Patents Examined by Alvin A. Hunter, Jr.
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6743121
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball, which is superior in flight distance, spin performance, shot feel and scuff resistance. The present invention relates to a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of a center and an intermediate layer, and a cover covering the core, wherein the center has a diameter of 37 to 41 mm, the intermediate layer has a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm and a hardness in Shore D hardness of 55 to 70, the hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of the center and a hardness in Shore D hardness of the cover, and a specific gravity of the intermediate layer is lower than that of the center and cover, the cover comprises polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer as a main component, and has a thickness of 0.3 to 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6729975
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a golf ball is disclosed. A cover is molded through use of either a thermoplastic resin having a group capable of reacting with an isocyanate group or a thermoplastic resin containing a compound having two or more groups capable of reacting with an isocyanate group. Subsequently, a polyisocyanate compound is caused to permeate into the surface layer of the cover to thereby cause the reaction between the polyisocyanate compound and the group(s) capable of reacting with the isocyanate group. As a result, a modified layer having excellent properties is formed at the surface of the cover formed from thermoplastic resin. In this case, a non-yellowing polyurethane resin is preferably used as the thermoplastic resin having a group capable of reacting with an isocyanate group, and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) is preferably used as the polyisocyanate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Inoue, Keisuke Ihara, Hirotaka Shimosaka, Yutaka Masutani, Atsuki Kasashima
  • Golf practice aid
    Patent number: 6729966
    Abstract: A pair of error amplification deflectors, releasably attached to the face of a golf club with hook and loop patches, are spaced to provide a central zone on the face of the club for directing a golf ball along a normal path upon squarely striking the ball, but are shaped for redirecting the path of the ball upon striking the ball to provide a signal indicative of an off-center putting stroke or golf swing. The hook and loop patches permit adjustment of the width of the center zone for different levels of practice difficulty, and provide further indication of an off-center stroke by absorbing energy to decelerate the speed of the redirected ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventors: Pete Barelli, John Barelli
  • Two-piece golf ball
    Patent number: 6729974
    Abstract: The present invention is a two-piece golf ball which includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The core is made from a rubber composition containing a main rubber component which mainly contains polybutadiene. The cover is made from a material mainly containing an ionomer resin in which at least one kind of silicone powder selected from a silicone rubber powder, a silicon resin powder, and a composite powder thereof is dispersedly blended. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.3 to 6.0 mm under an applied load of 100 kg. The cover has a Durometer D hardness in a range of 55 to 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Two-piece golf ball
    Patent number: 6726578
    Abstract: A two-piece golf ball includes a core and a cover having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The core has a hardness corresponding to a deflection in a range of 3.0 to 5.5 mm under a load of 100 kg. The cover has a Durometer D hardness 45 to 55. Dimples numbering 300 to 550 pieces are formed in the surface of the golf ball so that a dimple total volume ratio VR, which is a ratio of the total of volumes of dimple spaces under the planes surrounded by edges of the dimples in the surface of the golf ball to the total volume of a virtual ball as a result of assumption that no dimple is formed in the surface of the golf ball, is 0.85% or less. The two-piece golf ball is excellent in resilience, flight distance characteristic, controllability, and feel of hitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports CO, LTD
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yasumasa Shimizu, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Golf ball of unitary molded construction
    Patent number: 6726577
    Abstract: The invention herein disclosed is, in one embodiment, directed to a golf ball of unitary molded construction, wherein the golf ball is foamed from a composition that comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, and a blowing agent, and wherein the golf ball has (i) a diameter that ranges from about 1.6 to about 1.75 inches, (ii) a weight that ranges from about 10 to about 15 grams, and (iii) a coefficient of restitution value that ranges from about 0.33 to about 0.42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Almost Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Peterson
  • Golf stance coordinator template and method for using the same
    Patent number: 6723003
    Abstract: A golf stance coordinator template and method for using the same is provided for establishing and documenting a correct stance and for repeated positioning of the golf ball when utilizing assorted golf clubs. The device includes a foot positioning template having an E-shaped configuration when assembled for use. The foot positioning template includes first, second, and third vertical foot marker members which are pivotally secured to a horizontal foot marker member. The foot positioning template folds into an I-shaped configuration for ease in transportability. Indicia are provided to serve as golf stance indicator markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen R. Harrell
  • Three-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6723009
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball having long flight distance when hit by using from a middle iron club to a driver, and excellent controllability by accomplishing high spin amount when hit by a short iron club and the like, while maintaining good shot feel. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core composed of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and a cover formed on the core, wherein the center has a diameter of 10 to 20 mm and a central point hardness in JIS-A hardness of 30 to 90, the intermediate layer has a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of 50 to 70, and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 45 to 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kato
  • Putting aid and method for using same
    Patent number: 6716109
    Abstract: A golf putting aid is used with a putter having a handle, a putter head, and an elongated putter shaft. The level includes an elongated member affixed to the level and an attachment member capable of detachably securing the handle to the shaft of a putter. The method comprises attaching the level to the shaft of the putter and using the level to orient the putter shaft in a vertical plumb bob position. The putting aid may be used either with, or without the putter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: James L. Murtha
  • Golf putting training device
    Patent number: 6716113
