Patents by Inventor Tim A. Beno

Tim A. Beno 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: 12214265
    Abstract: A variable thickness face plate for a golf club head includes a peripheral edge having an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge, and a plurality of regions of constant thickness defined by an internal surface of the face plate. The plurality of regions of constant thickness include a first subset of regions of constant thickness being disposed along a first horizontally-extending path proximate the upper peripheral edge, the first horizontally-extending path being disposed radially inward from and parallel to the upper peripheral edge, and a second subset of regions of constant thickness being disposed along a second horizontally-extending path proximate the lower peripheral edge, the second horizontally-extending path being disposed radially inward from and parallel to the lower peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Tim A. Beno, Steven M. Mitzel
  • Patent number: 11013970
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body having a heel and a toe. The golf club head further comprises a sole plate configured to be attached to the body and an interlocking structure formed on a rear surface of the body. The sole plate engages with the interlocking structure to properly align the sole plate with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Bryce Hobbs, Collin Lervick, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 10821337
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a heel, a toe, a sole, and a rail. The toe is opposite the heel. The sole is between the toe and the heel. The sole has a forward portion and an aft portion. A forward-aft direction is defined from the forward portion to the aft portion. A heel-toe direction is defined from the heel to the toe. The rail extends outwardly from the sole along the forward-aft direction. The rail and the sole define an open-ended first channel extending along the rail in the forward-aft direction. The rail defines a second channel extending in the heel-toe direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bryce Hobbs, D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Tim A. Beno, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 10780328
    Abstract: The invention provides golf club heads having aerodynamic features that disrupt air flow over the face when the club is swung. The features are milled into the face of the club head, including curved faces found in wood-type club heads. During a swing, the features cause the boundary layer to separate at a point closer to the rear of the club head during a swing, resulting in reduced drag. The invention also provides golf club heads with faces having a central region of symmetrical surface roughness. The symmetrical roughness in the central region of the face of wood-type club heads allows for shots with less spin and greater distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Michael S. Yagley, Cameron J. Day
  • Patent number: 10512825
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head constructed from multiple components formed of different materials. In particular, a club head of the present disclosure includes a club head body, such as a cast or forged body portion, made from a first metal, and at least one removable component configured to be releasably attached to the club head body, the removable component being made from a second metal that is different than the first metal. The golf club head includes a semi-hollow, or completely hollow-bodied, ball-striking face cartridge made from at least titanium. In some embodiments, the hollow face cartridge may be integrally formed with the club head body. In other embodiments, the hollow face cartridge may be formed separately from the club head body and may be removed from and re-attached to the club head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Bryce Hobbs, Collin Lervick, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 10512827
    Abstract: A golf club head with at least one hollow rail disposed on the sole of the club head body, and an insert positioned within at least a portion of the at least one hollow rail. The insert may include a thermoplastic polymer, such as thermoplastic urethane, and may be positioned to beneficially modify a mass distribution of the club head. By providing sole rail(s), a player may benefit from improved ball speed due to the improved interaction between the club head and turf or ground. The golf club head may further include a channel along a length of the sole of the club head, wherein the channel traverses the at least one hollow rail. The channel may extend in a heel-toe direction along the sole and allow greater flexibility in the club head upon impact with a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryce Hobbs, D. Clayton Evans, Cameron J. Day, Tim A. Beno, Ryan L. Roach
  • Patent number: 10293235
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 10213660
    Abstract: The invention provides golf club heads having aerodynamic features that disrupt air flow over the face when the club is swung. The features are milled into the face of the club head, including curved faces found in wood-type club heads. During a swing, the features cause the boundary layer to separate at a point closer to the rear of the club head during a swing, resulting in reduced drag. The invention also provides golf club heads with faces having a central region of symmetrical surface roughness. The symmetrical roughness in the central region of the face of wood-type club heads allows for shots with less spin and greater distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Michael S. Yagley, Cameron J. Day
  • Patent number: 10086238
