Professional athletes often understand what needs to be done to improve their performance, whether modifying existing equipment or creating something new. So, their position is not just to use the latest technology created by sponsors but to create their own technology according to their needs. This is also useful for athletes and other sportsmen, including fans who want to experience the sensation.
In the history of sports technology development, dozens of athletes have been involved in the innovation process and registered as inventors in various countries. The following five names could be an inspiration for you:
- Tony Finau
This 6 PGA Tour winner has a unique habit when using his putter. He often uses the back of the club to hit the ball from close range. He even provides an arrow with a certain tilt angle on his Ping PLD Anser 2D putter, making his aim more accurate.Seeing this inappropriate use certainly made the Ping producer feel the need to “talk” with Tony to get feedback. The results led to the creation of a putter prototype that provides the sensation of being hit from behind but still has an attractive design that does not violate the rules.
“Compact Putter Head” (U.S. #11.911.670 B2)Finally, since February 2024, Tony Finau’s name was officially included as the inventor of the Patent Utility for Ping’s “Compact Putter Head” (U.S. #11,911,670 B2), along with Tony Serrano (Ping Design Engineer) and John A. Solheim (Ping President).
- George Grant
A century and a half ago, the sport of golf did not yet know the term “golf tee” or a tool for placing the ball at the starting point of the shot. Uneven sand or grass conditions were harsh and interfered with hitting accuracy until the first African-American avid golfer from Harvard registered the first “Golf-Tee” (U.S. #638,920 A) in America in 1899.
“Golf-Tee” (U.S. #638.920 A)
Unfortunately, Grant’s wooden tee is not commercialized, so only a few people know about it and use it. Until decades later, William Lowell, who also worked as a dentist, appeared, collaborating with Spalding to produce and promote the “Reddy Tee,” a wooden tee like Grant’s but painted red.
- Stanley Honey
As a Sailing sports navigator since 1992, he has mastered various classes, from Yacht to Catamaran, complete with several fastest finish records, including winning the Newport Bermuda Race in 2022. Stanley, who has a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, uses the knowledge gained on campus to maximize his sporting activities. Since 2003, he has had a Patent for “Locating an Object Using GPS with Additional Data” (U.S. #657,584 B2).
“Electromagnetic Transmitting Hockey Puck” (U.S. #5.564.698 A)
He also became acquainted with officials from this sport from leading technology and media companies, including Atari, News Corp, and Fox Corporation. Until 1998, Stanley was trusted to lead Sportvision, a technology company tasked with improving the audience’s experience watching various sports broadcasts on News Corp and Fox. “Electromagnetic Transmitting Hockey Puck” (U.S. #5,564,698 A), which allows TV viewers at home to see more clearly the hockey puck in play, “System for Determining Information about a Golf Club and/or a Golf Ball” (U.S. #6,456 .232 B1) which can show the speed of the ball on the viewer’s screen, and the “System for Enhancing the Television Presentation of an Object at a Sporting Event” (U.S. 5,912,700 A) which allows the viewer to receive real-time information from changes in the sequence of vehicles on racing.
Of his total of 30 Patents, eight are related to navigation design systems, while the rest are related to improving the experience of watching sporting events. - Charles Smith
After retiring, the former National Basketball Association (NBA) player from 1988-1988 was active in the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation, advising retired basketball players who wanted to change professions to other fields. In 1998, Smith founded New Media Technology Corp., the first company to develop and patent a customizable video ingest application.
“System and Method for Computer-Assisted Manual and Automatic Logging of Time-Based Media” (U.S. #8.060.515 B2)
This invention, called “System and Method for Computer-Assisted Manual and Automatic Logging of Time-Based Media” (U.S. #8,060,515 B2), makes it easier to provide virtual consultations to everyone who needs them, with limited bandwidth. Smith said that his experience as a player and coach is beneficial in giving these virtual consultations, especially in the post-pandemic era, when people trust the input of a “coach” more than their boss.
- Van Phillips
Phillips lost both legs at the age of 21 in a 1976 water skiing accident. However, he became even more enthusiastic about completing his studies as a Biomedical Design Engineer at the Utah University, United States, and founded his own company, Flex-Foot Incorporated, in 1984.
“Prosthetic Energy Storing and Releasing Apparatus and Methods” (U.S. #20.210.259.857 A1)
From there, several vital inventions were born, one of which was a light and flexible artificial leg made from carbon fiber, which foreign athletes widely used to excel in the prestigious Summer Paralympics. This Patent, called “Attachment Construction for Prosthesis” (WO #9,318,723 A1), was then developed to give birth to dozens of other Patent derivatives that brought him royalty income.
Whatever job you are in now, you may find a better way to make it easier. If it turns out to be unique, has never existed before, and can also be helpful for many people, immediately register it as a Patent to get more protection and benefits!
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