    Abstract: A golf putting training device for improving the putting of a golfer. The golf putting training device includes a body member having a base portion. The base portion is designed for resting on a support surface. The body member has a distal wall. The distal wall is coupled to a distal edge of the base portion. The distal wall is designed for hampering the back swing of the golfer when the golfer does not draw the putter back straight. The body member has a cut out portion. The cut out portion extends in from a leading edge of the base portion. The cut out portion is designed for receiving a golf ball whereby the cut out portion aligns the golf ball with a longitudinal axis of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Manning, Paul C. Steinhilper
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6716117
    Abstract: In a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and a cover consisting of inner and outer layers, the cover inner layer is composed mainly of an ionomer resin, and the cover outer layer is composed mainly of another thermoplastic elastomer. A thermoplastic resin-base adhesive layer is interposed between the cover inner and outer layers, or a thermoplastic resin-base adhesive is blended in the inner and/or outer layer cover stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Shunichi Kashiwagi, Rinya Takesue
  • Thread wound golf ball
    Patent number: 6716115
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thread wound golf ball having long flight distance, while maintaining the characteristics of good shot feel and excellent spin performance. The golf ball of the present invention comprises a thread wound core composed of a solid center and a thread rubber layer formed on the solid center, and a cover covering the thread wound core, wherein if the diameter of the solid center is A (mm), a thickness of the thread rubber layer is B (mm) and a thickness of the cover is C (mm), A, B and C satisfy a correlation represented by the following four formulae: 36.5≦A ≦39.0, 1.0≦B≦2.0, 1.0≦C≦2.0, B+C≦3.5 and the cover has a Shore D hardness of 50 to 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Keiji Moriyama
  • Golf ball dimples
    Patent number: 6709349
    Abstract: A golf ball including a substantially spherical outer surface; and a plurality of dimples formed on the outer surface of the ball, the dimples including a perimeter and an inner surface therebetween, wherein a plurality of dimples include a plurality of sub-dimples formed on the dimple inner surface and an un-dimpled portion of the outer surface substantially conforms to a spherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Four-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6705956
    Abstract: The present invention provides a four-piece solid golf ball having excellent flight performance and good shot feel at the time of hitting. The present invention relates to a four-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer formed on the core, an outer layer formed on the intermediate layer and a cover covering the outer layer, wherein the core has a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of 67 to 85, a JIS-C hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than the surface hardness of the core, and a JIS-C hardness of the outer layer is higher than the hardness of the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Moriyama, Kazunari Yoshida
  • Dimpled golf ball and dimple distributing method
    Patent number: 6702696
    Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples on its surface, the dimples as a whole are distributed on at least a portion of the golf ball using principles of electromagnetic theory. The dimples placed on the golf ball surface are assigned charge values that are used to determine the electric potential. A solution method is then applied to minimize the potential by rearrangement of the dimple positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Nicholas M. Nardacci
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6702695
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a solid core and an enclosing cover of inner and outer layers is characterized in that the solid core has a deflection of at least 1.1 mm under an applied load of 30 kg, the cover inner layer has a Shore D hardness of 45-61, the cover outer layer has a Shore D hardness of 35-55, and the sum of dimple trajectory volumes each obtained by multiplying a dimple volume by the square root of a dimple diameter is 530-750.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higuchi, Hirotaka Shimosaka, Yasushi Ichikawa
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6702694
    Abstract: A multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer enclosing the core, and an outer layer enclosing the intermediate layer is characterized in that the intermediate layer is made of a thermoplastic resin composition, the intermediate layer on its surface has a Shore D hardness of at least 57, the intermediate layer has a specific gravity of 1.00-1.30 g/cm3, the outer layer has a specific gravity of at least 1.00 g/cm3, the core has a specific gravity of 1.05-1.20 g/cm3, the intermediate layer and the outer layer have a total gauge of up to 3.3 mm, [(core surface JIS-C hardness)−(core center JIS-C hardness)]≧16, [(intermediate layer surface JIS-C hardness)−(core surface JIS-C hardness)]≧0, and-18≧[(outer layer surface Shore D hardness)−(intermediate layer surface Shore D hardness)]<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Golf ball with high density center
    Patent number: 6692380
    Abstract: A high CoR golf ball having predetermined moment of inertia is provided. A portion of the golf ball preferably contains substantially no filler, which contributes to the increased resilience of the ball. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the portion with substantially no filler is an outer core of the ball. The innermost core should have a high specific gravity. Additionally, the outermost layers of the ball may have a low specific gravity. Preferably, the portion with substantially no filler is relatively larger than other portions of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Antonio U. Desimas
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6688993
    Abstract: A golf ball (1) has a dimple “A”, a dimple “a”, a dimple “B” and a dimple “b”. The dimple “A” and the dimple “a” have diameters equal to each other, and the dimple “B” and the dimple “b” have diameters equal to each other. The volume of the dimple “A” is greater than that of the dimple “a”. The volume of the dimple “B” is greater than that of the dimple “b”. A ratio of the number of the dimples having the smaller volume V1 than the volume V2 to the total number of the dimples is 10% to 90%. The sum of the dimple volumes is 480 mm3 to 620 mm3. The golf ball (1) has an excellent flight performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Sajima
  • Golf ball with foam core and filled cover
    Patent number: 6688991
    Abstract: A long distance, low initial spin golf ball is disclosed. The golf ball includes a high moment of inertia core assembly, which may comprise a low specific gravity core and an optional intermediate layer. This sub-assembly is encased within a high specific gravity cover with Shore D hardness in the range of about 40 to about 80. The core is preferably made from a highly neutralized thermoplastic polymer with its specific gravity reduced, and the cover preferably has high specific gravity fillers dispersed therein. The cover is preferably made from thermoset polyurethane or polyurea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd