Patents by Inventor Scott Rice
Scott Rice 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).
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Publication number: 20110151994Abstract: A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Curtis, Charles E. Golden, Scott A. Rice, Douglas E. Roberts, Thomas W. Preece
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Publication number: 20110152006Abstract: A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Curtis, Charles E. Golden, Scott A. Rice, Douglas E. Roberts, Thomas W. Preece
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Publication number: 20110151992Abstract: A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Curtis, Charles E. Golden, Scott A. Rice, Douglas E. Roberts, Thomas W. Preece
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Publication number: 20110151993Abstract: A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Andrew J. Curtis, Charles E. Golden, Scott A. Rice, Douglas E. Roberts, Thomas W. Preece
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Publication number: 20110143857Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATEDInventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
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Publication number: 20110118052Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
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Publication number: 20110118048Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice
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Patent number: 7938740Abstract: A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light-weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club. The metallic portion of the club head may take on the appearance of a frame, into which several light-weight inserts are positioned. These light-weight inserts may be positioned in the crown, skirt, and sole of the club head. The club head may be formed by co-molding, eliminating the need for welding or adhesives, freeing mass to be used in more beneficial ways. The club head may be large to increase playability and forgiveness.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc.Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Gregory Haralson, Scott A. Rice, Allan Saliba
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Patent number: 7935001Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
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Patent number: 7931545Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. Each material has a different tensile modulus of elasticity, where the center of the hitting face has a much higher tensile modulus of elasticity than the surrounding portions of the hitting face. This creates a stiff center and a more easily deflected concentric portion. In another embodiment, the materials have different yield strengths, where the center of the hitting face has a very high yield strength compared to the surrounding portions of the hitting face. The hitting face may then plastically deform around its periphery, while the center retains its original shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
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Patent number: 7922604Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Cobra Golf IncorporatedInventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
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Publication number: 20110070972Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
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Publication number: 20110065527Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
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Publication number: 20110053706Abstract: A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light-weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club. The metallic portion of the club head may take on the appearance of a frame, into which several light-weight inserts are positioned. These light-weight inserts may be positioned in the crown, skirt, and sole of the club head. The club head may be formed by co-molding, eliminating the need for welding or adhesives, freeing mass to be used in more beneficial ways. The club head may be large to increase playability and forgiveness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATEDInventors: Joshua G. Breier, Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Gregory Haralson, Charles E. Golden, Thomas C. Morris
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Patent number: 7892109Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
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Publication number: 20110028237Abstract: A weight adjusting structure of a golf club head comprises a 360-degree rotatable rotary table installed in a body of a golf club head, wherein the rotary table is combined with an incomplete annular weight block at a peripheral portion on an arbitrary side thereof, so that the rotary table and the weight block form a rotary table assembly whose weight orientation can be adjusted. The weighted rotary table assembly installed in the body of the golf club head can be used to adjust a distribution of different weights around 360 degrees, whereby a preferred location of the club head's gravity center can be set according to a golfer's swing posture and a location of the club head's gravity center the golfer is used to.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: COBRA GOLF, INC.Inventors: Ming-Ching Liang, Tien-Ken Liang, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7874934Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Peter L. Soracco, Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice
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Publication number: 20100331121Abstract: A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head and a fastener. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The fastener retains the shaft sleeve in the hosel. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features are provided that provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice, Peter L. Soracco
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Patent number: 7850544Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
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Patent number: 7850543Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. The main portion of the hitting face is a plate-like face made from a first material having a first density. A dense insert made from a second material having a second density that is greater than the first density is attached directly or indirectly to the plate-like face at or near the geometric center thereof. The dense insert increases the flexural stiffness of in a central zone of the hitting face so that a golf club head that has a larger zone of substantially uniform high initial ball speed. In another embodiment, the hitting face includes an insert that includes main plate and at least one wing extending therefrom. The insert is welded to the golf club head so that the main plate does not deflect separately from the remainder of the hitting face. The geometry of the insert controls the stiffness in the axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci