Hajime Okimoto

Title: Hajime Okimoto: Innovator in Sports Equipment Technology

Introduction

Hajime Okimoto is a notable inventor based in Hiroshima, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of sports equipment technology, holding three patents that showcase his innovative approach to product design and manufacturing.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is a method for making balls for sports. This method involves providing a round rubber tube, forming a reinforcing layer of yarn wound around the tube, and creating a rubber cover layer that is vulcanized to form a carcass. The reinforcing layer is made by combining a covered yarn made of a urethane elastomer core thread with a synthetic resin filament, or with a yarn made from materials such as cotton, polyesters, and polyamides. Additionally, the carcass can be attached with a skin layer made of natural or artificial leather.

Another significant patent is for a molding apparatus designed for injection-molding a hemispherical hollow body made of thermoplastic elastomer. This apparatus includes a first mold with a hemispherical convex molding surface and a second mold with a larger hemispherical concave molding surface. The design allows for the formation of a valve that is integrally formed with the hollow body, enhancing the functionality of the product.

Career Highlights

Hajime Okimoto is currently employed at Molten Corporation, a company renowned for its high-quality sports equipment. His work at Molten has allowed him to apply his innovative ideas in a practical setting, contributing to the development of advanced sports products.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Okimoto has collaborated with notable coworkers such as Hideomi Shishido and Shigeo Doi. These collaborations have fostered a creative environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and the development of cutting-edge technologies.

Conclusion

Hajime Okimoto's contributions to sports equipment technology through his patents and work at Molten Corporation highlight his role as an influential inventor in the industry. His innovative methods and designs continue to impact the way sports equipment is manufactured and utilized.