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).

  • Publication number: 20110209516
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an actuator having an actuation axis, a base having a base plane, a first actuator mount for associating the actuator with the base in a first position, and a second actuator mount for associating the actuator with the base in a second position, and a clamp for associating the golf club head with the base. If the actuator is in the first position, the actuation axis is substantially perpendicular to the base plane, and, if the actuator is in the second position, the actuation axis is oblique relative to the base plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Alex L. TIMMONS, Sharon J. PARK, Scott A. CARLYLE, Brian D. SCHIELKE, Dustin J. BREKKE, John J. RAE, Ed MITCHELL, Tom MITCHELL
  • Publication number: 20110165965
    Abstract: A hollow golf club bead includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 7959523
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: John J Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20110118056
    Abstract: A golf club head having a crown, a sole having a length, ls, a strike face, a structural response modifying element having a constraining portion and a cantilever portion, the constraining portion extending from the sole to the crown and having a length lsc that is between about 10% to about 40% of length ls, wherein the cantilever portion extends form the constraining member toward the strike face. In another embodiment the constraining portion extends from the crown to a skirt portion of the club head, but is not connected to the strike face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Clark Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 7938736
    Abstract: At least three clubs of a set of golf clubs may have an average volume between about 75 cm3 and about 90 cm3. The transverse dimensions of the at least three clubs may progressively decrease from a highest volume club to a lowest volume club. At least one club of a set may include a constraining member in a cavity. A linear distance between a sweet spot and a center of gravity may progressively decrease from a lower lofted club to a higher lofted club within a set. At least one golf club of a set may include a face plate portion, and at least two golf clubs of the set may include a cup face portion. At least two clubs of a set may include a progressively increasing hosel length from a lowest lofted club to a highest lofted club. The strike face of at least one club of a set may include a bulge and a roll. A first club of a set may have a face thickness that is less than a face thickness of a second club of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Kevin Schaeffer, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Jimmy H. Kuan, John J. Rae, Dan S. Nivanh, Andrew P. Chick
  • Publication number: 20110105243
    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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 7927232
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 7854666
    Abstract: A golf club head having a crown, a sole having a length, ls, a strike face, a structural response modifying element having a constraining portion and a cantilever portion, the constraining portion extending from the sole to the crown and having a length lsc that is between about 10% to about 40% of length ls, wherein the cantilever portion extends from the constraining member toward the strike face. In another embodiment the constraining portion extends from the crown to a skirt portion of the club head, but is not connected to the strike face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Clark Radcliffe
  • Publication number: 20100292029
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20100285902
    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: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    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: 20100279788
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a strike face, and a lower transition region between the strike face and the sole. The lower transition region may have a plurality of nadir angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe. The club head may further include an upper transition region between the strike face and the crown. The upper transition region may have a plurality of apex angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae
  • Patent number: 7815522
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20100261548
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Publication number: 20100240475
    Abstract: A method of selecting preferred customized equipment parameters for golf clubs, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, may comprise collecting a primary data set comprising a plurality of actual golf-equipment parameters and a plurality of actual player-skill evaluation data; providing a plurality of secondary data sets, each comprising a first subset including a plurality of reference golf-equipment parameters and a plurality of reference player-skill evaluation data, and a second subset including a plurality of potential customized golf-equipment parameters; comparing the first subset of each of the plurality of secondary data sets with a corresponding subset of the primary data set; selecting all secondary data sets wherein the first subsets match the corresponding subset of the primary data set; identifying, from the second subsets of all the secondary data sets wherein the first subsets match the corresponding subset of the primary data set, the plurality of potential customized golf-
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott A. CARLYLE, Sharon J. PARK, John J. RAE, Kevin R. TASSISTRO
  • Patent number: 7789773
    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 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    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: 7789774
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John J Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 7785214
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a heel, a toe, a crown, a sole, a strike face, and a lower transition region between the strike face and the sole. The lower transition region may have a plurality of nadir angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe. The club head may further include an upper transition region between the strike face and the crown. The upper transition region may have a plurality of apex angles progressively increasing in size from the central region of the strike face to the heel and/or toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae
  • Publication number: 20100210373
    Abstract: At least three clubs of a set of golf clubs may have an average volume between about 75 cm3 and about 90 cm3. The transverse dimensions of the at least three clubs may progressively decrease from a highest volume club to a lowest volume club. At least one club of a set may include a constraining member in a cavity. A linear distance between a sweet spot and a center of gravity may progressively decrease from a lower lofted club to a higher lofted club within a set. At least one golf club of a set may include a face plate portion, and at least two golf clubs of the set may include a cup face portion. At least two clubs of a set may include a progressively increasing hosel length from a lowest lofted club to a highest lofted club. The strike face of at least one club of a set may include a bulge and a roll. A first club of a set may have a face thickness that is less than a face thickness of a second club of the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ROGER CLEVELAND GOLF CO., INC.
    Inventors: Sharon J. PARK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Jimmy H. KUAN, John J. RAE, Dan S. NIVANH, Andrew P. CHICK
  • Patent number: 7762905
    Abstract: At least three clubs of a set of golf clubs may have an average volume between about 75 cm3 and about 90 cm3. The transverse dimensions of the at least three clubs may progressively decrease from a highest volume club to a lowest volume club. At least one club of a set may include a constraining member in a cavity. A linear distance between a sweet spot and a center of gravity may progressively decrease from a lower lofted club to a higher lofted club within a set. At least one golf club of a set may include a face plate portion, and at least two golf clubs of the set may include a cup face portion. At least two clubs of a set may include a progressively increasing hosel length from a lowest lofted club to a highest lofted club. The strike face of at least one club of a set may include a bulge and a roll. A first club of a set may have a face thickness that is less than a face thickness of a second club of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Kevin Schaeffer, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Jimmy H. Kuan, John J. Rae, Dan S. Nivanh, Andrew P. Chick
  • Publication number: 20100087272
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans