Abstract: An inflatable sport ball, such as a basketball, a football, a soccer ball, a volley ball or a playground ball, is provided with a self-contained inflation mechanism for inflating or more likely adding pressure to the ball. The mechanism is a pump which is inside of the ball and which is operable from outside of the ball to pump ambient air into the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a soft outer cover. The golf ball has an inner cover layer with a Shore D hardness of 60 or more, and an outer cover with a Shore D hardness of 53 or less. In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the outer cover comprises at least 75% of a soft, ionomeric copolymer formed from a polyolefin, an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a monomer of the acrylate ester class. The golf ball of the invention has exceptionally soft feel and high spin rates on short shots of 80 yards or less and, particularly, 40 yards or less, while maintaining good distance and average spin on full shots.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid, non-wound, golf ball comprising two or more core components, and a cover component. The core components comprise i) a small, inner, high density, spherical center component comprising a blend of powdered metal and a first matrix material comprising polybutadiene and polyisoprene; and, ii) an outer core layer disposed about the spherical center component, formed from a second matrix material selected from the group consisting of a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The golf ball may further comprise a second or additional outer core layer(s) that surround the first outer core layer. Preferably, the inner, high density, center component is produced without the use of a crosslinking agent or coagent, which is the reaction product of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or acids and an oxide or carbonate of a metal such as zinc. The cover may be single or multi-layered.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel golf ball cover composition comprised of a blend of a new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resin and an ionomer resin containing an additional comonomer of the acrylate ester class. When the new ionomer resin blend is utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits an improved combination of distance, playability, and/or durability properties.

Abstract: A golf ball is described that includes a spherical core, an inner cover or mantle layer, and an outer cover layer. A wide array of ionomeric materials are noted for use in the various cover layers. The mantle and the outer cover layers exhibit different Shore D hardness values and at least one of the layers includes a heavy weight filler material to enhance the interior perimeter weight of the ball. In several particular versions of the golf balls, the filler material is present in an amount of at least 10% by weight based upon the weight of the layer or layers within which the filler material is incorporated.

Abstract: A game ball with increased gripability including a bladder fabricated of an air impervious elastomeric material and a carcass overlying the bladder. The carcass has a common thickness over the majority of its extent and an exterior surface formed with a plurality of raised projections. The raised projections have a height of between about 0.030 inch and 0.120 inch, preferably about 0.120 inch. The projections are in the form of loops with supplemental projections there within.

Abstract: A cushioning system for golf shoe includes a footbed and a lasting board, each having a sole region, an arch region, and a heel region. The footbed includes an upper layer which is engaged by the foot of a golfer and a cushion layer composed of compressible material disposed below the upper layer which extend the length of the footbed. A rigid bottom layer is disposed below the cushion layer in the heel region. A first cushioning element is disposed within a receptacle formed in the heel region of the lasting board. A second cushioning element is disposed within a receptacle formed in the upper and cushion layers in the heel region of the footbed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved multi-layer golf ball comprising a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner cover layer is comprised of a low acid ionomer blend which may or may not include a filler such as zinc-stearate. The outer cover layer is comprised of a soft, very low modulus ionomer or ionomer blend, or a non-ionomeric thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane, polyester or polyesteramide. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known multi-layer golf balls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resins and to golf ball cover compositions containing these new resins. When the new high acid ionomer resins are utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: A new dimple configuration for the surface of a golf ball is characterized by non-circular sickle-shaped dimples. Each dimple includes a convex outer edge having a first radial configuration and an inner edge having a second radial configuration. Preferably, the inner edge is concave and the inner and outer edges meet at opposite sides of the dimple. The area between the edges is recessed relative to the golf ball surface. At least some of the sickle-shaped dimples are arranged in an interlocking pattern to maximize the dimpled area of the golf ball surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-layer golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer comprising an ionomer and having Shore D hardness of about 65 or less, and an outer cover layer having a different composition than the inner cover layer, comprising an ionomer, and having a Shore D hardness of more than 65. The sum of the thickness of the inner cover layer and the thickness of the outer cover layer is greater than 0.090 inches. A method for making the golf ball also is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved polybutadiene compositions suitable for use in molded golf ball core construction. The improved polybutadiene compositions are composed of a particular type of solid polybutadiene which has the effect of increasing the resiliency of the resulting molded cores. Also disclosed are improved golf ball cores, and balls utilizing such cores, formed from particular ultra-high Mooney viscosity polybutadiene.

Abstract: A golf ball utilizing a high density core component, which is preferably part of a multicomponent core assembly is disclosed. The high density core component is preferably in the form of a metal sphere. The golf balls exhibit a unique combination of a relatively high coefficient of restitution, a controlled moment of inertia, and a relatively high spin rate during short distance shots. It is preferred that the high density core component be utilized in conjunction with a multi-layer cover assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game ball and method for making the same. The game ball has an ionomeric cover which includes a combination of ionomeric crosslinks and covalent crosslinks. The game ball cover is superior in at least one of cut resistance and scuff resistance to a conventional cover that does not have covalent crosslinks but is otherwise substantially identical in composition. Crosslinks within the composition are achieved by irradiation. The game ball cover of the invention is particularly useful for improving the durability of golf balls to be struck with sharp-grooved clubs.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a golf ball is disclosed. The apparatus is a molding assembly for making a golf ball which includes a mold body that defines a molding cavity. The molding cavity is adapted to accommodate and preferably retain a golf ball core during a molding operation of one or more layers about the core. The molding assembly includes at least one material flow inlet, at least one material flow channel extending between and providing fluid communication with a material flow inlet and the molding cavity. At least one portion of the material flow channel has a plurality of bends and at least one branching intersection adapted to promote turbulence in a liquid flowing therethrough. A method of making a golf ball is also disclosed. A golf ball made from the disclosed molding apparatus and/or process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A golf club shaft having an upper hollow portion with a handle end and a lower hollow portion with a head end and an intermediate flex portion therebetween. The upper portion has a lower end with a joining region extending into the flex portion. The lower portion has an upper end with a joining region extending into the flex portion. A connector in the flex portion has a central enlarged cylindrical section with a diameter extending outwardly to a diameter essentially equal to the exterior surface of the adjacent shaft portions, the connector also having an upper cylindrical section with a reduced diameter in interference contact with the interior surface at the lower end of the upper portion, the connector also having a lower cylindrical section with a reduced diameter in interference contact with the interior surface at the upper end of the lower portion of the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a golf ball with a cover or mantle, or both, formed from a composition comprising a polyamide-ionomer graft copolymer and a method of making the same. Polyamide-ionomer graft copolymers include a polyamide component and an ionomeric component. In a preferred form, polyamide-ionomer graft copolymers have a polyamide component backbone and ionomeric components grafted thereto. Golf balls according to the invention may also be formed from a composition or material that includes a blend of a polyamide-ionomer graft copolymer and an ionomer. Such blends are preferably employed as a mantle or a cover of a golf ball. The cover composition has excellent durability and resistance to cracking, even at cold temperatures. Materials comprising polyamide-ionomer graft copolymer are a useful substitute for an ionomer golf ball cover, particularly when a low spin golf ball is desired.