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. 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 isothermal golf ball core molding platen is characterized by the use of isobars for even temperature distribution across the surfaces of the platen. The platen is formed of metal and includes first channels which receive heating elements for heating the platens. Isobars are arranged in second channels adjacent to the first channels. The isobars include an outer sheath defining an evacuated chamber and an inner metallic wick. The isobar is charged with working fluid which changes phase with the application of heat. The phase change provides higher speed heat transfer to eliminate temperature gradients within the platen.

Abstract: A three-piece thread wound golf ball including a central solid core portion having increased diameter of 1.35-1.50 inch (34.3-38.1 mm) and specific gravity of 1.20-1.25, a thread-wound intermediate portion, having diameter of 1.54-1.60 inches, and an outer dimpled cover portion which construction provides desirable increased moment of inertia and spin characteristics for the ball. The resulting golf ball characteristics are such that when hit with a Driver, other woods or the longer iron club it performs like a distance two-piece golf ball, when hit with mid-iron clubs it performs like a two-piece Hi-spin golf ball and soft covered multi layered balls, and when it is struck with short iron clubs it performs much like a Balata wound golf ball.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover such that the golf ball, when struck such as during play, exhibits a reduced spin rate. The golf ball may comprise one or more mantle layers including one or more metals, ceramic, or composite materials. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate disposed within the interior of the ball. The golf balls according to the present invention exhibit improved spin, feel, and acoustic properties. The golf ball of the present invention may also have an enlarged diameter which serves to further reduce spin rate. The resulting golf ball exhibits properties of reduced spin without sacrificing durability, playability and resilience.

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. 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: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises a blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins. Each high acid ionomer resin utilized in the blend of the cover composition comprises generally of greater than 16% by weight acid, preferably from about 17 to about 25% by weight acid and more preferably from about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight acid. The acid groups of the high acid ionomers utilized in the cover compositions of the invention are partially (i.e. generally 10-75 percent, preferably 30-70 percent) neutralized by metal ions such as by sodium, zinc and magnesium ions. When the blend of two or more high acid ionomer resins is 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: Multi-component golf balls comprising one or more interior mantle layers are described in which at least one of the mantle layers includes a plurality of relatively small foam granules dispersed within a polymeric matrix. In another aspect, the multi-component golf balls may instead, or in addition to utilizing foam granules in one or more mantle layers, comprise a plurality of foamed granules dispersed within a core of the ball. The golf balls described herein provide the distance and durability characteristics typically associated with two piece balls while also providing desirable playing characteristics associated with three piece or wound balls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bat with improved playing characteristics. Although the present invention will be described generally, the present invention can be employed with softball, baseball and other types of game bats. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bat with a moment of inertia to weight ratio that is higher then conventional bats. This improved ratio is achieved by producing a bat that is lighter than conventional bats without altering the bat's moment of inertia. The higher ratio of the present invention allows for faster swing speeds with no loss in power. These improved playing characteristics can be achieved in either an aluminum or a composite bat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a soft core and a hard cover to produce a resulting golf ball having a reduced spin rate. In this regard, a core is provided and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a golf ball exhibiting enhanced perimeter weighting. Preferably, the particles are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. The size and weight of the core is reduced in order to produce an overall golf ball which meets, or is less than, the 1.62 ounce maximum weight limitation specified by the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising a dual core component. The dual core comprises an interior center component formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The dual core also comprises a core layer disposed about the center component, formed from a thermoset material, a thermoplastic material, or combinations thereof. The present invention golf ball may further comprise an outer core layer that surrounds the dual core. The resulting multi-layered golf ball of the present invention provides for enhanced distance without sacrificing playability or durability when compared to known golf balls.

Abstract: A golf ball is disclosed that includes a core assembly comprising a center core component and at least one core layer and a cover comprising at least one layer. The center core component preferably is formed from a sulfur-cured polybutadiene. The core layer component preferably is formed from a peroxide-cured polybutadiene and a metal salt of an unsaturated fatty acid such as zinc diacrylate or zinc dimethacrylate. The resulting golf ball of the present invention provides enhanced playability characteristics (i.e., spin and feel) without sacrificing distance or durability properties. The sulfur-cured center core component exhibits a remarkable combination of properties—a high resiliency coupled with being very soft.

Abstract: A unique golf ball and related methods of manufacturing are disclosed in which the golf ball comprises one or more metal mantle layers and a cellular or liquid core component. The golf ball may also comprise an optional polymeric spherical substrate inwardly disposed relative to the one or more metal mantle layers. The golf balls according to the present invention exhibit improved spin, feel, and acoustic properties. Furthermore, the one or more interior metal layers prevent, or at least significantly minimize, coefficient of restitution loss from the golf ball, and significantly increases the moment of inertia of the golf ball.

Abstract: A method of coating a game ball with a rapidly curing polyurethane coating system is described herein. The coating system comprises a mixture of a polyol, an isocyanate, a solvent and a high level of catalyst which accelerates the curing process. The coating is a two-part polyurethane system which is preferably applied by spraying. The coating is particularly well-suited for use on golf balls, and also can be applied to other game balls such as softballs, baseballs, cricket balls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game ball, such as a golf ball, having an indicia formed from a UV curable ink containing aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) filler. The ATH improves pad transfer of the ink. An ink composition suitable for pad printing, and a method for applying an indicia to a game ball also are disclosed. The UV curable ink has excellent pad transfer properties, and good durability.

Abstract: A golf ball is described having a core with a multi-layer cover with a thickness of at least 3.6 mm (0.142 inches) and a Shore D hardness of at least 60. The combination of a core, preferably soft core, with a thick, relatively hard multi-layer cover results in a ball having better distance than conventional golf balls having a comparable coefficient of restitution.

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 one or more certain types of polybutadiene, which has the effect of increasing the resiliency of the resulting molded cores and greatly facilitates processing of the compositions and forming the cores. Also disclosed are improved golf ball cores, and balls utilizing such cores, formed from particular ultra high Mooney viscosity polybutadiene. In another aspect, golf balls having particular cover compositions are disclosed. Such cover compositions include at least one sodium ionomer and at least one zinc ionomer. Also disclosed are golf balls having a mechanical impedance with a primary minimum value in a frequency range of 3100 Hz or less after the ball has been maintained at 21.1° C., 1 atm. and about 50% relative humidity for at least 15 hours.

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 high acid ionomer or 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: Disclosed herein is a golf ball utilizing a core that comprises at least two particular types of polybutadiene. In one aspect, a combination of a polybutadiene obtained from a cobalt catalyst is used in conjunction with a polybutadiene obtained from a neodymium catalyst. Also disclosed are golf balls comprising particular cover compositions. In one aspect, a cover composition is disclosed that includes a sodium ionomer, a magnesium ionomer, and a zinc ionomer. The golf balls exhibit improved distance while providing a soft sound and feel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved multi-layer golf ball compositions and the resulting regulation balls produced using these compositions. In this regard, a smaller and lighter core is produced and metal particles, or other heavy weight filler materials, are included in the cover compositions. This results in a molded golf ball exhibiting enhanced perimeter weighting. Preferably, the particles are included in a relatively thick inner cover layer (or mantle) of a solid, three-piece multi-layered golf ball. In another preferred version, one or more patterns of weighting material are incorporated in the ball, and most preferably along the outer periphery of the ball so that the pattern is visible along the ball's exterior. Particularly, one or more transparent viewing windows are provided along the outer surface of the golf ball to reveal weighting material disposed within the ball.

Abstract: A game ball having a high end synthetic leather cover formed from a non-woven fiber mat impregnated with polyurethane. In one embodiment, the game ball is a football and the fibers in the backing of the cover material have a denier of about 0.1 or less. In another embodiment, the game ball cover has a dual layer coating to impart to the cover good pebble retention. The first layer has a Shore A hardness of at least about 65, and the second layer surrounding the first layer has a Shore A hardness lower than the hardness of the first layer. The game ball, which can be formed to meet association specifications, has properties of softness and durability comparable to those of a genuine full grain leather game ball.