Patents by Inventor Kraig Willett

Kraig Willett 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: 20170021260
    Abstract: A golf shot tracking system including an identification tag coupled to a golf club and a tag reader including a position-determination component and a tag identification component are disclosed. The tag reader may receive identification information relating to the golf club, and may determine its position, in response to the identification tag being within a reception range of the tag identification component. The tag reader may transmit a signal representative of the golf club identification information in association with the position information to a communication device. The communication device may be a portable handheld device having a display for displaying a representation of the golf club identity in association with the determined position. The communication device may be configured to upload the golf club identity in association with the determined position to a remote server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Kraig WILLETT, Thomas Kroll
  • Patent number: 8287402
    Abstract: A golf club head having a high COR (maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80) is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc. The body portion defines front and upper openings, and it includes a sole and a side section. The striking plate encloses the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The striking plate and/or the crown are adhesively attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20120142451
    Abstract: A golf club head having a high COR (maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80) is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc. The body portion defines front and upper openings, and it includes a sole and a side section. The striking plate encloses the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The striking plate and/or the crown are adhesively attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8096896
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Schiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20110092311
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Drew T. DeShiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7717805
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7717804
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7621823
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Bing-Ling Chao, Mark Greaney, Marc Kronenberg, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Zimmerman, Joseph Henry Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7591738
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7578753
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7568985
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7530904
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7494425
    Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7448963
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Beach, Thomas Olsavsky, Benoit Vincent, Ian Wright, Kraig Willett, Gery Mel Zimmerman, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20080167140
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20080139340
    Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7281994
    Abstract: The present invention resides in a wood-type golf club head having a high coefficient of restitution (COR) that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking plate, a crown, and a surface veil. The body portion defines an upper opening, and the crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. The surface veil is provided about a junction of the crown and body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7261646
    Abstract: The invention provides a wood-type golf club head comprising a body, a striking plate, and crown. The body has a sole, a front defining a front opening, a top portion defining an upper opening, an upper edge disposed between and separating the front opening and the upper opening, and a side portion. The side portion extends rearward of the front opening and has toe, rear and heel regions. The body is comprised of a metallic material having a density of at least about 4 g/cc. The striking plate is attached to the body, enclosing the front opening. The crown is attached to the body and encloses the upper opening. The crown is comprised of a non-metallic material. The golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80 and a volume of at least 150 cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Drew T. De Shiell, Kraig Willett, Michael Scott Burnett, Benoit Vincent, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20070173347
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head having adjustable weight, allowing the golfer to fine tune the club for his or her swing. The club head includes a body having a ball-striking face, a sole, a crown, and a side extending rearwardly from the face. The body defines an interior cavity and a recess on a selected wall of the body spaced apart from the striking face. A threaded opening is disposed in the recess. The club head further includes a weight assembly having fastener and a mass element configured to be press-fit into the recess the such that a first end is adjacent the bottom of the recess. The mass element also has an aperture configured to receive the fastener flush. The fastener removably attaches the weighting assembly to the selected wall of the club head. Pressure from the fastener attachment provides a press-fit of the mass element in the tapered recess of the selected wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Kraig Willett, Joseph Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20070142121
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head having adjustable weight, allowing the golfer to fine tune the club for his or her swing. The club head includes a body having a ball-striking face, a sole, a crown, and a side extending rearwardly from the face. The body defines an interior cavity and a recess on a selected wall of the body spaced apart from the striking face. A threaded opening is disposed in the recess. The club head further includes a weight assembly having fastener and a mass element configured to be press-fit into the recess the such that a first end is adjacent the bottom of the recess. The mass element also has an aperture configured to receive the fastener flush. The fastener removably attaches the weighting assembly to the selected wall of the club head. Pressure from the fastener attachment provides a press-fit of the mass element in the tapered recess of the selected wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Kraig Willett, Joseph Hoffman