Patents by Inventor Nicholas M. Nardacci

Nicholas M. Nardacci 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).

  • Golf ball components made using three-dimensional additive manufacturing systems
    Patent number: 10668334
    Abstract: Golf balls and golf ball components made using three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing systems are provided. The golf ball includes at least one three-dimensional piece. Preferably, a continuous liquid interface printing method is used to make the three-dimensional structure. Ultraviolet (UV)-light polymerizable materials are used in the method. The method may be used to make single-piece or multi-piece balls. For example, the ball may include an inner core produced by the liquid interface printing method. An outer core layer may be disposed about the inner core, and a cover comprising inner and outer cover layers may encapsulate the core assembly to form the finished golf ball. The outer core and cover layers may be made using conventional molding technologies or the methods of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Edmund A. Hebert, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Brian Comeau
  • GOLF EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION AND FITTING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200155899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying golf equipment. The system may include one or more performance tracking devices, such as an optical sensor system or a radar sensor system for tracking at least one of a golf club swing or a golf ball flight. The system also may include at least one processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform a set of operations. The operations include receiving current dynamic input for a golf shot from a golfer and current static input for the golfer. The operations also include executing a trained machine-learning model based on the received current dynamic input and current static input to generate predicted golf club properties and/or predicted golf ball properties for the golfer. The predicted golf club properties and/or predicted golf ball properties are displayed on a connected display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Chris Hixenbaugh, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball having dimples with concentric or non-concentric grooves
    Patent number: 10653920
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the alteration of the dimple surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having circular perimeters and dimple profiles having a concentric groove or a non-concentric groove on the surface of the dimple. The golf ball dimples of the present invention provide golf ball surfaces having unique appearances, while maintaining ideal aerodynamic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10653921
    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: September 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • CURVILINEAR GOLF BALL DIMPLES AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20200139196
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having surface textures with unique appearances and improved aerodynamic characteristics due, at least in part, to the use of curvilinear dimple plan shapes. 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 a number of convex or concave arcs that are derived from the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon, for example, an equilateral triangle or square.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20200114211
    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: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20200114212
    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: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20200061419
    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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PROFILE
    Publication number: 20200061418
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. The dimples optionally have a transition surface connecting the conical top portion to the land area of the golf ball and/or a transition surface connecting the conical top portion to the bottom portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10556152
    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: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball having non-planar parting line
    Patent number: 10556153
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball having a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface. The plurality of dimples located adjacent to the parting line consists of a first portion of dimples, each dimple of the first portion having a wave relief distance of from 0.001 inches and 0.005 inches, and a second portion of dimples, each dimple of the second portion having a wave relief distance of greater than 0.008 inches, where wave relief distance is measured as the shortest distance from the average dimple diameter of the dimple to the parting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, David P. Hunt
  • Curvilinear golf ball dimples and methods of making same
    Patent number: 10532250
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls having surface textures with unique appearances and improved aerodynamic characteristics due, at least in part, to the use of curvilinear dimple plan shapes. 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 a number of convex or concave arcs that are derived from the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon, for example, an equilateral triangle or square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Dimple patterns for golf balls
    Patent number: 10532252
    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 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20190381363
    Abstract: The present invention provides a golf ball wherein each hemisphere has a dimple pattern based on a pyramid having dissimilar sides. The resulting overall dimple pattern is not based on preexisting polyhedral, and is not attainable using conventional dimple packing methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • DIMPLE PATTERNS FOR GOLF BALLS
    Publication number: 20190381362
    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: September 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball dimple plan shape
    Patent number: 10486028
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Michael R. Madson
  • GOLF BALL DIMPLE PLAN SHAPE
    Publication number: 20190344124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to golf balls having improved packing efficiency and aerodynamic characteristics and a high degree of dimple interdigitation. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf ball including at least a portion of dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions having high amplitudes. The present invention is also directed to methods of developing the dimple plan shape geometries, as well as methods of making the finished golf balls with the inventive dimple patterns applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball dimple patterns contributing to a non-straight flight trajectory
    Patent number: 10471307
    Abstract: The present invention provides golf balls having a non-straight flight trajectory due, at least in part, to a dimple pattern wherein the dimples on the opposing sides of the ball have at least one design feature that is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci, William E. Morgan, Matthew F. Hogge
  • Golf ball dimple profile
    Patent number: 10463917
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimples with a cross-sectional profile comprising a conical top portion and a non-conical bottom portion. More particularly, the profiles of the present invention are defined by three independent parameters: dimple diameter (DD), edge angle (?EDGE), and saucer ratio (Sr). These parameters fully define the dimple shape and allow for greater flexibility in constructing a dimple profile versus conventional spherical dimples. Further, conical dimples provide a unique dimple cross-section which is visually distinct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 10463918
    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: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Madson, Nicholas M. Nardacci