Patents by Inventor Viktor Keller
Viktor Keller 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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Patent number: 7241232Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, R. Dennis Nesbitt, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael John Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, Viktor Keller, William M. Risen, Jr.
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Publication number: 20070111824Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a cover composed of a transparent reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The cover is transparent to visible light and allows for viewing of a core or boundary layer. The core or boundary layer may have a visually appealing color. Further, an indicia may be printed on a surface of the core or boundary layer, and the indicia is visible through the cover material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: David Melanson, Vincent Simonds, Thomas Kennedy, John Nealon, Michael Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
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Patent number: 7182701Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has a core, one or more mantle or inner cover layers with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 53 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the inner and/or outer cover layers comprise a reaction injection molded polyurethane. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Viktor Keller, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William M. Risen, Jr., Michael John Tzivanis, Michael J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7160207Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, Viktor Keller, William M. Risen, Jr., Mark L. Binette, John L. Nealon
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Patent number: 7160210Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a cover composed of a transparent reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The cover is transparent to visible light and allows for viewing of a core or boundary layer. The core or boundary layer may have a visually appealing color. Further, an indicia may be printed on a surface of the core or boundary layer, and the indicia is visible through the cover material.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: David M. Melanson, Vincent J. Simonds, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, John L. Nealon, Michael J. Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
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Patent number: 7140981Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, R. Dennis Nesbitt, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael John Tzivanis, Mark L. Binette, Viktor Keller, William M. Risen, Jr.
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Publication number: 20060223654Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep depressions that extend through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath is disclosed. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the deep depressions extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to and/or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the deep depressions extend to and/or into the core. The cover layer(s) may be formed from any material suitable for use as a cover, including, but not limited to, ionomers, non-ionomers and blends of ionomers and non-ionomers. The deep depressions may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the deep depression that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the deep depression.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
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Patent number: 7086965Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 55 or less, and more preferably 50 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises one or more polyurethane materials. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Michael J. Tzivanis, Viktor Keller, William M. Risen, Jr., Mark L. Binette, John L. Nealon
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Patent number: 7083534Abstract: A golf ball (20) approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has an innersphere with a plurality of lattice members (40) and a plurality of deep depressions (99). Each of the plurality of lattice members (40) has an apex and the golf ball (20) of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members (40) preferably form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members (40) preferably has a continuous contour.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Steven S. Ogg, Thomas F. Bergin, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Viktor Keller, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
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Patent number: 7066843Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples that extend through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath is disclosed. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to and/or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to and/or into the core. The cover layer(s) may be formed from any material suitable for use as a cover, including, but not limited to, ionomers, non-ionomers and blends of ionomers and non-ionomers. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple. Optionally, a moisture barrier layer may be present between the core and/or the cover layer(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Viktor Keller, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
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Patent number: 7026430Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a golf ball by mixing a polyisocyanate copolymer and at least one other reactant, such as a polyol, to form a reaction product and reaction injection molding the reaction product to form at least one of a core and cover component. Preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes an aromatic polyisocyanate and an aliphatic polyisocyanate. Most preferably, the polyisocyanate copolymer includes a copolymer of toluene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Viktor Keller, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William M. Risen, Jr., Michael J. Tzivanis
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Publication number: 20060058118Abstract: A golf ball (20) approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has an innersphere with a plurality of lattice members (40) and a plurality of deep depressions (99). Each of the plurality of lattice members (40) has an apex and the golf ball (20) of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members (40) preferably form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members (40) preferably has a continuous contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANYInventors: Steven Ogg, Thomas Bergin, Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
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Publication number: 20060038323Abstract: An apparatus for making a golf ball is disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with a material flow inlet and the molding cavity. At least one portion of the material flow channel has a plurality of bends and at least one branching intersection adapted to promote turbulence in a liquid flowing therethrough. A method of making a golf ball is also disclosed. A golf ball made from the disclosed molding apparatus and/or process is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2005Publication date: February 23, 2006Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANYInventors: Michael Tzivanis, Eric Johnston, Mario Jarmuzewski, Gary Mendrala, Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller
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Publication number: 20060009310Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball having a cover composed of a transparent reaction injection molded polyurethane material. The cover is transparent to visible light and allows for viewing of a core or boundary layer. The core or boundary layer may have a visually appealing color. Further, an indicia may be printed on a surface of the core or boundary layer, and the indicia is visible through the cover material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: David Melanson, Vincent Simonds, Thomas Kennedy, John Nealon, Michael Tzivanis, Viktor Keller
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Publication number: 20050261086Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: Michael Sullivan, R. Nesbitt, Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, Mark Binette, Viktor Keller, William Risen
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Publication number: 20050250602Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball comprising fast-chemical-reaction-produced component, such as a component which comprises a reaction injection molded polyurethane material. A process of making a golf ball by forming at least one core and/or cover component of the ball by mixing two or more reactants that react and form a reaction product with a flex modulus of 5-310 kpsi in a reaction time of about 5 minutes or less, the component having a thickness of at least 0.01 inches and a demold time of 10 minutes or less is disclosed. In one preferred form of the invention, excess polyurethane from forming golf ball covers is recycled by using it to form golf ball cores.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, Viktor Keller, William Risen
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Publication number: 20050250603Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer provides one or more deep dimples that extend through the cover layer to and/or into a layer or component underneath is disclosed. The cover may be a single layer or it may include multiple layers. If the cover is a multi-layer cover, the dimples extend to or into at least the first inner cover layer, and may extend to and/or into two or more inner cover layers. If the cover is a single layer, the dimples extend to and/or into the core. The cover layer(s) may be formed from any material suitable for use as a cover, including, but not limited to, ionomers, non-ionomers and blends of ionomers and non-ionomers. The dimples may be spherical or non-spherical, and the portion of the dimple that extends to or into the next inner layer may be the same or different shape as the outer portion of the dimple. Optionally, a moisture barrier layer may be present between the core and/or the cover layer(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: November 10, 2005Inventors: Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
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Patent number: 6958020Abstract: A golf ball (20) approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has an innersphere with a plurality of lattice members (40) and a plurality of deep depressions (99). Each of the plurality of lattice members (40) has an apex and the golf ball (20) of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members (40) preferably form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members (40) preferably has a continuous contour.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Callaway Golf CompanyInventors: Steven S. Ogg, Thomas F. Bergin, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Viktor Keller, David M. Melanson, Michael J. Tzivanis
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Publication number: 20050227788Abstract: A golf ball (20) approaching zero land area is disclosed herein. The golf ball (20) has an innersphere with a plurality of lattice members (40) and a plurality of deep depressions (99). Each of the plurality of lattice members (40) has an apex and the golf ball (20) of the present invention conforms with the 1.68 inches requirement for USGA-approved golf balls. The interconnected lattice members (40) preferably form a plurality of polygons, preferably hexagons and pentagons. Each of the lattice members (40) preferably has a continuous contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANYInventors: Steven Ogg, Thomas Bergin, Thomas Kennedy, Viktor Keller, David Melanson, Michael Tzivanis
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Publication number: 20050176524Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The dual core comprises an interior spherical center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The one or more polyurethane layers are preferably formed via a reaction injection molding (RIM) technique. The inner cover layer is relatively soft and preferably comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend. The outer cover layer is relatively hard and comprises a hard polyurethane. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2005Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Michael Sullivan, R. Nesbitt, Thomas Kennedy, Michael Tzivanis, Mark Binette, Viktor Keller, William Risen