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: 7927232
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20100292026
    Abstract: A golf club head, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises a metallic striking wall having a striking surface and at least one through score-line opening. At least one complementary component may be disposed rearward of the striking surface such that at least a part of the at least one complementary component extends into only a part of the at least one through score-line opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. WALLANS, Mark BLUMENKRANTZ
  • Publication number: 20100292029
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20100285902
    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: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    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
  • Patent number: 7815522
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20100261548
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert J. HORACEK, Nathaniel J. RADCLIFFE, John J. RAE, Michael J. WALLANS, Sam G. LACEY
  • Patent number: 7794333
    Abstract: A golf club head, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises a metallic striking wall having a striking surface and at least one through score-line opening. At least one complementary component may be disposed rearward of the striking surface such that at least a part of the at least one complementary component extends into only a part of the at least one through score-line opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Wallans, Mark Blumenkrantz
  • Patent number: 7789773
    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 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    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: 7789774
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John J Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20100160073
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a strike face, a rear wall behind the strike face, and a perimeter-weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear wall. The club head may further include an insert, associated with the rear wall and the perimeter-weighting element, having a first portion and a second portion. Preferably, the second portion engages a supplementary component, associated with the perimeter-weighting element and dissociated from the rear wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Roger Cleveland Golf Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark BLUMENKRANTZ, Michael J. WALLANS
  • Publication number: 20100087272
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: 7651414
    Abstract: A hollow wood-type golf club head having an increased weight budget and improved mass characteristics at minimum structural mass is disclosed. The club head has a striking face portion, a sole portion, a skirt portion, and a crown portion having a total surface area. A hosel portion joins the club head for connecting a shaft to the club head. The crown portion has a major crown portion and a minor crown portion, the major portion having greater surface area than the minor portion, and the major portion being displaced vertically lower relative to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may have a generally concave curvature and the minor crown portion may have a generally convex curvature such that the major crown portion is in effect inverted with respect to the minor crown portion. The major crown portion may be upwardly inclined from the heel to the toe of the head. The head may exhibit a parabolic top view silhouette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Daniel J. Stone, Trent E. Garner, Brad S. Hooley, Robert J. Horacek, Michael J. Wallans
  • Publication number: 20090239680
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ROGER CLEVELAND GOLF CO., INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20090239682
    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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc.
    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: 7585233
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, John J. Rae, Michael J. Wallans, Sam G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 7563176
    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: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc.
    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
  • Publication number: 20090149275
    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 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Roger Cleveland Golf Co., Inc.
    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: 20090131198
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a strike face, a rear wall behind the strike face, and a perimeter-weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear wall. The club head may further include a preload spacer associated with the rear wall and a resilient component associated with the perimeter-weighting element. The preload spacer engages the resilient component to provide positive reinforcement of the coupling between the resilient component and the perimeter-weighting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: ROGER CLEVELAND GOLF CO., INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. WALLANS
  • Publication number: 20090105008
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a body comprising a front surface having an opening therein for receiving a primary insert. One or more secondary inserts may be disposed in the primary insert and may include a leading surface, a trailing surface, and at least one intermediate surface. The leading surface may be physically exposed to the elements, the trailing surface may be exposed to the eye, and the at least one intermediate surface may be physically exposed to the elements and/or visually exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ROGER CLEVELAND GOLF CO., INC.
    Inventors: Jimmy H. KUAN, Michael D. SANDOVAL, Adam K. SHELDON, Michael J. Wallans
  • Patent number: D596685
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Roger Cleveland Golf Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Wallans