38 inventions have advanced to the field testing stage… 18 are field tested in this episode… 8 advance to an odd intermediary stage… finally, 5 of the 18 are selected to go forward. The end result… the 10 finalists. First, let’s look at a rundown of the 18 products that were field tested in this episode... After the “field testing,” the panel narrowed this episode’s field to the following 8 inventions... I can’t believe that "..." and the “...” didn’t at least make it to this stage. Next, the panel made a second cut to 5 inventions... I would only purchase one product out of these five...<< MORE >>

The Golf-Patents blog has tested your knowledge of iron club head design in the past. Today, let’s see if you can identify another set of irons. For frequent readers of this blog, I rate the level of difficulty of this one as easy. Good luck..... The figure below comes from a US golf club iron head design patent that recently issued to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of irons?<< MORE >>

Golf-Patents.com has repeatedly used putter design patents to test your knowledge of putter designs. If you can identify this one then you are a genius. I did not even know that they had a line of putters. The assignee does not even list any putters on their website and I could not locate this putter design anywhere online. The figure below comes from a US putter design patent that issued last week to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of putter? << MORE >>

You may recall a post from last month regarding Aldila’s first patent in 25 years. Since that post Aldila has had two patent applications publish. It looks like they may be getting more aggressive with their patenting strategy. The first published application is US Pub. No. 20070173345 titled “Golf Club Shaft and Method of Producing the Same.” Check out the following figure and description from this published application......... The second published patent application is US Pub. No. 20070184914 titled “Method for Producing Golf Shafts of Like Flex.” Check out the following figure and description from this published application... << MORE >>

Not a week goes by in which I don’t receive a call from an inventor that believes that filing a patent application is similar to completing a driver’s license application (i.e. just a matter of completing some forms). Such inventors are often disgusted and mad that preparing a patent application is a lot of work, and therefore not inexpensive. I frequently direct them to self-help legal books on patent application drafting and tell them that if they read it from cover-to-cover at least twice, and follow the directions step-by-step, then they should be able to draft their own patent application. This week a patent application published under the title “The Perfect Golf Tee.” The title alone peaked my interest. Unfortunately, the inventor decided to prepare the application himself and it will not result in a patent issuing (in other words he probably would have received more pleasure by flushing the $500 filing fee in cash down the toilet). Experienced inventors know... << MORE >>

Golf-Patents.com has repeatedly used putter design patents to test your knowledge of putter designs. How good are you at identifying a particular brand of putter when all the logos and trademarks are stripped off the club head? The figure below comes from a US putter design patent that issued this week to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of putter?<< MORE >>

Last week a patent issued that just make me scratch my head and mumble… "A what? A golf ball lubricant… not sure that I like the sounds of that." The patent is USPN 7250009, fittingly titled “Golf Ball Lubricant.” The patent describes the invention as.......<< MORE >>

Readers of the Golf-Patents blog know that Callaway is not afraid of a knockdown drag-out patent infringement lawsuit. In the past few days they have once again demonstrated this… and appear to be making the statement “don’t mess with Callaway… no matter who you are!” First, on Saturday Callaway filed a patent infringement complaint in the “rocket docket” Eastern District of Texas alleging that Taylor Made has willfully infringed USPN 5704849 titled “Golf Club Head with Audible Vibration Attenuation.” Then, on Monday Callaway filed a patent infringement complaint in the Southern District of California alleging that Taylor Made has willfully ...<< MORE >>

What does 18 PGA Tour victories and over $20 million in PGA earnings get you? The comfort or knowing that even lawyers on the other side of the table can’t legitimately assert that you stink at golf. Congratulations. As I profiled several months ago (see post), on March 7, 2005 Bridgestone Sports Co Ltd sued Acushnet for golf ball patent infringement (1:05-cv-00132-JJF)........ So what does all this have to do with Nick Price? Apparently Nick is starting yet another career… one as an expert witness for Bridgestone. Guess what… Acushnet is not happy about it, and understandably so... does Nick Price really understand the intricacies of golf ball construction, manufacturing, and patents? Acushnet does not think so. Below I have reproduced an Acushnet filing from the case in which Acushnet is trying to convince the court to exclude the testimony of Nick. I have underlined a few of the entertaining statements (enjoy). This is proof that you must have thick skin if you want to be an expert witness... << MORE >>

OK, not really. More like a gift that you would receive from your in-laws. Check out this golf invention...(figure)... This figure comes from USPN D525836 titled “Golf Ball Dimple Head and Club Grip Spatula.” Boy, golfers are nuts.<< MORE >>

Crazy... absolutely, but I like it better than the spatula. Check out this golf invention...(figure)... Interesting stuff (and a good illustration of inventors’ fascination with the toilet).<< MORE >>

Remember the beautiful simplicity of a Bulls Eye putter? Now looking at modern mallet putters, do you ever wonder if it is all necessary? How did we ever manage to putt with a Bulls Eye putter... (kidding, of course) Well, two recent putter design patents made me cringe. Looking at them you have to wonder if golfers are such idiots that we really need so much help figuring out where to hit the ball on the face and how to get the face aligned to the hole. Check out these putters....<< MORE >>

Lee Trevino is famous for being a great charismatic golfer that gave us plenty of memorable one-liners. A few of my favorite are:"If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron."... "You can talk to a fade but a hook won't listen." ... "I'm in the woods so much I can tell you which plants are edible." Did you know that Lee is also an inventor? In fact, he is listed as an inventor ...<< MORE >>

38 inventions have advanced to the field testing stage… 20 are field tested in this episode… 8 advance to an odd intermediary stage… finally, 5 of the 20 are selected to go forward. Next week the remaining 18 will be field tested. Three former Big Break contestants performed the field tests (and frankly, I liked their evaluations of the inventions better than those of the panel of judges). First, let’s look at a rundown of the 20 products that were field tested in this episode........ << MORE >>

Club head adjustability is almost as hot as MOI. Has Acushnet seen the future? Well, last week they had a pretty innovative patent issue. Just imagine having the ability to adjust the coefficient of restitution of your club face! Perhaps you really loosen up the face during your practice rounds to gain a few extra yards and carry those fairway bunkers, then turn around the next day and bring it back into USGA conformance for the club championship. It doesn’t sound too realistic, but then again… ten years ago a square driver might not have seemed very realistic. The same ...<< MORE >>

There are tons of online resources that do a good job of explaining the concept of golf club swing weights, so I won’t reproduce that information here. One of the best explanations can be reviewed here. Now, taking a look at the patent history of swing weight… back in 1934 R.W. Adams received a patent for the first swing weight scale (which looks remarkably similar to modern swing weight scales). The patent is USPN 1953916 titled “Apparatus for Measuring Moments of Golf Clubs and the Like,” which is an interesting piece of club fitting history. Check out this figure from the patent...(drawing)... All golfers owe R.W. Adams a big “thank you.”<< MORE >>

OK, I had never heard of T-Golf either. Nonetheless, the company appears to have grand aspirations as they have filed a trademark application for “Golf's Fifth Major.” Check out this list of products and services that the trademark application lists......... Good luck, I hope that we do get an official fifth major, preferably in the middle of winter.<< MORE >>

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to discuss some of the inventions from The Golf Channel’s “Fore Inventors Only” program with the great team at the Tee Time Radio program. Tee Time Radio is hosted by CJ McDaniel, the CEO of Crenshaw Golf and the PGA’s first Director of Marketing, Lisa DePaulo, a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division and former LPGA Tour pro, and Dan Potter, Texas' most-listened-to Radio news anchor. Click here to listen...<< MORE >>

Callaway (owner of Odyssey Putters) was recently granted a design patent on a putter grip incorporating the Odyssey logo. The patent is USPN D547406 titled “Golf Club Grip.” Check out this design...(figures)... As you may recall, a few weeks ago Karsten (Ping) received a putter grip design patent for a Ping putter grip design (see this post)... Which grip do you like better?...<< MORE >>

The Golf-Patents blog has tested your knowledge of iron club head design many times in the past (here, here, here, here, and here). Today, let’s see if you can identify another set of irons. I rate the level of difficulty of this one as moderate. Good luck. The figure below comes from a US golf club iron head design patent that issued this week to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of irons?...(drawing)... Click here for the answer, and click here to check out USPN D547409 titled “Iron Golf Club Cavity,” which issued this week...<< MORE >>

Recently an interesting patent application published directed to a device that virtually every golfer has touched in the pro shop, yet would never consider purchasing. What could it be? The application published as US Pub. No. 20070158283 titled “...(secret(...” You should recognize the device from this figure..<< MORE >>

Cheap shot, I know. Sergio is obviously a much better putter (and golfer) than I am. He was just the easy target. Last month a pretty unique putter patent application published as US Pub. No. 20070149306 titled “Golf Clubs.” This figure says it all...(drawing)... I have to admit, I have never seen anything like it and would love to give it a try...<< MORE >>

It seems like the inventions are getting better. There were several inventions that I would purchase. Now for my review... (list)... So what was my favorite invention? Drum roll please… Another tie this week. I really like the ... and the ... << MORE >>

Last week a fascinating putter utility patent issued. The design will definitely make you think. The patent is USPN 7244190 titled “Golf Putter,” and the following figures say it all...(figures)... The patent describes the invention as...<< MORE >>

Four months ago I posted a comment on an interesting golf ball design patent. Well, leave it to a golfer to take it to the next level and obtain a design patent on a particular dimple design. This week a Mr. Niwa of Japan was granted USPN D546910 titled “Dimple for a Golf Ball.” Oddly, the patent is not listed to be owned by a golf ball manufacturer. Perhaps this is some hopeful speculation on the part of Mr. Niwa, which might not be a bad idea. Check out these figures from ...<< MORE >>

I must admit that I am not a big fan of plastic tees, but a recent design patent illustrates an innovative new way to package and sell them. The patent is USPN D546197 titled “Assembly of Golf Tees with Hanging Hook.” The design looks like a molded assembly that allows the user to break off a tee when needed. Check out this figure...(image)... Not a bad idea...<< MORE >>

Readers of this blog know that I am amazed by the lack of golf shaft related patents, especially in light of the technology that goes into the design and manufacturing of shafts (see this post). This week Aldila was granted their first patent in over 25 years! This is hard to imagine… an industry leading innovative publicly traded company that only has 2 patents. Amazing! They must know how to keep trade secrets. The patent that was granted this week is USPN 7243531 titled “Method and Apparatus for Dynamically Locating Neutral Shaft Plane.” The patent describes the invention as...<< MORE >>

Since Sergio is currently leading the British Open I decided to check out what, if any, US trademarks he owns. During my research I came upon an interesting trademark application. I was not surprised to find a pending trademark application for the mark SERGIO GARCIA directed to golf products and clothing. But something in the application caught my eye… it was filed by Sergio Garcia himself. Odd I thought… would the “real” Sergio Garcia really file his own trademark application? No, of course not. A little further investigation yielded the address of the applicant in Highland, Indiana. While I have no idea where the PGA’s Sergio Garcia resides, I would bet that it is not in Highland, Indiana. I suspect that some guy named Sergio Garcia living in Indiana is thinking he is going to cash-in when the PGA Sergio decides to start a clothing line or introduce his own line of golf products. The agent of the PGA's Sergio should have insisted that Sergio protect his name years ago! (So, PGA Sergio... if you are looking for a new agent, I would be willing to give it a try)... this is not the first time that someone has tried to obtain rights to the "Sergio Garcia" mark.<< MORE >>

I was surprised to learn that the USGA owns the OPEN trademark in the US for “educational and entertainment services; namely, conducting a golf tournament.” Interestingly there are only 4 distinct live US trademarks associated with the British Open. There are 2 word marks, namely BRITISH OPEN GOLF, and BRITISH OPEN; and two trophy logo US trademarks, seen below... Looks like they need to play catch up! Compare this to the US Open trademark portfolio and the Masters' trademark portfolio... So why does The Golf Channel keep calling it The Open Championship?<< MORE >>

I can feel the anticipation building... I am fortunate to be a frequent guest on the nationally syndicated Small Business Advocate® radio show. It is a great program dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. Tomorrow morning at 7:30 EST I will be discussing what I consider to be “The Single Biggest Intellectual Property Mistake of Small Businesses.” You can listen live here (click the "live" button), or you can listen at your convenience here.<< MORE >>

It looks like “The Donald” has his sights set on a major golf tournament of his own. I recently stumbled upon his trademark application for THE DONALD J. TRUMP WORLD OPEN. Interestingly, he did of course try to register just THE WORLD OPEN, but the application has been abandoned. Interesting stuff... Can you guess how many US trademark applications "The Donald" has filed?...<< MORE >>

Golfers are crazy, inventors are even crazier, and I don’t know what to say about Fulton and Bill! This week's episode had everything from "real" inventions to ridiculous novelty products, as well as a fair number of questionable decisions on the part of the judges. Now, my breakdown of the inventions...(list)... So what was my favorite invention? Drum roll please… A tie between the...<< MORE >>

The USPTO database contains millions of amazing inventions. One recent example is USPN 7238115 titled “Roadway-Transportable Artificial Golf Practice Green Apparatus.” The patent describes the invention as... Would you buy one of these?<< MORE >>

This week UpLink was granted USPN 7239965 titled “Method and System for Golf Cart Control.” The ‘965 patent is incredibly broad and will undoubtedly be a valuable contribution to the UpLink patent portfolio. The patent describes the invention as... Easy to describe in words, but I am sure it took some computer geniuses to efficiently implement. Check out these figures from the patent... I was amazed the first time that I played a course that implemented this technology. Congratulations UpLink!<< MORE >>

This week a simple collapsible alignment device was granted USPN 7241228 titled “Golf Swing Alignment Device.” The patent describes the invention as... The invention is so simple and convenient that I could see this selling. It would be convenient for the range, as well as for illustrating my poor alignment on those dreaded angled tee boxes.<< MORE >>

As you may recall from a prior post, on June 8, 2007 Callaway filed a golf club patent infringement lawsuit alleging that Acushnet has willfully infringed 5 Callaway patents. On July 12, 2007 Acushnet filed their Answer to the Complaint. Of course the Answer alleges that Acushnet is not infringing the Callaway patents and alleges that the Callaway patents are invalid, BUT interestingly Acushnet returned the favor and accused Callaway of infringing two of Acushnet’s patents. As you may recall, the Complaint alleges that King Cobra 454 Comp, King Cobra F Speed, King Cobra HS9 F Speed, King Cobra HS9 M Speed, King Cobra LD F Speed, Titleist 905R, Titleist 905S, and Titleist 905T clubs infringe one, or more, of the Callaway patents. The Answer alleges that the Callaway FT-i, FT-5, X-460, X-460 Tour, Big Bertha Fusion FT-3, and Big Bertha 460 clubs infringe one, or more, of the Acushnet patents..... Think there is a fair amount of money at risk in this lawsuit?<< MORE >>

Golf-Patents.com has repeatedly used putter design patents to test your knowledge of putter designs. Well here is a relatively easy one... How good are you at identifying a particular brand of putter when all the logos and trademarks are stripped off the club head? The figure below comes from a US putter design patent that issued this week to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand?...<< MORE >>

The Golf-Patents blog has tested your knowledge of iron club head design several times in the past. Today, let’s see if you can identify another set of irons. I rate the level of difficulty of this one as moderate. Good luck... The figure below comes from a US golf club iron head design patent that issued Tuesday to a major producer of clubs. Can you identify the brand of irons?...<< MORE >>

The first episode of “Fore Inventors Only” was a success. The show is at least as good as the American Inventor show, and frankly I like it better. OK, so now my review of the inventions… (in the order that they appeared on the show)...So what was my favorite invention? Drum roll please… The invention that I thought was the best was actually not evaluated by the panel; it was in a commercial for the Adidas Power Band shoes. Congratulations Adidas. But seriously, as for the best invention evaluated by the panel… there is no question, it was the... IF the invention is protectable then the inventor could make millions off of it. Now, regarding the panelists… Bill Harmon comes off as an elitist know-it-all and I predict that he will be replaced if the show makes it to a second season. Otherwise, Stina Sternberg and Fulton Allem are great... << MORE >>

Wilson was recently granted USPN D545504 titled “Finger Stalls of a Golf Glove.” As you can see from the figures below, the patent protects the star shaped design aimed at ensuring a nice flex of the glove’s finger over the hand’s finger joint. Congratulations Wilson, interesting design patent...<< MORE >>

The Golf Channel premiers the "For Inventors Only" show tonight at 10:00 EST. The show features Vince Cellini as the host and a 3-member panel of judges (Bill Harmon, Stina Sternberg, and Fulton Allem). It should be interesting. I will post my thoughts on the inventions after each episode.<< MORE >>

Karsten Manufacturing was recently awarded USPN D545388 titled “Golf Putter Grip,” which is the first golf grip design patent to issue in over 3 months. Check it out... << MORE >>

Recently Tour Edge has been receiving some pretty positive press on their Exotics line of clubs. Well now they have a design patent on the sole of their Exotics driver to go along with all the hype. Recently Tour Edge was granted USPN D545389 titled “Golf Club Head.”..(figure).. It appears that Tour Edge now has 7 patents. Keep it up!... PS – You have to respect their money back guarantee that purchasers will hit the ball further ...<< MORE >>

Last week an interesting utility patent issued on a pretty popular putter design. The patent was USPN 7235021 titled “Golf Putter Head with a Visual Alignment Aid and an Increased Moment of Inertia.” Do you recognize the putter brand?... If you don’t recognize it, order more golf magazines (and click here). This patent is a good illustration of a putter utility patent (as most are putters are protected by design patents, see this post)...<< MORE >>

Will golf shoes and spikes become more expensive? On June 14, 2007 Greenkeepers sued Acushnet and Softspikes for patent infringement of USPN 6530162 titled “Sports Shoe Cleats.” What is this lawsuit all about? Well, basically an angled arrangement of flexible teeth extending from the base of the cleat to enhance lateral stability. Perhaps these figures will help.... This is not the first patent litigation action regarding the ‘162 patent. In fact, Greenkeepers sued Nike and MacNeill Engineering (maker of Champ spikes) back in August of 2004... I suspect that there is a fair amount of money at stake in these cases!...<< MORE >>

Last week a patent issued for a golf club rest that left me thinking… are golfers crazy! Check out this invention... The design does let the device nicely hook on a bag and hang, but I don't see myself purchasing one (and I will buy almost any golf product). << MORE >>

Yet another swing plane training device patent issued this week, namely USPN 7238116 titled “Golf Swing Training Apparatus and Method of Using the Same.” A quick look at the patent made me think… this can’t be the first patent for this type of device. In fact, USPN 1567530 titled “Golf Swing Device” was filed in 1924 for a remarkably similar device. Just compare these figures from the two patents and you will recognize that the ‘166 patent is fairly narrow (i.e. limited, or specific)(even without having to review the claims). Can you identify which of these designs is from 1924?...<< MORE >>

Once again I was honored to be a guest on the Tee Time Radio program, and may be joining them in the future to discuss The Golf Channel’s For Inventors Only show that premiers Tuesday at 10:00 EST. This great golf radio program is hosted by CJ McDaniel, the CEO of Crenshaw Golf and the PGA’s first Director of Marketing, Lisa DePaulo, a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division and former LPGA Tour pro, and Ryan Terry (filling in for Dan Potter, Texas' most-listened-to Radio news anchor). Click here to listen.<< MORE >>

We have all seen them. It seems to be the first commercially successful non-conventional green repair tool in decades. Now, not only does GreenFix have a cool product, but they also have a utility patent to back it up. This week a patent issued directed to the unique GreenFix ballmark elimination system. The patent is USPN 7238126 titled “Golf Green Repair Device, Method, and Apparatus.” Check out these figures... A little more innovative than the traditional tool (seen below)...<< MORE >>

Remember the good old days when one bad shot would put a big smile across the cover of your golf ball? A true penalty for a bad swing. Did you know that Acushnet has two patents directed to “healing agents” built into the cover of the ball?... The inventions relate to golf ball materials including at least one polymer and at least one microencapsulated healing agent to improve impact durability. The patent provides a nice explanation of the problem solved by the inventions... << MORE >>