Patents by Inventor John Thomas Stites

John Thomas 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: 20100173724
    Abstract: A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary Gene Tavares
  • Publication number: 20100173723
    Abstract: A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head includes a main body member and a secondary body member. The main body member has a striking surface, a sole portion, a crown portion, and a rear face substantially opposed to the striking surface. The main body member defines an at least substantially enclosed main body cavity. The secondary body member is attached to the main body member and extends at least substantially over the entire rear face of the main body member. The golf club head system includes two or more secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a main body member. Each secondary body member defines an internal concavity, has a different external shape, and has a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Gary G. Tavares, John Thomas Stites
  • Publication number: 20100160068
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, James S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100160064
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Vincent J. Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Prescott, Brian Fortner
  • Publication number: 20100160070
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, James S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100137073
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body including heel, toe, crown, sole, and weighted rear portions; and (b) a variable thickness ball striking face. The club head body parts and weighted portion(s) may be arranged such that the club head has a moment of inertia about a vertical axis passing through the club head center of gravity of at least 5000 g-cm2. Such club heads may include: (a) a cup face member including a ball striking face portion and a return portion; (b) sole and crown portions engaged with the return portion; (c) a rear body member engaged with the crown and/or sole portions; (d) a weight member at the club head rear; and/or (e) a hosel member engaged with the cup face member, the crown portion, and/or the sole portion. Methods of making such club heads also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Daisuke Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7722474
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Vincent J. Contini, Raymond J. Sander, James Prescott, Brian Fortner
  • Patent number: 7722475
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares
  • Publication number: 20100113178
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft thereto. The head may include one or more stiffening elements or other structures engaging the face to provide locally increased stiffness to particular areas of the face. The stiffening element can be movable to create regions of increased stiffness in desired locations, leaving other regions of the face to have increased flexibility as compared to the stiffened regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: John Thomas Stites
  • Patent number: 7704156
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, James S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100041490
    Abstract: A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head includes a main body member and a secondary body member. The main body member has a striking surface, a sole portion, a crown portion, and a rear face substantially opposed to the striking surface. The main body member defines an at least substantially enclosed main body cavity. The secondary body member is attached to the main body member and extends at least substantially over the entire rear face of the main body member. The golf club head system includes two or more secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a main body member. Each secondary body member defines an internal concavity, has a different external shape, and has a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Gary G. Tavares, John Thomas Stites
  • Publication number: 20100041494
    Abstract: A golf club head system and a golf club head for inclusion into a golf club are provided. The golf club head system includes two or more rear or secondary body members, each configured for interchangeable attachment to a front or main body member. Each rear body member may have a different external shape, and each rear body member may have a different combination of center-of-gravity and moment-of-inertia characteristics. The system further includes a detachable attachment element for interchangeably and detachably attaching the rear body members to the front body member. The system may further include the front body member, wherein the front body member has a striking surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Gary G. Tavares, John Thomas Stites
  • Publication number: 20090239679
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin, Byron C. Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20090203465
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a ball striking face member; and (b) a club head body attached to or integrally formed with the face member. One body component of the club head (e.g., a weight or cover member) may be formed from a transparent, partially transparent, or translucent material. In some club head structures, an external weight member may extend around a part of a club head body member and beyond or outside of at least a portion of the body member's exterior perimeter (e.g., rearwardly, laterally toward a toe side, and/or laterally toward a heel side of the club head body, beyond the exterior perimeter portion, when viewed from overhead). Golf club structures that include golf club heads, e.g., of the types described above, and methods of constructing and/or using such clubs and club heads, also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Robert Boyd, Gary G. Tavares, Andrew G.V. Oldknow
  • Publication number: 20090203462
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a sole portion, wherein the sole portion includes a slot or rail defined therein; and (c) a weight member at least partially located within the slot or rail. The weight member may be mounted at plural positions along the slot or rail (optionally at least partially within a weight cartridge member provided with the club head body). The weight member also may be movably engaged with the weight cartridge member, slot, rail, and/or other portion of the club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making and using such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Robert Boyd, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Eric A. Larson
  • Publication number: 20090186717
    Abstract: Golf clubs, club heads, and club weighting systems may include: (a) a club head body member; and (b) one or more weight members movably engaged with the club head body member so as to move between a first position and a second position to change an overall exterior shape of the club head. This shape change may result in changes to the overall center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Alternatively or additionally, the weight member(s) may be removed from the club head body member, reoriented, and/or replaced with a different weight member, e.g., to change the overall exterior shape, center of gravity, weighting, and/or moment of inertia characteristics of the club head. Methods of making and using these clubs, club heads, and weighting systems also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Robert Boyd, David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20090062029
    Abstract: Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a cylindrical structure having a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving a golf club shaft, a rotation-inhibiting structure, and a securing structure; and (b) a securing system for releasably engaging the securing structure. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft connection assembly so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, James S. Thomas, David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20090048035
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body including heel, toe, crown, sole, and weighted rear portions; and (b) a variable thickness ball striking face. The club head body parts and weighted portion(s) may be arranged such that the club head has a moment of inertia about a vertical axis passing through the club head center of gravity of at least 5000 g-cm2. Such club heads may include: (a) a cup face member including a ball striking face portion and a return portion; (b) sole and crown portions engaged with the return portion; (c) a rear body member engaged with the crown and/or sole portions; (d) a weight member at the club head rear; and/or (e) a hosel member engaged with the cup face member, the crown portion, and/or the sole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Daisuke Tsukada
  • Publication number: 20090017933
    Abstract: Putters and putter heads better camouflage the main body of the head and/or highlight the alignment aid. The top surface of the head (when viewed from a ball address orientation) may be finished in a non-reflective, matte finish, optionally, in a dark color and/or in a color or colors selected so as to blend into or match the color of a golf green. At least some portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features help in visualization of the alignment aid (which also may be designed to help in alignment). If desired, the club head and/or shaft color and finish may be customized based on the greens at a specific golf course, greens in a specific geographical region, greens of a specific grass type, greens at a specific time of year or under specific conditions, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Sean Miller, David N. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20090017934
    Abstract: Putters and putter heads better camouflage the main body of the head and/or highlight the alignment aid. The top surface of the head (when viewed from a ball address orientation) may be finished in a non-reflective, matte finish, optionally, in a dark color and/or in a color or colors selected so as to blend into or match the color of a golf green. At least some portion of the shaft member may be colored and finished in this same manner. These features help in visualization of the alignment aid (which also may be designed to help in alignment). If desired, the club head and/or shaft color and finish may be customized based on the greens at a specific golf course, greens in a specific geographical region, greens of a specific grass type, greens at a specific time of year or under specific conditions, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thomas Stites, Alan W. Reichow, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Sean Miller