Patents by Inventor Mario A. Lafortune

Mario A. Lafortune 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: 11857836
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 11077343
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Philip J. Hatton, Mario A. Lafortune, John T. Stites
  • Publication number: 20210031071
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10806967
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20200078639
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20200070019
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Philip J. Hatton, Mario A. Lafortune, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10500452
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Philip J. Hatton, Mario A. Lafortune, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 10486022
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10455895
    Abstract: A sole structure of an article of footwear includes a foam element and a non-foam element with different compressibilities. The foam element is positioned adjacent to the non-foam element. The non-foam element may define a plurality of apertures, with ends of at least a portion of the apertures being located adjacent to a lower area of the foam element. The non-foam element may also form a protrusion that may be located in a central area of the non-foam element and extends into the foam element. In addition, a portion of the non-foam element that forms a side of the sole structure may define an indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10369409
    Abstract: Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Manan Goel, Mario Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10350453
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 10226101
    Abstract: An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Mario A. Lafortune, Amy E. Gishifu, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola Jane Reynolds, Britani N. Blackstone
  • Publication number: 20180272186
    Abstract: Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Manan Goel, Mario Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20180178096
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua M. Boggs, Philip J. Hatton, Brian Kammerer, Mario A. Lafortune, Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Jeffrey A. Hadden, Sherry L. Jones, Gregory S. Kramer, James H. Lua, John T. Stites, Douglas A. Thornton, Daniel F. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 9999804
    Abstract: Analysis of sporting equipment characteristics may be analyzed using dynamic sampling rates. For example, analyzing a golf swing may include the use of one or more sensors providing data at various sampling rates. According to some aspects, the sampling rate may be dynamically modified upon determination of one or more golf equipment characteristics, environmental conditions, player characteristics and the like. In one example, a sampling rate processor may dynamically select a sampling rate at which data is sampled from one or more sensors. In some examples, by dynamically selecting the sampling rate, an analysis may be tailored to various types, and portions of a golf swing, in addition to producing power consumption by the analysis instruments in the golf club system. According to other aspects, triggering conditions for modifying a sampling rate may be determined from a population of one or more previous golf swings performed by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Manan Goel, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Publication number: 20180099183
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune
  • Patent number: 9925433
    Abstract: Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Boggs, Philip J. Hatton, Brian Kammerer, Mario A. Lafortune, Michael Wallans, Robert M. Boyd, Jeffrey A. Hadden, Sherry L. Jones, Gregory S. Kramer, James H. Lua, John T. Stites, Douglas A. Thornton, Daniel F. Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20180008871
    Abstract: A method of customizing a golf club head for a user's swing begins by receiving an indication of a characteristic of a user's golf swing. A club face is selected from a plurality of club faces based on the characteristic, and a club body is selected from a plurality of club bodies based on the characteristic. The selected club face and club body are then affixed together to define a golf club head. Each of the plurality of club faces and plurality of club bodies are freely interchangeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Mario A. Lafortune, Tyrone Lynn Todd Northcutt, Raymond J. Sander, James S. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170280825
    Abstract: An article of footwear or another product may incorporate a pressure chamber that includes (a) a bladder at least partially formed from a polymer material that is sealed to enclose a pressurized fluid and (b) a strand wound around the bladder and secured to the bladder. In manufacturing the pressure chamber, a bladder with an elongate configuration may be formed. A strand is wound around the bladder, and the strand is secured to the bladder. When incorporated to a sole structure of the article of footwear, for example, a portion of the bladder that includes the strands may be exposed at an outer surface of the sole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: John F. Swigart, Mario A. Lafortune, Amy E. Gishifu, Ty A. Ransom, Nicola Jane Reynolds, Britani N. Blackstone
  • Publication number: 20170232296
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing coaching, training, or equipment specification information to individual golfers based on data generated during their individual golf swings. Additionally, data hubs are described that provide information and services to individuals based on data collected for a community of multiple golfers. Such community data hub systems and methods may provide one or more of the following: (a) storage of scoring data, swing data, ball flight data, and/or equipment data for multiple golfers; (b) at least some level of individual access to the stored data for the community; and/or (c) electronic interaction between golfers within the community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: James A. Niegowski, Mario A. Lafortune