Patents by Inventor Keith DOLEZEL

Keith DOLEZEL 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: 12145034
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head is disclosed. When oriented in a reference position, the putter-type golf club head comprises a blade member and a central elongate member in communication with, and extending rearwardly from, the blade member. The blade member extends in a heel-to-toe direction and has a striking wall defining a substantially planar striking surface, and an upper surface of the central elongate member comprises at least one generally square-shaped alignment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel, Nick Trahan, Phillip C. Seagram, Brian Herr, Jeff D. Brunski, Adam Sheldon
  • Patent number: 12064668
    Abstract: A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Dan Nivanh, Patrick Ripp
  • Publication number: 20240207694
    Abstract: A sporting apparatus includes a monitoring device. The monitoring device may add no weight to the sporting apparatus relative to a comparable sporting apparatus without the monitoring device. The monitoring device may have a center of gravity substantially aligning with the center of gravity of the sporting apparatus, resulting in a sporting apparatus with a monitor having substantially the same center of gravity as a comparable sporting apparatus without a monitor. The sporting apparatus monitor may be configured to trim unreliable post impact swing data and replace it with extrapolated pre-impact swing data and/or more reliable post impact swing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Scott Carlyle, Michael J. Kline
  • Publication number: 20240042287
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, a sole portion, a top portion, a hosel, a rear surface, a loft no less than 40°, a virtual vertical plane, and a center of gravity. The striking face has a face center, a leading edge, and a virtual striking face plane. The hosel includes an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft and includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf shaft. The rear surface is opposite the striking face and has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a forward-extending recess. The insert covers the recess forming a hollow portion. The virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through the face center. The center of gravity is spaced a distance from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick RIPP, Philip SEAGRAM, Mika BECKTOR, Keith DOLEZEL
  • Patent number: 11865412
    Abstract: A sporting apparatus includes a monitoring device. The monitoring device may add no weight to the sporting apparatus relative to a comparable sporting apparatus without the monitoring device. The monitoring device may have a center of gravity substantially aligning with the center of gravity of the sporting apparatus, resulting in a sporting apparatus with a monitor having substantially the same center of gravity as a comparable sporting apparatus without a monitor. The sporting apparatus monitor may be configured to trim unreliable post impact swing data and replace it with extrapolated pre-impact swing data and/or more reliable post impact swing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Scott Carlyle, Michael J. Kline
  • Patent number: 11786787
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, a sole portion, a top portion, a hosel, a rear surface, a loft no less than 40°, a virtual vertical plane, and a center of gravity. The striking face has a face center, a leading edge, and a virtual striking face plane. The hosel includes an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft and includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf shaft. The rear surface is opposite the striking face and has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a forward-extending recess. The insert covers the recess forming a hollow portion. The virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through the face center. The center of gravity is spaced a distance from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Philip Seagram, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel
  • Publication number: 20230201675
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center and a virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face. The golf club head further includes a sole portion, a top portion, a rear portion, and a loft L no less than 40°. A virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the striking face plane passes through the face center. A club head center of gravity is spaced from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction by a distance D1 that is no greater than 6.0 mm. The golf club head further includes a hosel including an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft. The internal bore includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf club shaft. The hosel further comprises an auxiliary recess extending sole-ward from the abutment surface of the internal bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick RIPP, Brian HERR, Mika BECKTOR, Keith DOLEZEL
  • Patent number: 11602679
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center and a virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face. The golf club head further includes a sole portion, a top portion, a rear portion, and a loft L no less than 40°. A virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the striking face plane passes through the face center. A club head center of gravity is spaced from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction by a distance D1 that is no greater than 6.0 mm. The golf club head further includes a hosel including an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft. The internal bore includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf club shaft. The hosel further comprises an auxiliary recess extending sole-ward from the abutment surface of the internal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Brian Herr, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel
  • Publication number: 20230075318
    Abstract: A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith DOLEZEL, Dan NIVANH, Patrick RIPP
  • Patent number: 11524212
    Abstract: A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Dan Nivanh, Patrick Ripp
  • Patent number: 11370012
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face including a face center, a top portion, a sole including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a rear side opposite the striking face. The rear side includes a channel configured to permit bending at least a portion of the sole to cause plastic deformation to change a bounce angle defined as an angle between a virtual sole line and a virtual ground plane when the golf club head is orientated in a reference position where the golf club head is addressed to hit a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Keith Dolezel
  • Patent number: 11247107
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face, and scorelines. A hosel portion includes a hosel exterior surface and internal bore to receive a golf shaft. At least a portion of a recessed region is located in the hosel exterior surface where the hosel portion meets at least one of a sole portion, rear portion, and top portion. A first virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the virtual striking face plane and passes through a face center. A second virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through a heel-most extent of the scorelines, and the recessed region is located heel-ward of the second virtual vertical plane. A center of gravity is spaced from the first virtual vertical plane in a heel-to-toe direction by a distance no greater than 6.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Phill Seagram, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel, Patrick Ripp, Brian Herr
  • Publication number: 20210362010
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center and a virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face. The golf club head further includes a sole portion, a top portion, a rear portion, and a loft L no less than 40°. A virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the striking face plane passes through the face center. A club head center of gravity is spaced from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction by a distance D1 that is no greater than 6.0 mm. The golf club head further includes a hosel including an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft. The internal bore includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf club shaft. The hosel further comprises an auxiliary recess extending sole-ward from the abutment surface of the internal bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick RIPP, Brian HERR, Mika BECKTOR, Keith DOLEZEL
  • Patent number: 11173360
    Abstract: A putter-type golf club head has a main body and a face component including a first element formed of a resilient material. The putter-type golf club head also has a second element forward of the first element and including a rigid material. The second element is secured directly to the first element. The first element has a thickness that gradually increases toward a sole portion of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith Dolezel, Dan Nivanh, Mitch Samson, Joseph Chen, Mika Becktor, Michael Boyle, Dustin Brekke, Bryce Weir, Phillip C. Seagram
  • Publication number: 20210308734
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face including a face center, a top portion, a sole including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a rear side opposite the striking face. The rear side includes a channel configured to permit bending at least a portion of the sole to cause plastic deformation to change a bounce angle defined as an angle between a virtual sole line and a virtual ground plane when the golf club head is orientated in a reference position where the golf club head is addressed to hit a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Keith Dolezel
  • Publication number: 20210283471
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, a sole portion, a top portion, a hosel, a rear surface, a loft no less than 40°, a virtual vertical plane, and a center of gravity. The striking face has a face center, a leading edge, and a virtual striking face plane. The hosel includes an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft and includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf shaft. The rear surface is opposite the striking face and has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a forward-extending recess. The insert covers the recess forming a hollow portion. The virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through the face center. The center of gravity is spaced a distance from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick RIPP, Philip SEAGRAM, Mika BECKTOR, Keith DOLEZEL
  • Patent number: 11110330
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face having a face center and a virtual striking face plane generally parallel to the striking face. The golf club head further includes a sole portion, a top portion, a rear portion, and a loft L no less than 40°. A virtual vertical plane perpendicular to the striking face plane passes through the face center. A club head center of gravity is spaced from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction by a distance D1 that is no greater than 6.0 mm. The golf club head further includes a hosel including an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft. The internal bore includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf club shaft. The hosel further comprises an auxiliary recess extending sole-ward from the abutment surface of the internal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Brian Herr, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel
  • Publication number: 20210245017
    Abstract: A method of customizing a golf club, wherein the method includes generating operating data representative of a user operating a mechanical device. The operating data is generated by a first sensor sized and configured to be removably positioned in a mounting port formed on the mechanical device during operation of the mechanical device. The sensor is interchangeably positionable in the mounting port with at least one mass insert, the at least one mass insert being adapted to be interchangeably positioned in the mounting to provide at least two different mass configurations. The method further includes determining a recommended configuration of the at least one mass insert specific to the user based on the operating data generated by the sensor, and transmitting information representative of the recommended mass insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keith DOLEZEL, Dan NIVANH, Patrick RIPP
  • Patent number: 11065661
    Abstract: A method of modifying a golf club head including engaging a bending tool with the golf club head and bending at least a portion of a sole of the golf club head by applying force using the bending tool to cause plastic deformation of the sole. The plastic deformation changes a contour of an exterior surface of the sole. According to another aspect, a golf club head includes a striking face including a face center, a top portion, a sole including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a rear side opposite the striking face. The rear side includes a channel configured to permit bending at least a portion of the sole to cause plastic deformation to change a bounce angle defined as an angle between a virtual sole line and a virtual ground plane when the golf club head is orientated in a reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Keith Dolezel
  • Patent number: 11045695
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a striking face, a sole portion, a top portion, a hosel, a rear surface, a loft no less than 40°, a virtual vertical plane, and a center of gravity. The striking face has a face center, a leading edge, and a virtual striking face plane. The hosel includes an internal bore configured to receive a golf shaft and includes a peripheral side wall and a shaft abutment surface configured to abut a tip end of the golf shaft. The rear surface is opposite the striking face and has an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion including a forward-extending recess. The insert covers the recess forming a hollow portion. The virtual vertical plane is perpendicular to the striking face plane and passes through the face center. The center of gravity is spaced a distance from the virtual vertical plane in the heel-to-toe direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Ripp, Phill Seagram, Mika Becktor, Keith Dolezel