Patents Examined by Raeann Trimiew
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Patent number: 8038548Abstract: A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least first areas containing a plurality of first dimples and second areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the areas together forming a spherical polyhedron shape, the first dimples comprising truncated spherical dimples having a first, truncated chord depth and the second dimples comprising spherical dimples having a second, spherical chord depth, the first dimples are of larger radius than the second dimples and have a truncated chord depth which is less than the spherical chord depth of the first dimples, and the total surface area of all first areas being less than the total surface area of all second areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Aero-X Golf, Inc.Inventors: David L. Felker, Douglas C. Winfield, Rocky Lee
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Patent number: 8016695Abstract: A golf ball with aerodynamic coefficient magnitude and aerodynamic force angle, resulting in improved flight performance, such as increased carry and flight consistency regardless of ball orientation. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball having increased flight distance as defined by a set of aerodynamic requirements, at particular spin ratios and Reynolds Numbers. The invention is also directed toward golf balls having high spin decay rates during the first second of flight that yields improved flight performance and longer ball flight.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Nicholas M. Nardacci, Laurent Bissonnette
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Patent number: 8016697Abstract: Multi-layer golf balls having a relatively hard outer core surrounding a relatively soft, low compression inner core are provided. The inner core generally has a compression of less than 50 and the inner core and outer core generally have a combined dual core compression of 50 or greater. The outer core generally has a Shore C hardness of 80 or greater. A cover, which can be a single-, dual-, or multi-layer cover, is provided to surround the outer core. A moisture barrier layer is optionally provided between the outer core and the cover. The moisture vapor transmission rate of the moisture barrier layer is preferably less than the moisture vapor transmission rate of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert
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Patent number: 8007376Abstract: A golf ball comprising a thermoplastic inner core layer that has a geometric center hardness greater than its surface hardness to define a “negative” hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and is formed from a substantially homogenous thermoset composition, typically rubber, and has an inner surface hardness substantially less than its outer surface hardness to define a “positive” hardness gradient. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and an outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, William B. Lacy
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Patent number: 8002646Abstract: The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting essentially of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core includes a center having a center hardness of 50 Shore C or greater and formed from a first HNP composition, and an outer core layer having a surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater and formed from a second HNP composition. The first HNP composition has a material hardness of 55 Shore D or less and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer. The second HNP composition has a material hardness of 45 Shore D or greater and comprises a highly neutralized ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The material hardness of the first HNP composition is less than the material hardness of the second HNP composition. The cover includes an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Edmund A. Hebert, Douglas E. Jones
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Patent number: 8002647Abstract: A golf ball has an increased surface occupancy ratio of dimples, the dimples are shallow to restrain a lift acting on the golf ball flying in a high-speed region after the ball has been hit, and the lift of the golf ball flying in a low-speed region in the latter half of the trajectory is maintained for a long time, by which a longer carry can be obtained. The golf ball has plural dimples formed on the surface thereof, in which at least about 10 percent of dimples of all the dimples on the surface are noncircular dimples in which a boundary line between a land part and the dimple include a curved line part and a straight line part, and the noncircular dimples each have a flat bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsunori Sato
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Patent number: 7998002Abstract: A golf ball comprising a single layer core and a cover layer disposed about the single layer core, the single layer core being formed from a substantially homogenous formulation and comprising a geometric center and an outer surface, the single layer core further comprising an inner core region disposed about the geometric center and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, an outer core region adjacent the outer core surface and having a thickness of about 5 mm or lower, and an intermediate core region disposed between the inner and outer core regions. The single layer core has a first hardness disposed within the inner core region, a second hardness disposed within the outer core region, and a third hardness disposed within the intermediate core region, wherein the first hardness and second hardness are greater than the third hardness and a hardness of the outer surface is substantially the same as or lower than a hardness of the geometric center.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen, David A. Bulpett
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Patent number: 7993215Abstract: A golf club head can, for example, include a striking component with a forward surface to strike golf balls and an arrow-like component, such as a stylus, behind the forward surface; a user can see the arrow-like component pointing approximately in an optimal direction for striking a ball. Also, in addition to a front part with a forward surface between its lateral ends, a club head can include two parts that extend rearward from the lateral ends and support a weight part at a distance from the forward surface. Also, to prevent twisting about a lateral center of mass when a ball is hit, the front part can include upper and lower lobe-like portions with connections at their lateral ends and with a less connected region between, such as a gap or a thin connecting portion. A hosel can be connected to the upper lobe-like portion between the end connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Inventor: Marc T. Rentz
