Appeal Number: 2006-1938
Application Number: 10/823,886
directly related to the flight of the ball and the amount of run
as the ball rolls along the ground. See Kobayashi, generally at
Col. 1, lines 39-52. In general, conventional clubs are
designed to increase the backspin imparted to the ball as the
loft of the club and the corresponding club number increase.
Id., lines 59-62. This results in the higher number clubs
tending to stop the ball closer to where it lands.
Kobayashi is directed to sets of golf clubs. As noted
above, Kobayashi recognizes the importance of spin and discloses
changing the coefficient of friction on the club faces in a
gradual manner either decreasing or increasing the friction in
proportion to the increase in loft angle and club number. Col.
2, lines 50-55. For example, in Figure 3, sets of clubs are
contemplated with rising coefficients of friction with
increasing club numbers (club sets C and D) and falling
coefficients of friction with increasing club numbers (club sets
E and F). One manner disclosed by Kobayashi of changing the
coefficient of friction and thus the spin imparted to the ball
is to alter the grooving in the club face. Col. 2, lines 60-64;
Col. 4, lines 28-49; Figure 2. Appellant admits that Kobayashi
is principally directed to decreasing golf ball spin in going
from the lower numbered head to a higher number head in the set.
Brief at 7, lines 4 and 5. We agree.
3
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013