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).

  • Patent number: 7850541
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
  • Patent number: 7811180
    Abstract: A composite material golf club head is provided having a body made from a first metal and a face insert press fitted to a portion of the body and made from a second metal. The metals are chosen so that the first metal is heavier than the second metal. The second metal is disposed towards the front and top of the body, and is preferably hard-anodized. In addition, an interlocking structure, for example rectangular or dove tail shaped channels, is provided in the body so that the face insert becomes embedded in the interlocking structure to anchor the face insert to the body. Portions of the golf club head, such as the face insert or sole plate, are anodized to protect against corrosion. The anodized coating is colored to improve aesthetic characteristics or infused with a polymer to increase or reduce friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Scott A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20100255929
    Abstract: A golf club head having indentions provided in a transition zone of the club head. The transition zone of the club head is provided between a first portion of the club head having a first thickness and a second portion of the club head having a second thickness. The indentations are provided at non-structural areas to reduce the weight of the transition zone. The mass can then be moved to a more desirable location in the club head, thereby improving the playability characteristics of the club head, including center of gravity and moment of inertia. The transition zone may be provided at different areas of the club head including the hosel, between the face and the body of the club head and between the crown and sole of the club head. The indentations are provided with the desired height, length and width to achieve weight reduction without effecting the structural integrity of the club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Ryan L. Roach, Scott A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20100255930
    Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. The hitting face of the club head has varying thickness, with a thickest portion being at or near the geometric center of the plate-like hitting face. A second thickened portion of the hitting face substantially surrounds the thickest portion. The portions of varying thickness taper therebetween for relatively smooth cross-sectional profiles. The hitting face may further comprise a plurality of indentations at least partially located within the outer intermediate zone of the hitting face, having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the hitting face at the geometric center and tapered portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Joshua G. Breier
  • Patent number: 7803065
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Gregory Haralson, Charles E. Golden, Thomas C. Morris
  • Patent number: 7789766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Scott A. Rice, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20100203981
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Gregory Haralson, Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Scott A. Knutson, Thomas W. Preece
  • Publication number: 20100197425
    Abstract: 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. An internal 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 internal 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Scott A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20100190571
    Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. In another embodiment, the hitting face as a central zone that is thicker than the surrounding material. In another embodiment, a dense insert is attached directly or indirectly to a plate-like face insert at or near the geometric center of the insert. In another embodiment, the central zone of the hitting face is reinforced with ribs. In another embodiment, the central zone is elliptical with varying thickness. In this embodiment, the central zone minor axis is thinner than the major axis. The central zone is positioned within the hitting face such that the minor axis is oriented from the low heel region to the high toe region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 7762907
    Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. The hitting face of the club head has varying thickness, with a thickest portion being at or near the geometric center of the plate-like hitting face. A second thickened portion of the hitting face substantially surrounds the thickest portion. The portions of varying thickness taper therebetween for relatively smooth cross-sectional profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Scott A. Rice
  • Patent number: 7758451
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cobra Golf, Inc
    Inventors: Ming-Ching Liang, Tien-Ken Liang, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Peter L. Soracco
  • Publication number: 20100173725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Publication number: 20100151962
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a golf club head is disclosed. The golf club head includes a first and second part, each of which may include more than one portion of the golf club head. The two parts are operatively connected using a single, continuous, non-planar weld line. Preferably, the weld line passes through a transition between the face and either the crown of the club or the sole of the club. Each portion of the club may include different percentages of the face and/or body, providing the advantage of minimizing manufacturing costs and time while controlling club head performance attributes to a higher level of precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Charles E. Golden, Scott A. Rice
  • Patent number: 7704162
    Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. In another embodiment, the hitting face as a central zone that is thicker than the surrounding material. In another embodiment, a dense insert is attached directly or indirectly to a plate-like face insert at or near the geometric center of the insert. In another embodiment, the central zone of the hitting face is reinforced with ribs. In another embodiment, the central zone is elliptical with varying thickness. In this embodiment, the central zone minor axis is thinner than the major axis. The central zone is positioned within the hitting face such that the minor axis is oriented from the low heel region to the high toe region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Patent number: 7699717
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Morris, Gregory Haralson, Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Scott A. Knutson, Thomas W. Preece
  • Patent number: 7682262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Publication number: 20100041492
    Abstract: A golf club shaft having a weight distribution such that the balance point percentage is less than or equal to 44.50%. The weight distribution of the shaft allows for an increase in length and/or club head weight of a golf club while having a reduced impact on the swing weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Donald S. Bone, Dustin A. Barksdale
  • Publication number: 20090275424
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Publication number: 20090258724
    Abstract: A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. The hitting face of the club head has varying thickness, with a thickest portion being at or near the geometric center of the plate-like hitting face. A second thickened portion of the hitting face substantially surrounds the thickest portion. The portions of varying thickness taper therebetween for relatively smooth cross-sectional profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Scott A. Rice
  • Patent number: D602105
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Rice, James G. Lewis