Patents by Inventor John T. Stites

John T. Stites 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: 20190336836
    Abstract: Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Stites, David N. Franklin
  • Patent number: 10442144
    Abstract: Wood-type golf clubs and/or golf club heads include: (a) a golf club head base member including a face member having a ball striking face; and (b) a polymeric body member engaged with the golf club head base member, wherein the polymeric body member is formed via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process) and/or engaged with the golf club head base member via a rotational molding process (or other centrifugal force inducing molding process). The polymeric body member forms at least a portion of a crown member of the club head in some structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Todd A. Waatti
  • Patent number: 10420992
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a ball-striking surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, and at least one channel in the ball-striking surface of the face. The region of highest COR response of the face is directionally enlarged toward the channel. Depending on the size, shape, and location of the channel, the face can be altered to provide greater COR response and increased energy transfer for impacts at specific locations on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Philip J. Hatton
  • Publication number: 20190282869
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a golf club head which includes a wood type golf club head body including a ball striking face portion at a front side thereof, a rear side opposite the front side, a crown portion, and a sole portion. Further, the sole or crown or rear portion of the golf club head body may be configured so that the golf club head body includes a bump portion which protrudes from the sole or crown or rear portion and an indented portion which recedes into the sole or crown or rear portion and creates a recess in the sole or crown or rear portion of the golf club head body. Further, the bump portion and the indented portion may be configured so that a center of gravity of the club head body is nearer to one of the heel edge of the club head body and the toe edge of the club head body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Publication number: 20190282868
    Abstract: Golf club heads (e.g. drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include a striking face and a rear portion opposite the striking face, the rear portion defining an opening to an interior cavity. A rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening is engaged with the rear portion of the club head. The rear body member may include multiple rear body parts that may be removable and/or interchangeable to permit flexibility in controlling the weight distribution of the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew G.v. Oldknow, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20190262676
    Abstract: Golf club heads which may include an iron-type golf club head body and an adjustable member configured to be engaged with iron-type golf club head body. The adjustable member may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a first orientation. Additionally, the second surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites, Hiromitsu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10369434
    Abstract: Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20190232135
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 10363465
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Yosimasa Fujita
  • Patent number: 10335654
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a golf club head which includes a wood type golf club head body including a ball striking face portion at a front side thereof, a rear side opposite the front side, a crown portion, and a sole portion. Further, the sole or crown or rear portion of the golf club head body may be configured so that the golf club head body includes a bump portion which protrudes from the sole or crown or rear portion and an indented portion which recedes into the sole or crown or rear portion and creates a recess in the sole or crown or rear portion of the golf club head body. Further, the bump portion and the indented portion may be configured so that a center of gravity of the club head body is nearer to one of the heel edge of the club head body and the toe edge of the club head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Publication number: 20190184251
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Arluna, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Eric A. Larson, Robert Lukasiewicz, JR., George W. Moody, JR., Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Raymond J. Sander, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10322321
    Abstract: Golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include a striking face and a rear portion opposite the striking face, the rear portion defining an opening to an interior cavity. A rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening is engaged with the rear portion of the club head. The rear body member may include multiple rear body parts that may be removable and/or interchangeable to permit flexibility in controlling the weight distribution of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew G. v. Oldknow, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10307650
    Abstract: Golf club heads which may include an iron-type golf club head body and an adjustable member configured to be engaged with iron-type golf club head body. The adjustable member may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a first orientation. Additionally, the second surface of the adjustable member may form at least a portion of the sole of the iron-type golf club head and at least a portion of the rear of iron-type golf club head when the adjustable member is engaged with the iron-type golf club head body in a second orientation, which is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites, Hiromitsu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 10258849
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body having a ball striking face, a rear opposite the ball striking face, a crown, a sole, a heel, and a toe, the body having a void defined by a peripheral edge on the sole. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void and forms at least a portion of the crown. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the void includes a lip extending from the peripheral edge inwardly into the void. The golf club head may additionally or alternately include one or more weight receptacles connected to the sole and having an opening in the sole, such that each weight receptacle is configured to receive insertion of a weight through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Michael Wallans, John T. Stites, Sherry L. Jones
  • Patent number: 10245480
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having an outer surface configured for striking a ball, a body connected to the face, an elongated, inwardly recessed channel located on the body and extending across a portion of the body, and an insert mounted within the channel. The insert includes a resiliently deflectable base member that engages the channel to retain the insert within the channel and a rigid outer member connected to the base member and forming at least a portion of the outer surface of the insert, where the outer member is made from a different material than the base member. Additionally, the insert has an outer surface that is substantially flush with at least one immediately adjacent surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10245487
    Abstract: In general, aspects of this invention relate to golf clubs or golf club components incorporating adjustment members that permit ready adjustability of golf club parameters and/or interchangeability of golf club components to change a golf club configuration, and methods for providing golf clubs. According to aspects of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of a golf club parameter to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics. According to another aspect of this invention, an adjustment member may be utilized to allow the adjustability of two golf club parameters independently to change a golf club configuration, while ensuring there is substantially no change to other club or club head variables, parameters or characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Arluna, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Eric A. Larson, Robert Lukasiewicz, Jr., George W. Moody, Jr., Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Raymond J. Sander, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10220271
    Abstract: A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a crown that extends over the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Larson, Robert Boyd, Kenneth W. Brown, Sherry L. Jones, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20190060720
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club head. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown, and a sole. The sole includes a forward sole surface and a rearward sole surface. The substantially horizontally-oriented forward sole surface extends rearwardly from the ball striking face to a rearward edge. The substantially horizontally-oriented rearward sole surface extends forwardly from the rear of the club head. The rearward sole surface extends over and is offset in a height direction from the rearward edge. A cavity may be located above the forward sole surface, the cavity having a rearward facing opening located below the rearward sole surface. A projection may extend rearwardly from the rearward edge beneath the rearward sole surface, the projection having sides that extend in a generally breadthwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert Boyd, Raymond J. Sander
  • Patent number: 10155139
    Abstract: A golf club includes a shaft and a club head for a metal wood type club. The club head includes a ball striking face, a heel, a toe, a rear, a crown and a sole. The sole includes a forward sole surface and a rearward sole surface. The substantially horizontally-oriented forward sole surface extends rearwardly from the ball striking face to a rearward edge. The substantially horizontally-oriented rearward sole surface extends forwardly from the rear of the club head. The rearward sole surface extends over and is offset in a height direction from the rearward edge. A cavity may be located above the forward sole surface, the cavity having a rearward facing opening located below the rearward sole surface. A projection may extend rearwardly from the rearward edge beneath the rearward sole surface, the projection having sides that extend in a generally breadthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Robert M. Boyd, Raymond J. Sander
  • Publication number: 20180345091
    Abstract: A set of ball striking devices, such as a set golf clubs, having similar characteristics between clubs within the set of clubs such as length, weight, and lie angle. Characteristics can include lengths and lie angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Raymond J. Sander, Robert M. Boyd, John T. Stites