Patents by Inventor Karl A. Clausen

Karl A. Clausen 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: 8323122
    Abstract: A method for making golf club heads includes using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser melting (SLM) and other computer controlled high energy sintering or melting techniques to form club heads with customized user parameters. The powdered metals can be selected by type and quantity to achieve a desired density or weight distribution. Club heads made by these techniques are characterized by having customized parameters chosen for individual golfers. By sintering powdered metal to form areas of different porosity, club heads with desired weight distributions can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Karl Clausen
  • Patent number: 8262497
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20120196704
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a soleplate may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to traditional golf clubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8177657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to tradition al golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20120094781
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20120071259
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club that may be included in a set. In particular, the inventive golf club includes an adjustable hosel coupling and a mechanism for altering the sole configuration. The golf club may be included in a set having a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8105175
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8092316
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 8083607
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club that may be included in a set. In particular, the inventive golf club includes an adjustable hosel coupling and a mechanism for altering the sole configuration. The golf club may be included in a set having a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20110277313
    Abstract: A method for making golf club heads includes using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser melting (SLM) and other computer controlled high energy sintering or melting techniques to form club heads with customized user parameters. The powdered metals can be selected by type and quantity to achieve a desired density or weight distribution. Club heads made by these techniques are characterized by having customized parameters chosen for individual golfers. By sintering powdered metal to form areas of different porosity, club heads with desired weight distributions can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: PETER L. SORACCO, Karl Clausen
  • Patent number: 8007373
    Abstract: A method for making golf club heads includes using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser melting (SLM) and other computer controlled high energy sintering or melting techniques to form club heads with customized user parameters. The powdered metals can be selected by type and quantity to achieve a desired density or weight distribution. Club heads made by these techniques are characterized by having customized parameters chosen for individual golfers. By sintering powdered metal to form areas of different porosity, club heads with desired weight distributions can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Karl Clausen
  • Publication number: 20110098128
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to tradition al golf clubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF, INC.
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20110092310
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20110034273
    Abstract: A golf club head having a cavity back design with a cavity therein for placement of lightweight dual-durometer silicone. The club head is prepared by brushing an adhesive onto the interior wall, but omitting a pre-selected area of the wall to allow silicone to shrink away at the omitted area to allow for control of the shrinkage. A first shot of 80 Shore A silicone is placed into the cavity and disposed against the interior wall. Next, a softer 50 Shore A silicone is juxtaposed against the first shot of silicone and it is pressed using a hot mold finishing tool wherein a substantial portion of the cavity is filled. A polycarbonate insert is attached to an outer surface of the second silicone to provide a zero gap appearance. A tan delta ratio of the first silicone to the second silicone is greater than 1.6. A storage modulus of the first silicone is at least three times greater than the second silicone. And, a loss modulus of the first silicone is at least ten times the second silicone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Ryan Lo, Thomas C. Morris
  • Patent number: 7878924
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a quick release connection system to facilitate customization of golf clubs. It can be used to interchange shafts, removable weights, or soleplates quickly and easily. Teeth are disposed on the inside of a frame so that a shaft may be inserted with minimal resistance, but cannot be removed without specific steps which may require the use of a simple tool. Strengthening and interlock devices are provided to ensure performance quality akin to traditional golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Inc.
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 7878920
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a set of iron-type golf clubs having a progressive sole configuration through the set. In particular, the inventive golf clubs include a consistent relationship between the ground contact and center of gravity throughout the set and a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set. The progressive sole configuration includes a progressive sole camber throughout the set of iron-type golf clubs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventor: Karl A. Clausen
  • Patent number: 7871336
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: D639881
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Austin B. Oliveiro, Michael T. McDonnell, Ryan L. Roach, Thomas W. Preece
  • Patent number: D639884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: D666262
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Oswaldo Gonzalez, Steven M. Mitzel, Austin B. Oliveiro, Thomas W. Preece, Douglas E. Roberts