribs projecting from a bottom club head wall portion, the wall portion, the first rib, and the second rib forming an elongate recess defining a weight path. A weight element is translatable along the weight path and includes a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener, the first and second ribs each being interposed between the first weight portion and the second weight portion such that the first weight portion is located proximate the club head wall portion and the second weight portion is located distal the club head wall portion. The second weight portion has a contact surface that includes a recessed region, and when the weight element is in a secured position, at least a portion of the first weight portion is located within the recessed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Beck, Casey Casburn, John J. Rae, Aram Salehi
  • Patent number: 10434379
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a face portion or strike-face wall comprising a top inner boundary, an intermediate inner boundary, and a bottom inner boundary having a bottom-inner-boundary toe portion and a bottom-inner-boundary heel portion. The strike-face wall may further include a first uniform-thickness region, adjoining the top inner boundary, and a variable-thickness region adjoining the uniform-thickness region and a majority of the bottom inner boundary. In another example, the variable-thickness may adjoin a majority of the top inner boundary and the uniform-thickness region may adjoin a majority of the bottom inner boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeff D. Brunski, Samuel G. Lacey, Dan S. Nivanh, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Mark Blumenkrantz, Rory C. Stewart, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20190192932
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club head includes first and second ribs projecting from a bottom club head wall portion, the wall portion, the first rib, and the second rib forming an elongate recess defining a weight path. A weight element is translatable along the weight path and includes a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener, the first and second ribs each being interposed between the first weight portion and the second weight portion such that the first weight portion is located proximate the club head wall portion and the second weight portion is located distal the club head wall portion. The second weight portion has a contact surface that includes a recessed region, and when the weight element is in a secured position, at least a portion of the first weight portion is located within the recessed region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher J. BECK, Casey CASBURN, John J. RAE, Aram SALEHI
  • Publication number: 20190176000
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 10258839
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club head includes first and second ribs projecting from a bottom club head wall portion, the wall portion, the first rib, and the second rib forming an elongate recess defining a weight path. A weight element is translatable along the weight path and includes a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener, the first and second ribs each being interposed between the first weight portion and the second weight portion such that the first weight portion is located proximate the club head wall portion and the second weight portion is located distal the club head wall portion. The second weight portion has a contact surface that includes a recessed region, and when the weight element is in a secured position, at least a portion of the first weight portion is located within the recessed region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Beck, Casey Casburn, John J. Rae, Aram Salehi
  • Patent number: 10245482
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20180296889
    Abstract: A computer program is disclosed for reconfiguring a property-adjustable golf club. The program receives data input corresponding to a current configuration of an adjustable feature of the golf club, and data input corresponding to trajectory adjustment information. Based on the data input, reconfiguration information is generated, and outputted, that corresponds to one of a plurality of configurations of the adjustable feature of the golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher J. BECK, Casey CASBURN, John J. RAE, Aram SALEHI
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180221721
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Samuel G. LACEY
  • 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: 10004956
    Abstract: A weight element for slideable communication along first and second ribs of a weight path of a golf club head includes a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener extending through the first weight portion and at least partially into the second weight portion. The first and second weight portions are configured so that the first and second ribs may be interposed therebetween. The fastener is configured to independently rotate relative to the first and second weight portions, the rotation of the fastener causing the first and second weight portions to move toward each other in a manner capable of compressing contact surfaces of the first and second weight portions against the first and second ribs. And the contact surface of the first weight portion comprises an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Beck, Casey Casburn, John J. Rae, Aram Salehi
  • Patent number: 9993703
    Abstract: A wood-type golf club head includes a striking wall, a top portion, and a bottom portion comprising a club head wall portion and first and second ribs projecting from the wall portion. The club head also includes a weight element translatable along a weight path and that comprises a first weight portion, a second weight portion, and a fastener, the first and second ribs each being interposed between the first weight portion and the second weight portion such that the first weight portion is located proximate the club head wall portion and the second weight portion is located distal the club head wall portion. The second weight portion further comprises a contact surface having an angular contour including surface portions angled to form at least one non-zero degree vertex, the surface portions being complementary to, and shaped to mate with, the bottom portion of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Beck, Casey Casburn, John J. Rae, Aram Salehi