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head constructed from multiple components formed of different materials. In particular, a club head of the present disclosure includes a club head body, such as a cast or forged body portion, made from a first metal, and at least one removable component configured to be releasably attached to the club head body, the removable component being made from a second metal that is different than the first metal. The golf club head includes a semi-hollow, or completely hollow-bodied, ball-striking face cartridge made from at least titanium. In some embodiments, the hollow face cartridge may be integrally formed with the club head body. In other embodiments, the hollow face cartridge may be formed separately from the club head body and may be removed from and re-attached to the club head body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Bryce Hobbs, Collin Lervick, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 9968827
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9901794
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head with a fully removable component that can withstand the stress of repeated hits. When assembled, the removable component is held in place by a fastening mechanism that includes structural elements that distribute the holding force across the component and tend to equalize the forces around the periphery where the component meets the body. The fastening mechanism may include a post that reaches across the open space within the hollow club head, pulling the removable component towards an opposed main club head body. Since a golf club of the present invention can be opened, it may include a mechanism on the inside for use by a golfer, such as an electronic device or an adjustment mechanism. The golf club may include a weight adjustment system that allows the club to be custom-fitted to a golfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Caleb Kroloff, Steven M. Mitzel, Scott H. Moreira, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 9855474
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20170368412
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9789361
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Patent number: 9616301
    Abstract: The invention includes a releasable component for use on a golf club head, wherein the component itself may serve as a portion of the club head face, crown, sole, or other portion of the club head body when attached to the club head. The component includes an anti-over rotation mechanism configured to prevent overtightening of the component to a corresponding counterbore on the golf club head. The anti-over rotation mechanism is embodied as a taper design defined on a flange of a threaded component and a corresponding taper design on a flange surface of a counterbore. The counterbore is configured to receive and retain the releasable component by way of a threaded engagement, wherein the interaction between the corresponding taper flange designs of the releasable component and counterbore prevents over rotation of the releasable component, particularly resisting rotation due to ball strike impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl Clausen, Tim A. Beno, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20160354658
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20160346657
    Abstract: The invention relates to golf clubs, more particularly to mechanisms for fastening accessories to clubs. The invention provides a golf club configured to house an electronic device such as an RFID tag within a recess within the grip, thereby protecting the device from the stress, shock, and exposure that arises when a golf club is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael T. McDonnell, Scott H. Moreira, Michael S. Yagley
  • Publication number: 20160325156
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head with a fully removable component that can withstand the stress of repeated hits. When assembled, the removable component is held in place by a fastening mechanism that includes structural elements that distribute the holding force across the component and tend to equalize the forces around the periphery where the component meets the body. The fastening mechanism may include a post that reaches across the open space within the hollow club head, pulling the removable component towards an opposed main club head body. Since a golf club of the present invention can be opened, it may include a mechanism on the inside for use by a golfer, such as an electronic device or an adjustment mechanism. The golf club may include a weight adjustment system that allows the club to be custom-fitted to a golfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Caleb Kroloff, Steven M. Mitzel, Scott H. Moreira, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco
  • Patent number: 9440123
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head having a port for providing a view into the interior cavity of the club head. The club head further includes at least one rib positioned along an internal surface of the club head and adjacent to the port. The at least one rib is configured to provide sound tuning characteristics, increasing the frequency of the port, thereby improving acoustic properties of the club head, particularly the sound produced by the golf club head during ball impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl Clausen
  • Patent number: 9421438
    Abstract: The invention provides a golf club head that includes a weight adjustment system inside of the club head. Preferably, when the club is played, no part of the adjustment system is directly accessible or exposed to an exterior of the club. The club head may include a panel that opens or is removable, or the club head may be disassembled to provide access to the internal weight adjustment system. A weight adjustment system generally includes at least one mechanism by which a mass distribution of the golf club head can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim A. Beno, Karl A. Clausen, Andrew Curtis, Cameron J. Day, Caleb Kroloff, Douglas E. Roberts, Richard Romo Sanchez, Peter L. Soracco, Michael S. Yagley