Patents by Inventor Michael T. McDonnell

Michael T. McDonnell 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: 20250222324
    Abstract: A golf club includes a body defining an internal cavity and includes a toe side, a heel side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a rear side. A first support structure is disposed within the internal cavity and includes a plurality of beams. A second support structure is disposed within an external cavity that is positioned on the rear side of the body and is visible from an exterior of the body. A first pocket and a second pocket are formed on the bottom side. The first pocket is at least partially defined by a first wall and the second pocket is at least partially defined by a second wall. A first aperture and a second aperture are in fluid communication with the internal cavity. The first aperture extends through the first wall and the second aperture extends through the second wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Linqing Huang, Michael S. Yagley, Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 12321913
    Abstract: A method of providing benefits to owners of non-fungible tokens is provided. A minter of a non-fungible token corresponding to a digital asset can encourage or incentivize users of the non-fungible tokens to purchase additional non-fungible tokens, or perform transactions using a non-fungible token to receive benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 12296243
    Abstract: A method of golf club fitting comprises providing a fitting system including a computing device that is in communication with a blockchain over a communication network, at least one sensor, and at least one golf club. Further, the method comprises collecting fit data associated with the at least one golf club, generating a non-fungible token including metadata and a digital object, configuring the non-fungible token to include at least one function, minting the non-fungible token to the blockchain network, and triggering the at least one function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael T. McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20240293715
    Abstract: Systems and methods for golf club fitting include a golf club, a detection unit, and a smart tag. The golf club has a club head, a shaft, and a grip. The smart tag communicates with the detection unit when the golf club is positioned within a detection zone associated with a sensor of the detection unit. The smart tag stores data associated with the golf club, such that the detection unit collects the data associated with the golf club from the smart tag for transmission to a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20240252891
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf club includes receiving user information and selecting at least one parameter of the golf club by a user that is selected from a plurality of parameters. Additional steps include generating a design model of the golf club based on user information or at least one parameter of the golf club in a design space, generating a 3D lattice environment, inlaying the lattice environment into the design model of the golf club, reorienting a first lattice array of the lattice environment according to the user information, adjusting, based on the user interface, at least a thickness, a shape, or a density of a lattice beam of the first lattice array, customizing the at least one parameter based on at least a swing characteristic or a location of center of gravity of the golf club, and printing using an additive manufacturing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Linqing Huang, Michael S. Yagley, Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20240252890
    Abstract: A method for producing a golf club component can include receiving a selection of at least one parameter from a user via a user interface, the at least one parameter being selected from a plurality of parameters. The method can further include generating a design model of the golf club component based on the selected parameter, providing the design model of the golf club component to an additive manufacturing device, and forming the golf club component via the additive manufacturing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Michael S. Yagley, Michael T. McDonnell, Daniel Chelius, Cameron J. Day, Bryce W. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 11998810
    Abstract: A golf club head can include a body having a toe region and a heel region. The golf club body defines an opening to an internal cavity of the body and the opening is surrounded by a perimeter. The golf club head includes a face, a first support member, and a sole plate supported by the first support member and secured to the body at the perimeter. The sole plate is configured to be secured to the body in a plurality of arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Cameron J. Day, Bryce W. Hobbs, Ryan L. Roach, Michael T. McDonnell, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 11938382
    Abstract: A method of making a golf club head includes the steps of providing a face of a club head, the face having a ball striking surface and a perimeter defining a border of the ball striking surface, providing a golf club head body that includes a crown, a sole, a toe, and a heel, attaching the face to a front portion of the club head body, and milling the ball striking surface and an edge portion of the face to cut a machined surface into the ball striking surface and the edge portion. The milled surface includes a plurality of first grooves located along the ball striking surface and defining a first depth, and a plurality of second grooves located adjacent the perimeter along the edge portion and defining a second depth. The first depth is different than the second depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Michael T. McDonnell, Ryan L. Roach, Douglas E. Roberts, Bryce Hobbs, Yi-Ching Liao
  • Publication number: 20240091610
    Abstract: A method of golf club fitting comprises providing a fitting system including a computing device that is in communication with a blockchain over a communication network, at least one sensor, and at least one golf club. Further, the method comprises collecting fit data associated with the at least one golf club, generating a non-fungible token including metadata and a digital object, configuring the non-fungible token to include at least one function, minting the non-fungible token to the blockchain network, and triggering the at least one function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Michael T. McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20240091646
    Abstract: A method of playing golf in a virtual environment. The method includes the step of providing an online platform that is displayed on a user interface of a user device. The online platform presents a virtual golf course in the virtual environment. The method also includes the step of providing access to a virtual golf club in the virtual golf course that corresponds to a physical golf club. The method further includes receiving performance data captured by a user controller, generating a digital response in the virtual golf course based on the performance data captured by at least one sensor in communication with the user controller, generating a non-fungible token associated with metadata and a digital object based on the performance data captured by at least one sensor in communication with the user controller, and minting the non-fungible token to a blockchain network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Michael T. McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20240095700
    Abstract: A method of providing benefits to owners of non-fungible tokens is provided. A minter of a non-fungible token corresponding to a digital asset can encourage or incentivize users of the non-fungible tokens to purchase additional non-fungible tokens, or perform transactions using a non-fungible token to receive benefits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs, Ryan L. Roach
  • Publication number: 20240062178
    Abstract: A method of using a non-fungible token includes generating a digital asset including a virtual object and metadata. The metadata includes attributes that are mutable by an authorized user. The method further includes minting the non-fungible token, securing ownership of the digital asset to a blockchain, providing the digital asset on a digital platform, transferring the non-fungible token to a user wallet, and updating the metadata of the digital asset based on data associated with an event. The metadata includes a URL to a site hosted remotely, off of the blockchain, where the attributes are accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Michael T. McDonnell, Bryce W. Hobbs, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 11285365
    Abstract: The invention provides golf clubs and methods of making golf clubs with machined perimeter faces. The club faces provide an accurate ball striking surface and improved aerodynamics. In particular, a surface is milled into the club face that expands over an edge of a ball striking surface and onto a portion of the face adjacent to at least one of a crown, a sole, a toe, or a heel. During a swing, the milled surface causes the boundary layer of airflow to separate at a point closer to the rear of the club head, resulting in reduced drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Michael T. McDonnell, Ryan L. Roach, Douglas E. Roberts, Bryce Hobbs, Yi-ching Liao
  • Patent number: 10835787
    Abstract: The invention provides golf clubs and methods of making golf clubs with machined perimeter faces. The club faces provide an accurate ball striking surface and improved aerodynamics. In particular, a surface is milled into the club face that expands over an edge of a ball striking surface and onto a portion of the face adjacent to at least one of a crown, a sole, a toe, or a heel. During a swing, the milled surface causes the boundary layer of airflow to separate at a point closer to the rear of the club head, resulting in reduced drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: COBRA GOLF CORPORATION
    Inventors: D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Michael T. McDonnell, Ryan L. Roach, Douglas E. Roberts, Bryce Hobbs, Yi-ching Liao
  • Patent number: 10835407
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device may be adapted to be inserted into a shoe to enable the foot to replicate normal motion so that the user regains substantially normal operation of the foot. The orthotic device may have a frame system formed of a lightweight supportive material and configured to extend along at least the bottom of the user's foot, and an electronically actuated muscle operatively connected to the frame system for expanding and contracting at predetermined levels to adjust the inclination of the user's foot and mimic movement of the foot, when functioning normally. The orthotic device may also have a controller operatively connected to the muscle for transmitting signals corresponding to the predetermined levels to the muscle, and a sensor controlled by the user for actuating the muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: Michael T. McDonnell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10293235
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9968827
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20170368412
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9789361
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20170172782
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device may be adapted to be inserted into a shoe to enable the foot to replicate normal motion so that the user regains substantially normal operation of the foot. The orthotic device may have a frame system formed of a lightweight supportive material and configured to extend along at least the bottom of the user's foot, and an electronically actuated muscle operatively connected to the frame system for expanding and contracting at predetermined levels to adjust the inclination of the user's foot and mimic movement of the foot, when functioning normally. The orthotic device may also have a controller operatively connected to the muscle for transmitting signals corresponding to the predetermined levels to the muscle, and a sensor controlled by the user for actuating the muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Michael T. McDonnell, JR.