Abstract: A golf club head has a body member and a sole plate member where each form a portion of the sole surface of the golf club head. A layer of resilient material is disposed between body member and the sole plate member.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head that includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearward from the face. The face has an area of highest response located proximate a center of the ball striking surface. The face is formed of a first material and a second material that forms at least a portion of the area of highest response. The second material has a thermal modulus response that is different from a thermal modulus response of the first material.

Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft proximate a heel thereof. The face has a thickened portion including an annular tapered area that tapers in thickness between an upper boundary and a lower boundary and encloses an elevated area bounded by the upper boundary. The upper and/or lower boundary defines a shape having two lobes, each with an outer edge with a convex profile, and a connecting portion extending between the lobes, such that the connecting portion is defined by two outer edges extending between the outer edges of the lobes, wherein at least one of the outer edges of the connecting portion has a concave outer profile.

Abstract: A correlated set of iron type golf clubs is designed to improve performance. The set of clubs includes a plurality of iron type golf clubs having linearly spaced lofts such that a first iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than the loft of a second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than a third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs increase in loft at the same rate. The plurality of iron type golf clubs also have lengths which are linearly spaced such that a first iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs decrease in length at the same rate. The set of iron type golf clubs is further designed such that the design efficiency increases as the loft of the golf clubs decreases.

Abstract: A correlated set of iron type golf clubs is designed to improve performance. The set of clubs includes a plurality of iron type golf clubs having linearly spaced lofts such that a first iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than the loft of a second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a loft which is x degrees greater than a third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs increase in loft at the same rate. The plurality of iron type golf clubs also have lengths which are linearly spaced such that a first iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the second iron type golf club and the second iron type golf club has a length which is y inches less than the length of the third iron type golf club and subsequent iron type golf clubs decrease in length at the same rate. The set of iron type golf clubs is further designed such that the design efficiency increases as the loft of the golf clubs decreases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of golf clubs employing a two-piece golf club shaft wherein the lengths of the first and second shaft members vary as the loft of the golf club varies. The set of clubs includes a plurality of golf clubs having varying lofts extending from lower loft golf clubs to higher loft golf clubs, wherein each golf club includes a club head and a shaft having a distal end and a butt. Each shaft includes a first member having a first end located at the butt end of the golf club shaft and a second end positioned slightly short of the distal end of the golf club shaft. A second member is secured to the second end of the first member. The second member extends from the second end of the first member to the distal end of the golf club shaft and includes a first end securely coupled to the second end of the first member and a second end which is ultimately secured to a golf club head.

Abstract: A device has a sliding tube assembly which can be mounted to a motor vehicle. The tube assembly has three tubes which coaxially telescope between a lowered loading/unloading position and either a raised storage position or a raised loaded position. A pivotable platform attached to the tube assembly is controlled by a logic mechanism which senses whether cargo is present on the platform. If cargo is present, the platform may be raised and a locking mechanism secures the cargo to the platform. If no cargo is present as the platform is raised, it pivots into a folded storage position and is held securely by the locking mechanism. When the platform is in one of the two raised positions, the tube assembly and platform tilt forward. The device is driven by a motor activated linear actuator extending down through the tube assembly. A control system governs operation of the device.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a vertically openable access door includes a reinforcement bracket for each cylinder mounting. The bracket is bent to provide tortional and other force absorption capability. The bracket is also of sufficient size to cover the immediate area where a cylinder is mounted and any remote locations where forces may be applied through a moment arm created by rotation and exertion of a force on the vehicle by a cylinder. The cylinders may be hydraulically operated to effectuate opening and closing of the door.