Vibratory Wave (e.g, Shock Wave, Etc.) Modifying Feature Patents (Class 473/332)
  • Customizable center-of-gravity golf club head
    Patent number: 8491413
    Abstract: A metal golf club head that allows a user to customize the location of the center of gravity. The metal golf club head comprises a hollow body with a weighting port. The weighting port allows a user to place weighting material inside the hollow body, customizing the location of the center of gravity, the swing weight, the total weight, and the balance of the golf club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Multi-material golf club head
    Patent number: 8491412
    Abstract: A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Peter Soracco, Nicholas M. Nardacci, Scott A. Rice, Thomas C. Morris, Christopher B. Best
  • Golf club head with face insert
    Patent number: 8485918
    Abstract: A golf club head with a face insert that is only partially connected to the body of the golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a face insert wherein the face insert is only connected to the body of the golf club head at specific engagement portions around the perimeter of the face insert while keeping the remainder of the perimeter unengaged. The golf club head disclosed in accordance with the present invention will allow for removal of excessive weight traditionally needed to connect the face insert to the body of the golf club head, therefore improving the performance of the golf club head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Joshua G. Breier
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD
    Publication number: 20130150177
    Abstract: An iron golf club head according to this invention includes a head body and a face member. The face member includes a front portion forming portion which forms the front portion of a sole portion. The head body includes a sole forming portion thicker than the front portion forming portion. The end surface of the sole forming portion on the side of a face portion includes a lower region attached to the end surface of the front portion forming portion on the back side, and an upper region above the lower region. An elastic body is disposed in the gap between the upper region and the back surface of the face member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH REPLACEABLE FACE
    Publication number: 20130150179
    Abstract: A golf club head having a replaceable striking face is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head where at least a portion of the frontal striking surface of the face is detachable and replaceable to improve performance. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a thinned striking face with a thickness of less than about 3.0 mm yielding a golf club head with a larger sweet spot that's greater than 6% of the frontal striking surface; defined as an area of the frontal striking surface having at least 99% of the maximum characteristic time between about 239 microseconds to about 257 microseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ACUSHNET COMPANY
    Inventor: ACUSHNET COMPANY
  • IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH VIBRATION DAMPING
    Publication number: 20130150178
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head which comprises a body m ember with a central cavity therein, a damping member and a face member disposed within the central cavity. Further, the rear surface of the body member includes an opening, preferably circular in shape. The body member is composed of a first metal material and the face is composed of a second metal material. The damping member is preferably composed of a EPDM material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY
    Inventor: Callaway Golf Company
  • Golf club head with improved mass distribution
    Patent number: 8460122
    Abstract: A golf club head having a striking wall having a front surface, and a rear surface, a top surface, and a sole portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface, the sole portion having a forward end, a rearward end, an upper surface and a lower surface. The intersection of the upper surface and the rear surface defines an interior sole line. The intersection of the upper surface and the rearward end defines a trailing edge. A region on the upper surface includes variation of the height of the trailing edge or exterior sole line relative to the height of the interior sole line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jesse D. Sukman
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8454452
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a strike face, a rear wall behind the strike face, and a perimeter-weighting element at least partially surrounding the rear wall. The club head may further include a preload spacer associated with the rear wall and a resilient component associated with the perimeter-weighting element. The preload spacer engages the resilient component to provide positive reinforcement of the coupling between the resilient component and the perimeter-weighting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. Wallans
  • COMPOSITE GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH IMPROVED SOUND
    Publication number: 20130137531