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Patent number: 7993218Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: 7988571Abstract: The present invention concerns a golf ball having dimple groupings comprised of multiple angular spiral shaped arms that are arrayed to form polygonal perimeters, wherein the number of arms equals the number of perimeter sides. This allows greater symmetry about the dimple grouping center, thereby improving the consistency of the aerodynamic performance of the ball. In another unique feature of the present invention, the angular shape of the arms facilitates the formation of polygonal shaped dimple groupings, which can fit closely together to cover a greater proportion of the ball's surface, preferably more than about 85% surface coverage, thereby further enhancing aerodynamic performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventor: Steven Aoyama
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Patent number: 7988570Abstract: A golf ball comprising an inner core having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a substantially homogenous composition such that the geometric center has a hardness of 56 to 80 Shore C and the outer surface has a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore C. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core and has an outer surface having a hardness of 85 to 98 Shore C and an inner surface having a hardness of 68 to 78 Shore C and being formed from a second substantially homogenous rubber composition. A cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer. The hardness of the second outer surface is greater than the hardness of the inner surface to define a positive hardness gradient of +7 to +30 Shore C, and the hardness of the first outer surface is lower than the hardness of the geometric center to define a negative hardness gradient of ?1 to ?15 Shore C.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau
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Patent number: 7988569Abstract: Golf balls having a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core contains a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The outer core layer is thin relative to the center and outer core layer. In one embodiment, the relatively hard intermediate core layer has a surface hardness of 80 to 90 Shore C which is greater than the center hardness and surface hardness of the outer core layer. In another embodiment, the cover includes an inner cover layer having a surface hardness of 60 Shore D or greater and an outer cover layer having a surface hardness of 20 to 70 Shore D.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd
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Patent number: 7980965Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Jeffrey L. Dalton, William E. Morgan
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Patent number: 7976412Abstract: Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 positioned outside the core 4, mark layer 8 and paint layer 10. The resin composition of the cover 6 includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus and a coat layer. The nucleus is constituted with aluminum oxide. The coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The composite particles are flaky. The amount of the composite particles is 0.1 parts by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the cover 6. The composite particles may be also dispersed in the paint layer 10. The amount of the composite particles in the paint layer 10 is 1 part by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 10.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: SRI Sports LimitedInventors: Kazuhiko Isogawa, Tsutomu Hirau
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Patent number: 7976408Abstract: This invention is related to multi-layer golf balls having at least one layer containing a neutralized high acid ionomer linked to a grafted metallocene copolymer, where the golf balls exhibit improved performance characteristics and properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Murali Rajagopalan, Kevin M. Harris, Michael J. Sullivan, Douglas E. Jones, Derek A. Ladd, Scott Cooper
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Patent number: 7976409Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the inner cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, and an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Shindo, Kae Iizuka
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Patent number: 7976407Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart golf ball comprised of one or more mantle layers juxtaposed between an inner core and outer cover, where the core, the mantle layer(s), and/or the cover are further comprised of a ferrofluid, a magnetorheological fluid, an inverse magnetorheological fluid, and/or a magnetorheological elastomer, in any of its construction. These nano-engineered materials make possible a golf ball with heretofore-unprecedented levels of adaptive play.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Inventor: Jay VanDelden
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Patent number: 7976410Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The core is made of a material obtained by molding under applied heat a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber containing polybutadiene having a stress relaxation time (T80) of 3.5 or less, (b) an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, and (c) an organic peroxide. The inner cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 50 to 80, the outer cover layer has a Shore D hardness of from 35 to 60 which is lower than the Shore D hardness of the inner cover layer, and the outer cover layer is formed primarily of a specific, highly neutralized resin mixture. The golf ball as a whole has an excellent rebound, a good, soft feel on impact, an outstanding spin performance, and is capable of achieving an increased distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Shindo, Kae Iizuka
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Patent number: 7976411Abstract: Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Acushnet CompanyInventors: Michael J. Sullivan, Derek A. Ladd, Brian Comeau, Douglas S. Goguen
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Patent number: RE42752Abstract: A three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center core, an intermediate layer, and a cover. The center core (1) has a diameter of at least 29 mm, a hardness in the range of 45-80 JIS C and a specific gravity of less than 1.4. The intermediate layer (2) has a thickness of at least 1 mm, a specific gravity of less than 1.2, and a hardness of at least 85 on JIS C scale. The cover (3) has a thickness of 1-3 mm and a hardness of 50-85 JIS C. The ball has a good total balance of properties in that feeling and controllability are improved at no sacrifice of flying performance and durability.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Higuchi, Hisashi Yamagishi, Yoshinori Egashira, Tadatoshi Yamada