Patents by Inventor Michael R. Madson

Michael R. Madson 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).

  • Dimple patterns with surface texture for golf balls
    Patent number: 10758784
    Abstract: Golf ball comprising dimple(s) incorporating three or more linear channels having the same channel length L and same channel width CW; all linear channels extend radially outward from a centroid of the dimple toward a perimeter of the dimple without intersecting the dimple's centroid. Each linear channel may extend radially outward from a location on the dimple that is a distance Cd from the dimple's centroid, wherein Cd>0. Alternatively, at least one of the three or more linear channels has a different channel length L and/or a different channel width CW than at least one other linear channel. Dimple may have circular or non-circular plan shape; channels may not intersect each other; at least one linear channel may intersect the dimple's perimeter; and linear channels may be spaced by n separation angles ?S, wherein n is number of linear channels, which may be equal, or at least two differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10758782
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball dimples defined by superposed curves
    Patent number: 10758785
    Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball which comprises spherical-cosine dimples on the surface thereof. The spherical-cosine dimples have a cross-sectional shape defined by the superposition of a spherical function and a cosine function. Each of the spherical-cosine dimples preferably has a dimple diameter of 0.180 inches or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10758783
    Abstract: A golf ball dimple pattern based on a square dipyramid, i.e., two square pyramids connected base-to-base, is disclosed. The dimples are arranged within four substantially identical triangular sections on each of two substantially identical hemispheres of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10729937
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10722754
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10722753
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20200230466
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20200230467
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf balls with aerodynamic subsurfaces
    Patent number: 10716970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an aerodynamic subsurface for packing dimples. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf ball having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface containing at least two dimples located solely on the subsurface and lying below the exterior surface of the golf ball. A transition zone between the exterior surface and the subsurface is disclosed having an angle of transition and a top radius and a bottom radius. According to the present invention, the exterior surface and at least the first subsurface have at least a first and second surface colors that are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Emilia DaCosta, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 10709936
    Abstract: Golf balls including at least one modified dimple group are disclosed. The modified dimple group comprises one or more modified dimples forming an axially symmetric pattern about a Correction Area Centroid located on an axis of symmetry at a latitude greater than 0°, where 0° represents the hemispherical pole and 90° represents the equator. The modified dimples can be altered, for example, by changing dimple coverage, dimple diameter, dimple depth, dimple edge angle, dimple volume, dimple cross-sectional shape, and/or dimple plan shape. Optionally, the dimples have a catenary cross-sectional shape and the modified dimples are altered by changing the shape factor and/or chord depth. Such modifications preferably produce a golf ball that flies more consistently regardless of orientation when struck than a corresponding golf ball without such modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING A HOLLOW CORE AND INTERNAL SKELETAL STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20200215395
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to golf balls having an internal skeletal structure that can be self-supporting. The golf ball preferably contains a spherical hollow inner core that is gas or liquid-filled. The ball further comprises an outer shell skeletal structure having a spherical shape and containing apertures that form hollow compartments. In one version, the skeletal structure supports itself and the space inside and around the skeletal structure is hollow. In another embodiment, the space is solid, for example, it may be foam-filled. In yet another version, the hollow space is filled with liquid. Multi-piece golf balls having outer cores, inner covers, and intermediate layers can be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Michael J. Sullivan, Mark L. Binette
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPE
    Publication number: 20200206571
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Minimal surface golf ball components
    Patent number: 10695617
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel golf ball construction including a layer having a design based on a minimal surface. The layer is defined by an envelope shape having an outer boundary and an inner boundary, and consists of a minimal surface and an interstitial space, the minimal surface and interstitial space being bounded by the envelope shape. The minimal surface is a single continuous surface which does not intersect itself and has zero mean curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Achushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • MINIMAL SURFACE GOLF BALL COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200197750
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel golf ball construction including a structural core component based on a minimal surface design. The structural core component has an envelope shape and consists of a minimal surface and an interstitial space, the minimal surface and interstitial space being bounded by the envelope shape of the structural component. The minimal surface is a single continuous surface which does not intersect itself and has zero mean curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • MINIMAL SURFACE GOLF BALL COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20200197751
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel golf ball construction including a layer having a design based on a minimal surface. The layer is defined by an envelope shape having an outer boundary and an inner boundary, and consists of a minimal surface and an interstitial space, the minimal surface and interstitial space being bounded by the envelope shape. The minimal surface is a single continuous surface which does not intersect itself and has zero mean curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Madson
  • GOLF BALLS HAVING VOLUMETRIC EQUIVALENCE ON OPPOSING HEMISPHERES AND SYMMETRIC FLIGHT PERFORMANCE AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20200188738
    Abstract: Golf balls according to the present invention achieve flight symmetry and overall satisfactory flight performance due to a dimple surface volume ratio that is equivalent between opposing hemispheres despite the use of different dimple geometries, different dimple arrangements, and/or different dimple counts on the opposing hemispheres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf balls with aerodynamic subsurfaces
    Patent number: 10682551
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball having an aerodynamic subsurface for packing dimples. More particularly, the invention relates to a golf ball having an exterior surface and at least a first subsurface containing at least two dimples located solely on the subsurface and lying below the exterior surface of the golf ball. A transition zone between the exterior surface and the subsurface is disclosed having an angle of transition and a top radius and a bottom radius. According to the present invention, the exterior surface and at least the first subsurface have at least a first and second surface textures that are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson, Chris Hixenbaugh
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20200171356
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for arranging dimples on a golf ball surface in which the dimples are arranged in a pattern derived from at least one irregular domain generated from a regular or non-regular polyhedron. The method includes choosing control points of a polyhedron, generating an irregular domain based on those control points, packing the irregular domain with dimples, and tessellating the irregular domain to cover the surface of the golf ball. The control points include the center of a polyhedral face, a vertex of the polyhedron, a midpoint or other point on an edge of the polyhedron and others. The method ensures that the symmetry of the underlying polyhedron is preserved while minimizing or eliminating great circles due to parting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • GOLF BALL HAVING NON-PLANAR PARTING LINE
    Publication number: 20200171357
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface. At least a portion of the parting line comprises a series of main arcs connected by at least one intermediate arc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, David P. Hunt