Patents by Inventor Rich Sugimae

Rich Sugimae 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: 7819755
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Publication number: 20090170627
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Patent number: 7500920
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Taylor Made Gold Co.
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Publication number: 20070105643
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: TAYLOR MADE GOLF COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Patent number: 7144332
    Abstract: A golf club including a golf club head, a hosel, a ferrule, and a shaft. The hosel defines a cavity having an opening at an upper end of the hosel and an annular recess at an outer surface of the hosel. The ferrule defines an axial bore and has an annual ridge positioned within the axial bore. The ferrule also has a bottom portion that surrounds the upper end of the hosel. The shaft includes an upper end adapted to be gripped by a golfer and a lower end that extends through the axial bore and into the cavity defined by the hosel. The annular ridge and the annular recess engage each other in an interlocking fashion to inhibit rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines
  • Publication number: 20050101401
    Abstract: A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Rich Sugimae, Marni Ines