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).
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Patent number: 8641548Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, Nicholas Yontz
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Patent number: 8641546Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8641547Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, James A. Niegowski
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Patent number: 8636603Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20140018946Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20130324290Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: Andrew G.V. Oldknow, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20130312291Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: William E. Berner, JR., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8568278Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8499476Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20130184094Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20130184091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, James A. Niegowski
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Publication number: 20130184089Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: William F. Rauchholz, Nicholas Yontz
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Publication number: 20130184095Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventor: William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8430761Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Gary D. Fedorochko, William F. Rauchholz, Chia-Chyi Cheng
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Patent number: 8357057Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: John T. Stites, Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20120179278Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8152695Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Nike, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. Riley, Kevin W. Hoffer, William E. Berner, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Publication number: 20110314702Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: NIKE, INC.Inventors: William E. Berner, JR., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, JR., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
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Patent number: 8033930Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, Robert Boyd, William F. Rauchholz, John T. Stites
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Patent number: 8015732Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: NIKE, Inc.Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, Jr., Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz