Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and system for mixing castable polyurethanes and polyureas and for prolonging the dispensing time for dispensing them into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. A nozzle framework includes support housing heaters and heater adaptors for each dispensing port to delay the onset of drool and improve cut off in the dispensing tubes. The combination of fluorinated dispensing ports, the heating of the polyureas or polyurethanes, and inclusion of a capillary orifice in each dispensing port significantly prolongs the time before the advent of drool is detected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 2005
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2009
Assignee:
Acushnet Company
Inventors:
Paul A. Puniello, Shawn Ricci, Peter L. Serdahl, Timothy S. Correia, John T. Davies
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a calibration apparatus and method for calibrating and verifying the accuracy of a golf ball launch monitor. The apparatus includes a support structure and a rotatable wheel that has embedded golf balls evenly dispersed at a known distance from the center of the wheel, and a field of view opening in a protective cover. A power device, typically an electric motor, rotates the wheel at a predetermined speed to establish a known speed and spin rate of the golf balls. Each golf ball surface includes contrasting markings. Camera(s) of the launch monitor are focused on the field-of-view wherein each camera is triggered such that two images of a ball are captured. The monitor has a computer to analyze data for speed and spin rate of the golf balls. A comparison of this data to the established known speed and spin rate of the calibration apparatus enables determination of the accuracy and repeatability of the monitor.
Abstract: A golf ball that is formed by a mold developed from a computerized modeling system such as CAD or CAE in combination with a CNC machine tool which superimposes a short waveform, or multiple waveforms, onto a longer base waveform to create a non-planar parting line that is functionally dependent on the underlying dimple geometry. The non-planar parting line is comprised of a plurality of peaks and valleys that are offset from the dimple perimeters, as not to bisect any dimple edge. Also, dimples on one side of the parting line interdigitate with dimples on the other side to form a more uniform distribution of dimples over the entire golf ball surface. Still further, the non-planar parting line has a amplitude which is less than 0.02 inch from an axis substantially coincident with the equator of the ball and the length of the parting line is less than 110 percent of the length of a curve defined by the circumference of the equator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 7, 2008
Assignee:
Acushnet Company
Inventors:
Nicholas M. Nardacci, Steven Aoyama, Robert A. Wilson
Abstract: A metal wood golf club head adapted for attachment to a shaft, comprising of a body portion composed of titanium alloy and a graphite 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 body portion has an attachment ledge section and the crown portion has attachment section that overlays the attachment section of the body. A vibration dampening gasket is disposed between the attachment sections.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 13, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 7, 2008
Assignee:
Acushnet Company
Inventors:
Jeffrey W. Meyer, Scott A. Rice, Raymond L. Poynor
Abstract: An improved mold for making a golf ball comprises a pair of mold cups which are assembled together at an angular interlock. An upper mold cup has a projection rim that mates with a recess in the lower mold cup to provide for a substantially perfect registration, wherein the shift on the molded golf ball is minimized, and the parting line has a minimal amount of flashing that needs to be removed. The upper and lower mold cups have mating surfaces that can produce a corrugated parting line. Each mating surface comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys which are created by multiple radii, whereby when assembled the parting line follows the dimple outline pattern and allows the dimple outline pattern of one mold cup to interdigitate with the dimple outline pattern of the mating mold cup, to form a golf ball of substantially seamless appearance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 2004
Date of Patent:
September 9, 2008
Assignee:
Acushnet Company
Inventors:
Steven Aoyama, Paul A. Puniello, Robert A. Wilson