    Abstract: A composite golf club head with improved sound characteristics is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head that utilizes a unique composite type material having a low damping coefficient; creating more discretionary weight to optimize performance without comprising the sound of the golf club head. Depending on the amount of discretionary weight desired, the present invention could replace parts of the crown, the sole, the striking face, or even all three of the above referenced components with a low-damping composite material to improve the performance. The low-damping composite material used in accordance with the current invention may generally have a damping loss factor (?) of less than about 0.02.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Charles E. Golden, Uday V. Deshmukh
  • Iron-type golf clubs
    Patent number: 8449408
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an iron-type golf club that may be included in a set. In particular, the inventive golf club includes an adjustable hosel coupling and a mechanism for altering the sole configuration. The golf club may be included in a set having a progressive sole configuration that provides desired bounce for each club within the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8449406
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a club body and a contact plate secured to the club body. The contact plate defines at least a portion of a striking surface having a plurality of striking surface grooves. A plurality of soft portions is provided that are coupled to a rear surface of the contact plate. The plurality of soft portions also corresponds to the plurality of striking surface grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Frame, Chris Schartiger, Michael Walker
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH STIFFENING AND SOUND TUNING COMPOSITE MEMBER
    Publication number: 20130130826
    Abstract: A golf club head with sound tuning composite members forming at least a portion of the surface of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The composite members being a composite layer made out of a sandwiched core layer that is interposed inside the midsection of the composite member to provide vibration damping and sound tuning characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Peter L. Soracco
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8444504
    Abstract: A golf club head with a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening is described. A face insert support structure is located at the front opening. The support structure includes a peripheral member and a rear support member. The rear support member has a front surface and a rear surface. A face insert is attached at the front opening and closes the front opening of the body. An undercut fill structure is attached to a portion of the rear surface of the rear support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing-Ling Chao, John Francis Lorentzen, Hsiang Lee
  • Structural Response Modifying Features of a Golf Club Head
    Publication number: 20130123041
    Abstract: A hollow golf club head having face end and tail ends, a strike face at the face end, a crown, a sole of length >3.5 inches, volume 0.300 cm3, and a structural response modifying constraining member having first and second ends, the second being forward of the first and spaced from the strike face, the contraining member extending vertically and in contact with the sole and the crown at its first and second ends, and extending horizontally a maximum distance that is <40% of the sole length, when the club head is in address position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: SRI Sports Limited
  • Golf Club Head
    Publication number: 20130116064
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventor: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8435134
    Abstract: A golf club head (20) having optimized ball speed robustness is disclosed. The golf club head (20) preferably has one or more channels (100, 110, 120) disposed proximate to a striking face (40), and in some embodiments the one or more channels (100, 110, 120) substantially encircle the striking face (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Larry G. Tang, J. Neil Hall, Sean Griffin
  • EXTREME WEIGHTED HYBRID AND OTHER WOOD-TYPE GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLUB HEADS
    Publication number: 20130109499
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body member defining an interior chamber; (b) a weight system engaged with a rear perimeter portion of the club head body member; and (c) a connection system connecting the weight system with the club head body (e.g., with the rear of the ball striking face portion). The club heads further may include one or more damping members in the interior chamber to alter the sound and/or otherwise attenuate a vibrational response of the club head. The damping members may extend between the ball striking face and the weight system, and optionally may engage the connection system. The damping member(s) may constitute a foam material compressed within the interior chamber of the club head. Methods of making such golf club head structures also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: NIKE, Inc.
  • Iron Type Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Weight Containing and/or Vibration Damping Insert Members
    Publication number: 20130109500
    Abstract: Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and (e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.). Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Nike, Inc.
  • Golf club head wear indicator
    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
  • Putter Heads and Putters Including Polymeric Material As Part of the Ball Striking Face
    Publication number: 20130102409
    Abstract: Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Nike, Inc.
  • Golf club head with reinforced crown
    Patent number: 8425347
    Abstract: A golf club head with reinforced crown is described herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Eric V. Cole
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8425342
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves or openings formed therein. This base may be joined with another material (such as a polymer backing material) to form the insert, wherein the backing material at least partially fills the grooves or openings. In some arrangements, the backing material of the insert may be visible at the top and/or bottom surfaces of the putter structures. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, John T. Stites, N. Franklin David, Donald S. Rahrig
  • GOLF PUTTER
    Publication number: 20130095953
    Abstract: A golf putter head includes a metal back body adapted to be secured to a golf club shaft and a metal face body including a golf ball contact surface. The metal back body and the metal face body have non-planar, inter-fitting surfaces facing one another without contact across a gap defined by the inter-fitting surfaces. The golf putter head further includes a vibration dampening intermediate body filling the gap to isolate the metal face body from the metal back body. Other embodiments of golf putters and golf putter heads are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: PRODUCT INSIGHT, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan R. Hotaling, James R. Varney
  • Muscle-back, with insert, iron type golf club head
    Patent number: 8419568
    Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
  • Golf club head with reinforced crown
    Patent number: 8414421
    Abstract: A golf club head with reinforced crown is described herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Eric V. Cole
  • Golf club head having ribs
    Patent number: 8409030
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a golf club head having at least one rib with an external portion. For example, according to one embodiment, a wood-type golf club head includes a body that has at least one wall defining an interior cavity. The golf club head further includes at least one rib projecting from the at least one wall. The at least one rib can include an internal portion located within the interior cavity and an external portion located without the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Henry Hoffman, Matthew David Johnson, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Golf club head with top line insert
    Patent number: 8393976
    Abstract: A golf club head having a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. The recess may be only in the top line of the club head or extend from the heel around the toe. An insert may be placed within the recess. The insert may have a density that is less than the density of the club head body to lower the center of gravity and moment of inertia or greater than the density of the club head body to raise the center of gravity and moment of inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Ryan L. Roach, Thomas C. Morris
  • Iron-type golf clubs
    Patent number: 8388464
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club includes a conventional-weight section, a lightweight section and a heavyweight section. The conventional-weight section includes the hitting face and at least a portion of the hosel. The heavyweight section, made of a denser material than the conventional-weight section, includes the sole and an optional back flange. The lightweight section, made of a material less dense than either of the other sections, includes a core to which the other two sections are secured, such as by co-molding the core to the other two sections. In the co-molding context, the components need not be constrained by their respective weight and density, but could be classified more generically as having a pre-formed component and a molding component irrespective of the densities of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, James G. Lewis, Ryan L. Roach
  • Golf club head with grooves and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 8382608
    Abstract: Embodiments of golf clubs with grooves and methods of manufacturing thereof are described herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes: a body having a strike face with one or more channels; and at least one insert located within at least one of the one or more channels. The at least one of the one or more channels includes a single groove. The at least one insert forms at least a portion of the single groove. A radius of an exterior edge of the single groove is partially formed by the at least one insert and is also partially formed by the strike face. A first part of the at least one insert is formed by a first material, and a second part of the at least one insert is formed by a second material different from the first material. Other embodiments and related methods are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Solheim
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8366567
    Abstract: A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Douglas E. Roberts, Andrew P. Chick
  • Iron-type golf club with vibration damping
    Patent number: 8366566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron-type golf club head which comprises a body member with a central cavity therein, a damping member and a face member disposed within the central cavity. Further, the rear surface of the body member includes an opening, preferably circular in shape. The body member is composed of a first metal material and the face member is composed of a second metal material. The damping member is preferably composed of a EPDM material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventor: Augustin W. Rollinson
  • Structural response modifying features for a golf club head
    Patent number: 8357056
    Abstract: A golf club head having a crown, a sole having a length, ls, a strike face, a structural response modifying element having a constraining portion and a cantilever portion, the constraining portion extending from the sole to the crown and having a length lsc that is between about 10% to about 40% of length ls, wherein the cantilever portion extends form the constraining member toward the strike face. In another embodiment the constraining portion extends from the crown to a skirt portion of the club head, but is not connected to the strike face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Horacek, John J. Rae, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe, Clark Radcliffe
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD
    Publication number: 20130017903
    Abstract: A golf club head of an iron type includes a face plate part for hitting a ball, which has a cavity part on the back side thereof; a sole part; a hosel part for connecting the head to a shaft; a viscoelastic body made to adhere to the back face of the face plate part, the viscoelastic body including a board-shaped part located on the back face of a central portion of the face plate part and extending parts extending from the board-shaped part to the toe side and the heel side of the head; and a cover plate lapping over the viscoelastic body, the cover plate including a concavity for accommodating the board-shaped part of the viscoelastic body and concave lines for accommodating the extending parts of the viscoelastic body. The cover plate has an opening, and a part of the viscoelastic body is exposed through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takaharu TAKECHI
  • Golf club head with stiffening and sound tuning composite member
    Patent number: 8353783
    Abstract: A golf club head with sound tuning composite members forming at least a portion of the surface of the golf club head is disclosed herein. The composite members being a composite layer made out of a sandwiched core layer that is interposed inside the midsection of the composite member to provide vibration damping and sound tuning characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter L. Soracco
  • HOLLOW GOLF CLUB WITH HIGH DENSITY WEIGHTS
    Publication number: 20130005501
    Abstract: A golf club with a new innovative construction to attach a high density weight to an external surface of the sole of a golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention relates to utilizing a thickened sole portion having a specific surface area to thickness ratio to provide adequate support for a high density weight having a significant amount of mass. The new innovative method of attachment also incorporates a unique mechanical lock to properly secure the high density weight to the club head, as materials used for high density weighting may not be easily weldable to the titanium material currently used for metalwood type golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Gentry Ferguson, Takeshi Casey Funaki, Keisuke Yamane
  • Golf Club Head Having a Bridge Member and a Damping Element
    Publication number: 20120329570
    Abstract: A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member and a damping element is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a damping element extends from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member to define a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the damping element extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member. The damping element may reduce the vibration and sound of the golf club head upon impact with a golf ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Stites, Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Byron C. Slaughter, Michael G. Taylor, David N. Franklin
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8337320
    Abstract: Putters include a putter body having a ball striking face member made of a material having a first hardness characteristic. A cavity is defined in the putter body behind the ball striking face member, and plural openings are defined in the ball striking face member extending rearward with respect to the ball striking face member and into the cavity. A polymeric material at least partially fills the openings and the cavity, wherein the polymeric material has a second hardness characteristic that is softer than the first hardness characteristic. The ball striking face member and the polymeric material exposed in at least some of the openings provide a ball striking surface of the putter. The ball striking surface may include grooves or scorelines to affect the launch angle, spin, and/or roll of the ball during a putt. Methods for making such putter devices also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites
  • Iron type golf clubs and golf club heads having weight containing and/or vibration damping insert members
    Patent number: 8337325
    Abstract: Iron golf clubs heads and clubs include: (a) a ball striking face; (b) an opposite rear surface; (c) a sole portion extending rearward from the ball striking face and defining a cavity having an open upper portion; (d) an insert element mounted in the cavity, wherein the insert element includes at least one weight port; and (e) a weight member mounted in the port. The insert element may substantially fill the cavity to dampen vibrations and/or noise when a ball is struck. Additionally, the insert element may allow the weight(s) to be selectively placed to enable customization and tuning of the overall weight of the club head (e.g., for swing weighting purposes, for ball flight control purposes, etc.). Methods of making such club heads and clubs also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Byron C Slaughter, Charles Jack Green, III
  • Extreme weighted hybrid and other wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads
    Patent number: 8337326
    Abstract: Wood-type golf club heads include: (a) a club head body member defining an interior chamber; (b) a weight system engaged with a rear perimeter portion of the club head body member; and (c) a connection system connecting the weight system with the club head body (e.g., with the rear of the ball striking face portion). The club heads further may include one or more damping members in the interior chamber to alter the sound and/or otherwise attenuate a vibrational response of the club head. The damping members may extend between the ball striking face and the weight system, and optionally may engage the connection system. The damping member(s) may constitute a foam material compressed within the interior chamber of the club head. Methods of making such golf club head structures also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lukasiewicz, Jr., Robert Boyd
  • Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Fluid-Filled Bladders and/or Interior Chambers
    Publication number: 20120322575
    Abstract: Golf club heads include: (a) a club head body having a ball striking face and defining a rear cavity; (b) a fluid-filled bladder in the cavity; and (c) a retaining member holding the fluid-filled bladder in the cavity. Other club heads include: (a) a club head body having a ball striking face and defining a rear cavity; and (b) an insert member in the rear cavity, wherein the insert member interior includes one or more chambers facing the rear surface of the ball striking face. The chamber(s) may cover at least 30% of a total surface area of the interior surface of the insert member and/or at least 30% of a total interior major surface area of the rear cavity. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf clubs and golf club heads also are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, John T. Stites, Eric A. Larson, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Muscle-back, with insert, iron type golf club head
    Patent number: 8328660
    Abstract: A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Douglas E. Roberts, Trent E. Garner, Kevin A. Wolfe, Daniel J. Stone, Christopher J. Beck, Todd D. Harman, Brent L. Newsome, Michael J. Wallans, Nathaniel J. Radcliffe
  • Metal wood club
    Patent number: 8328659
    Abstract: A golf club head is provided having a body and a face insert, with a slot in a perimeter region of the body of the club head adjacent the face insert. The slot increases the flex of the hitting surface on impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the speed with which the ball rebounds off the hitting face and increases the overall distance the ball is hit. The slot preferably moves the sweet spot of the hitting face a distance X from the face center of the hitting face. The slot may be filled with an elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: David A. Shear
  • Golf Club Assembly and Golf Club With Sole Plate
    Publication number: 20120289359
    Abstract: A body member has a face plate and a first engaging member. A sole plate has a second engaging member, the first and second engaging members being interlocked with one another. A layer of resilient material is disposed between the first engaging member and the second engaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Kenneth Brown
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8292754
    Abstract: Golf clubs and golf club heads, such as putter heads, may include a putter body and an insert forming a ball striking face and engaged with the putter body. Portions of the insert may be formed of a metal material, while portions of the insert may be formed of a polymer material. The insert may include a base portion having grooves formed therein. This base may be joined with another material to form the insert. In some arrangements, the insert may be a two-sided, reversible construction and may have different performance characteristics associated with each side of the insert. Methods for making such putter devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, Donald S. Rahrig, John T. Stites
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FACE INSERT
    Publication number: 20120258820
    Abstract: A golf club head with a face insert that is only partially connected to the body of the golf club head is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a face insert wherein the face insert is only connected to the body of the golf club head at specific engagement portions around the perimeter of the face insert while keeping the remainder of the perimeter unengaged. The golf club head disclosed in accordance with the present invention will allow for removal of excessive weight traditionally needed to connect the face insert to the body of the golf club head, therefore improving the performance of the golf club head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Joshua G. Breier
  • IRON GOLF CLUB HEAD AND IRON GOLF CLUB
    Publication number: 20120252600
    Abstract: An iron golf club head includes: a head portion; and a badge portion adhered to the head portion. The head portion includes: a face surface; and a back surface located behind the face surface. The badge portion is adhered to at least one of a first largest amplitude region where an amplitude in a fourth-order vibration mode of the back surface is the largest and a second largest amplitude region where an amplitude in a fifth-order vibration mode of the back surface is the largest. As a result, there can be obtained an iron golf club head and an iron golf club, in which by suppressing decrease in resonant time of the hitting sound and reducing the sound pressure of the hitting sound, the hitting sound and the hitting feeling can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Mizuno Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Tsuji, Yukihiro Teranishi, Naoya Joichi, Yasuyuki Ohta, Noriyuki Tabuchi, Kazuhiro Doi
  • Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads
    Publication number: 20120252599
    Abstract: A golf club head enables the initial velocity of a ball to be increased and enables the carry to be lengthened. In some example structures, the golf club includes a face plate formed from metal and club head body (e.g., a crown and sole) formed from fiber reinforced plastic. A weighted body is provided inside the rearmost portion of the golf club head and a low rigidity portion whose width becomes gradually narrower as it approaches the rearmost portion is provided in the crown extending from the vicinity of the face plate to the rearmost portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD., NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi KAWAGUCHI, Michael F. KELLY, Hitoshi KODAMA, Tsuneo TAKANO
  • Composite metal wood club
    Patent number: 8277334
    Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion and a crown portion, each portion constructed of a different density material. Combining a high-density material in the body portion, with a low-density material in the crown portion, creates an ultra-low center of gravity relative to the geometric face center, resulting in higher launch angles and spin rate ratios. The material for the crown portion is preferably a composite. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the ledge and lip sections of the body and crown respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
  • Iron head
    Patent number: 8277337
    Abstract: An iron head is provided with a recess portion provided in an upper portion of a backside surface thereof, and a protruding portion provided at a lower portion of the backside surface. A first hollow portion is provided on a heel side from a bottom surface of a recess portion to a sole surface; and a second hollow portion is disposed on a toe side. The first hollow portion and the second hollow portion do not exist behind a sweet area. The first hollow portion and the second hollow portion may be filled with a shock absorber formed of a rubber or an elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Shimazaki
  • Iron golf club head
    Patent number: 8267807
    Abstract: An iron golf club head has a faceplate for hitting a golf ball, the faceplate having a back face; a viscoelastic body fixed onto the back face of the faceplate; and a backplate for sandwiching the viscoelastic body with the faceplate, the backplate having a flange that extends out of the periphery of the viscoelastic body and is fixed onto the back face of the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Takechi, Daisuke Horii