Patents Examined by Alvin A. Hunter, Jr.
  • Three-layer cover for a golf ball including a thin dense layer
    Patent number: 6685580
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the cover comprises an inner cover layer being disposed directly adjacent the core; an outer cover layer having a thickness less than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer is disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; wherein at least one of the inner, intermediate, or outer cover layers is a dense layer having an inner diameter of at least 38.4 mm, a specific gravity greater than about 1.2 and a thickness between about 0.025 mm and about 1.27 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Multi-layer cover polyurethane golf ball
    Patent number: 6685579
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover disposed adjacent the core, wherein the cover comprises: an inner cover layer having a first thickness and being disposed directly about the core; an outer cover layer having a second thickness no greater than about 0.050 inches; and an intermediate cover layer having a third thickness and being disposed between the inner and outer cover layers; and wherein the outer cover layer comprises a composition formed of a reactive liquid material; and the combination of the first, second, and third thickness is no greater than about 0.125 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Golf ball mold and golf ball
    Patent number: 6685578
    Abstract: In connection with a golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate resin layer, and a cover, the invention provides a mold defining therein a spherical cavity for molding the resin layer. The mold is divided into a pair of mold halves each of which has at least three segments which are removably assembled to define the spherical cavity, each of the segments being provided on its cavity-defining surface with at least one projection. When the core is placed in the mold cavity, the projections support the core in place. The resin layer having perforations can be effectively molded and readily removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Masutani
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6679791
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a rubbery elastic core, a cover having a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer is composed of a resin material which is harder than the cover. The elastic core has a hardness which gradually increases radially outward from the center to the surface thereof. The center and surface of the elastic core have a hardness difference of at least 18 JIS-C hardness units. This construction and combination of features improve the distance of the ball when struck with a driver, provide the ball with excellent spin characteristics and thus good controllability on approach shots, and gives the ball a good feel on impact, enabling the ball to meet the high expectations of skilled golfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6676542
    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 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 the cover comprises polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer as a main component, and has a hardness in Shore D hardness of 40 to 60 and a thickness of 0.3 to 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Keiji Moriyama
  • Screen assembly
    Patent number: 6676532
    Abstract: A screen assembly (10, 110, 160) usable as golf practice apparatus, the assembly comprising a rotatable upstanding elongate member (12, 112) from which netting screens (16, 116) can extend in a generally vertical plane, and which can be wound around the member (12, 112) when not in use. A constant force spring (28, 128) is provided for automatic rewinding of the screens (16, 116) onto the member (12, 112). The free ends of the screens (16, 116) are provided with bars (22, 122) which are engageable with the ground in use. Further screens (20, 21, 120, 121) are provided to protect the joint between the screens (16, 116) and also to provide a ceiling layer therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Boulton, Richard Anthony Mason
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6672976
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core and a multi-layer cover. The golf ball satisfies the following conditions (1) to (5): (1) the number of dimples is 360 to 492; (2) total volume enclosed by the dimples as expressed as a percentage of the volume of the golf ball, VR, is 0.715% to 0.825%; (3) total surface area of the dimples as expressed as a percentage of the surface area of the golf ball, SR, is not less than 70%; (4) value obtained through subtraction of the JIS C hardness of the surface portion of the core from the average JIS C hardness of the cover is 0 to 20; and (5) initial velocity is in excess of 77.7 m/s (255 ft/s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6666780
    Abstract: A multi-piece golf ball includes a rubbery elastic core, a cover having a plurality of dimples on the surface thereof, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover. The intermediate layer is composed of a resin material which is softer than the cover. The elastic core has a hardness which gradually increases radially outward from the center to the surface thereof. The center and surface of the elastic core have a hardness difference of at least 21 JIS-C hardness units. This construction and combination of features improve the rebound energy, travel distance, durability and feel of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6663510
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid golf ball keeping excellent hit feeling equivalent to that of a conventional solid golf ball, providing a large spinning quantity when driven with a short iron or the like, easy to stop and having high spinning retention. The solid golf ball according to the present invention consists of a core and a cover coating the core, and the cover is made of a mixture of ionomer resin, thermoplastic elastomer and a tackifier while Shore D hardness thereof is at least 40 and not more than 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Iwami, Akira Kato
  • Golf ball mold and golf ball
    Patent number: 6659886
    Abstract: In connection with a golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate resin layer, and a cover, the invention provides a mold having a cavity wall defining a spherical cavity, wherein the core is placed in the cavity to define a space for molding the resin layer. The cavity wall is provided with a plurality of radially extending projections, the total cross-sectional area of the projections relative to the cavity wall and the total volume of the projections relative to the space volume are properly controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Yamagishi, Yutaka Masutani, Takashi Maruko, Atsushi Nakamura
  • Three-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6659888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three-piece solid golf ball, of which flight distance is improved by accomplishing high launch angle and low spin amount in initial flight performance, while maintaining soft and good shot feel, when hit at low head speed. The present invention relates to a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center, an intermediate layer and a cover having many dimples on the surface thereof, wherein hardness distribution of the center; hardness distribution between each layer and the contiguous layer in the golf ball; and a ratio of the golf ball surface area occupied by the dimple to the total surface area of the golf ball and the total of a periphery length of the dimple; are adjusted to specified ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Endo, Keiji Ohama
  • Solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6659887
    Abstract: A solid golf ball includes a core and a cover. The golf ball satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3): (1) the cover has a thickness of at least 2.5 mm; (2) the cover has a Shore D hardness of 59 to 62; and (3) a value obtained through subtraction of JIS C hardness of a center portion of the core from JIS C hardness of a surface portion of the core is at least 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Watanabe
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6656060
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a solid core and a cover of at least one layer; wherein each of a specific gravity of the solid core and a specific gravity of the cover is nearly equal to a value (S) of a relation expression given by S=W/[(&pgr;/6)×D3], where W is a weight of the golf ball and D is a diameter of the golf ball. The golf ball can enhance the durability to increase the carry of the ball with less variations in carry of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Masutani, Junji Hayashi, Hisashi Yamagishi
  • Tennis training device
    Patent number: 6648780
    Abstract: A training device which interactively guides a tennis racquet by exerting a towing force on a card which is connected to the tennis racquet. The device includes a vertically adjustable support connected with a guide pole fixed to a wall. A swivel arm is movably supported on the support and has a distal end which suspends a ball therefrom. The cord extends along the swivel arm and the support, and one end thereof is connected to the racquet through a stirrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Alexander Boldin
  • Golf ball with high coefficient of restitution
    Patent number: 6648775
    Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball that has a coefficient of restitution at 143 feet per second that is greater than 0.8015, and an USGA initial velocity less than 255.0 feet per second. The golf ball is preferably a solid three-piece golf ball with a thermosetting polyurethane cover, an ionomer blend intermediate layer and a polybutadiene core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: David M. Bartels, Michael S. Yagley, Pijush K. Dewanjee, Steven S. Ogg
  • Multi-piece solid golf ball
    Patent number: 6645090
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having good shot feel, excellent durability and excellent flight performance. The present invention relates to a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core having at least one layer, an inner cover formed on the core and an outer cover formed on the inner cover, of which the outer cover has many dimples on the surface thereof, wherein a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of the core is higher than a center hardness in JIS-C hardness of the core by less than 5, the inner cover has a hardness in Shore D hardness of less than 53 and the hardness of the inner cover is higher than the surface hardness of the core, and a hardness of the outer cover is higher than that of the inner cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Ohama, Seiichiro Endo
  • Reaction injection moldable compositions, methods for making same, and resultant golf articles
    Patent number: 6645088
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming golf equipment, or a portion thereof, preferably for forming one or more layers of a golf ball, including: providing a first reactable component containing an isocyanate-containing compound, and a second reactable component containing at least one polyol, polyamine, or epoxy-containing compound; mixing the reactable components together to form a reactive mixture; and injecting the reactive mixture into a cavity or mold having a desired shape within a time sufficient to avoid substantial polymerization, gelation, or solidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Shenshen Wu, Murali Rajagopalan, Manjari Kuntimaddi, Kevin M. Harris
  • Sports stance and follow-through training apparatus
    Patent number: 6638176
    Abstract: A sports stance and follow through training apparatus is provided having a generally elongated, planar position platform for resting parallel to the ground. A foot guard is affixed to the upper resting surface of the position platform at the front, and is formed of a flexible, elastic member forming a concave receiving cap made from a material such as SPANDEX (™). An impingement spike formed of a vertically elongated tapered shaft is pivotally affixed to the lower ground contact surface to allow said position platform to pivot about a centerline of the spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Cedric M. Hayes, Daniel Zolnier
  • Initial velocity dual core golf ball
    Patent number: 6634964
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer, wherein the core has an outer diameter of no greater than about 1.62 inches; the cover layer comprises an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer having a material hardness of less than about 60 Shore D; and at least one of the core or the cover comprises high-Mooney-viscosity rubber, high-Mooney-viscosity rubber regrind, or a mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael D Jordan, Jeffrey L. Dalton, Christopher Cavallaro
  • Golf ball
    Patent number: 6634965
    Abstract: The present invention is a golf ball having a core, a cover and a lattice structure aerodynamic pattern. The core has a diameter of 1.53 inches to 1.55 inches, and a PGA compression of 60 to 75 points. The cover has a thickness of 0.060 inch to 0.090 inch. The cover has a Shore D hardness less than 58 as measured on the golf ball. The golf ball has a COR that is greater than 0.782 points at 143 feet per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Callaway Golf Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Yagley, Steven S. Ogg, Pijush K. Dewanjee, David M. Bartels, Geoffrey P. M. Goodman