Patents by Inventor William F. Rauchholz

William F. Rauchholz 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: 8641548
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, Nicholas Yontz
  • Patent number: 8641546
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8641547
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, James A. Niegowski
  • Patent number: 8636603
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20140018946
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20130324290
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club, includes a head with a face having a striking surface configured for striking a ball and being defined by a plurality of peripheral edges, a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the peripheral edges of the face, and a sole member connected to the sole of the body. The sole member may be removably connected to the sole, which can permit removal and replacement with another sole member having a different property. The sole member may additionally or alternately be movably connected to the sole, which can permit adjustment of the sole member, such as to change the lie angle of the head. The sole member may be at least partially received in a receiver in the sole and may form at least a portion of the lowermost surface of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew G.V. Oldknow, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20130312291
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: William E. Berner, JR., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8568278
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8499476
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20130184094
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20130184091
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, James A. Niegowski
  • Publication number: 20130184089
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, Nicholas Yontz
  • Publication number: 20130184095
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8430761
    Abstract: A golf club with a golf club head having a wear indicator is provided. The wear indicator may be located on the club head face, the hosel, the sole portion or the rear portion of the club head body. Also, multiple wear indicators may be provided on separate portions of the club head. Inserts may be used to provide a wear indicating portion. A coating may be provided to serve as a wear indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Fedorochko, William F. Rauchholz, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8357057
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a crown portion, the crown portion including a fixed portion proximal to the ball striking face, and a removable weight portion, which is configured to be coupled with the fixed portion on a side of the crown portion away from the ball striking face. The club head body may further include an interior portion with a frame member defined therein. The crown weight may further include a weight member attached to the frame member, the weight member including at least one receptacle defined therein. The removable weight portion may further include at least one weight insert supported within the weight member in the at least one receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20120179278
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8152695
    Abstract: Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Publication number: 20110314702
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: William E. Berner, JR., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 8033930
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads (e.g. drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) a club head body engaged or integrally formed with the ball striking face, wherein the club head body includes a crown portion, the crown portion including a fixed portion proximal to the ball striking face, and a removable weight portion, which is configured to be coupled with the fixed portion on a side of the crown potion away from the ball striking face. The club head body may further include an interior portion with a frame member defined therein. The crown weight may further include a weight member attached to the frame member, the weight member including at least one receptacle defined therein. The removable weight portion may further include at least one weight insert supported within the weight member in the at least one receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, William F. Rauchholz, John T. Stites
  • Patent number: 8015732
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices include: (a) a housing, optionally an asymmetrical housing, for receiving an electronic module; (b) release mechanisms for removably mounting the module in the housing; and/or (c) activation/authentication systems for selectively activating the module. Additionally, methods of making articles of footwear or other structures that include such housings, electronic modules, release systems, activation systems, authentication systems, etc. are described. Performance sensing systems and methods of using the above devices for sensing performance characteristics also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz