Vibratory Wave (e.g, Shock Wave, Etc.) Modifying Feature Patents (Class 473/332)
  • Golf club having removable sole weight using custom and interchangeable panels
    Patent number: 8262497
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Customizable center-of-gravity golf club head
    Publication number: 20120225733
    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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: DOGLEG RIGHT CORPORATION
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD HAVING RIBS
    Publication number: 20120220389
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Henry Hoffman, Matthew David Johnson, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Golf club head with improved mass distribution
    Patent number: 8246486
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Jesse D. Sukman
  • Transitioning hollow golf clubs
    Patent number: 8235833
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of golf club irons in which some of the club heads have a hollow space, and some of the club heads do not have a hollow space. The hollow space is preferably defined by a lower portion of the front face, a portion of the sole, and a rear wall. The presence of the hollow space moves the club head center of gravity back (away from the face) and down (toward the sole), making it easier to get a golf ball airborne. The volumes of the hollow spaces generally transition or get progressively smaller with an increase in the club loft angle, thus altering the center of gravity location and moments of inertia by different amounts for different clubs. The hollow spaces may be empty or filled, in whole or part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher B. Best, Ryan L. Roach
  • Club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8235842
    Abstract: Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Eric V. Cole, Randall B. Noble, David L. Petersen
  • EXTREME WEIGHTED HYBRID AND OTHER WOOD-TYPE GOLF CLUBS AND GOLF CLUB HEADS
    Publication number: 20120196697
    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: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lukasiewicz, JR., Robert Boyd
  • COLORIZED DAMPING INDICATORS FOR CUSTOMIZED GOLF CLUB HEADS
    Publication number: 20120190478
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf club having a playing characteristic that is communicated to a player based upon a vibration damping material that is colorized and visible from outside of the club head, thereby communicating to a golfer information about the playing characteristics of the club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Tim A. Beno, Andrew Curtis, Michael S. Yagley
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8226500
    Abstract: A head 2 is hollow. The head 2 has a face 4, a crown 6 and a sole 8. A rib 20 is provided on the inner surface of the head. Preferably, the rib 20 has a toe side part 20t located on the inner surface of a side 10 of a toe side, a sole disposing part 20s located on the inner surface of the sole 8, and a heel side part 20h located on the side 10 of a heel side. Preferably, the toe side part 20t and the sole disposing part 20s are connected with each other. Preferably, the sole disposing part 20s and the heel side part 20h are connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Akio Yamamoto, Seiji Hayase
  • Golf clubs and golf club heads having fluid-filled bladders and/or interior chambers
    Patent number: 8221263
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Tavares, John T. Stites, Eric A. Larson, Chia-Chyi Cheng
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8216081
    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: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy N. Snyder, David N. Franklin, John T. Stites, Donald S. Rahrig
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD
    Publication number: 20120172144
    Abstract: A head 1 is provided with a head body h1 and an adherend s1. The adherend s1 has a cast resin 53 formed by casting, a metal part 51, and a vibration absorber 55. The cast resin 53 has a formed surface formed by the metal part 51. The cast resin 53 further may have a formed surface formed by the vibration absorber 55. A base material of the cast resin 53 is an epoxy resin, for example. The cast resin 53 may have a cutting surface PL1. The cutting surface PL1 may be a joint surface of the adherend to the head body h1. Preferably, a loss tangent tan? of the vibration absorber 55 is 0.07 or greater and 0.25 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SRI SPORTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Naruhiro MAZUTANI
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8210962
    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: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John Thomas Stites
  • Golf club head with face insert
    Patent number: 8210965
    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: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Joshua G. Breier
  • Muscle-back iron golf clubs with higher moment of inertia and lower center of gravity
    Patent number: 8206237
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are muscle-back iron golf clubs that have improved mass qualities to provide higher rotational moments of inertia and lower center of gravity while retaining the workability of muscle-back irons and the size, shape and dimensions preferred by tour players and low handicap players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Douglas C. Jorgensen
  • Golf club head with reinforced crown
    Patent number: 8206242
    Abstract: A golf club head with reinforced crown is described herein. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Marty R. Jertson, Eric V. Cole
  • Golf club assembly and golf club with sole plate
    Patent number: 8206241
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Kenneth W. Brown
  • Golf club
    Patent number: 8202174
    Abstract: A golf club includes a golf club head that is generally constructed as a perimeter weighted golf club head and comprises a perimeter body, a hosel, at least one truss member and a face. The truss member extends between portions of the perimeter body to tune the vibration and deflection response of the golf club head in response to a golf ball impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, John Morin, Ryan L. Roach
  • Golf Club Heads or Other Ball Striking Devices Having Distributed Impact Response
    Publication number: 20120142447
    Abstract: A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face having a ball striking surface configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face and extending rearwardly from the face. The body has an impact-influencing structure positioned adjacent at least one peripheral edge of the face. A majority of a force generated by impact with a ball is absorbed by the impact-influencing structure, and a majority of a response force generated by the head upon impact with the ball is generated by the impact-influencing structure. The face may have increased stiffness as compared to existing faces, and may include a stiffening structure to create the increased stiffness. In one embodiment, the face may have a stiffness proximate the geometric center that is from about 4,600-5,600 lb-in2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Boyd, Eric Larson, Kenneth Brown, Martin Brouillette
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8192301
    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: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Douglas E. Roberts, Andrew P. Chick
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8192300
    Abstract: A golf club head having a hollow construction produces a characteristic low ball hitting sound to accommodate the diversity of golfers' preferences for ball hitting sounds even if the volume of the golf club head is increased to 430 to 500 cc and the weight thereof is decreased to 160 to 220 g. In a golf club head having a hollow construction and including a face part, a sole part, a crown part, and a side part, in which the head volume is 430 to 500 cc, and the head weight is 160 to 220 g, the area of the sole part is increased so that the primary natural frequency of the sole part is 2400 Hz or less, and a weight is formed at a position of the center of vibration in the sole part on the inner surface on the hollow construction side of the sole part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozue Wada, Wataru Ban, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8187117
    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 an insert, associated with the rear wall and the perimeter-weighting element, having a first portion and a second portion. Preferably, the second portion engages a supplementary component, associated with the perimeter-weighting element and dissociated from the rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventors: Mark Blumenkrantz, Michael J. Wallans
  • Iron-type golf clubs
    Patent number: 8182359
    Abstract: A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Charles E. Golden
  • IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUB HEAD
    Publication number: 20120122606
    Abstract: An iron-type golf club head comprises a head main portion having a face for hitting a golf ball, and weight members made of metallic material having heavier specific gravity than the head main portion. The head main portion has a tubular portion provided on a heel side of the face and having a shaft inserting hole. The tubular portion is provided continuously on the lower side of the shaft inserting hole with a bottomed hole part for arranging the weight members. The weight members include a heel-side weight member disposed in the bottomed hole part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Akio YAMAMOTO
  • Golf club head weight with seal and vibration dampener
    Patent number: 8177662
    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: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Dogleg Right Corporation
    Inventor: David P. Billings
  • Golf club head having ribs
    Patent number: 8172700
    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: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Henry Hoffman, Matthew David Johnson, Joshua J. Dipert
  • Golf club head with grooves and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 8172698
    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: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Solheim
  • Extreme weighted hybrid and other wood-type golf clubs and golf club heads
    Patent number: 8167739
    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: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lukasiewicz, Jr., Robert Boyd
  • Iron golf club with improved mass properties and vibration damping
    Patent number: 8152651
    Abstract: A golf club is provided having improved playing characteristics based upon a multiple material construction. This construction involves a club body in combination with a face insert that defines a hollow channel therebetween. This hollow channel is substantially filled with a heterogeneous viscoelastic material, such as urethane containing tungsten powder. The heterogeneous material is formulated such that the density of the material is varied based upon the location of that material within the hollow channel of the golf club head. In particular, lower density portions of the material are located near the top of the club head, and higher density portions are located near the bottom or sole of the club head. This moves the center of gravity of the club head downward and rearward, yielding improved feel and improved weight distribution and enhancing performance of the club.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventor: Ryan L. Roach
  • Putter Heads and Putters
    Publication number: 20120083353
    Abstract: Putter heads and putters include one or more of: (a) a main putter body portion including a first arm and a second arm; (b) a first polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the first arm; and (c) a second polymeric and/or damping element engaged with the second arm. The putter heads further may include polymeric material within the putter head structure and exposed at a central ball striking portion of the ball striking face, e.g., in elongated openings provided in the ball striking face. Grooves may be provided in the material of the ball striking face and/or in the exposed polymeric material to affect the ball launch. The putter heads may have various additional features or structures, e.g., relating to weighting features, alignment aid features, putter head constructions or parts, polymeric material exposure features, groove features, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, Andrew G.V. Oldknow, Jason P. Martin, Carl A. Jonsson
  • IRON-TYPE GOLF CLUBS
    Publication number: 20120071259
    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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts
  • Golf clubs and golf club heads
    Patent number: 8110060
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: NIKE, Inc., Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Michael L. Kelly, Hitoshi Kodama, Tsuneo Takano
  • Golf club having removable sole weight using custom and interchangeable panels
    Patent number: 8105175
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • FACE PLATES FOR GOLF CLUB HEADS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20120010018
    Abstract: Embodiments of face plates for golf club heads are disclosed herein. Other examples, and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Karsten Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: David D. Jones, Les J. Bryant, Xiaojian Chen
  • Golf club assembly and golf club with suspended face plate
    Patent number: 8092318
    Abstract: A golf club head includes a body member having a front surface, a major recess formed in the front surface, and a plurality of minor recess formed in a surface of the major recess. A face plate includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the rear surface. The face plate is received in the major recess, and each projection is received in a corresponding minor recess. A layer of resilient material may be disposed between each projection and the corresponding minor recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig
  • Golf club having removable sole weight using custom and interchangeable panels
    Patent number: 8092316
    Abstract: A golf club head is presented comprising a sole including a removable panel secured to the sole via a non-threaded attachment assembly. Further, the removable panel may have a large surface area relative to its thickness, resulting in a chip-like or wafer-like weight member. This design allows the mass of the removable panel to be spread substantially along the surface of the sole as opposed to in the interior of the club head. The golf club head may comprise more than one removable panel. A removable panel of the present invention may generally comprise one or more discrete areas of higher basis weight or higher density. Even further, the removable panel may generally be releasably attached via a quick disconnect mechanism that allows easy interchangeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Joshua G. Breier, Karl A. Clausen, Douglas E. Roberts, Peter L. Soracco
  • Golf club head with top line insert
    Patent number: 8088022
    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: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cobra Golf Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter L. Soracco, Ryan L. Roach, Thomas C. Morris
  • Muscle-back, with insert, iron type golf club head
    Patent number: 8083610
    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: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    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
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8083605
    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 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites
  • Golf club with golf club head having compressible V-shaped grooves
    Patent number: 8070624
    Abstract: A golf club with a golf club head having compressible v-shaped grooves is presented. The club head may include a plurality of grooves formed in a striking face. In some arrangements, the grooves have a rectangular cross section. The grooves may also include a compressible insert having a v-shaped end and being formed of a material softer than that of the grooves. As the club head strikes a golf ball, the insert may compress, thereby allowing additional contact between the groove and the ball to impart spin on the ball. In an alternate arrangement, the groove may include a compressible support arranged between the insert and an end of the groove. The compressible insert may be formed of a material softer than the groove and/or the insert and is configured to compress when the club head strikes a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. V. Oldknow, Donald S. Rahrig
  • Iron-type golf club
    Patent number: 8062150
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf club including a club head having a muscle back shell or a lightweight muscle back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Charles E. Golden, Michael Scott Burnett
  • Putter heads and putters including polymeric material as part of the ball striking face
    Patent number: 8062146
    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: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Franklin, John T. Stites
  • Golf club head
    Patent number: 8057322
    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: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: SRI Sports Limited
    Inventor: Michael J. Wallans
  • MUSCLE-BACK IRON GOLF CLUBS WITH HIGHER MOMENT OF INERTIA AND LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY
    Publication number: 20110269571
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are muscle-back iron golf clubs that have improved mass qualities to provide higher rotational moments of inertia and lower center of gravity while retaining the workability of muscle-back irons and the size, shape and dimensions preferred by tour players and low handicap players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Peter J. Gilbert, Douglas C. Jorgensen
  • GOLF CLUB WITH DEEP UNDERCUT
    Publication number: 20110269572
    Abstract: A golf club head having a deep undercut is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a cavity in a back portion thereof, opposite the striking face. A recess is provided in the back portion of the club head in proximity of the heel and, optionally, the sole. The recess may extend to the hosel bore, and may be separate from the cavity. An insert, such as a dampening member, a weight member, or a combination thereof, may be positioned within the recess. The recess and any insert provided therein alter the club head moment of inertia and center of gravity location, providing an improved feel to the golf club.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: COBRA GOLF INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Peter L. Soracco
  • GOLF CLUB HEAD WITH FACE INSERT
    Publication number: 20110256957
    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: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan L. Roach, Joshua G. Breier
  • Composite metal wood club
    Patent number: 8038544
    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: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
  • Iron Type Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Having Adjustable Weighting Features
    Publication number: 20110250985
    Abstract: Iron golf club heads and clubs include a body having a ball striking face, a rear face opposite the ball striking face and a sole portion positioned between the ball striking face and the rear face. The rear face has an opening in communication with a slot positioned in the body. A weight element is positioned in the slot through the opening. The weight element has at least one aperture wherein the center of gravity is shifted when the weight element is positioned in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Stites
  • Iron golf club heads and golf club sets with variable weight distribution
    Patent number: 8021246
    Abstract: Described herein are iron golf club heads and sets of iron golf clubs that have variable weight distribution. Each iron golf club head has a cavity and a y-shaped cavity pad disposed on at least a portion of a back wall of the cavity. The y-shaped cavity pad provide reduced vibrations within the cavity when the iron golf club head strikes a golf ball. The y-shaped cavity pad also provides an enlarged sweet spot to provide increased forgiveness for off-center hits. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Mizuno USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Llewellyn, Tetsuya Kanayama, Isamu Toshinari, Kazuhiro Doi, Tomoaki Aoki
  • Golf Clubs and Golf Club Heads Including Structure to Selectively Control the Sound of the Club Head
    Publication number: 20110224017
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads that enable users, club fitters, club manufacturers, and the like to selectively control, change, and customize aspects of the “sound” associated with the golf club and golf club head when it strikes a golf ball. Golf clubs and golf club heads according to this invention may include: a) a club head body; b) a ball striking face engaged with or integrally formed as part of the club head body; c) a hosel member engaged with or integrally formed as at least a portion of the club head; and d) means for changing a sound emanated by the club head when a golf ball contacts the ball striking face. A user may change the vibrational characteristics associated with the club head when a golf ball is struck, thereby changing the sound emanating from the club head when a golf ball is struck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: James S. Thomas, Tyrone Northcutt