Patents by Inventor Michael J. Wallans

Michael J. Wallans 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: 11883721
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20220126177
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 11241604
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 11063996
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20200322462
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. RAE, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Trent E. GARNER, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Jeff D. BRUNSKI, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Scott A. CARLYLE, Stephen C. CHIEN, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Dan S. NIVANH, Michael J. WALLANS
  • Publication number: 20200298075
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 10721339
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 10695622
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 10434379
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a face portion or strike-face wall comprising a top inner boundary, an intermediate inner boundary, and a bottom inner boundary having a bottom-inner-boundary toe portion and a bottom-inner-boundary heel portion. The strike-face wall may further include a first uniform-thickness region, adjoining the top inner boundary, and a variable-thickness region adjoining the uniform-thickness region and a majority of the bottom inner boundary. In another example, the variable-thickness may adjoin a majority of the top inner boundary and the uniform-thickness region may adjoin a majority of the bottom inner boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeff D. Brunski, Samuel G. Lacey, Dan S. Nivanh, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Mark Blumenkrantz, Rory C. Stewart, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 10335652
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a striking face, a rear surface opposite the striking face, and a perimeter weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear surface. The club head may further include a resilient component associated with the perimeter-weighting element, the resilient component including a recess, and a preload spacer associated with the rear surface, a portion of the preload spacer engaging the recess. At least a portion of the resilient component is compressed between the preload spacer and the perimeter weighting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20190176000
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 10245482
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20180241854
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. RAE, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Trent E. GARNER, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Jeff D. BRUNSKI, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Scott A. CARLYLE, Stephen C. CHIEN, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Dan S. NIVANH, Michael J. WALLANS
  • Publication number: 20180221721
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Samuel G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 10010769
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Sam G. Lacey, Jeff D. Brunski, Kevin Schaeffer, Scott A. Carlyle, Stephen C. Chien, Craig R. Schnell, Douglas E. Roberts, Dan S. Nivanh, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 9908018
    Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 9889350
    Abstract: A golf club head includes: a sole; a crown; a toe; a heel opposite the toe; a strike face generally bounded by a face perimeter edge, the strike face comprising a geometric center; a rear portion; and a substantially enclosed interior cavity at least partially delimited by the sole, the crown, the strike face, and the rear portion. The golf club head also includes at least one rib having a first portion secured to the strike face, having a second portion secured to the crown, and being positioned such that a location on the strike face laterally spaced toe-ward from the geometric center by no less than 0.4 in is associated with a COR value no less than 0.825.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20170296883
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a striking face, a rear surface opposite the striking face, and a perimeter weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear surface. The club head may further include a resilient component associated with the perimeter-weighting element, the resilient component including a recess, and a preload spacer associated with the rear surface, a portion of the preload spacer engaging the recess. At least a portion of the resilient component is compressed between the preload spacer and the perimeter weighting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael J. WALLANS
  • Patent number: 9724576
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure may include a striking face, a rear surface opposite the striking face, and a perimeter weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear surface. The club head may further include a resilient component associated with the perimeter-weighting element, the resilient component including a recess, and a preload spacer associated with the rear surface, a portion of the preload spacer engaging the recess. At least a portion of the resilient component is compressed between the preload spacer and the perimeter weighting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20170100647
    Abstract: An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: John J. RAE, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, Daniel J. STONE, Trent E. GARNER, Brad S. HOOLEY, Robert J. HORACEK, Sam G. LACEY, Jeff D. BRUNSKI, Kevin SCHAEFFER, Scott A. CARLYLE, Stephen C. CHIEN, Craig R. SCHNELL, Douglas E. ROBERTS, Dan S. NIVANH, Michael J. WALLANS