Patents by Inventor Yasushi Ichikawa

Yasushi Ichikawa 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).

  • Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses
    Publication number: 20120046127
    Abstract: Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Derek A. Fitchett, Peter Newbury
  • Golf Balls including Multiple Dimple Types and/or Multiple Layers of Different Hardnesses
    Publication number: 20120043686
    Abstract: Golf balls may include a first pole, a second pole, and a seam located between the first and second poles. Dimples are formed on a surface of the ball in a pattern that includes a plurality of repeating sectors around each pole of the ball. The sectors on one ball half are rotationally offset across the seam line from the sectors on the other ball half. Additionally, each individual sector includes a line of symmetry over which the dimple pattern on one half of the sector is mirrored on the other half. A variety of different dimple types also may be arranged on a golf ball surface, e.g., within the sectors described above. Additional aspects of this invention relate to the features of various layers of a multi-piece golf ball and to methods of making golf balls having at least some of the features mentioned above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Derek A. Fitchett, Peter Newbury
  • Systems and Methods for Manufacturing a Golf Ball
    Publication number: 20120040775
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for manufacturing a multilayer golf ball having strong inter-layer bonding and desired structural characteristics, provided by including temporary, removable particles in a golf ball substrate and then removing the particles to form voids in the substrate, including the outer surface and interior of the substrate. Golf balls having the resulting strong inter-layer bonding and structural characteristics are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Golf Ball with Cover Having Zones of Hardness
    Publication number: 20120010025
    Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard, and areas that are soft. The hard areas make up 20% to 60% of the total surface area of the cover layer, preferably 30% to 50%. The hard areas may correspond to the dimples, while the soft areas may correspond to the land between the dimples. The hard areas may be at least about 3 units on the Shore D scale harder than the soft areas, preferably at least about 5 units. The hard areas may be formed in various geometric shapes, or in the shape of a graphic or logo, and be visibly colored. As a result of the arrangement of the hard areas and the soft areas, the golf ball simultaneously achieves good flight distance and good feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: CHIEN-HSIN CHOU, CHEN-TAI LIU, YASUSHI ICHIKAWA, CHIA-CHYI CHENG
  • Golf Ball Incorporating Thermoplastic Polyurethane
    Publication number: 20120004050
    Abstract: A rebound resilient golf ball having an core layer or layers with one or more cores, a scuff resistant cover of thermoplastic polyurethane surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. The cover is made from a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane that includes an isocyanate monomer and a hyper branched polyol, optional additional polyols, and one or more chain extenders. An optional mantle layer may also be made of thermoplastic polyurethane, particularly a dendritic thermoplastic polyurethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Sang-Hyuk Lee, Tae-Hoon Lim
  • Golf Balls Including Crosslinked Thermoplastic Polyurethane
    Publication number: 20120004052
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to golf balls made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments as catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The golf ball may include the crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer in the cover layer, in which case the cover layer may exhibit a high degree of scuff resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Hsin Chou, Chung-Yu Huang, Chen-Tai Liu, Hsin Cheng, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME
    Publication number: 20110274998
    Abstract: A fuel cell system 100 includes: a fuel cell 1 for generating a power by causing an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas supplied to an oxidant electrode 34 and a fuel gas supplied to a fuel electrode 67; a fuel gas supplier HS for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel electrode 67; and a controller 40 for controlling the fuel gas supplier HS to thereby supply the fuel gas to the fuel electrode 67, the controller 40 being configured to implement a pressure change when an outlet of the fuel electrode 67 side is closed, wherein based on a first pressure change pattern for implementing the pressure change at a first pressure width API, the controller 40 periodically changes a pressure of the fuel gas at the fuel electrode 67.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Keigo Ikezoe, Kenichi Goto, Ken Nakayama, Mitsunori Kumada, Yousuke Tomita
  • Golf Swing Data Gathering Method And System
    Publication number: 20110183780
    Abstract: A method and system for capturing, transmitting, and displaying golf swing data uses data capture elements in golf balls or golf clubs to capture data and transmission elements to transmit the golf swing data to a mobile computing auxiliary device. The mobile computing auxiliary device relays the captured and transmitted golf swing data to a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device transmits the golf swing data to a database. A server associated with the database generates web pages to make the golf swing data available over the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Leech, Arthur Molinari, Yutaka Kabeshita, Yasushi Ichikawa, Derek A. Fitchett, Bradley C. Tutmark
  • Golf Ball With Cover Having Varying Hardness
    Publication number: 20110177884
    Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard corresponding to the dimples, and areas that are soft corresponding to the land between the dimples. The cover layer may be selectively treated, such as by heating, to achieve a difference in hardness using a single cover layer material. Alternatively, the cover layer may be selectively coated with a coating material having a different hardness. As a result of the arrangement of the hard dimples and the soft land, the golf ball achieves reduced spin, and greater distances, when struck with a larger force (such as during a dive) while also achieving increased spin, and better control, when struck with a smaller force (such as during a chip).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Golf Ball With Cover Having Varying Hardness
    Publication number: 20110177887
    Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard corresponding to the dimples, and areas that are soft corresponding to the land between the dimples. The cover layer may be selectively treated, such as by heating, to achieve a difference in hardness using a single cover layer material. Alternatively, the cover layer may be selectively coated with a coating material having a different hardness. As a result of the arrangement of the hard dimples and the soft land, the golf ball achieves reduced spin, and greater distances, when struck with a larger force (such as during a dive) while also achieving increased spin, and better control, when struck with a smaller force (such as during a chip).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • GOLF BALL HAVING INCREASED MOMENT OF INERTIA
    Publication number: 20110177885
    Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes a coating material thereon that increases the golf ball's moment of inertia. The coating material is coated on the cover layer in a pattern corresponding to one of the dimple pattern and the pattern of land areas separating the dimples. The golf ball's moment of inertia is increased while utilizing only a small amount of the coating material as a result of the pattern of coating material, which locates the coating material at an outermost radial distance from the golf ball's center of rotation (i.e., the golf ball's center of gravity). The increased moment of inertia causes the golf ball to have a lower rate of spin when hit by a golf club, thereby displaying different play characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Solid Golf Ball With Thin Mantle Layer
    Publication number: 20110130220
    Abstract: A solid multi-layer golf ball includes a core, a mantle layer, and a cover layer. The cover layer and the mantle layer are both made of a thermoplastic polyurethane material. The cover layer is softer than the mantle layer and provided with an optimal thickness for spin and durability. The mantle layer is relatively thin compared to the cover layer and the volume of the ball as a whole. The mantle layer is also harder than the cover layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 7951016
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprises a core having a 5 structure consisting of at least two layers and a cover on the core consisting of outer and inner cover layers. The outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 40-60 degrees. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 53 degrees and lower than that of the outer cover layer. The ball's carry is comparable to conventional solid golf balls and spin receptivity is approximate to wound golf balls while the ball is durable and offers pleasant feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasushi Ichikawa, Junji Hayashi
  • Multilayer Solid Golf Ball
    Publication number: 20110053707
    Abstract: A multilayer solid golf ball maintains performance characteristics after exposure to high ambient temperatures. A core includes a thermoplastic material. The core is surrounded by an intermediate layer comprising a peroxide cross-linked polybutadiene. A single layer or double layer cover with dimples is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Yutaka Kabeshita, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hsin Cheng, Chien-Hsin Chou, Chen-Tai Liu
  • Method and System for Golf Ball Fitting Analysis
    Publication number: 20110009215
    Abstract: The present invention provides three golf ball recommendations correlating to ball fit values calculated using subject criteria, objective criteria and a composite fit value employing both subjective and objective criteria. The concept of the invention is to attempt to quantify even the subjective parameters of golfer's game and answers to survey questions in order to provide an avenue for quantitative analysis for golf ball fitting. The ball fit values are a construct based on a scale devised for this method to quantify how difficult or easy a golf ball is to play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Ishii Hideyuki, Kabeshita Yutaka, Leech Nicholas, Molinari Authur
  • Joint structure for antiseismic reinforcement
    Patent number: 7784226
    Abstract: A joint structure for antiseismic reinforcement includes at least one structural member having a longitudinal axis and at least one antiseismic reinforcement member. Each antiseismic reinforcement member has a longitudinal axis located in a plane that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the structural member. The longitudinal axis of the antiseismic reinforcement member is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the structural member. A metal fitting connects each of the antiseismic reinforcement members to the structural member. The metal fitting is not fixed to the structural member. At least one constraining member is fixed to the structural member close to or abutting an edge portion of the metal fitting. The constraining member bears a force applied to the metal fitting in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Eiichiro Saeki, Akira Wada
  • FUEL CELL STACK STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20100119910
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack structure includes, for example, a plurality of unit cells each having an aperture formed therethrough. A first fuel cell stack is formed by stacking the plurality of unit cells in a stacking direction and has an internal manifold opening defined by the apertures. A fluid passage within the cell for flowing a fluid that flows within the internal manifold is configured and arranged to flow the fluid in a plane generally perpendicular to the stacking direction of the unit cell. The structure also includes an external manifold having an external passage for supplying the fluid to the internal manifold, wherein the fluid flowing within the external passage creates a vortex proximal to the internal manifold by an external manifold surface facing a flow direction of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Iritsuki, Yasushi Ichikawa, Yuichiro Tabuchi
  • MULTI-PIECE SOLID GOLF BALL
    Publication number: 20090197701
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprises a core having a 5 structure consisting of at least two layers and a cover on the core consisting of outer and inner cover layers. The outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of 40-60 degrees. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 53 degrees and lower than that of the outer cover layer. The ball's carry is comparable to conventional solid golf balls and spin receptivity is approximate to wound golf balls while the ball is durable and offers pleasant feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisashi YAMAGISHI, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasushi Ichikawa, Junji Hayashi
  • FLUID PASSAGE STRUCTURE FOR FUEL CELL STACK
    Publication number: 20090176143
    Abstract: A fluid passage structure for a fuel cell stack according to this invention comprises an internal manifold (16) formed on an inner side of a laminated body (1) of a plurality of fuel cells in a lamination direction, an external fluid passage (22) that supplies a fluid to the internal manifold (16), and a connection portion (16a) that connects the fluid passage to the internal manifold. Each fuel cell comprises an in-cell fluid passage (15) that is connected to the internal manifold (16) from an orthogonal direction. By forming the connection portion (16a) such that a swirl is generated in the internal manifold (16) using the energy of the fluid that flows into the internal manifold (16) from the fluid passage (22), a pressure deviation in a transverse section of the internal manifold (16) is reduced, and the fluid supply rate to each in-cell fluid passage (15) is made even.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 7510487
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprises a core having a structure consisting of at least two layers and a cover on the core consisting of outer and inner cover layers. The core has a diameter in the range of 35 to 41 mm. The inner sphere of the core is formed of a rubber material based on polybutadiene and an outer layer is formed of a thermoplastic or rubber based material. The outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of up to 53 degrees and lower than that of the outer cover layer. The ball's carry is comparable to conventional solid golf balls and spin receptivity is approximate to wound golf balls while the ball is durable and offers pleasant feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Hiroshi Higuchi, Yasushi Ichikawa, Junji Hayashi